“No, Liu’er is living very well in Huaqing Palace, and didn't the Emperor decree that Liu’er must stay in Huaqing Palace forever? Why bother bestowing Weiyang Palace.”
After speaking, Liu Liu straightened her back and walked out, noble and extraordinary. A tempest of rage flashed in Feng Xie’s phoenix-like eyes, mixed with a trace of tenderness he himself was unaware of.
This woman is truly like a hedgehog. He kindly bestowed Weiyang Palace upon her, and she refused it. What could she be thinking? Did she believe he was infatuated with her? He was merely bestowing Weiyang Palace upon her so she could play her zither when he had nothing else to do.
Regardless of her outward appearance, her zither playing was unparalleled. Listening to her music could help one cast aside worldly distractions and savor a delicate gentleness.
Was she really just a hedgehog?
A cold smile curved Feng Xie's lips. Even if she were a hedgehog, he would pluck out her quills one by one. After she had felt the pain, she would obediently stay in the cage he had built for her, living the life she was meant to live.
Perhaps when he remembered her, he might favor her. If he did not grow tired of her, it would be for a lifetime.
Feng Xie thought through everything with a somber expression in the main hall of Cining Palace. As Liu Liu walked in the sunlight, she suddenly felt a chill envelop her. The weather wasn’t that cold, was it? Why did she feel as though someone was plotting against her?
Her expression darkened. Cui’er, walking beside her, asked with concern.
“Your Ladyship, are you alright?”
Liu Liu shook her head and continued walking. For a moment, she didn’t want to return to Huaqing Palace, so she wandered around the back palace.
The sky was a vast blue, with a few wisps of clouds drifting by. By the lake’s embankment, willows were tinged with golden threads. Withered lotus leaves and decaying foliage swayed gently in the lake water.
A gust of wind blew, and a few falling leaves swirled before them. Hibiscus and crape myrtle flowers were in the process of wilting.
The pavilions and corridors were exquisitely constructed. The rockeries were arranged in an orderly fashion, with strange rocks vying for uniqueness. Liu Liu walked along the long corridor. Cui’er and Cai Xia, the two young maids behind her, saw that their mistress was dejected and dared not speak casually, until Liu Liu turned around curiously.
“You two are usually so talkative. Why are you so quiet today?”
Cui’er and Cai Xia exchanged a smile and scratched their heads. Their mistress was unhappy, so how could they dare to speak? However, it seemed their mistress's mood had improved. Cui’er immediately spoke mysteriously.
“Your Ladyship, do you know? We just heard the eunuchs and maids in the palace spreading rumors that the Emperor stayed overnight in Huaqing Palace.”
“That’s not bad either. Didn’t the Emperor sleep on the couch outside Huaqing Palace last night?” Liu Liu spoke as she walked, gazing at the lush green scenery outside. Although there were no elaborate flowers, it was still a vibrant and elegant expanse.
“It’s not what Your Ladyship is thinking,” Cai Xia knew her mistress had misunderstood and quickly added, “They said the Emperor and the Empress… you know, he summoned her to his chambers.”
Cai Xia stammered. As an unmarried young lady, she naturally felt shy talking about matters of love and romance. After she finally finished speaking, Liu Liu understood her meaning.
She had initially thought the Empress Dowager and the two consorts were overthinking things, but she hadn't expected the eunuchs and maids in the palace to think the same way. The rumors must be spreading like wildfire. She couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.
This was why a group of women revolved around one man. The slightest stir would cause a sensation.
“Just ignore them,” Liu Liu continued turning inward along the long corridor and looked up to see a pavilion ahead.
Below the pavilion was a fishpond. A pavilion stood over the pond, enclosed by jade railings. A woman was standing on the bridge, admiring the goldfish playing in the pond.
Liu Liu was about to turn back; she disliked disturbing others. However, the woman had already noticed her. A voice as clear and melodious as pearls falling onto a jade plate rang out.
“Empress,” Liu Liu thought in surprise, “This woman is actually Princess Jie Lan? Didn't Princess Jie Lan move to Prince Yan’s estate? Why is she here?”
She looked around. It turned out this area was close to Yingfeng Pavilion. Princess Jie Lan was the mistress of Yingfeng Pavilion until she married Prince Yan, so it was normal for her to be here admiring the scenery.
“It’s Princess,” Liu Liu smiled faintly, polite yet distant. Although she admired Princess Jie Lan’s musical talent, she wasn't the type to be overly familiar with strangers upon first meeting; familiarity would come with spending more time together.
In the sunlight, Princess Jie Lan’s eyes, as clear and serene as shimmering water, sparkled captivatingly. She had an elegantly erect nose, lips as vibrant and red as cherries, and was dressed in the attire of the Tianfeng Dynasty.
She wore a flowing, pale lavender Huā Líng satin brocade pleated phoenix skirt. Her hair was lightly styled into a peach blossom bun, adorned with a pair of gold-inlaid jade tassel earrings that shone brilliantly.
The entire person seemed like a noble Xishi, a cherished flower. Such a woman of beauty and talent, Liu Liu smiled faintly, would surely win the love of Prince Yan in due time.
Jie Lan gazed at the woman before her, who seemed so ethereal. Though standing alone, she appeared like flowing clouds or wisps of smoke, faintly elegant and pure, as if she might vanish at any moment.
Such a talented woman, even with a birthmark on her face, it did not detract from her radiance. The two gazed at each other, and with a faint smile, they felt as if they had met a kindred spirit.
Jie Lan reached out, taking Liu Liu’s hand and leading her to the jade railing, pointing at the goldfish in the pond.
“Empress, look quickly, such beautiful goldfish!” Her small face was filled with excitement. She seemed to have completely forgotten the embarrassment Prince Yan, Feng Lie, had caused her. Now, she was a completely new and happy Jie Lan.
Liu Liu couldn’t help but wonder how she managed it. She had intended not to ask, but in the end, she couldn’t resist speaking softly…
“Princess, aren't you sad? He publicly embarrassed you like that?”
Jie Lan paused. It was a lie to say she wasn’t sad. How could she not be sad when she, a jewel cherished by her Emperor Father and Empress Mother, blessed with both talent and beauty, was publicly rejected in marriage?
She had cried all night yesterday, but when she woke up this morning, she felt much better.
Feng Lie not marrying her was because he was responsible for himself and her. They hadn't spent any time together. Did she want Feng Lie to be the kind of person who was easily swayed by beautiful women?
The man she admired was certainly not superficial. That was why she had given them three months.
If, after three months, there was still no outcome, she would say nothing. She had tried her best. One doesn't give out of a desire for reward; one gives because it brings them happiness, and it has nothing to do with others.
“Why would Your Ladyship think that? Actually, Jie Lan was sad, but I came to terms with it later. You know, Prince Yan must be confused. A strange woman suddenly saying she wants to marry him, he's bound to have reservations. If he still doesn't like me after three months, I won't force him,” Jie Lan said with a smile.
But Liu Liu could still see the loneliness in the depths of her eyes. For a woman to travel far to marry in another country and then be rejected, how could she not be sad?
However, she was very brave, accepting what she wanted with equanimity and striving for it. Liu Liu reached out and clasped Jie Lan’s hand. She could be friends with this woman.