Feng Xie snorted, finally ceasing his protests, and lowered his head to look through the memorials.
Xiao Wanzi breathed a sigh of relief. The Emperor was actually a good Emperor; he governed the country well, did not severely punish the palace servants, and was very filial to the Empress Dowager.
However, Empress Liu's arrival in the palace this time had made him extremely angry. Xiao Wanzi knew that the Emperor did not genuinely dislike Empress Liu, but rather the Emperor himself was handsome and somewhat conceited.
Coupled with being surrounded by beauty, it was certainly to be expected that he would reject someone like Empress Liu's appearance. Hopefully, as time passed, the two could coexist harmoniously.
In Huaqing Palace, the lights were brilliant. Although there were few people, it was very lively. Liu Liu ordered the cooks to prepare several good dishes and ate with two young eunuchs and a young maid.
Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi had never witnessed such a scene before, eating together with their masters. They busily waved their hands in fright, "Empress, your servants dare not. Please spare us."
Cui'er and Qiao'er covered their mouths and giggled. Their mistress's world-shocking behavior had once again startled the two of them. They had been startled by her before too, but thankfully, they were now accustomed to it and no longer stood on ceremony. The two young maids sat at one side of the dining table and beckoned to Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi.
"Come and sit here. Our mistress is just this kind of amiable person. You will gradually get used to her. Don't make her unhappy."
Liu Liu listened to Cui'er's words and nodded with satisfaction. This maid had finally been trained. She raised her eyes and scanned them. She saw the two young eunuchs looking uneasy, unsure whether to sit or not. She smiled faintly and spoke with a cool clarity.
"Alright, everyone sit down and eat. There are already few people in this palace. From now on, don't be so reserved. It's rare that you are loyal and willing to serve me, so as the master, it's naturally not right for me to treat you poorly."
"Thank you for the Empress's grace," the two young eunuchs bowed and sat down beside Cui'er. For a moment, the atmosphere at the dining table was joyful. Cui'er first served dishes to Liu Liu. Seeing that it was about time, Liu Liu waved her to sit down and eat her own food.
As Liu Liu ate, she casually asked Xiao Anzi, "What is your Emperor like in everyday life?"
She didn't know Feng Xie well. Although there were many rumors, such as the Emperor being wise and decisive, the Emperor governing effectively, and the Emperor being divinely filial, these were all rumors. Rumors were not always true.
As soon as Xiao Anzi heard Liu Liu speak, he quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up to reply. Liu Liu saw his demeanor and waved him to sit down and reply. Xiao Anzi felt a little more at ease.
"To answer the Empress, the Emperor has always been very good to the people in the palace. He has never severely punished anyone, and he is filial to the Empress Dowager. Moreover, he forgets to eat and sleep, spending all his days diligently in the imperial study handling court affairs," Xiao Anzi recounted.
Liu Liu's chopsticks stopped. It seemed that Feng Xie was indeed a decent emperor, but they just clashed. Perhaps it was because she was too ugly and hurt his masculine pride. An emperor valued his reputation above all else. Thinking this, she resumed her meal.
As everyone was happily eating, a gust of wind seemed to blow through, and a person suddenly appeared in the main hall of Huaqing Palace. Liu Liu gazed intently and saw it was Prince Yan, whom she had met earlier that day.
Bathed in the light, he was tall and graceful, with star-like eyes that sparkled, looking at the mistress and servants of Huaqing Palace with a smile.
Was this perhaps being too happy? He had originally come with the intention of comforting her, but upon arriving, he saw that she was not sad at all and was instead enjoying herself immensely, socializing with the servants.
"It seems I've come at the wrong time and disturbed your meal."
As Feng Lie's charming voice fell, the two young eunuchs immediately stood up in fear, and Cui'er and Qiao'er also stood to the side.
Liu Liu put down her chopsticks and said with a forced smile, "It seems Prince Yan has come specifically to mock me, or perhaps with an attitude of pity, intending to console me?"
Her star-like eyes were like the waxing crescent moon in the night sky, exceptionally cold, emitting a deep, tranquil radiance.
Feng Lie listened to Liu Liu's sarcasm, let out a dry laugh to cover his guilt. He did indeed have a bit of a schadenfreude in his heart, but he was surprised to be so accurately pinpointed by this woman.
However, he was truly curious how this woman managed to remain unfazed. She had clearly suffered a blow. Other women would have been crying and seeking comfort from their families, yet she acted as if nothing had happened, socializing with young eunuchs in the palace.
"I am hungry. Please set a place for me."
After saying this, Feng Lie sat down opposite Liu Liu. Cui'er quickly set up bowls and chopsticks for him. The young eunuchs and maids no longer dared to sit at the dining table and stood by to serve. Cui'er carefully served dishes to Prince Yan.
Liu Liu had already eaten her fill and did not pick up her chopsticks again, gazing intently at the man opposite her.
No wonder the ancients said that beauty was a feast for the eyes. It seemed there was some truth to it. The handsome man before her ate so elegantly that it did not detract from his beautiful image at all. Liu Liu spoke faintly.
"Thank you."
Feng Lie was stunned. Had he heard correctly? This proud woman had actually thanked him. How precious was this word? His heart felt a stir of emotion.
He raised his head and looked at her, his eyes rippling with tenderness. He hadn't expected that her simple "thank you" would move him so much. It seemed he genuinely considered her a good friend.
He had felt uneasy all day, fearing that she might be upset or unhappy. He knew what a proud and self-assured woman she was; even if she harbored sorrow, she wouldn't speak of it. Now, seeing that she was not affected at all, he felt relieved, and a smile touched his lips.
"It's good that you are alright. My imperial brother is actually just a bit of a germaphobe, and he's always been conceited. He dislikes things he cannot control, but his heart is not that bad. With time, he will realize how precious you are."
As he said this, Feng Lie was sincere, and a pang of melancholy arose in his heart. He wondered what was happening to him. Was it because his friend was married that he felt sad? He had no appetite for more food. xxs1
Liu Liu did not wish to dwell on this topic any further and changed the subject, "Do you know Jiang Cheng? For some reason, he has been taking good care of me. Did someone put in a word for me, or what?"
Feng Lie's deep, narrow phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and the blood-red curve of his lips lifted.
"Oh, that old servant is very shrewd. It's your good fortune that he takes care of you.
He is a peculiar person. While he doesn't bully others, no one has ever heard of him specially taking care of anyone.
He serves the Emperor and has followed him since childhood, so he has some influence with His Majesty. Not a single servant in the harem is not afraid of him. It's a miracle that he treats you exceptionally well."
After hearing Feng Lie's感慨, Liu Liu felt a hint of disappointment. She had originally thought that Feng Lie had spoken to Steward Jiang. Now it seemed it was likely her father's doing.
"Oh, alright, it's getting late. You should go back. I need to rest. I've had a tiring day," Liu Liu yawned and stood up. Feng Lie saw that she had indeed been through a lot today and immediately agreed.
"Alright, I'll be going. If you need anything in the future, just send a message to me through the young eunuch, and I will surely help you."
"Mmm," Chu Chu waved her hand indifferently, her eyelids almost sticking together. Feng Lie vanished with a flash. Chu Chu, attended by the young maid, washed up and went to bed to rest.