Two people waited until the Empress fell asleep. Cui’er then led Hong Xiu on a tour of Weiyang Palace, which left Hong Xiu gasping in amazement.
Fortunately, she had accompanied her Empress this time; otherwise, she would never have seen such a magnificent and splendid imperial palace.
However, Zi Luo was not so fortunate. Hong Xiu secretly pursed her lips and smiled. After their tour, they returned to Weiyang Palace. The Empress had not yet woken up, so they waited outside the sleeping chambers. Just then, they heard Xiao Nianzi announce.
“Consort De and Imperial Consort Xiu have brought Prince Yulou to pay their respects to the Empress.”
Cui’er waved her hand, signaling Xiao Nianzi to speak softly, as the Empress was resting. “Let them wait a little while.”
Cui’er spoke dismissively. Xiao Nianzi, standing beside her, opened his mouth but said nothing. He wanted to say that over the past five years, the palace had been entirely filled with Consort De’s people.
They should be cautious now that they had just returned. However, he was merely a lowly servant and did not have the right to voice the masters’ intentions.
In the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Consort De and Imperial Consort Zhang sat for a long time. They had drunk two cups of tea, yet there was no sign of the Empress. Both of their expressions had turned somewhat unpleasant, though the elder could still maintain composure.
The young Prince Yulou, however, could not endure it. He whined irritably, “Mother Consort, I want to go back. What is this place? I don’t want to stay here.”
Lou Sijing tried hard to maintain her composure. She glared at Yulou and reprimanded him coldly, “Be quiet. You are to see your Imperial Mother Empress.”
Imperial Consort Zhang, standing beside them, felt her heart ache at Yulou being scolded. She quickly shielded him.
“It’s alright. Yulou is still a child. Why are you scolding him? Besides, this Empress is too arrogant. She has kept us waiting since our arrival. At least she could have said something about whether she would see us. How can she ignore us completely?”
Imperial Consort Zhang could not help but complain. Lou Sijing, sitting beside her, quickly signaled her to speak less, warning her of the dangers of speaking carelessly.
“Sister, it’s best to say less. She is the Empress, of noble status. What are we in comparison? Sister, please stop talking. It would be troublesome if you bring trouble upon yourself.”
Imperial Consort Zhang pouted noncommittally upon hearing Lou Sijing’s words.
“We haven’t done anything wrong. Are we not even allowed to speak? Even as Empress, she should have some dignity. We came with good intentions to pay our respects, and she hasn’t even shown her face, leaving us waiting here.”
Imperial Consort Zhang’s voice gradually grew louder. The palace maids standing by the side of the hall lowered their heads to their shoulders. They did not want to become targets. What did the affairs between their masters have to do with them?
Meanwhile, Liu Liu, inside the sleeping chambers, was unaware that someone had come to see her in the main hall. However, even if she had known, she would not have considered it a significant matter. Therefore, after Cui’er attended to her, she reported it to her.
“Consort De and Imperial Consort Zhang have come to pay their respects to me.”
“Oh,” Liu Liu responded indifferently.
After tidying herself up, she led Cui’er and Hong Xiu out. She saw that the two women in the main hall had somewhat displeased expressions, especially Imperial Consort Zhang, who looked as though she was about to have a fit of rage.
Consort De, on the other hand, was doing better, looking a bit displeased but otherwise fine.
Liu Liu found the two women somewhat inexplicable. What could have angered them so much that their faces had turned green? She knew that as soon as she returned, they had eagerly come to pay their respects, but she wondered what their true intentions were.
“What is the matter? Has some palace maid failed to provide proper service?”
Liu Liu’s faint, icy voice echoed. Imperial Consort Zhang could not help but shiver. Her voice was even colder than before. Looking up, she saw the woman before her radiating brilliance, completely unlike the former ugly woman.
However, she could clearly recognize her as the deceased Empress Liu. She had returned, bringing a Crown Prince with her; she was indeed formidable.
Facing such an Empress, Lou Sijing and Imperial Consort Zhang felt an oppressive pressure. They dared not complain further and quickly rose to salute Liu Liu. “Your humble concubines have met the Empress.”
“You may all rise and be seated,”
Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling them to rise. She cared nothing for these tedious formalities.
Before, she had told them not to come to pay their respects. Now, they were rushing over, undoubtedly to show off or something similar. However, she would not fall for their tricks. It would be best if they provoked her less, otherwise, they should not blame her for being impolite.
Liu Liu thought coldly and looked at the two women. After five years, Consort De and Imperial Consort Zhang had not changed much in appearance. They were even more radiant than before.
However, Liu Liu found it strange that their relationship was so close, as if they were sisters. If Lou Sijing, relying on the imperial prince she had given birth to,
wanted to deal with Imperial Consort Zhang, it would be easy. But the way they interacted with each other was exceptionally intimate, which was truly baffling.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Lou Sijing said, pulling Yulou, who was behind her, to stand. “Yulou, come and meet your Imperial Mother Empress.”
“Imperial Mother Empress? Lou’er has no Imperial Mother Empress, only Mother Consort and Maternal Aunt Zhang.”
Prince Yulou, clearly influenced by the emotions of the two women, rebelled against Liu Liu. He stood in the main hall and shouted loudly. Upon hearing Yulou’s words, Lou Sijing and Imperial Consort Zhang
turned deathly pale. This was a grave disrespect. If she were to hold him accountable, Yulou would suffer. Lou Sijing and Imperial Consort Zhang each took Yulou and knelt down.
“We beg the Empress to punish us.”
“Rise, child’s careless words, why should there be punishment? You may all return,” Liu Liu was too lazy to engage with these two women. She waved to Cui’er, who was by her side. “Escort Consort De and Imperial Consort Zhang out.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,”
Cui’er took the order and respectfully walked in front of Lou Sijing, making a gesture of invitation. Lou Sijing’s expression darkened, and she said nothing.
This was not the first time they had been escorted out. This woman had also driven them out before. The two women left with resentment.
In the main hall, Cai Xia, standing to the side, hesitated for a long time before coming forward and kneeling gracefully. “Your humble servant has something to say.”
“Speak,”
Liu Liu, seeing Cai Xia’s hesitant look, could roughly guess what she wanted to say but did not stop her. She waved her hand. It was rare for her to show such kindness, so how could she refuse her good intentions? Upon hearing Liu Liu’s words, Cai Xia immediately spoke quickly.
“Your Majesty has been away from the palace for five years. This vast harem has always been Consort De’s territory, so Your Majesty should be cautious.”
“Good, I understand. Cai Xia, you are thoughtful,” Liu Liu nodded, signaling Cai Xia to rise. A layer of frost appeared on her face, and she snorted coldly in her heart. If these two women dared to play tricks on her, then she would not be polite.
As dusk approached, Ri Ying returned from Tianxiang Temple.
“That nunnery has long been abandoned. I inquired with the abbot of Tianxiang Temple, who said that it had been deserted five years ago. My subordinates and I searched the surroundings, but there were indeed no traces,”
Ri Ying reported respectfully. As his words fell, Liu Liu’s expression darkened. It turned out that Jie Lan was no longer there. Had something happened to her? Could she have met with foul play?
“Immediately go and assemble a group of subordinates to investigate Jie Lan’s whereabouts discreetly. I fear someone might harm Princess Jie Lan in secret, and then this debt would fall upon our Tianfeng Dynasty.”
Liu Liu’s face was grim as she ordered Ri Ying to investigate Princess Jie Lan’s whereabouts immediately.
“Yes, your subordinate will attend to it now.” Ri Ying sensed the seriousness of the matter and respectfully took his leave from Weiyang Palace.
Liu Liu sat high in the main hall, silent, her expression cold and enchanting, a hint of icy air rising from the corners of her lips.
It seemed that Tianfeng had become a dark abyss, with more and more hidden hands lurking in the shadows. She and Feng Xie could no longer act impulsively.
Since she had returned, she was determined to assist him in eradicating these detestable individuals. As Liu Liu was lost in thought, Mu Xing was sent back by Qing An, the chief eunuch of Cining Palace. A large batch of imperial gifts followed. Chief Eunuch Qing An spoke with a face full of smiles.