“Could there be no commotion at all at midnight?” the calm Prime Minister Liu asked Cui'er, who was kneeling.
While he was also very anxious, Liu'er was not just a young lady of the Liu family; she was now also the Empress. No matter how unfavored she was, her status remained. If she disappeared, the Liu family would be held responsible.
“Your servant heard nothing?” Cui’er shook her head. How could an ordinary maid who knew no martial arts be so alert? In that case, she should have learned some martial arts earlier. Cui’er frowned in annoyance.
The Liu mansion was shrouded in gloom, but Liu Liu returned. Looking at the chilling and somber atmosphere in the hall, she knew it was due to her disappearance. She quickly smiled and spoke.
“I’m back. What’s going on?”
The moment Liu Ting saw Liu Liu return, he flashed forward and quickly took Liu Liu’s hand, examining her thoroughly and anxiously asking, “Liu’er, are you alright? Who abducted you?”
“I’m fine. Actually, that person meant no harm. I fell ill in the night, and they took me to a medical hall to see a doctor. Please don’t worry.”
Liu Liu did not want to involve Nangong Yue. If she revealed Nangong Yue’s name, her brother would definitely seek him out for retribution. Then, last night’s events would alert the Emperor. What was a minor matter could potentially escalate into something earth-shattering.
“Liu’er fell ill?” Upon hearing Liu Liu’s words, Madam Liu’s usually gentle and graceful face turned cold. She sharply questioned Cui’er, “How did you attend to the young lady? You didn’t even know when she fell ill?”
Cui’er immediately kowtowed in panic. Hearing her mistress’s words, she also felt remorse. How could she, as a maid, not know when her mistress fell ill? Moreover, judging by Xiao Ka’s demeanor yesterday evening, something had seemed off. It was a pity she had been too careless.
“Your servant deserves to die. Please punish me, Madam.” xxs壹贰
Seeing her mother’s anger, Liu Liu quickly released her brother’s hand, went over, and held Madam Liu’s hand, gently swaying it. “Mother, please don’t be angry. It’s not Cui’er’s fault. Everything was fine yesterday evening. I just fell ill in the night, and it’s not a serious illness, just a slight fever.”
Madam Liu’s expression softened slightly. She reached out and touched Liu Liu’s forehead. Feeling that it was normal, she breathed a sigh of relief. However, she still warned Cui’er, “If you serve your mistress like this again, I will punish you severely.”
“Yes, your servant understands,” Cui’er said, carefully kowtowing. Liu Liu, holding her mother’s hand, turned and instructed Cui’er, “Go down now.”
Cui’er quickly retreated. Madam Liu embraced her daughter and sighed, “You are simply too kind-hearted. Living in the palace, never be kind to anyone easily. Mother truly fears you will be bullied by those with ulterior motives.”
“Mother, it’s alright. I’m hungry,” Liu Liu pouted, her large eyes showing a desperate hunger, as if she were truly starving. In fact, she was indeed hungry.
Prime Minister Liu, who was sitting beside Madam Liu, immediately ordered the steward outside the hall upon hearing his daughter’s words, “Prepare breakfast immediately. Her Highness is hungry.”
“Yes, Master,” the steward, relieved, quickly rushed outside. The Empress had finally returned. He was not unaware of the gravity of the situation.
The Empress was a person of noble status. Although rumors suggested she was unfavored, her position as the mother of the nation was undeniable. Any minor incident involving her could bring disaster to the Liu family.
Prime Minister Liu saw that his son Liu Ting’s expression had softened. He looked up and concernedly instructed, “Ting’er, Liu’er is back. You should return to your courtyard and apply your medicine. You can have breakfast in your room later.”
“Yes, Father,” Liu Ting stared at Liu Liu. He knew that Liu Liu refused to reveal who had abducted her, fearing he would deal with that person. That person must be someone he knew. Who could it be?
His dark eyebrows furrowed, and a sinister glint appeared in his deep black pupils. If he found out who had abducted Liu Liu, he would show no mercy. He slowly turned and walked out.
Liu Liu peeked out from her mother’s embrace and called out with concern, “Brother, Liu’er will come to see you later.”
“Alright,” he replied, turning back with a doting smile. Under the sunlight, his smile bloomed like a flower, his entire face radiating brilliance.
Prime Minister Liu and Madam Liu exchanged a glance. A hint of worry was visible in each other’s eyes. Ting’er was excessively doting on his sister. Now, no matter how many matchmakers came to their door, he refused to marry. What could be done? The Liu family depended on him to carry on the lineage.
Two young maids had already entered from outside the hall and helped Liu Ting walk out. The hall suddenly fell silent, the quiet air filled with a faint worry.
Liu Liu looked up at her mother and father. Both their faces were very solemn. What had happened? Hadn’t she returned?
“Father, Mother, what has happened? Why do you both look so worried?”
Madam Liu’s beautiful, fair face could not conceal her dejection. She reached out to stroke Liu Liu’s head and spoke softly, “It’s Ting’er. So many matchmakers have worn out our doorstep, but he refuses to marry. Your parents are a little worried.”
Upon hearing her mother’s words, Liu Liu couldn’t help but chuckle. So her mother was worried about her brother’s marriage. Her brother, such a distinguished man, naturally wouldn’t look at those gaudy and common women. He would definitely find the person he liked. Therefore, her mother’s worries were unnecessary.
“Mother, my brother is so handsome, and so many women want to marry him. Yet you are still worried? Besides, the matchmakers who come are all daughters of officials. They are usually delicate and pretend to be elegant. Let alone brother, even Liu’er finds them unbearable. So, please don’t worry. Brother’s marriage will be settled, and it will be with someone very beautiful and filial to Mother and Father. Will Mother not love Liu’er then, and love her sister-in-law even more?”
Liu Liu pretended to blink her eyes with great emotion, making Prime Minister Liu and Madam Liu laugh. This girl was their joy. Ever since she started clinging to them at the age of twelve, this had never stopped for so many years.
“How could Mother not love Liu’er? When a sister-in-law arrives, even she will love Liu’er,” Madam Liu reached out and pinched her beloved daughter’s small nose.
Liu Liu pouted in protest, and mother and daughter bickered playfully. Prime Minister Liu watched contentedly. How long had it been since his wife had laughed so happily?
“My Lords, Madam, breakfast is ready,” a little maid walked in from outside the hall and bowed respectfully. “Yes,” Prime Minister Liu waved his hand. Madam Liu stood up and led her daughter to the dining hall.
Breakfast was extremely lavish, a table full of pastries. Normally, they wouldn’t be so extravagant, but because the Empress was of noble status, the steward had prepared more. Liu Liu frowned displeasedly. Madam Liu saw this and quickly asked with concern.
“Liu’er, what’s wrong? Is the breakfast not to your liking?”
“No, Father, Mother. There are so many beggars in the city who can only have porridge, and we are wasting so much for one breakfast. It is truly wrong. From now on, let’s prepare simply, as we did before.”
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Liu agreed with his daughter. As Prime Minister, he naturally should seek welfare for the people of Tian Feng. Beggars were everywhere on the streets, yet their Prime Minister’s mansion’s breakfast was so extravagant and wasteful. His expression darkened as he called out towards the outside.
“Steward Liu?”
The steward walked in. Seeing that the Master and the Empress were both staring at him, and thinking he had prepared unsatisfactory food, he was startled and quickly knelt down, “Master? Is the breakfast I prepared not good enough?”