“Let her in.” His brows furrowed, a fleeting sharpness flashing in his eyes, like two unsheathed swords, their cold light shooting out. If that woman dared to deceive him, he would never let her off easy.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xiaowanzi breathed a sigh of relief, bowing and backing away. He was truly afraid the Emperor wouldn't agree, because the Empress was so resolute. If the Emperor didn't see her, she would stand outside and refuse to leave.
Upon hearing Xiaowanzi say the Emperor was willing to see her, Liu Liu finally relaxed. As long as he saw her, she was confident she could save her brother. Although using the flood in Jingzhou was somewhat despicable, she couldn't stand by and watch her brother suffer.
On the high seat of the Yong Yuan Hall, Feng Xie lounged casually on the bright yellow soft couch, clad only in a brocade inner garment. His handsome face, framed by wild and evil charm, was etched with anger, his eyes gleaming with sharp light.
Liu Liu believed that if she couldn't come up with a good plan, Feng Xie would punish her and her brother together.
Fortunately, she had used three days of sleepless effort to devise a water-receding strategy. This not only saved the people of Jingzhou but also very possibly saved her brother and herself.
“I heard you wished to see Us, and that you have a way to save Jingzhou?”
A flicker of wisdom crossed Liu Liu’s eyes. She calmly gazed at the Emperor on the high seat, her demeanor elegant, showing no trace of haste. She truly seemed to possess a water-receding strategy.
Sunlight slanted onto her, illuminating her dark pupils, which were deep and confident. He was almost mesmerized. Never had a woman been able to face the Emperor with such composure, calmness, and confidence. She was unique.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this concubine can indeed resolve Jingzhou’s urgent situation.” After speaking, Liu Liu unhurriedly took a drawing out of her water cloud sleeves and waved it. She spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, “However, this concubine has a condition, which I hope Your Majesty can agree to?”
Feng Xie’s eyes narrowed slightly. He knew what she was about to say. If this drawing could truly resolve the crisis in Jingzhou, then what harm was there in releasing Liu Ting? Besides, he had already been beaten twenty times, and his heart felt balanced.
It was impossible to truly punish Liu Ting, as he hadn't actually committed a crime.
“Very well, I hope your method is effective.” A faint smile touched Feng Xie’s lips, a smile flowing with cold, murderous decisiveness. He locked his gaze onto the unattractive woman below.
In the past, he would have avoided her at all costs. But now, he could face her calmly. And the way she spoke was so radiant, confident, and even a little arrogant, as if there were nothing in the world she couldn't accomplish.
If she were a man, she would surely be his trusted minister.
“Then, release my brother immediately, and I will let you know if this method is effective.” Liu Liu nodded indifferently. She had intended to save the people of Jingzhou all along.
Feng Xie’s handsome eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint sweeping across them. He decided to trust this woman this once, because her expression was so focused and earnest, not at all like someone playing a trick.
Her entire small face shone with intelligence, making her impossible to underestimate. He stared, his gaze momentarily unfocused, and turned to instruct Xiaowanzi.
“Release Lord Liu immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xiaowanzi nodded and retreated, secretly admiring the Empress. She had so easily persuaded the Emperor to release Lord Liu. But did the Empress truly have a way to save Jingzhou? She hoped it wasn't a scheme, or she would suffer.
In the Yong Yuan Hall, only Feng Xie and Liu Liu gazed at each other. Their gazes, filled with sparking fire, dueled and assessed in the air. He raised a finely arched eyebrow, breaking the silence.
“The person has been released, bring the item over.”
Liu Liu curtsied, “Yes, Your Majesty.” She slowly walked to the dragon couch and presented the drawing with both hands. It was covered with crisscrossing figures and other things Feng Xie hadn't even bothered to look at. He frowned, his lips twitching several times.
He felt she had tricked him, casually drawing incomprehensible patterns to exchange for Liu Ting. This woman had great audacity. Feng Xie’s handsome face instantly became overcast and dark.
“Bold! What is this solution you present? How dare you randomly find patterns to deceive Us!”
Liu Liu raised her small face, her gaze filled with disdain and contempt. The darkness in her pupils was like a deep pool, emitting a dazzling light.
“Is everything that Your Majesty doesn’t understand considered deception?”
Feng Xie was stunned, silenced by Liu Liu’s words. This woman was always confident and proud, no matter the time or place. Her confidence, despite the birthmark on her face, seemed to cast a halo around her, making her radiant and captivating.
Her bright eyes, her long, curled eyelashes, her rosy lips – every feature was charming. It was only because of the birthmark on her face that he had deemed her ugly. In truth, upon closer inspection, she wasn't ugly at all. On the contrary, she was quite beautiful.
Sunlight streamed into the hall, making it somewhat stuffy. Feng Xie felt a sense of confusion.
Was it because he hadn’t been intimate with a woman for too long? He hadn't summoned the newly entered concubines to his chambers yet. He had a peculiar cleanliness, and even beautiful women sometimes disgusted him. Therefore, he wasn't an emperor who easily summoned women to his bed.
Only when he had made up his mind and his heart was at peace would he summon a woman. Thus, while he had initially intended to keep only two or three women, he ended up keeping over a dozen out of a sense of imbalance.
Liu Liu remained silent, waiting for Feng Xie’s response. After a long silence, she looked up strangely. She saw Feng Xie lounging casually on the dragon couch, his entire face bathed in light, making his handsome features even more dazzling. His brows were slightly furrowed, as if troubled by something.
His long eyelashes were thick and straight, giving his face a masculine charm. His nose was well-defined, and his lips were soft and pink, with a vibrant hue.
His dark hair, loosened from its tie, cascaded down to his chest, partially revealing his unbuttoned robes, exuding an indescribable sexiness and allure.
Liu Liu suddenly felt her throat dry and her heart burn, as if she were extremely uncomfortable. She was already feeling feverish, and seeing this alluring image of the handsome man before her, she felt as though stars were swimming before her eyes. She took two deep breaths.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty?” she called out calmly. A fine sheen of sweat beaded on her forehead, and her palms were also clammy. Her breathing was becoming uneven.
However, after her gentle call, Feng Xie snapped back to reality. He cursed himself inwardly. How could he have been so lost in thought about this woman? If this were to spread, he would be laughed out of the court. He quickly lowered his expression.
“Are you certain this drawing can resolve Jingzhou’s crisis?” He gestured with the drawing. Since he couldn’t understand it, he decided to let this woman explain it.
“Yes.” Liu Liu’s clear eyes were bright with confidence. She curved her lips into a faint smile, a smile tinged with a hint of bewilderment.
“Good, come here and tell Us, what is this damned drawing about?” Feng Xie casually pushed aside a strand of his dark hair, frowning and muttering.
Liu Liu’s body swayed slightly, her face flushing a deep red. Feng Xie couldn’t help but be surprised. This woman seemed somewhat different, with her flushed face and heated demeanor. Could her weakness be…?
Seeing that she couldn't bear to look at the sexy, alluring handsome man was quite amusing. A playful smile played on Feng Xie’s lips.
Liu Liu took a step back, intending to refuse. But seeing the man on the high seat with an unyielding expression, she had no choice but to step forward to report. Why were her footsteps so heavy? What was happening?
Finally reaching the high steps, before she could steady herself, her figure leaped through the air and landed on the dragon couch beside Feng Xie.
She gasped, her entire body falling into his embrace, her small face landing precisely on his firm chest muscles, which exuded a masculine musk. Her head buzzed, her brain instantly went blank. Feng Xie looked at her increasingly flushed face, a calculating smile playing on his lips. So, this was her weakness.