"Why don't you explain things clearly to Feng Lie? He's so angry, perhaps because he cares about you. You haven't been seen for five years, he must regret it. Why don't you go back?"
Liu Liu spoke earnestly. The moment she saw Xin Hun, she knew he was Feng's child. He looked so much like Feng Lie, how could he be anyone else's son?
"But I'm afraid he won't acknowledge him, and I don't want to return to the Yan Prince's Mansion. If Xin Hun is sent to the Yan Prince's Mansion, I'll have to be separated from him. We've relied on each other, mother and son, for five years, so I want to take Xin Hun back to the Yuehua Kingdom."
As soon as Xie Lan finished speaking, Liu Liu immediately raised her hand to stop her. "Absolutely not. If you take the child back and don't return, your father will believe that villain's words. Then, even if you want to stop him from fighting Tianfeng, you won't be able to. Let me help you, okay?"
Liu Liu said sincerely. No matter what, he was a friend and a relative to Feng Lie, so she couldn't bear to see his bloodline wandering outside.
Hearing Liu Liu's words, Xie Lan was stunned. She couldn't take Xin Hun back to the Yuehua Kingdom, and those hiding in the dark were waiting to kill her and her son.
It seemed they could only wait for the Empress's arrangement. Xie Lan nodded, "Okay." She believed in the Empress, entirely.
Seeing that Xie Lan looked a bit tired, Liu Liu supported her to lie down. "You rest for a while, then we'll go into the palace together."
Liu Liu, with Mu Xing accompanying her, spent the whole day with her parents. As dusk began to fall, she led Xie Lan and Xin Hun back to the palace.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the carriage traveled along the streets. The evening clouds gradually dispersed.
The sky, a pale blue, was like clear glazed glass. The full moon, like a brilliant silver plate, shone flawlessly upon the earth. The streets at night were bustling with people.
Liu Liu ordered Ri Ying to lead a few subordinates to protect the Princess. She surmised that those hiding in the dark would definitely seize an opportunity to strike, and they must not let the Princess meet any misfortune.
However, the carriage reached the Imperial Palace without encountering any assassins. Liu Liu breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps those people knew that Empress Liu was not to be trifled with and decided to remain inactive. After all, even if they made a move, there would be no good outcome, merely a needless loss of manpower.
The carriage drove into the Weiyang Palace. Eunuchs and palace maids were waiting. After they alighted from the carriage, Liu Liu instructed the chief eunuch of Weiyang Palace to arrange for Princess Xie Lan and Xin Hun to rest in the Yingfeng Pavilion.
In the grand hall of Weiyang Palace, the lights were bright. The wind blew, causing the gauze curtains to sway, lifting a corner, revealing an infinite charm.
Liu Liu sat on the high seat, about to have Xiao Anzi invite the Emperor, when she heard the sharp voice of a eunuch from outside the palace gates: "The Emperor has arrived."
Unexpectedly, the Emperor had arrived so eagerly as soon as she returned to the palace. Liu Liu stood up and gazed at the bright yellow figure walking into the grand hall, bathed in the white moonlight.
"Liu Liu greets the Emperor."
"Rise,"
Feng Xie's warm breath brushed against Liu Liu's cheek. He reached out and helped her up, then led her to the high seat. His hand was gentle yet firm, holding her tightly. His knuckles were pale, clearly showing a hint of nervousness. Was he afraid she would slip away?
Liu Liu smiled proudly, remaining unmoved, letting him lead her. She had never played by the rules. Indeed, Feng Xie paused for a moment, followed by an overwhelming surge of joy.
"Liu'er, how are you? Are the Prime Minister and his wife well?"
His voice was slightly hoarse. His eyes, like glazed glass, shone with the white light of the moon, dazzling like fine jewels. A captivating smile played on his lips.
"Heh, they're doing alright. They asked me to thank the Emperor for his generosity," Liu Liu chuckled softly, recalling her parents' excitement. This was the first time the Emperor had bestowed gifts upon the Liu residence. Although the gifts were not particularly valuable, they were a gesture of thoughtfulness.
"I'm glad you like it," he said with an arrogant, domineering tone, his handsome features and gaze burning like flames.
The soft lines on Liu Liu's delicate face relaxed. Feng Xie cast aside his earlier gloom, replacing it with unbridled exuberance.
This man was the same man she had first met, but at this moment, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.
And this hint of tenderness bloomed for her, causing ripples in her heart. To be held dear by such a wild man in this world, no woman could refuse him, Liu Liu sighed inwardly.
"Your Majesty, do you know who I found today?" Liu Liu's voice was light and cool. Although her feelings had shifted, her expression did not change much, for she was such a person who never let her emotions show.
"Who?" Feng Xie's lips curved into a smile as he looked at her. He was not interested in the person she mentioned, but rather in the fleeting admiration in her gaze. To be worthy of her uniqueness, he had to become the astute and wise Emperor he once was, starting now.
"Princess Xie Lan." As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Feng Xie noticed, his expression momentarily stunned, then returned to normal. He hadn't expected Liu'er to find the Princess. Since the Princess had been found, the subsequent matters would be much easier. His eyes were dark and deep.
"Since the Princess has been found, I've decided to have her sent back to the Yuehua Kingdom. Since she has no affinity with Prince Yan, we cannot force them."
At this moment, Feng Xie understood the pain of not being able to truly love someone. Thus, he decided to fulfill Feng Lie's wish not to marry Princess Xie Lan.
Liu Liu said nothing. A dazzling smile flashed on her lips. No affinity? If there was no affinity, how could there be a child? Their affinity was very deep.
"Hong Xiu, go to Yingfeng Pavilion and bring Xin Hun here."
Liu Liu gave the order. Hong Xiu responded and walked out. Feng Xie, sitting on the high seat, couldn't understand what Liu Liu was planning.
Not long after, Hong Xiu entered, leading a small child. The child had delicate eyebrows and bright eyes, appearing exceptionally handsome, bearing a resemblance to Mu Xing.
Feng Xie was stunned for a moment, scanning the child carefully. Recalling Liu Liu's words from earlier, this child was brought from Yingfeng Pavilion. Princess Xie Lan must be staying in Yingfeng Pavilion, and this child was also brought from there. Therefore, this child could be...?
Upon thinking of this possibility, Feng Xie felt a touch of emotion. Perhaps fate had ordained everything.
"He is Feng Lie's child, isn't he?"
Feng Xie's deep voice swept over them. His noble bearing was enveloped in a halo of bright light, making Xin Hun feel as if he were seeing a deity. He was stunned and after a long while, under Hong Xiu's gesture, knelt down.
Liu Liu sat on the throne and beckoned, signaling Xin Hun to come over. "Xin Hun, come here."
"Yes,"
Feng Xin Hun was very fond of Liu Liu. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also kind-hearted, having saved them.
She had also brought them to such a beautiful place. Therefore, upon hearing Liu Liu ask him to come over, he obediently got up and walked to the high seat. Liu Liu extended her hand, took Xin Hun's small hand, and placed it into Feng Xie's palm.
"Yes, Your Majesty, he is Prince Yan's child. His name is Feng Xin Hun, born to Princess Xie Lan. They have suffered greatly for the past five years. This child is very intelligent. Do you still think they have no affinity? Your Majesty, send someone to summon Prince Yan to the palace immediately. Liu'er wants him to give them, mother and son, an explanation."
Liu Liu's tone involuntarily cooled as she thought of Feng Lie's disgraceful behavior.
Feng Xie heard Liu Liu's words and saw Xin Hun's adorable face. His handsome countenance was etched with frost. He called out towards the great hall: "Xiao Wanzi, immediately bring Prince Yan to the palace. Tell him that the Emperor and Empress are waiting for him in Weiyang Palace."
Yan Prince's Mansion.
When Prince Yan Feng Lie received the Emperor's decree, he thought something major had happened, as the court was currently in turbulent times. The Emperor summoning him at night must be for important matters.
However, he felt a bit uneasy about being summoned to Weiyang Palace by the Emperor.
Since Liu'er had returned to the capital, he hadn't seen her yet. Many people said that Empress Niangniang was exceptionally beautiful.
She was considered the foremost beauty in Tianfeng, and he had only seen her former plain appearance. He truly couldn't imagine what radiance she possessed when she was beautiful, and he couldn't help but feel a faint anticipation.
In the five years that had passed, he had moved on from his initial sadness and suddenly realized something.
His love for Liu'er had perhaps faded considerably, and compared to his imperial brother, it was insignificant. Therefore, he could now treat their past encounters with a sense of calm.
"Eunuch Xiao Wanzi, do you know why the Emperor is looking for me?"
Feng Lie glanced askance at Xiao Wanzi. Xiao Wanzi shook his head blankly. He truly didn't know why the Emperor and Empress Niangniang wanted to see Prince Yan at night. He was merely following orders. What kind of look was Prince Yan giving him?
"This servant does not know. Prince Yan, please spare this humble servant."
"Let's go," Feng Lie flicked his brocade robe and impatiently walked out. Xiao Wanzi quickly followed. He really didn't know. Prince Yan's gaze made him feel as if he were lying, and Xiao Wanzi followed behind with a bitter expression.