In the vast imperial harem, everyone knew of the Empress’s formidable presence. Eunuchs and maids were exceedingly cautious around her, fearing any mistake that might bring trouble upon themselves.
Wherever Liu Liu went, she was met with respectful greetings. Her days were usually spent strolling through the gardens or accompanying the Empress Dowager on outings to ease her worries. Though the Empress Dowager was anxious, she could do little to alleviate her concerns. Fortunately, Liu Liu’s company provided some solace.
As for Prince Yan, Feng Lie, they had not met since that one night. However, Liu Liu had heard that Princess Jie Lan was not faring well in the Prince Yan’s mansion. Feng Lie paid her no attention and instead tormented her severely. Coupled with the mistreatment from his two beautiful concubines…
It was truly difficult for a princess of a nation to endure such treatment. Liu Liu felt a pang of sympathy. Although Jie Lan had caused her trouble before, Liu Liu had a premonition that such a talented woman was indeed worthy of Feng Lie.
If Jie Lan was not worthy of Feng Lie, then perhaps no one in the world was. Was he destined to live out his days in solitude? Liu Liu chuckled softly. After all, what did these matters have to do with her?
Moreover, she was beginning to miss Duanmu and the others. She wondered if everyone on Xiaoyao Island was well; they must be thinking of her, yet she was unable to leave the palace to see them.
Lost in thought, Liu Liu almost bumped into a pillar ahead. Cui’er quickly reached out to steady her, chiding gently, "Your Ladyship, are you alright? What are you thinking about so intently?"
Liu Liu turned to Cui’er and smiled faintly. The eaves were bathed in the setting sun, the sky as clear as a blank sheet of paper. The deep palace walls concealed the wings of her heart that yearned to fly.
"It’s nothing. I was just thinking about Duanmu and the others. I wonder how they are doing?"
With no one else around, Cui’er couldn’t help but sigh. She too missed them. She recalled their frequent bickering when they were together, and now that they were apart, she truly missed those times.
Moreover, back then, her mistress lived so freely. Not like now, so restricted, with too many court protocols to consider, always having to be mindful of this and that.
"Yes, I really miss them. But when will we get to see them?" Cui’er’s words plunged them both into a reverie, which was only broken by the sound of approaching footsteps from afar. They exchanged a knowing smile.
Thinking about what they were contemplating, Liu Liu turned to see Shan’an Zi, a eunuch who served her, rushing towards them, panting and looking rather pale. Liu Liu spoke calmly.
"What is it?"
"Your Ladyship, please return to your palace quickly. Eunuch Xiao Wan Zi is coming, and it seems something has happened. Please go quickly."
"Hmm," a hint of coldness flickered in Liu Liu’s eyes. She disliked Feng Xie, and she also disliked the servants around him. She wondered what matter had brought them to her. Since they had come, she would meet them. She turned and began walking back along the corridor.
Cui’er and Xiao An Zi both felt a sense of unease. This Emperor and Empress were unlike others; even the slightest disturbance sent them, the servants, into a panic.
In the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Xiao Wan Zi was anxiously looking around. Upon seeing Liu Liu walk in through the main gate, he immediately rushed forward and bowed respectfully, "This servant greets Your Ladyship the Empress. His Majesty wishes to see you."
"What is it?" Liu Liu stopped, her star-like eyes piercing Xiao Wan Zi like sharp swords. Xiao Wan Zi shivered slightly and spoke cautiously.
"Your Ladyship, you should go. His Majesty is very angry. It seems he saw something he shouldn't have."
Xiao Wan Zi secretly bit his tongue. As a servant, he dared not reveal his master's affairs. However, he truly didn't know what had happened. He had, though, seen a snow-white pigeon in the study.
He didn't know who had shot the pigeon, to which a piece of paper was tied. What was written on that paper, he had no idea.
Liu Liu’s heart gave a start, her expression darkening slightly. The wisdom in her pupils flickered as she carefully analyzed Xiao Wan Zi’s words. It seemed His Majesty had obtained something that was unfavorable to her. What could it be?
Since he wanted to see her, hiding was not an option. She would go. Turning, she began to walk out. Xiao Wan Zi, Cui’er, Cai Xia, and several other palace maids followed closely behind Her Ladyship towards the study.
The study was not far from Weiyang Palace, but not close either. Liu Liu, feeling a sense of inner apprehension, forgot to ride in the sedan chair and walked instead towards the study. The palace maids and Xiao Wan Zi following her did not dare to disturb her.
Her Ladyship could be quite formidable when angered. They only followed at a distance, making their way towards the study.
In front of the study, several eunuchs on duty stood guard, their heads bowed. Only when Liu Liu approached did they nervously call out, "Her Ladyship is here!"
"Hmm," Liu Liu hummed lightly. Xiao Wan Zi had already swiftly entered the study to report. Inside the study, Feng Xie’s handsome face was contorted with a dark, gloomy expression. His black eyes were as dark and cold as a sliver of ice as he stared intently at a carrier pigeon on the ground.
This was a pigeon shot down by Jin Shaoyuan, who had received some news on his way to the palace. It clearly bore the name of Her Ladyship the Empress and a message: "I have returned." To think that Her Ladyship, while within the harem, was involved with people outside. And what was her purpose in doing so?
The thought made Feng Xie’s entire being seethe with anger. He had been occupied with state affairs for the past few days and had no time to see that woman.
He had intended to visit her after finishing his work, but now this matter had arisen. Who was communicating with the Empress, and what was their motive? Feng Xie’s lips curved into a sinister smile. If he discovered that the Empress harbored any unspeakable secrets, he would never forgive her lightly.
Xiao Wan Zi entered the study and cautiously reported to the Emperor, "Your Ladyship is here?"
"Let her in," his cold, devoid-of-warmth voice caused Jin Shaoyuan, who was by the side of the study, to tremble inwardly. At this moment, the Emperor was no different from a demon from hell, his entire being radiating a violent aura, so chilling that no one dared to approach him.
Xiao Wan Zi, receiving the Emperor's command, turned and went back out to invite Her Ladyship in.
Liu Liu entered the study and immediately saw the frosty expression on Feng Xie’s handsome face. His eyes, fierce and cruel, stared at her as if she had committed some heinous crime.
Liu Liu couldn’t help but wear a cold smile. In Feng Xie's eyes, she had always been guilty, so this was nothing unusual. However, Jin Shaoyuan beside him was also glaring at her with cold fury. Liu Liu’s lips curled into a cold smile, and she curtsied.
"Liu Liu pays her respects to His Majesty." It was precisely because of her lowered head that she saw the snow-white pigeon on the ground. An arrow had pierced its body, its blood staining its pure white feathers, making it resemble a little bloody dove, devoid of its previous innocent charm.
Liu Liu’s mind buzzed, her face instantly turning deathly pale. Her eyes, in that moment, took on a chilling, icy coldness. She raised her head directly, glaring coldly at Feng Xie. He had actually cruelly killed her pigeon.
Xiao Bai and she shared a deep bond. To think it had died at the hands of these cruel people.
"Who killed it?"
Feng Xie's initial thunderous rage softened somewhat as his eyes met hers, filled with such indignant fury. It seemed this pigeon truly belonged to her. For just a pigeon, she had unleashed all her ferocity, a trace of hatred flashing in her eyes, as if she were ready to fight to the death.
"I?" Jin Shaoyuan, who was seated, stood up in response. He had not expected a pigeon to elicit such a strong reaction from Her Ladyship the Empress, and he felt somewhat taken aback.
He knew this pigeon was sent because his sister had informed him that a pigeon was evidence of the Empress’s treason. He had kept watch at the palace and finally saw a pigeon, shooting it down.
Unexpectedly, the message on it only said, "I have returned." They had pondered for a long time, trying to guess who this person was. The Emperor's expression grew increasingly grim. Now, with Her Ladyship the Empress so agitated, Jin Shaoyuan felt a prickle of fear.