Within the grand hall of Fengluan Palace, Qingyao sat unmoving, maintaining her previous posture.
Little Yu'er watched her mother with worry. Mo Chou and Bing Xiao dared not utter a word. Their mistress must be in immense pain.
Not only was there Xi Men Xin Yue, but soon many other women would enter the palace. Had the Emperor truly only intended to use their mistress? Now that the seven kingdoms were unified, had he forgotten her sacrifices?
The hall was as still as a stagnant pool, devoid of any spring vitality.
It felt frozen and cold.
Little Yu'er could bear it no longer and rushed out, her angry voice echoing, "I'm going to find Father! Why treat Mother like this? If he insists on taking concubines, we'll leave and never return to the palace."
Upon hearing the princess's words, Mo Chou's face changed drastically. Qingyao also snapped back to reality and sternly commanded, "Quick, go after the princess. Don't let her find the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mo Chou flashed out. In the hall, Bing Xiao looked at her mistress and slowly asked, "Your Highness, what now? Should we leave the palace, or…?"
She found herself unable to bring herself to suggest their mistress stay, for all the unfolding events were utterly unexpected.
Qingyao's pupils were deep and unfathomable. After a long pause, she spoke.
"Bing Xiao, do you know? I always feel as though the Emperor has changed. He's no longer the Emperor he used to be. I don't doubt the former Emperor at all. He did so much for me; I believe he was truly sincere towards me.
Then what is all this for now? Has the Emperor suffered some kind of shock? I must uncover the truth. If, at that time, I still find that he truly used me, I will have nothing to say. I am not the kind of woman who cannot live without a man."
Qingyao's icy voice echoed, each word distinctly resonating through the hall…
"Your Highness…"
Bing Xiao was speechless. The Emperor had not only hurt their mistress's heart but also theirs. How sincere he had been then, but what was happening now?
Mo Chou caught up to Little Yu'er and blocked her path, gently persuading her, "Princess, Your Highness wants you to return?"
Little Yu'er looked coldly at Mo Chou, panting, and said in a deep voice,
"Mo Chou, take me to see Father. I don't know where he lives. Take me there immediately. I want to hear if he really intends to take concubines."
Mo Chou was caught in a dilemma. Her mistress had forbidden the princess from seeing the Emperor, but she knew the princess's temperament. Like her mistress, once she decided on something, she would see it through.
However, Mo Chou also strongly disapproved of this matter of taking concubines and felt no less heartbroken for her mistress than Little Yu'er did. So, Mo Chou nodded forcefully, "Alright, let's go. This servant will lead you. The Emperor has always resided in Liuli Palace, and daily affairs are also handled there."
Along the way, the two remained silent, heading straight for Liuli Palace.
Liuli Palace was not far from Fengluan Palace. They arrived quickly. Before the gates of Liuli Palace stood many Taihe Palace maids, lining the white jade steps that descended from the top. At the uppermost position stood Eunuch A Jiu.
As soon as A Jiu saw the approaching figures, he quickly led several young eunuchs to pay their respects.
"Your servants greet the Princess."
"Rise. I want to see Father."
Little Yu'er said coldly. Her tender face was clouded with a somber and chilling aura, spoken with a forest-like grimness. A Jiu was startled. He had never seen a child so composed, and her words carried a hint of murderous intent…
A Jiu dared not be negligent and replied cautiously, "Yes, Princess, please wait. This servant will go in to inform the Emperor."
With that, he turned and entered the inner hall. At this moment, Xi Men Xin Yue emerged from within, her face radiant like a blooming peach blossom. As she passed A Jiu, she said coldly, "Speak. What is it?"
A Jiu trembled and quickly replied respectfully, "It is the little princess who wishes to see the Emperor."
Upon hearing A Jiu's words, Xi Men Xin Yue became overjoyed, her eyes curving into crescent shapes. She waved her hand, "Go, go. The Emperor is inside."
She wanted to see what capabilities that little girl had to change the mind of the man inside. Just moments ago, she had informed the man about the matter of taking concubines, and he had even praised her.
Men could never change their lustful nature; why would he disagree with such a good thing?
A Jiu was surprised that the Consort Shu did not cause any trouble for her, but she dared not lift her head and quickly walked into Liuli Palace.
In the magnificent golden hall, the Emperor was lounging casually on a couch, resting. His face was handsome and captivating, his long eyelashes obscuring his radiance.
A Jiu quietly gazed at the man, resentment surfacing in his heart. If he could, he truly wished to rush forward and kill him, but he knew he lacked the ability.
The man, hearing footsteps, abruptly opened his eyes. His pupils were filled with a gloomy and chilling light. He said coldly,
"A Jiu, why have you come in?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is the little princess who wishes to see you. Does Your Majesty wish to see her or not?"
In fact, A Jiu did not want the princess to see this man. This man was a wolf in sheep's clothing. If the princess encountered any trouble, it would be dire.
However, the person reclining on the couch moved, sat up, and with a gentle smile, waved his hand and ordered, "Announce the princess. Let her come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A Jiu retreated with some disappointment. Stepping outside the hall, he looked at the little princess and slowly said, "Princess, please come in with this servant. The Emperor wishes for you to come in."
"Mhm," Little Yu'er nodded slightly, her eyes cold, her demeanor defiant, her expression dark. She followed behind A Jiu and walked into the grand hall of Liuli Palace.
There, seated at the head, was the Emperor. His narrow, sharp brows were raised, his pupils shining with bright light. Upon seeing Little Yu'er enter, he beckoned her forward. However, Little Yu'er did not move at all. Instead, she looked coldly at the Emperor and said displeasedly,
"Father, do you really intend to take concubines?"
As soon as her words fell, Emperor Xian, seated at the head, pursed his lips, revealing a faint, cold smile, and said indifferently,
"Little Yu'er, this palace is too desolate. Don't you want it to be lively? After Father takes concubines, Little Yu'er will soon have company."
Little Yu'er felt a chill run through her body. Father was truly no longer the Father he used to be. Before, Father would always coax her.
Little Yu'er was Father's only, beloved little treasure! But now?
For some reason, Little Yu'er felt immense sadness, tears streaming down her face. She was not someone who cried easily, but now she was truly, truly heartbroken.
The last time she saw Father hurt, she was also very sad, but this time, Father had personally hurt her and Mother.
Was there any point in them staying?
Little Yu'er looked up at the man smiling with self-satisfaction and spoke after a long pause, "Father, I will not forgive you."