“Your Majesty, I am tired. Your Majesty should go back.”
“I will stay with you. I will leave after you fall asleep,” Feng Xie picked up Liu Liu and quickly entered the imperial chambers. The eunuchs and palace maids in the great hall, witnessing the Emperor’s affection for the Consort and his anticipation for the child in her belly, were all happy.
Only Cui Er’s eyes were filled with worry. For some reason, she always felt the Emperor would harm the child in the Consort’s belly. Was she overthinking? She followed the Emperor’s steps slowly, standing outside the sleeping quarters to guard.
Feng Xie settled Liu Liu onto the large bed and removed his shoes, reclining beside her. He spoke softly, “Alright, Liu’er, sleep. I will leave shortly.”
“Mmm,” Liu Liu responded, closing her eyes. It was the full moon tonight. The moonlight, like water, streamed into the sleeping quarters. The moon illuminated the Emperor’s handsome face. His dark eyes flickered indeterminately, his lips pressed tightly together as if making a significant decision. He turned to gaze at the woman on the bed, watching her with silent devotion.
Liu’er, you must not blame me. Besides the child, I will compensate you for anything else you desire. I beg you, please forgive me, and do not leave my side. He reached out and held her hand. Strangely, both their hands felt a little cool.
After lying down for a while, Feng Xie confirmed Liu Liu had fallen asleep before leaving the imperial chambers with a heavy heart. The person on the bed suddenly opened her eyes, a coldness in them.
Although the Emperor was gentle tonight, he was not his usual self. She knew this. As for why he was unusual, she could not guess, nor did she wish to. She only wanted to protect the baby. She placed a hand on her belly, a motherly glow appearing on her lips.
Cui Er walked in from outside. Looking at her mistress’s soft, happy face on the bed, she spoke in a low voice, “Consort, I noticed something this afternoon.”
Liu Liu looked up. “Speak.”
Cui Er paused, then squatted down, looking earnestly at her mistress.
“I noticed something, Consort. The captain of the guards has been replaced. It’s no longer the former Lord Zhao, but one of Lord Zhao’s subordinates. I secretly investigated and heard that Lord Zhao committed a mistake and was punished by the Emperor to guard the city gates.”
Liu Liu’s confusion vanished in an instant, her eyes shining like a clear mirror. She couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. So, it was all because of this. He was afraid of someone usurping his throne, wasn't he?
Liu Liu wanted to laugh out loud, but her heart ached terribly. Why was it that every time she opened her heart, she was treated this way? Hadn’t she been told not to trust others easily?
A cruel smile curled her lips. Feng Xie, you are so wicked. What do you intend to do now? Are you going to abort my child?
You’ve already sealed my martial arts, and now you intend to abort my child. Such a wicked man, and you still dare to claim you love me. If sealing my martial arts was to prevent me from leaving the palace, I could still forgive you.
But if you intend to harm my child, I will never forgive you.
“Consort,” Cui Er noticed her mistress’s increasingly troubled expression and spoke in fear. She was afraid her mistress couldn’t handle the blow and would cause trouble.
“I am fine, Cui Er. I am truly very sad,” Liu Liu looked at Cui Er.
Cui Er straightened up and sat by the bed, embracing her mistress. Although the Consort was indifferent in personality, she was a woman, and naturally had her emotions. Yet, she was always hurt.
Now that there was finally a baby, perhaps only the baby would not hurt its mother. May heaven protect this child and help it survive.
“It’s alright. Cui Er will protect this baby together with you, Consort. The baby will also try its best. We will work hard together.”
“Mmm,” Liu Liu allowed herself to be weak for only this brief moment. Then, she wiped away her tears and regained her former proud, aloof demeanor. She was no longer alone. She had her own flesh and blood.
Since that man was so ruthless, why should she still cling to all this? She wanted to leave the palace. This time, she would face death to seek life.
“Mistress, what is all this for?” Cui Er didn't understand. Hadn't the Mistress made up with the Emperor? Why did the Emperor dote on her so much? It seemed to have even involved that Lord Zhao.
Liu Liu shook her head, not wanting to mention her past identity. In truth, how could she tell others that she was not the real Su Liuli, nor was she a princess of the former dynasty?
If she were truly Su Liuli, she might indeed hate him. No one could possibly live with the person who killed their parents and destroyed their country. But she was not. She was just herself.
A mother now wanting to protect her child. Anyone who dared to harm her child would not be tolerated.
“Don’t overthink it. Pay attention to the movements within the palace recently. Report to me immediately if there are any developments.”
“Yes, Consort,” Cui Er nodded, releasing her mistress and helping her lie down. The Consort was not alone now; she needed to rest well and eat well to give birth to a strong and lovely baby. “Don’t overthink it, sleep.”
“Mmm,” Liu Liu closed her eyes. How could she sleep? But what could be solved by keeping her eyes open? Therefore, she was waiting. Waiting for the Emperor to make his move.
She wanted to see how cruel his heart was, so cruel that he would personally kill his own child for a dynasty.
Vaguely, as if half-asleep, she woke up several times from dreams where people tried to harm her child, tossing and turning. Finally, she fell into a deep sleep. When she woke up again, the sky was already bright. Cui Er felt immense pity for her mistress.
Early in the morning, the Empress Dowager’s gifts arrived, filling an entire hall. The Empress was pregnant. As a woman of the Liu family, the Empress Dowager was the happiest. Unfortunately, Liu Liu couldn’t muster any interest at all. Because she hadn’t slept well these past few days, her complexion was somewhat pale, and her expression was haggard.
In this imperial palace, not only Liu Liu hadn’t slept well, but the Emperor also hadn’t. He had thought all night, endured pain all night. As dawn broke, as if he had made a decision, his handsome face flashed with ferocity, his eyes bloodshot, and his lips curved into a cold, seductive smile.
“Little Plaything, come here. Help me do something,” he said. Little Plaything was startled. The voice was as cold as ice, devoid of any warmth. What was wrong with the Emperor? After tossing and turning all night, he was so frightening when he got up.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please instruct me.” Little Plaything knelt, awaiting the Emperor’s command. Feng Xie leaned in and whispered a few words into Little Plaything’s ear.
Little Plaything’s face instantly turned pale, his lips trembling. His body swayed slightly. He stared at the Emperor in disbelief, then vigorously cupped his ears, suspecting a problem with them. He kept his gaze fixed on the Emperor’s mouth until the Emperor called out two sharp, icy orders.
“Do it immediately?”
“Your Majesty, this? This?” Little Plaything couldn’t even speak. This was too absurd. The Emperor was heartlessly going to kill his own child.
If it were Consort Shu, it was because her child was illegitimate. But the current Empress’s child was undoubtedly the Emperor’s. Why would the Emperor also cruelly kill it? What was going on?
Little Plaything hastily kowtowed. “Your Majesty, please reconsider. Your Majesty, reconsider.”
“Hurry, lest I kill you,” Feng Xie roared. This was the greatest decision he had ever made. If he delayed any longer, he would surely change his mind. His usually handsome face was shrouded in coldness, veins bulging, twisted and deformed, appearing ferocious and terrifying.
Little Plaything, terrified, scrambled out of the imperial chambers and rushed straight to the imperial physicians’ clinic. Inside the sleeping quarters, Feng Xie collapsed onto the bed, his face darkening. His heart ached intensely, with each beat. Would Liu’er, who had lost her child, still stay with him, the executioner? Could he, who had lost Liu’er, ever be happy?
What use was this throne? His heart was bleeding. It hurt so much. Was he about to lose them? Which was more important, the throne or them?
Feng Xie slumped onto the bed, his face ashen, like a grim reaper from the heavens. With a wave of his hand, he went into a frenzy within the sleeping quarters, smashing valuable screens, lamps, and antiques, leaving a mess. His hands were covered in blood.
But this pain was far less than the pain in his heart. Why was he doing such a thing? Even if he gave her the empire, would he be happy without her?
Was he truly planning to be lonely until old age, all for the sake of the so-called empire?