“But what about the Han family three days from now?”
The Empress Dowager could only think of this reason. The Emperor smiled gently, "I have already selected a young lady from a close relative's family and conferred her the title of Heshuo County Princess. She will marry into the Han family, so it shall not be a disgrace to their house.”
The Empress Dowager forced a smile. It seemed the Emperor had thought of every step, and her visit to him was likely within his expectations. She could only return with tears in her eyes.
Three days later, Princess Ruyin, with a large dowry, returned to Wanhè Kingdom with Shangguan Hao.
At the same time, another bridal sedan chair carried the young lady, who had been conferred the title of Heshuo County Princess, into the Han family residence. The Han family, unaware of the changes, believed the Princess was marrying into their household. Han Qingyu was quite dejected.
However, after the guests left and they entered the bridal chamber, he discovered a woman of exceptional beauty and talent. He was overjoyed and their night together was, needless to say, passionate.
The palace finally returned to peace. With the departure of Princess Ruyin, the Empress Dowager, overcome with grief, secluded herself in Guangyang Palace day after day, refusing to emerge.
Mu Qingyao could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The harem had basically stabilized. Although there were still individuals loyal to the Empress Dowager, no one dared to act rashly, knowing that offending the Empress would lead to severe consequences.
Huamei and Xiao Qiu were executed, and Chun Han was nearly beaten to death. Who would dare to provoke the Empress again?
On the fifteenth of August, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, an imperial decree arrived early in the morning, granting the Empress permission to return to her ancestral home for a visit. The bestowed gifts soon arrived, including an abundance of food, entertainment, and daily necessities, as well as numerous antiques and jade artifacts that filled the grand hall.
The eunuchs and maids of Fengluan Palace busied themselves with preparations, their faces beaming with joy.
The Emperor’s bestowal of so many gifts to the Empress indicated his genuine affection and favor.
Mochou and Meixin were also delighted. They had been bored in the palace for so long, and the thought of leaving filled them with a sense of lightness and exhilaration. Their hearts fluttered with anticipation, longing to fly out immediately.
Meixin, in particular, having grown up in the Prime Minister's mansion, wished she had wings to return and see her family. She had suffered so much in the palace recently and longed to share her grievances with the other young maids.
Mu Qingyao sat quietly in the grand hall, observing the young maids. She was also happy, but much more reserved.
She wondered how her father, the Prime Minister, was doing. How were Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang? Especially Mu Qingxiang, had she come to terms with things? She hoped she had found peace.
Mu Qingyao’s thoughts drifted back and forth, longing to return to the Mu mansion immediately. In the grand hall, the gifts had been loaded by eunuchs onto the carriages outside the palace gates. Meixin happily exclaimed, “Your Highness, we can leave now.”
“Good,” Mu Qingyao replied, looking up at the two maids’ beaming smiles. She herself was no less happy. The accumulated vexations from her time in the palace could be dispelled by going out. “Let’s go.”
In the open space before the Fengluan Palace gates, besides a luxurious imperial carriage, there was another exquisitely decorated carriage laden with the bestowed gifts. Following behind the carriage was Hua Lige, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, along with dozens of guards, all standing at the carriages, awaiting orders.
Upon seeing the Empress emerge, everyone bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Empress.”
“Rise. Commander Hua, what is the meaning of this?”
Mu Qingyao asked calmly. Hua Lige stepped forward from the crowd and spoke with composure, “Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate has received the Emperor’s oral decree to protect Your Highness on your return to the Mu mansion for a visit.”
Mu Qingyao’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but she said nothing more. The Emperor was indeed thoughtful.
But could someone truly dare to attempt an assassination in broad daylight? A flicker of suspicion crossed her eyes, but she could not say anything. She turned and ascended into the imperial carriage.
Mochou and Meixin also followed her into the carriage. Several eunuchs boarded the carriage behind them. Hua Lige waved his hand and commanded, “Mount up, depart.”
The entourage majestically proceeded towards the palace gates.
Inside the Imperial Study of the palace.
The Emperor leaned back languidly on a golden-hued couch, his handsome face displaying soft lines, shedding his usual bloodthirsty and cruel demeanor. A casual smile touched his lips, and his face was filled with thoughtful contemplation. He wondered if Yao’er had left the palace yet.
She was cold, noble, and elegantly captivating. Despite being a person of great wisdom, she would sometimes feel pity for others.
A slender figure walked in from outside the door. A’jiu glanced at the Emperor, who seemed to be in a good mood.
“Your Highness, the Empress has left the palace.”
“Mm. Have you instructed Bingxiao to secretly protect her?”
Murong Liuzun’s expression instantly turned cold and stern. A chilling aura emanated from him, his unfathomable eyes fixed on A’jiu. A’jiu respectfully replied, “Bingxiao has been hidden in the shadows protecting her, Your Highness may rest assured.”
“Mm,” the Emperor responded softly, finally feeling at ease. If his guess was correct, someone would surely target her today, so he dared not be careless.
The imperial carriage soon passed through the two palace gates, traveling along the most bustling streets, the clamor of the crowds reaching their ears.
Meixin could not contain herself and lifted the curtain to look outside, taking a deep, appreciative breath. She turned back to Mu Qingyao, who was resting with her eyes closed within the carriage.
“Mistress, the world outside is so much better.”
Mu Qingyao’s form remained still, her eyes still closed.
The best thing in the world was freedom. No matter how good the palace was, it was merely a magnificent cage.
She simply couldn't understand why so many people willingly flew into such a cage. Even if it was precious and favored, they could only reside in that dark and sunless place.
Mochou, always reserved and composed, seeing that her mistress had been silent all along, couldn't help but ask with concern, “Your Highness, what is wrong?”
Mu Qingyao abruptly opened her eyes, her gaze sharp and piercing. “Mochou, let us be careful. I fear there may be assassins today?”
“What? Your Highness, how do you know there will be assassins?” Meixin shrank back in alarm, lowering the brocade curtain by the carriage. Her eyes widened in disbelief. How could her mistress know about assassins?
“Intuition. The killing intent is growing stronger, and they must be hidden in the shadows,” Mu Qingyao said coldly, her entire being radiating an oppressive aura, motionless.
Mochou, listening to her words, furrowed her brows and sensed the surrounding atmosphere, her expression turning grim. “Your Highness, I fear there are quite a number of them. Let us be cautious.”
Hua Lige, behind the carriages, also seemed to sense this atmosphere. He scanned the surroundings cautiously. Amidst the crowded streets, chariots and horses flowed ceaselessly. Someone might be hidden among them, so it was best to be careful.
He immediately issued a warning command. Everyone responded in unison, parting to protect the imperial carriage and slowly proceeding towards the Prime Minister's mansion.
The killing intent grew stronger.
It swept over them like a tide, surging and crashing like towering waves.
Within the imperial carriage, Mu Qingyao and Mochou were fully alert. Meixin, terrified, huddled to the side, not daring to breathe. Yet, she couldn’t resist peeking out through a gap in the brocade curtain. The streets were filled with people coming and going, showing no sign of disturbance. She was, however, intimidated by her mistress.