"A Jiu pays his respects to Her Majesty the Empress," Ah Jiu said respectfully, his delicate face beaming with a smile.
Today, he had truly witnessed the Empress's formidable power. It wasn't just a mere eunuch like himself; even the Empress Dowager, and the arrogant and fierce Princess Ru Yin, had been struck by her might.
If he dared to offend the woman before him, his days would likely be difficult.
"Speak, what did His Majesty send you here for?"
Mu Qingyao cast a serene, bright gaze upon Ah Jiu, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. Ah Jiu's heart trembled, and he quickly replied:
"His Majesty requests that Her Majesty attend a banquet at the Glazed Palace tonight, where he will host envoys from the six kingdoms."
"This Empress acknowledges it."
Mu Qingyao's expression turned considerably colder. A chilling aura permeated the magnificent hall, casting a sinister gaze upon Ah Jiu standing below. It seemed tonight would be fraught with hidden perils.
Ah Jiu did not wish to linger for another moment. He spoke swiftly, "This humble servant takes his leave," and retreated with practiced efficiency.
Mei Xin and Mo Chou stared after his retreating figure in astonishment, their brows furrowing inexplicably. What was wrong with Eunuch Ah Jiu?
The two turned to look at the Empress on her high seat. They saw their mistress, her beautiful, radiant face now etched with an endless frost, her eyes clouded with a deep, stormy darkness.
No wonder Eunuch Ah Jiu had fled in such haste; it seemed he had been frightened by his mistress.
"Your Majesty, what has happened?"
Mo Chou walked over, inquiring with concern.
Mu Qingyao raised her head and spoke softly, "Tonight will not be a peaceful night. The envoys from the six kingdoms, each one of them has malicious intent."
The two young maids exchanged glances. So, their mistress was worried about this matter. In the past, they might have shared her concern, but now, it didn't seem so dire.
Mo Chou raised a delicate eyebrow and spoke with confidence, "Then what is there to fear? We shall meet force with force, and turn aside water with earth. Our Sovereign of the Crescent Moon Kingdom is not one to be trifled with, and with the addition of the wise and intelligent Empress, surely we are not afraid of them?"
Her words managed to amuse Mu Qingyao, significantly brightening the atmosphere in the hall. "Indeed, Mo Chou is still the most composed. It seems this Empress has been overthinking."
As Mu Qingyao finished speaking, someone rushed in breathlessly from outside the hall doors, followed by a throng of eunuchs and palace maids, all crying out in alarm as they poured into the grand hall.
"Princess, Princess, please wait, please! Allow us to report to Her Majesty?"
However, the person leading the group was utterly unconcerned. She swept in like the wind, stopping in the center of the hall, and looked at Mu Qingyao seated on the phoenix couch with a smiling face. "Imperial Sister-in-law, Xing Zhu has come to visit you."
Princess Xing Zhu spoke with an uncanny intimacy.
A flicker of surprise crossed Mu Qingyao's face. When had she become so familiar with this princess? If she recalled correctly, they had only met once. Moreover, this girl had come to kill her with a sword, calling her a slut and a harlot. What was this charade now?
Mu Qingyao observed Princess Murong Xing Zhu calmly. The eunuchs and palace maids behind her were already pale with fright, and they immediately fell to their knees.
"Your Majesty, spare us. We were unable to stop the Princess. We beg Your Majesty's punishment."
"You may withdraw," Mu Qingyao waved her hand. This Princess Xing Zhu seemed to be a troublesome individual. How could these eunuchs and palace maids control her?
The eunuchs and palace maids of the Phoenix Palace breathed a collective sigh of relief at the Empress's words. It seemed Her Majesty the Empress also possessed a benevolent side, unlike the aloof figures who were often arbitrary.
In the hall, before Mu Qingyao could speak, Murong Xing Zhu had already rushed towards the phoenix couch in three swift strides. Mo Chou, unsure of her intentions, quickly stepped forward to block her.
Mu Qingyao raised her hand, stopping Mo Chou's movement and causing her to retreat a step.
Princess Xing Zhu, her face beaming, took Mu Qingyao's hand and said sweetly:
"Imperial Sister-in-law, why are you ignoring me? Are you still angry about what happened last time? You know, I didn't mean it last time. I truly heard such terrible things about you that I went to assassinate you?"
Murong Xing Zhu had a sweet appearance, and her words carried a childlike innocence. Her butterfly-wing-like eyelashes fluttered rapidly as she spoke, making her as adorable as a doll.
Even Mu Qingyao felt the simple aura emanating from her.
"Alright, that matter is in the past. Let's not bring it up again. I hope that from now on, Princess will use her head before doing anything, lest it be a waste of resources and effort."
Mu Qingyao spoke calmly, her tone considerably gentler. It was rare to encounter someone so pure.
She hadn't expected the Emperor to protect her so well, preventing anyone from harming her, thereby preserving her innocence.
However, she wondered if this innocence was a blessing or a curse; one only truly grew through adversity.
"Yes, Imperial Sister-in-law, I will certainly listen to you from now on. But can I come visit you often to play?"
Murong Xing Zhu nodded repeatedly, her dark eyes gleaming with longing as she gazed fixedly at Mu Qingyao.
Mu Qingyao sighed inwardly. Perhaps the Princess was too lonely. As a princess, she lacked even the most ordinary of friends; at best, she was merely the most precious bird caged in a golden cage, which was why she yearned so much for companionship.
"Very well, but don't come knocking in the middle of the night." Mu Qingyao said with a rare jest.
Murong Xing Zhu immediately jumped for joy, completely abandoning any semblance of a princess's demeanor. Lan Yi, standing below, exclaimed with a loss of color, "Princess, mind your image!"
"Oh, I know," Murong Xing Zhu restrained herself somewhat, but still looked at Lan Yi happily, "This is Imperial Sister-in-law's place, what image do I need to maintain? It's too tiring."
Mu Qingyao hadn't expected the Princess to have no regard for appearances at all. Her usual dignity and grace were merely a facade. In Mu Qingyao's opinion, the Princess's original personality was far more endearing – genuine and innocent, much better than those affected and hypocritical individuals.
Having one more friend in the palace was always better than having another enemy. Furthermore, the Princess's disposition was not disagreeable, and Mu Qingyao's expression brightened considerably. She patted the empty seat beside her.
"Sit down, Princess."
"Imperial Sister-in-law, call me Xing Zhu. Imperial Brother calls me that," Murong Xing Zhu sat intimately on Mu Qingyao's phoenix couch. Mei Xin brought over tea. "Princess, please have some tea."
"Mmm."
Princess Murong Xing Zhu took the tea with a nod, took a sip, and set it down. Whether it was due to her usual boredom or a natural inclination for conversation, she began chattering away with Mu Qingyao.
Lan Yi, standing below, stared at her mistress with a darkly lined face. Heavens, how quickly the Princess's demeanor changed! Last time she had come to assassinate Her Majesty the Empress, and this time she was as cordial as if they were old friends.