Hua Shushu in Mu Xing's mouth was none other than Hua Wuyou, the great commander of the Demonic Palace.
Five years ago, on that night, after being acupunctured and abandoned by Liu Liu, he conducted a thorough investigation and finally found his way to Prosperous Island. He was also the only one at present who knew that the current Empress was the renowned owner of Yi Lou.
A cold smile played on Liu Liu's lips. This Hua Wuyou was truly asking for a beating; he had pestered her quite a bit over these years.
Although she knew his intentions, she no longer wished to rely on men. Having trusted men twice and been hurt both times, she would rather live peacefully with her son.
"Daddy isn't something, he's a person, someone who fights with Mu Xing for Mommy," Liu Liu explained casually. When Mu Xing was older, he would understand. If she said too much now, he wouldn't comprehend.
However, upon hearing his mother's words, Mu Xing's fair, tender face became displeased, his expression sullen.
So, Daddy was someone who competed with Mu Xing for Mommy. That Uncle Hua desperately wanted him to call him Daddy.
So, he was here to snatch Mu Xing's Mommy. This scoundrel! Mu Xing was cutting ties with him. The next time he came, he would surely not get off easy.
Liu Liu and Cui'er found Mu Xing's gritting teeth amusing. They wondered what the little fellow was thinking.
After finishing her meal and putting down her chopsticks, Liu Liu saw that Mu Xing had also eaten his fill. She instructed Cui'er, "Take Mu Xing down to wash up and go to bed. Tomorrow morning, he still has practice."
"Yes, Miss," Cui'er replied, taking Mu Xing's hand and leading him away. Mu Xing turned back to wave at Liu Liu. "Mommy, Mu Xing is going to sleep. Mommy should sleep too."
"Alright."
Liu Liu nodded with a smile. As soon as her son left, she stood up. Two other young maids entered from outside. One was Hong Xiu.
The other was called Zi Luo. The two of them tidied up with nimble movements. Hong Xiu went to prepare the bathwater and then reported to her mistress that she could go bathe.
In the bathing room, a large glass screen decorated with painted birds was placed. Beyond the screen stood a wooden tub, half a person's height, filled with steaming water that billowed upwards. The bathing room was quickly filled with mist, making it difficult to see clearly.
Even the screen was covered in mist. Many fresh flowers floated in the large wooden tub, perfuming the water, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers.
Hong Xiu and Zi Luo removed Liu Liu's clothes, revealing her graceful, jade-like skin.
Her delicate and refined curves were neither too plump nor too thin. Her proud breasts had not sagged after giving birth. Her abdomen was flat, without a single stretch mark. Her waist was slender and supple, her hips were perky, and her legs were long and elastic.
Liu Liu slowly approached the wooden tub, testing the water temperature. It was just right. Stepping onto a stool, she sat down in the tub. Turning back, she calmly instructed Hong Xiu and Zi Luo.
"You may go. I wish to be quiet for a moment."
"Yes, Mistress," the two maids bowed and withdrew, guarding the door. The stars in the sky blinked their eyes, and the surroundings were quiet. The night was so beautiful.
A breeze blew in through the red curtains, dissipating some of the mist in the room. Liu Liu rested her jade arms outside the tub, leaning back against the tub's edge with her eyes closed to recuperate. The hot water penetrated her fair skin, quickly turning it pink, exquisitely tender.
This hot steam, carrying the fragrance of flowers, easily relaxed a person, lulling them into fatigue. Liu Liu's entire body felt soft and limp, unwilling to get up. The image of Feng Xie, whom she had encountered that day, surfaced in her mind.
This man had reappeared after her five years of seclusion. She had thought she would never interact with him again, but unexpectedly, they had met once more, and under such circumstances.
This situation made her very uncomfortable. She had always thought of him as lofty and untouchable, someone who could not be harmed. To her surprise, he too could be hurt. A smile flickered on her lips, tinged with a hint of mockery.
As Liu Liu pondered these thoughts, she gradually drifted into a state of semi-sleep. She almost thought she had fallen asleep when she heard someone softly call her, "Mistress, it's time to get up and sleep in your room. The water has cooled."
"Oh," she replied, lazily stepping out. Her damp hair, casually falling on both sides, covered her ample bosom, giving glimpses of her allure, like a beauty emerging from a bath.
Fortunately, Hong Xiu and Zi Luo were accustomed to this. Without changing their expressions, they produced bath cloths to dry their mistress and help her put on her robe, respectfully stating.
"Mistress, please sit down." On one side of the bathing room was a small curtained area with a bronze mirror, comb, and other items. Hong Xiu waited for her mistress to sit before using a cotton cloth to dry her hair.
Liu Liu sat, nearly falling asleep. Her long hair, not yet styled, made her somewhat annoyed. Why did women in ancient times have to keep such long hair? They even said the body was a gift from one's parents, and one couldn't even move a single hair, which was truly exasperating.
Liu Liu grumbled inwardly. After a while, Hong Xiu finally finished. A small maid carried a lantern, and another supported Liu Liu.
The two of them escorted Liu Liu to her sleeping quarters and waited on their mistress until she was asleep, marking the end of the day's events. They then withdrew to bathe and rest.
Liu Liu lay on the bed with her eyes wide open. The earlier fatigue had vanished completely, and she felt surprisingly clear-headed, unable to sleep. If she had known, she would have slept longer in the bath. Annoyed, she got up, walked to a carved table nearby, and poured a cup of Haitang Red wine.
She swirled it a few times. The wine looked exceptionally vibrant and beautiful in the glass goblet. After smelling it, she detected a sweet aroma. Picking up the wine cup, she walked to the window and leaned against it, gazing at the starry sky in the dark night, vast and boundless.
Countless stars were like fireflies dotted on a black velvet curtain, blinking gently, playful and lovely. Liu Liu sighed.
If there was one change in her over the past five years, it was that she had started drinking a little. Only then could she sleep more soundly. Taking a light sip, the smooth liquid flowed down her throat, its sweet sensation rolling on her tongue until it reached her chest, offering an indescribable contentment.
Until she had finished drinking it sip by sip, a wave of tiredness washed over her, satisfied with the wine's effect.
Liu Liu turned back and placed the wine cup on the table, then walked to the bed to sleep. Tonight was another enchanting night, she mused. Despite herself, a thought surfaced: she wondered how that person was doing.
The next day, Liu Liu was sleeping soundly when a panicked, out-of-control voice reached her, startling her awake. She sat up, her eyes still closed, and asked coldly, "What happened?"
Hong Xiu and Zi Luo, guarding the door, heard their mistress's icy tone and hurried in, bowing. "Mistress, please sleep. That young master Hua has arrived and is playing with the little master. You don't need to worry."
Upon hearing Hong Xiu's words, Liu Liu lay back down, hugging her brocade pillow. However, before she could fall asleep, she heard the thunderous voice outside again, clearly reaching her ears: "Liu Mu Xing, you little scamp, what did you do to me? Ow, my head!"
This time, Liu Liu was not so easily appeased. She leaped up, jumped to the ground, and stared coldly at the two maids by the door. "What did Mu Xing do?"