"Stand aside. Think carefully about what I'm asking you and the consequences. I trust I don't need to remind you."
The cold warning sent Zhan Yun and Zhao Jiu's hearts into their throats. What should they do?
If they spoke of the Empress, she would surely be severely punished. The thought made them glare at each other before retreating to the side.
Xie Lan, followed by her personal maids, entered the study behind Xiao Wanzi. She curtsied gracefully to Feng Xie and offered her greetings.
"Xie Lan greets His Majesty."
"Good, rise," Feng Xie's tone softened slightly, but Xie Lan still felt the chilling aura in the air. She was inwardly startled, wondering why His Majesty was so angry and whether she should speak.
Her gaze swept over the Empress's detached demeanor, like an ethereal cloud out of reach, devoid of emotion. Yet, everyone wanted to grasp her, even Feng Lie.
Thinking of this, a trace of resentment stirred within her. She knew that Consort Shu and the Empress were not on good terms, and she also understood Consort Shu's intentions today, but she chose to play ignorant. For love, she wanted to be selfish just once.
Xie Lan's heart was a tangled mess, her expression filled with doubt. Should she speak or not? If she spoke, she would lose such a friend, as gentle as water. If she didn't, she felt unwilling.
Feng Xie was still waiting for the noble princess to speak. He only saw her face shift from pale to red, then to green, changing several times as if she were making a momentous decision. Growing impatient, he spoke with cold severity.
"What matter brings the princess to seek me?"
"Me?" Xie Lan gritted her teeth and looked up. Her eyes fell on the two men standing nearby. Weren't they the ones who had fought for the Empress earlier? How were they here?
Xie Lan's eyes suddenly darkened, a faint smile playing on her lips. Was heaven helping her? She and Feng Lie were fated to be together. A gentle smile bloomed on Xie Lan's beautiful face as she pointed her slender finger at Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei, exclaiming in surprise.
"Aren't you two the ones who fought for the Empress? What are you doing here?"
In the study, Xie Lan Princess's words instantly froze the temperature as if it had been sealed in ice. The eyes of the three men shot towards her with terrifying intensity, as if they could devour her.
Xie Lan suddenly felt a pang of regret. If Feng Lie knew she had done this, would he still like her?
But it was done, and there was no turning back. She could only look up at the Emperor fearlessly.
"Xie Lan implores His Majesty for one thing: allow the Empress to meet Prince Yan. Xie Lan has already pleaded with the Empress, and she fears His Majesty will not agree, so she refused Xie Lan. I beg His Majesty to grant this."
After speaking, Xie Lan suddenly knelt, looking at the Emperor with a heartbroken expression. However, Feng Xie's face had already turned a deep, dark color, his entire being raging as if he wanted to kill.
So Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei had fought because of that woman. Was that woman really the one Zhan Yun had seen in Black Wind City? What was she doing in Black Wind City?
And Princess Xie Lan wanted her to see Prince Yan. She didn't refuse, even saying she feared he wouldn't agree. Did she really intend to see him if he agreed? This hateful woman, it seemed she had never forgotten Feng Lie.
"Xiao Wanzi, escort Princess Xie Lan out," a cold voice, like that of a demon from hell, resounded. Feng Xie's face was now at its most ferocious, yet he smiled. The smile was tinged with a sinister, icy chill. His entire being was frozen, his eyes violent and arrogant, and he let out a furious, grinding hum.
"Tell me what happened."
Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei couldn't help but tremble inwardly, cold sweat trickling down their temples, their faces somewhat pale. Yet, both tried their best to remain composed and reported calmly.
"Reporting to His Majesty, Princess Xie Lan is mistaken. We simply disliked each other and fought. It has nothing to do with the Empress."
Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei's words did not quell the Emperor's anger. On the contrary, they fanned the flames. He couldn't believe that such an ugly woman had so many people speaking for her. It was truly detestable.
Feng Xie cursed, feeling as if smoke was rising from his head, his heart filled with annoyance. He didn't know what was wrong with him, but he felt an overwhelming hatred that all these men liked that woman. As for why, he had no time to think about it now.
"It seems that woman really went to Black Wind City," he spoke with a chilling charm, his smile widening, but it was like a sharp ice blade that landed directly on Zhan Yun's face. Zhan Yun was startled, not expecting the Emperor to have guessed. A fleeting dark glint flashed across his face, and he quickly replied.
"No, the Empress did not go to Black Wind City." As soon as Zhan Yun spoke, he wished he could bite off his tongue. Wasn't this a case of protest too much? Was there anyone more foolish than him?
His handsome face lowered, his long hair cascading down, concealing half of it. His face was etched with extreme annoyance. He truly did not want to harm the Empress.
Feng Xie, filled with murderous intent, roared towards the outside: "Xiao Wanzi, go to Huaqing Palace immediately and invite the Empress here. I want to see her."
"Your Majesty," Zhan Yun and Zhao Jiu quickly interjected upon hearing the Emperor's words, but Feng Xie's eyes flashed with bloodlust, and his lips held a cold smile.
At this moment, his entire being was like a dark night demon devouring souls, imbued with the darkness and cruelty of the night. He didn't even glance at his two subordinates.
Xiao Wanzi, having received the Emperor's command, dared not delay any further. He flashed out of the study and headed straight for Huaqing Palace behind the three palaces.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu was in the long corridor of Huaqing Palace, reading a newly acquired Ci poem to the palace maids. The imagery was beautiful, and she was extremely fond of it, so she read it for the maids to enjoy together.
Everyone was enjoying a harmonious scene when a sudden intrusion disrupted their refined pleasure. They couldn't help but frown and cast a cold glance at Xiao Wanzi.
"Shouldn't you be attending to your master? What are you doing here?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty wishes to see you. Your Highness should accompany this servant to see His Majesty immediately."
Xiao Wanzi was panting, but there was a tremor in his voice. Liu Liu noticed it carefully, threw the book scroll in her hand to Cui'er beside her, stood up, walked to Xiao Wanzi's side, turned twice, and said in a deep voice.
"Speak, what does His Majesty want to see me for?"
Xiao Wanzi usually had a good impression of the Empress. Moreover, the Empress was the niece of the Empress Dowager, so as a servant, he dared not offend her.
Besides, the Emperor seemed to care a lot about the Empress. Perhaps in the future, he would favor her, so he dared not make things difficult for her. He glanced around, took two steps forward, and whispered.
"Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei fought, which alerted His Majesty. His Majesty summoned them, and later, somehow, it led to Black Wind City. The rest, this servant doesn't quite understand."
Xiao Wanzi didn't understand, but Liu Liu did. It seemed that wicked man Zhan Yun had revealed her. This man was truly selfish, even wanting to take her as a concubine. Was he trying to shift the blame because of her high status?
However, she wasn't worried about this matter. What worried her was that the Emperor would definitely investigate why she went to Black Wind City. This was truly troublesome. Liu Liu's willow-like brows furrowed, her expression becoming somewhat grim.
Xiao Wanzi, on the other hand, was completely perplexed. Why were both His Majesty's and the Empress's faces so unpleasant? What had happened between them?