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At that moment, Ziyue pushed the door open and walked in. Surprised as she circled around the screen, she said, "Empress, why are you awake so early? Why not sleep a little longer?"
Mu Junqi smiled and replied, "I couldn't sleep. Has His Majesty gone to the morning court?"
"Yes, he left not long ago." While speaking, Ziyue added some charcoal to the stove beside her. Then she turned to Mu Junqi and asked, "Empress, do you have something on your mind?"
"You noticed?"
"Of course. I've been serving you for so long, so I naturally understand. No matter what others say, I and Huixin have never doubted that it was you who did it. Therefore, we have secretly investigated a bit. If you want to make this matter public, we will definitely help you," Ziyue said seriously as she finished tending to the charcoal and stepped in front of Mu Junqi.
Hearing these words, Mu Junqi didn't speak but felt deeply moved inside. Fortunately, she still had such trustworthy people by her side; otherwise, she wouldn't know what to do.
She stood up and said to Ziyue, "Alright, go call Huixin in and help me style my hair nicely."
"Yes, I'll go right away—" Ziyue replied before quickly leaving.
Before long, Ziyue and Huixin walked in. Upon seeing Mu Junqi, Huixin exclaimed loudly, "Your Highness, you look wonderful today!"
Ziyue and Mu Junqi both laughed, and then Mu Junqi couldn't help but say, "You little girl are getting better with your words. Let's make sure your master looks even more attractive then—"
After saying that, Mu Junqi sat in front of the dressing mirror while the two carefully selected more comfortable clothes for her. After spending several months in the Cold Palace, she had lost some weight. Thus, all these clothes were remade by Mo Xiao Li's orders. Additionally, since she had injuries on her body, all the garments were made from high-quality silk.
Once dressed up, Mu Junqi looked at the woman in the mirror. Perhaps due to having gone through so much, there was a maturity and restraint in her eyes. The fitted clothes accentuated her extraordinary temperament, giving her an air of grace befitting a mother of the nation.
After everything was ready and they had finished breakfast, several people along with a few palace maids and eunuchs headed to Jinghe Palace together.
Inside Jinghe Palace
The Empress Dowager rose early every day. Today, just after finishing breakfast, she heard news of Mu Junqi's arrival. Although somewhat puzzled, she still allowed her to enter.
When Mu Junqi walked in, the Empress Dowager was visibly surprised; it seemed as if something had changed about her compared to before. However, being someone who had weathered many storms in life, her expression remained unchanged.
Mu Junqi was supported by Ziyue as she walked in, reaching the center. Mu Junqi bowed slightly and said, "Empress Dowager, auspiciousness. Consort has arrived late—"
The Empress Dowager stared at her without speaking, leaving Mu Junqi no choice but to maintain her posture, her face full of humility. After a while, she felt her legs becoming uncontrollable, and only then did the Empress Dowager speak: "I am old and forgot to let you rise. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Mu Junqi said this as she sat down on the nearest chair. Once seated, the Empress Dowager asked, "How have you been feeling lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. Consort's health is almost back to normal."
"That's good. Actually—actually, I did not want you to come out. Not for any other reason, but because you have never cared about the Emperor. I find it hard to forgive you for that. However, as you know, the Emperor is wholeheartedly devoted to you. No one in this harem has ever captured his attention like this. Even after what you did that was so rebellious, you were only confined for a few months. So I do not like you at all. If you have nothing else to do, please do not come here again," the Empress Dowager said slowly with a gloomy expression.
Upon hearing this, Mu Junqi immediately stood up and knelt before the Empress Dowager, then softly said, "Consort knows that you must hate me very much, but some things are not as you see them. Consort has decided to take good care of the Emperor and hopes that Empress Dowager can understand—" She raised her head to meet the Empress Dowager's gaze.
Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager was somewhat moved. She was not a cruel person by nature; although she had harbored some resentment towards her in the past, she was now older. Since the Emperor was wholeheartedly devoted to this person before her, she no longer wanted to say anything and only hoped for peace in the harem.
So she spoke: "You may rise. In any case, there is no need for you to come here anymore. If you have time, please take good care of the Emperor." With that, she stood up and walked toward her bedroom.
Mu Junqi did not speak; Ziyue helped her stand up beside her. "Empress Dowager, Consort understands."
...
As they left Jinghe Palace, Ziyue asked with some confusion: "Why was the Empress Dowager so kind to you this time? Could it be that she really forgave you?"
Mu Junqi chuckled lightly and replied: "It's not forgiveness; it's that she no longer wants to manage it. She simply lacks the energy to do so—"
"In that case, no one will trouble you anymore."
Mu Junqi shook her head and looked at Huixin: "Then you're mistaken. Although no one will openly trouble you, many will come secretly. It's easy to dodge an open blade but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. You two must be careful in the future and ensure that such things do not happen again."
"Servants understand—" both of them replied in unison.
When they returned to Tianming Palace, Mo Xiao Li had already come back. Seeing her rosy cheeks frozen from the cold, he immediately reached out to warm her and asked, "You shouldn't go out these days; it's so cold outside."
"I just went to Jinghe Palace to see the Empress Dowager—"
"Did she say anything?"
Mu Junqi didn't speak but shook her head, a smile appearing in her eyes as she looked at Mo Xiao Li. When their gazes met, all that was felt was goodwill.
Suddenly, Mu Junqi seemed to remember something and looked at Mo Xiao Li, saying, "Your Majesty, when can Consort return to Qinxiang Garden?"
Mo Xiao Li's expression changed instantly, and in a muffled voice, he said, "Do you really want to leave me that much?"
Seeing Mo Xiao Li like this, Mu Junqi couldn't help but laugh. "Your Majesty, if you continue speaking to the ministers in that tone, they will definitely have a different impression."
Noticing his expression darken slightly, she stopped laughing and said to him, "Staying here for this period is against etiquette. Although it's because I was injured, if it becomes a topic for others to gossip about, it would be better if I hadn't stayed at all."
Mo Xiao Li looked down at her, fully understanding the meaning behind her words. However, he stubbornly did not want her to leave his side; he only hoped she could always stay close enough for him to see her whenever he lifted his gaze. But if she returned to Qinxiang Garden, even though he could visit her, it would still reduce their chances of being together. That's why he was so reluctant.
Unexpectedly, Mu Junqi suddenly stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed his lips like a dragonfly touching water. Then she smiled and said, "No matter what, I'm going back tonight."
Mo Xiao Li was taken aback by her sudden kiss and could only nod in a daze.
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