“A Jiu, let's return to the palace.”
Mu Rong Liu Zun spoke with restraint. Ah Jiu immediately led the way. "Yes, Your Majesty. It's getting late. We should return to the sleeping chambers soon. You have morning court tomorrow, don't you?"
"Mmm," a grand procession departed.
In the blink of an eye, the Biyun Pavilion was deserted. Flowers bloomed profusely, and leaves cast dappled shadows, as if everything that had just transpired was merely an illusion.
In Fengluan Palace, within the sleeping chambers,
Mu Qingyao had finished her ablutions and was seated before a carved bronze mirror.
Mei Xin was drying her hair.
Mo Chou stood by, observing her mistress deep in thought, seemingly troubled by something. The two young maids dared not make a sound.
Thus, the vast sleeping chambers remained silent. After a long while, as Mei Xin almost finished drying her mistress's hair, she heard her speak faintly.
“Mo Chou, go and call Yi Yun in. Avoid the other palace maids and eunuchs.”
"Yes, Mistress," Mo Chou slipped away. Mei Xin finished drying her mistress's hair. Seeing that her mistress had no intention of sleeping, she went to brew a cup of tea and offered it. "Your Highness, have some tea to refresh yourself."
“Mmm,”
Mu Qingyao nodded, accepting the teacup. She slowly sipped the tea, her expression consistently cold. Mei Xin dared not ask further, merely waiting quietly by her side until Mo Chou returned with Yi Yun.
“Your servant greets Your Highness,” Yi Yun cautiously kowtowed. She didn't know why her mistress had summoned her to the sleeping chambers so late, and she was exceptionally wary.
“Rise,” Mu Qingyao handed the teacup to Mei Xin beside her and waved for Yi Yun to stand. She spoke slowly and unhurriedly, “Yi Yun, if someone were to ask you to do something against my wishes, would you do it?”
Yi Yun, who had just stood up, turned deathly pale upon hearing her mistress's words. She dropped to her knees with a thud and repeatedly kowtowed. “Your Highness, your servant would never do anything to betray you. Your servant wouldn't dare.”
Upon hearing Yi Yun's words, Mu Qingyao's expression softened slightly. Although her voice remained cold, the killing intent had lessened. She continued gently,
“That’s good. From now on, you belong to me. I need you to do something for me. Investigate which eunuchs and palace maids from Fengluan Palace went out tonight. It must be done discreetly; no one must know. I fear you might get into trouble.”
Hearing this, Yi Yun didn't dare refuse. However, she was touched by her mistress's final words. In the palace, when had they, these lowly palace maids, ever received such attention? To think that her mistress was concerned for their safety! How could she not be moved?
“Your Highness, your servant is fine. As long as I can help Your Highness, your servant will go and do it immediately.”
Yi Yun took her orders. Mu Qingyao glanced at Mo Chou behind her and softly instructed, “Mo Chou, go and help her. I wish to receive news by tomorrow morning about who went out of Fengluan Palace tonight.”
“Yes,” Yi Yun and Mo Chou accepted their orders simultaneously. The two maids walked out. Inside the sleeping chambers, Mu Qingyao yawned at her own pace. She was truly tired. Turning her head to look at the fluffy snowball on the large bed, she thought how much more carefree the little fox was. Sometimes, being human was not as good as being a pet.
“Your Highness, it’s late. You should rest.”
“Alright, let’s sleep. Otherwise, I definitely won’t be able to get up tomorrow.”
Mu Qingyao rose. Mei Xin attended to her as she got into bed. As the gauze curtain was lowered, she saw her mistress reach out and embrace the snowy white little fox. The scene of one person and one fox snuggling together to sleep was exceptionally beautiful. To be honest, the little fox was quite good-looking, a perfect match for her mistress.
Dawn arrived, and a world-shattering event occurred in the palace.
The entire Xuan Yue Dynasty was shaken. Only the mistress in Fengluan Palace remained oblivious, sleeping soundly, her arms around the adorable little fox, her face buried in its fur. The fur was soft and fine, as smooth as silk, making one reluctant to let go.
Mu Qingyao was fast asleep when she suddenly felt a whirlwind sweep towards her. Following that, thunderous wails erupted by her bedside.
“Imperial sister-in-law, Imperial sister-in-law, wake up quickly! Something’s happened! Something’s happened!”
It was Princess Mu Rong Xing Zhu, that crybaby. Mu Qingyao was still sleepy and kept her eyes tightly shut, as if she hadn't heard. She had only fallen asleep near dawn yesterday and was currently in the midst of a beautiful dream. She wanted to sleep a little longer.
However, Mu Rong Xing Zhu gave her no peace. Not only did she cry, but she also reached out and forcefully shook her body. “Imperial sister-in-law, wake up! Something truly has happened, something immense! Imperial brother must be anxious. Help him! Only you can help him.”
Mu Rong Liu Zun. What did that have to do with her? That man was exceedingly shrewd; what couldn't he handle?
She was too lazy to bother with their man-related affairs. Mu Qingyao intended to continue sleeping, but even Mao Xue Qiu was not cooperating, squeaking and calling out. One on her left, one on her right – how could anyone sleep through this?
Mei Xin and Mo Chou, knowing their mistress's temperament well, quickly tried to pacify the princess from the side.
“Princess, please stop crying. If Her Highness wakes up and we are punished, we will surely suffer. Princess, please wait a moment.”
“Wuwu, the sky is falling! What are we waiting for? Is Imperial sister-in-law doing this on purpose?” Mu Rong Xing Zhu thought that such a commotion had occurred, and her imperial sister-in-law could still sleep? She was clearly doing it on purpose, so she cried even louder. *Just don’t let you sleep! Just don’t let you sleep! Something big has happened, and you're still sleeping!*
With things reaching this point, Mu Qingyao had no choice but to open her eyes. She gave the princess a displeased sideways glance and slowly sat up.
“Mu Rong Xing Zhu, I slept very late last night. Don’t you know that? Coming here and wailing like a ghost first thing in the morning. Be careful, or I’ll sew your mouth shut with needles.”
“Imperial sister-in-law, something really has happened! Listen to me, someone died in another palace last night?”
At these words, a fleeting sharp glint flashed in Mu Qingyao’s dark eyes. Her expression turned solemn, and a smile touched her lips. She spoke calmly, “Who died?”
It must be someone important. The envoys from the six nations were all staying in the other palaces. If one of them were to meet with an accident, Xuan Yue might be held responsible. Who would do such a thing behind the scenes? Mu Qingyao’s mind raced. For whom would an envoy’s death be most beneficial?
Mu Rong Xing Zhu, upon hearing that her imperial sister-in-law was taking it seriously, immediately stopped crying and spoke with great urgency.
“It’s the Crown Princess of the Dan Feng Kingdom. She died in her own room.”
“The Crown Princess of the Dan Feng Kingdom, Ji Feng.”
She hadn't expected that woman to be dead. It was important to note that the Dan Feng Kingdom was not like other nations. If it were a small country, perhaps they would be hesitant towards Xuan Yue. But now it was the Dan Feng Kingdom, and even more so, the Crown Princess with her esteemed status. This was truly a major issue.
Mu Qingyao’s brows furrowed. The Dan Feng Kingdom, along with Qing Luo Kingdom and Xuan Yue Kingdom, were renowned as the three powerful nations among the Seven Kingdoms. To think that the Crown Princess of the Dan Feng Kingdom had died in Xuan Yue. It was indeed a troubling matter.