The Empress Dowager's benevolent demeanor made it difficult to refuse. Moreover, she hadn't caused them any trouble, so Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang breathed a sigh of relief, nodding in unison.
"Qingzhu (Qingxiang) obeys."
"Come, I wish to take a stroll," the Empress Dowager commanded. Eunuch Li immediately and solicitously took her arm, helping her down from the phoenix bed. Other eunuchs and palace maids followed behind as they walked outwards.
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang quickly stepped forward to accompany the Empress Dowager on her walk in Guangyang Palace.
The evening clouds had dispersed, leaving the sky a pale blue, as clear as if it had been washed with water, devoid of a single speck of dust.
A gentle breeze swept through the lush grass, creating shallow waves.
Within the side hall of the Phoenix Palace, Mu Qingyao had just finished her dinner and was frowning in thought about the night's operation. This matter had to be handled discreetly. Otherwise, if the Empress Dowager were alerted, she wouldn't be able to save Chunhan and would instead be handed a handle. As long as she found the person, she wouldn't fear her.
"Bingxiao, Mochou, have you two familiarized yourselves with the location of Guangyang Palace's torture chamber?"
Mochou and Bingxiao nodded simultaneously. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Then let's begin. Remember, you must be swift and not alarm anyone. Guangyang Palace harbors a formidable expert. Bingxiao, you will lure her away, and Mochou will bring Chunhan out."
"Your Highness, what if no one is there?" Mochou asked worriedly.
In truth, she did not approve of rescuing Chunhan. After all, that eunuch was the Empress Dowager's man. Even if he were killed by her, it would be his fate. Why should Her Highness bother saving such a lowly individual? Mu Qingyao saw through Mochou's reluctance.
"Mochou, if no one is there, then return. We will have done our best. However, if someone truly is inside, bring him back. Don't forget he is the chief eunuch of our Phoenix Palace. At least his capture proves he hasn't betrayed us. We cannot simply abandon him."
Mu Qingyao's voice resonated in the side hall, stirring reverence in anyone who heard it. Her Highness always acted with principle. Mochou felt a pang of guilt. "It is I who overthought things."
"Mochou, I know you've always been concerned about me. Rest assured, I have my own plans."
Mochou nodded. Yes, she valued her mistress's life as her own. This palace was like an abyss. Even if ten thousand people died, she did not want her mistress to perish.
What did the lives and deaths of those people matter to them? Her mistress never wanted to enter the palace; she was forced in by circumstances. Now, so many problems had arisen, especially that old woman in the palace, who truly made one grind their teeth.
"Your servant understands."
"Go, then."
Mu Qingyao waved her hand. Mochou and Bingxiao quietly withdrew. In the side hall, Meixin accompanied her mistress, offering tea. Seeing the undeniable worry on her mistress's brow, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "What is wrong, Your Highness?"
"It feels as if something is about to happen tonight, making me uneasy."
Mu Qingyao's gaze was deep and inscrutable, her beautiful face veiled by the chill of early autumn.
Meixin felt a jolt of apprehension. Her Highness's perceptiveness had always been acute. Could something truly happen tonight? The thought made Meixin anxious.
"Your Highness, since you feel uneasy, why are we still sending Bingxiao and Mochou to rescue someone? Perhaps a trap awaits us there?"
"A trap?" Mu Qingyao pondered the possibility.
If Chunhan's capture was indeed a trap, the Empress Dowager would gain little advantage. She would at most receive a scolding for sending people to trespass in Guangyang Palace. For the Empress Dowager, this was likely not enough. Her worry seemed to extend beyond this simple matter.
"They have already acted. We can only wait for news. Nothing else matters now."
"Your Highness, why don't we go to the sleeping quarters to rest? We don't know when they will return."
"Alright," Mu Qingyao rose, brushing away her unease.
When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it with earth. She refused to believe the Empress Dowager could overturn heaven itself. Even if this were a trap, she would at most receive a reprimand.
And she was merely worried about her subordinate eunuch, which led to such recklessness. Even if the Emperor found out, he wouldn't say much.
Mistress and servant rose from the side hall. Eunuchs and palace maids stood guard at the entrance. Mu Qingyao looked up. The originally clear night sky was now shrouded in a layer of dark clouds, obscuring the brilliance of the night. It was eerie and strange, as if something momentous were truly about to happen.
Compared to the stifling unease of the Liuli Palace, Guangyang Palace was filled with joy at this moment, with laughter occasionally ringing out.
In the grand hall, the dazzling figures created a mesmerizing spectacle.
The Empress Dowager hosted a banquet, inviting not only the two sisters from the Mu family but also Princess Ruyin, Noble Consort, and Miss Xinyue.
The hall was filled with a splendor of red and green, leaving the eunuchs and palace maids wide-eyed. These women were all beautiful and charming.
The banquet had yet to begin, but the Empress Dowager seemed to be losing strength, utterly exhausted, and yawning from time to time. Princess Ruyin immediately spoke with concern, "Mother Empress, why don't you return to your sleeping quarters to rest for a while? Let us chat, and we can begin the banquet after you are refreshed."
The Empress Dowager found this suggestion agreeable. She immediately covered her mouth with her jade-like fingers and said kindly, "You help Mother Empress entertain the ladies well. I will come out after lying down for a bit, and then we shall have the banquet."
"Yes, Mother Empress," Princess Ruyin replied obediently, turning to instruct Eunuch Li, who was below. "Little Li Zi, help Mother Empress to her sleeping quarters to rest."
"Yes, Princess," Eunuch Li dared not offend the princess. This girl was unlike others; while the Empress Dowager still held some affection for him, the princess did not. With a roll of her eyes, she could have him killed, so he had always treated her with caution.
Eunuch Li slowly helped the Empress Dowager back to her sleeping quarters.
The hall quieted down. Princess Ruyin surveyed the room, and her bell-like laughter rang out. "Please, everyone, be more at ease. Mother Empress is not here, let's chat. Don't just sit there silently."
"Yes, Princess."
Except for Noble Consort, no one dared to act presumptuously. Everyone had heard of Princess Ruyin's reputation – arrogant and fierce. If they displeased her, they were sure to suffer.
Therefore, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang watched her cautiously. Ximen Xinyue raised her curved eyebrows, a thoughtful glint hidden in her dark pupils. Something felt unusual about tonight's events, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
This uneasy atmosphere grew stronger. Ximen Xinyue simply stood up and spoke gently.
"Princess, Xinyue suddenly feels unwell and wishes to return to Weiyang Palace to rest."
Chu Yuyan did not know why her aunt had hosted this banquet tonight, but she knew it was nothing good. Moreover, she was unwilling to get involved in their affairs. Seeing Ximen Xinyue rise, she also stood up and said calmly, "Imperial Sister, I will accompany the Princess back."