Lou Sijing saw that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager both wore smiles, and the anxiety in her heart instantly subsided. She slowly walked down the hall and stood to the side.
Next, the daughters of the high officials went up one by one to perform, some with calligraphy, some playing the zither, and some with song and dance.
Overall, their performances were not bad, but the Emperor and Prince Yan had grown tired. The two reclined casually on their seats, their eyes narrowed as if about to doze off.
The imperial consorts performing below felt a wave of disappointment. This disappointment led to a poor mindset, which in turn distorted their performances, making them increasingly chaotic.
"Anything else?" Feng Xie yawned lazily and casually asked his personal eunuch, Xiao Wanzi. Xiao Wanzi looked up, scanned the hall, and said softly.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is still Prime Minister Liu's daughter yet to perform. Everyone else has finished."
As soon as Feng Xie and Feng Lie, the two brothers, heard that it was Liu Liu's turn to perform, they both perked up. Feng Xie was looking forward to a spectacle, while Feng Lie was curious about what talent Liu Liu had prepared – the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting?
Although he was her friend, apart from knowing she was skilled in martial arts, he had never seen her excel at anything else.
Liu Liu, who had been lost in thought, suddenly heard Xiao Wanzi announce her turn. She quickly straightened up and walked to the front.
Feng Xie's peach blossom eyes flickered with disgust and disdain, a cold and alluring smile playing on his lips. The nine-dragon golden crown on his head shone with a dazzling brilliance with his every movement, making his face devilishly handsome.
This man had been impossibly handsome in the past, and after a few years, he had become even more mature and charismatic, but also more hateful towards her. His eyes emanated contempt, and since he detested her, she decided to make him hate her even more thoroughly.
A sinister smile bloomed on Liu Liu's lips, and coupled with the blood-colored birthmark on half of her face, Feng Xie let out a shiver. He feared he would have nightmares again tonight.
On the other side, the exquisite prince was gazing at her intently. His lips were more vibrant than any woman's, and his long hair was casually held in place by a jade hairpin, falling to his chest. He was so devilishly charming that it was no wonder these women longed to marry these two men; they certainly had the capital for pride.
After a cold snort, Liu Liu raised her small face and met Emperor Feng Xie's gaze fearlessly. Her clear and cold voice rang out.
"This humble girl, Liu Liu, enjoys feasting, drinking, and merriment. I am unskilled in the zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and I have failed Your Majesty's grace."
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, a clamor erupted in the hall of Zhuxiu Palace. The Empress Dowager thoughtfully fixed her gaze on her niece, surprised that she was not like other women who coveted wealth and status.
Perhaps her brother was right; the Emperor deserved a woman like this to tame him. A smile flickered at the corner of her lips as she secretly glanced at the Emperor.
Feng Xie was staring at Liu Liu below, his handsome peach blossom eyes blazing with anger. His fair and slender fingers tapped subtly on the dragon throne.
The imperial consorts standing below all lowered their heads in trepidation. The Emperor was angry; everyone knew that, but it seemed there was someone who did not. After finishing her report, Liu Liu innocently opened her mouth.
"Your Majesty, this humble girl takes her leave."
If gazes could kill, Feng Xie's eyes would have already transformed into countless sharp arrows, piercing the seemingly unconcerned woman below countless times.
Even if she knew nothing, she should have at least appeared humble. Did anyone who knew nothing still look so smug?
Furthermore, this was a selection of imperial consorts. Anyone with eyes could see that she did not wish to enter the palace. A supposed ugly woman was actually playing hard to get. Feng Xie's large hand clenched the armrest of the dragon throne with furious jealousy, as if it were Liu Liu's neck.
In his encounters with her, he had never gained the upper hand.
"You may withdraw." This utterance, a sound that seemed to emerge from his very throat, caused the imperial consorts, eunuchs, and palace maids in Zhuxiu Palace to breathe a sigh of relief. Only the perpetrator, oblivious to her offense, elegantly walked down and retreated to the last row of imperial consorts.
After this interlude, Feng Xie had no further interest in selecting imperial consorts. He spoke coldly, "Very well, the selection of imperial consorts is hereby concluded."
As soon as the Emperor's words fell, the imperial consorts standing in the hall immediately became nervous, their clenched fists covered in cold sweat.
This was the most critical moment; whether they would remain depended on the Emperor's single word. The hall of Zhuxiu Palace at this moment was so silent that the drop of a needle could be heard clearly.
Feng Xie scanned the dozens of women standing below, all shapes and sizes, and a cold, wicked smile played on his lips.
Few women in the world could catch his eye. Even the most beautiful and talented women in the capital merely possessed some flair. As Emperor, he would not place excessive emotion on women in the harem.
"Jin Jiali..." Just as the Emperor opened his mouth, the Empress Dowager, seated on the phoenix couch, spoke unhurriedly and majestically, "Wait a moment, my son."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager speak, Feng Xie's eyes flashed with a thousand shifting waves of shock. He looked at his mother, his expression unchanged.
He knew his mother would not remain silent, but he did not expect to be controlled by anyone. The thought of that ugly woman holding a high position was out of the question. Yet, a subtle smile appeared on his face.
"May I ask what my mother wishes to say?"
"It is not that your mother has something to say, but that your father had something to say," the Empress Dowager's expression suddenly turned serious. She looked sternly at the grand eunuch of Cining Palace behind her, "Qing'an, please present the late Emperor's imperial edict."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall of Zhuxiu Palace was stunned. The late Emperor's imperial edict? Why would the Emperor need the late Emperor's decree for a selection of imperial consorts?
Despite their doubts, they did not dare to delay. Even Feng Xie and Feng Lie, who were seated, slowly knelt down.
"Your humble son receives Father Emperor's imperial edict."
The grand eunuch Qing'an of Cining Palace emerged, holding a bright yellow brocade box. He opened the box in front of everyone and took out a bright yellow imperial decree. He then loudly read it out to everyone in Zhuxiu Palace.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Upon entering the harem, Liu Liu, daughter of Prime Minister Liu, shall undoubtedly hold the position of the central palace, ascend to the seat of the harem's mistress, and be honored as Empress. The Emperor of Tianfeng shall never depose the Empress in his lifetime. Edict."
Grand eunuch Qing'an finished reading the imperial edict and respectfully bowed. "Your Majesty, please rise. This old servant has read the imperial edict."
Emperor Feng Xie, in a moment of intense anger, wished he could rush down and kill the root of all evil. This ugly woman had even managed to outmaneuver the late Emperor.
Why had the late Emperor left such an edict, making an ugly woman the Empress of Tianfeng and him the laughingstock of the world? Liu Liu, Liu Liu, it seems I have underestimated the capabilities of your Liu family. What are Prime Minister Liu's intentions?
He would have to pay close attention to his movements. If there was the slightest hint, he would not be blamed for being ruthless. Feng Xie stood up with a stern and handsome face. As the Emperor stood, the others gradually rose.
Prince Yan, Feng Lie, was no less astonished than the Emperor. He had thought that if Liu Liu entered the palace, she would at best become a concubine. He never expected there to be the late Emperor's imperial edict, making her the future mother of the nation upon entering the palace. A strange sense of bitterness welled up in his heart.