"Yao'er, I will send people to investigate. You should stay in the palace and rest assured. I have my own plans."
"Your Majesty, is there anyone more suitable than me?" Mu Qingyao's tone was wise and calm, her eyes glinting with intelligence.
The Emperor knew she was right. Perhaps no one in this world possessed her intelligence and shrewdness. However, taking such action carried risks. Just thinking about it made him deem it unfeasible.
Mu Qingyao's eyes dimmed, her lips pressed tightly together. The grand hall fell silent, and finally, her cool voice broke the stillness.
"I insist."
Ultimately, the Emperor agreed to her plan, but not without a reminder: "Even if you sense something, do not act rashly. I will also send Bing Xiao and Liu Zhao to protect you in case of any accidents."
"Let Bing Xiao protect me. Don't disturb the Prince of Nan'an. His movements attract too much attention, and someone might already be watching him. If he moves, others will remain hidden, and my efforts will be in vain. You don't need to worry about me either. I have an additional protector with me now."
"Who?"
Mu Rong Liu Zun raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Besides Mo Chou, the people she had around her were all incapable of fighting. Her own martial arts skills were only third-rate, making her no match for a master. That was why he was worried.
"Mo You, the person I rescued. By instinct, his martial arts skills must be extraordinary. Though not peak level, they should be comparable to Mo Chou's. This way, I have two capable people by my side. Don't worry in the future; besides martial arts, I also have this."
Mu Qingyao tapped her temple and spoke confidently. Not everything could be solved with force; strategy was also needed. She would not allow anyone to bully her easily.
"Didn't they say his poison was incurable?"
As soon as Mu Rong Liu Zun spoke, Mu Qingyao sighed. It seemed no matter what happened in the palace, it could not escape the Emperor's notice. He had learned about the imperial physician's treatment of Mo You so quickly. However, she would never tell him about Mao Xueqiu.
"It's a secret. In short, I saved him."
Mu Qingyao smiled faintly, speaking with a mysterious air, her face radiant.
Mu Rong Liu Zun chuckled and didn't press further. In fact, he had secretly recalled Xiang Bo, whose medical skills and antidote abilities were exceptionally high. He hadn't expected her to find her own way to save the young man's life.
This was good. Having an extra person to protect her would bring some peace of mind. But what about the young man's identity?
"You must investigate his identity thoroughly. Make sure he isn't someone who would be detrimental to you."
"I will be mindful of it," Mu Qingyao nodded, secretly trusting Mo You.
One could discern a person's character by looking into their eyes. Eyes were the windows to the soul. If one harbored ill intentions or something bad, it could generally be seen.
Like Chun Han, who had wronged her before; her eyes had always flickered, avoiding her gaze.
"Good, that's good."
Emperor Xian's worries subsided. Although he had concerns, he trusted this woman's capabilities more. He knew her cleverness and resourcefulness. Even without astonishing martial arts, most people would find it difficult to deal with her.
After concluding their business, both fell silent. Mu Qingyao awkwardly looked towards the palace doors, wondering why no one had entered. It left her and the Emperor sitting there awkwardly, and she feared he might bring up what happened last night. It was too embarrassing. However, the Emperor didn't make things difficult for her and instead invited her.
"Yao'er, let's take a walk in the imperial garden."
"Okay." As long as they weren't just sitting there, she didn't mind what they did. Mu Qingyao immediately got up and headed out.
Emperor Xian behind her smiled. Why was this girl walking so fast, as if he would eat her?
However, thinking of their kiss last night, he truly wished to taste those tempting lips again. But the timing was not right; he would wait until she accepted him. His tall figure stood up, and the two walked out of the hall, one after the other.
A full moon, like a jade plate, hung in the sky, its gentle radiance like silk, enveloping the entire imperial palace.
The white dew was crystal clear, adorning the flowers and plants, sparkling enchantingly.
The Emperor and Empress walked ahead, while others dared not follow too closely, trailing them from a distance, being careful not to make any sound. Joyful laughter echoed from the front, suggesting that the Emperor and Empress's relationship was growing stronger.
"Yao'er likes listening to the Xiao. Do you want to learn?"
Mu Rong Liu Zun's words were tempting, but Mu Qingyao's joy lasted only for two seconds before she thought of a practical problem. The Emperor was busy with state affairs; how could he have time to teach her the Xiao? Thus, she replied casually.
"The Xiao isn't something that can be learned in a day or two. It should take a very long time to master."
And by then, she didn't know where she would be. Although she had agreed to help him, it didn't mean she would stay by his side.
The imperial palace, though luxurious, felt stifling. She found it hard to believe she would give up her freedom for this man. It would require immense willpower and love, something she couldn't imagine at the moment.
"Yes, I will teach you whenever I have time. In fact, Yao'er, your comprehension is excellent. Whatever you learn, you should be able to grasp it easily. People with good comprehension learn everything quickly."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's voice flowed like water in the night, clear and pleasant to the ear.
The two walked along the winding paths of the imperial garden, talking as they went, enjoying themselves leisurely. Mu Qingyao didn't dislike the Emperor. While she didn't love him now, it didn't mean she wouldn't love him in the future, nor did it mean they couldn't become friends.
As they walked, the Emperor stealthily observed Mu Qingyao beside him. Seeing her bright eyes, which didn't seem to reject his company, a flicker of excitement crossed his heart. It seemed they had taken a big step forward; Yao'er was not someone who easily let people get close to her.
The night was enchanting, and a gentle breeze stirred.
Beneath the flowers and the moon, the Emperor naturally took Mu Qingyao's hand. Mu Qingyao froze for a second but didn't resist, letting him lead her forward.
From afar, the eunuchs and palace maids giggled. The Emperor and Empress had such a good relationship. The man was tall and handsome, and the woman was full of spirit. Under the moonlight, they looked like a painting, so warm and natural. Even they could feel the sweet and ambiguous atmosphere between the two.
The night breeze picked up, carrying a faint, fresh scent. The bright moonlight cast a silver glow, shrouding the entire imperial palace in a thin veil, hazy and graceful. On such a gentle night, neither of them wished to speak.
They simply strolled leisurely through the imperial garden, stretching every inch of their skin, sharing a smile, everything unspoken.
A melodious zither sound suddenly broke the silence, clear in the dark night, flowing like water, delicate and captivating.
Everyone stopped, turning their gazes towards the source of the music. The ethereal notes tugged at their hearts, making the melody even more enchanting.
Mu Qingyao's gaze darkened, and a smile touched her lips. This was clearly Xi Men Xin Yue's zither. As a woman, she couldn't help but admire Xi Men Xin Yue's resilience.