"Your Majesty," Meixin spoke softly, attempting to remind her mistress to be a little more mindful. But Mu Qingyao dropped her chopsticks, let out a satisfied burp, and declared, "I'm full."
Meixin sighed helplessly. Gods, strike her dead with lightning for having such a mistress. Still, she dared not wallow in self-pity and proceeded to attend to her mistress's handwashing and wiping.
What was most peculiar was the Emperor. He hadn't touched his chopsticks the entire time, and seemed more than pleased with her conduct, a faint, gentle smile gracing his lips.
Could it be that the Emperor liked his mistress this way? Meixin couldn't fathom such matters, but as long as the Emperor wasn't angry, her heart finally settled. She had feared that if her mistress angered the Emperor, she would face punishment.
After eating her fill, Mu Qingyao's mood relaxed. Her entire face was flushed, radiating a captivating glow. Glancing up, she saw that the Emperor hadn't moved his chopsticks at all, and she raised her eyebrows in curiosity.
"Why isn't Your Majesty eating? These imperial court delicacies are truly different, exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, a feast for the senses!"
"As long as you like it," Mu Rong Liu Zun felt a flicker of pleasure upon hearing her enjoyment. However, his pupils deepened, and his mood grew heavy as he thought of his imperial brother, the Prince of Nan'an. "I'm worried about the Prince of Nan'an in prison, hence I can't eat?"
A solemn light instantly veiled Mu Qingyao's beautiful face. Her starry eyes were as cold as a deep pool as she fixed her gaze on Mu Rong Liu Zun.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. That Prince of Nan'an did not kill the Crown Princess, so Your Majesty need not worry."
Upon hearing Mu Qingyao's words, a smile touched Mu Rong Liu Zun's exceptionally handsome features, his gaze misty. Could it be that Qingyao had already investigated? "Are you saying you've confirmed the Prince of Nan'an did not kill the Crown Princess?"
"Not yet. The Prince of Nan'an himself said so. Since he claims he didn't kill her, Qingyao believes in his character. He certainly wouldn't have killed the Crown Princess, so Your Majesty need not worry."
In the night, within the white jade pavilion, Qingyao's chilling, crisp words echoed.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's previously soft face instantly turned frosty, the heaviness in his eyes impossible to conceal. He spoke slowly:
"I know he wouldn't kill the Crown Princess. But now, in the hall of the Ministry of Justice, there is witness testimony and physical evidence. Without finding counter-evidence, the Prince of Nan'an's crime cannot be cleared."
"Why should Your Majesty worry? Qingyao already has a general idea of who killed the Crown Princess. So, Your Majesty can rest assured and wait."
Mu Qingyao stood up and slowly walked to the jade balustrade beside the pavilion. The wind stirred the thin gauze, gently caressing her cheeks like a soft hand.
Thinking of the person who killed the Crown Princess, an inexplicable sadness welled up in her heart.
"Qingyao already knows who the true murderer of the Crown Princess is. Good, this is truly excellent."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's previously fierce and somber demeanor vanished, replaced by an unrestrained elation. He slowly stepped forward and stood beside Mu Qingyao.
The two figures, one tall and one short, were so perfectly matched and suited, both wise and breathtakingly beautiful. At this moment, they were allies on the same side. One could only hope they would work together shoulder-to-shoulder in the future.
In the dark night, withered lotus leaves rustled. The wind swept up dead branches and fallen leaves, churning and rustling across the clear lake.
A chill slowly permeated the skin. Autumn had arrived, and all things were beginning to wither.
"Reporting to Her Majesty the Empress, the person has been brought."
Outside the pavilion, Mochou's voice sounded. Mu Qingyao came back to her senses and glanced at the man beside her.
In the dark night, his pupils were unfathomable, like a boundless ocean, faintly shimmering with light. Yet, a gentle smile curved his lips, concealing the sharp killing intent and radiance emanating from him.
What she saw before her was merely an elegant and refined Emperor, but Mu Qingyao knew that precisely this side of him was the most terrifying. Only those who were truly formidable could control their fangs and claws at will. If they were ever to face each other in opposition, what a bloody scene it would be?
Mu Qingyao stared blankly at that face, so stunning it defied humanity. For a long while, she remained silent. Mu Rong Liu Zun waved a finger in front of her, his voice as clear as water, "Yao'er, what's wrong?"
The tone was intimate and natural. Mu Qingyao almost fainted. When had she become so familiar with him? First, it was Qingyao, which she could barely accept. Now, it had become Yao'er. She wasn't used to it. This address, besides her father the Prime Minister, had never been used by anyone else. Aunt Su Ge had always called her darling.
"Your Majesty?"
Mu Qingyao's expression turned cold, but she didn't know how to voice her thoughts. Indeed, could she directly order the Emperor to change his address? It felt so odd.speechless, she simply glared furiously at the man who wore a harmless smile.
Mu Rong Liu Zun knew what this woman was thinking, but he found this way of addressing her much more convenient, and more importantly, it felt natural to him.
"Alright, someone is waiting outside." Mu Rong Liu Zun then extended his long, slender hand and took her soft palm, leading her towards the stone table.
His hand was warm and searing, completely different from the icy coldness on their wedding day. In the dark night, it caused her cool as water body to generate wisps of heat.
"Forget it. This is not the time to quibble over minor details. I am a modern woman, after all. Would I die over a mere address or a held hand?"
As the two of them sat down, Mu Rong Liu Zun's expression turned stern, a chill enveloping him, a stark contrast to his previous gentle demeanor. His deep, commanding voice rang out:
"Come in."
Mochou and Bingxiao led in two women dressed in barbarian attire.
Mu Rong Liu Zun immediately recognized these two maids as the Crown Princess's personal attendants.
The two women were currently gazing at them mournfully, tears still staining their faces. They appeared emaciated, as if the Crown Princess's death had deeply affected them.
As soon as the two maids entered the pavilion and saw the Emperor of Xian and the Empress, they panicked and knelt on the ground: "We pay our respects to the Emperor of Xian and Her Majesty the Empress."
"Rise," Mu Rong Liu Zun commanded icily.
An intense chill permeated the white jade pavilion. The two palace maids involuntarily shivered and nervously rose to stand aside.
Mu Qingyao glanced at them coldly and raised her hand to order, "Other than these two, everyone else may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress."
All extraneous personnel in the pavilion retreated, leaving only the two maids. The Emperor, seated beside them, had dark and unfathomable eyes.
Could the Crown Princess's death be related to these two maids? If so, they deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces. A bloody killing intent flared up, scaring the two maids into kneeling with a thud, their voices stammering:
"May we know the reason for the Emperor of Xian's summons?"
"You may rise," Mu Qingyao said, her voice soft as water. She also cast a glance at the Emperor, wondering why he was putting on such a cold face for no reason.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the two palace maids stole a glance at the Emperor of Xian. Seeing that his expression had softened slightly, they dared to rise and stand aside.
Outside the pavilion, the melodious zither music of the palace servants echoed and gently swayed over the clear lake. The whistling wind concealed the hushed whispers within the pavilion.