Liu Liu was already frightened upon hearing this and immediately struggled to shake her head and refuse, "Let go quickly, I'll get up."
This damned man, her thigh still hurt, and he dared to say they would do it again. She absolutely refused.
Liu Liu, terrified, quickly put on her clothes and fled the study. The eunuchs guarding the entrance wore smiles. How could these eunuchs not know what happened last night?
In the morning, warm sunlight shone through the clouds, casting a gentle glow that made the imperial palace exude a faint mist.
A light breeze swept through, and the mist slowly dispersed. Pavilions, towers, jade bridges, and flowing water were all beautiful and verdant, filled with intoxicating freshness.
Liu Liu led Hong Xiu and two young eunuchs towards Weiyang Palace. The palace maids and eunuchs they met greeted them respectfully and cautiously. Liu Liu looked at their eyes, and as if her gaze had been seen through, she quickly moved past them.
Hong Xiu followed behind her, watching her mistress's light and swift steps. She didn't look up, her usual coldness replaced by a touch of shyness. She knew her mistress was feeling shy about last night's events.
It was rare to see her mistress display such a different demeanor. Hong Xiu naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity and quickened her steps to catch up with the figure ahead.
"Your Ladyship, wait for me! Why are you walking so fast? The Emperor isn't chasing after you."
As soon as Hong Xiu finished speaking, Liu Liu, walking ahead, abruptly stopped and glared at her in embarrassment and anger. Hong Xiu, unable to stop in time, crashed into Liu Liu with a thud, crying out in pain. She knew then that teasing her mistress would bring immediate retribution.
The group returned to Weiyang Palace. Mu Xing, who had woken early, was waiting at the gate. Seeing his mother appear, he nervously questioned where she had been, causing him great worry.
The little one's words made Liu Liu blush again. Hong Xiu behind her even chuckled softly. Cui'er, seeing this scene, naturally understood the reason. She quickly pulled Mu Xing's small body aside and gently soothed him.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Empress has gone out on an errand and is very tired. Can Cui'er take you for a stroll outside and then come back?"
Mu Xing looked at his mother's appearance and seemed very tired. He nodded understandingly, "Alright, Mother, you go sleep. Mu Xing is going out to play." Having finally subdued the child, Liu Liu washed up and, exhausted, collapsed back into sleep, not wanting to think about anything else.
Cui'er led Mu Xing around the garden for half the day. Knowing that Prince Yu Lou was confined to Guangyang Palace, she didn't have to worry about encountering that little brat and getting into a fight with him.
A long winding path led to a distant place, the end of which was a scene of blooming flowers, exceptionally enchanting. Cui'er and Mu Xing walked to a small pavilion to rest, as they were too tired from running. They would return for lunch later.
After resting for a while, Mu Xing complained that he was hungry. Cui'er got up, ready to lead Mu Xing back to Weiyang Palace for a meal. Just then, two richly dressed palace maids emerged from around the pavilion and spoke respectfully.
"Your servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince. Our mistress wishes to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Who?" Cui'er asked alertly, extending her hand to pull Mu Xing behind her, looking at the two palace maids defensively.
The two palace maids, dressed in fine clothes and with beautiful features, were startled by Cui'er's action and quickly replied, "It is Empress Xiuyi who wishes to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
"No,"
Cui'er waved her hand. She had no good feelings for Zhang Xiuyi, and the Zhang family had already been imprisoned. Who knew what she wanted?
Cui'er's delicate face was stern and unyielding. She reached out to pull Mu Xing, preparing to walk past the two palace maids.
However, before they could pass, Zhang Xiuyi emerged from behind the two palace maids, her face full of smiles, her eyes shimmering with gentle light, and her lips curved into a light, flowing smile. She reached out and blocked Cui'er and Mu Xing's path.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please stay. Please listen to this concubine."
Cui'er wanted to protect Mu Xing, but the little fellow was a bit stubborn and didn't like hiding behind others. He pushed Cui'er away, proudly raised his small head, his eyebrows raised, and asked in a clear voice, "What business do you have with Mu Xing?"
"Because of the rift between Your Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Yu Lou, there are only two children in the palace. This concubine watched Prince Yu Lou grow up and knows he is not inherently bad. Therefore, I wish to build a bridge between Your Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Yu Lou, so that the two brothers can reconcile. I hope Your Highness the Crown Prince will give Yu Lou a chance."
Her gentle words, like flowing water, sounded softly, accompanied by a sincere demeanor. Cui'er stood behind Mu Xing, afraid that Mu Xing's heart would soften and he would agree to this woman. Who knew if this woman was hiding a dagger in her smile? She quickly reached out and tugged at Mu Xing's brocade robe.
Mu Xing understood clearly. He didn't like the woman in front of him. She had even arrogantly come to Weiyang Palace last time. Today, no matter what she meant, he didn't want to be with them.
"Alright, I don't like playing with childish people. Thank you for your concern, Empress Xiuyi."
Little Mu Xing spoke neither servile nor overbearing. Zhang Xiuyi's eyes darkened slightly, and she sighed inwardly. This child truly had the aura of an emperor. Even these actions were done with such natural grace. Did she really have to do this?
But if she didn't, all nine generations of the Zhang family would be executed. How could she live alone in this world? After a moment of reflection, Zhang Xiuyi decided to proceed with her plan. Therefore, she stopped Mu Xing, moved aside slightly, and said faintly.
"Since Your Highness the Crown Prince is afraid of interacting with Prince Yu Lou, this concubine will take her leave."
This was a strategy of retreating to advance, and Cui'er immediately saw through it. Why would Zhang Xiuyi deliberately want to take Mu Xing to Guangyang Palace?
She probably had ulterior motives. Cui'er immediately stared at her alertly, but Mu Xing was, after all, only a five-year-old child. His pride was such that he couldn't tolerate being provoked by others. He immediately stopped, his lips curling into a cold smile.
"Afraid of that brat? Let's go, I want to see him."
Zhang Xiuyi's lips twitched, and a clear sigh of relief appeared on her face. She turned sideways, allowing His Highness the Crown Prince to lead the way, and followed closely behind Mu Xing towards Guangyang Palace.
Cui'er stood behind them, watching them leave. She wanted to call out to Mu Xing, but she knew Mu Xing's stubborn temper and that he wouldn't compromise easily. For now, she would act according to the situation.
Cui'er hurried out of the pavilion and quietly instructed the eunuchs outside to immediately report to the Empress at Weiyang Palace and have her come to Guangyang Palace. She then led two other eunuchs to follow the people ahead.
In Guangyang Palace, in the main hall, enemies met with burning eyes. The two little fellows, Yu Lou and Mu Xing, glared at each other. Zhang Xiuyi quickly grabbed Yu Lou's hand and pulled the reluctant Yu Lou to Mu Xing's side, looking at Yu Lou tenderly.
"Come, brothers, make peace. Don't quarrel anymore. You are both children of the royal family. Brothers should love each other."
A maternal glow emanated from Zhang Xiuyi, softly and gently spreading. Although the two children hated each other, they merely snorted coldly at each other and did not resort to fighting upon meeting, as they had last time.
Cui'er, standing behind Mu Xing, looked at Zhang Xiuyi with suspicion. Could this woman really be so kind? She didn't believe it at all and curled her lips, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.
Seeing that the two children were not fighting, Zhang Xiuyi smiled with satisfaction, straightened up, turned to her personal palace maid, and said, "Ye Nu, since His Highness the Crown Prince and the little Prince are no longer fighting, go prepare some pastries and tea."
Upon hearing Zhang Xiuyi's words, Cui'er was unwilling to let Mu Xing stay in Guangyang Palace to drink her tea and eat her pastries. What if the tea and pastries were poisoned? She quickly reminded Mu Xing.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Empress will likely be awake soon and will be looking for you. Your Highness the Crown Prince should return to Weiyang Palace."