The Guangyang Palace was bustling with concubines offering congratulations and flattery from early morning, creating a lively scene. Among these concubines, some were jealous and envious, but they all hid their true feelings behind smiles.
The Jin family had strong backing, and now that she was carrying a royal heir, it was possible she might ascend to the position of Empress. Therefore, no one dared to neglect her.
Liu Liu paid her respects at the Cining Palace that morning. She could see that the Empress Dowager had a joyful expression, as if she no longer cared about Wu Yang's departure. Her mind was solely focused on the royal bloodline about to be born in Guangyang Palace. She held Liu Liu's hand and gave her careful advice.
"Liu'er, as a mistress of the harem, you must be magnanimous. You absolutely cannot be upset because Consort Shu is with child. As a woman of the Emperor, you must manage the harem impeccably, do you understand? I have been through that stage myself."
Liu Liu's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of impatience flickered in her eyes. To be honest, since last night, when she learned of Jin Jiali's pregnancy, she had felt uncomfortable. The Empress Dowager kept bringing it up. What did that woman's pregnancy have to do with her? She also expected her to be magnanimous. She didn't intend to stay in the palace forever.
Since Jin Jiali was pregnant, there was even less reason for her to stay. Let the Emperor live his life guarding his harem. Liu Liu snorted coldly, only nodding in agreement with the Empress Dowager's constant pronouncements. Only when the Empress Dowager said she was tired did she bow respectfully and take her leave.
Now, she wanted to know who she truly was. Why did Jiang Cheng call her Liuli before he died? Did he know her?
In the afternoon, the scorching sun slanted through the withered branches and leaves, casting shadows on the secluded path. She wandered aimlessly through the inner palace, with Cui'er and Caixia following a distance behind. Seeing their mistress unhappy, they let her have some peace. Unknowingly, she found herself at Huaqing Palace, where she used to live.
Although Huaqing Palace was weathered, it felt familiar, whereas the magnificent Weiyang Palace was irritating. Perhaps it was because it was too close to those other women. This quiet place was much better.
Liu Liu reached out and touched the swing set under the tree, then looked up at the tall, ancient trees. These trees were likely very old. She heard that this was the site of the former dynasty, which explained its desolation. Liu Liu sat on the swing and pushed off, a gentle breeze caressing her face as her long skirt fluttered.
The sky was clear and bright, the clouds drifted freely. Fallen leaves swirled, and a sense of desolation permeated the air.
Liu Liu was happily swinging when a shadow suddenly blocked her. A trace of annoyance crossed her face. After finally finding some peace, who would dare disturb her? She turned her head sharply, only to see Zhao Mei, the commander of the palace guards.
Bathed in sunlight, Zhao Mei's face was grim and somber, a stark contrast to his usual handsomeness a few days prior. He held a brocade box, which looked like an artifact of some age. Liu Liu stared at him silently, wondering what he intended.
Zhao Jiu gazed at her steadily. Suddenly, he knelt down with a thud, raising the brocade box in his hands. He spoke in a clear voice, "Zhao Mei greets the Princess."
Liu Liu was startled by his action and quickly turned to look into the distance. She noticed that the two young maids had disappeared at some point, clearly having been sent away by Zhao Mei. Liu Liu's expression darkened, her sharp gaze falling on Zhao Jiu. Her voice was as cold as ice.
"Zhao Jiu, what trickery are you attempting? You speak nonsense. Do you intend to harm me? Whose orders are you following?"
Zhao Jiu looked up at Liu Liu, his eyes clear. His gaze fell on Liu Liu's arm, and he spoke directly.
"This subordinate does not intend to harm the Princess. The flower on the Princess's arm is called Qingyang, a merciless flower. When the merciless flower is planted on the arm and reflects on the face, it makes one unsightly and detestable. Because the Princess is too beautiful, Her Majesty feared the Princess would be harmed, and thus did this to protect you."
Liu Liu listened with disbelief and confusion.
Although she had suspected her origins, she had never thought of herself as a princess of the former dynasty. This was too preposterous. If she were a princess of the former dynasty, why would her father have married her to Feng Xie? Wouldn't that be like inviting a wolf into the house?
Was he afraid she would kill Feng Xie? This reasoning made no sense at all. Liu Liu narrowed her eyes and stared at Zhao Jiu menacingly. Was Zhao Jiu perhaps bought off by Jin Jiali, or by one of the consorts in the harem, deliberately trying to frame her? A hint of a cold smile touched her lips.
"Zhao Mei, you have great audacity to spread falsehoods. Be careful, or I shall sentence you to death."
Zhao Mei remained kneeling, unmoving, gazing steadily at Liu Liu. "If Her Highness the Empress does not believe this subordinate, she may kill me. This subordinate has no regrets."
After speaking, Zhao Jiu handed the brocade box to Liu Liu. "This was entrusted by Empress Dowager to my father to be kept for the Princess. Her Majesty said that if the Princess was found in the future, it would serve as her dowry. Her Majesty also said that the Princess need not restore the dynasty; the former dynasty was self-destructive. The Princess only needs to live happily."
Zhao Jiu then let out a long sigh, as if a great burden had been lifted.
His father had been the chief bodyguard of the Empress of the former dynasty. When the Emperor was killed, his father had intended to escort the Empress out of the city, but the Empress committed suicide, perishing with the city. The Princess and the Crown Prince were also missing.
Before she died, the Empress had given a South Sea luminous pearl, which she always wore, to his father, entrusting him to find the Princess and urging her not to restore the country.
Liu Liu listened to Zhao Jiu's words, feeling as if she were shrouded in mist, it all seemed so unreal.
She was a princess of the former dynasty, so her master must know the truth. Who was she? Was it her own mother? But it didn't seem likely. If it were her mother, why wouldn't she acknowledge her?
Liu Liu's head was spinning. She opened the brocade box, and a beam of light reflected out. It was a large, luminous pearl. Such a large, smooth, and flawless one was truly rare, likely worth a fortune.
It seemed that the Empress Dowager truly doted on her daughter, caring about her dowry even in death and instructing her not to restore the country. But the problem was, she didn't believe she was that princess.
Liu Liu's expression flickered, her deep pupils unfathomable, making it impossible to discern her thoughts. Zhao Jiu knelt steadily, awaiting the Princess's command, even if she ordered him to die.
"You may leave for now. I will think about it carefully," Liu Liu waved her hand.
Zhao Mei stood up, a warm aura emanating from his handsome face as he looked at Liu Liu's elegant little face. He had seen the Princess once when she was a baby, a jade-like infant dressed in pink, truly adorable.
He never expected to see her again. Although she was now the Empress, he still felt content, as long as he knew she was living happily.
Liu Liu watched his tall, sturdy figure gradually walk away. She couldn't help but call out, "Zhao Mei, what was my name before?"
Zhao Jiu turned back, his face radiant in the sunlight, a curve forming at the corner of his lips. "Princess Liuli."
Liu Liu's heart skipped a beat. Another Liuli. Could she really be some Princess Liuli? And a princess of a fallen kingdom? This was too exaggerated. She almost felt like laughing.
However, all of this felt too distant. Restoring the kingdom or not was not her goal. Because she came from the 21st century, many years later, she was not interested in these ancient games of restoring kingdoms. She waved her hand with a clear smile.
"You may go."
"Yes," Zhao Jiu walked out. Liu Liu stopped and pondered deeply.
Although she would not restore the country, she had to understand the truth. Her master must know the truth. Even if she didn't restore the country, if Feng Xie found out she was a princess of the former dynasty, he would surely kill her, because he would not tolerate anyone threatening his empire.