Mu Rong Ru Yin's eyes glinted with cunning, a smug smile curving her lips, her posture imperious.
However, the Empress Dowager had no desire to listen to her daughter's words. Did she not know what kind of person her own daughter was? What ideas could she possibly come up with? She only knew how to bully the palace servants and live a life of comfort and good food, nothing more.
The Empress Dowager's suspicious gaze swept over Mu Rong Ru Yin coolly. Seeing her mother's disdainful look, the princess anxiously rushed to her side, leaned in, and whispered into her ear.
Slowly, the Empress Dowager's eyes lit up. The gloom from before vanished, her entire face radiating with brilliance as she nodded. Finally, after Mu Rong Ru Yin finished speaking, the Empress Dowager actually laughed.
"Good, it truly is a brilliant plan. Good, good."
After the Empress Dowager praised her, she remembered something. Was this brilliant plan conceived by her daughter? She had never seen any exceptional talent in her daughter over the past seventeen years. Now, to have such a clever move, the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes and spoke softly.
"Ru Yin, tell your mother, who helped you come up with this idea?"
Mu Rong Ru Yin was stunned, then anger flared. She cried out in dissatisfaction:
"Mother, what do you mean by that? Your daughter has been racking her brains for ideas these past few days. After finally coming up with one, you actually suspect it wasn't my idea. Next time, no matter what you need, your daughter won't say a word, alright?"
Seeing Ru Yin's anger, the Empress Dowager quickly reached out and pulled her closer. It seemed her daughter had finally opened up. If Yu Yan could also open up and help her, she would be like a tiger with wings. Yu Yan was a smart woman, but alas, her affection was too deep.
"Alright, mother has wronged Ru Yin. In the future, help mother think of ideas more often. Together, our mother and daughter will surely be able to punish that woman."
"Mother, rest assured, your daughter will definitely help mother," Mu Rong Ru Yin said with a beaming smile, her seductive face filled with ferocity.
Mu Qing Yao, you think you're so clever, daring to lecture this princess. Do I, this princess, fear you? Just you wait, I will make you wish you were dead.
"Mm, mother knows Ru Yin can help mother. Go back for now."
"Yes, Mother," Ru Yin respectfully accepted the command and slowly descended the high platform, her face beaming with pride, her delicate features as if coated with honey, exceptionally sweet.
Outside the palace doors, her voice rang out, "Enter and clean the main hall."
"Yes, Princess," a palace maid responded. After Princess Ru Yin departed, several palace maids cautiously entered. They saw the Empress Dowager, no longer as cold and severe as before, her face filled with radiance. They couldn't imagine what Princess Ru Yin had done to make the Empress Dowager so happy. The palace maids quickly and skillfully cleaned the hall.
Seeing the hall restored to cleanliness, the Empress Dowager waved for them to leave, only calling for Eunuch Li to stay.
"Little Li, immediately have Qin Hao come to see this empress."
"Yes, Your Ladyship. Please wait a moment, this servant will go and fetch Qin Hao," Eunuch Li nodded cautiously, stepped back, and went out.
Qin Zhi was soon brought into Guangyang Palace, but this time, he did not enter through the main hall but via a secret passage into the sleeping quarters. Within the sleeping quarters, the Empress Dowager reclined casually on a soft couch, calmly gazing at Qin Hao. Qin Hao respectfully paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.
"Qin Hao pays his respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Rise," the Empress Dowager waved her hand and shifted her gaze to Eunuch Li beside Qin Hao. Eunuch Li immediately bowed smartly, "This servant shall take his leave."
"You may go."
After Eunuch Li left, silence descended upon the sleeping quarters. The Empress Dowager sighed, her face filled with melancholy. Qin Hao asked with concern, "Does Your Ladyship have any worries?"
"Don't mention it. Ever since that woman entered the palace, this empress has had no peace," the Empress Dowager's teeth itched with hatred when she spoke of that woman, her face extremely unpleasant.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Qin Hao's entire body flashed with ruthlessness, and he said in a low voice, "Qin Hao will go and kill that woman now."
"Wait, do not be rash. That woman has very capable subordinates. Do not act impulsively. If you alarm her, it might lead to failure. This empress summoned you to find Chun Han, the head eunuch of Fengluan Palace. This damned servant, after such a major incident, remained uninvolved from beginning to end. This empress will absolutely not let him off."
When Qin Hao heard the Empress Dowager's words, he immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order, "Your Ladyship, rest assured, Qin Hao will definitely bring the person here."
"Be careful, do not alarm that woman. You are this empress's lifeline."
The Empress Dowager admonished him with concern. A trace of emotion flickered in Qin Hao's eyes, and he nodded in acceptance, "Your Ladyship, rest assured, Qin Hao will act with caution."
"Go," the Empress Dowager watched Qin Hao's tall back as he left, so straight and proud, so much like him back then. It was a pity she had wronged him. It was truly a karmic misfortune.
But in the end, what had she gained? Was she happy?
If she hadn't entered the palace back then, everything would be different. But what use was it to think about it now? The Empress Dowager's eyes held a sharp glint. Now, she could only fight this battle.
This time, Prince Nan'an was cleared of his charges entirely thanks to the Empress's strategy.
The Emperor, Mu Rong Liu Zun, hosted a banquet for the Empress in a side hall of the Liuli Palace, also inviting Prince Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zhao.
In the dark night, the sky was filled with stars, the clear sky like a piece of pale blue glazed pottery, adorned with countless twinkling jewels.
A gentle breeze swept by, cool as water. A soft sedan chair weaved through the corridors and jade pillars, preceded by eunuchs holding lanterns and followed by attending palace maids. The group leisurely proceeded towards the Liuli Palace.
At the gates of the Liuli Palace, Ah Jiu, leading a group of eunuchs, eagerly awaited.
The Emperor and Prince Nan'an were waiting in the side hall. Now, only the Empress was missing. It was a shame the Empress was late, she wouldn't not come, would she? Ah Jiu thought worriedly. Although he felt it was unlikely, the Empress seemed capable of anything.
While he was in deep worry, a soft sedan chair arrived silently at the palace gate. As soon as the sedan chair landed, a palace maid stepped forward to lift the curtain. The person who emerged from the curtain was none other than the Empress.
Her Ladyship was different today, much more casual and elegant. A lazy aura surrounded her. She wore a shallow pink, round-neck, plum-blossom embroidered cross-collared shirt, and below it, a lush green silk brocade skirt. Her hair was casually tied into a bun, adorned with a silver hairpin.
From top to bottom, she exuded delicate exquisiteness, truly like a refined and transparent porcelain doll.
Ah Jiu withdrew his gaze and quickened his steps, leading the way to greet her.
"Greetings, Empress. His Majesty and Prince Nan'an are already waiting in the side hall. Please follow me, Your Ladyship."
"Mm," Mu Qing Yao nodded, her posture swaying gracefully.
Ah Jiu led the way. Mu Qing Yao, accompanied by Mei Xin, Mo Chou, and Bing Xiao, followed, and the group proceeded towards the side hall.
The area inside and outside the side hall was as bright as daylight. Outside the palace doors, palace maids and eunuchs stood waiting. From a distance, as soon as they saw Eunuch Ah Jiu approaching, the person with a cold and proud demeanor was none other than the Empress. The eunuch immediately announced, "The Empress has arrived."