“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“All of you may leave.”
“Yes,” all those in the room withdrew, leaving Mu Qingyao alone by the bedside. She gazed intently at the woman who occasionally frowned and bit her lip, a strange emotion welling up in her heart.
In her previous life, she had no siblings. Watching other families play together, she had always yearned for that connection. However, her parents were often apart, and she never got to fulfill this wish before her mother’s death.
In this life, heaven had granted her wish. Although she had not liked Mu Qingzhu before, finding her to be as ill-intentioned as a beautiful snake, emotions could be peculiar. When they were meant to arrive, they did.
“Sister, you will get better. I will avenge you.”
She murmured, and the person on the bed stirred. Her brows furrowed tighter, as if she were dreaming of being beaten. Her faint moans could be heard intermittently. Mu Qingyao reached out and held her hand, offering comfort.
“It’s alright, it’s alright.”
Qingyao patted her back, speaking softly. The person on the bed then moved and surprisingly woke up. She opened her eyes and gazed at Mu Qingyao, taking a long moment to realize she was not dead. She was not dead.
As soon as Mu Qingzhu came to her senses, tears began to stream down her face. Finally, she burst into sobs.
“Qingyao, I miss Mother. I miss Father. Can I go home?”
“Yes, I will have Mochou escort you back to the Mu Residence shortly. Don’t worry.”
Seeing that she had woken up and had the strength to cry, Mu Qingyao knew she was not gravely injured. The heavy stone in her heart was lifted, and she felt much lighter.
She had been so afraid something would happen to Mu Qingzhu. If something had, she would never have found peace. Fortunately, she was awake now, and she would be alright.
“Mm,” Mu Qingzhu’s tears traced paths down her face. Her already beautiful features now appeared exceptionally pitiable and alluring.
Despite the pain in her rear and every part of her body, a pain that made her want to cry out, she still remembered one thing.
“Qingyao, you promised me a handsome man?”
In the room, a hint of a smile touched Mu Qingyao’s lips, her usual sternness softening.
This woman, always looking for the best even when she had received it. If she were always this pleasant, handsome men would surely flock to her.
“Yes, I promised you I would give you one.”
Due to the pain, Mu Qingzhu quickly lost the strength to speak. Meixin had already prepared and brought the medicine.
Meixin helped Mu Qingzhu take the brewed herbal medicine and also brought a topical ointment. She carefully explained its usage to Mu Qingzhu, and only after ensuring she understood did she collect the bowls and leave.
Although she had only been in the palace for a little over half a month, Mu Qingzhu felt as though an eternity had passed. The drastic change in treatment had transformed her from an oblivious young lady into a mature woman.
“Qingyao, you must be careful. That person in the palace is too ruthless. As your sister, I truly worry about you.”
Mu Qingzhu spoke from her heart. Looking at Qingyao now, she no longer felt the same aversion. On the contrary, she was intelligent and wise, and her actions were calm and restrained, attracting people regardless of gender.
“I know. Don’t worry. Oh, right, Second Sister has also woken up. When you return to the residence, have someone keep an eye on her. Always guide her, and absolutely do not let her do anything foolish, understand?”
Mu Qingyao recalled Mu Qingxiang’s desperate act and feared she might do something foolish after returning home. Therefore, she urged Mu Qingzhu to pay attention.
“I understand.”
As they were speaking, Mochou entered from outside and said respectfully, “Your Majesty, the carriage has arrived. Shall we send the Eldest Miss and Second Miss out of the palace now?”
“Yes, send them out. Rest well after returning to the residence.”
Mu Qingyao nodded calmly, signaling Mochou to send Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang back to the Mu Residence. Mu Qingxiang was resting in another area; although she had woken up once, she was still somewhat disoriented.
Mochou accepted the order, beckoning two young eunuchs from outside the hall to help her support the Eldest Miss as they walked out.
Before leaving, Mu Qingzhu gazed deeply at Mu Qingyao and said slowly, “Qingyao, if I’ve done anything to offend you before, please don’t hold it against me.”
“It’s all in the past. It’s alright.”
Mu Qingyao waved her hand and watched her disappear through the doorway. Her gaze suddenly turned cold and captivating. Next, she was determined to find the Empress Dowager’s weakness and strike a fatal blow, letting her know that she, Mu Qingyao, was by no means a pushover. That man, where was he? She would find him in the palace; he must be hiding in Guangyang Palace.
A faint, pale light emerged in the sky. The night had passed.
And throughout this night, Mu Qingyao had not slept. Though her heart burned with anger, these matters could not be rushed. She should go to sleep first.
Meixin entered from outside. “Your Majesty, you should get some rest. Dawn has not fully broken yet. Now that the Eldest Miss and Second Miss have returned to the residence, Your Majesty can worry a little less.”
“Alas, they came in high spirits, joyous and elated, and left battered and disheartened. The imperial palace is truly a place that devours people without spitting out their bones.”
Mu Qingyao spoke coldly, standing up and following Meixin out of the room towards another sleeping chamber.
She was tired and needed to rest. After replenishing her strength, she would then figure out how to find that man…
Inside Fengluan Palace, it was exceptionally quiet.
There was not a sound from within or without, as Her Majesty was resting in her sleeping chamber, and His Majesty was accompanying her.
A Jiu and Mochou stood guard outside the sleeping chamber. No sound came from within. A Jiu raised his eyebrows in curiosity, wondering why there was no sound at all.
Sunlight, like scattered fragments of gold, shone through the window lattice. The white chiffon curtains hung softly before the windowsill, elegant and ethereal.
Inside the sleeping chamber, a magnificent, lifelike crystal screen stood before the door, obscuring the view within.
Beside the spacious bed sat a handsome, gentle man. His facial features were soft, radiating a brilliance as dazzling as gold.
He had witnessed the concern in her eyes during everything that had happened last night. He had never imagined that someone as exceptionally intelligent and cold as she would feel concern for another; it was truly a rare sight.
The person sleeping on the bed was still entangled in the nightmares of last night. Her willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows were subtly furrowed, and fine beads of sweat dotted her face.
Murong Liuzun reached out and held her hand. Sensing his kindness, the person subconsciously relaxed a little. This stirred something within him, his heart stirring with a tender moisture. Could he try to accept her, independent of his kingdom, but was it possible?
Carrying the burden of his mother’s death and his father’s entrustment, was he still worthy of speaking of pure emotion?
If he could cast these aside, and she were to wholeheartedly assist him, he would unreservedly offer her a lifetime of deep affection. Qingyao, would you? I wish for your heartfelt assistance, are you willing?