A flurry of polite greetings and flattery ensued, with guests forming small groups to converse. After all, there was still some time before the wedding, and it was the perfect opportunity to forge connections.
Feng Lie escorted the Emperor and Empress to the VIP chambers to rest. The Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince had also been settled in their accommodations. Liu Liu looked up and saw that Feng Lie had not yet changed into his groom's attire, and she waved him away with a smile.
"You should go change and get ready. What kind of groom's-to-be is this? Be careful, the princess might get angry."
"Very well, your brother will take his leave."
Feng Lie spoke, lowering his head. Listening to Liu'er's gentle words, his heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions, an indescribable feeling. He took a deep breath, reminding himself.
Today was his wedding day. From now on, he would no longer entertain such thoughts. She would forever be the Empress of the dynasty, and he would be her subject. Their time as youths was over. Looking up again, his face was filled with a smile.
Feng Xie waved his hand. He had been worried that Feng Lie might not be able to cope, but he was surprised his imperial brother had come to terms with it. This relieved his heart. He hoped his imperial brother would find happiness in the future, but not with Liu'er.
He could give him anything else. Feng Xie thought this, silently vowing, "Imperial brother, I'm sorry."
After Prince Yan, Feng Lie, had left, Liu Liu looked up and asked a young maidservant of the manor, "Which courtyard is Princess Jie Lan staying in?"
"The princess is in the adjacent courtyard, and she will move into the prince's courtyard after the wedding," the maidservant replied with a hint of fear. She had heard that the Empress before her was a formidable person and dared not be careless.
"Oh, then take me to see the princess."
Liu Liu was naturally somewhat detached. She always spoke coolly to those she was not familiar with.
This led many unfamiliar people to believe she had a cold and fierce temperament. The young maidservant before her was a living example. However, Liu Liu did not wish to say anything more. She turned and looked at Feng Xie, who was leaning against a soft couch inside.
"Your Majesty, I will go and see the princess."
"Very well. Be careful and take a few people with you."
Feng Xie reminded her with concern. It was still uncertain whether Feng Luo would appear. Although Liu'er was highly skilled in martial arts and possessed a keen mind, everyone had their weaknesses. He could not bear to imagine what would happen if she were to meet with an accident.
"I understand." Liu Liu knew he was worried about her, and she would be careful. It was not a problem for the Emperor to stay here, as the VIP pavilion was well-guarded with patrols at every post and formation.
Moreover, his own martial prowess was formidable. Even if Feng Luo confronted him directly, he might not be able to defeat him. The most despicable thing was that fellow's tendency to resort to underhanded tactics.
Liu Liu led two young maidservants out. Outside the courtyard pavilion stood a group of guards, and several of Liu Liu's own subordinates had also rushed over. They had been startled to hear that their mistress had been targeted and had all come to her side.
Liu Liu was not surprised to see them. She simply nodded and instructed Ri Ying, "You all stay here to protect His Majesty. I have these few with me, which is sufficient."
"Your Highness." Ri Ying was taken aback. If anything happened to their mistress, His Majesty would not spare them. Liu Liu knew what he was thinking and turned with a faint, cold smile, "It's nothing."
The group headed towards the adjacent courtyard. Servants guarded the entrance. Upon seeing Liu Liu's noble and imposing aura, they immediately recognized the woman before them as the most respected woman in the land. They hastily prostrated themselves on the ground in fear, "Your servant greets the Empress."
"You may rise," Liu Liu said, waving her hand. She spoke lightly. She disliked people kneeling constantly, but her status required others to bow to her every day, which she sometimes found truly bothersome.
"The princess is inside and has already completed her makeup. She is waiting for the auspicious time," the young maidservant replied respectfully.
Liu Liu nodded and led the group inside. The small courtyard was elegant, with winding railings and embroidered screens.
Although it was autumn, the courtyard was planted with many evergreens, making it a verdant scene.
Liu Liu led the young maidservants along the winding path to the end of the road, where they saw a row of fresh and elegant houses. The front of the house had painted pillars along the corridor, and stone steps were laid out layer by layer. Large green pines were planted outside the corridor pillars, and rows of maidservants stood under the eaves.
As Liu Liu and her companions approached, the princess's personal maidservant, who was waiting at the entrance, recognized Liu Liu from a distance. She immediately spoke respectfully.
"Your servants greet the princess."
"You may rise."
Liu Liu nodded, stepped onto the stone steps, lifted the curtain, and walked in. The sound of her jade ornaments chimed, startling those inside the room.
It was not yet the auspicious hour, and Jie Lan had not yet put on her ceremonial robe. She looked up and saw Liu Liu, then smiled sweetly and looked over.
Her beautiful eyes were exquisitely painted, and her gaze was captivating. The bright red wedding dress accentuated her skin, which was as fair as snow. She was truly a dazzling beauty. Liu Liu's lips curved into a smile as she walked over and took Jie Lan's hand.
"How are you? Nervous?"
"A little."
Jie Lan nodded. This wedding between her and Prince Yan was a long-overdue ceremony. Their child was already five years old, and they were only now getting married.
Originally, she had resolutely refused to hold such a grand wedding, only wishing to host a few tables of food and celebrate with a few close friends. However, the Empress Dowager felt indebted to her and insisted on compensating her with a wedding.
"It's alright," Liu Liu said, sitting beside her. Dai Mei, standing behind her, poured a cup of tea from a nearby table and handed it to Liu Liu.
Liu Liu took it and was about to drink when she detected a faint, strange scent in the tea. It was very subtle, and one would not notice it if they weren't paying attention. Liu Liu's expression remained unchanged, and she handed it back to Dai Mei. Seeing that her mistress had not touched it, Dai Mei placed it back on the table.
Liu Liu scanned the bedroom. Red "xi" characters, signifying joy, were pasted everywhere, filling the room with festive cheer. There were no young maidservants inside. She leaned down and whispered to Jie Lan,
"Someone has drugged the tea. You will faint shortly. Don't be afraid; I will help you catch that person."
Jie Lan's beautiful eyes flickered with alarm, but she quickly regained her composure. Without saying a word, she nodded. Her head already felt heavy, and she soon slumped onto the table, falling asleep. Dai Mei exclaimed in surprise, "What's going on?"
"The princess has been drugged. It must be Feng Luo's doing. Change your clothes with hers and take her out." Liu Liu calmly instructed. Dai Mei immediately shook her head. She had heard that Feng Luo was very insidious, and how could she abandon her mistress?
"Mistress, this is too dangerous. If anything happens to you, His Majesty will not forgive us."
"Are you my subordinate, or His Majesty's?"
Time was extremely tight, and Feng Luo might appear at any moment.
Liu Liu stared coldly at Dai Mei, who dared not say another word. She immediately began to change Jie Lan's clothes with her mistress's. She supported Princess Jie Lan as she walked out.
Seeing her mistress, dressed in a ceremonial robe, slumped on the table, she supported Jie Lan with one hand. About ten feet from the door, she called out, "Hong Xiu."
Hong Xiu walked in and extended her hand to help support her mistress along with Dai Mei. Upon seeing that her mistress was not quite right, she was startled and looked over quickly. The face that greeted her was Princess Jie Lan's, and she opened her mouth to ask.
Dai Mei glared at her fiercely. Hong Xiu dared not question further and, with a belly full of unspoken thoughts, helped Jie Lan out. The young maidservants outside the room kept their heads lowered, respectfully saying, "Farewell, Empress."
They did not hear the Empress's reply, only the sound of footsteps gradually fading away.
The young maidservants looked up. Among them, one young maidservant's eyes were exceptionally sharp, and a sinister smile played on her lips. With a flick of her hand, a fragrant breeze wafted by, and the young maidservants around her fell to the ground, unconscious. Only one young maidservant slowly walked into the bedroom.