"Go down," Feng Xie waved his hand. Zhao Jiu took his orders and retreated, and the vast Yong Yuan Hall fell silent once more.
Feng Xie's eyes, illuminated by the palace lanterns, gleamed with worry that was evident for all to see. The affairs within the harem were becoming increasingly outrageous.
First, it was the aphrodisiac, and now this assassination attempt. If he didn't intervene, Liu Liu might truly perish. Feng Xie's gaze turned cold as he stood up and, with a swift movement, left Yong Yuan Hall, quickly arriving at Wei Yang Palace.
Before the bed, Cui'er and Ming Yue were carefully guarding it. They felt a slight breeze stir the air, and a figure appeared before them. Looking up, they saw the Emperor. They immediately knelt down, "Your servant greets Your Majesty."
"Get up and leave."
Feng Xie paced to the bedside, gazing at the person sleeping restlessly on the bed. Her small mouth was furrowed, and she murmured softly. Her delicate face had grown thinner.
It was evident that she was not happy in the palace. Perhaps it was an illusion, but tonight he felt that the birthmark on her face had faded considerably, making her look more beautiful than before, like a painted lotus, elegantly and freshly adorning her face.
A trace of tenderness flickered in Feng Xie's eyes and sank into his heart.
Cui'er and Ming Yue thanked the Emperor and withdrew. Although they were reluctant to leave, their mistress was now the Empress. On the night she was given the aphrodisiac, the Emperor himself had resolved the effects of the medicine. They dared not stop the Emperor from staying here.
Feng Xie lightly lay down beside Liu Liu, holding one of her hands. He knew that if she woke up, she would be as defensive as a porcupine, even driving him away.
The thought of her constant rejection unsettled him, especially tonight. When he saw her in bloody clothes, his heart had nearly stopped. Only then did he realize that he had fallen for this woman, and not just a little, but a great deal.
But how could he mend the current stalemate between them?
The palace lanterns burned brightly, illuminating his handsome and unrestrained face. His dark eyes were passionate, his phoenix brows furrowed slightly. He didn't know what to do with the little woman beside him.
If it were about being ruthless, intelligent, or strategic, he was second to none. But when it came to warmth and tenderness, he truly didn't know what to do, for these were the very things an emperor lacked most. However, now that he knew his feelings, he wouldn't change.
Liu'er, my Empress, I will not let you go. I will stay by your side until you sincerely accept me. He sighed softly, closed his eyes, and rested, holding her hand.
A clear breeze and a cold moon, with winding railings. The white moonlight pierced through the pavilion, casting dappled shadows. Light gauze fluttered, and a figure stood tall and proud, gazing coldly into the night. His eyes flickered with an intermittent light. A voice sounded from behind him.
"Master, it is alright now."
But as soon as she finished speaking, a clear and melodious sound arose. She was harshly slapped, staggering a few steps before regaining her balance.
Her master did not move, as if the punishment had not been inflicted by him. Green Yi dared not utter a word. She knew that if she said another word, her master would take her life.
"Wasn't it you I ordered to protect her? Why wasn't it you protecting her, but Jiang Cheng instead?" he scoffed angrily, a chill enveloping him. His voice was colder than ice, eerie and terrifying.
"Your subordinate was pursuing the archer. That archer was killed by Hua Wu You," Green Yi replied softly, indicating that she had not neglected her duty.
However, her master clearly did not agree with her reasoning. His voice became even colder than before: "My order was for you to protect her, not to kill anyone else. Those people will be dealt with by others."
"Yes, this subordinate deserves death," Green Yi said, lowering her head in fear. The master, who was usually impassive, was now enraged. That woman's influence was truly significant. She would have to be more careful in the future.
It wasn't her place to worry about her master's affairs. She believed that her master had his own judgment.
"Go. If there is a next time, you need not see me again. Just kill yourself," the cold voice held no warmth in the night. Green Yi felt a sense of sorrow.
She had shared life and death with her master for several years, yet her master was asking her to commit suicide because of that woman. It showed how much he valued that woman.
But could someone with such a mission truly maintain their feelings? Green Yi wondered doubtfully, responding respectfully, "Yes, your subordinate takes her leave."
The pavilion returned to silence, but his heart was filled with worry. Since that night, he had not seen her again. He just wanted to preserve a pure emotion in his heart. His entire being was cold; who could warm him?
She was the ray of light in his heart, the one who gave him a glimmer of warmth in the cold winter.
The next morning, Liu Liu woke up and found herself surprised at how soundly she had slept, as if someone had been with her all night. Before the crimson wooden grand bed, Cui'er was drawing up the golden tassels of the canopy and said with a smile, "Did Madam sleep well?"
Liu Liu nodded, then remembered Jiang Cheng's death yesterday, her expression turning somber. She had kept Jiang Cheng's last words in her heart, always trying not to dwell on them, but her mind was filled with curiosity, an urge to uncover the truth. What was her true identity? Was she truly not the Liu family's child? Filled with confusion, Cui'er began to help her dress and comb her hair. Looking at Madam's reflection in the bronze mirror, she said softly.
"Madam, the birthmark on your face seems to have faded even more. Don't believe me? Look." Cui'er tried to divert Liu Liu's attention. Liu Liu raised her head, and her reflection in the bronze mirror was indeed more beautiful than usual. Why was this happening?
She felt that this blood-colored birthmark was slowly receding. Could it be that she would eventually have a clear and flawless face? She was almost certain of it, but she didn't want anyone else to know about this. So, she picked up a brush and meticulously painted the blood-colored birthmark to look more lifelike.
Seeing Madam's action, Cui'er's eyes widened, and she shook her head disapprovingly.
"Madam, what are you doing?"
"Alright, from now on, just paint it as it was before," Liu Liu ignored Cui'er. Explaining it to this maid would be too complicated, and it would require a lengthy explanation. After finishing her makeup, Liu Liu stood up and walked out.
As she stepped out of her chambers, she saw Cai Xia approaching. Cai Xia curtsied and said cautiously, "Madam, Xiao Anzi has inquired with Master Zhao. The assassin who attacked Madam is a eunuch? His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation, so Madam must be very careful?"
"Indeed?" Liu Liu sneered, a glint of malevolence flashing in her eyes. Good, she would play along. Did they want to play? Then let's play big, and let's reveal that woman's true face. It's better to stop her from making subtle moves in the dark. She always avenged her grievances.
Cai Xia looked up and saw the ferocity in her mistress's eyes, a chilling glint that they had never seen before. She couldn't help but tremble slightly. Her mistress now seemed like an evil and arrogant harbinger of revenge, ready to strike back at those who had bullied her.
Liu Liu paid no attention to Cai Xia and Cui'er, turning and walking forward. As she walked, she pondered how to expose the true face of that despicable woman.