The atmosphere in the carriage was frigid.
The carriage soon arrived at the Prime Minister’s estate and stopped. The large double doors, facing the street, were flung open, revealing majestic stone lions poised on balls, standing sentinel.
Several attendants in fine robes were stationed by the entrance. The moment they noticed a carriage halt, their gazes darted over. Upon seeing Mo Chou dismount, they excitedly rushed inside to report.
The sky was already growing dim. The street, naturally secluded, was now devoid of any figures. Qing Yao, accompanied by Xiao Yu Er, slowly alighted from the carriage. Shen Yu, who had been on horseback behind the carriage, also dismounted. The group stood before the Prime Minister’s estate.
By this time, Prime Minister Mu, having received the servants’ report, had come out with his family.
From a distance, Qing Yao was visible. She wore a long, flowing white robe of silk gauze, its layers cascading like misty smoke. Her dark hair was elegantly pinned up, adorned with a jade hairpin with dangling tassels that swayed gently in the breeze, lending her an air of ethereal grace.
Her face was like a delicate, vibrant bloom, entirely free of the red blemishes she had previously borne.
“Yao’er, you’ve returned,” Prime Minister Mu called out, leading his family to greet them. Qing Yao offered a graceful curtsy, her voice as clear as flowing water.
“Greetings, Father.”
Xiao Yu Er, standing beside her, chirped brightly, “Greetings, Maternal Grandfather.”
“Good, good, it’s good you’ve returned,” the Left Prime Minister, Mu Hen, his eyes brimming with tears of joy. After more than three years apart, his daughter remained as stunningly beautiful as ever. He marveled that she, leading over a hundred thousand elite troops, had unified the seven kingdoms in just over three years.
This was truly a miracle of unprecedented times, and she was considered a prodigy by the world, no less than a divine being.
Behind Mu Hen stood only Mu Qing Xiang. Mu Qing Zhu had already married the son of the Minister of the Imperial Stud, a man of great discretion. They lived in harmony and mutual respect, deeply in love.
As soon as Mu Qing Xiang saw her sister’s return, she joyfully stepped forward, offering a respectful greeting.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Rise,” Qing Yao extended a hand to help her second sister up. Three years had passed, yet Mu Qing Xiang still wore the attire of a young lady of the inner chambers, her hairstyle unchanged. It seemed she had not married and had remained at home.
She had long passed the age for marriage. Qing Yao prayed that heaven would bless her with true love.
After Mu Qing Xiang’s greeting, the First Madam and Second Madam, along with the servants of the Mu estate, also paid their respects, kneeling in a dense array on the ground. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Qing Yao raised her head, scanning the assembled crowd. She then glanced back towards the street and, with a nonchalant wave, entered the estate.
Prime Minister Mu, a man of great wisdom, understood his daughter’s subtle gesture. Knowing she had returned to the capital in secret, he calmly waved his hand, instructing his entire household, “Everyone, rise and disperse.”
“Yes, Master.”
The First Madam and Second Madam acknowledged his command and quickly led the household staff away. Mu Hen, Qing Yao, and Qing Xiang walked together into the Mu estate. Mo Chou and Bing Xiao followed behind, and the carriage was also led into the rear courtyard.
The group proceeded directly to the Prime Minister’s study.
Outside the study door, on the stone steps, stood Mo Chou and Bing Xiao. Shen Yu and Ming Yue were led by the housekeeper to the side chambers to be entertained. Inside the study, Mu Hen invited Qing Yao to sit. He then took Xiao Yu Er’s hand and examined her from head to toe, speaking with paternal affection.
“Princess, you are truly adorable, and you appear very intelligent.”
Xiao Yu Er, hearing herself praised, beamed with delight. She smiled sweetly and said, “Thank you for your praise, Maternal Grandfather.”
Qing Yao sat down. Mu Hen then sat by the side, holding Xiao Yu Er. Mu Qing Xiang personally brewed tea for her father and Qing Yao, presenting it. “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
“Sit down. As sisters, there’s no need for formality,” Qing Yao offered a soft, gentle smile. In the candlelight, her face was like a blossoming flower, as beautiful as a water-kissed hibiscus, radiant and captivating, drawing all eyes.
“My sister has truly not changed one bit.”
Qing Xiang sighed. Time had passed, but Qing Yao remained as lovely as ever. Furthermore, she, a woman, had become a Grand Marshal, leading over a hundred thousand soldiers to unify the seven kingdoms. Even men lacked her spirit.
In the past, she would fall into melancholy whenever she thought of her own misfortunes. However, since Qing Yao had conquered the empire, Qing Xiang’s perspective had dramatically shifted. Who said women were inferior to men? Even if she didn’t marry, she could still live happily. Thus, she had completely opened her heart.
“Sister hasn’t changed either.”
Qing Yao reached out and patted Qing Xiang’s hand. Qing Xiang smiled softly, nodding, and sat down at the lower seat.
Qing Yao surveyed the study. Only her father and Qing Xiang were present. As they were family, she slowly began to speak.
“I was staying in Wuqing Valley when Geng Han, a subordinate of Prince Nan’an, came to find me. He said the Emperor had imprisoned Prince Nan’an. Is this true?”
As Qing Yao’s words fell, Mu Qing Xiang looked somewhat taken aback. As a mere young lady confined to the inner chambers, she knew nothing of this matter. However, Prime Minister Mu’s expression darkened, a sharp coldness flashing in his eyes. He spoke in a deep, grave tone.
“The Emperor claimed Prince Nan’an attempted to usurp the throne. He was caught in the act, wearing the imperial dragon robes and disguised as the Emperor, presumptuously approving memorials in the Imperial Study. What else could that be but an attempt at regicide?
Fortunately, the Emperor was magnanimous and has kept this matter suppressed within the Ministry of Justice, not announcing it to the world. Hence, people outside have no idea Prince Nan’an has been imprisoned.”
“Does Father believe Prince Nan’an would attempt to usurp the throne?”
Qing Yao’s pupils emanated a cold, icy chill as she asked Mu Hen, her tone utterly devoid of warmth, clearly indicating her extremely foul mood.
Mu Hen dared not say more. He frowned, deep in thought. Based on his understanding of Prince Nan’an, he would never do such a thing. But then, why was Prince Nan’an impersonating the Emperor in the Imperial Study?
Mu Hen was utterly bewildered, completely at a loss. Of course, he could not fathom that the Emperor had instructed Prince Nan’an to impersonate him and remain in the palace; that the entire affair had been the Emperor’s idea from beginning to end.
The Emperor had even intended to pass the throne to Prince Nan’an! Why would he now imprison him? This matter was truly contradictory.
“From my understanding of Prince Nan’an, he is incapable of such an act. Yet, the Emperor caught him red-handed. There is both eyewitness and physical evidence?”
“Then why didn’t you ask the Emperor why Prince Nan’an was in the palace, while he himself was not?”
Qing Yao retorted. Mu Hen was taken aback but quickly replied:
“We did ask. The Emperor said he never imagined Prince Nan’an would set his sights on him. Therefore, caught off guard, he was injured by Prince Nan’an and taken out of the palace. He should have died, but he was later rescued, which is why he managed to return to the palace.”
“What?”
Qing Yao’s eyes grew colder. This Emperor was truly excessive, fabricating such lies…
A silence fell upon the study. Prime Minister Mu looked at Qing Yao’s chilling expression and, unsure what to say, fell silent.