In the flower hall, the young maids had already set up the table and laid out a table of exquisite dishes. Only the palace staff knew the identities of the Emperor and Empress. The people in the Blazing Flame Tower had no idea, but they could tell that the guests before them were important figures and served them diligently, not daring to be negligent.
The Emperor sat at the head of the table, and Liu Liu, Bai Han, and Mu Xing also sat down. Except for Hong Xiu, all the other young maids withdrew.
Seeing the dim expression on Liu Liu's face, Feng Xie was startled. He was only eager to see Liu'er and hadn't paid attention to other matters.
"What's wrong?" a magnetic voice inquired, carrying a hint of authority, yet also a touch of casual indolence. This was, of course, directed only at Liu Liu; others would not have had such a privilege.
"Wuyang is also here. You haven't seen her in five years, and you don't know what kind of life she's been living?"
Liu Liu felt a pang of heartache when she thought of the suffering Wuyang had endured. Wuyang had always been fond of clinging to her since childhood. She was one of the few who knew her secrets but had never betrayed her. She had always protected her, clinging to her, believing that her cousin was the most remarkable woman in the world. However, her cousin's acquiescence back then had harmed her, causing a blockage in her heart.
She had believed that love alone could conquer all, but she didn't realize that love was not enough; a suitable environment was also necessary. When Yun Jinshu was not by his mother's side, he could be considered a formidable man. But when he encountered his mother, everything went awry. In five years, he had probably worn away all of Wuyang's affection.
"What happened to her?"
Feng Xie's chopsticks paused, his eyes filled with profound coldness, as deep as a bottomless pool, with surging tides. For five years, he had been lost in the pain of losing Liu'er. Moreover, he had disagreed with Wuyang marrying so far away, yet she insisted on going, and she left so decisively, not much different from a commoner eloping. Therefore, how could they have thought of visiting her? They had always thought of her as a high and mighty princess, and that the Yun family would dare to disrespect a princess. They didn't realize that a phoenix in distress is no match for a chicken. Seeing that the capital had been indifferent to the princess, they treated her as an unfavored princess, and thus became even more harsh towards her.
"She almost lost her life. If I had arrived any later, she would be dead. Lou Si Jing was hiding in the Lu family of Yelan City, colluding with Luo Xiangsi to harm the princess. Fortunately, she's fine."
Liu Liu sighed, feeling a lingering fear when she thought of it. Fortunately, they had arrived, and Wuyang was safe.
"What?" Feng Xie was furious. He threw down the chopsticks in his hand. This Lou Si Jing was too audacious to come here and harm someone. As for that Luo Xiangsi, they must be severely punished. And what was the Yun family thinking, treating a princess like that?
"Come! Immediately imprison all those who harmed the princess and execute their entire families!"
With bloodthirsty eyes and thin, sharp lips, Feng Xie stood up and paced the flower hall, his imposing aura radiating outwards. Although Wuyang had been mischievous since she was young, she was his sister, and a princess of the royal family was almost killed. How could this not be shocking?
"Your Majesty, please do not be anxious."
Liu Liu quickly spoke. Yue Ying walked in from the door. Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling him to retreat, and stood up, standing beside Feng Xie, pulling him to sit down.
"The Yun family's business has been ruined by me. As for Yun Jinshu, we should let the princess decide, as this is her matter. The Luo family has already been sent to prison. Although Luo Xiangsi is the daughter-in-law of the Lu family, the Lu family was unaware of all this. It was Lou Si Jing who was pulling the strings from behind. Therefore, let the Lu family be spared."
Feng Xie said nothing about the Lu family, because he had already found out that Miss Lu had saved Mu Xing. In any case, he couldn't send the Lu family to prison. Moreover, Lu Wanqing was likely to marry Nangong Yue, and then she would be royalty. It wouldn't be good for him, the Emperor, to be too harsh on them.
Bai Han, who had been sitting there motionless, had a look of disbelief flash across his clear and noble face. How could a princess be so elegant? He felt a sudden urge to meet her. What kind of woman was she, who, despite her noble status, endured such unbearable pain?
"Where is that slut Lou Si Jing?" Feng Xie clenched his fists at this moment, his knuckles turning purple. His face was cold, sinister, and arrogant. He wanted to cut that damned woman into a thousand pieces. Liu Liu shook her head helplessly.
"She was captured initially, but she escaped using her cunning tricks again. However, I know who she went to find. She must have gone to find Feng Luo," Liu Liu said with certainty. This statement made Feng Xie and Bai Han suddenly realize, and they stared intently at Liu Liu's face.
"Prince Xiang, Feng Luo, where is he?" They asked in unison, their expressions containing suppressed coldness. Feng Luo was now a dangerous seed. Therefore, this man must be eliminated, otherwise, Tian Feng would never have peace.
"He has built an underground palace in the spirit mountain area between Yelan City and Fengmian City, and is recruiting troops everywhere. However, the spirit mountain territory is vast, and it's impossible to find his exact location at once. I am working on a solution," Liu Liu said solemnly. She truly couldn't think of a solution for a moment. Where in the vast spirit mountain was the underground palace built?
"As long as we know the location, that's enough. For now, let's not alert him. Let's slowly devise a plan to capture them all in one fell swoop," Bai Han's eyes flashed with a hint of joy. As long as they knew his location, it was enough. They would not beat the grass and startle the snake. They would strike at the most vulnerable point, and it would be a decisive blow.
"Mm." Although Liu Liu and Feng Xie were anxious, they also knew that they couldn't act recklessly or panic now. The most important thing was not to alert the snake. They had to come up with a plan and execute it with a single strike. Seeing the worry in Feng Xie's eyes, Liu Liu knew he was concerned about Wuyang, so she squeezed his hand.
"Let's eat something. After we finish, I'll take you to see if the princess has woken up. Her poison has been neutralized, so she should be fine."
As a result, everyone's mood was rather heavy. Even little Mu Xing felt the oppressive atmosphere. After eating a few bites, he put down his chopsticks and said obediently, "Mother, let's go see Auntie. Auntie must have woken up."
"Okay." Liu Liu stood up and walked out. Feng Xie and Bai Han stood up and followed her. Hong Xiu led Mu Xing out by the hand, instructing the young maids outside to clean up the hall.
The group headed towards the west side of the small courtyard. The moon was obscured by dark clouds, casting a faint, pale light. The swaying flower shadows were bleak and desolate, much like the oppressive mood of everyone present. They didn't know if the princess had woken up. As Liu Liu and the others reached the door, the guards standing guard respectfully saluted.
"Your Majesty, Empress, Lord Bai."
The commotion outside alerted Luo Yi inside. Luo Yi rushed out and bowed to her masters, "Luo Yi pays her respects to His Majesty, the Empress, and Lord Bai."
"How is the princess?" Liu Liu, worried about Wuyang's health, waved her hand, signaling Luo Yi to rise. Luo Yi's brow unfurrowed slightly. Fortunately, the Empress had arrived in time today, otherwise, her mistress would have certainly lost her life. "The princess has woken up. She ate a little porridge just now. Perhaps she is feeling much better and hasn't slept yet?"
"That's good." Hearing Luo Yi's words, everyone felt an inexplicable relief. Even Bai Han found himself strange, worrying about someone he had never met. Although she was a high and mighty princess, he was intrigued by her resilient character and wanted to see her. Without stopping, he followed closely behind the Empress into the room.
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