It was her, her refusal to betray her parents' expectations, her abandonment of the man she wished to spend her life with. All of this was her own doing.
Liu Si forced a bitter smile, deep sorrow in her eyes. She did not hate Huang Tianbiao, for she had never loved him. She loved Lin Mo, and that would never change. Her sorrow, her melancholy, were all for Lin Mo, not for Huang Tianbiao's concubine.
In the Huang family, she was known as a virtuous woman, a satisfactory daughter-in-law in the eyes of her in-laws, and a proper wife in her husband's eyes.
Only she knew how much pain she held within her heart, yet she never showed these emotions to others. She only revealed them naturally to her beloved younger sister. Her sister always cared for her, but she could not tell her sister about her love.
If her sister knew, she would surely send her to Lin Mo's side. But she could not do that. Perhaps Lin Mo already had someone in his heart, so why should she trouble him further?
"If even someone as beautiful as you cannot find a man who truly cherishes her, what hope is there for someone like Liu'er with her plain face?"
Liu Liu only felt pity for her sister, and she wasn't worried about her own situation. She believed she could live well anywhere. The imperial palace? Even a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, she would dare to venture into. A person who had walked back from death feared nothing.
Being an unfavored concubine was better than being confined to a mansion all day, revolving around her husband, and forcing herself to act virtuous while welcoming one concubine after another into the household for her husband.
Such a life was not what she, Liu Liu, desired. She only wanted to live happily, for nothing to bring her down. Stubbornness and resilience flashed in her eyes.
"Liu'er, you are different. You are like a brilliant pearl that will eventually shine dazzlingly," Liu Si frowned in disagreement, disliking her sister's self-deprecation.
It was those shallow men who failed to recognize her worth. Liu'er was unique, and one day, the world would see the truth.
"Sister, it's rare for you to visit. Let's not dwell on this topic anymore. Shall I accompany you for a stroll in the garden? You haven't been back for several days," Liu Liu pulled her sister's hand. She saw that her sister had become even thinner and more melancholic than before.
She must not be happy living in the Huang residence. She had met her brother-in-law once; he seemed like an honest man, but he could bear to hurt such a gentle and beautiful wife. Her favorable impression of him began to wane.
The weather was pleasant and sunny. Liu Liu accompanied her sister along the winding paths of the garden, their respective maids following at a distance.
Liu Si turned her head to glance at her sister. Seeing Liu Liu about to speak but hesitating, she stopped with a smile. Liu'er was becoming more sensible, always able to comfort and care for her.
She had always wanted a sister, and heaven had given her one. She was truly happy, but her sister was about to enter the palace. She sighed softly.
"What do you want to say? Say it. Sister is waiting," Liu Si reached out and gently rubbed Liu Liu's cheeks. One side of her face slowly flushed red, while the other side was already as red as blood.
In the sunlight, Liu Liu's eyes were clear and dark, a faint smile on her lips. She spoke softly, "Sister, you've been married for several years. It's time to have a child. That way, you won't be lonely."
Liu Si was startled. She hadn't expected her sister to suggest such a thing and didn't know how to respond. The truth was, she didn't want to have children. After intimating with her husband, she secretly drank medicine every time.
"Liu'er, don't worry about my affairs. You'll be entering the palace in a few days. Is there anything special you desire? Sister will give it to you."
Liu Liu shook her head. From the past to the present, she had never liked luxurious things. She liked everything simple, including people. Life was already tiring enough; of course, one should live happily.
Besides, was there anything she couldn't imagine? As long as she uttered a word, her three subordinates would likely procure anything for her.
"Sister, don't mention those things. I detest them the most. Look how simple I am," Liu Liu said, then twirled around. Her spirited body emerged from the water like a red cloud, graceful and unadorned, yet exuding a noble aura.
Liu Si smilingly took her hand. The sisters walked through the garden and entered a pavilion. The flowers, a riot of colors, bloomed vibrantly, their fragrance rich and intoxicating, mingling with the scents of various flowers in the air, thick and potent.
"You may not pay attention to these things at home, Liu'er, but once you enter the palace, don't forget to curry favor with people, and absolutely do not offend anyone casually," Liu Si reminded her sister, fearing she would suffer in the palace.
"I know, Sister. No one can bully Liu'er," Liu Liu's eyes flashed with a cold glint. "I won't offend others if they don't offend me." Even the Emperor wouldn't be an exception.
If he were to bully her, she would make him understand the consequences of offending a woman. He could choose not to favor her, but it would be best if he didn't provoke her.
Liu Liu pulled her sister to sit down. Tea sets and pastries were already laid out on the stone table in the pavilion. Cui'er quickly stepped forward to pour tea for the two young ladies and retreated a step to wait.
Suddenly, a clear, crisp voice broke the silence in the pavilion. "What fine leisure! May this King also have the pleasure of tasting the flavor of this Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao?"
As the voice spoke, a tall, robust man entered the pavilion, dressed in an ice-blue brocade robe and a jade belt.
His face was exquisitely handsome, with chiseled features, bearing a resemblance to the current Emperor, yet not entirely the same. He was the Emperor's full brother, Prince Yan of the Tianfeng Dynasty, Liu Liu's other cousin, Feng Lie.
"Feng Lie, are you a bloodhound? Your nose is so sharp that you can smell the Da Hong Pao from so far away," Liu Liu said coldly, mocking Feng Lie.
Liu Si quickly pulled her sister's arm. "Liu'er, do not be rude to your cousin!" Liu Liu rolled her eyes and gave the man opposite her a foolish smile. So what if he was Prince Yan? Even if the Emperor himself came, she wouldn't pay him any mind. This was the Liu residence, not the imperial palace, nor Prince Yan's mansion.
Feng Lie paid no mind to her attitude. She had always been like a hedgehog, a very interesting woman. Apart from her slightly lacking beauty, she was truly exceptional among women.
Feng Lie plunked himself down on the stone stool and gestured for Cui'er to pour him tea. Cui'er quickly stepped forward and poured a cup of fragrant tea for the prince.
Feng Lie picked up the white jade teapot adorned with cranes, took a careful sip, and savored the rich, fragrant taste as it flowed smoothly down his throat, leaving a lingering aroma between his lips and teeth.
"Good tea," Feng Lie exclaimed with praise and continued to sip it in small mouthfuls.
Liu Liu glanced at Feng Lie, satisfied with his demeanor, a hint of smugness on her lips.
"Naturally. This Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao, it's said that only one jin of tea can be harvested from a single tea tree, and there are only two such tea trees in the world. Do you know how precious it is? Priceless."
Upon hearing Liu Liu's words, Feng Lie quickly poured another cup to taste. Such a rare and fine item should not be missed.
However, where did the Prime Minister's mansion get such a precious item? His suspicious gaze swept over Liu Liu's face. Although she was plain, she exuded a vibrant charm that drew the eye.
Could this girl be lying to him? Or perhaps someone gifted it to her father?
As soon as Liu Liu saw Feng Lie's expression, she knew what was going through his mind. She immediately threw him a cold glance and said coolly,
"I obtained this outside. If you have something to say, say it quickly. If not, get out immediately. What on earth are you thinking about all day?" she said angrily. This item was given to her by Dai Mei; they were reluctant to drink it themselves and had brought it to show filial piety.
She had originally intended to entertain her sister with it, but he had taken advantage of it and even had the audacity to suspect her father. Hmph.
Feng Lie's face darkened with anger at Liu Liu's sharp words. This damnable woman always treated him with no pleasant expression. He suspected she wasn't even a woman.
Other women, upon seeing him, were like cats seeing fish; only she ignored him. Whoever married such a woman would be unlucky.
Feng Lie cursed and immediately thought, that unlucky fellow seemed to be his elder brother? He couldn't help but grin sinisterly. Who told his elder brother not to be a good person? These two wicked individuals actually got together.
Let's see who emerges victorious in the end. Feng Lie's smile was almost reaching his ears.
Liu Liu got goosebumps. Why was this fellow grinning so creepily when there was nothing happening?
"I heard you're entering the palace for the selection of consorts in a few days. Is this true?" Feng Lie's eyes flashed with hidden tides. He really wanted to clap his hands in joy, but he wasn't foolish enough to be so unrestrained on someone else's territory.
"Yes, Liu'er will be entering the palace in a few days. Prince Yan, please take good care of our Liu'er then," Liu Si said gently. Feng Lie was immediately captivated by his eldest cousin's voice and wished he could tell the woman opposite him, "Look, this is the exemplary woman a woman should be."
"Don't worry, eldest cousin. Your cousin will definitely take care of her," Feng Lie's voice was so tender it could almost drip.
Liu Liu found it nauseating. This man was flirting with everyone indiscriminately. This was his cousin, not some stray cat or dog. Moreover, she didn't need his meddling.