Mu Qingyao’s expression was indifferent. She reached out and took the tea pitcher from Mo Chou, taking a sip. To be honest, she felt no sympathy for Huamei and Xiao Qiu, two sycophantic creatures who lorded over the palace, causing the deaths of countless palace maids.
However, she couldn’t just watch them die in Fengluan Palace; they still had a use for her.
Raising an eyebrow, she coldly commanded Yi Yun.
“Secretly retrieve some medicine from the pharmacy. Just enough to keep them from dying.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Yi Yun retreated slowly. Mu Qingyao remembered something and called out, “Yi Yun, have there been any incidents in the last two days?”
“No, Your Highness,” Yi Yun replied respectfully. She had demoted the senior palace maids previously favored by Aunt Huamei and assigned four new palace maids to serve. As the saying goes, a new ruler, new ministers. As a female official of Fengluan Palace, she couldn’t keep the previously favored individuals, lest they become a future problem.
“Good. Stay vigilant. Whoever dares to act on their own accord, don’t blame me for being impolite.”
Mu Qingyao’s chilling aura permeated the side hall. Mo Chou and Mei Xin were accustomed to it, knowing their mistress’s temperament. As long as they didn’t provoke her or challenge her bottom line, she was generally easy to get along with.
Only those who were detrimental to her would face her retribution.
However, Yi Yun and the palace maids of Fengluan Palace were not yet familiar with their mistress’s ways, only knowing that their mistress’s methods were extremely sharp. Therefore, the maids were all trembling with fear, none daring to be careless. Even Yi Yun became increasingly cautious.
“Your Highness, please rest assured. This servant will work diligently and will never let such a thing happen.”
“Hmm, you may go,” Mu Qingyao waved her hand, and Yi Yun withdrew.
There were still two patients in the punishment hall. Her Highness said they must not die, and she would not dare to let them die.
In the side hall, Mu Qingyao shed her previous gentle demeanor. A luminous intelligence flickered in her deep, perceptive eyes, and her face revealed a graceful and sharp brilliance. A cool, captivating smile touched her lips.
“Mo Chou, do we have any news from Bing Xiao?”
“No,” Mo Chou replied respectfully. It seemed Her Highness was about to make her move.
“Prince Ji is truly patient. Does he still think his actions are seamless?” Mu Qingyao’s sharp gaze shifted towards the palace gate.
The sky began to darken, with dark clouds rolling in. The wind picked up, indicating an impending rain. Could this be heaven helping her?
Under the long corridor, a fierce wind swept through, scattering the flowers and plants in disarray. Dark, oppressive clouds spread across the entire imperial palace.
It was suffocating, making it difficult to breathe.
The brocade curtains fluttered as the wind lifted them. Mu Qingyao rose and walked to the window, gazing thoughtfully at the darkening sky. It was only Chou Shi (1 AM-3 AM), yet the sky had darkened as if night had fallen.
Mei Xin, holding the fluffy white ball, followed their mistress closely with Mo Chou on either side. The two maids whispered to each other in puzzlement.
“The weather has become so strange.”
Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that startled everyone. The thunder rumbled and rolled, like waves crashing against the shore, one louder than the next.
At the entrance of the side hall, a figure quietly approached, supporting another person. They flashed inside swiftly. A strong scent of blood permeated the side hall. Mei Xin was startled and quickly called out, “Who?”
Due to the dim light, the figure was unclear. Only a soft, charming voice was heard, “Your Highness, it is your subordinate.”
It turned out to be Bing Xiao, supporting someone, with another woman following behind her, weeping softly, helping Bing Xiao support the injured woman. The three slowly walked into the main hall.
Mu Qingyao immediately recognized the two women as the personal maids of the Crown Princess. She had been waiting for that person to make a move, thinking they wouldn’t act anymore.
To her surprise, at the last moment, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Mu Qingyao’s cool voice rang out, “Mo Chou, light the lamps.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mo Chou responded swiftly, skillfully lighting the palace lantern, making the side hall clearly visible.
The injured woman’s brows were tightly furrowed, her face pale, and she moaned intermittently, clearly having sustained severe injuries. One hand covered her chest, and blood dripped down, her consciousness already fading.
Bing Xiao and the other palace maid helped her lie down on a soft couch on one side of the side hall.
Mu Qingyao walked over and saw the palace maid’s face ashen, her breathing shallow, and on the verge of death. She quickly turned and instructed Mo Chou beside her, “Go and summon the imperial physician.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the palace maid lying on the couch suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils dilated. She reached out her hand, fumbling in the air, unable to catch her breath, her airway blocked. She cried out with effort, “Xiao Qiao, Xiao Qiao!”
The other palace maid rushed forward crying, taking her hand and sobbing, “Da Qiao, Da Qiao, how are you?”
“Xiao Qiao, I can’t make it. I have to go ahead of you, to accompany the Crown Princess. You live well. The Crown Princess will be with me, don’t worry about her.” With that, she gasped heavily, her eyes rolling back, and she fell into a faint.
Seeing Da Qiao dead, Xiao Qiao’s tears poured down. She gritted her teeth and held Da Qiao’s hand.
“Da Qiao, I will avenge you and the Crown Princess. Don’t worry.”
After speaking, Xiao Qiao released Da Qiao’s hand, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed repeatedly.
“Empress, I beg you to avenge Da Qiao, to avenge the Crown Princess.”
Mu Qingyao looked at the heartbroken girl. While shocked, she felt a sense of respect.
Although Xiao Qiao was just a maid, her loyalty was commendable. Mu Qingyao had always admired brave and loyal individuals, whether men or women. Mu Qingyao slightly bent down and extended her hand to help Xiao Qiao up.
“You may rise first,” she said, then turned to look at Bing Xiao, who was standing to the side. Bing Xiao’s expression seemed moved, her gaze fixed on Xiao Qiao.
“Bing Xiao, wasn’t I supposed to have you protect them? How could something happen?”
“This subordinate deserves death. Please punish me, Your Highness. This subordinate did not expect the attacker to be extremely cunning and used a stratagem to lure the tiger away from its den. First, they used one person to lure this subordinate away. By the time this subordinate killed that person and rushed back, Da Qiao had already received a sword. Please punish me, Your Highness. This subordinate has no complaints.”
Bing Xiao knelt down with a thud. Mu Qingyao looked at her with cold eyes. Due to the numerous spies in the palace, she had ordered only Bing Xiao to be close to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. This was also her own oversight; how could she blame Bing Xiao alone?
“You may also rise. I will not allow anyone to kill under my nose.”
Mu Qingyao straightened up, her pupils shining with a sharp, icy glint, a latent aura of bloodshed surrounding her.
“Xiao Qiao, are you willing to avenge Da Qiao and the Crown Princess?”
“This servant is willing. I await Your Highness’s command.” Xiao Qiao was wholeheartedly focused on avenging Da Qiao. She had a close relationship with Da Qiao and had diligently served the Crown Princess.
Fortunately, although the Crown Princess was arrogant, she treated the two of them very well. Unexpectedly, today the Crown Princess met her end at Xian Yue. They had intended to follow the Crown Princess to their death, but because Prince Nan An was still imprisoned in the Ministry of Punishments, they wanted to personally witness Prince Nan An’s punishment before joining their mistress.