"The Princess worries too much," Liu Liu said with a gentle smile, as if nothing had happened. But the next moment, her clear, delicate face turned frosty, and she stared coldly at Jie Lan.
"If the Princess continues to do such despicable things, she might not be worthy of Prince Yan. Do you believe Prince Yan likes women with ulterior motives?"
Her words struck a chord, and Jie Lan shivered. Her mother had been right. Even if she plotted against others, did Feng Lie like women with schemes?
If she couldn't win his favor, all her efforts would be in vain.
"Jie Lan thanks the Empress for her warning. I will bear it in mind. Jie Lan knows the Empress cannot forgive me. I only seek peace of mind, not forgiveness. I take my leave."
"Very well, you may go. Although we cannot become friends, this Empress hopes you and Prince Yan will have a good outcome."
Liu Liu genuinely blessed them, not for Jie Lan's sake, but for Feng Lie's. Jie Lan was a decent woman. Although she had used her before, it wasn't too late to correct her mistakes.
"Thank you," Jie Lan said, tears welling in her eyes as she gracefully withdrew.
She had missed out on a true friend. They could have become confidantes, but a single misguided thought had severed their friendship.
Fortunately, she had realized her error early. Jie Lan stepped out of the Weiyang Palace, descended the stone steps, and looked up at the sky, which was as clear and bright as if washed by water. A smile touched her lips. She would strive for her own future.
As for the outcome, who knew? If she couldn't marry Feng Lie, she would remain in his kingdom even if she became a nun.
After walking a few steps, Jie Lan remembered something. She summoned her personal maid, gave a few instructions, and then waited in the distance.
The maid quickly lifted her skirt and ran up the stone steps, whispering a few words into Xiao Anzi's ear. Xiao Anzi's expression changed immediately, and he nodded his thanks to the maid.
The maid, nimble as a swallow, descended the steps, helped her mistress up, and the two left Weiyang Palace.
Xiao Anzi hurried into Weiyang Palace, exclaiming in alarm, "Empress, Princess Jie Lan just sent a maid to tell this servant to be wary of Consort Shu!"
Liu Liu's beautiful eyes darkened. As expected, that woman was stirring up trouble from the shadows. What did she intend to do?
Did she truly fear her? A sinister smile flickered across Liu Liu's lips. If that woman dared to cross her, she wouldn't be polite. The incident with Princess Jie Lan yesterday was likely orchestrated by her as well.
Liu Liu pursed her lips calmly, a fierceness rising in her eyes. Jin Jiali, you are indeed starting to plot. To think that a once innocent woman would become so cunning after entering the palace. Was she coveting her position as Empress?
The Empress's position was merely a burden to her. Whoever wanted it could have it. But this was not their concern; it was the Emperor's business. The Emperor would decide who would be Empress. The current Empress did not guarantee eternal status; how many Empresses had been deposed throughout history?
If she had time to covet her rank, it would be better to focus on capturing that man.
"Alright, you may go," Liu Liu waved, signaling Xiao Anzi to leave. Once he was gone, Cui'er angrily cursed, "That Consort Shu is truly despicable. How did the Empress offend her for her to want to deal with the Empress?
A viper-hearted beauty, she's unworthy of the title of the capital's beauty. Everyone should see her true face."
"Don't be angry. There's no point in getting upset over someone like that. It's not worth ruining your health. However, we must be careful. There are many more servants in Weiyang Palace than before, so we must be cautious and avoid falling into that woman's wicked scheme."
Cui'er nodded. She was a newly promoted female official in Weiyang Palace and personally oversaw all of the Empress's affairs, so she would not allow disloyal eunuchs and maids to approach the Empress.
"Yes, this servant understands."
The full moon shone brightly. The tall palace walls seemed clear and lustrous, as if washed by water. Dewdrops, clear and bright, adorned the chrysanthemums throughout the garden. The autumn wind blew, and the night air was cool and serene.
The grass by the quiet path shimmered with a hint of coldness, forming a small, verdant ribbon. A tall, slender figure flashed by with supernatural speed.
Not long after finishing her meal, Liu Liu reclined on the couch, listening to Cui'er tell jokes. Several maids stood nearby, massaging her legs. Laughter erupted in the brightly lit palace, all amused by Cui'er's jokes.
Even Liu Liu laughed until she was weak, feeling a sense of unusual heat.
Indifferently, she tugged at her long robe and continued listening to Cui'er's stories. But why was she so hot? She quickly instructed Cai Xia, who was nearby.
"Bring me a cup of water?"
"Yes," Cai Xia, engrossed in Cui'er's jokes, quickly poured a cup of water. Liu Liu took it and drank several large gulps, but the heat in her body did not dissipate. Instead, it intensified. Sweat beaded on her forehead. The autumn night was cool, so why did she feel so hot?
Liu Liu forced herself to calm down, her palms sweating profusely. She wondered if her body was too weak, causing her to feel unwell. She looked up and continued listening to Cui'er.
Moonlight poured through the palace's vermillion railings, casting a delicate, veil-like glow. Xiao Nianzi, hearing the laughter from the palace in the distance, felt restless and quickly snuck in to listen for a while. Liu Liu looked up, her eyebrows furrowed with displeasure.
"Xiao Nianzi, why are you in the main hall instead of guarding outside? This is too disrespectful."
Xiao Nianzi was startled, then remembered his duty and quickly bowed respectfully. "Reporting to the Empress, Lord Nangong requests an audience."
"Hmm, what does he want?" Liu Liu tugged at the collar of her clothes, exhaled, and her face grew flushed. Had she fallen ill again and was feeling feverish? It was fortunate that Nangong Yue had arrived; she could have him examine her illness. She nodded and instructed Xiao Nianzi.
"Let Lord Nangong in."
Seeing that the Empress had a guest, Cui'er and the other maids stopped talking and stood to the sides. The hall fell silent. The gauze curtains fluttered, releasing a delicate fragrance. Exquisite palace lanterns hung from the four corners, illuminating the moonlight, creating an elegant and beautiful scene.
Clad in snow-white robes, with his raven hair loose, Nangong Yue, as handsome as a deity, floated into the Weiyang Palace hall. In the dazzling darkness, such a handsome man made the maids in the Weiyang Palace hall blush.
This Imperial Physician Nangong was truly the ideal man in women's eyes. Even Liu Liu felt that Nangong Yue looked somewhat different tonight, appearing particularly captivating, causing her heart to pound faster and her throat to feel dry.
Could she be so lustful? Liu Liu wondered doubtfully, her body growing hotter, as if a fire were scorching her. And upon seeing Nangong Yue, she felt particularly agitated, as if she wished to reach out and grab him. Liu Liu couldn't comprehend what was happening to her tonight.
She quickly placed her hands on her wrist, her pulse racing, completely unlike a normal person. Had she been drugged? Her mind buzzed. Who would drug her?
Although there were many maids and eunuchs in Weiyang Palace, only four people had direct access to her food and drink: Cai Xia, Ming Yue, Cui'er, and Qiao'er. It was impossible for the chefs to have drugged her.
The chefs in Weiyang Palace had been brought from Huaqing Palace. If they had wanted to harm her, they would have done so long ago. Therefore, one of these four must be a traitor.