Mu Qingyao was a little tired and said faintly, "Meixin, don't let anyone disturb me."
"Yes, Miss," Meixin replied. Thinking of how the young lady had helped her earlier, she felt very happy. Although the young lady spoke coldly, her heart was good.
Meixin looked up at the bell hairpin on the window lattice. Miss was so amazing. She tiptoed out, closed the door, and stood guard in the corridor.
The imperial palace of the Xian Yue Kingdom.
The buildings were magnificent, with tall pavilions arranged in order. The eaves were layered, and copper bells hung from the corners. Tall, four-sided pillars stood upright, carved with dragons and phoenixes.
Liuli Palace, Lingbo Pavilion.
Surrounded by a clear lake, with tender green lotus leaves floating on the surface. Pink flowers emerged from the center, blooming like graceful maidens.
They stood elegantly, some buds yet to open, like shy virgins. Their forms varied, and as a gentle breeze blew, the green lotuses rippled in the clear water, swirling into poetry.
The Lingbo Pavilion was built in the center of the lake, with white jade steps at both ends and a jade-colored pavilion in the middle. Flying dragons in mid-dance were carved around the pavilion, their mouths holding golden balls that emitted dazzling light. Light veils fluttered, and occasionally, melodious zither music drifted over.
Outside the pavilion, palace maids were playing the zither, their music graceful and flowing.
Inside the pavilion, a clear and bright voice rang out, "The Emperor is becoming more and more wise."
The man speaking wore a dark blue robe, with a few elegant cold plum blossoms embroidered on the cuffs. His black hair was tied with a white jade hairpin, and he exuded a gentle and refined aura, with handsome and refined features.
Although he smiled elegantly, his restrained demeanor revealed extraordinary strength. This man possessed a sharp edge.
He was Liu Qianmu, the senior martial brother of the Emperor of Xian Yue Kingdom. The man reclining opposite him on a finely carved sandalwood couch was Murong Liuzun, the most renowned emperor among the seven kingdoms.
Murong Liuzun's features were distinct. His seaweed-like black hair was casually tied with a light yellow silk ribbon, scattering around his face.
His two long, slender eyebrows swept towards his temples. His star-like eyes flowed, as bright as the crescent moon in the night sky, yet carrying a cold, unfeeling glint.
He wore a purple brocade robe and leaned lazily on the couch, like a napping panther. His innate kingly aura made one dare not underestimate him.
However, his restrained aura subtly leaked out, suggesting that this dominance was only one-third of his true power. There was a deeper level of strength that others could not fathom. The watermark was here.
Two beautiful palace maids fanned him gently from behind, not daring to make a sound.
Two other palace maids knelt carefully on either side, gently massaging his legs. Their eyes were fixed on their hands, concentrating entirely on the pressure they applied.
Although the Emperor was so beautiful that people could not look away, surpassing even women, he had no feminine charm. Instead, he possessed a sharp and powerful aura.
Outside the pavilion, a line of palace maids and eunuchs waited. Apart from the melodious zither music, there was not a sound.
A faint smile curved Murong Liuzun's lips, but his eyes radiated chilling air.
His senior martial brother would not come to the palace without reason. He must have been sent by their master to assist him in the imperial palace. Their master was the Scarlet Cloud Elder of Mount Tian Shan.
The Scarlet Cloud Elder knew everything about astronomy and geography, understanding events from five hundred years prior and five hundred years into the future.
"Senior martial brother also says such things?"
The world knew Murong Liuzun as a wise and mighty emperor, brilliant and strategic, possessing countless stratagems.
But they did not know that he was also a disciple of the Scarlet Cloud Elder.
Liu Qianmu smiled gently. Their eyes met, and they understood each other's thoughts. Murong Liuzun's gaze darkened, and his deep voice rang out, "You may all withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the palace maids in the pavilion rose and retreated slowly, without making a sound. Only when the pavilion was empty did Liu Qianmu slowly speak, word by word.
"Heavenly anomalies have appeared, a comet has fallen, and a phoenix will ascend the throne, assisting you in conquering the seven kingdoms and pacifying the world."
These few words contained infinite mystery. This was what the Scarlet Cloud Elder had discovered by observing the celestial phenomena at night, and he had immediately ordered Liu Qianmu to descend the mountain to assist him.
The war between the seven kingdoms was raging and unavoidable. Only a true sovereign could emerge. Although Murong Liuzun was cold and ruthless, he cared for his subjects and was worthy of being a good emperor.
Murong Liuzun's dark pupils flickered, and his lips pursed into a straight line. He rarely questioned his master's words, but at this moment.
"Is Senior martial brother sure Master wasn't drinking, or was feeling normal?" His lips curved in mockery, a deep disdain for women.
A woman could help him pacify the world and unify the seven kingdoms? This was truly a great joke.
The Scarlet Cloud Elder had no vices in his life except for one: he was addicted to wine and spent half his life in drunken revelry. Hence, Murong Liuzun's question.
Liu Qianmu smiled calmly, closed the paper fan in his hand, and looked seriously at the Emperor seated above.
"I tried three times, and only when I was sure he wasn't speaking drunkenly did I come to the capital. Look?"
Liu Qianmu raised his hand, and a round crystal ball, shimmering with light, appeared in his hand. "To help you find the person for the Empress's position, he even offered his crystal ball."
"Ridiculous."
Murong Liuzun dismissively flicked his brocade sleeve and lay back on the couch, his eyes half-closed. He needed capable individuals now.
He had originally thought his master would send him some extraordinary individuals, but he hadn't expected it to be a woman. Women were like clothes, cheap things, yet one was supposed to help him pacify the seven kingdoms.
A faint, pure smile appeared on Liu Qianmu's refined face. The Emperor hadn't changed at all; he was still so arrogant.
"Your Majesty, I actually believe this matter is feasible."
"Hmm?" Murong Liuzun's eyes snapped open. His dark pupils were filled with the chill of a deep pool, piercingly sharp, fixing on Liu Qianmu. A half-smile played on his lips.
He wanted to see what great argument his senior martial brother could present to change his mind and make him marry that woman.
A woman? There was already one in the palace; why would he need another?
"Does Your Majesty forget who the mother of the Consort in the palace is?"
Liu Qianmu stared at the Emperor with a profound gaze. Murong Liuzun's eyes flickered. A clever person would understand without needing explicit words. His thin lips curved, and he spoke with a condescending air.
"Who is the Phoenix Star?"
"The daughter of the Left Prime Minister, Mu Hen."
Liu Qianmu knew the Emperor had figured it out. There was a Consort in the palace, the daughter of the Right Prime Minister, Chu Fengyu, and also the niece of the Empress Dowager.
Originally, this was not a problem. However, the Empress Dowager was not the Emperor's birth mother, and she had a biological son, the King of Bei Jin.
Murong Liuzun's beautiful, handsome eyes were filled with intense interest. The daughter of Mu Hen, that was quite good. Mu Hen had always been highly respected, and if his daughter became Empress, no one would likely object.
Most importantly, Mu Hen was shrewd and wise, so his daughter should possess extraordinary abilities. She would be able to counterbalance the one in the palace. Thinking of this, a sudden realization flashed across the Emperor's jade-like handsome face, and his lips curved slightly.