But the person who arrived was not the Emperor, but Prince Yan, Feng Lie. He strode into Huaqing Palace, scrutinizing her from head to toe until he confirmed she was unharmed.
"Who dares to be so wicked as to attempt to assassinate the Empress?"
Liu Liu smiled faintly, her expression finally a little better, though her face remained cold. Feng Lie, belatedly realizing, asked, "What's wrong?"
He had just heard from his Imperial Brother that someone wanted to kill her. Before his Imperial Brother finished speaking, he had rushed over. Now that he thought about it, she possessed profound martial arts skills; she didn't need his concern at all. Even without the guards, no one could easily harm her.
It seemed he had lost his composure. A shadow fell upon Feng Lie's handsome face, but his eyes held an unwavering light. He was determined to make the Emperor decree Liu'er to be his.
His Imperial Brother did not like Liu'er at all. He could issue an imperial decree proclaiming the Empress had died of illness in the palace and then bestow her upon him.
Feng Lie became lost in his thoughts, envisioning his perfect plan, unaware that some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever.
"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired," Liu Liu said coolly.
Feng Lie had been her only friend in her youth. Many times she had fantasized about him coming to marry her, freeing her from rumors and slander. Even if he wanted to take multiple wives, it would be fine; she only desired a peaceful haven.
But she had not waited for his sedan chair; instead, she received news of him taking two concubines. Her heart, after disappointment, held no more fantasies.
It turned out he, like all men, valued appearances. She had once thought he would be her good match because he would always pick a bouquet of delicate flowers and place them by her window in the early morning, and take her to taste every delicacy in the capital.
But in his heart, she was merely a friend, a rare friend. Only later did she understand. She was fortunate not to have fallen in love with him. Although she had prepared to invest her emotions, she ultimately stopped herself.
Why was he meddling in her life again now?
She would never include him in her sphere of consideration again. Men could never escape their inherent flaws. What was lost was the most precious, but what did it matter? He was no longer precious to her.
"Prince Yan, please return," her tone was neither warm nor cold, but faint, like a wisp of breeze, making her unfathomable.
A flicker of astonishment crossed Feng Lie's handsome, unrestrained features. He saw the distance in her eyes. Ever since she entered the palace, he was no longer her friend.
The thought of this pained his heart. Initially, he thought it was the pain of losing a friend. But with each passing instance of pain, as the ache deepened and enveloped him, he finally understood.
It was a feeling called affection. He had fallen in love with the woman before him. Although she was the current Empress, she was an unfavored concubine. So what if he took her? Even though his Imperial Brother had refused earlier, he would not give up.
"Liu'er? Are you blaming this prince? I understand now, and I will definitely petition my Imperial Brother to let me take you out of the palace," Feng Lie dared to declare in the hall.
The hall was terrifyingly silent at this moment. The eunuchs and palace maids had their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time. Was this not too astonishing? The current Prince Yan was proposing to the Empress, asking her to marry him. Their little hearts could hardly bear it.
Liu Liu knitted her brows, displeasure evident on her face. Their matters were not dependent on the Emperor's permission; it was that she no longer wanted it. Why couldn't he understand?
Liu Liu's face darkened, and she spoke coldly, "Prince Yan, I do not know what you are talking about. It is best not to mention such things again. I am the Empress of Tianfeng, and you are Prince Yan of Tianfeng. This will never change."
As Liu Liu finished speaking, a blush spread across Feng Lie's fair face.
Clear applause echoed from the entrance of the hall, its sound piercing the air, followed by a captivating voice.
"Indeed, worthy of being my Empress. What a fine statement. Prince Yan, do you understand this is a rejection? From now on, keep your thoughts to yourself. If you wish to select a consort, perhaps you should consider which noble young lady is suitable for you?"
Feng Xie, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, appeared at the hall entrance. Beside him followed the eunuch Xiao Wanzi, looking nervously at the unfathomable Emperor.
He could tell that the veins on the Emperor's clapping hand were slightly protruding. This was his suppressed anger. He couldn't help but mutter inwardly, *Prince Yan, you should leave quickly.*
Hearing Feng Xie's voice, the breath that had been stuck in Liu Liu's chest finally escaped. Her expression turned colder than ice, and she slowly walked down, speaking frigidly.
"Liu'er greets His Majesty."
Feng Xie's handsome features curved into a light smile. His phoenix-like eyebrows subtly raised, his thin lips curled into a wicked grin, but his eyes held unfathomable dark depths. He extended a pair of fair hands.
Those hands were as lustrous as fine jade. He slowly reached out to support Liu Liu. Liu Liu remained composed, rising before he could touch her, and spoke indifferently.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Seeing that the woman was avoiding him like a venomous snake, Feng Xie realized she had already evaded him before his hands, which were still suspended in mid-air, could touch her.
He used to be the one with particular cleanliness; now, it seemed she was. However, he was not one to be easily defeated. His handsome dark eyes grew even blacker, like ink. He tilted his head, leaning close to her body, and asked as if in concern.
"Is the Empress alright?"
Upon hearing his words, Liu Liu gritted her teeth. Her expression drastically changed, her eyes turned cold, and her breathing became a little heavier. She spoke in a deep voice.
"Isn't all of this within Your Majesty's expectations? To push Liu'er into the knife's edge to test the blade, Your Majesty has such great stratagems. It's a pity these schemes are not used for state affairs but on a mere woman. Liu'er has nothing to say."
Feng Xie's fingers stiffened. So she knew everything. He stared intently at her face, her skin as clear as congealed fat, her large, lively eyes now flashing with cold intelligence, and an imposing aura emanating from her without anger.
How could a woman remain so calm when facing the injustices she had suffered? How had she managed it? He stared forcefully at the birthmark on the side of her face, hoping to find something to dislike, so he would not be attracted to her.
But he found no trace of aversion, only a naturalness, a naturalness that did not seem unsightly even after prolonged observation.
On the contrary, seeing her flushed face from anger, he found her vivid. It seemed he had not touched a woman for too long. Tonight, he would summon her. He could no longer let such an ugly woman influence him. Feng Xie flung his hand away and strode towards the imperial seat.
"Prince Yan, you have heard what the Empress just said. You are not to say such things again. If these rumors were to spread..." Feng Xie finished speaking, his phoenix eyes sweeping across the hall of Huaqing Palace. The palace maids and eunuchs shivered violently and quickly knelt down. "Your servants heard nothing."
"That is good. Send Prince Yan out," Feng Xie waved his hand and commanded with composure. He did not wish for his Imperial Brother to fall into the Empress's abyss. It was still time to withdraw.
Feng Lie woodenly followed Xiao Wanzi out of Huaqing Palace. He was too shocked. He had always thought his Imperial Brother refused to let go of Liu'er because he hadn't managed to subdue her.
He had clearly seen the scene from his side position just now. He had noticed a hint of admiration in his Imperial Brother's eyes. He had already recognized Liu'er's merits, but she herself was not yet aware of it.
Inside Huaqing Palace, after Feng Lie left, Cui'er led the others away, leaving only the Emperor and Empress to face each other with cold gazes.
"Liu'er remembers Your Majesty saying that Liu'er would be confined to Huaqing Palace, and that Your Majesty would never step into Huaqing Palace again. I wonder what His Majesty's intention is now?"
Liu Liu spoke coldly, looking at the man seated above, his expression unfathomable. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, his waist cinched with a python jade belt, the golden and silver threads delineating nine coiled dragons, and his feet clad in black dragon boots with golden soles. His face was like jade, full and smooth, his skin glowing.
His eyes were as deep as a pool, like ancient Xuan iron, drawing people in profoundly.
If she had not been hurt before, constantly reminding herself to be vigilant, she would have long since fallen uncontrollably into his embrace. Perhaps she had fallen since she was twelve years old. It was his heavy blow that awakened her.