“Your Highness, we have all made mistakes in the past. Please bear with us. We are ignorant women, and though foolish, we have never harbored ill intentions. We beg for your forgiveness this once, and we shall drink to it.”
After the two finished their drinks, Mu Qingyao attempted to rise, but the elder woman held her down. “Your Highness, you may sit and drink. We have all benefited from your grace. If you are well, then we are well. This foolish woman now truly understands.”
The Prime Minister nodded in agreement. “Yao’er, you should sit. As the Empress, this is fitting. Moreover, they truly acted improperly before. It is Your Highness’s magnanimity, and they should be grateful.”
“Yes, then I shall drink,” Mu Qingyao said, taking another sip. The elder and second aunt then sat down, and they all ate and chatted. Overhead, osmanthus flowers fluttered down. At this moment, the Prime Minister felt something was missing and instructed a maid to fetch the Second Young Lady’s zither, asking her to play a tune for Your Highness.
Xi Yu quickly went to the Second Young Lady’s room to retrieve the zither. After some bustle from the servants, Mu Qingxiang left the table, knelt before the zither stand, and her fair hands caressed the strings.
Her zither playing was far inferior to Xi Men Xin Yue’s, yet tonight, listening to the melody, Mu Qingyao felt waves of warmth surge through her heart.
The music was filled with the warmth of home. This scene, this moment, was priceless.
As the banquet reached its latter half, Mu Qingyao began to show signs of intoxication. The Prime Minister, seeing the moon rise above the willows and the banquet drawing to a close, the music also nearing its end, instructed the servants to clear the tables and begin the fireworks.
Steward Zhong, along with the servants, moved all the fireworks to the open space in the central courtyard. Hua Li Ge and the others, having finished their dinner, also pitched in to help. Soon, the entire open area was filled with fireworks.
Everyone began setting off the fireworks, one, two, then more and more, their dazzling colors filling the sky, brilliant and dazzling.
Mu Qingyao covered her ears, darting and weaving through the spectacle. No longer the aloof Empress, she was now a joyful, simple woman. Everyone laughed with her as they set off the fireworks…
Osmanthus petals fell, fireworks soared, a magnificent display of color. Mu Qingyao was drunk. This night would be etched in her memory forever.
Mo Chou stood behind her, watching her mistress so happy, she hesitated to remind her that it was time to return to the palace.
It was only when the Prime Minister’s gentle voice broke the silence: “Yao’er, it’s time to return to the palace.”
Mu Qingyao turned back and smiled, a smile that could topple cities and nations. Though the scent of osmanthus and the beauty of the fireworks were captivating, they could not compare to Yao’er’s smile. It flowed through her father’s heart like the finest wine. Tonight, not only was Yao’er happy, but they all were.
“Yes, Father, I should be going,” Mu Qingyao’s voice held a hint of reluctance, and her eyes lingered with affection. If she could, she would have stayed in the Prime Minister’s mansion forever. Now that everyone was so loving, life was truly happy. The thought of the imperial palace sent a chill through her heart, but for them, her beloved family, she was determined to do something for them.
Mu Qingyao reached out and hugged her father, whispering something only they could hear.
“Father, I will help him.”
“Good child,” the Prime Minister’s eyes welled up with tears. Mu Qingyao released him, turned, and hugged the elder and second aunt. Finally, the three sisters embraced, vowing to find happiness.
“Return to the palace,” the Empress commanded. The entire Mu family respectfully escorted the Empress to the magnificent carriage waiting at the entrance.
“We bid farewell to Her Majesty the Empress.”
The carriage began to move, followed by imperial carriages, then Hua Li Ge and Bing Xiao, each leading a contingent of guards, escorting the Empress back to the palace.
Inside the carriage, Mu Qingyao’s heart surged with emotion, restless. She lifted the silk curtain and gazed into the dark night. A cool breeze brushed against her heated cheeks, a soothing relief. The carriage swayed gently, making her feel drowsy. She closed her eyes, resting her gaze.
Mo Chou and Mei Xin watched their mistress’s joyful expression and whispered to each other.
“Her Highness seems very happy today.”
“Yes, of course, she’s happy to be with her family,” Mo Chou’s voice held a hint of melancholy. She thought of her own family. Tonight was the fifteenth of August, a day for family reunions.
The mistress, who had been closing her eyes, suddenly opened them and looked at Mo Chou. “Mo Chou, today is the fifteenth of August. Why don’t you go back and see them?”
Mo Chou was startled, not expecting her mistress to have overheard them. Her expression immediately became solemn as she spoke. “Your Highness, your servant has no desire to return. Since signing the deed of sale, your servant belongs to Your Highness alone.”
“You,” Mu Qingyao saw her steadfastness and couldn’t insist further. She knew Mo Chou’s stubborn nature; once her mind was made up, further persuasion would be futile.
The carriage continued to travel smoothly until it suddenly jolted and stopped. Hua Li Ge, following behind, immediately spurred his horse forward and asked coldly, “What is the matter?”
A guard in front reported, “Reporting to Commander Hua, someone has collided with the horses, startling His Majesty.”
“Get them out of the way,” Hua Li Ge commanded his subordinate sternly. The subordinate rode forward, and after a moment, returned. “Sir, it is an individual. They appear to be injured and are blocking our path. We do not know if they are alive or dead.”
Mu Qingyao frowned. Someone was injured? Could it be another scheme? Or was someone truly hurt? She lifted the curtain and called out, “Commander Hua?”
The sound of a horse neighing echoed, and Hua Li Ge rode over, bowing respectfully. “Your Highness, what is it?”
“Go and see who it is. Report back.”
Hua Li Ge obeyed, taking a few men to investigate. To their surprise, the obstruction was a boy, no older than twelve or thirteen, his face pale, his lips purple, clearly poisoned. Hua Li Ge reported his findings to the Empress.
Mu Qingyao was not usually one to meddle in others’ affairs, but her mood tonight was exceptionally good, and she was feeling quite cheerful. Thus, she uncharacteristically waved her hand and instructed Hua Li Ge, “Bring him back to Feng Luan Palace.”
“Your Highness?” Several voices exclaimed. Her Highness was not known for meddling. She had just survived an assassination attempt today. Who knew what kind of person this youth was? If he were sent by her assassins, would she not be inviting danger? It was better to avoid trouble.
Mo Chou spoke up, “Your Highness, we do not know who this youth is. If he is a person with ulterior motives, would Your Highness not be placing danger beside you? Has Your Highness forgotten what happened with Chun Han?”
Mo Chou’s words only served to remind Mu Qingyao of Chun Han’s sacrifice earlier that day. Her heart ached, and it only strengthened her resolve.
“Enough, all of you, stop talking. Bring him back to the palace. What if he is merely an innocent person who was accidentally injured? Should we truly stand by and watch him die? Then what difference would we have from those beasts? Not everyone is bad, at least Chun Han did not waste that half-stem of ginseng.”