Except for a few personal maids, the young eunuchs were left waiting outside the Green Courtyard. Prime Minister Mu also halted his steps. Things were different now; Her Ladyship held a noble status.
"Yao'er, Father will have your favorite dishes prepared. We'll have a good family meal later. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the fifteenth of the eighth month. Thank His Majesty for allowing you to return home and reunite with us."
Mu Qingyao slightly lowered her eyes, a smile on her lips, and nodded. "You go ahead."
Although Prime Minister Mu was the current prime minister, he was also a father who doted on his children. Despite his respectful demeanor towards her, she could still feel the love of a kind father in his watery gaze. Mu Qingyao smiled, watching his receding back, and slowly turned around.
Following behind her were all the young maids from the Green Courtyard in the past. Each of them looked at her with tear-filled eyes, wanting to say something but hesitating. It was because Miss was no longer their Miss; she was the Empress.
Mu Qingyao stopped, amused.
"Alright, just say what you need to say. It's not like I'm a stranger."
As soon as Mu Lian heard Mu Qingyao's words, she immediately spoke up first, "Miss, I missed you so much."
As soon as her words fell, several maids echoed, "Yes, Miss, we all missed you."
"Thank you all. I missed you too," Mu Qingyao said, a rare occasion, but it was the truth. Thinking about how she used to bully them, it was truly happy.
Although she was a young lady in the same mansion, she was the most prominent in the Mu estate. While everyone clenched their teeth with hatred, they could do nothing to her. Unlike now, even though she was the Empress, there were still many people who wanted to deal with her.
Mo Chou looked at the blood-stained clothes on Her Ladyship, finding them unbearably displeasing. She quickly urged her, "Your Ladyship, you should take a bath first and change your clothes. You can play with them later."
"Alright."
Mu Qingyao nodded.
Everyone in the Green Courtyard sprang into action, some fetching water, others finding clothes, and others pouring tea. Once everything was ready, they attended to their mistress's bath and change of clothes.
There were many clothes in the wardrobe that Her Ladyship hadn't taken with her before. She picked out a pale, simple, and elegant long dress. Her hair was also re-combed, and she lost her previous ferocity, appearing fresh and captivating.
Mu Qingxiang had also tidied herself up. Mu Qingzhu accompanied her. The three sisters sat in the flower hall of the Green Courtyard, chatting leisurely.
The young maids retreated to the courtyard to talk. Mu Lian and the others kept asking about matters in Meixin Palace. Those who hadn't been inside always longed for everything within, unaware that it was merely a vast dye vat.
"Your Ladyship, please have some tea," Mu Qingzhu personally poured tea for her sister and offered it, standing nearby. She then asked with concern, "Do you know who tried to assassinate you? Could it have been sent by that person?"
"That Qin Hao is indeed the Empress Dowager's man. Chun Han, before she died, identified him, saying he was Qin Hao. He had told me before that Qin Hao was the Empress Dowager's man. It's just that this time, besides Qin Hao, there was a group of elite assassins. If they are all the Empress Dowager's people, it means King Beijin has secretly cultivated many confidantes. Then where are these people now? Why hasn't His Majesty received any news?"
Mu Qingyao took a sip of tea and spoke with confusion.
From her understanding of His Majesty, he would never allow such a situation to exist. Yet, now there were indeed such people. So, where had things gone wrong?
Furthermore, everyone knew that King Beijin was utterly powerless. How could a powerless person cultivate such formidable elite assassins? Would those people obey him?
If these people were indeed King Beijin's men, it could only mean one thing: King Beijin was not only shrewd but also highly skilled in martial arts. But what method could be used to conceal a person's internal energy so thoroughly?
"Elite assassins?" Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang exclaimed.
These were not people cultivated by ordinary individuals. Even women like them, who didn't understand court affairs, knew what elite assassins were. It seemed to involve people cultivated over decades, who only obeyed orders and had no emotions, almost like killing machines.
"Does His Majesty not know?"
"Perhaps he knows now," Mu Qingyao said, drinking her tea. A flash of inspiration struck her. His Majesty might have sensed that the other party was about to make a move, so he not only deployed Hua Lige to protect her but also had Bing Xiao secretly protect her. What did this imply?
His Majesty had long suspected something. Mu Qingyao narrowed her eyes, her dark pupils flashing with a sharp chill, but she said nothing.
"You must be more careful in the future," Mu Qingzhu admonished with concern. The palace was truly a bloodthirsty abyss; one misstep could leave nothing but bones and flesh. Mu Qingyao nodded at her words. Seeing that Mu Qingxiang had been silent, she looked up at her.
"Second Sister, don't overthink it. What's past is past. Things will get better in the future."
As Mu Qingxiang spoke, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief. Mu Qingyao extended her hand, and her two sisters placed theirs upon it. The three held hands, feeling a sense of merging blood and flesh.
Only if they loved each other would the Mu estate be safe, and their father, the Prime Minister, would be safe. This was their shared wish.
Outside the flower hall door, Mo Chou's voice sounded.
"Your Ladyship, Master has sent someone over. Lunch has begun."
"Good, let's go together. It'll save them from waiting anxiously. We can talk as we eat," Mu Qingyao stood up, and her two sisters agreed with a nod.
There had never been such harmony. Sisterly affection was precious. The three walked out. Young maids waited in the corridor and bowed respectfully.
"Her Majesty the Empress."
"Mm," the group walked out. Although they had encountered assassins during this visit home, Mu Qingyao was quite happy to see Mu Qingxiang let go of her inner turmoil.
The meal was incredibly warm. This was the first time since coming to ancient times that Yao had sat down to eat with her family so affectionately. Therefore, it was exceptionally precious. She wore a smile from beginning to end, looking at her family, who took turns serving her food.
Although she was the Empress, after the initial reserve passed, there was familial concern, especially from her father, the Prime Minister. He hadn't eaten much during the meal, constantly asking her what she wanted to eat.
After the meal, everyone went to rest. She and her father entered the Mu family's study.
Without any outsiders, it was much more convenient for the father and daughter. Mu Qingyao helped Prime Minister Mu to sit down and sat on his other side. Mo Chou served tea and then retreated.