The Emperor’s words trailed off, his entire face shrouded in frost. He was contemplating whether to enter Weiyang Palace to warn Consort Chu Yuyan. Mu Qingyao, aware of his thoughts, spoke softly, “Why don’t I go see her later?”
“Hmm?”
The Emperor was somewhat surprised. Yao’er had never liked Chu Yuyan; why would she offer to see her now? This felt strange. He reached out a large hand, possessively pulling Mu Qingyao into his embrace. His voice, soft and gentle, whispered into her ear, “Tell me, Yao’er, are you hiding something from me?”
“Let go,” Mu Qingyao struggled.
Unfortunately, the man’s grip remained unyielding, as if he hadn’t heard her. His breath, hot and ticklish, wafted onto her neck. She couldn’t fight him, nor could she break free. All she could do was roll her eyes and issue a cold warning, “Your Majesty, let me go. I need to discuss something important with you.”
Upon hearing the mention of important matters, the Emperor finally released his grip and sat up properly.
He knew that the woman before him had her limits, and it was best not to provoke her.
“Speak, I’m listening?”
“I’ll go see Chu Yuyan to persuade her to have the Right Chancellor hand over military power. Although you and I haven’t said it, we both know that these assassins were likely trained by King Beijin.
“And the Chu family is King Beijin’s most significant force. If they can relinquish military power, our situation will be significantly more stable. A single King Beijin would not be a cause for concern. However, if the Right Chancellor refuses to yield his command, I fear this matter will become rather troublesome.”
Mu Qingyao’s expression turned cold as she gazed steadily at the Emperor.
Emperor Xian’s face darkened, his expression extremely grim.
What Mu Qingyao spoke of was indeed the biggest bottleneck at the moment. The Right Chancellor’s refusal to surrender military power likely meant he was aiding King Beijin against the Emperor, hence his stubborn grip on his command.
“However, I don’t see it that way anymore. That time at Yuejue Temple, when we encountered two groups of people, the other group was likely the Chu family. If the Chu family truly supported King Beijin, why wouldn’t they act in unison? This can only mean one thing: a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. If I can explain the implications to Chu Yuyan, and the Right Chancellor has no ambition, he will surely hand over military power. If he doesn’t, then Your Majesty must make arrangements quickly.”
Mu Qingyao finished speaking calmly, looking at the man beside her.
On Mu Rong Liuzun’s handsome and alluring face, a thunderous rage now resided, a storm about to break. A bloodthirsty, sinister red glint flickered in his eyes.
“Good for the Chu family. Their ambition is truly vast. Not only do they want to devour me and King Beijin, but they also wish to swallow the Jiangshan of Xian Yue.”
“Initially, I wasn’t certain, but yesterday, Chu Qianyi dared to drug you. It’s highly probable they hoped Consort would gain favor and conceive a child, thus allowing their Chu family to control the emperor and command the nobles. At that point, all power would be in the hands of the Chu family.”
“What a devious scheme.”
Mu Rong Liuzun swept his hand, shattering a glass lamp, sending shards scattering across the floor.
The eunuchs and palace maids waiting outside the sleeping chambers had no idea what was happening inside. They were all trembling, especially Mo Chou and Mei Xin, whose faces had turned pale. Their breathing had become difficult. Could their master have angered His Majesty? Had His Majesty broken something in his rage?
Heaven and earth, the few individuals stood by the sleeping chambers’ door with varying expressions.
Mu Qingyao saw the killing intent radiating from the Emperor, his face grim and overcast, his dark eyes sharp as knives. He seemed to have suffered quite a blow.
His Majesty knew about King Beijin. He also knew that the Chu family wanted to help King Beijin ascend the throne.
However, what he could not accept was that the Chu family had used them, intending to solely control Xian Yue. What ability did they have to swallow Xian Yue whole? Those detestable people!
“It’s alright, Your Majesty, don’t be angry anymore. All matters are now out in the open, which puts us at an advantage compared to before. We just need to make arrangements in advance.”
Mu Rong Liuzun let out a long breath, his expression softening slightly. While still stern, it was no longer as furious as before.
“Yao’er, rest assured, I will handle these matters.”
Emperor Xian finished speaking and stood up. Mu Qingyao also rose and casually remarked, “Now, I will have Your Majesty personally hear how the former Empress Dowager harmed Empress Li back then.”
Her words caused Mu Rong Liuzun’s handsome phoenix eyes to narrow slightly, appearing disbelieving. How could that old woman admit to such things? But seeing Yao’er’s confident demeanor, it didn’t seem fake. Could there be something he didn’t know? A dark glint appeared in his eyes.
“Let’s go.”
Mu Qingyao paid no mind to his shifting expression. As astute as he was, he had likely guessed that she had more things to reveal. For example, Liao Kong was Su Zhan, the Empress Dowager’s lover back then, and Su Zhan was the son of the workshop owner. She hadn’t told him because she didn’t want to implicate those innocent people.
The Su family had lost contact with Su Zhan over twenty years ago. Could innocent people be harmed now?
The two of them, exuding a chilling aura, walked out of the sleeping chambers. Outside the door, the unaware young maids were startled. The Emperor and Empress looked extremely displeased. What had happened? No one dared to ask, merely respectfully greeting them.
“Greetings, Your Majesty, Empress Niang Niang.”
Mu Rong Liuzun strode forward with a grim expression. Following behind him, Mu Qingyao calmly said, “You may all rise. We are going to Guangyang Palace now.”
“Yes, Empress Niang Niang.”
Mo Chou and Mei Xin, hearing the intent in their mistress’s words, realized that she hadn’t fallen out with His Majesty.
Rather, it was about something else. Going to Guangyang Palace now, could it be about the Empress Dowager? The few of them immediately felt relieved and quickly followed their mistress towards Guangyang Palace.
Guangyang Palace.
It was silent, desolate. Outside the vast palace gates, several listless palace maids and eunuchs leaned casually against the pillars. Only when two sedan chairs stopped outside the palace entrance did everyone suddenly snap back to attention, prostrating themselves on the ground.
“Greetings, Your Majesty, Empress Niang Niang.”
Mu Rong Liuzun raised his eyes and scanned the powerful, bold characters above.
Guangyang Palace. This was supposed to be where his birth mother, Empress Li, resided. Now, not only was it occupied by the old woman inside, but she had also cruelly murdered his mother.
On the Emperor’s refined features, his eyes were spectral and dark. His thin lips were tightly pressed, and his entire being was enveloped in a mountain-like majesty.
Mu Qingyao surveyed the terrified eunuchs and palace maids kneeling on the ground and waved her hand gently, “You may all rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Empress Niang Niang,” everyone sighed in relief, slowly rising and stepping aside.
Mu Qingyao walked forward a few steps. Not seeing the Empress Dowager’s personal eunuch, Eunuch Li, she frowned in surprise and asked coldly, “Is Her Imperial Highness the Empress Dowager inside?”
“Replying to Empress Niang Niang, the Empress Dowager is ill and is currently in her sleeping chambers. Eunuch Li is attending to her inside and has instructed us to guard the door.”
“Oh,” Mu Qingyao raised an eyebrow, a fleeting sharp glint in her eyes.