Liu Liu led Mu Xing and Cui Er into the side courtyard, waving away the extraneous servants. She gazed at her son, silent for a long time.
Mu Xing looked at his mother with a touch of fear. "Mother, I'm not lying, truly not lying. We saw her grab Xiao Hong by the neck, Xiao Hong’s eyes were wide open, and then blood spurted from her mouth. When that woman loosened her grip, Xiao Hong fell to the ground. So Mu Xing thought she had killed Xiao Hong."
Liu Liu reached out and pulled Mu Xing into her embrace. Just now, she had almost lost her son. If Steward Lu hadn't appeared, that woman would have succeeded.
Now she could be sure that the woman's martial arts were extremely high. To lift a person into the air with one hand and use force to choke them to death was not something an ordinary person could do. Therefore, Mu Xing was in great danger. Liu Liu spoke softly.
"Mother doesn't blame Mu Xing. Mu Xing, don't worry."
After speaking, Liu Liu looked up at Cui Er and said seriously, "Cui Er, you must keep a close eye on Mu Xing. From now on, let Feng Guai Wu Lang Jun follow you two for insurance. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, Miss." Cui Er nodded, her heart still pounding. She thought that if anything happened to Mu Xing, Sister Shan would not live either, and she would be a sinner. Thus, she nodded vigorously, "Your maid understands. Your maid will have Feng Guai Wu Lang Jun follow me and Mu Xing all the time."
"Mmm, Mu Xing was also frightened today. Take him to wash up and rest for a while."
"Yes, Xiao Ju." Cui He followed orders and took Mu Xing's hand. The two walked out together. As Mu Xing reached the doorway, he turned back and smiled at his mother, "Thank you, Mother, for believing Mu Xing."
"Mmm, Mother will protect Mu Xing, so Mu Xing should go and rest obediently for a while." Liu Liu waved him away and only turned back to call out, "Hong Xiu?" after her son had left.
"Yes." Hong Xiu walked in, waiting respectfully for her mistress's command. Liu Liu's delicate eyebrows flickered, and a killing intent flashed in her eyes. Her lips curved into a cold smile.
"Immediately send Dai Mei to the western outskirts of Feng Yue City to find people from Seven Star Tower. Have them secretly investigate the background of Bu Xiang Yin, the top courtesan of Xue Xiang Tower. Report to me as soon as you find anything."
"Yes,楼主." Hong Xiu nodded, turned quickly, and walked out. In the room, Liu Liu's expression was incredibly dark. Bu Xiang Yin, how dare you try to harm my son? Then you shall face the consequences.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the guest courtyard, Feng Xie looked thoughtful. Dressed in plain white brocade robes, his face appeared even more fair and full. The light from his pair of luminous eyes shot out, sweeping over Yue Ying beside him, and he spoke faintly.
"Go and find out when Bu Xiang Yin came to Xue Xiang Tower in Feng Yue City?"
"Yes, your subordinate will handle it now." Yue Ying retreated to carry out the task. Inside the room, Ri Ying, Zhan Yun, and Lin Cai Xue looked up at the Emperor. Ri Ying asked softly, "Does His Majesty suspect her?"
As the words left his mouth, a subordinate walked in from outside and reported respectfully.
"Master, Miss Bu has arrived?"
Feng Xie's slender hands tapped lightly on the high table, and he waved lazily.
"Let Miss Bu in. You all may leave. I have something to discuss with Miss Bu."
Feng Xie appeared completely devoid of his previous agitation, exuding an air of calmness instead. A thoughtful expression was in his dark eyes, and his demeanor was distant. Ri Ying and Zhan Yun exchanged a glance.
The master was becoming cold again. Could it be that Bu Xiang Yin was not their Empress? Wouldn't that make the master even more heartbroken?
"Yes." Everyone responded and withdrew. At the entrance, Bu Xiang Yin stood elegantly, exuding a cool aura, neither subservient nor arrogant, appearing no different from the Empress.
How could there be such a similar person in the world, even in their demeanor? And they even knew about the small red mole on her arm. If this wasn't the Empress, then this person's schemes were truly profound.
"Miss Bu, Master is waiting for you inside?"
Ri Ying respectfully invited Bu Xiang Yin in. Since the master had not yet confirmed that Miss Bu was not the Empress, they naturally had to treat her as the Empress. At the very least, they would only reveal themselves after the master confirmed that Miss Bu was not the Empress.
"Thank you for your trouble." Bu Xiang Yin nodded and walked in with a faint smile. Xiao Hong remained on guard at the door, while the others stood along the stone corridor.
In the hall, Feng Xie reclined, gazing at the figure gracefully approaching. She looked so alike. Could it be possible that she wasn't Liu Er? Then who was she? Did she have enmity with him?
But she could imitate Liu Er's expressions from back then so vividly. Had all of this been planned five years ago? Or was she truly Liu Er, drugged and her memory wiped, which was why she was like this?
There were many actions she couldn't control herself. He knew that there were many rare and strange medicines in the world, and anything was possible. Until he found conclusive evidence to prove that the person before him wasn't Liu Er, he wouldn't give up.
He had endured enough loneliness for these five years. Thinking of his cruelty, he felt heartbroken every night. He would often recall her tear-streaked face from their last moments, which lingered in his mind.
"Did Liu Er ask for me?"
Feng Xie's voice, rich with emotion, rang out, exceptionally pleasant. Beautiful person, beautiful voice. Bu Xiang Yin adjusted her posture. This man was truly beautiful.
The lingering rays of the setting sun slanted through the gauze windows onto his face, highlighting his sculpted features like exquisite gemstones. His eyebrows and eyes were as if painted, and when he smiled, it was like spring rain nourishing the earth; when he was cold, it was like ice in February, captivating her heart.
Bu Xiang Yin smiled inwardly, but her face showed little emotion. She merely raised her eyebrows slightly and curtsied gracefully.
"Husband, are you truly my husband? Why are we not sharing a room?" Bu Xiang Yin asked, feigning distress. Some things could only be done up close. How could they be accomplished when separated by several rooms?
Feng Xie's eyes darkened for a moment, then his lips curved into a smile. "Liu Er hasn't recovered her memory yet. Once you recover your memory, I will take Liu Er back to the capital, and then we will share a room."
"Oh." Bu Xiang Yin nodded, her lowered eyes flickering uncertainly.
Since the man said so, she had no choice but to find another shortcut. Otherwise, how could she complete her mission?
Bu Xiang Yin thought with distress. She hadn't forgotten that she had been poisoned and would die without an antidote.
She thought how truly ruthless her master was, to have secretly administered such a potent poison.
Now that she thought about it, he was probably afraid she would fall in love with the man before her. This man indeed had the capital to make any woman fall for him. Every part of him was beautiful, but unfortunately, she couldn't have him.
Even a single passionate night would be good. Bu Xiang Yin's heart churned, and the more she thought, the more restless she became. It seemed she would have to use her wits.
She had initially thought that with this appearance, she could easily win this man over. She hadn't expected this man to be so calm and self-assured. Bu Xiang Yin secretly wondered, did this man love his woman that much?
"Come, sit closer." Feng Xie beckoned Bu Xiang Yin to sit beside him. His natural dominance made people unconsciously obey his every gesture. Bu Xiang Yin obediently walked over and sat beside him.
Feng Xie took her hand and said softly, "Liu Er, don't you remember anything from before at all?"