Cui’er and Cai Xia waited until Zhao Jiu left before entering cautiously. They studied their mistress’s expression before speaking softly, “Your Majesty, what did Lord Zhao discuss with you just now?”
They lowered their heads, gazing at the brocade box in their mistress’s hands, secretly guessing its contents.
Liu Liu blinked, coming back to herself. She shook her head, “Nothing?” Holding the brocade box, she stood and left Hua Qing Palace, returning to Wei Yang Palace.
Liu Liu remained in Wei Yang Palace, suddenly missing her days in Hua Qing Palace. Back then, she could go out whenever she pleased; life was free and convenient. It was unlike now, where, despite her desperate urge to leave the palace, she dared not slip out, fearing the eyes of those with ulterior motives and the unnecessary trouble it could bring upon herself and her family.
Everyone now fawned over Jin Jia Li. If there were any stirrings from her side, Jin Jia Li would likely be exceedingly pleased. Therefore, she had to be even more careful.
Liu Liu sat in the main hall of Wei Yang Palace, deep in thought. Finally, she devised a plan.
In the eyes of outsiders, her sister Liu Si had already passed away. Why not announce she was leaving the palace to pay respects to her deceased sister? It was a natural sentiment, and her sister’s body had been water-buried, leaving no remains.
She could say she was going to an nunnery to establish a memorial tablet for her sister, offering incense and prayers. She believed this explanation would be flawless. Liu Liu immediately gestured happily for Cui’er to approach.
“Cui’er, prepare to leave the palace.”
“Leave the palace? Your Majesty, how is that possible? The Emperor would not agree to let Your Majesty leave the palace.”
A cold smile touched Liu Liu’s lips. That man was probably in an excellent mood now. At such a time, whatever request she made would likely be granted; how could he possibly refuse her departure?
“Let’s go.” Liu Liu walked ahead, Cui’er following closely behind. Cai Xia and Ming Yue, the other two maids, also followed. Unlike Cui’er’s opposition, they were brimming with excitement.
They had never been outside the palace before and yearned to see the changes in the outside world. Hearing that their mistress was going out, they were inexplicably delighted.
Feng Xie was in Yong Yuan Palace, contemplating how to approach Wei Yang Palace without angering the Empress.
Especially regarding Jin Jia Li’s pregnancy, he sensed Liu Liu’s profound indifference. Yet, seeing her stern and cold expression, he felt a flicker of joy. Did this perhaps indicate that she also harbored feelings for him?
If that were the case, he absolutely could not let Jin Jia Li and that child influence them. Regardless, he only wished to name the child born to Liu Liu as the Crown Prince.
Intuitively, he felt it would be an extraordinary individual. Merely thinking about it filled him with unexplainable excitement. It turned out that having children with the woman he liked and cared about was the true source of happiness. The thought of Jin Jia Li’s pregnancy filled him with disgust.
However, since the matter had already come to light, he naturally had to address it. He could not allow the imperial bloodline to flow away without cause. As for Jin Jia Li, if she behaved herself in the future, so be it. If she became restless, he would not spare her lightly because of that child.
As Feng Xie was lost in thought, Xiao Wan Zi entered and announced, “Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Xie’s eyes immediately lit up. It seemed he and Liu Liu shared a silent understanding; he had just thought of her, and she had arrived. Her phoenix brows curved slightly, her eyes sparkling like ripe grapes.
Her noble bearing exuded elegance, casting aside her previous fierceness and cold charm. A smile graced her lips, and with a wave of his hand, he declared,
“Let the Empress enter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Seeing the Emperor in such high spirits, Xiao Wan Zi’s own mood brightened. Only when the masters were well would the servants fare better.
Conversely, if the masters were unhappy, it was the servants who bore the brunt of their displeasure. With this thought, Xiao Wan Zi stepped out and escorted Liu Liu into Yong Yuan Palace, then quietly retreated. Liu Liu gazed at Feng Xie, who was reclining languidly, and curtsied gracefully.
“Liu Liu pays her respects to His Majesty.”
“Rise, Empress. What brings you to seek me?” His eyes, as deep and captivating as burning incense, fixed upon her intently. A faint smile played on his lips, warm as a ray of sunshine, adorably gracing his overwhelmingly dominant face.
Liu Liu stood up, her expression dimming slightly, as if deeply sorrowful. Her lips curved into a mournful semblance of tears.
“Last night, Liu Liu had a dream and saw my sister. Thinking of how she was water-buried and has no memorial tablet, Liu Liu felt deeply unsettled. Therefore, I have come to inform His Majesty. Liu Liu wishes to leave the palace.”
Feng Xie raised his eyebrows, his eyes flashing with sharp, dark glints. He was assessing the truthfulness of her words. Slowly, a faint smile bloomed on his lips, “Very well. Tomorrow morning, have guards escort the Empress to Tian Xiang Temple to offer a memorial tablet.”
Tian Xiang Temple was still the Grand Hall used to entertain imperial family members. Although Liu Liu was the Empress, her sister was merely a minor consort. It was naturally inappropriate to erect a memorial tablet in Tian Xiang Temple. Liu Liu curtsied gracefully, thanking the Emperor for his kind intentions.
“Liu Liu thanks His Majesty for his kindness. My sister was unfortunate in her blessings and her fate. Liu’er merely wishes to find a small nunnery to establish a memorial.”
“Very well. Since the Empress wishes it, let it be as the Empress says. Tomorrow morning, I shall have Ri Ying escort you. I cannot rest assured with the Empress leaving the palace alone. There have been many assassins in the palace recently, and they might be lying in wait around Liu’er.”
Feng Xie’s dark pupils flickered, carrying an inscrutable meaning. Liu Liu did not believe his words; he clearly intended to monitor her, yet he spoke so righteously, even calling her Liu’er. Disgusted, she cursed him inwardly, but her expression remained indifferent as she thanked him.
“Liu’er thanks His Majesty.”
Regarding this chapter, Liu Liu’s princess identity is a foreshadowing, so please do not speculate. It will be written about later. Who is she exactly?
Chapter Eighty-Four: The Emperor Shows Affection
With a weight lifted from her heart, Liu Liu felt a sense of peace. Throughout the vast imperial palace, a festive atmosphere prevailed. Palace maids and eunuchs wore smiles on their faces. Liu Liu didn’t need to guess why; it was because Jin Jia Li was pregnant. Even the Empress Dowager had bestowed numerous gifts. How could those servants not curry favor?
However, what did this have to do with her? Although she felt uncomfortable, she knew all of this would pass. Liu Liu sighed inwardly.
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Ri Ying, following the Emperor’s orders, escorted the Empress out of the palace. Liu Liu, accompanied by her three young maids, boarded the imperial carriage waiting outside. Ri Ying and several guards changed into plain clothes and followed behind.
The procession appeared no more than that of a wealthy family’s madam going to offer incense and pray for blessings, little knowing that the imperial carriage carried the current Empress.
Once outside the palace gates, Liu Liu felt invigorated and her entire being seemed to come alive. A hint of warmth colored her usually composed face, and a smile touched her lips. Ming Yue and Cai Xia stared, mesmerized.
They never expected their mistress to be so overjoyed upon leaving the palace. It seemed she had been cooped up for too long. Cui’er had always known her mistress disliked being confined to the palace, but the three young maids were also bored. The thought of being outside the palace now made them all inexplicably excited. They lifted the curtains to gaze outwards.
The streets teemed with people, and shouts and calls were incessant. Even though it was early morning, it was already bustling with activity. Indeed, as the capital under the Son of Heaven, it was naturally prosperous and thriving.
The three young maids chattered incessantly as they watched, their voices a constant stream of excited chatter. Liu Liu, seeing their momentary joy, did not stop them. It was a rare outing, so she might as well let the maids enjoy themselves. She herself followed their gaze outwards.
Merchants lined the streets, hawking their wares, and the sounds of bargaining occasionally drifted into the carriage. Liu Liu smiled faintly, and then her eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure, looking directly up into the carriage. Liu Liu looked closer and realized it was Dai Mei.
It seemed Dai Mei had come to the capital. Her heart filled with joy, she smiled at Dai Mei and signaled for the young maids to lower the curtain. She was confident that Dai Mei would follow them to Shili Slope.