After the meal, Yingzhu came in and said that Sheng Chuyi had arrived.
Xuanming immediately stood up, and Muzhi, seeing this, quickly stood up and said, "Drink your medicine first."
He then handed the warm water and medicine to Xuanming, who took them and drank them.
He looked at Mu Zhi gently and said, "Go and get some sleep later. I got up early today and you don't look well. Get some rest later. Those things are complicated, there's no rush to learn them in a day or two."
Mu Zhi smiled and nodded, watching Xuan Ming leave with a smile in her eyes.
She felt incredibly warm inside, knowing that Xuanming cared for and loved her.
Granny Liu walked in with a bright smile on her face and said in a light tone, "Every time His Majesty comes to the Empress's place, he leaves with a smile. It's truly amazing!"
Magpie glanced at Granny Liu, smiled knowingly, and chimed in, "Granny Liu is right. Sometimes the Emperor has a stern face when he first arrives, but he smiles when he leaves. Our Empress really knows how to handle things."
Mu Zhi couldn't help but laugh out loud, and said coquettishly, "Only the two of you know how to talk."
However, her heart was filled with sweetness.
After all, every time the emperor came to her, he could feel his pleasure and satisfaction.
She cherished this feeling of happiness.
When they returned to their palace, Mu Zhi immediately rewarded Granny Liu and Magpie with some precious items.
Granny Liu smiled and politely declined, "These things are so beautiful, you should save them for Magpie's wedding. An old woman like me doesn't need them."
Upon hearing this, Magpie blushed and said shyly, "If you don't want me, then forget it, but please don't joke with me. I want to stay with my mistress forever."
Looking at the magpie in front of her, Mu Zhi felt a warm current welling up in her heart.
However, she maintained a serious expression and said earnestly, "Silly girl, you've been by my side since childhood, we're like sisters. Now that I'm married and have my own happiness, I naturally hope to see you find the same happiness."
Mu Zhi's words were full of sincerity and concern. She hoped that Xi Que could understand that as a woman, she should pursue her own love and marriage.
Then she added, "Besides, what kind of logic is there in never getting married? There's no such thing in this world."
She jokingly teased the magpie, trying to lighten the mood.
Upon hearing this, the magpie couldn't hold back her tears and choked out, "Your Majesty has treated me the best. I want to stay by Your Majesty's side for the rest of my life. Please, Your Majesty, don't send me away!"
After saying that, she knelt down and hugged Mu Zhi's legs, begging her not to send her away.
Mu Zhi gently stroked the magpie's hair and comforted her, saying, "How could I possibly drive you away? Don't worry, no matter what happens, I will never drive you away."
She understood the magpie's dependence on her and its reluctance to part, but she also knew that everyone needs to grow and become independent, and cannot rely on others forever.
"Alright, alright, why are you crying? I was just saying. If you really meet someone you like in the future, I will definitely prepare a generous dowry for you. If you don't meet anyone, you can stay by my side for the rest of your life. There's nothing wrong with that. I won't drive you away. Get up quickly." Mu Zhi reached out to help Xi Que up.
She was physically weak from childhood and always felt irritable and uneasy in crowded places, so she only had one personal maid, Magpie.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to the magpie's companionship, and if one day the magpie were to marry and leave, she would find it truly difficult to sever this bond.
Just imagining this scene made her feel reluctant to leave, so how could she bear to drive it away?
"This girl really speaks without thinking when she gets anxious. Look at you, you've upset Her Majesty." Granny Liu had been in the palace for many years and was very skilled at reading people's expressions.
When she heard the magpie pleading with Mu Zhi not to drive her away, she already foresaw that Mu Zhi might be saddened by it.
However, the real reason Mu Zhi was sad was not because she was driven away as the magpie thought, but because she realized that one day they would face the pain of separation.
The magpie quickly wiped away its tears and said with heartache, "Your Majesty, please don't be sad anymore. Your body is already very weak, so you must not overwork yourself. It's very bad for your health. I promise I will never speak carelessly again. Please rest assured, no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."
Mu Zhi smiled slightly and gently comforted her, "Alright, don't cry. I know how you feel. The ground is cold, get up quickly."
Upon hearing Mu Zhi's words, Magpie immediately scrambled to her feet, a bright smile spreading across her face. "The ground isn't cold at all, it's all warm. His Majesty was worried that the Empress might catch a cold, so he ordered people to burn charcoal in the underground heating system. The entire underground floor is covered with charcoal, it's so cozy." As she spoke, Magpie even stomped her feet, enjoying the warmth beneath them.
Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
Xuanming is indeed a meticulous and considerate person, having even thought of these details.
At the same time, she was also very curious about where Xuanming had found such a skilled craftsman who could design the earth dragon so ingeniously.
Not only was the floor warm, but the bed frame was also warm, making it incredibly comfortable.
After washing her hands, Magpie went to the bedside to make the bed for Mu Zhi and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please rest well. This bed is all warm."
"It's really warm. Please change my blanket to a thinner one. This blanket is too thick. I woke up several times last night because of the heat and didn't sleep well." Mu Zhi walked to the bedside, touched the inside of the bed, and turned to say to Xi Que.
Magpie smiled and nodded, "Granny Liu, I'll go get the quilt right away. Please help Her Majesty the Empress change her clothes."
Granny Liu nodded, "Go quickly and come back quickly."
Mu Zhi frowned slightly. "Granny Liu, I was thinking of summoning a few more palace maids to serve us. We can put them under your care for now, and once you've trained them, we can send them to serve us. Right now, it's quite tiring with only you and Xi Que by our side."
Granny Liu nodded. "Xique and I aren't tired, but we're worried that we won't have suitable people when we need them. Since Your Majesty has asked, I'll go find a few clever palace maids and train them before sending them to Your Majesty for your approval."
Mu Zhi nodded gently.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
