Feng Xie hadn't expected this ugly woman to say such things. Although her words were reasonable and wise, seeing her calmness ignited a burning rage within him. At the very least, she should have appeared saddened, not so composed. He, Feng Xie, was the most powerful man in the Tianfeng Dynasty. Wasn't it an honor for an ugly woman to marry him, something she should have been ecstatic about? At the very least, she should have been utterly infatuated, regardless of his dislike for her.
"Get out of the carriage," Feng Xie commanded coldly, ignoring Liu Liu's words.
Liu Liu looked at the self-important man. An idea flashed through her mind. She turned her face, half-covered by a blood-red birthmark, towards Feng Xie and leaned in. As expected, she saw a flicker of disgust in his eyes. Before he could react, she quickly exited the imperial carriage and calmly reminded him.
"You should consider my words. I'm telling you this because I heard the eunuchs say you are a wise ruler, not someone who acts on impulse."
Feng Xie, furious, yelled forward, "Go back!" The young eunuch in front of the carriage flinched and quickly drove the imperial carriage away from the Huaqing Palace.
In front of the Huaqing Palace, Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi saw their Empress return. They knew the ceremony of officials paying homage was complete, but why had the Emperor abandoned the Empress and left her there? Today was their wedding day, and many more ceremonies were scheduled.
"Empress, are you alright?" Xiao Anzi asked cautiously. The Empress's face was calm, and they couldn't tell if she was sad or upset.
"I'm fine. Let's go inside." Liu Liu cast aside her unhappiness, believing Feng Xie had taken her words to heart. Perhaps they would be the most mismatched couple in the world, but wasn't that what she had hoped for initially? In the future, the Emperor would live his life, and she would live hers. It wasn't a bad outcome.
As Liu Liu entered the Huaqing Palace, Cui'er and Qiao'er rushed out. Seeing no one behind their Empress, they remembered that today should have been the wedding night for the Emperor and Empress. Unfortunately, the Empress had nothing. Cui'er and Qiao'er couldn't help but feel sorry for their mistress, their little faces contorted with sadness.
"Miss? Cui'er is so sad?"
"What's there to be sad about? It's alright now, and there will be peace. Don't overthink it." Liu Liu waved her hand dismissively. She had been woken up early this morning and was now feeling very sleepy. She yawned and turned to instruct the young maids, "Don't disturb me. I'm tired and want to sleep."
"Okay." At such a time, Cui'er and Liu'er obediently nodded, daring not to displease their Empress.
Liu Liu walked into the sleeping quarters and collapsed onto the bed. She closed her eyes. Despite appearing strong and proud in front of everyone, the grievances in her heart still remained. Tears slid down the corners of her eyes, shattering even her last shred of a woman's dream.
The night was deep, and moonlight like silk cast a soft, graceful glow. Throughout the imperial palace, lights blazed everywhere, and voices were boisterous. The banquet had reached its climax, the cheers of the crowd, the clinking of wine cups, and the sounds of music blending into a lively scene.
Today was the wedding day of the Emperor and the Empress. However, the groom, the Emperor, was hiding in the Yongyuan Hall, drinking with his three closest friends, all handsome men.
Prince Yan Feng Lie, the Minister of War Jin Shaoyuan, and the Imperial Physician Nangong Yue. As the Emperor became more engrossed in his drinking, the three men hastened to persuade him. "Your Majesty, enough. Today is your wedding day. You should stop drinking."
Feng Xie waved his hand, casting a sweeping glance at the three men surrounding him. They were all as if they had stepped out of a painting. Any one of these men walking down the street would make women's hearts race and elicit screams of adoration. Yet, in that woman's eyes, they were likely nothing. She was an ugly woman, yet she regarded them with disdain. The thought of it made him resentful. Although he knew her words were reasonable, he wanted to provoke her until she fell in love with him, only to then cruelly cast her down from a great height.
"Do you know? That ugly woman actually looked down on朕. Today, she even put on airs, telling朕 about 'two parts not interfering,' and that in the future,朕 would live朕's life, and she would live hers. Do you hear how hateful that is?" As Feng Xie spoke, a coldness surfaced on his bewitching face, and his entire being exuded rage. Feng Lie heard his words and was unconcerned, as that woman was simply like that. However, the other two men found it somewhat difficult to comprehend. Wasn't she rumored to be the ugliest woman in the capital? Even a man like the Emperor, who possessed both power and beauty, was looked down upon by her. She was truly a remarkable woman. They truly wished to meet her.
"Imperial Brother, actually, the Empress is a very good person. In time, you will discover her goodness and fall in love with her." Feng Lie imagined the woman's clear and pure heart, her resilient and stubborn personality, her gentle softness when she thanked him yesterday. Each aspect was so captivating.
"Fall in love with her?" Feng Xie was stunned. Jin Shaoyuan and Nangong Yue were also taken aback. Could the Emperor, such an arrogant and high-minded individual, truly fall in love with a woman? Especially a woman notorious for her ugliness. The three men burst into raucous laughter, staggering from their seats, especially Feng Xie, who had long forgotten his imperial status, slapping the table and gesturing towards his imperial brother.
"Feng Lie, if朕 were to fall in love with that ugly woman, it would be you. Would you? If you want her, just say the word anytime, and朕 will give her to you." As Feng Xie's words fell, Jin Shaoyuan and Nangong Yue were stunned. Wasn't this a bit excessive? Today was his wedding day, and he was offering his Empress to his imperial brother. But would Feng Lie dare to accept? The three men fixed their gazes on Feng Lie.
Feng Lie hadn't expected that he, who had intended to advise his Imperial Brother, would now become the focus. His handsome phoenix-like brows lifted, and he coldly swept his gaze over the three men watching with amusement. The corners of his lips twitched a few times.
"Imperial Brother, today is your wedding day. Is it not too irresponsible to say such things?"
"Didn't you say that woman was good? What, can't you do it either?" Feng Xie clearly didn't believe anyone could fall in love with that ugly woman. Regardless of what others thought, at least the exceptional men among them wouldn't fall for her. Those who could be paired with the four of them should be the most spiritually endowed daughters of heaven and earth, not the renowned ugliest woman in the capital.
"You? Remember today's words. I hope you won't regret it." Feng Lie's face turned green with anger. His Imperial Brother had gone too far. He flicked his sleeve and stood up, flashing out of the Yongyuan Hall. As he calmed down along the way, he asked himself, what would have happened if he had spoken up and taken Liu'er just now? But why had he hesitated? Was it because he feared the ridicule of the others? More importantly, he hadn't fallen in love with her; he merely admired her, treating her like a good friend. When it came to women, he seemed to prefer those who were beautiful and tender. His words were spoken entirely to help her.
In the Yongyuan Hall, the Emperor looked at Feng Lie's receding figure and couldn't help but sneer, "To give her to him, and he gets angry and runs back to lecture朕."
"Since Your Majesty dislikes her, and she has clearly stated her attitude, why is Your Majesty still angry? You know, if she were someone who pestered endlessly, wouldn't Your Majesty be very tired?" Nangong Yue kindly reminded Feng Xie, tossing his black hair and slanting himself onto the couch, raising his wine cup and pouring some wine into his mouth.
"Yes, after all, she is the niece of the Empress Dowager. Since Your Majesty dislikes her, stop thinking about her attitude. The two of them represent the image of the imperial family. The common people outside do not understand the situation. If they were to say gossip, wouldn't it be detrimental to the Tianfeng Dynasty? You must know that the subjects of Tianfeng have transitioned from the previous dynasty. Some may not necessarily support the new dynasty. Every generation has its own way of doing things. Your Majesty should think more about the overall situation," Jin Shaoyuan reminded him solemnly, his chiseled handsome face with its regular features belonging to a handsome and sunny man, even his voice carried a robust resonance.