Feng Xie cast a sideways glance at the woman beside him, watching her slowly move towards the imperial carriage. He swiftly moved, encircling Liu Liu’s neck with one arm, and said coldly, "Don't even think about escaping. Go to the Hundred Officials Terrace obediently."
"I hope nothing unexpected happens at the Hundred Officials Terrace, or don't blame me for making things difficult for you," Liu Liu said, raising her head coldly to threaten Feng Xie.
The handsome face was close, skin like snow, narrow eyebrows slanting towards his temples, eyes long and shapely, long eyelashes curled from the side, exuding a devilishly sexy charm. A cold smile played on his lips, a smile so captivating it could topple nations.
Liu Liu was almost mesmerized. She had never imagined being so close to Feng Xie, so close that she could see the fine capillaries on his face, and smell the scent of ambergris emanating from him.
Feng Xie naturally understood what she meant. He hadn't expected this woman to be so formidable, and wondered how much stubbornness was contained within such a small frame.
She was clearly an ugly woman, where did she get such confidence? Did she believe he couldn't send her to the cold palace immediately?
However, in this confrontation, he had clearly lost again. He could only let those two women have their hopes dashed, and he would send them more rewards later.
"Alright, be quiet, don't move. We've arrived at the Hundred Officials Terrace. Don't let the civil and military officials make a mockery of us," Feng Xie said, his large hand not loosening its grip, his gaze fixed coldly on the face within his arm.
The birthmark on her face was directly facing him, causing the hair on his body to stand on end. If it weren't for their wedding day, he wouldn't tolerate being with such an ugly woman.
"Let go," Liu Liu said, shifting. He still had the nerve to speak. Any civil or military official with eyes could see how disharmonious the Emperor and Empress were.
The Empress hadn't even worn her wedding dress. Were those people all fools? If her father saw this, how heartbroken he would be. Liu Liu’s heart was filled with myriad sorrows, and by then, they had already reached the Hundred Officials Terrace.
The Hundred Officials Terrace was built on the northwest side of the imperial palace, several meters above the ground. As one ascended the steps, white jade formed the balustrades, and a long red carpet was laid from the rear palace gate all the way to the terrace.
On either side of the red carpet stood countless eunuchs and palace maids, each with a gentle smile on their faces, craning their necks to look. The imperial carriage followed the red carpet and stopped before the Hundred Officials Terrace. A young eunuch respectfully announced.
"Your Majesty and the Empress's arrival is welcomed," a shrill voice echoed. The civil and military officials lined up on both sides of the Hundred Officials Terrace immediately knelt down in unison.
As the officials knelt, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments began, and fireworks erupted instantly, filling the sky with countless luminous flowers and colorful silk streamers. The scene was grand and spectacular.
Feng Xie released his grip and stepped down from the carriage, extending his fair hand to help Liu Liu ascend the Hundred Officials Terrace. Liu Liu shot him a cold glare. He clearly displayed aversion and hatred in his eyes, yet he performed these feigned gestures, which was truly disgusting.
She withdrew her hand and stepped down from the carriage from the other side. Feng Xie wouldn't allow it, quickly seizing her body with his other hand and grasping one of hers. Fortunately, the civil and military officials, eunuchs, and palace maids were all prostrate on the ground, so no one witnessed the small interlude between the Emperor and Empress.
The sounds of silk and bamboo shattered the dreams of the two women in Guangyang Palace and Changxin Palace. Upon hearing the eunuch report that the Emperor intended for them to ascend the Hundred Officials Terrace together, they had been filled with joy, only to discover it was merely a dream.
Thinking of the magnificent scene, they couldn't help but harbor deep jealousy towards that woman. Even if the Emperor were to depose that woman later, they would never be able to ascend the Hundred Officials Terrace. Even if they became Empress in the future, they would be Empresses recorded in history as having never ascended the Hundred Officials Terrace.
Feng Xie held Liu Liu's hand, pulling her along tightly despite her strong reluctance. His mind was solely focused on not letting the royal family lose face.
Her heart, however, felt a deep sorrow, without any resistance.
Even though she was ugly, she was still a woman. She had fantasized and longed for the day when a man who truly loved her would hold her hand and walk this path with her. But she never expected it to be like this, being forced to walk with a man who detested her.
Feng Xie subtly raised his gaze to her, noticing the half of her face without the birthmark, which was so ethereal. A strange feeling stirred within him.
If she didn't have the birthmark on half her face, she could rival Nangong Yue. Most importantly, they bore some resemblance. As the thought arose in Feng Xie's mind, he immediately cursed himself.
He must be the only one who saw such a likeness between the most handsome man in the world and the ugliest woman.
With each holding their own thoughts, the dozens of steps finally ended. They ascended the Hundred Officials Terrace, and Feng Xie's clear voice spoke.
"All officials, please rise."
The civil and military officials all stood up. Liu Liu’s eyes immediately fell upon her father, and her own eyes welled up. No matter how strong she tried to be, seeing her kin, the grievances she had endured in that moment surged forth.
She longed to rush into her father's embrace and weep. At this moment, the civil and military officials below the high platform also saw the Empress.
Dressed in an elegant, plain silk skirt with subtle floral patterns, her hair styled in a simple bun, not even a single pearl hairpin adornment. What had happened to the Empress? Had the Emperor not even prepared a wedding dress for Her Majesty? The civil and military officials speculated.
Upon witnessing this scene, some felt smug, while others felt pity. The most heartbroken was Prime Minister Liu. Looking at his daughter on the high platform, her long skirt dancing as if about to fly away, he was aware of the recent events in the palace, and this was what he had anticipated. However, seeing his daughter's proud and stubborn little face filled his heart with an unbearable ache.
Liu'er, had Father truly made a mistake? Father hadn't considered your feelings at all, only thinking of Tian Feng. Father has wronged you.
The master of ceremonies raised his hand, and all the music ceased. The vast open space fell into absolute silence, broken only by the eunuch’s sonorous address, which, in essence, offered blessings for the Emperor and Empress to live in eternal love and grow old together.
Liu Liu stood above, scoffing coldly. Was this even possible? Had no one heard that the Emperor intended to depose her? Weren't these words a mockery?
The lengthy address finally concluded. Originally, the Emperor was supposed to unveil the bridal veil, but the Emperor and Empress had not worn one today. The eunuch had no choice but to omit this part of the ceremony and proceed directly to the next.
"The officials bow, first bow, second bow, third bow."
As the eunuch’s shouts concluded, the civil and military officials knelt down in unison. Liu Liu gazed towards her father at the forefront, surprised to see that his once proud black hair was now streaked with white after only a few days. It was all because of her, his unfilial daughter.
Thinking of this, a chilling coldness suddenly filled her heart. With a dark expression, she swept her gaze towards Feng Xie beside her. Feng Xie, from this day forward, you and I shall have no dealings with each other, until death do us part.
On the high platform, the Emperor and Empress regarded each other with disdain. Although the officials below were far away, they could sense the animosity between them. It seemed the rumors were true; the Emperor and Empress were indeed locked in a fierce confrontation.
After the officials finished their bows, celebratory cannons boomed, and musical instruments played simultaneously, marking the end of the ceremony. Feng Xie flicked his hand and led the way down the high platform, leaving Liu Liu behind without another glance.
Liu Liu paid him no mind either, slowly descending the high platform, boarding the imperial carriage. Feng Xie followed closely behind and also boarded the carriage.
Since he had brought her here, he might as well see her off. Liu Liu looked at Feng Xie, recalling Xiao Anzi's words that the Emperor was a wise and enlightened ruler. If that were the case, why couldn't they be more candid with each other? Her expression turned serious, and she spoke faintly.
"Since Your Majesty despises me, I don't exactly admire Your Majesty either. Let us two coexist peacefully. Any leaks about royal affairs will inevitably harm the image of the Tian Feng Dynasty. Henceforth, I will quietly reside in Huaqing Palace, and Your Majesty should act as if I do not exist. Perhaps one day I will leave this place," Liu Liu said, her gaze becoming distant.
If possible, she wished to leave the palace immediately. However, news of the Emperor's wedding had just spread, and she did not want to make things difficult for her father, the Prime Minister.