For two consecutive days, nothing significant happened. During this time, Mo Chou went out once more to check on the situation at the Shu residence.
If the Mu and Zhao residences had left, she would have been much more at ease, able to detach herself without reservation. However, the news Mo Chou brought back was far from satisfactory.
First, regarding the Mu residence, Mu Hen had dismissed all the household servants, instructing them to leave in batches under the pretense of going out to purchase goods. Gradually, fewer and fewer remained, leaving only the old servants who were absolutely unwilling to depart.
Mu Hen could do nothing but let them stay. The vast Mu residence was now empty, with only the Master, the Second Miss, two Madam Wives, and a few maids, totaling around ten people.
Then there was the Liu family. Mu Hen had asked them to leave the capital, but he couldn't explain to them that the Emperor in the palace was a fake. Consequently, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Stables did not understand him, and thus, no one from the Liu residence had left.
In the end, Mu Hen had no choice but to force his son-in-law to divorce his wife. Who would have thought that Mu Qingzhu was pregnant? Liu Congyun, cherishing his wife, refused to divorce her.
It wasn't until Mu Hen secretly revealed the truth of the matter to Liu Congyun that his son-in-law, under duress, wrote a letter of divorce. However, he himself accompanied his wife and secretly left the capital.
The entire capital knew that Prime Minister Mu's daughter had been divorced. The rumors grew more and more outrageous, eventually claiming that the Mu family's daughter had drowned herself because of the divorce, which was why she was nowhere to be seen in the vast capital.
Listening to this news, Qing Yao felt uneasy and agitated. The Zhao residence was another matter. With Mu Qingzhu divorced, the Emperor would likely have nothing to say.
Even if he wanted to punish the Liu family, there would be no grounds for it. However, the dozen or so members of the Mu family were under surveillance, indicating that Shangguan Hao had his sights set on them.
"Master, what should we do? Master cannot leave at all?"
"Tomorrow, summon the people from Fengchen Palace to rescue them. Once they leave, Shangguan Hao will surely move against me. I can use that opportunity to retreat safely, and then everything will be fine."
Qing Yao spoke coldly, but before her plan could be implemented, trouble arrived, and it came remarkably swiftly.
The third morning arrived. This was the final deadline Shangguan Hao had given to Xi Men Xin Yue. If she made no move by the end of today, the Xi Men family would have no peace. This man, though insidious and cruel, would surely act if he said so.
Therefore, early that morning, Xi Men Xin Yue cried for a while, then forced herself to calm down, dressed herself, and headed towards Feng Luan Palace.
Qing Yao had also woken up but hadn't gotten out of bed. She was leaning against the large bed, pondering, trying to devise a good plan to send the Mu family out smoothly.
She appeared languid, her dark hair casually draped over her shoulders, making her delicate face seem as fair as snow. Her large eyes were filled with enchanting, moving light, her expression serene.
Mo Chou entered from outside and respectfully announced, "Your Highness, Consort Shu is here?"
"Why is she here at this time?"
Qing Yao raised an eyebrow and asked coolly. Towards Xi Men Xin Yue, she felt both hatred and pity. One day, this woman would regret it. Scheming with a tiger would only harm oneself; this was an immutable law throughout history.
"She says she's here to pay her respects to Your Highness."
"Mm, paying respects. I'd like to see what schemes she's up to." Qing Yao shifted her body and slid to the edge of the bed, sitting down.
Mo Chou immediately walked over to serve her. Her lustrous dark hair cascaded over her shoulders. She intended to style it, but Qing Yao stopped her. "Let's go. We can sort it out later. Let's see what that woman is up to."
Qing Yao mused that Shangguan Hao must be planning something against her. A cold smile curved her lips. If it weren't for the sake of preserving the foundation of Xian Yue for Liu Zun, why would she remain here? She would have left long ago. Who could keep her here?
The reason she stayed was to draw Shangguan Hao's attention solely to herself, rather than letting him fabricate excuses.
Then, perhaps the Empress would be accused of rebellion and sedition, and all the officials who displeyed the court would be eliminated. Especially among these officials was An Ding Feng, who had fought alongside her through thick and thin, facing enemies together. He had also been recalled to the capital by Shangguan Hao.
Although it appeared to be a promotion, in reality, his military authority had been stripped away. This man was now overly cautious. If she made any rash moves, the entire capital might plunge into bloodshed. All she wanted was to minimize casualties. As long as she didn't leave, she believed that man would not dare to make any rash moves.
Or, if he confronted her directly, he couldn't use anyone else as an excuse.
Qing Yao calculated the intricacies of the situation, her expression unchanged, and elegantly walked out of her sleeping quarters.
In the outer hall, Xi Men Xin Yue was seated below, sipping tea in small sips, her expression exceedingly anxious.
Upon seeing Qing Yao emerge, she slowly rose to salute, her face a ghastly pale. Although her lips were rouged, they still appeared deathly white.
Seeing her in such a state, Qing Yao couldn't help but smile. It seemed this woman's days were not going well either. Had she finally realized the consequences of scheming with a tiger?
Qing Yao sat down in her elevated seat and said chillingly, "Consort Shu, please rise. Why have you decided to visit me today?"
Hearing the Empress's question, Xi Men Xin Yue's heart ached, and tears almost welled up. These past few days, she had no one to talk to, no one to confide in.
Although she knew the Empress might not sympathize with her and might even hate her, her fingertips couldn't help but tremble. However, to avoid arousing the Empress's suspicion, she tried her best to suppress it.
Despite her efforts, a slight catch in her voice was unavoidable as she spoke slowly.
"Sister is still the mistress of the Three Palaces. Sister should pay her respects to you in the morning."
Upon hearing this, Qing Yao almost burst out laughing on the spot. She had never known she possessed such intentions, and it would be best for her to refrain from such thoughts.
"Sit down." Since she had come, she couldn't possibly turn her away. She would let her reveal whatever stratagem she had.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Xi Men Xin Yue sat down to the side, lowering her head slightly. Her gaze drifted to the child in her womb, and her heart ached intensely.
He was slowly fading from her life. Although this child was Shangguan Hao's, he was also hers. She had always sincerely hoped he would be born.
But now?
A maid from Feng Luan Palace refilled her tea. Mo Chou personally brewed and served tea to Qing Yao, saying, "Your Highness, please have some tea."
Qing Yao took it and raised it, gesturing to Xi Men Xin Yue below, "Consort Shu, please have some tea."
"Thank you, Sister." Xi Men Xin Yue curtsied slightly, picked up the teacup, and took a gentle sip.
At this moment, her expression seemed much more serene and composed than before. Qing Yao, while drinking her tea, observed Xi Men Xin Yue. She watched as the woman finished the entire cup of tea cleanly and then set it down.
Qing Yao's lips curved, her eyes dark. Could this tea be so delicious? To come to Feng Luan Palace so early and drink so much might be a stratagem of hers.
But what was her motive?
Qing Yao's gaze shifted to Xi Men Xin Yue's belly. Slowly, her eyes widened in disbelief. Could it be?
"Consort Shu's complexion is very poor. What has happened?"
Qing Yao put down her teacup, her face filled with curiosity, staring at Xi Men Xin Yue.
She saw her face break out in a cold sweat, her hands instinctively going to cover her stomach. She curled into a ball, as if enduring immense pain.
Qing Yao slowly walked down from her high seat without the slightest hint of panic. The medicine had taken effect so quickly. Within the time it took to drink one cup of tea, it had acted? Clearly, she had taken medicine beforehand.
"Sister, my stomach hurts."
As soon as the Consort uttered these words, Qing Yao walked to her side. She saw that the woman had already slipped to the ground, and a pool of blood quickly spread from her lower body.
This was a life. This woman was truly venomous, resorting to any means to harm her. Qing Yao slowly squatted down before her, speaking word by word.
"You are truly unworthy of being a mother. Heaven will punish you."
After saying this, she glanced at the woman writhing in pain on the ground, turned, and called out towards the palace doors, "Guards, summon the Imperial Physician. Immediately inform the Emperor."