The Emperor, no marriage.
The crisp words flew out of the Prime Minister's mansion, carrying a hint of cynicism and an unyielding resolve.
In the backyard of the Prime Minister's mansion, seated in a pavilion with beasts carved at the four corners, was the Prime Minister Liu Wenjie, the Empress Dowager's own brother and the Emperor's maternal uncle. His handsome face, untouched by the passage of time, radiated an even greater charm.
On the other side sat Madam Liu, formerly the daughter of the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, a renowned talent in the capital in her day. She and Prime Minister Liu were a match made in heaven.
Over the years, the couple had lived in mutual respect and had three children. Their eldest daughter, Liu Si, was married to the eldest son of the Minister of War. Their son, Liu Ting, held a position in the Censorate. Their youngest daughter, Liu Liu, was the one who gave them the most headaches.
Liu Liu, at twenty years of age, remained unmarried, solely because of a birthmark the color of blood on her face, coupled with her carefree and unruly disposition. This truly troubled her parents. It wasn't that she didn't want to marry, but rather that no one came to propose.
On the rare occasions when someone did come to propose, they were usually driven away by Liu Liu, as these men were clearly the ones who couldn't find anyone else.
Lin Yuqiu gazed at her daughter, who was sitting by the edge of the pavilion. In the sunlight, Liu Liu's fair and delicate face was softly illuminated. Her delicate eyebrows, powdered with rouge, were faintly veiled by a misty aura. Her well-defined nose was small and lovely, and her lips, shaped like a rhombus, resembled flower petals, appearing refined beneath the sheer gauze.
She wore a plum blossom patterned jacket on her upper body and a white pleated skirt below. Her hair was styled in a high bun, with a small phoenix-shaped hairpin adorned with stepping stones. The entire figure was as elegant and fresh as a lotus just blooming in a pond on a morning.
If it weren't for the blood-red birthmark on half of her face, matchmakers would have surely trampled the doorstep. It was precisely because of the birthmark on half of her face that she remained unnoticed.
Prime Minister Liu, seeing his daughter's age, was extremely anxious. He went into the palace to discuss the matter with his elder sister, the Empress Dowager. With the Emperor's selection ceremony approaching, why not have Liu'er participate? The late Emperor had left a decree stating that if Liu Liu entered the palace, she would surely become Empress.
"Liu'er, your father went to the palace today. The Empress Dowager wants you to enter the palace for the selection in half a month. Prepare yourself." As Madam Yun finished speaking, Liu Liu immediately objected.
"Father, Mother, Liu'er doesn't want to get married, let alone enter the palace for the selection," Liu Liu said, swinging her legs while sitting on the railing, occasionally tossing small pebbles into the lake. She spoke indifferently, not taking it to heart at all.
Who would have known that she, Liu Liu, was a transmigrator from a civilized modern era, having been here for eight years? She had died of illness back then and had unexpectedly gained a chance to survive in this different world.
Why should she get married? Men in ancient times had three wives and four concubines, and women were bound to be heartbroken. Why bother seeking heartache? Living like this was happiness for her.
Her beautiful sister, who was like a flower, married into the Huang family. In less than two years, she was busy arranging for her husband to take concubines, displaying her wifely virtues.
But was she truly happy?
It seemed her sister secretly shed tears when no one was around. If she didn't like it, why act that way?
Her sister once stroked her head and sighed, saying nothing, yet her eyes were filled with deep sorrow. She thought Liu Liu didn't understand, but how could she not?
Since she was so ugly now and no one proposed, what was wrong with living alone? It was enjoyable and carefree.
Thinking this, Liu Liu couldn't help but smile. Anyway, she was the Prime Minister's daughter; she didn't have to get married and could live a life of luxury forever.
Moreover, she was also the renowned Seven Nights of the capital, possessing a black market she had established. Even if she lived like this for the rest of her life, Liu Liu would not worry about food or clothing.
Madam Liu looked at her daughter, momentarily lost in thought. Liu'er was truly special. A noble aura emanated from her, and her every movement was imbued with a restrained wildness.
"Liu'er, but you are no longer young. You cannot remain unmarried your whole life. The late Emperor left a decree that if Liu Liu entered the palace, she would surely become Empress. At that time, you would be second only to one person in the realm," Madam Yun naturally did not want her daughter to grow old alone. She hoped a man would recognize her true worth and love Liu'er dearly in their stead.
Especially now that Liu'er was so lovely, she wondered if the Emperor could achieve this.
"Mother? I will never enter the palace," Liu Liu said firmly, jumping off the railing and running to her mother's side, tugging at her sleeve in a pout.
"My Lord?" Madam Yun cast a hesitant glance at her husband. Perhaps it was fine if their daughter refused to enter the palace; maybe her destiny did not lie within the imperial palace.
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Liu was determined this time to have his daughter enter the palace. He had already discussed it with his elder sister, the Empress Dowager, and Liu'er was truly not young anymore. They couldn't delay further. He didn't want his daughter to spend her life in loneliness.
"No, you must enter the palace this time. You are not allowed to leave the house recently. When the day comes, you will enter the palace," Liu Wenjie's attitude was very firm. He stood up and walked out of the pavilion without looking at his daughter and wife.
He was afraid that if he looked any longer, he would give in to their whims, which would be unacceptable. Liu'er was truly growing up.
"Mother?" Liu Liu raised her eyebrows in protest, looking at her beautiful mother. She had a strange feeling. Why were her parents so beautiful, and her brother and sister also beautiful, while Liu Liu looked so unsightly? Could she have been adopted? she wondered to herself.
Madam Liu affectionately patted Liu Liu's small hand and said helplessly, "My dear daughter, you will have to fend for yourself this time. Your father is serious, so you should prepare yourself with peace of mind. Your aunt, the Empress Dowager, is in the palace, so you don't have to worry too much."
After speaking, Madam Liu stood up and walked out with her maid.
Only Yun Yanliu and her personal maid, Cui'er, remained in the small pavilion. Cui'er saw that her young lady was neither anxious nor flustered. She slowly sat at the stone table, poured a cup of tea, and began to drink.
"Miss, are you really preparing to enter the palace?"
Cui'er knew that her young lady disliked entering the palace the most. Moreover, who would have thought that a dignified Prime Minister's daughter, the famous Seven Nights of the capital, would establish a black market, and even the government and official agencies would give her some face?
This was because all the people on that black market were beggars or vagrants taken in by Seven Nights. Because of Seven Nights's great deeds, the entire capital had prospered, the economy had flourished, and there wasn't a single beggar.
Liu Liu smiled. Cui'er looked at her smiling face and sighed. Miss wasn't ugly at all now, and her smile was incredibly radiant. When Cui'er looked at her, she would often get lost, not knowing where she was. Were those people blind?
"Cui'er, I'm going to run away from home. Do you want to come with me to see the streets? I haven't been for a long time. I wonder how they are doing?" Liu Liu excitedly put down the tea bowl and turned to look at the scenery in the garden. The myriad colorful flowers danced in the wind, butterflies fluttered, creating a stunningly beautiful scene. She hadn't been to the streets recently and missed those people dearly.
The Liu residence, a grand and deep mansion, adorned with carved beams and painted pillars, scattered with exotic flowers and lush green trees, was elegant and exquisite everywhere. Liu Liu stood by the edge of the pavilion, facing the wind, her skirt dancing in the breeze, exuding an indescribable elegance.
"Run away from home?" Cui'er cautiously turned her head and glanced at the garden, fearing someone might overhear.
Liu Liu remained silent. A scene surfaced in her memory. Eight years ago, when she had just transmigrated, she was at the age where girls dreamt of love.
Eight years ago, Liu Liu was a twelve-year-old girl, with two cute pigtails. She was playing hide-and-seek with the young maids in the backyard. The maids had hidden far away, and she couldn't find them. Running around the garden, she saw her cousin, who was then the Crown Prince.