"Good," Qingyao nodded without further ado.
This surprised Ah Jiu. He thought the Empress would never casually enter the palace, especially since she had left the palace before, and there was a Shu Fei inside. However, as a servant, he dared not say anything more.
In the hall, besides Ah Jiu, even Mu Hen was stunned, as was Mu Qingxiang, who stood there blankly. Only Mo Chou understood.
The Empress was already preparing to return to the palace; this was merely seizing an opportunity.
Now that the Prince of Nan'an was in trouble, she could enter the palace to see what was happening. However, her own feet carried her, and the situation inside the palace was still uncertain.
But Mu Hen and Mu Qingxiang didn't know that. They both exclaimed, "Yao'er (Sister), you are really willing to enter the palace?"
Qingyao smiled faintly and scanned her family members. She had originally intended to enter the palace upon her return, but the current situation meant she could only take things one step at a time.
"Father, since the Emperor has sent someone to fetch me, I shall return to the palace. Otherwise, it would be defying the imperial decree and would bring trouble to the Mu residence."
Qingyao's casual words made Ah Jiu's face turn pale. He dared not say anything, his head nearly bowed to his chest.
Qingyao, seated at the head, blinked her eyes and spoke with a hint of curiosity, "Ah Jiu, what's wrong? Did I say something that frightens you?"
Ah Jiu's heart ached, wishing he could reveal everything. But he couldn't. Just the slightest expression from him, and he feared... Ah Jiu dared not even think about it. He didn't want anything to happen to him!
Empress, I'm sorry. I can't say anything. The unpredictable winds and clouds in the palace now can only be discovered by your wisdom. Ah Jiu believes you will quickly uncover the clues.
With this thought, his heart felt a little lighter, and he spoke with a smile, "Your Majesty's imperial carriage is no longer the same as before. It's only natural that Ah Jiu is not afraid. I was presumptuous before."
Qingyao frowned but said nothing.
She slowly descended from her high seat, bid farewell to her father and second sister, and then, along with the others in the Mu residence, followed Ah Jiu and a few young eunuchs towards the outer gate of the Mu residence. Xiao Yu'er followed closely behind her, silent all the way.
Although she had always longed to enter the imperial palace, the thought of another woman being there always made her feel uncomfortable.
Moreover, any woman who had lived in modern times knew how perilous the back palace was, and the women within it were like wolves and tigers. She only wished for her mother's happiness and did not want her to encounter any danger.
Mo Chou, Bing Xiao, Shen Yu, and Ming Yue followed closely, step by step. Everyone knew that entering the palace this time might bring unforeseen events, and caution was paramount.
The moonlight was clear, casting a soft glow outside the Mu residence.
On the luxurious imperial carriage, bright yellow brocade curtains hung down. The top of the carriage was inlaid with a large cat's eye stone, which emitted a lustrous radiance in the moonlit night, as lively as a cat's eyes.
Qingyao boarded the imperial carriage. Mo Chou helped Xiao Yu'er up, and then followed with Mo Chou.
Shen Yu and Ming Yue, along with the young eunuchs, boarded a second carriage, which was also luxurious.
The two carriages set off grandly for the imperial palace. At the Prime Minister's residence, Mu Hen, leading his family, stood at the gate, watching their convoy disappear.
The imperial carriage sped towards the palace.
The journey was peaceful. Qingyao had expected Xi Men Xin Yue to send assassins, but she hadn't expected this woman to make no move. It seemed her calculations were off.
The imperial carriage drove all the way to the gate of Fengluan Palace.
Beneath layers of stone steps, flowers and grass swayed. Dewdrops in the dark night moistened the flora, making them crystalline and shimmering.
In the vast square, a dark mass of people knelt. Leading them was Yi Yun, who spoke respectfully, "Your servant and the others greet the Empress. Welcome Her Majesty back to the palace."
Qingyao swept her gaze over the familiar faces, her heart filled with emotion. Past and present, like a fleeting dream.
"Everyone, rise."
Qingyao waved her hand. Yi Yun led the eunuchs and palace maids of Fengluan Palace to rise and withdraw, standing to the side to await orders.
Yi Yun stepped forward and bent down cautiously, "Your Majesty, please enter the palace."
"Mm," Qingyao nodded. Xiao Yu'er, beside her, gazed with her round, big eyes at the layered palace walls, their eaves curled like clouds, the glittering glazed tiles shining brilliantly...
"Mother, is this the imperial palace?"
Her soft, pleasant voice rang out. Everyone immediately noticed the little girl. Yi Yun immediately led the group to kneel, "Your servant and the others greet the Princess."
"Your servant (we) greet the Princess."
A neat and melodious sound. Xiao Yu'er glanced around and spoke with considerable presence, "Everyone, rise."
"Thank you, Princess."
Mother and daughter walked into Fengluan Palace one after another.
Mo Chou, Bing Xiao, and the others followed closely. This return to the capital seemed to be shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere.
The Prince of Nan'an had been arrested, Xi Men Xin Yue was still well within the palace, and the Emperor had actually ordered Ah Jiu to invite the Empress back to the palace.
Logically, Xi Men Xin Yue should have been deposed first, and then the Emperor should have personally visited the Prime Minister's residence to welcome the Empress back to the capital.
But now, nothing had happened. This situation was completely beyond everyone's expectations, yet the Empress had returned. What was going on? Was it for the Prince of Nan'an? It seemed to be the only explanation.
Qingyao entered Fengluan Palace and surveyed the embroidered murals before her. Everything was as it had been; nothing had changed, not even the eunuchs and palace maids in this hall.
Qingyao's gaze deepened, covered with a layer of thoughtfulness. No one knew what she was thinking. The hall was extremely quiet.
"It's still the same here."
She sighed softly. Yi Yun knelt with a thud and replied respectfully:
"The Emperor did not allow anyone to touch anything here, nor did he permit anyone to enter. Only he would spend the night in Fengluan Palace, but that was a long time ago. Recently, the Emperor has been preoccupied with state affairs and has not had the leisure to come here."
Yi Yun replied with a slight frown. Previously, the Emperor would sometimes not enter for several months, and sometimes would stay for several months.
Fengluan Palace was almost his imperial bedchamber. Thus, everyone in the palace knew that the Emperor missed the Empress greatly. Now that the Empress had finally returned, the Emperor must be very happy.
Yi Yun speculated. Before she could rise, she heard the voice of the chief eunuch, Ah Jiu, from outside the hall door: "The Emperor is arriving."
As the words fell, a figure in imperial yellow appeared at the entrance of the hall. Tall and upright, with an air of unrestrained dominance, he wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a pair of purple-gold wrist guards, which shone brilliantly.
Qingyao stood in the center of the hall, looking back at him from a distance, a smile playing on her lips. She gazed at him leisurely without speaking, standing motionless. Mu Rong Liu Zun's gentle voice rang out.
"You've finally returned, Yao'er."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have returned."
Qingyao replied softly, gazing at him quietly, hoping to see something in his eyes. But at this moment, his pupils were filled with intense, scorching flames, as if a volcano was about to erupt.