“Have a seat and eat something,” she said.
“Your Highness,” Mei Xin and Mo Chou shook their heads in fear. Although they had done this before at the Prime Minister’s mansion, this was the imperial palace. If someone were to discover them, they would be greatly alarmed, and if the Prime Minister’s mansion became a topic of discussion, they did not want to be gossiped about or cause trouble for their mistress.
Unfortunately, Mu Qingyao was in a bad mood today and particularly wanted company. She lowered her gaze and let out an displeased huff. The two maids immediately dared not say another word and obediently sat down to eat with their mistress.
At the dinner table, silence reigned. The three of them ate quietly. The imperial cuisine was indeed delicious. Mu Qingyao had always advocated for good food, but tonight, the meal was somewhat tasteless. She ate a bite here and there, her brow slightly furrowed, seemingly pondering something.
Mo Chou and Mei Xin exchanged glances. Their mistress had something on her mind. Mo Chou asked caringly, “Your Highness, what are you thinking about?”
Mu Qingyao didn’t hear her. Mo Chou called out three times before she reacted, “What is it?”
“Your Highness, you seem troubled,” Mei Xin reminded her. The two maids put down their chopsticks and looked at their mistress with serious expressions. “Your Highness, if you have something on your mind, please tell us so we can share it. Don’t overthink it; your health is important.”
Mu Qingyao found the maids’ solemn appearance somewhat amusing, but she had indeed been lost in thought.
“Mo Chou, who do you think is the man who can freely enter and exit Guangyang Palace?” she asked, her voice cold and her gaze sharp.
It was because this man had defiled Mu Qingxiang. This man who had killed millions had casually insulted a woman, no different from those vile flower thieves. If she ever got her hands on him, she would have him quartered a million times to avenge her second sister.
“It must be someone from the Empress Dowager’s side,” Mo Chou said with certainty. From the events of these past few times, the Empress Dowager was ruthless and no ordinary character. It was normal for her to have such capable people under her command.
“That’s right. Later, Mei Xin, go and instruct Yiyun to buy off eunuchs and maids in the palace, no matter how much silver it takes. Keep a close eye on their movements. Also, we must monitor the movements of each palace. As long as there’s the slightest clue, I will not let them off.”
Mu Qingyao smiled coldly, her eyes fierce.
“Yes, Your Highness, this servant obeys,” the two maids acknowledged the order.
After dinner, the sky had grown late. A crescent moon hung in the sky, its watery radiance cascading down, enshrouding the entire palace.
Having slept all day, Mu Qingyao did not forget about Chunhan’s condition. She needed to obtain the Blood Ginseng to save Chunhan, so she led the two maids and several eunuchs carrying lanterns towards Liuli Palace.
The moonlight was beautiful. Its pale white light covered the bluestone path. The air was filled with a slightly damp mist that clung to the flowers and plants, making them appear tender and glistening, swaying gently in the night breeze. On such a beautiful night, Mu Qingyao did not want to sit in a sedan chair.
Having slept all day and just finished dinner, a walk seemed appropriate.
“Mo Chou, let’s walk there.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Mo Chou agreed. Their mistress had slept all day, and after eating, a stroll would be beneficial for her health. Thus, she nodded in agreement and instructed the eunuchs to take the sedan chair away. Their group accompanied their mistress on foot to Liuli Palace.
Eunuchs holding palace lanterns led the way, followed by trailing palace maids. Mei Xin and Mo Chou carefully accompanied her.
Although other palace maids were unaware, these two knew that their second young lady had just been violated. Therefore, they had to protect their mistress. If anything were to happen to their mistress, it would be a major incident.
“Your Highness, be careful.”
Mo Chou reminded her diligently. Mu Qingyao looked up at the night sky, which was as clear as if it had been washed with water, clean and bright, like a flawless piece of blue silk.
“Mm,” she replied softly. She would no longer sit and wait for death. That would only harm those around her. That woman dared not attack her directly, so she harmed those around her. She could not let her succeed again.
The cool night was like water, the moonlight was at its peak, and the gentle breeze stirred the green grass, swirling into a wave.
The moonlight cast a soft glow, and the mist spread like a hazy veil. In the distance, the flowers, illuminated by the moonlight, appeared exceptionally enchanting.
Mu Qingyao, dressed in white, her long hair reaching her waist, was gathered with a pale silk ribbon. The moonlight enveloped her, and she looked like a fairy under the moon, pure and untainted.
“Your Highness, the night is getting cold. Are you feeling chilly? Shall I go back and get you a cloak?” Mei Xin asked caringly. Mu Qingyao shook her head calmly.
“No need. Let’s go.”
Since their mistress had said so, Mo Chou and Mei Xin dared not say more. The group passed through the imperial garden, crossed several pavilions, and from afar, saw the elaborately carved and painted Liuli Palace enshrouded in moonlight, like a celestial palace under the moon, magnificent and majestic.
In the night breeze, a melodious xiao sound drifted, pleasant to the ears. Mu Qingyao stopped. The xiao music was distant, faintly transmitted. Besides Mu Qingyao, only Mo Chou could hear it; the others could not detect any sound at all. Seeing their mistress stop, everyone else also halted.
Mu Qingyao and Mo Chou exchanged glances, their eyebrows raised in surprise.
Someone was playing the xiao in the imperial palace. The xiao notes were ethereal and melodious. The player seemed to be in a somber mood, as the xiao music carried a deep, hidden emotion, winding and moving.
“Your Highness?”
Mo Chou called out. Who was playing the xiao? This was the imperial palace. Could it be the person who had violated the second young lady? Mu Qingyao and Mo Chou both thought of this, and a look of coldness flashed across their faces simultaneously.
“You all stay here. Mo Chou, you follow me,” Mu Qingyao commanded coldly.
“Your Highness!” Mei Xin exclaimed, not understanding why their mistress and Mo Chou looked so vigilant. She glanced around; the moonlight was clear, the flowers and plants swayed, and there was nothing there. Why was their mistress exuding such coldness and a face full of frost?
“Do not speak.”
Mu Qingyao’s voice was indifferent. Mei Xin dared not say anything more and could only watch as her mistress and Mo Chou swiftly flashed towards the northwest corner of the Imperial Garden.
In the northwest corner of the Imperial Garden, there was a garden with unique stones, famous flowers, ponds, and pavilions, all present. The xiao music was emanating from this garden.
The two of them carefully stepped onto the bluestone path as they moved forward. In the distance, a rockery formed a green barrier, blocking their view.
The xiao music was coming from behind it.
Mu Qingyao had always believed that among all musical instruments, the xiao produced the most moving sound. Perhaps it was because she most enjoyed listening to the xiao, which always seemed to carry a lingering, winding quality, with each piece hiding a touching story.
“Your Highness, be careful.”
As they drew closer, Mo Chou, fearing some unforeseen event, diligently cautioned Mu Qingyao. Mu Qingyao nodded slightly, and the two of them leaped out from beside the rockery simultaneously.
They saw the moonlight shining on an artificial lake. There was a bamboo grove by the lake, its reflection in the water. A gentle breeze blew, rippling the clear lake, which sparkled captivatingly.