Willow raised an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm flashing in her gaze. Did she really think this man didn't know what he was thinking?
He had thought he'd caught her, only to fail at the last moment. Anyone else would have flown into a rage, but the fact that he acted as if nothing had happened only showed how deep his schemes ran, making even her feel a sliver of unease.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Willow is fine," she said, feigning emotion as she lowered her gaze, her eyes sweeping over him with a cold glint.
Feng Xie's lips curled into a playful smile. He found this woman increasingly interesting. Despite her obvious impatience, she still had the energy to act touched, her words laced with a casual languor.
"I heard the Empress's elder sister is ill. Seeing as the Empress hasn't made a move, I thought I'd express my concern."
Willow's heart suddenly sank at Feng Xie's words. What was wrong with her sister?
However, before the Emperor, she couldn't show any sign of distress. Though her heart raced, her hands, hidden within her flowing sleeves, clenched into fists. She spoke calmly, "Willow was just about to ask Your Majesty for leave to visit her sister at the Huang residence tomorrow?"
"Granted," Feng Xie replied readily. Willow's elder sister was also his elder cousin, and moreover, that elder sister was known for her gentleness and intelligence. He had no reason to forbid her from visiting.
He was, however, somewhat puzzled by her delay in requesting leave. Did this woman know he was away from the palace? His gaze casually swept over her, only to see Willow already bowing to thank him.
"Willow takes her leave," she said, her breath catching. She dared not linger. The thought of her sister falling ill without her knowledge brought tears to her eyes, and her heart was filled with a desperate worry. *Sister, please, you must be alright. Willow will come to see you first thing tomorrow.*
"You may go, Empress. It's getting late, and you must be tired. I'll have them send you to the Huang residence tomorrow morning," Feng Xie said, offering a rare word of concern.
In the darkness, his voice carried the sweet, mellow aroma of wine, a husky baritone that was undeniably magnetic. Just his voice was enough to stir the heart. But Willow, consumed by sorrow, paid no mind to the pleasantness of his tone. She hastily retreated.
As soon as the Empress departed, Ri Ying and Yue Ying entered the study. They saw the Emperor deep in thought, and not daring to disturb him, they stood silently beside him, awaiting his command.
"Could there truly be two people in this world who resemble each other so much?" Feng Xie's chillingly handsome voice held a trace of confusion as he looked at his capable subordinates, Ri Ying and Yue Ying.
"Your Majesty, there are many people who resemble each other in this world, so it is not particularly strange. When Alliance Leader Zhan finds that woman, Your Majesty will understand," Ri Ying replied respectfully.
Feng Xie swept his brocade robe and nodded, rising to his feet. A cold, sharp light gleamed in his eyes. He let out a long sigh. They had been traveling for days to get to the bottom of this, and he was tired. "Let's hope so. If Zhan Yun finds her, don't forget to have him bring her to me. I am very curious."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the two subordinates replied. Xiao Wanzi came forward to attend to the Emperor as he returned to Yongyuan Hall to rest.
The moment Willow reached a secluded, deserted spot, she could no longer stand. She leaned weakly against the willow branches by the lakeside. Cui'er, startled, hurried forward to support her, calling out anxiously, "Your Highness, what is wrong?"
Willow waved her hand. In the moonlight, her face was pale, worry flashing in her eyes. She fixed her gaze on Cui'er, "Who sent word that my sister was ill? Was it Father, or someone from the Huang family?"
Cui'er hesitated. She knew how deep the bond between her mistress and the eldest young lady was. Telling her would cause her pain, but not telling her would increase her anxiety. She wrung her hands, unsure what to do.
Only when Willow's hand tightly gripped her arm, her fingertips icy and trembling, did Cui'er realize her mistress was truly desperate. Fearing she might do something rash out of worry, she quickly replied.
"Your Highness, please don't worry. Someone from the Huang family has come to invite Your Highness. They said the eldest young lady is critically ill and wishes to see Your Highness!"
As soon as Cui'er finished speaking, a shadow fell over Willow's heart. Her sister was gravely ill. If it weren't serious, her sister, who always considered others, would never have sent for her. Her sister! A wave of sorrow washed over Willow's eyes.
The water rippled gently. She took a deep breath and cried out in her heart, *Sister will be fine. I believe she will be fine.*
"I must go to the Huang residence immediately," Willow said, turning around anxiously. Cui'er grabbed Willow's hand, blocking her path, "Your Highness, it is already late. It would be better to go tomorrow morning. Besides, besides?"
Cui'er did not finish her sentence. Willow stopped and looked directly at her, "What is it? Speak!"
"I heard from a young eunuch in the palace that the Prime Minister had asked Imperial Physician Nan Gong for help, but Nan Gong Yue refuses to see anyone. If he were to treat the eldest young lady, perhaps she might recover?"
Under the moonlight, Willow's fingers trembled slightly. Nan Gong Yue. Her mind couldn't help but drift to the memory of him kissing her. She still couldn't understand why the handsome Nan Gong Yue would be interested in her, the ugliest woman in the realm. If she told anyone about this, they would surely accuse her of talking nonsense.
"Alright, I will go see Nan Gong Yue tomorrow. Even if I have to beg him, I will make him save my sister," Willow said. A flicker of wisdom flashed across her slightly upturned face, bathed in the cool, silvery moonlight. *Sister, I won't let anything happen to you.*
Knowing that her sister was in trouble, Willow couldn't sleep. She waited for the sky to lighten. The night was deep and the dew heavy outside. Fallen flowers were weary, but her heart felt cold. She picked up her brush and began to sketch.
Her sister's smiling face and beautiful features were captured on the paper, her eyes gazing at her with a gentle, lovely smile. *Liu'er, your sister has come to see you! Are you well? Be happy, always be happy. Sister is leaving now.*
Willow cried out in alarm, only to realize she had been lost in her thoughts. Outside the window, the sky had brightened.
A fine rain fell, misty and ethereal, shrouding the vast palace chambers. A gentle breeze stirred the lake, creating ripples. In the garden, rain beat upon withered flowers, their fallen petals carpeting the fragrant path, obscuring the splendor of the past.
A slender figure hurried through the drizzling rain, followed by several maids calling out.
"Your Highness, wait for us! We'll hold an umbrella for you!" But the figure in front seemed not to hear, moving even faster, leaving them far behind in a blink of an eye. Her Highness had only performed a simple ablution that morning before rushing to the Imperial Medical Office.
Willow burst into the Imperial Medical Office, startling the young eunuchs, who immediately knelt.
Although the Empress was not favored, they knew she was the Empress Dowager's niece and had the protection of the Grand Superintendent. They, humble servants, dared not offend her. "Your humble servant greets the Empress," they said, kneeling on the path beneath the drizzling eaves.
Willow walked up to a young eunuch and said coldly, "Where is Nan Gong Yue?"
The young eunuch's body trembled slightly upon hearing her stern voice. He realized the Empress was looking for Master Nan Gong and understood the reason. A few days ago, the Prime Minister had also sought out Master Nan Gong, but it was said he couldn't even get an audience. Now, the Empress herself had come. But would Master Nan Gong, with his proud disposition, agree?
Although the young eunuch suspected Master Nan Gong would refuse, the Empress was waiting for his reply. He quickly kowtowed and responded.