Cuier stood by, serving. Liu Liu gestured for her to sit and try as well, as Cuier had also worked hard these past few days.
"Miss, no need. Please eat quickly," Cuier waved her hand. Although her mistress usually treated her without formality, there were many young maids watching now. If this were to reach the master's ears, she would face consequences.
Liu Liu's gaze swept across them, and understanding Cuier's concern, she quickly waved the young maids away.
As soon as Cuier saw that only her mistress and herself remained in the room, she swiftly grabbed a pastry, took a blissful bite, closed her eyes, and said with emotion.
"Miss, these pastries are so delicious! Can we not run away from home anymore? I've been so worried. No matter how good the outside food is, it doesn't taste right."
As Cuier was enjoying her pastry, a clear, crisp voice from a young maid sounded at the door: "Madam, is Miss eating pastries in here?"
The words struck Cuier's ears, and she immediately panicked. With a large piece of pastry stuck in her mouth, it neither went up nor down. She tried to swallow it with all her might, choked, and felt extreme pain as she bobbed her head and stretched her neck.
Madam Liu walked in and, upon seeing Cuier's pained expression with half a pastry still in her mouth, couldn't help but feel both amused and annoyed. "What are you doing here?"
Liu Liu quickly stood up, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Cuier, patting her back. Cuier hurriedly drank it, coughing incessantly. It took a while before she could breathe properly. Glancing at the other half of the pastry still in her hand, she quickly put it down and lowered her head with a wronged expression, "Madam?" awaiting her reprimand.
Madam Liu waved her hand, signaling Cuier to leave first. "I'll have a word with the young lady. You may go."
"Yes, Madam," Cuier, not expecting the Madam to blame her, nodded happily and retreated, closing the door behind her.
Liu Liu walked to her mother's side, took her hand, and they sat together on the couch. She softly asked, "Mother, did you need me for something?"
Mother is so beautiful. My beautiful elder sister looks so much like Mother. My brother resembles Father so much. Only I, in this body, am an anomaly in the Liu family. Yet, everyone in the Liu family dotes on me.
"Liu'er will be entering the palace soon, and Mother is reluctant to part with you," Madam Liu's voice trailed off, her eyes tinged with a faint tear. The candlelight in the room illuminated her face, making it look charming and gentle.
"Mother, it's alright. If you miss Liu'er, you can come to the palace to visit me," Liu Liu said matter-of-factly. After all, Mother is the Prime Minister's wife and the Empress Dowager's sister-in-law. It shouldn't be a problem to visit her daughter in the palace, right? Little did she know, this departure would be for a lifetime. Her mother was unsure if sending her daughter to the palace was the right decision and felt a sense of unease.
"Liu'er, if anything happens in the palace, you must find your Aunt, the Empress Dowager. She has always doted on Liu'er, do you understand?" Madam Liu carefully advised her daughter.
Liu Liu gently nestled into her mother's embrace, reaching out to hug her waist. Mother smelled so good. She had no memory of her parents from her previous life; all she had were memories of this mother, her gentleness, kindness, doting affection, and care.
"Mother, don't worry. Liu'er will take care of herself. You don't worry. You must take care of yourself from now on. Father is too busy with his duties and doesn't have time to look after Mother, so Mother must take care of herself."
"Yes, Mother knows. Our Liu'er has finally grown up. Mother is very happy," Madam Liu sniffled. She felt a bit annoyed with her husband's presumption. Liu'er clearly didn't want to enter the palace, so why did he make her go? Moreover, with Liu'er's appearance, if she were not favored in the palace, wouldn't it be harming her?
"Don't worry, Mother, I'll be fine," Liu Liu assured her repeatedly. They chatted about family matters for a long time, and eventually, Liu Liu fell asleep in her mother's arms. Madam Liu gazed at her daughter.
Liu'er, from now on, you will have to bear everything alone. Mother can only accompany you this far. Once you enter the palace, everything will depend on yourself. This is all your destiny.
Since the imperial decree had been issued, it extinguished Liu Liu's thought of running away again. She certainly could not disobey the imperial edict and implicate her family. If this was her fate, then she had to accept it.
With only five days left before entering the palace, Liu Liu had come to terms with it.
If ancient women ultimately could not escape the fate of marriage, entering the palace was not a bad option. There were many beauties in the palace, and with her own plain appearance, she thought it would be the safest.
With nothing to do, she could appreciate flowers and paint, or even sneak out of the palace for some leisure.
Thinking of this, Liu Liu couldn't help but smile faintly. She picked up half a scroll of books and her gaze shifted to the few canna lilies outside the window. The canna lilies possessed a unique beauty and charm.
Cuier looked over from a distance. Seeing her young lady switching between worry and joy, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "Miss, what are you thinking about? You're smiling so happily?"
Liu Liu turned her gaze, shook her head, and then lowered it to read her book. Cuier pouted helplessly. Once Miss starts reading, she becomes like an old monk in meditation, ignoring everyone.
The curtain rustled slightly. Cuier exclaimed with surprise, "Eldest Miss, you're back?"
It was Liu Si, Prime Minister Liu's eldest daughter, who entered from outside. Liu Si had eyebrows like silk and eyes like water, with skin as clear as snow, a natural beauty. Hearing that her sister was about to enter the palace, she had come to accompany her.
Hearing Cuier's cry, Liu Liu quickly looked up. It was truly her beautiful sister back. Happily, she put down her book, stood up, and went to greet her.
This beautiful elder sister was as gentle as their mother, speaking in a soft, delicate voice that was as refreshing as a spring breeze. She particularly liked her sister, and her sister also liked her.
"Sister, why are you here?" Liu Liu held her sister's hand and sat down on the couch with her, asking happily.
Liu Si gazed tenderly at her sister. Liu'er was about to enter the palace. Was her indifferent and mischievous personality truly suited for life in the palace?
Although she was much better now, she still couldn't help but worry for her. Regarding their imperial cousin, the Emperor, she knew that he had disliked Liu'er since childhood. Therefore, if Liu'er entered the palace, the Emperor would certainly not favor her.
Father wasn't sending his daughter into a fire pit, Liu Si couldn't help but inwardly resent her father.
"Sister came to see you. I heard Liu'er is entering the palace in a few days," Liu Si said charmingly. Liu Liu gazed at her sister's elegant and captivating demeanor, completely mesmerized. Yet, it was said that such a beautiful and lovely person still suffered her husband's neglect.
Just like Father and Mother, who were so loving, Mother still took a concubine for Father. Fortunately, that concubine was Mother's dowry maid and had always respected Mother, so the Liu mansion remained peaceful.
Did women in ancient times have to take concubines for their husbands to show their virtuousness? Mother was like that, and Sister was too. Liu Liu's gaze darkened. She would never personally take a concubine for her husband.
"Sister, are you happy?"
Liu Liu asked softly, staring intently at her sister's face, curious if such a woman was truly willing or forced by the helplessness of reality.
On that soft and beautiful face, Liu Si bore a faint helplessness, looking at her sister's inquiring gaze.
"Liu'er, don't always stare at Sister. Sister has her own difficulties, which you wouldn't understand. That Huang Tianbiao is not Sister's fated husband. There are still good men in this world who are devoted and stay together."
Liu Si's gaze pierced through a grove of pink peach blossoms. A scholar playing a flute stood amidst the peach trees, looking at her affectionately and shouting.
"Si'er, let me take you away from here! Even if we are poor for a lifetime, I, Lin Mo, will only love Liu Si in this life and never betray you."