"My Lady, you're awake! You scared this servant to death!"
It was Cui'er, the maid, her eyes still tear-streaked and red. What had happened to her?
"What's wrong with me?" She moved, attempting to sit up. Cui'er quickly went to help her, asking with concern, "My Lady, have you forgotten? You fainted and the imperial physician diagnosed you. You've taken the medicine and should be fine now."
"Where is this?" Liu Liu nodded, her thoughts slowly returning. She had come to find Feng Xie. Her head had grown heavier and heavier until after explaining the diagram, her head felt unbearable. She had forgotten everything that happened afterward.
"The Emperor's sleeping quarters," Cui'er replied cautiously. She hadn't forgotten that her mistress disliked being involved with the Emperor. Although this honor would be a joy for other women, her mistress was an exception. She hadn't wanted to enter the palace in the first place.
"Feng Xie's sleeping quarters?" Liu Liu's lips twitched. She hadn't forgotten how petty that man was. How could he let her sleep in his quarters? It must have been because she had solved his urgent problem.
He had been kind enough to let her rest, and she didn't want to be a nuisance. She should leave quickly. Moreover, she wanted to return to the Liu family to check on her brother.
"Yes." Seeing that her mistress's expression had darkened slightly but she hadn't said anything, Cui'er felt relieved.
Liu Liu signaled for Cui'er to help her off the bed. She tidied her clothes and walked out of the sleeping quarters. Xiao Wanzi was guarding the palace doors. Upon seeing Liu Liu emerge, he said, "Is Empress in better condition? His Majesty ordered me to guard here. If My Lady is better, I shall report to His Majesty."
"I'm not going to die. Go and tell him that this palace is returning to the Liu residence and will not be back tonight." Liu Liu waved her hand at Xiao Wanzi and turned to instruct Cui'er behind her.
"Let's return to the Liu residence. I'm worried about my brother and want to see how he is."
"Yes, My Lady." Cui'er nodded, instructing Xiao Anzi to prepare the imperial carriage. She then helped her mistress out of Yong Yuan Palace.
Outside the palace doors, the setting sun cast its rays, a gentle breeze blew, and countless flower petals drifted in the air. Liu Liu reached out to catch a petal. It was a pearl sea tree. She hadn't expected such a tree to be planted in Yong Yuan Palace, with small white flowers covering its branches.
When the wind blew, they danced in the air, falling onto the lake in front of the palace, like a white carpet, a breathtaking sight.
Xiao Anzi drove the imperial carriage over. It was a dazzling and exquisitely decorated carriage adorned with green canopies, pearl embellishments, and eight treasures. The finest chiffon fabric was used, inlaid with precious South Sea pearls at the top, and precious bird-shaped bells hung from the four corners, chiming in the wind.
Cui'er helped Liu Liu into the carriage, and the group left the imperial palace for the Liu residence.
In the study, the Emperor, Jin Shaoyuan, and Feng Lie were looking at the imperial diagrams. They marveled at the Emperor's words, impressed by the meticulous and rigorous thinking, which showed no trace of a woman's mind.
"I didn't expect Empress to be so intelligent," Jin Shaoyuan praised sincerely. Feng Lie, standing beside him, raised his eyebrows.
He hadn't thought that woman would come up with a solution. He had known from the beginning that only she could devise a good plan, but she had completely ignored him. He hadn't expected her to come forward for her brother.
"Indeed, I didn't expect it. Even I am surprised." Feng Xie's mind flashed to the woman's flushed face and charming demeanor. A faint smile played on his lips, and his tone held a hint of pride that even he hadn't noticed.
Feng Lie's heart tightened. What did his Imperial Brother's expression mean? He wouldn't develop feelings for Liu'er because of this, would he? He blurted out,
"Imperial Brother, have you fallen for the Empress?" He knew that someone as proud as his Imperial Brother would never allow such a thing to happen. As expected, Feng Xie's expression changed, and his eyes turned cold.
"What nonsense are you spouting! How could I possibly like that woman? I merely find it incredible. At most, I appreciate her talent."
Jin Shaoyuan stood by, amused by the two brothers' sparring. It seemed both brothers were fond of the Empress. It was only natural to be attracted to such an outstanding woman.
Fortunately, he hadn't fallen too deeply. Perhaps it was because he had met her too late, and another figure occupied his heart.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Nangong Yue is ill. Is it true?"
Jin Shaoyuan, dressed in a deep blue long robe, made his bronzed face even more handsome. His hands, like fans, clasped into a fist as he respectfully interrupted the conversation between the Emperor and Prince Yan.
Prince Yan, Feng Lie, raised an eyebrow, displeased. He had almost coaxed a confession from his Imperial Brother, and this detestable man had interrupted him. His starry eyes shot past like sharp swords, but Jin Shaoyuan nonchalantly adjusted the hem of his robe and stood down.
Feng Xie's handsome face showed a sudden, unpredictable dark glint in his pupils. He had almost fallen into his Imperial Brother's trap. Whether he liked Liu Liu or not was none of his business.
Liu Liu was now the Empress of Tianfeng. His calculations were truly ingenious. A faint smile curved his lips, a smile that held a touch of coldness. Fortunately, Jin Shaoyuan's intervention had prevented him from falling into the trap. He turned to look at Jin Shaoyuan.
"Early this morning, a eunuch reported that he had caught a chill and developed a fever. It's rare for this fellow to fall ill." Feng Xie finished speaking and couldn't help but think of the woman in his sleeping quarters. He wondered how she was feeling. Why hadn't that foolish servant, Xiao Wanzi, reported anything?
As Feng Xie was thinking, Xiao Wanzi came running in, "Reporting to His Majesty, Empress is fine, but she has left the palace and returned to the Liu residence."
"Returned to the Liu residence." Feng Xie let out a contained hum. That woman was truly devoted to her brother. He felt a pang of displeasure but, in front of his two ministers, he naturally couldn't show it. He simply said in a low voice, "Let her be."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Wanzi withdrew. Upon hearing Xiao Wanzi's words, Feng Lie anxiously asked, "What happened to Empress?"
"She might have caught a chill. She came early this morning and fainted after explaining the diagram. I ordered the imperial physician to examine her. She is fine now," Feng Xie said unhappily, glancing at his Imperial Brother. He was flustered for no reason.
It seemed Feng Lie had truly fallen for his Empress. He had always doted on his Imperial Brother, who helped him govern the country with such love.
If it had been at the beginning, he might have bestowed the Empress upon him without hesitation. But now, he couldn't explain why he was hesitating. In any case, a sense of unwillingness plagued him, preventing him from speaking.
Feng Lie nodded. Palace lanterns had already been lit in the study, casting his face in and out of the light, his sorrow indescribable.
Feng Xie glanced at Feng Lie and asked sternly, "Imperial Brother, have you investigated the case of corruption in the disbursement of flood relief funds in Jingzhou?"
Feng Lie was startled, surprised by the Emperor's sudden change of topic. His expression turned serious, and he respectfully reported the corruption case to the Emperor, "It has been investigated. Your subject was about to report to Your Majesty. This case involves many court officials. Should it be suppressed and partially handled, or investigated to the end? Your subject requests Your Majesty's decision."
To suppress and partially handle meant to only punish the lower ranks, maintaining harmony in the court. This was a phenomenon that occurred in all dynasties. If it were investigated to the end, it would implicate many people. Given the current situation, any action could lead to widespread unrest, so Feng Lie wished to suppress it first.
How could Feng Xie not understand the current circumstances? In the twentieth year of Tianfeng, many hidden dangers existed. If these officials were further implicated, it would shake the very foundations.
But thinking of these detestable fellows, his heart felt choked with frustration. If these rotten elements were allowed to continue their actions repeatedly, Tianfeng would rot from the root.
However, at the moment, he could not act decisively. He could only act and manage simultaneously. His eyes were sharp, dark glints flickering, and he commanded in a low voice.