Yun Xinshu felt on the verge of collapse at the thought, as if Yu Mo had ceased to exist. He quickly reached out and grabbed the monk's robe: "Who is she? Who were those women just now?"
The monk uttered an "Oh," understanding why the benefactor had been impolite, realizing he didn't know the origin of these women. He then said, "Amitabha. Benefactor, you almost committed a great wrong. They are the most esteemed women in the realm, the Empress and the Princesses."
Yun Jinshu was utterly petrified. Wu'er was actually a princess of the Tianfeng Dynasty. No wonder she was so quirky, fearless, and always charged forward without hesitation. It was because she was a genuine princess, someone who had never known fear.
Considering her noble status, while he was merely a commoner. Although Yanxia Villa was renowned throughout the land, it still paled in comparison to the imperial court. However, he did not wish to lose her, so he would enter the palace.
A determined glint flashed in Yun Xinshu's eyes. Now, he needed to find the woman who was with Wu'er for help.
Although that woman was the Empress, Wu'er had mentioned that she liked her sister-in-law the most. Therefore, she must possess extraordinary qualities and also wish for Wu'er's happiness.
The imperial carriage slowly proceeded towards the palace. Inside, Wu Yang's fair little face was streaked with tears, her hands clasped tightly together.
Although she tried to remain composed, Liu Liu could still see her trembling uncontrollably. She couldn't help but reach out and gently place her arm around Wu Yang's shoulder: "Alright, don't be sad. You should have given him a chance earlier, because he is Yun Xinshu, right?"
Such a detached and serene man, with the gentleness and refinement characteristic of men from Jiangnan. The ecstatic joy in his eyes was clearly the expression of someone who had found a cherished treasure. How could Wu'er think that man didn't like her? Perhaps he was madly in love with her.
"No, Imperial Sister-in-law, you don't understand. He is already married, so I will not see him again. Do you understand? I begged him, even if it was just to be a concubine, but he refused. Do you know how difficult it was for me at the time?"
A princess willing to be a concubine, yet he refused. He even spoke of wanting only one wife for his entire life. Did I still have any reason to see him?!
"Alright, don't be sad. Perhaps he didn't clearly understand his feelings at the time, but now he does and wants to tell you. At least you should give him a chance, shouldn't you?"
Liu Liu helped her up, wiping away her tears with a white silk handkerchief, and teased her playfully, "Who was it that said they wanted to forget him, only to cry buckets when they saw him?"
"Imperial Sister-in-law, I am sad and don't want to see him anymore. If he had told me he was married, wouldn't I have been even more heartbroken? Why endure another blow? It's fine."
Wu Yang took the white silk handkerchief from Liu Liu, wiped her tears, and shook her head, indicating she would no longer see Yun Xinshu. Liu Liu understood her perfectly. If she didn't love him, she wouldn't cry like this. She was simply afraid of being hurt again. Women are truly ill-fated.
Liu Liu felt a bittersweet pang in her heart. Although she appeared to be favored solely by the Emperor, who knew how precarious this favor was? It couldn't even give her confidence, let alone speak of exclusive favor. "Alright, don't be sad."
Liu Liu gently persuaded her as the carriage continued towards the palace.
Feng Wu Yang, feeling somewhat weary from the events, returned to her own palace to rest immediately upon entering Weiyang Palace.
Liu Liu also returned to Weiyang Palace. She saw that the usually bustling entrance to the main hall of Weiyang Palace was now silent, with not a soul in sight. Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi had disappeared somewhere. Liu Liu asked unhappily, "Xiao Anzi, Xiao Nianzi?"
Upon hearing their mistress's call, Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi quickly ran over, their faces filled with indignation and their eyes showing resentment. They bowed respectfully to their mistress: "Your servant greets Her Majesty. Your servant deserves to die, please punish us."
Liu Liu frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure appearing in her eyes. Although displeased, she wouldn't necessarily punish them. However, seeing the two fellows looking extremely unhappy, she asked curiously, "What's wrong with you two? Why do you look so upset?"
Xiao Nianzi and Xiao Anzi looked at each other quickly upon hearing Liu Liu's words, unsure whether to tell their mistress. With their small schemes, how could Liu Liu not know? She asked in a deep, chilling voice, "Speak, and do not anger me."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the two responded quickly. They dared not provoke their mistress's wrath, which seemed to be the Emperor's prerogative. "Concubine Sui is pregnant. Your Majesty, after you left this morning, Concubine Sui felt unwell. The imperial physician was summoned and diagnosed her with a pregnancy. The Emperor was overjoyed and stayed in Changxin Palace for half a day, showering Concubine Sui with many gifts."
(Note: Concubine Sui's child is not the Emperor's, but belongs to another man. This man is a powerful acquaintance. You can guess who he is!)
Upon hearing Xiao Anzi's words, Liu Liu's heart sank to the bottom. She hadn't expected that after Concubine Shu's departure, Concubine Sui would be next. The harem was a never-ending entanglement. Did she have to be constantly caught up in all of this?
Her expression slowly turned gloomy. She waved her hand: "You two may go. Do not run around elsewhere."
When Cui'er and Caixia heard this, they were furious. How could it be that after just getting rid of Concubine Shu, Concubine Sui appeared next?
This Concubine Sui was extremely high-profile in her conduct within the palace, and even the palace maids and eunuchs considered her a good mistress. The Empress Dowager also praised her as virtuous, and the Emperor treated Concubine Sui with more kindness. All of this was detrimental to their mistress.
Their mistress did not have a child yet. If Concubine Sui were to give birth to a prince, and their mistress's child turned out to be a princess, then perhaps the position of Empress… These little maids truly worried greatly for their mistress. Liu Liu walked into the main hall, feeling a sense of powerlessness. Although she had been feeling this way recently, today it was particularly pronounced, perhaps due to mental and physical exhaustion.
"Cui'er, help me inside to rest. I am tired."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Cui'er nodded, feeling heartache for her mistress. She understood that her mistress had been hurt once again, but what could a mere servant do? As she reached out to help her mistress, she heard Xiao Anzi's voice from outside the main hall: "The Emperor has arrived."
Unexpectedly, the Emperor had arrived at this time. Liu Liu's expression grew tense, and even Cui'er, Caixia, and Mingyue looked somewhat surprised. They knelt down silently. When the Emperor walked in, Liu Liu spoke weakly, "Your servants greet Your Majesty. You may rise."
From the Emperor's cheerful voice, it was evident he was very happy. Liu Liu's heart felt as if it were bleeding, thinking that his current happiness was for another woman's child. Yet, the Emperor, unaware, reached out to embrace her: "How are you, Liu'er? Are you tired?"
Liu Liu repulsively leaned away from his arm, standing a little further away. She raised her face and looked faintly at Feng Xie, her expression returning to their previous confrontational state.
Feng Xie's expression changed, his eyes sharpening, his lips pressed tightly together. However, he ultimately restrained himself. He understood why Liu'er had this demeanor. She must have heard about Concubine Sui's pregnancy in Changxin Palace.
But he would talk to her later, and she would be happy. The handsome features of Feng Xie shone with dazzling brilliance.
"Come, Liu'er, sit down. I have something to tell you."