"I'll trouble the eunuch to lead the way."
"Please," the two eunuchs passed by them and walked towards the other end.
Mu Qingxiang and Mu Qingzhu had no choice but to turn back towards Guangyang Palace. On the way, Mu Qingzhu exaggeratedly grabbed her second sister's hand, winking and asking her what to do.
Mu Qingzhu mouthed the words "calm down, don't be anxious." She didn't know why the Empress Dowager had summoned them, so there was no need to panic.
Mu Qingzhu looked at her second sister's steady demeanor and calmed down. She had been too nervous just now.
Qingyao was the Empress, and they should not need the Empress Dowager's consent to leave the palace. Why should they be so nervous? Therefore, their hearts relaxed considerably. The two of them, accompanied by their respective young maids and several eunuchs from Chuxiu Palace, headed towards Guangyang Palace.
Guangyang Palace.
There were eunuchs guarding the entrance. The head eunuch was Li Gonggong, the favored eunuch of Guangyang Palace. Upon seeing Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang arrive, Li Gonggong walked over with a smiling face.
"The two young ladies have arrived. Please follow me in. The Empress Dowager is waiting."
"Thank you," the two said in unison, a rare moment of harmony.
Li Gonggong was somewhat surprised. The two sisters from the Mu mansion seemed different today. He couldn't quite pinpoint how, but the Empress Dowager was waiting inside, and he dared not delay. Li Gonggong turned and led the two into Guangyang Palace.
Inside the main hall, on the phoenix couch, the Empress Dowager was speaking with Princess Ru Yin, her face full of smiles.
It seemed the Empress Dowager was in a good mood, and Mu Qingxiang and Mu Qingzhu breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Gonggong's voice rang out at the opportune moment, "Reporting to Your Ladyship, the two Mu young ladies have arrived."
Princess Ru Yin, seated on the high throne, rose unexpectedly and bowed to the Empress Dowager, "My mother has guests. I shall take my leave."
"Mmm, go," the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, watching Ru Yin depart, her gaze flickering uncertainly.
Ru Yin seemed different now, her schemes very deep. Even she, her mother, had to admit she was inferior. Had she truly matured, or was there someone else behind her? And what did this person want?
Rather than believing Ru Yin had become smarter, she was more inclined to believe there was someone else behind her. She just didn't know what this person was up to. It seemed she would have to send someone to monitor her daughter and see who it was that made her proud daughter so obedient.
"Mu Qingzhu (Mu Qingyao) pays respects to Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager."
The two women curtsied. The Empress Dowager withdrew her gaze, her face wearing a benevolent smile. She waved her hand and said, "Rise, and be seated."
"Thank you, Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager," Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang thanked the Empress Dowager. Palace maids immediately came forward to arrange seats. The two women sat down obediently, awaiting the Empress Dowager's intentions. Since the Empress Dowager had summoned them, there must be a reason. It was best to remain calm and observe.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the two women below. They were unusually quiet today, their brows serene, as if they had been replaced by different people from a few days ago.
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but be startled. Had something happened? But since she had summoned them to the palace, she would never let them leave unscathed.
Ru Yin had just offered an idea that was greatly to her liking.
"Are you accustomed to staying in Chuxiu Palace?"
The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, her voice gentle, her face full of kindness.
If Mu Qingxiang hadn't spoken about the disadvantages earlier, Mu Qingzhu would have been delighted by the Empress Dowager's concern for them. But now, not knowing if her intentions were good or malicious, she dared not be careless and replied cautiously.
"Thanks to Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, everything is well."
"You were brought to the palace by my summons. Now you can only reside in Chuxiu Palace. I have been uneasy in my heart, so I sent for you to inquire about your recent situation. Have you mentioned to the Empress that you wish the Emperor to take you as consorts?"
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang were momentarily unable to fathom the Empress Dowager's intentions and exchanged glances. Finally, Mu Qingxiang spoke slowly.
"Reporting to Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, we have mentioned it to Her Ladyship the Empress. Her Ladyship said she would find an opportunity to mention it to His Majesty."
"That's good," the Empress Dowager's brows twitched slightly, showing a hint of surprise, but she quickly returned to her usual demeanor and continued, "Then I can rest assured. But are you sure the Empress is truly willing to have the Emperor take consorts?"
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang's hearts sank. What they feared had come to pass.
The Empress Dowager's words clearly carried a hidden meaning. Did she want them to do something? They were prepared to leave the palace and return home.
"Her Ladyship the Empress has always kept her word. Naturally, if she promised us, she will fulfill it. However?"
Mu Qingxiang paused here. They should still explain to the Empress Dowager. Since she was the one who sent for them to enter the palace, it would be good to report to her now that they wished to leave.
Mu Qingxiang looked directly at the Empress Dowager, who was waiting for her to continue.
"Qingzhu and I intend to leave the palace and return home. We hope Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager will grant our wish."
The Empress Dowager's face suddenly turned cold. She clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. Why would these two women want to leave the palace? Could it be that the Empress had forced them to leave?
She clearly remembered that they had always wished to serve the Emperor before. A woman's admiration would not change so easily. What made them want to leave the palace? However, since they had entered the palace, how could she let them leave unscathed?
These were such good pawns to use against the Empress.
"Why do you want to leave the palace and return home? Did the Empress say something?"
The Empress Dowager asked with suspicion. Mu Qingxiang quickly shook her head. Since they were prepared to leave the palace, they certainly couldn't leave anything negative for Qingyao. From now on, the Mu family would be counting on her.
"No, we miss our parents. We have been in the palace for these past few days, and we thought that once we entered the palace, we would never see our parents again. We missed them dearly, so we decided to leave the palace."
What Mu Qingxiang said was quite true. The two of them were usually their mother's darlings and had never been away from their family. Living alone in a spacious place, it was fortunate that they had each other for company, which helped them get through these past few nights.
But thinking of home, thinking of their parents at home, their eagerness was even more genuine, wishing they could leave the palace and go home immediately.
"Oh."
The Empress Dowager dragged out her "Oh" with ill intent, and her expression became less patient.
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang carefully averted their gaze. What exactly did the Empress Dowager want? They wanted to leave the palace, but she neither said yes nor no, only frowned in thought. What was she planning?
In fact, the Empress Dowager had originally intended to sow discord among the three Mu sisters and use Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang to deal with the Empress. But something had happened suddenly. Who would have thought that these two sisters from the Mu family would voluntarily wish to leave the palace, completely disrupting her plan?
Fortunately, Ru Yin had proposed a second plan, which was perfect for implementation. Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened, and she said with a smile.
"Since you do not wish to stay in the palace and want to be reunited with your family, I grant your request. I am uneasy about this matter, so I will host a banquet for you tonight. Would you accompany me for a stroll in the garden now?"