Mu Xing's words made Feng Xie's heart tighten. He had an idea, and a charming smile spread across his unrestrained face.
"Muxing must believe Father Emperor. Father Emperor will send them away. From now on, there will only be our family of three in the imperial palace. This is Father Emperor's promise to Muxing. Can Muxing give Father Emperor some time?"
As soon as Mu Xing heard Feng Xie's words, his little face lit up. His eyes shone brightly as he stared at Feng Xie, a happy smile gracing his small lips and forming two sweet dimples. He quickly jumped down and ran to Feng Xie's side.
"Father Emperor, is what you said true? Will you drive them out? Will it be just our family in this imperial palace?"
"Yes, Father Emperor promises you, it will definitely be only our family."
Feng Xie softly promised his son, and at the same time, he promised Liu'er. He would arrange for those people to be sent out of the palace, just as his own father had done back then.
For Muxing's sake, Yu Lou had to be sent away. Otherwise, that brat would truly be a problem.
Liu Liu, though her face remained impassive, was deeply touched. Regardless of what he would do in the end, it was not easy for him to say this. Moreover, she knew that Feng Xie always kept his word.
"Wow, that's great, that's really great."
Muxing cheered and jumped around the grand hall, completely forgetting that he had desperately wanted to leave the imperial palace a few days ago. He was now immersed in joy.
Liu Liu and Feng Xie watched him, shaking their heads with affection. They exchanged a glance, their eyes flowing with deep affection.
Suddenly, Xiao Anzi rushed in: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, Eunuch Xiao Wanzi said that Prime Minister Liu is waiting for Your Majesty in the Imperial Study."
"Oh,"
Feng Xie and Liu Liu raised their eyebrows simultaneously. Prime Minister Liu had gone to apprehend the people of the Zhang residence. Why was he coming to the palace so late?
Feng Xie stood up, ready to go to the Imperial Study to see what the matter was. Liu Liu also wanted to know what had happened, so she stood up behind Feng Xie, her melodious voice ringing out.
"Your Majesty, let's go. Liu'er also wants to know what happened?"
"Alright, let's go," the imperial couple flashed away from the Grand Hall of Weiyang Palace. Cui'er watched her mistress and His Majesty's harmonious interactions, and her heart overflowed with warmth.
In the Imperial Study, Feng Xie and Liu Liu sat by the emperor's couch, gesturing for the Prime Minister to sit beside them. As soon as Liu Ting sat down, Liu Liu could not resist asking him.
"Brother, what happened?"
Liu Ting heard his sister's question and quickly replied respectfully: "Reporting to Your Highness the Empress, I led people to search the Zhang residence today. Do you know what happened?"
Liu Ting's bright eyes flickered, and his lips twitched a few times before he continued.
"The Zhang family dug three feet into the ground but didn't find much silver. According to the amount on the list, Zhang Zhisan should have at least two million taels of silver. However, the two million taels of silver had vanished. The Zhang residence only had some loose silver for daily expenses. Zhang Zhisan's living expenses were also very ordinary. The residence only had a wife and two concubines. Consort Zhang in the palace was born to the main wife, and the other son and daughter were born to the other two concubines."
Liu Liu frowned, her face gloomy. She was not interested in the situation of the Zhang family; she was interested in where the two million taels of silver had gone.
Did Zhang Zhisan always work for others? Was the sale of official posts not his decision? Then the Zhang residence should have at least some silver, but why was there none at all?
Feng Xie also felt surprised. His handsome face, usually sharp and cold, now held a deep, dark gaze that flickered, his thin lips pursed, and his voice sounded cold.
"Prime Minister, are you sure you dug three feet into the ground of the Zhang residence? Or did they hide it somewhere?"
Liu Ting immediately denied it.
"I have already interrogated the people of the Zhang residence. They all said that the master gave the silver to someone. As for who he gave it to, they don't know very well. I believe they have no reason to lie. At this point, no one would risk their lives for money. Therefore, it is highly likely that someone else is behind the sale of official posts. That's why I've come to request an imperial decree to interrogate Lord Zhang overnight."
"Good," Feng Xie waved his hand, agreeing to the night interrogation of Zhang Zhisan. However, Liu Liu's expression was dark and uncertain. She quickly reached out to stop her brother from getting up: "Wait a moment?"
"Empress? Liu'er?" Both men spoke simultaneously, turning to look at the Empress sitting beside them. Her captivating eyes were now filled with calculation, her lips slowly curling into a cold smile, as if her entire face were covered in a thin layer of ice. She said faintly.
"Why are we in a hurry? I believe someone is more anxious than us. We have a piece of fat meat in our hands, so let's use this fat meat, the criminal, to lure someone. I believe someone will make a move. From now on, Prime Minister, just keep a close eye on this piece of fat meat. Soon, a big fish will take the bait. Then it will be much more interesting to interrogate them together."
Her bloodthirsty tone and absentminded playfulness showed that this woman was ruthless. Both men thought so, but sighed helplessly. Yet, they were still addicted to her.
"Good, let's do as the Empress wishes?"
Feng Xie's lips could not hide his delight. Liu'er always gave them good ideas, just like the blueprints she gave him last time. He had already asked Liu Ting to implement them. It was said that the people in all the prefectures and counties were busy. Whether it was effective, the Jiangnan region would soon know.
"Your subject obeys the decree," Liu Ting immediately nodded and took his leave. Since he had received the imperial decree, he dared not be careless.
Reminded by the Empress, he suddenly came to his senses. Those people would definitely not let Zhang Zhisan live, so guarding Zhang Zhisan became the most important task from now on.
In the Imperial Study, Liu Liu saw her brother leave, and the room suddenly became heated. Feng Xie looked at Liu Liu with a certain meaning in his eyes. Liu Liu's cheeks flushed instantly. She stood up to leave, trying to hide: "Your Majesty, Liu'er requests to withdraw."
Feng Xie would not let her retreat. He had given her so much time. He loved her so much, yet he couldn't touch her. This painful torment was no less than the pain of the past. Sometimes, he had to go see her at night.
Seeing her exquisite curves revealed before his eyes, his heart burned. Every time he looked, he would come back and splash cold water on himself. Today, he would not let her escape again. He had promised Muxing to give him a younger brother, and he would certainly keep his word.
With a wave of his hand, Liu Liu's body landed steadily in his arms, fitting snugly into his embrace. Smelling the faint floral scent of her body, his heart exploded again with a bang, rising hot and scorching like hot water.
His breathing became rough, and he eagerly leaned in to kiss her lips.
Five years of time had made his skills a bit rusty, but her lips were still sweet and delicious. These five years of waiting were worth it. He had guarded her carefully only for the time when the flowers bloomed. The time when flowers bloomed was indeed the most beautiful.
Liu Liu let out a soft moan, and that soft sound further teased Feng Xie's senses. Her heart beat rapidly. His slender fingers firmly held Liu Liu's head.
She couldn't move at all, completely lost in the passion he had created. The night wind outside suddenly picked up, and the study was filled with a romantic and turbulent atmosphere, playing a gentle love song. Occasionally, soft whispers could be heard, making people blush and their hearts pound.
A night of lingering affection, endless love, left Liu Liu so sore and weary that she slept in the study, unaware of anything.
She only woke up when the sun was high. Turning her head, she saw the early-rising man sitting by the couch, engrossed in reviewing memorials. He was casually dressed in a white brocade robe, his black hair tied up with a silk ribbon.
His narrow eyebrows swept towards his temples, his eyes were long and spirited, radiant and brilliant, his nose was straight and well-shaped, and his lips were thin, with a satisfied smile on the corners of his mouth, like a cat that had stolen fish.
When Liu Liu thought about what had happened between them last night, her face turned a deep crimson.
This man seemed to have been abstinent for too long. They were intimate all night, and he only let her go when she was too tired to sleep. Yet, he had not slept and had already gotten up to review memorials.
"How is it? Is the Empress satisfied with my performance last night?" His teasing words rang out. Liu Liu was surprised that he knew she was awake. Feeling the embarrassment of being caught, she pulled the thin quilt over her face and snorted coquettishly, "Hmph, don't talk to me."
"Ha," Feng Xie laughed heartily at her embarrassed reaction. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying seductively, "If Liu'er doesn't mind, would you like to do it again?"