Liu Liu tried hard to hold back her laughter, though it was difficult. Fortunately, she managed.
Yun Xinshu’s face was filled with gratitude. He sincerely thanked Liu Liu, "Yun Xinshu owes Your Highness a debt of kindness. Should Yanxia Mountain Villa ever need it, I will do my utmost to help."
"Good, go. Hear the news tomorrow."
Liu Liu waved her hand. Yun Xinshu's appearance had allowed her to facilitate a good marriage, and her mood suddenly improved.
There were still men with true feelings in the world. Love contained hurt, it was true, but to have a perfect ending in the end was not bad. Yun Xinshu bid farewell.
Yun Xinshu's figure flashed. Cui'er, who had overheard voices inside from outside, was just walking in. Startled by a shadow, she cried out and rushed to the bedside, "Your Highness, has someone bullied you?"
Liu Liu shook her head with amusement, "It's nothing, Cui'er saw things."
"Saw things?"
Cui'er turned and surveyed the sleeping quarters. Indeed, there was no sign of anyone. She turned back to her mistress, "Your Highness, are you hungry? Your servant will fetch some refreshments."
Liu Liu shook her head. She wasn't hungry at all. Ever since she heard Feng Xie say those words, she had been exceptionally quiet. Despite not having eaten for a good part of the day, she didn't feel the slightest bit hungry.
She seemed utterly disappointed in that man, no longer harboring any other thoughts. Since she had just played a trick on Yun Xinshu, she didn't feel as sad now.
"You go to sleep. I'm not sleepy. I'll call you if I am."
She feared she wouldn't be able to sleep. Firstly, she had slept little during the day, and secondly, she always sensed something strange about Feng Xie. She was trying to figure out what had gone wrong.
This man was so unpredictable; there must be a reason, otherwise, he wouldn't be causing such a stir.
Seeing her mistress’s unsettled expression, Cui'er couldn't sleep either. She silently sat by her bedside, "Your Highness, let your servant talk with you."
Liu Liu glanced at Cui'er, pulled off the thin blanket, and said, "Come up."
"No, Your Highness, your servant will stay here," Cui'er quickly waved her hands. She had climbed into the bed once before, and to do it again would truly be overstepping her bounds.
Seeing her reaction, Liu Liu's expression turned grim, "If you're not coming up, then go sleep outside."
"Alright, then your servant will come up." Cui'er quickly jumped onto the bed and nestled beside Liu Liu.
She had often climbed into her young lady's bed before, especially when her young lady was in a good mood. When her mood was bad, she found everyone annoying, and she didn't want to court death.
The mistress and servant lay on the bed, talking. The night grew colder, like thin ice. It was already late autumn.
Daylight arrived. Liu Liu had actually managed to sleep for a short while. Cui'er lightly tiptoed off the bed, afraid of waking her mistress. Even so, Liu Liu hadn't slept for long. Having not slept all night and with her internal energy sealed, Liu Liu felt her entire body weak and listless. She slowly got up, her head feeling somewhat dizzy.
Cui'er saw her unusually pale face and spoke with apprehension.
"Your Highness, your complexion is so pale. Should your servant fetch the imperial physician?"
"It's fine, don't make a fuss. Of course, your complexion won't look good after not sleeping all night," Liu Liu stopped Cui'er. After washing up and having breakfast, she felt it was better to go out for a stroll, to avoid being bored here.
Besides, Yun Jinshu had just taken care of her matter, so she might as well go see Wuyang.
"Cui'er, accompany me for a walk, and perhaps visit Princess Wuyang?"
Liu Liu turned and instructed Cui'er behind her. Cui'er nodded and helped her mistress walk outside. Since they were just walking within the palace, they didn't need anyone else to follow. They strolled slowly to Linghua Palace.
A young eunuch standing at the palace gate saw Liu Liu from afar and immediately called out, "This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress."
"Rise. Where is your mistress?"
Liu Liu waved and walked into the main hall. The young eunuch quickly replied, "The Princess is inside."
Liu Liu entered the grand hall. Wuyang was indeed resting on the phoenix couch, her complexion also very poor, clearly having not slept all night. The two of them were truly in the same predicament.
Liu Liu let out a bitter smile. Feng Wuyang, already seated, saw Liu Liu and spoke weakly.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, why is your complexion also not good?" Feng Wuyang immediately remembered Gui Sijing’s pregnancy with Fei'er and understood. No woman could bear to see another woman pregnant, no wonder her Imperial Sister-in-law looked so unwell.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, why are we both so ill-fated?"
With a helpless sigh, Liu Liu’s expression stiffened, and a faint, wry smile appeared on her lips. Perhaps it was because the men she encountered had too noble an identity. If it were other men, would things be better?
"Why is your complexion also so bad?" Liu Liu walked over and sat beside Wuyang. Luo Yong nimbly went to fetch tea and delivered it. Liu Liu took it and looked at Wuyang.
Feng Wuyang’s face froze. She had said she didn't want to think about Yun Jinshu, and she had kept her word. But the moment she saw him, she crumbled. All night, her mind was filled with his image. She was truly afraid her Imperial Sister-in-law would find out and mock her, so she quickly shook her head.
"It's nothing, I just couldn't sleep. I wasn't thinking of Yun Jinshu."
As soon as she finished speaking, a playful smile played on Liu Liu's lips. Wasn't this a confession?
Feng Wuyang, realizing she had spoken out of turn, quickly covered her face, "I didn't say anything."
"Alright, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Actually, you should give Yun Xinshu a chance to explain. Perhaps things aren't as you think. Go and see him."
When Feng Wuyang heard Liu Liu’s words, she thought her Imperial Sister-in-law was teasing her and quickly shook her head, stating firmly.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, I will absolutely not see that man again. He is already married. How can I disturb him? Although I shamelessly wanted to be his concubine back then, he ultimately rejected me, so I don't want to embarrass myself again."
Liu Liu envied Feng Wuyang's straightforward personality. At least she had truly loved someone. As for herself, she hadn't even loved anyone. Perhaps her personality was too rational; she stopped herself when she knew something was impossible, cutting off her own thoughts.
If she had been like Wuyang or Jie Lan back then, would she have married Feng Lie? Who knew what those unknown things held.
"Actually, Yun Xinshu came to find me."
Liu Liu didn't want to hide it from Wuyang and spoke sincerely. Although she couldn't find happiness, she hoped Wuyang could. Because Yun Xinshu was a commoner, his life was much simpler.
He could marry only one wife, and there would be no struggles among consorts. In that case, Wuyang would be very happy.
Feng Wuyang was startled by Liu Liu's words. She opened her eyes wide and, after a long while, managed to stammer, "What did he come to you for?"
"He told me that he did not marry that cousin. At the last moment, he realized he loved you and had been looking for you for over a month. So, give him a chance. That way, you won't have any regrets. Otherwise, where else will you find someone who likes you and whom you also like?"
Liu Liu sighed softly. Fate wasn't something that could be bought with money, nor was it an object. Therefore, once you obtained it, you should cherish it.