"So that's how it is."
Qingyao said no more, and the great hall of Fengluan Palace fell silent.
At this time, the imperial physician, led by a eunuch, entered and quickly felt the pulse of the person on the ground. He soon confirmed that she was not in serious danger, only severely injured, and would recover with careful nursing.
Qingyao and Little Fishy breathed a sigh of relief. Little Peach would at least survive. She was carried away to recuperate properly in Fengluan Palace until she was well.
Mingyue and Mochou returned from the cold palace and reported the conditions of the concubines there, as well as the infected eunuchs and palace maids.
"It seems they are just counting down the days."
Mochou sighed softly. Some of those women deserved to die, like Ximen Xinyue.
But some had not committed capital offenses, yet there was nothing that could be done. They could only watch as those women, on the brink of despair, finally found peace.
The suffering was too immense; their cries for mercy begged only for death.
Consort Shu, Ximen Xinyue, had been tortured beyond recognition. She was thin and frail, covered in scars, bearing no resemblance to her former graceful self.
Despite her hatred for Ximen Xinyue's actions, facing her in person brought a surge of pity. Seeing her bravely enduring all the torment and deeply repentant...
A deathly silence filled the hall. Everyone's heart felt as cold as ice, wondering what earth-shattering events would unfold next.
Even with a mind full of schemes, there was nowhere to deploy them. The opponent was lurking in the shadows. If you remained still, they remained still. Only when you made a move would they strike?
Murong Liuzun mused, and a plan suddenly sprang to mind, a sinister smile curling his lips.
At this moment, the Prince of Nan’an entered the palace with another person. It was the Prime Minister, Mu Hen, along with his family. They had not returned to the Prince of Nan’an's mansion.
Instead, they had come directly to the imperial palace. The sights and sounds along the way were enough to make Mu Hen understand the current predicament of the Emperor and Empress.
Upon hearing that her Prime Minister father had returned, Qingyao immediately waved her hand and urgently commanded a eunuch.
"Announce the entry of the Prince of Nan’an and Prime Minister Mu."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the eunuch retreated and led the Prince of Nan’an and the Left Prime Minister, Mu Hen, inside. As they entered the great hall, they respectfully paid their respects.
Having not seen each other for over two months, the Left Prime Minister, Mu Hen, looked much older. His temples were streaked with gray, and a flash of wisdom flickered in his sharp eyes as he spoke calmly.
"Your humble servant pays his respects to His Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
"Prime Minister Mu, please rise," Murong Liuzun had always held the Left Prime Minister in high regard, and moreover, he was Yao'er's father, so he naturally showed him great courtesy.
Mu Hen and Murong Liuzhao rose and stood to the side. Mu Qingyao, seated at the upper echelon, descended from the phoenix platform and walked to Mu Hen's side, softly inquiring, "Father, are you alright? Are everyone else alright?"
"Your Majesty worries too much. Everyone is fine. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
"That is good."
Due to the events occurring in the palace, Qingyao did not have the energy to dwell on personal emotions. She reached out and pulled Mu Hen closer, inviting him to sit beside her, and said in a low, gentle voice, "I hope everything will be well."
"Your Majesty, I did not return to the Mu mansion but came directly to the palace. Along the way, the Prince of Nan'an and I discussed a plan, and we hope His Majesty and Your Majesty will approve."
"Father, please speak?"
Qingyao raised her eyebrows, looking at Prime Minister Mu. Mu Hen was still a veteran of two dynasties, holding a high and powerful position, not through connections or ancestral glory, but through his own intelligence, wisdom, and loyal heart that had secured his position as Left Prime Minister.
This had not changed to this day, so Qingyao knew that the plan he proposed was certainly viable.
"I have considered that Shangguan Hao possesses an extreme desire for revenge. I imagine upon my return to the capital, he will be filled with resentment and will surely break into the Mu mansion at night. If His Majesty were to lay a trap around the Mu mansion, I believe we can capture all of them in one sweep."
As soon as Mu Hen finished speaking, Qingyao immediately objected.
"No, that is too risky." She had considered this idea before, but if Shangguan Hao was cornered, he would release the people of the Mu mansion. She couldn't have others fall into peril just to capture Shangguan Hao.
"I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern, but if Shangguan Hao is captured and Xian Yue is stabilized, I would gladly give my life."
This time, Mu Hen spoke resolutely and determinedly.
He was still the Prime Minister, second only to the Emperor. When matters arose, he would naturally charge forward. Now that Xian Yue was in trouble, how could he stand idly by? He was determined to contribute to the nation.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I am also here. I will definitely protect Left Prime Minister Mu."
At this moment, the Prince of Nan’an spoke. When Murong Liuzhao spoke, Qingyao knew the Prince of Nan’an also agreed with this matter.
Now, only Mu Hen could lure out Shangguan Hao, because he was still the biological father of the current Empress.
And in this royal calamity, Shangguan Hao's most hated person should be the current Empress. She not only wasted his efforts but also caused him to become a ferocious beast. It was conceivable that his hatred for Mu Qingyao was enough to make him kill Left Prime Minister Mu in a fit of rage.
Qingyao glanced at her father and the Prince of Nan’an, then turned to look at Murong Liuzun, who was slowly descending from the upper echelon. A look of affirmation flashed in his dark eyes, indicating he also agreed.
Currently, only the Left Prime Minister could draw out Shangguan Hao, or Qingyao herself. But the Emperor would absolutely not agree to Qingyao taking such a risk, so only Mu Hen could be used.
However, Qingyao thought differently. She had another idea.
"No, let me do it. I will be the bait. I believe the person Shangguan Hao hates the most is me. If I appear, he will surely appear."
"Absolutely not."
As soon as Qingyao spoke, before the Emperor could say anything, the Prince of Nan’an and the Left Prime Minister, who had been standing below, firmly objected. How precious was the Empress? How could she put herself in danger? If anything were to happen to her, it would be unbearable.
"This Empress has made up her mind."
Qingyao said sternly. She absolutely would not let Mu Hen risk himself alone. In fact, although her martial arts skills were not the best in the world, they were already extremely formidable.
Using herself as bait would be much more reliable than Mu Hen. Mu Hen was still a civilian official with no strength to even tie a chicken. If there was any lapse in attention, he might perish at Shangguan Hao's hands.
"Yao'er."
Murong Liuzun's voice was hoarse with overwhelming heartache. Had he also become someone who caused her hardship? He clearly didn't want even the slightest bit of trouble for her.
But in the end, the troubles around him still hurt her.
Qingyao turned around and looked up at the Emperor. His handsome face was clouded with an unclear expression. She couldn't help but soften her tone: "It's alright. Now we must face the enemy together. Only by quickly killing Shangguan Hao can Xian Yue be stabilized."
"Alright, we shall follow the Empress's words."
The Emperor said steadily. He would not allow Yao'er to be harmed in the slightest. Tonight, he vowed to set a trap and capture Shangguan Hao.