Qingyao settled into the Crown Prince's manor. Every day after the morning court, Changsun Zhu would visit her, play chess, share meals, and then return to his own residence to handle official duties, never mentioning anything else.
In the vast Crown Prince's manor, everyone showed her utmost respect. Wherever she went, she received the highest regard from everyone, which left her somewhat bewildered.
Although she had considered it before, that Changsun Zhu brought her to Qingluo Kingdom with the intention of making her the Crown Princess, as he had mentioned it, it now seemed she had been overthinking. He hadn't brought it up at all, and she was happy to have peace and freedom.
However, it seemed there were too many women in this Crown Prince's manor. Where there are women, there is gossip, and she had firmly remembered this saying.
Therefore, she had been contemplating for some days, looking for an opportunity to leave. But where to go after leaving? She couldn't figure it out for the moment. What she wanted to do most now was to seek out famous teachers and learn skills, including the martial arts of Mochou and Moyou.
In this era, without high martial arts skills, one seemed to be always at the mercy of others. Even if she wished for peace, she couldn't be like meat on a chopping block, to be slaughtered at will. And now, even if she didn't want to, didn't wish to, without power to confront the Emperor, she would eventually have to go back.
But where could she find such a highly skilled martial arts master? This troubled her greatly.
Qingyao was wrestling with this matter in her room when Mochou and Meixin walked in. Seeing her lost in thought, they curiously approached her.
"Miss, what are you thinking about?"
"I want to become a disciple and learn martial arts. Mochou, you've seen it too, our skills are often inferior to others. While we can handle ordinary people, we are no match for true masters. In this chaotic world, there are so many people with great abilities. If our martial arts are not strong, we will always be at the mercy of others."
Mochou agreed with her mistress. If their martial arts were powerful now, why would they need to stay in the Crown Prince's manor? They could come and go as they pleased and would have left long ago.
But now, they were like trapped beasts, unable to leave even if they wanted to. Although Changsun Zhu had said they could leave whenever they wished, judging by his demeanor, they probably wouldn't be able to leave anytime soon.
"But where can we find a powerful master now?"
Mochou frowned. Moreover, this was Qingluo Kingdom. It would be even harder to find a renowned master here. This was Qingluo Kingdom's territory; they wouldn't dare offend the Crown Prince Changsun Zhu by taking them as disciples.
"Alright, we'll just keep it in mind. These things are matters of fate; they can't be found just by searching."
Qingyao sighed. As long as they kept their eyes open, it would be enough. This Crown Prince's manor was not a place to stay long. She feared that lingering too long would only breed resentment.
How could she not know the intentions of those women?
Moreover, their gazes were not friendly, as if they all hated her. She didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble.
She had no interest in Changsun Zhu, so those people were simply hating the wrong person.
Just as Qingyao was deep in thought, a young maid entered from outside and reported respectfully.
"Miss Mu, Madam Lan, Madam Yun, and a few other ladies request an audience."
Qingyao's eyebrows twitched. She glanced at Mochou and Meixin. Speak of the devil, Cao Cao arrived. Today, Yingfeng had gone to assist Changsun Zhu with his affairs and was not in Mingyue Wan. While she was present, no one visited, but as soon as she left, people came to call.
What did this mean? It meant those ladies had been waiting for this opportunity. What did they want?
Qingyao's expression turned cold, a chilling aura flashing in her pupils. She waved her hand calmly, "Let them in."
"Yes, Miss Mu," the little maid withdrew respectfully. Soon, voices could be heard: "Madam Lan, Madam Yun, Madam Li, Madam Zhao, Miss Mu is inviting you in."
As the words fell, a gust of fragrant breeze swept through the doorway, and four figures adorned in bright colors swept in, their faces adorned with a watery smile, each with three parts caution and seven parts testing: "We, your humble servants, greet Miss Mu."
Qingyao glanced at them. Plump or slender, they were all present. Changsun Zhu truly enjoyed the blessings of having many wives. Any one of these women, when presented, would be considered peerlessly beautiful, and their demeanor was proper, clearly indicating they were from distinguished families.
"Thank you, ladies. Please be seated."
Qingyao assessed them and, without being subservient or overbearing, waved her hand, signaling the ladies to sit. Little maids immediately came to serve tea.
"I don't know what brings you ladies to visit. Qingyao is honored but also apprehensive," Mu Qingyao felt there was no need for pleasantries with these women and spoke directly. The few women seemed surprised by Mu Qingyao's straightforwardness, becoming somewhat fidgety. They looked at her, and she looked at them. Finally, the charming Madam Lan spoke.
"Miss Mu, please don't misunderstand. We've just come to see you. Since you are a guest and have been in the Crown Prince's manor for several days, we sisters have come to pay a visit and see how you are settling in. If there are any areas where the maids have not attended to you properly, Miss Mu can send someone to the back courtyard to inform us."
"You are too kind," Qingyao nodded elegantly. It was indeed thoughtful of them, but she didn't want to trouble them.
Moreover, which of these women was genuinely willing to visit her? They were merely here to gather information.
And she didn't want to say much to them. In any case, she would leave this place as soon as possible.
"Ladies, please have some tea," Qingyao raised her teacup and gestured. The women below immediately picked up their cups flatteringly. In the vast main hall, only the sound of sipping tea could be heard, with no other noise. Mu Qingyao remained silent, her gaze lowered, and the ladies dared not speak casually.
This Miss Mu exuded an aura that seemed difficult to approach.
Her features were delicate and refined, her entire demeanor exuding a restrained wildness. With every gesture, she carried the arrogance of an emperor, making people dare not underestimate her, nor dare to offend her casually.
Since she didn't speak, the women below didn't know what to say and could only drink tea. They drank cup after cup, and maids kept coming in to refill their cups. Everyone drank their fill, but no conversation arose, making the atmosphere extremely stiff.
Fortunately, Yingfeng appeared at last. With a stern arch of her eyebrows, she spoke with displeasure.
"What have the ladies come here for?"
Madam Lan immediately replied with a smiling demeanor, "We've come to see Miss Mu."
"Alright, you've seen her, you can all go back now. Miss Mu needs to rest for a while," Yingfeng directly dismissed them. The women who had drunk their fill were eager to leave. Without another word, they stood up, greeted Mu Qingyao, and left.
Before they left, Yingfeng did not forget to warn them: "From now on, without Miss Mu's summons, no one is to come to Mingyue Wan."
"Yes, yes, Miss Yingfeng, please rest assured."
The few women finally left, and the main hall quieted down. Yingfeng walked forward respectfully and curtsied, "Miss Mu, did they trouble you? If they dared to trouble you, this servant will report it to the Master, and they will be severely punished."