Liu Liu heard Cui Er’s question and turned to glance into the main hall. The palace maids were standing far away, making it impossible for them to hear their conversation. Therefore, she whispered, “Have Lord Nangong secretly go and protect Master and the others. I fear Feng Xie might play dirty. All of them have had their martial arts crippled, what if something happens?”
Cui Er was stunned. So the Empress didn't trust the Emperor at all. This was the Emperor’s own fault. Who told him to do so many wicked things? For the rare occasion he did something good to please the Empress, she didn't even believe him.
Truly, one reaps what they sow. As Cui Er was thinking this, she looked up and saw her mistress staring intently at her. She quickly nodded, “Alright, this servant will go and do it now.”
“Yes, be careful. Don't let those people see you. Nangong Yue is likely in the Imperial Hospital, or near the Chinese toon grove. He only goes to these two places to gather herbs.”
Cui Er received the Empress’s command and quickly left to find Nangong Yue.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu paced anxiously in the main hall. Although she was a little tired, her heart was filled with worry, making it impossible to sleep. She kept feeling like something bad was about to happen. Perhaps she was overthinking it. What could a small group of them do to her?
Cui Er returned quickly, reporting that Nangong Yue had gone out of the palace. Upon hearing this, Liu Liu finally breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed weakly onto the couch, drenched in sweat. As long as Nangong Yue agreed to help, everything would be fine.
She was afraid Cui Er wouldn’t be able to find him. If she couldn't find him, it would be troublesome. Liu Liu stood up, preparing to go into the sleeping quarters for a rest. She felt drained and desperately needed to recover her strength.
However, Xiao Anzi walked in to report, “Your Majesty, the maternal uncle has come to visit you?”
Upon hearing that her brother had arrived, Liu Liu’s mood brightened considerably. She quickly waved her hand, signaling Xiao Anzi to invite her brother in.
Xiao Anzi, receiving the decree, swiftly rushed out. Before long, Liu Ting’s tall figure appeared at the entrance of the main hall. Looking at his sister on the couch beside him, he saw that she seemed to be struggling against fatigue and spoke with concern.
“Liu’er, what’s wrong?”
Liu Liu feared that her brother would find out the Emperor had bullied her and go looking for a fight with him. She could only force herself to appear spirited and offered a smile.
However, she didn’t realize how pale her smile looked. How could Liu Ting believe his sister was fine? He spoke with worry, “Liu’er, what exactly is wrong? Didn’t the Emperor release Abbess Minghui? Why do you look so unhappy? Are you ill?”
After speaking, Liu Ting took a step forward, intending to check his sister’s pulse. Although he wasn't a doctor, he knew the basics of checking a pulse.
Unexpectedly, Liu Liu quickly pulled her arm away. This was an unusual occurrence. Liu Ting’s heart raced, and he quickly went to grasp his sister’s hand. His grip was too strong, and he almost pulled Liu Liu to the ground.
This immediately made him notice something was amiss. Liu’er was someone who knew martial arts; how could she be so weak?
“Liu’er, where is your martial arts?”
Liu Liu was astonished by Liu Ting’s words. She had only wanted to prevent her brother from noticing her slightly weak pulse and frail body. She never expected her brother to know she practiced martial arts. So, her brother had known about her martial arts all along but pretended not to.
He had such patience, while she had been so careful. But if he were to find out that Feng Xie had sealed her martial arts, what would her brother do? Liu Liu shook her head rapidly.
“Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? As Empress, where would I get martial arts?”
Upon hearing Liu Liu’s words, Liu Ting knew without a doubt that Feng Xie was behind it. He had used Minghui to threaten Liu Liu, and now even his sister’s martial arts had been crippled. How could he be so heartless?
His sister had practiced martial arts for eight years. Abbess Minghui had gone to great lengths to find rare and precious elixirs for her to ingest to increase her internal energy. Now, it had all been crippled by him. How could he not be enraged and heartbroken?
“I’m going to settle this with him! Why would he do this? He’s bullying our Liu family too much! Is being the Emperor that great?”
“Brother,” Liu Liu quickly reached out to grab her brother. She couldn’t let her brother suffer. Feng Xie had been quite kind today. If he were to provoke him again, who knew what would happen.
“Brother, don’t forget that concubines are not allowed to practice martial arts. If you make such a scene going to find him, and if the matter blows up, how can the Liu family escape responsibility? Even if Feng Xie were willing to protect us, it wouldn’t be allowed. Can the court officials accept it? You know how many people in the court are watching our Liu family?”
Liu Ting was stunned by Liu Liu’s words. His sister’s words were too right. If Feng Xie truly turned ruthless, the Liu family would likely suffer. If these matters reached the court, it would undoubtedly be even more difficult to handle.
Emperors had always been cold-blooded and heartless. Feng Xie was one of the most formidable emperors, indicating he was even more cold-blooded and heartless. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had General Jin apprehended and brought to the capital immediately after Jin Jiali had an incident.
He was currently being tried in the Ministry of Justice. Thinking of Jin Zhaoyuan, Liu Ting wondered how much he hated Feng Xie. His sister lived in the cold palace, and his father was in the Ministry of Justice’s prison. Therefore, all fame, fortune, and status were merely at the Emperor’s whim.
“But you have suffered,” Liu Ting’s heart felt increasingly stifled. Angrily, he struck the bronze pillar beside him, and his hand immediately began to swell. Liu Liu felt extremely pained and quickly clasped her brother’s hand to comfort him. “Brother, Feng Xie didn’t cripple my martial arts. He only sealed my internal energy.”
“Isn’t sealing internal energy the same as crippling martial arts?” Liu Ting’s expression remained grim. He stared heartbrokenly at his sister’s pale little face. No wonder she looked so weak, no different from an ordinary person, and even more exhausted due to her worry for Abbess Minghui.
“It’s different. If it’s sealed, it’s still there. Perhaps one day when he’s in a good mood, he’ll unseal me,” Liu Liu gave a self-mocking laugh. The possibility was slim, but she had to say it to comfort her brother. Liu Ting felt sorry for his sister, knowing she was extremely tired yet still forcing herself to accompany him. He couldn’t bear to put more pressure on her and nodded with a smile.
“Alright, brother understands. Liu’er, you should go in and rest. Brother will go back and tell Mother and Father that Liu’er is alright.”
“Yes, brother, please go back with peace of mind. I’m fine. Brother, don’t worry too much. Everything will be alright,” Liu Liu said, then turned to instruct Cui Er behind her, “Escort Young Master Liu out.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cui Er nodded and escorted Liu Ting out. She then returned to attend to Liu Liu, helping her into the sleeping quarters to rest. The Empress looked so tired, and her health seemed very poor. She didn't quite understand what she and the Young Master were saying about sealing and such.
The night was as cold as ice, and the new moon hung like a hook. The moonlight scattered into the sleeping quarters.
Although Liu Liu had lost her internal energy, her innate sharpness made her sense someone standing by the bed in the sleeping quarters. Who could it be?
She pondered softly. Clearly, this person bore no ill will towards her, otherwise, he would not just be standing by her bed. Moreover, his gaze was as gentle as water, softly gazing at her.
She opened her eyes and saw a tall, upright man standing outside the gauze curtains. Even through the sheer fabric, Liu Liu recognized him at a glance. Since he remained still, she sighed. Why was this man here in her sleeping quarters in the middle of the night?
“Why have you come? Are they alright?”
“Rest assured, they are fine. Although some people wanted to kill them, they are not Feng Xie’s people. It is those who scheme in the dark,” he said softly. Sometimes, he truly hated himself, if only he could be a little more calculating, like he was now.
If he said those people were sent by Feng Xie, Liu’er would surely believe the Emperor. At that time, wouldn’t he be reaping the benefits of others’ labor?
But he couldn’t bring himself to act in such a manner. Even with a deep-seated hatred, he wished for a fair challenge, not such petty actions.