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As they walked along, although Mu Junqi and Mur were chatting and laughing, only she knew how forced those smiles were. Inside the Red Roof Tiles, countless women had perished here, risking everything just to win the heart of that one person.
After wandering around for a while, the weather suddenly changed dramatically; a fierce wind arose, and this winter weather proved to be so unpredictable. With no choice but to return to the Palace, as soon as she stepped into Jingxian Palace, she noticed that the vast palace was eerily silent, not a single person in sight.
Mu Junqi entered with confusion and saw Mo Xiao Li standing with his back turned, emanating a chilling aura. Kneeling before him were all the eunuchs and palace maids of Jingxian Palace, with a few appearing to have just been punished, struggling to suppress their sobs.
At that moment, Mo Xiao Li turned around. Upon seeing Mu Junqi, he immediately approached her and seized her arm, angrily asking, "Where have you been?"
The palace maids and Mur behind her had already knelt down, while Mu Junqi raised her eyes to look at him and lightly smiled, saying, "Could it be that the Emperor thinks Consort has run away? Weren't you having lunch with Consort Qian? How could you come to Consort's chambers?"
Hearing this, Mo Xiao Li released his grip on her and smiled slightly, saying, "I didn't expect you would check on my whereabouts."
Mu Junqi looked at Mo Xiao Li's cold and handsome face, bowed respectfully yet distantly, and said, "I merely heard from Sister Consort Qian just now. If the Emperor hasn't had lunch yet, you should hurry over. You are of great importance; if you miss lunch time, it would be Consort's fault."
The kneeling crowd broke into a cold sweat; they hadn't expected that the Empress not only did not invite the Emperor to stay for lunch but also urged him to leave quickly. Given the Emperor's temperament, they feared they would be punished.
Sure enough, Mo Xiao Li sneered and said, "Mu Junqi, you'd better not challenge my patience. Since I can grant you this supreme honor, I can also make you and everyone in the Shogunate worthless!"
After pausing for a moment, he turned to Li Fusheng behind him and ordered, "For such disrespect from the Empress, punish all the palace staff in Jingxian Palace with twenty Bamboo Rod Punishments."
"Your Majesty, this is all Consort's fault; why punish those in Consort's palace? One person does the deed; one person bears the consequences," Mu Junqi said defiantly as she looked up at Mo Xiao Li with equal coldness.
Behind her, Mur tugged at Mu Junqi's clothing, signaling her to say less. However, Mu Junqi remained unfazed, gazing at Mo Xiao Li's increasingly grim expression while a smile tugged at her lips.
Mo Xiao Li was truly enraged this time. Taking a deep breath, he shouted, "Li Fusheng, what are you still doing? Aren't you going to carry out the punishment?"
Li Fusheng was startled and hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Servant will take care of it right away." With that, he fled, fully aware of the Emperor's temperament after serving him for so long. It was clear that he was in a furious mood, and if he defied him, there would be no consideration for the years of service he had provided. Thinking of this, he quickened his pace to leave.
"What do you want? They are all innocent people," Mu Junqi raised her voice in response.
"Beg for mercy from me."
Mu Junqi looked at the crowd kneeling in the hall, each trembling slightly. Slowly, she knelt down as well and said softly while looking at the ground, "I beg Your Majesty to forgive them. Consort spoke out of anger just now; please do not take it to heart and spare these innocent people."
Mo Xiao Li then coldly laughed and said, "I thought you were fearless; I didn't expect you to be like this. Since you lack the courage to confront me, from now on, you will obediently listen. If this happens again, I will not spare them."
Holding back tears in her eyes and suppressing her anger, Mu Junqi continued to speak softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Consort will obey."
Mo Xiao Li then waved his sleeve and left. She slumped down weakly onto the ground, staring blankly ahead. Mur and Ziyue came forward to help her up and then told the eunuchs and palace maids behind them, "You all may leave now and prepare lunch."
The crowd complied and exited in an orderly manner. Once only Mu Junqi and Mur remained in the hall, Mu Junqi murmured, "Why does it have to be like this for me? Who can save me?" Tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Mur walked over and hugged Mu Junqi, looking at her with tear-streaked cheeks and said, "Your Highness, do not take it to heart. The Emperor is just angry at the moment; you just need to avoid provoking him in the future."
"Mur, I haven't done anything yet I've already angered him. What should I do from now on?"
At a loss for words, Mur didn't know how to respond. Ever since Mu Junqi learned she would marry into the palace, she hadn't smiled genuinely again; she had been suppressing herself. Perhaps crying at this moment was a good thing after all.
After a long time, when she could no longer cry any tears, Mu Junqi finally let go of Mur and then patted her cheek with a smile, saying, "Mur, go check on how lunch is coming along. I'm really hungry."
Looking at that forced smile, Mur felt a sharp pain in her heart again, but she still smiled and replied, "Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will go check right away." With that, she left.
Watching Mur leave, Mu Junqi finally put away her smile, furrowed her brows, stood up, and walked to the window. She opened it, and the cold wind immediately blew in. The chill seemed to awaken her; she took a deep breath to calm her emotions.
At that moment, Mur walked back in and respectfully said, "Your Highness, everything is ready. Please proceed to the dining hall for lunch."
"Mm."
...
Leaving Jingxian Palace, Mo Xiao Li could hardly contain her anger. The palace servants she encountered along the way were all trembling with fear, worried that they might accidentally cross paths with her wrath. Li Fusheng and Palace Guard Cang Yun Qing followed closely behind.
Before long, they arrived at Guang'an Palace. Before entering, they saw Consort Qian already waiting at the door, her cheeks slightly bruised from the wind. Without waiting for her to greet her, Mo Xiao Li strode up to her and pulled her into an embrace while gently saying, "Why are you standing outside? It's so cold out here; what if you catch a chill?"
Consort Qian smiled charmingly and softly replied, "I just wanted to see His Majesty sooner. This little bit of cold doesn't bother me."
Mo Xiao Li held her as they walked inside and said, "But even so, if you catch a chill, I would be heartbroken. So you mustn't wait outside for me anymore, understand?"
Consort Qian nodded sweetly but felt delighted inside. She had long known that the Emperor cared for her; it was just a momentary chill. If enduring this could earn his love and affection, then it was all worth it.
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