Liu Liu initially intended to ignore the man, but when she heard him say he had something to discuss, she sat down on the soft couch.
Feng Xie sat in the central seat, gazing at Liu Liu with a smile. The light flashing in his dark eyes was as brilliant as gems, stimulating Liu Liu's eyes. Her heart grew heavier, but her expression remained unchanged as she waited for the man to speak.
"I have already spoken with Consort Sui, asking her to hand over the child she bears to Liu'er for upbringing," Feng Xie's words fell like a thunderclap.
Let alone Liu Liu, everyone in the grand hall gaped in disbelief. They couldn't react for a long time. The Empress was perfectly fine and not infertile; why would Consort Sui's child be given to her for upbringing?
Compared to the astonishment of others, Liu Liu was much calmer. She gazed at the man before her, waiting to hear what else he had to say.
"I cannot bear to let Liu'er suffer the pain of childbirth, so I will hand over the child Consort Sui bears to Liu'er for upbringing, and Liu'er will not have to endure that kind of suffering anymore."
Feng Xie's long eyebrows furrowed, his dark eyes flashing, deep and unfathomable, a smile playing on his lips. He was happy; this was the best method he could think of at the moment.
It allowed Liu'er to have a child without experiencing childbirth, a perfect solution. He had been worried about not having a bloodline of his own. Today, news of Consort Sui's pregnancy had spread; this was truly wonderful.
Liu Liu's heart turned ice cold from head to toe. Did this man truly love her?
If he loved her, how could he bear to deprive her of the right to be a mother? Moreover, he must have another motive for doing this. She would never believe he was doing it for her own good.
If he truly cared for her, he should genuinely wish for her to have a child. Why was it the opposite? Liu Liu felt more exhausted by her heart than by her body. She turned her head to look at the Emperor, who was engrossed in his own thoughts.
"Your Majesty, Liu'er is tired and wishes to rest for a while."
"Good, you may go," Feng Xie nodded. He could see Liu'er's displeasure and understood. Any woman in her place would not be happy.
However, given time, she would understand his good intentions. To atone for his debt to her, he would never favor another woman again; he would abolish the harem and dote on her alone.
Such an extravagant favor would make anyone happy. Having a child and his exclusive favor, why wouldn't she? He nodded and spoke softly.
"Go rest for a while. I will have someone send some refreshments over later."
His gentleness at that moment felt like a knife. Liu Liu laughed inwardly, showing no reaction, and turned to walk towards her chambers.
Cui'er quickly stepped forward to support her. As they entered the chambers, away from prying eyes, Cui'er whispered, "Your Highness, what does His Majesty mean? This servant is utterly confused."
Liu Liu frowned slightly. It wasn't just Cui'er who was confused; she herself was bewildered. What did he mean by doing this? What was his motive? Taking another woman's child to raise as her own was not depriving another woman of her rights?
It also caused herself suffering. It was clearly an event that would cause pain to two women, yet he considered it a heavenly blessing and smiled so contentedly.
When God created the devil, did he give him a beautiful exterior? Liu Liu smiled wryly and waved her hand, "Don't think too much about it! Tomorrow's matters can be dealt with tomorrow. I'm tired."
"Alright," Cui'er said no more and began to help Liu Liu rest.
Because she had slept too long during the day, Liu Liu couldn't sleep on her side at night. She leaned against the bed, gazing at the moonlight outside, a sense of loneliness welling up within her.
Although this was her home, and that man claimed to love her, why couldn't she feel any sense of home? Her previous willingness to accept him was shattered once again.
They were people from two entirely different worlds. Their thoughts and intentions were different. He was an emperor, and the imperial arrogance and dominance were fully displayed in him.
Whatever he deemed good, whatever he wished to do, he imposed it all upon her. Unfortunately, she was a woman with her own thoughts and soul, so they were destined not to merge. Liu Liu tossed and turned, thinking restlessly; the night was heavy and somber.
Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before her eyes, falling into her chambers with lightning speed. Although she was not skilled in martial arts, she was somewhat sensitive and knew someone had intruded. Who could it be?
She looked over, and illuminated by the palace lanterns, it was Yun Xinshu, whom she had met during the day. She hadn't expected such a gentle and refined man to be scaling walls at midnight. Liu Liu's lips curved into a smile, and she spoke clearly, "May I ask why young master has trespassed into my chambers in the middle of the night?"
"This humble servant, Yun Xinshu, has offended Your Highness. Please punish me. I truly have nowhere else to turn for help, which is why I have come to seek your assistance."
Although Yun Xinshu spoke these words, his demeanor was neither subservient nor arrogant, showing no signs of falseness. Liu Liu admired such a man. Her lips curved into a faint smile, but her tone was playful.
"How do you know this palace is willing to help you?"
"Because Your Highness dotes on Wu'er, you will surely want Wu'er to be happy," Yun Xinshu replied with confidence. Clearly, he had no worries about Feng Wuyang not loving him. Liu Liu felt an inexplicable urge to tease him. Smiling wryly, she said, "Young Master Yun is too proud. Wu Yang already has someone she likes, and His Majesty will grant a marriage decree soon."
Yun Xinshu was clearly stunned by Liu Liu's words. He had never imagined Wu'er would fall for someone else. His heart instantly ached, but he struggled, "Wu'er would not fall in love with someone else in such a short time."
"If she doesn't love others but loves you, why didn't you see her today? It's because she has fallen for someone else and doesn't want to be entangled with each other."
Watching Yun Xinshu's pained expression, Liu Liu suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction. Who told him to make Wu Yang suffer before? This small act of revenge was a fitting repayment.
Let's see if he dares to bully Wu'er again. Wu'er is a dignified princess; the daughter of the heavens wanting to marry Yun Xinshu was a fortune he accumulated over three lifetimes, yet he still looked down on her.
Yun Xinshu's handsome face was etched with the pain of heartbreak. He desperately suppressed his breakdown, his eyes like a thousand-year-old abyss of despair. The thought that the nimble little girl would no longer cling to him but cling to another man… How long could Yun Xinshu resist? Could he really watch her marry someone else?
No, this was not something Yun Xinshu would do.
"I am not married. When she left Yanxia Mountain Villa, I realized her importance to me, so I canceled the wedding. However, I never imagined she was still a high-ranking princess, and I never dared to hope she would marry me. But I cannot bear to see her marry someone else, so I beg Your Highness to fulfill this. Otherwise, even if Yun Xinshu dies, he will fight that man to the death."
Seeing Yun Xinshu's desperate resolve, his eyes red, Liu Liu feared she might have driven him to his death. Then where would she find such a beloved for Wu Yang? Thus, she withdrew her playful demeanor and said with a light smile.
"This palace is touched by your sincerity. I will convey your situation to Wu Yang. If she is willing to marry you, I will ask His Majesty to cancel the original marriage decree and have him grant the princess to you. However, I cannot guarantee that the princess will still be willing to marry you."