Liu Qianmu respectfully cupped his fists and said loudly, "Qianmu has something to report?"
"Speak?" Murong Liuzun raised his narrow eyebrows, his sharp eyes sweeping towards his senior brother.
Liu Qianmu's handsome face was bathed in a gentle glow, and he spoke word by word, "I hope Your Majesty will take Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang as consorts."
"What?" Mu Hen exclaimed. Upon hearing this, everyone cried out in shock.
Mu Hen and Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, had even more displeased expressions. They glared at Liu Qianmu, wondering what this man meant.
The Empress had not yet entered the palace, yet he was suggesting the Emperor take consorts. It was outrageous. Mu Hen clutched his chest, almost fainting again. One daughter had already entered the palace.
This hateful fellow wanted to send his other two daughters into the palace as well, for three sisters to serve the same man. How could this be? He immediately objected.
"This old minister disagrees."
Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, rarely stood up to defend Mu Hen. "This younger brother hopes Your Majesty will reconsider."
Murong Liuzun's face was grim, his intimidating gaze fixed on his senior brother. Their gazes clashed in the air. In fact, the Emperor knew that his senior brother's actions were due to the shattered crystal ball.
Among the three sisters of the Mu family, no one knew who that woman was. Although the third Miss Mu was wise, shrewd, bold, and meticulous, she still felt uneasy. Was she truly the person their master had spoken of?
The Empress Dowager, who had been standing beside the Emperor, fuming, suddenly changed her expression. Her calculating eyes flickered as she turned to look at the two women beside Prime Minister Mu.
Those two women's eyes were filled with admiration; it seemed they liked the Emperor. This was rather interesting. Since the Mu family daughters wished to be Empress, why not have them all enter the palace together? She then spoke softly.
"My son, the harem has many vacant positions. I see that your two daughters seem to like the Emperor as well. Why not enter the palace together to serve His Majesty? It would also make for a good story."
Mu Qingyao observed everything from the sidelines, never expecting such a turn of events.
Liu Qianmu was truly despicable, suggesting the three sisters enter the palace together. This man was practically reaping immense benefits. She figured the Emperor wouldn't refuse.
Since they intended to use the crystal ball to verify identity, there must be a reason. Although she was allowed to enter the palace now, they still seemed to have doubts in their hearts. It would be better to have the three sisters enter the palace simultaneously.
But why would they use a crystal ball to verify the Empress? Murong Liuzun, a generation's hero, would not do something so nonsensical. There must be a deeper meaning hidden within it. What could it be?
As Mu Qingyao was lost in thought, her father, the Prime Minister, was already hastily kneeling.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not permissible. If the three sisters are allowed into the palace, what will the common people of the world think of Your Majesty? They will say Your Majesty is a lecher and reigns without virtue, falling prey to the schemes of some petty individuals?"
Mu Qingyao supported her father's body. This Prime Minister father was truly a loyal minister, not concerned about his own daughters.
The first thing he thought of was the potential negative impact of rumors on the Emperor. However, if the three sisters truly entered the palace, their reputation would indeed harm the Emperor's image.
Murong Liuzun, realizing this, his gaze suddenly turned cold. He spoke with a chilling voice, "Old Prime Minister Mu, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mu Hen breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Emperor had asked him to rise, he would surely not allow his other two daughters to enter the palace.
The Emperor was not a foolish person; he would understand the implications.
Upon hearing Mu Hen's words, Liu Qianmu furrowed his brows, internally chiding himself for his recklessness. He had only focused on his master's instructions and forgotten such an important matter.
Fortunately, Old Prime Minister Mu had intervened. Otherwise, the Emperor might have suffered a bad reputation.
"Qianmu was indeed reckless."
Liu Qianmu stepped back, standing behind Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao. That cold man glared at him with fierce eyes, blaming him for his actions and trying to harm his imperial brother.
The matter could have concluded then, but the two daughters of the Mu family, who had earlier heard they were to enter the palace, had already flushed with embarrassment, their hearts pounding like startled deer. To enter the palace and serve the Emperor was their greatest wish.
Who in this world could compare to the Emperor? Not only was the Emperor peerlessly handsome, but his strategies were also astonishing.
Most importantly, there were not many concubines in the harem. Even if Qingyao entered the palace, there would only be two concubines. Even if these two entered as well, it would only be four women in total. They willingly wished to enter the palace. Who knew that it would be canceled in the end? The two sisters exchanged glances and both dropped to their knees.
"Your humble daughters wish to enter the palace to serve Your Majesty."
"Qingzhu, Qingxiang, what are you doing? You foolish girls!"
Mu Hen's face turned ashen with anger. These two daughters were a disgrace. How could three sisters serve the same man simultaneously?
Even if that man was the Emperor, their actions would be placing the Emperor in a position of disloyalty and injustice, damaging his reputation!
"Please, Father, fulfill our wish."
Mu Qingxiang and Mu Qingzhu refused to get up. They willingly wished to enter the palace, and it had nothing to do with the Emperor.
Furthermore, they were entering the palace on the same day as Qingyao, not as if the Emperor had first married Qingyao and then married them, which would be considered licentious.
Seeing the situation unfold, the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, a rare smile gracing her lips. She walked over with a loving demeanor, extending her hand to help Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang up.
"It is commendable that you two girls are so devoted and righteous. Since you like the Emperor, then enter the palace together to serve His Majesty."
"Empress Dowager."
Mu Hen and Prince Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, both cried out in unison.
The Empress Dowager helped up the two Mu sisters and turned to face the Emperor. Her face, still possessing a youthful charm, was filled with triumphant joy. She said calmly,
"My son, let the three sisters enter the palace together."
"Mother?" Murong Liuzun's expression darkened dramatically, his eyes holding a deep, abyssal glint. He intended to stop this.
Prime Minister Mu had always assisted him in governing the court. He could not drag all three of his daughters into the quagmire of the harem. However, the Empress Dowager spoke first.
"The selection of consorts is a matter for the harem. His Majesty has already chosen the Empress, so it is not unreasonable for me to select a few more concubines for His Majesty. If Your Majesty does not agree, then Miss Mu the Third need not enter the palace either."
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingyao almost applauded. "Excellent! This is a good idea. I had no intention of entering the palace anyway."
"Mother?"
Murong Liuzun's gaze was demonic and terrifying as he stared menacingly at the Empress Dowager.
The study was filled with an icy atmosphere, but the Empress Dowager completely ignored the Emperor's expression. With a flick of her hand, she said coldly, "This matter is settled."
The Empress Dowager, accompanied by the Noble Consort, departed. In the study, the Emperor had regained his composure. He cast a grim glance around and finally waved his hand, "All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Everyone exited the study. Ah Jiu respectfully dispatched an eunuch to escort Prime Minister Mu back to his residence and instructed the young eunuch to retrieve the list of betrothal gifts prepared by Miss Mu the Third.