Hearing her words, Sheng Chuyi put down his pen, looked up, and said to her irritably, "You know I'm busy, right? You've been nagging me all morning, and now your temper is getting worse and worse. What am I supposed to do with you?"
Then he stood up and walked to a chair to sit down.
Seeing this, Sheng Chuhan quickly stepped forward, placed the food box on the table, and opened the lid. Inside were various exquisite pastries and fruits.
Looking at the delicious food, he couldn't help but laugh: "Are you sure these are the Empress Dowager's orders to give me, and not your own favorite dishes?"
As he spoke, he picked up a piece of pastry, put it in his mouth, and savored it.
Sheng Chuhan chuckled somewhat guiltily, "I brought you some sweets because I saw you were troubled by official duties. Mother said that eating sweets can improve your mood. Brother, have a couple more."
At the entrance of the Imperial Study.
Xiao Dezi considerately closed the door, then turned around and patted his chest, thinking with lingering fear, "Thank goodness His Highness didn't blame me."
He looked up at the gloomy weather outside and sighed.
Alas, His Majesty and His Highness have always been benevolent to the people and kind to the palace servants. How could there suddenly be a war?
He could only pray silently, hoping that His Highness would return victorious this time and restore the Holy Sky Continent to its former harmony and peace.
After seeing the army off, Xuanming and Muzhi rushed back to the palace.
Xuanming went to the Imperial Study to handle state affairs, while Muzhi returned to the inner palace.
Magpie carefully helped Mu Zhi slowly walk to the entrance of Chengen Hall. The two stood there quietly, looking at the desolate and lonely scene in the courtyard.
The magpie couldn't help but mutter under its breath, "Your Majesty, you finally became Empress, and after enjoying wealth and luxury for so long, you sold all these precious things to the imperial merchants at high prices. It's strange that the Emperor didn't even stop you."
Mu Zhi chuckled softly and replied in a relaxed tone, "Objects are inanimate, but people are alive. If these things can save lives, wouldn't it be a great deal to sell them?"
Just then, Granny Liu came out of the house and heard the conversation between Magpie and Mu Zhi. A happy smile appeared on her face.
She said, "Your Majesty is so kind; this compassionate heart cannot be measured by gold or silver."
Granny Liu followed Mu Zhi into the hall.
After Mu Zhi was seated, she continued, "Your Majesty is wholeheartedly dedicated to doing something for the people, while those imperial merchants crave a good reputation. The two sides hit it off immediately, transforming these vulgar goods into the items we need, and also setting a good example. In just a few days, we have raised tens of millions of taels of gold, and the national treasury is now overflowing. Even if we fight two more wars, we will have enough money."
Mu Zhi was overjoyed to hear this.
Xuanming always supported her in doing what she wanted to do and did not use those traditional female virtues and precepts to restrain herself.
So she really wanted to do something to help him.
Now, she's actually made a name for herself.
Mu Zhi suddenly thought of a line of poetry, and then she replaced a few words.
Mu Zhi changed it to "My virtuous husband supports my lofty ambitions, and I will repay him with ten thousand taels of gold."
The magpie's disgruntled grumbling pulled Mu Zhi back to reality.
Magpie frowned and complained, "But this palace doesn't look like a queen's palace at all."
The room contained only basic items such as tables, chairs, beds, and curtains; all the exquisite ornaments had been sold to imperial merchants.
Mu Zhi smiled gently, "The world is not at peace right now. When things are settled, how about we magpies bring me many exquisite ornaments?"
Upon hearing this, the magpie, no longer listless, exclaimed excitedly, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, don't worry, I will definitely decorate the room beautifully!"
"Silly girl, alright, go prepare an outfit for me. We're going out of the palace today to check on things." Mu Zhi stood up and walked towards the inner room.
When the magpie heard that it was going to leave the palace, its eyes lit up and a joyful smile appeared on its face.
She quickly agreed and happily went to prepare her clothes.
Granny Liu followed behind Mu Zhi, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Mu Zhi noticed her unusual behavior, stopped, turned around and looked at her gently, saying, "Granny Liu, please feel free to say whatever you want to say. There's no need for us to stand on ceremony."
Although that's what she said, Mu Zhi felt uneasy. She was worried that Granny Liu would use palace rules as an excuse to prevent her from leaving the palace.
However, Granny Liu sighed and slowly said, "Since Her Majesty has asked me to speak, then I will speak frankly. As Her Majesty has said before, things are not peaceful outside right now, and leaving the palace at this time..."
When Mu Zhi heard that this was the issue that Granny Liu was worried about, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
She quickly smiled and explained, "Don't worry, Granny Liu, His Majesty has already discussed this matter with me. In addition to the guards on the surface, a group of people will be arranged to protect me in secret. Moreover, I have already assured His Majesty that I will absolutely not allow the common people to get close to me, so as to avoid some unnecessary trouble and accidents."
Hearing Mu Zhi's words, Granny Liu's expression softened slightly, but she still said with some worry, "Your Highness, it's too dangerous for you to go out like this. What if something happens..."
"Oh dear, Granny Liu, don't worry," Mu Zhi patted Granny Liu's hand and comforted her. "With people arranged by the Emperor here, nothing will happen. Besides, I'm just going to check on the situation, not to go to war."
Granny Liu frowned and sighed, "I hope so. But Your Highness, you must be careful."
Mu Zhi nodded, "I know, Granny Liu. I will be careful." After saying that, she turned around and continued walking into the inner room.
After taking only a few steps, Mu Zhi suddenly stopped.
She turned to look at Granny Liu and smiled, "By the way, Granny Liu, thank you for your concern, I understand."
Granny Liu smiled and said, "This is what this old servant should do. As long as Your Highness is safe and sound, this old servant is at ease."
Mu Zhi said with dissatisfaction, "I already told you not to refer to yourselves as slaves. Granny Liu has forgotten again. You know His Highness has never liked these things, and neither have I. From now on, you shall refer to yourself as 'I'."
"Yes, I know Your Highness's good intentions, but the rules of the palace..." Granny Liu looked troubled.
She had been referring to herself as "I" all this time, which had made her very nervous, but now that she had switched back, she felt much more comfortable.
But Mu Zhi persisted, “Granny Liu, in principle, you should be enjoying your retirement outside the palace now. But Xuanming brought you into the palace for my sake. At this time, you are an elder to me and Xuanming. Why can’t you refer to yourself as ‘I’?”
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