Liu Liu saw Feng Wu Yang nod obediently, and felt relieved. She turned and instructed Luo Yi, who was attending her, "Luo Yi, you may go. I wish to speak with your princess. Do not be afraid; the Empress Dowager will not truly punish you."
Upon hearing the Empress's words, Luo Yi immediately kowtowed fervently. The cold sweat that slicked her clothes confirmed her relief at escaping death. She quickly bowed again, "Your servant thanks the Empress, thank you, Your Highness."
After saying this, she finally managed to stand and retreated. As soon as she exited the great hall, her entire body went weak. She leaned against an exterior pillar, and the young palace maids curiously inquired.
"Sister Luo Yi, what is wrong?"
Luo Yi waved her hand, and after regaining her strength, she walked away. She hurried to offer prayers and thanks to heaven for saving her life, and also prayed for the Empress's long life.
In the great hall, Liu Liu gazed at Wu Yang earnestly, her eyes filled with a sincerity as brilliant as the rainbow in the sky. The gentle warmth illuminated Wu Yang's heart, making her willing to confide her grievances and pain to her only trusted cousin.
"Speak, your second cousin is listening. Who is it that has wronged my little cousin?"
"Second cousin, I can tell you, but please do not tell my imperial brother or mother, alright? Everything between him and me is over. I do not wish to stir up more trouble, as it would only bring me more embarrassment."
Wu Yang spoke softly, her bright eyes brimming with pain, a torment of ice and fire, a duality that hurt deeply. It was a pain that extended from her very bones, a pain of severing a thread of emotion from her heart, but she could do nothing else, for that man no longer wanted her. "Alright, speaking of it might make you feel better," Liu Liu nodded. Those who have been hurt need to confide in someone to release their feelings.
Wu Yang nestled into Liu Liu's side, her heart filled with both sourness and bitterness as she recalled their sweet past.
"That day, Luo Yi and I hid in the imperial vegetable cart and left the city. We wandered aimlessly, traveling south. We reached Feng Chan City in Jiangnan. That place was not only beautiful but also possessed a unique charm, so Luo Yi and I stayed there. One day, my belongings were stolen, and Jin Shu appeared. He descended like a deity, clad in white, shimmering with golden light.
The scene of that moment is forever etched in my mind. Later, he not only helped me recover my stolen items, but I also took the opportunity to cling to him. Luo Yi and I then moved into the renowned Yanxia Mountain Villa.
It turned out that Jin Shu was the master of Yanxia Mountain Villa. From then on, I fell in love with him and clung to him all day. Although he sometimes found me annoying, he was mostly very good to me. However, one day I learned that he had someone he loved, his cousin Luo Xiangsi.
The moment I found out, my heart shattered. Yet, I still held onto the hope that he would fall for me, even a little, even if it was just to be his concubine.
But then he got married. Unwilling to accept this, I went to confess my feelings, hoping he would accept me, even as a concubine.
But he told me that he would only marry one wife in this lifetime, my second cousin. He told me resolutely that he would only marry Luo Xiangsi in this lifetime. At that moment, my heart truly broke."
By the end, Feng Wu Yang's voice had become choked with sobs. Liu Liu imagined the scene. A noble princess had cast aside her pride to beg that man, willing to be even a concubine. Liu Liu couldn't fathom how the man named Jin Shu could have been so heartless, or perhaps he truly loved the woman named Luo Xiangsi. Love is sometimes not a matter of one person, but of two. Even if you love, the other person must also love you, otherwise, love does not lead to happiness, but to the beginning of pain.
"Yun Jin Shu of Yanxia Mountain Villa, is it?" Liu Liu had heard some whispers about the legendary Yun Jin Shu. He was said to be a business prodigy, and Yanxia Mountain Villa was a legend in the Jiangnan region. Yun Jin Shu was a refined and handsome man, known for his cold demeanor and reluctance to get close to people. Yet, such a person had allowed Wu Yang to stay at Yanxia Mountain Villa.
Liu Liu had to admit that perhaps his affections were not as Wu Yang imagined, and Yun Jin Shu did have feelings for Wu Yang, but perhaps he was unaware, or perhaps there were other reasons.
"It's him. It's all in the past. Let's not mention him again," Wu Yang said, wiping her tear-soaked eyes. She looked up with a pitiful expression, no longer wanting to speak of that man. Liu Liu nodded, stroking her pale face, as white as paper. Could love truly be cast aside at will? However, Wu Yang was tired. Liu Liu patted her back and gently comforted her.
"Alright, Wu Yang, have a sleep. When you wake up, this pain will be gone."
"Mmm." She nodded. She hadn't slept well in a long time and felt so tired. It seemed that speaking about it had made her sleepy. Fortunately, her second cousin was here. She clutched Liu Liu's arm, thinking hazily until she fell into a deep sleep.
When Liu Liu saw that she was asleep, she softly called out towards the great hall. Two young palace maids entered. Liu Liu gently laid Wu Yang down, allowing her to sleep on the spacious phoenix couch. "Go fetch a thin blanket to cover the princess."
"Yes, Empress."
The two palace maids replied respectfully. It was said that the Emperor was extremely anxious during the Empress's brief departure from the palace. It was because the Empress had fallen into the water, and the news had spread throughout the harem. Therefore, no one dared to disrespect the Empress as they had before. xxs one
After settling the princess, Liu Liu left Jinhua Palace. Cui'er and Cai Xia, who were guarding the entrance, rushed to support her as she emerged. "Your Highness, let us return," they inquired solicitously.
"Alright," Liu Liu nodded, leading several palace maids back to Weiyang Palace. They reached it in just a few steps. Xiao An Zi, guarding the entrance, murmured softly, "The Empress, the Empress Dowager are waiting for you in the hall?"
Liu Liu was surprised. It seemed the Empress Dowager was worried about Wu Yang. Although she had been angry earlier, she wouldn't truly be angry with her own daughter. Therefore, she must have been waiting here for news of her. Liu Liu thought as she walked into the great hall.
The Empress Dowager had been waiting for some time. She appeared tired and was dozing off, leaning on a nearby couch. Liu Liu walked over and calmly called out, "Mother, you must be tired. You should go back and rest."
The Empress Dowager woke with a start. Looking at Liu Liu before her, she shook her head with sleepy eyes and quickly asked, "Is Wu Yang alright?"
Liu Liu smiled. "Mother, please rest assured, Wu Yang is fine."
The Empress Dowager noticed Liu Liu's somewhat distant demeanor, unlike her usual affectionate manner. She recalled Jin Jia Li's pregnancy and thought that this must have disheartened Liu'er. However, as a mother and the Empress Dowager of the Great Feng, her wish for a royal bloodline was not wrong. In fact, she wholeheartedly wished for Liu'er to give birth to the Crown Prince of the Great Feng, but she and the Emperor were like sworn enemies. When would this end? Her dream of an imperial grandson seemed to be perpetually deferred. While she was angry about Jin Jia Li's pregnancy, she was also happy, for no matter what, it was her imperial grandson. Who knew that that grandchild would eventually be lost?
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager's expression turned somewhat grim. That hateful Jin Jia Li, who had not only caused trouble for the Empress but also harmed the child. It seemed the Jin family was truly venomous, the Empress Dowager thought indignantly, and reached out to grasp Liu Liu.