The person in her dreams, however, could not hear his words and remained lost in deep slumber.
Murong Liu Zun stayed with her for a while before rising to leave. She had a tiring night yesterday; it was best to let her sleep more. Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang were finally out of the palace. It was fitting that those two women learn a lesson; they were too arrogant and ignorant of their place, causing Yao’er such distress.
Outside the bedchamber door, Ah Jiu and Mo Chou called out, "Your Majesty," upon seeing the Emperor emerge.
The man, who had previously been as gentle and refined as a scholar, now exuded an aura of cold ruthlessness. His dark eyes were deep and piercing, and an unspoken authority emanated from him, making him unapproachable. His voice, tinged with a chilling resonance, commanded, "The Consort is tired. Let her sleep more. Do not let anyone disturb her."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mo Chou bowed her head in acknowledgment and watched the Emperor depart.
Mu Qingyao slept for a full day. Whether it was due to exhaustion or an unconscious desire to avoid waking, she slept until the sun began to set, only then stirring.
During this time, Princess Xingzhu came to visit her once. She sat for a while, but seeing no signs of Mu Qingyao waking, she returned to her palace.
Chun Han was extremely weak due to excessive blood loss. She had only woken up once since being brought back last night before falling unconscious again. It seemed that without the blood ginseng to replenish her blood, she would not recover.
However, the Consort was still asleep and appeared to have forgotten about this matter.
The evening glow painted the sky in shades of red, casting a hazy hue over Fengluan Palace.
The dim crimson light filtered through the white curtains, falling lightly into the bedchamber.
The person on the large couch slowly opened her eyes, gazing motionlessly at the gauze canopy above, her thoughts gradually clearing.
Yesterday, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang had both suffered severe injuries.
While it was a lesson they deserved, the cost had been immense. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager's true target was not them at all. She merely wanted to force Mu Qingzhu to reveal who had instigated them.
In that case, it should have been her who was punished, not them.
But Mu Qingzhu had shattered all expectations by resolutely protecting her, an act that had profoundly shaken her and remained lodged in her chest.
Initially, she had only wanted to leave the palace as quickly as possible. But that old woman dared to provoke her, and she would never let her off the hook.
Mu Qingyao's gaze instantly turned as cold as ice, a chilling current flowing through her. Mo Chou and Mei Xin, who had been waiting by the screen, snapped back to attention and quickly approached.
"Consort, you're awake. Are you hungry?" Mei Xin asked with concern.
Hearing the gentle voices, Mu Qingyao's ferocity subsided considerably. She turned to look at the two maids by her bedside and shook her head.
Yet, a lingering knot of distress remained on her expression, causing Mei Xin and Mo Chou great heartache. Even Mao Xueqiu, quietly waiting in a corner, sensed her unhappiness. It leaped from the ground and into her embrace, chirping as if to comfort her.
"You, little one?" Mu Qingyao's voice was soft. This beloved little creature truly understood her heart, always trying to cheer her up when she was down.
Although she resented the Empress Dowager's ruthlessness, she could not let those who cared for her worry.
Mo Chou and Mei Xin cared for her deeply; how could she let them worry? She could no longer remain passive. If she did, that old woman would continue to target those around her.
Now, she had to fight back. Thinking this, her heart felt a sense of clarity and ease spread through her body.
Mu Qingyao stretched lazily and spoke comfortably.
"It's late, isn't it? How long have I slept?"
Seeing that the Consort had recovered, Mo Chou finally breathed a sigh of relief. With a smile, she respectfully replied,
"Consort has slept for nearly a day. It is late now. Consort must be hungry. Please get up and eat something, or your body will not be able to bear it."
"Alright, have the meal brought in."
Mo Chou mentioning it made her realize she was indeed hungry, her stomach rumbling loudly. Mu Qingyao waved her hand to give the order, and Mei Xin immediately went out to instruct the palace maids to bring the food.
Mo Chou meticulously helped the Consort to rise.
"Has anything happened today?" Mu Qingyao asked Mo Chou.
Mo Chou, while tidying her clothes, respectfully reported:
"This morning, the Emperor came to see Consort. Seeing that Consort was sleeping soundly, he did not wake her. Princess Xingzhu also came to visit Consort. She sat for a while and left when she saw Consort had not woken. Also, Chun Han, who was rescued yesterday, although she took the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, is still in a coma. She only woke up once in between and quickly fell unconscious again."
"Oh," Mu Qingyao lightly tapped her forehead with her slender hand. She had indeed forgotten about this. Yesterday's events had upset her, and she had overlooked this. Had she mentioned the blood ginseng to the Emperor yet?
She wondered if the Emperor would give her the blood ginseng.
"After I eat, I'll go find the Emperor for that blood ginseng?"
Mu Qingyao said this as if it were natural. Mei Xin took the Consort to the dressing table and began to comb her ink-black hair. Doubt flickered in her eyes. She had heard that blood ginseng was extremely precious. Would the Emperor give it? The Consort was truly optimistic.
"The Emperor might not be willing to give it."
"He will," Mu Qingyao pursed her lips and smiled faintly. The beauty in the bronze mirror's eyes shone with intelligence and an utmost playfulness. As her gaze shifted, it conveyed absolute confidence.
Seeing Mei Xin pause in her actions with a look of disbelief, Mu Qingyao smiled even more happily. She would not tell Mei Xin that when she had cleared Prince Nan'an's name, the Emperor had offered her a reward, which she had declined at the time.
"That's good," Mei Xin finished smoothing her long hair and was about to tie it up when Mu Qingyao shook her head and lightly instructed, "Just gather it with a silk ribbon. Don't make it too troublesome."
"Alright, Consort," Mo Chou nodded and, following the Consort's instructions, simply gathered her hair with a silk ribbon. At this moment, the Consort looked like an ethereal spirit, pure and translucent.
In private, the Consort was actually very gentle, lacking the cold indifference she displayed in front of others. This was a side that only she and Mei Xin were privileged to witness; others had no fortune to see her in this way.
In the Consort's heart, they were no different from family, which was why she was so natural and relaxed. It was precisely for this reason that Mo Chou had always felt content.
As Mu Qingyao finished tidying herself, two palace maids brought the meal in.
Several exquisite dishes, along with some pastries, were prepared in Mu Qingyao's preferred flavors. They were a feast for the eyes and nose, making one's appetite surge.
"You may go," Mu Qingyao instructed the two palace maids to leave, keeping only Mei Xin and Mo Chou to serve her. Regardless, she still felt that her own maids were the most considerate.
"Yes, Consort," the two palace maids curtsied and slowly withdrew.
Mu Qingyao glanced at the dishes on the table. Although not many, they were more than enough for one person. She beckoned Mei Xin and Mo Chou to join her.