“So that’s how it is. Very well, this Empress knows what to do. If you didn’t do it, I believe your innocence will be cleared soon enough.”
Mu Qingyao finished speaking, uttering a few calm words before turning to leave the prison cell.
Behind her, the Prince of Nan’an stared at her slender, graceful figure with his confused, starry eyes. This woman seemed to possess immense energy, as if nothing could ever stump her.
Watching her confident demeanor, the anxiety and anger he’d felt all morning vanished without a trace. He felt much more at peace and decided to rest.
He trusted her for reasons unknown, and now he understood a different definition of their relationship.
Allies on the same side.
Outside the prison, the sun was bright, casting harsh rays onto the prison roof. Layers of soldiers stood guard, twice the usual number. This place held important criminals of the Xuanyue Kingdom.
They were not only of noble status but also possessed astonishing martial arts skills. Should anything happen to him, or if he escaped, no one would be able to bear the responsibility.
The Minister of Justice stood outside with a group of people, but Chu Qianyi was nowhere to be seen. That fellow had slipped away quickly, likely fearing she would seek him out for an explanation. Mo Chou and Mei Xin stepped forward to support Mu Qingyao, asking with concern,
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
“Yes, I am alright,” Mu Qingyao narrowed her eyes, raising her hand to elegantly shield her eyes from the dazzling sunlight. The stark contrast between the inside and outside was disorienting.
Poor Prince of Nan’an. Mu Qingyao glanced back at the heavily secured prison, then turned and stated calmly, “Let’s return to the palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mo Chou and Bing Xiao acknowledged the order. The Minister of Justice and his officials breathed a collective sigh of relief. If anything had happened to Her Highness in his jurisdiction, he would have been annihilated along with his entire clan. Thus, it was best to send off the divine being as quickly as possible.
A magnificent carriage waited outside the prison. Mo Chou helped Mu Qingyao into the carriage, with herself and Bing Xiao following suit. A chorus of voices outside rang out, “We bid farewell to Her Majesty the Empress.”
A cold voice drifted from the carriage, “No word of today’s events is to be leaked, or do not blame this Empress for turning ruthless. I will take the case files with me for now.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” a clear voice responded in the sunlight.
Mu Qingyao’s eyes deepened slightly. She believed these people would not dare to leak today’s events casually. Moreover, Chu Qianyi, who had already departed, would certainly not divulge this information. Although he was the son of the Right Prime Minister, the Prince of Nan’an was his friend, so he had no reason to harm him.
“Return to the palace.”
With a command, the carriage swiftly departed.
The Liuli Palace was quiet and serene. Upon her return, Mu Qingyao had lunch and then instructed everyone not to disturb her, as she would be resting in her sleeping quarters.
She had visited other palaces and the Ministry of Justice all morning, finally finding some clues. Now, her eyelids felt heavy. She had only slept after the hour of the Ox past midnight and had been woken early by Xing Zhu, making her exhausted.
In early autumn, a cool breeze began to blow, rustling through the brocade gauze curtains and swirling within the sleeping chambers.
On the spacious bed, the gauze canopy embroidered with a hundred playful butterflies rippled gently in the wind, like a calm sea creating soft waves, inducing a sense of peace and comfort.
Mu Qingyao slept soundly, her light silk undergarment loosely draping her exquisite figure. Her cloud-like black hair was spread across the mandarin duck pillow, revealing a face of ethereal beauty.
The beauty lay like a willow, capable of toppling cities with a smile. Such a peerless person possessed such brilliant intelligence, how could she not capture everyone’s attention?
Within the sleeping chambers, by the screen, stood a tall and slender figure. He wore a purple robe embroidered with gold, with a white cloak over it. The edges of his robe and sleeves were outlined with gold thread, forming swirling clouds that added to his graceful aura. His cloud-like black hair was tied up with a golden hairpin, exuding opulence and distinction.
At the palace gate, Mo Chou and Mei Xin, leading the palace guards, knelt and bowed softly, “We bid farewell to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Hmm, do not wake her. When she wakes, tell her that I am waiting for her at the Lingbo Pavilion for dinner.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Mo Chou acknowledged.
The Emperor seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, his voice so gentle it could melt. His typically bloodthirsty dominance was hidden deep within, radiating a gentle radiance.
Murong Liu Zun turned his tall frame and led Ah Jiu and several eunuchs out.
The sleeping chambers fell silent, and the person on the bed continued to sleep soundly.
Mo Chou and Mei Xin entered, glancing at Her Highness. She was so beautiful, like a delicate flower bud, or more like a dewdrop on a flower in the morning.
Mo Chou, recalling the Emperor’s gentleness earlier, suddenly understood. The Emperor seemed to favor Her Highness. He had originally come to see her, but seeing her fast asleep, he hadn’t disturbed her and had instead left.
Mu Qingyao slept until dusk. The dark sky was filled with dazzling stars, twinkling with a brilliant blue glow.
There was no moon tonight. Lanterns were hung high inside and outside the Fengluan Palace, making it as bright as day.
Mu Qingyao opened her eyes, gazing at the luxurious light around her. A gentle warmth flickered across her delicate, lotus-like face as she slowly called out, “Mei Xin, what time is it?”
Mei Xin and Mo Chou, who were waiting in the sleeping chambers, heard their mistress’s voice and knew she had awakened. They quickly stepped forward to serve her. Mei Xin replied with a smile, “Your Highness, it is now the hour of Mao. It is already dark.”
“Oh, I’ve slept for a long time. No wonder I feel so much better,” Mu Qingyao’s lips curved into a smile as she watched Mo Chou begin to lift the gauze curtains.
Mo Chou, while lifting the curtains, smiled at her mistress. “Your Highness, His Majesty came by earlier. Seeing that Your Highness was sleeping soundly, His Majesty did not disturb you and said he would dine with Your Highness at the Lingbo Pavilion tonight.”
As Mo Chou finished speaking, Mu Qingyao, who had been using her slender fingers to comb her cloud-like black hair, paused involuntarily. She curved her lips into a smile. It was truly considerate of him. He was clearly eager to know if there were any loopholes in the matter of the Prince of Nan’an but could still consider her feelings.
“Mei Xin, help me get dressed.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Mei Xin immediately led two palace maids forward and carefully attended to Her Highness’s attire.
In early autumn, the night air was already cool. She wore a wrapped inner garment, overlaid with a brocade robe. Her arms were adorned with a shimmering green gauze, her hair expertly pinned up, forming a loose emerald cloud bun, adorned with a peony flower. In the night, she was like a secluded orchid blooming, instantly dazzling the eye, leaving one mesmerized.
“Your Highness, what do you think?”
Mei Xin skillfully handed the bronze mirror to Mu Qingyao. Mu Qingyao glanced at her reflection, her gaze revealing a hint of admiration. Mei Xin’s hands were truly skilled; her expert styling brought her image to life with vivid charm.
“Mm, very good. Let’s go, don’t keep His Majesty waiting.”
It wasn't that she was eager to see the Emperor, but rather because she knew he was anxious about the matter of the Prince of Nan’an. It was rare for an Emperor to consider her feelings, so why would she deliberately make things difficult for him?