Feng Xie’s bloodthirsty gaze swept from Liu Liu to Feng Lie, and then back again, his expression growing darker.
These two were actually exchanging meaningful glances right in front of him, igniting the rage within him. Liu Liu was, after all, his Empress. Why was his imperial brother always thinking of his imperial sister-in-law?
And Liu Liu, as the mistress of the harem, didn't even know how to maintain distance from a prince. This alone was enough to cost her her life. However, if this matter were to reach outside ears, the imperial family’s reputation would be utterly ruined.
“Feng Lie, prepare for your wedding, or it will be considered disobedience to an imperial decree,” Feng Xie declared, his words cold and sharp.
Everyone quickly looked towards Prince Yan. The Emperor was clearly enraged, and it seemed unwise to agree to this. However, Feng Lie was as arrogant and overbearing as Feng Xie, and unwilling to submit so easily to escape. He straightened his spine, his gaze fixed directly on the Emperor seated on the throne.
“I beg His Majesty to retract his decree.”
Feng Xie’s expression flickered. He roared imperiously, “Guards, arrest Prince Yan and throw him in prison!”
The entire hall was stunned, but no one dared to speak further. The Emperor was in a furious state; pleading for mercy would be useless. The palace lanterns swayed in the dark night.
The vast Chengming Hall was silent as if no one was present, save for the sound of rapid breathing. Several guards entered from outside the hall, reaching out to apprehend Prince Yan. Just then, Princess Jie Lan, having recovered from her earlier distress, stood up and spoke calmly.
“Wait a moment.”
The guards halted at the sound of a voice and stepped aside. Princess Jie Lan raised her hand, and the bejeweled tassels covering her face fell away, revealing her visage.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Princess Jie Lan. The princess was truly beautiful, living up to the rumors of her captivating beauty. With delicate brows, a refined nose, cherry lips, and rosy cheeks, her clear eyes held a seductive charm, and her every glance was filled with emotion. She stood gracefully in a corner of the hall, her melodious voice ringing out.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, I implore you to show mercy. Marriage between a man and a woman is a matter of mutual consent. I beg His Majesty not to trouble Prince Yan. Jie Lan has but one request:
Please allow Jie Lan to reside in Prince Yan’s manor. If, after three months, Prince Yan still refuses to marry Jie Lan, then Jie Lan will have no complaints and will willingly break off the engagement.”
Princess Jie Lan’s words stirred a sense of injustice in half of the attendees. They saw how understanding the princess was. However, the envoys’ eyes welled up with tears, feeling pity for their own princess.
At this moment, Feng Lie also realized his own transgression. Allowing Jie Lan to reside in his manor, he was confident he would not fall in love with her.
After three months, he could still have her leave the manor willingly, and then ask the Emperor to find her a more suitable match. With this thought, Feng Lie’s expression softened.
“Your Majesty, this subject is willing to allow Princess Jie Lan to reside in Prince Yan’s manor. If, after three months, this subject still refuses to marry her, then Princess Jie Lan may leave the manor.”
Before the Emperor could say anything, Princess Jie Lan responded firmly, “Good.”
Her bright eyes sparkled with intelligence. She, Jie Lan, had three months to spend time with Feng Lie. If she still couldn't make him fall in love with her, it would mean she was truly incompetent.
At that point, she would rather become a nun. Of course, that thought was premature. Jie Lan still believed in her own charm and a smile touched her lips.
Feng Xie had no intention of punishing his imperial brother in the first place. This outcome was not bad; at least Princess Jie Lan would be residing in the manor.
From then on, it would be their matter. If she still couldn't change his mind by then, he would arrange a better match for her.
“Good,” the Emperor’s single word brought this welcoming banquet to a close. The night was already very late. The civil and military officials took their leave, and the Emperor also departed.
Liu Liu, leading Cui’er and Cai Xia, approached her father and brother. She softly greeted them and asked after their mother. Her father and brother were relieved to know that Liu Si was safe, having only been sent to Peach Blossom Ferry by Liu’er.
“Liu’er, you should go back and rest,” Prime Minister Liu urged Liu Liu. He noticed his son’s gaze towards Liu’er becoming increasingly like that between a man and a woman, fervent and radiant.
But this was not normal. Liu’er was his daughter, and also the current Empress. He absolutely could not let him fall deeper. It seemed he would have to send his son to serve in another prefecture or county, Prime Minister Liu decided inwardly.
Hearing her father’s words, Liu Liu nodded. She was indeed tired. She looked up and smiled at her father and brother.
Under the moonlight, moss clung to the walls of the Luwu Palace, surrounded by winding railings. Liu Liu, unhurriedly leading a few young maids, walked towards the Huaqing Palace. The meaningful look Feng Xie had given her before he left made her scalp tingle.
She wondered what he was planning now. She had hidden many things. An Emperor would surely be angry, but she had never liked to be ostentatious in front of others, so no one had ever known.
Eventually, she simply concealed all her brilliance, living a more stable life that way.
In front of the Huaqing Palace gates, intertwined with creeping vines, several figures suddenly appeared. Liu Liu paused in surprise, wondering when there had been more people in the palace. Cai Xia asked curiously, “Who are these people? Are they watching the moon by the entrance?”
The people at the palace gate had clearly heard their conversation. As Liu Liu approached, they bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty.”
It was Ri Ying and Yue Ying standing on the stone steps guarding the entrance? A wave of unease immediately surged through Liu Liu’s heart. Could it be? As she pondered, she heard Ri Ying speak.
“Your Majesty, please enter. His Majesty is waiting for you inside.”
Liu Liu, who had been about to step inside, retracted her foot upon hearing this. She looked at Ri Ying with a serious expression, “Does your master have something to find me for?”
Ri Ying replied earnestly, “Yes, Your Majesty. Please enter, do not make His Majesty wait in vain.”
“If he wants me to wait, so be it. It’s not my fault he’s waiting here. If he wanted to see me, he would have summoned me tomorrow. Why come here in the middle of the night to frighten people?” Liu Liu snorted with displeasure, completely disregarding Ri Ying’s words.
She never liked to live life according to others’ terms.
Liu Liu entered the Huaqing Palace. Several palace maids and eunuchs stood outside, none daring to enter, awaiting the Empress’s summons.
In the main hall, Feng Xie lay reclined on the throne, his eyes half-open as if he were neither sleeping nor awake. Liu Liu walked over and spoke coldly, “Liu’er greets His Majesty.”
His eyes suddenly snapped open, like a large, dark magnet, seeming to draw her entire being in.
Liu Liu avoided his gaze and looked at his hand, which was tapping rhythmically, as if out of boredom, yet carrying a hint of hidden anger. He slowly spoke.
“How many more things about the Empress do I not know? It is not curiosity, but suspicion. Why does this woman hide everything about herself? Such high musical skill should be flaunted. Aren't women very vain? Why is she different?”
Liu Liu spoke evasively. Of course, she could not let this Emperor know how many more things she had kept from him. She tried to appear calm, looking at him with a composed expression.
“Doesn’t Your Majesty already know? Liu’er merely possesses such a trivial skill, unworthy of praise. Even if I were to tell Your Majesty, you would not take notice. Since that is the case, why mention it?”