Liu Liu's heart was in turmoil. She didn't know what to say, only that her heart ached. She didn't want anyone to see her tears, so she gestured for the others to leave. "Everyone out. I will discuss future matters with you later."
Several people immediately rose and respectfully withdrew.
In the sleeping quarters, only she sat by his bedside. Liu Liu reached out and touched his cheek. It was so cold, his body was always cold, and so were his hands.
As long as she stayed by his side, he liked to hold her hand because her hands were always warm, warming him to his very core.
When he said these words back then, was he yearning for some response from her, even a little bit? Sometimes, when she gave him a little response, he would be extremely happy.
Thinking of this, Liu Liu felt immense regret. If only she had given him even a little bit of warmth.
"Feng Xie, you will be alright. Believe me, I will get the Blood Droplet for you. Although A Bao didn't say, I know it's very difficult, but no matter how hard it is, I will get it. I won't let you die."
Liu Liu, with a voice as gentle as flowing water for the first time, leaned down and softly kissed his lips. His lips were ice-cold. A tear fell onto his lips, hot, and as if sensing it, he woke up. He opened his eyes and saw Liu Er by his side, complaining with annoyance.
"Didn't I tell them not to tell you? These fools."
Liu Liu reached out to cover his mouth. Every ounce of his strength was precious now; he couldn't exhaust himself, or he wouldn't have the energy to deal with the bloodthirsty蠱 (gu) worms later.
"Feng Xie, how could you hide something like this from me? Doing this makes me so sad, do you know? You helped me detoxify. What do the people of this world think? Have I truly become a bewitched consort who brings ruin to the nation? You are not alone, how can you do this?"
Her tears gently slipped down, and her heart rained with them, falling drop by drop onto her soul.
"But I couldn't stop myself from doing this. I couldn't. Seeing you in pain made me feel suffocated. It hurt so much, I just wanted you to suffer less. I didn't think about it so much, really. If I truly can't be saved, then raise Mu Xing." He said softly. Seeing her cry for him, he suddenly felt that everything he had done was worth it. He wished they could meet again from the beginning. He wouldn't waste so much time; he would cherish her properly.
"Liu'er, if we meet again, I won't be so foolish," he said, slowly falling into weakness. Due to the excessive greed of the gu worms, he would often fall unconscious and couldn't maintain clarity. Liu Liu watched him lose consciousness, her heart aching immensely. She spoke quickly.
"Feng Xie, let's meet again. Just like the first time." After saying this, she smiled with an incredibly doting, girlish demeanor, looking at him and softly saying, "Big Brother, you are so beautiful."
He heard her words before he lost consciousness and smiled contentedly, speaking with all his remaining strength, "Yes, Liu'er is beautiful too."
Hearing his words, she cried. She leaned down and kissed his forehead lightly, softly saying, "Feng Xie, we will start over again, from our first meeting. Forget all the bad, all the unpleasantness. Let us meet again. I will defend this empire for you and find the Blood Droplet."
After she spoke, she stood up. The tear marks on her face were dried by the wind outside the window, leaving only her resolute gaze. A cold smile curled her lips. "Lou Sijing, if I ever see you again, I will personally cut you down. Just you wait." She walked out of the sleeping quarters with a look of absolute coldness.
In the main hall, four men stared at the Empress as she emerged. The Empress's expression was somewhat strained, but the sharp and aggressive aura surrounding her was hot yet chilling. No one dared to speak. Liu Liu scanned the men seated below and spoke coldly.
"His Majesty has been poisoned. I plan to leave the palace to find the Blood Droplet to cure him. From now on, all news about His Majesty is to be sealed. Not a single whisper is to get out. Any eunuch or maid in Yongyuan Hall, and any maid or eunuch in Weiyang Palace, who dares to leak this information will be beheaded immediately."
The deep pupils of her eyes contained amplified coldness, like icicles hanging from the eaves outside the window. The dozens of men were stunned, knowing the Empress was furious. When she was angry, it was best for no one to provoke her. They all remembered the time she had beheaded a second-rank official in court. Moreover, with His Majesty in his current state, someone had to manage the overall situation, and the Empress was a good candidate.
"Yes, your subjects obey the decree." They prayed in their hearts that the Empress would find the antidote, but there were many villains outside the palace, such as Feng Luo, and the Thirteen Iron Eagles hiding in the shadows. If the Empress left the palace, she would likely be in grave danger. Prince Yan, Feng Lie, and Prime Minister Liu Ting couldn't help but speak.
"This subject is willing to accompany Your Highness out of the palace."
Liu Liu raised her hand to stop the two men's words, her gaze like sharp swords piercing them. "If you are truly good subjects of His Majesty, then manage Tianfeng properly. Not a single mistake is to be made. As for leaving the palace, I have my own plans and do not need your concern. You should manage matters in the court."
"Then, can we announce to the ministers that His Majesty has a cold, since he is not attending court?" Jin Shaoyuan asked the Empress, recalling an earlier suggestion. Liu Liu furrowed her brows and replied coldly, "Why would His Majesty not attend court? If he doesn't, it will inevitably arouse suspicion. How long can a cold hide the truth?"
The four men were stunned by the Empress's words. What could be done? His Majesty was still lying in bed. What could they do to have His Majesty attend court?
Liu Liu's gaze fixed on Feng Lie. Liu Ting, seeing Liu Liu's expression, suddenly understood. How had they not thought of this earlier? "Does Your Highness mean for Prince Yan to disguise himself as His Majesty?"
"Yes. Prince Yan already bears some resemblance to His Majesty. With a disguise, I believe he will not reveal any flaws. His Majesty has always been strict and aloof. Those ministers would not dare to speculate wildly. Even if Prince Yan's actions are slightly different, those people would not dare to guess wildly. Matters of the court will be jointly managed by Prince Yan and the Prime Minister. Jin Shaoyuan and Bai Han will assist them in managing state affairs."
"Your subjects obey the decree." No one had any objection to the Empress's arrangements. Liu Liu stood up weakly.
"I am truly exhausted. Prince Yan, please stay to look after His Majesty. I will rest for a while and leave the palace early tomorrow morning. If there are any special matters in court, the four of you will handle them together. Also, the Crown Prince will reside in Yongyuan Hall. Since I will not be in Weiyang Palace, if anyone attempts to harm the Crown Prince, His Majesty will be saddened when he wakes up."
"Yes, your subjects respectfully escort Your Highness the Empress." The four men saw Liu Liu out of Yongyuan Hall. Liu Liu, holding Mu Xing's small hand, walked back to Weiyang Palace under the falling snow. No one spoke along the way. Upon returning to Weiyang Palace, Liu Liu swept her gaze over the eunuchs and palace maids in the main hall and spoke with a killing intent. "What happened today is not to be revealed to anyone. If anyone dares to leak it, do not blame me for being ruthless."
Although the Empress was usually very kind, she was a person of her word, and her words could not be questioned by anyone. Everyone respectfully and cautiously replied, "Yes, this servant (subject) understands. We will strictly obey Your Highness the Empress's command."
"You may all leave," Liu Liu waved her hand, and a group of eunuchs and palace maids retreated. Only Hong Xiu, Cui Er, and Dai Mei remained standing in the hall. Liu Liu glanced at her son, crouched down, and said softly, "Mu Xing, Father is poisoned. Mother will leave the palace tomorrow to find the antidote for Father. You will stay in Yongyuan Hall. You must listen to Cui Er, understand?"
"Mu Xing understands. Mu Xing will wait obediently for Mother to return." After this incident, Mu Xing became much more obedient. He knew that his father's illness was caused by him. Sometimes, casually trusting someone resulted in harming one's loved ones. Therefore, he would no longer trust others lightly.
"Cui Er, take Mu Xing to rest. Starting tomorrow, you will stay in Yongyuan Hall."
Liu Liu instructed Cui Er. Cui Er nodded. The Empress's arrangements must have her reasons; she was always clever. She nodded quickly, "Yes, Master."
After taking Mu Xing away, Liu Liu waited until Cui Er and her son had left, then turned to look at Hong Xiu, Dai Mei, and her few subordinates.
"Tomorrow, you will accompany me out of the palace. I am going to find the antidote."
"Yes, your subordinates obey the decree." Dai Mei and the others accepted the order. At this moment, Ri Ying entered from outside the hall door and knelt respectfully. "This subject, Sui Yi, is willing to accompany Your Highness out of the palace to find the antidote."