Even though she knew the Emperor would not come to the imperial garden, she still often played the zither here, and played it so elegantly and movingly. Was her mind too deep, or was her infatuation too stubborn? Since she so wanted to attract the Emperor's attention, why not help her out this once?
"It's Ximen Xinyue playing the zither, Your Majesty."
Mu Qingyao spoke faintly, her tone flat, without any emotion. Such a calm and serene tone actually made Murong Liuzun feel a tightness in his chest.
She knew that woman was trying to seduce him, yet she could remain unmoved. Should she be said to have strong self-control, or to not care about him at all?
Perhaps it was because he knew he didn't easily like others. If it was the latter, it would make him happy. He was afraid it was the other two.
Because he felt displeased, his gaze became somewhat gloomy. He spoke indifferently, without interest: "This woman is truly boring. Tomorrow, issue a decree that no one is allowed to play the zither in this imperial garden."
Upon hearing this command, Mu Qingyao couldn't help but feel amused and speechless. When this man got angry, he was truly a bit childish. What kind of strange rule was this? She playfully nudged him.
"Your Majesty, I want to listen to the music."
"Hmm," Murong Liuzun squinted suspiciously, a dangerous dark gleam flashing in his eyes: "Do you truly want to listen, or do you have ulterior motives?"
"What are you talking about, Your Majesty?" Mu Qingyao pulled back her hand. This man was truly pushing his luck.
Although she intended to help Ximen Xinyue this once, if he truly had no feelings for that woman, he should have let her give up long ago, instead of letting her hope endlessly like this. That was also very hurtful.
"Let's go," Murong Liuzun, as if thinking of something, suddenly smiled again and extended his large hand to embrace her, walking towards where the zither was being played.
Mu Qingyao wanted to break free from his embrace. This posture was extremely ambiguous. He was tall and straight, while her figure was the opposite, delicate and petite.
Being held by him at this moment, she was completely tucked into his embrace, her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, smelling his unique scent. She couldn't help but breathe rapidly and say eagerly.
"Your Majesty, let go."
However, her voice, due to uneven breathing, lacked its usual coolness and instead had a hint of charm, making it sound even more like a coquettish complaint.
The Emperor ignored her, a foxy smile playing on his lips. So she was a little vixen who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside. As long as he could disrupt her thoughts, he could control the whole situation.
"Didn't you want to listen to the music? Let's go," Murong Liuzun did not let go, embracing her and walking straight towards the flower-viewing pavilion in the imperial garden.
The eunuchs and palace maids behind them snapped out of their daze from the moving zither music, their jaws almost dropping. Was that man their usually wise and intelligent, cold and bloodthirsty Emperor? He looked like a completely different person.
At the flower-viewing pavilion, the zither music faded, and a melancholic sigh arose from within the pavilion, as if filled with endless worries, all melting into the moonlight.
Ximen Xinyue propped her face with one hand, gazing at the full moon outside the pavilion. The moon was full and people were reunited, but the man she admired regarded her as if she were invisible. This was truly a case of unrequited love.
Just as she was tossing and turning with a thousand thoughts, the voice of an eunuch suddenly rang out from outside the pavilion: "Your Majesty has arrived."
Ximen Xinyue was startled, then quickly recovered. A watery smile flashed across her charming and alluring face, and she eagerly stood up and walked out of the pavilion.
It seemed that heaven had heard her wishes and finally given her an opportunity. Had the Emperor finally passed by the flower-viewing pavilion?
Ximen Xinyue took two steps at a time, exited the flower-viewing pavilion, and respectfully said, "Ximen Xinyue greets Your Majesty."
"Rise," a cold and domineering voice rang out. Although it lacked any warmth, this was the first time the Emperor had spoken to her so closely.
This voice was like heavenly music to Ximen Xinyue. Smiling, she said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ximen Xinyue stood up and looked up at the Emperor with her deep affectionate eyes, but then she saw the Emperor tightly embracing a woman standing before her. The man was handsome, the woman spirited, and they were so perfectly matched.
The man's facial features were cast in a stern expression, like the severe cold of midwinter. Those dark eyes were as unfathomable and dark as an abyss, sweeping over her coldly. But the moment he lowered his gaze, a pool of color spread across his eyes.
It was so gentle, it made her heart ache as if struck by a blunt object. She murmured, "Empress?"
Mu Qingyao nodded with a faint smile. She had seen the despair in Ximen Xinyue's eyes.
But the man beside her didn't like her. Even if her heart ached, she had to bear it. If she could come to terms with it, it would be a good thing.
With her ethereal beauty and intelligent mind, she would surely find a good husband.
Just as Mu Qingyao was lost in thought, Murong Liuzun beside her looked up at Ximen Xinyue, his brilliant dark eyes flashing a soul-stirring gaze.
"The Empress wishes to listen to the music. Would you be so kind as to perform a piece?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ximen Xinyue gritted her teeth, enduring it.
She had to endure what ordinary people could not. She remembered the night before entering the palace, her father had told her about the current Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager had risen from a sixth-rank noble lady to the position of Empress Dowager by enduring what ordinary people could not, and only then had she achieved her current status.
Therefore, even if the Emperor currently favored the woman before her, it did not mean he would always do so.
All emperors throughout history were heartless. Which man did not seek the new and dislike the old? After a period of contemplation, Ximen Xinyue's expression softened. She spoke gently, moved aside, and invited the Emperor and Empress into the flower-viewing pavilion.
There was a stone table in the pavilion. Ximen Xinyue waited for the Emperor and Empress to sit down, respectfully served them fragrant tea with her own hands, and then quietly moved to the side to play the zither, maintaining a gentle and breezy smile on her face throughout.
Her zither playing was flawless, as if the Emperor and Empress's affection caused her no distress.
Mu Qingyao held the fragrant tea and took a sip. She absolutely refused to believe that Ximen Xinyue had achieved enlightenment or anything of the sort. There was only one explanation now.
This Ximen Xinyue was by no means an ordinary woman. Her wisdom and intellect were probably no less than hers, and she could also endure what ordinary people could not. Her forbearance today would likely pave the way for everything she achieved in the future.
Mu Qingyao glanced sideways at the Emperor beside her. The Emperor's expression was impassive, and his unfathomable eyes were impossible to read or understand. She didn't know what he was thinking at this moment.
Inside the pavilion, the three of them, each lost in their own thoughts, forgot about the zither music. When they came back to their senses, the piece had ended.
Ximen Xinyue stood up gracefully, bowed, and slowly said, "Please forgive my performance, Your Majesty and Empress."
Mu Qingyao nodded slightly. Ximen Xinyue's zither playing was indeed excellent, with a style of her own, much like her person, gentle as water.
Whether it was because of the zither or something deeper, the Emperor's expression actually softened a little. The corner of his lips curved, and he spoke with wild charm, "Is General Ximen doing well?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My father is doing well."
Hypocritical pleasantries. Mu Qingyao gave the Emperor a disdainful look. He saw her in court every day; did he not know whether she was doing well or not, yet he deliberately asked this.