The capital city, prosperous and flourishing, was even more vibrant than five years prior. The streets teemed with people, and carriages drawn by fine steeds flowed endlessly. Mu Xing gazed out the curtain, her small face flushed with excitement, as adorable as a rosy red apple.
As for Liu Liu, looking out, she felt a touch of apprehension before arriving home. Thinking of her beloved parents and brother, she wondered if they were living well. Because of her, the Liu family had withdrawn from court. Her brother possessed deep talent; wasn't it burying him? Liu Liu's thoughts churned. Feng Xie, seeing her clearly, spoke with concern.
"Liu Liu, I was wrong before. I will compensate you for everything in the future,"
Liu Liu listened to his words without speaking, truly not wanting to say anything. At this moment, her greatest concern was whether her parents were safe and sound, and whether her brother had found his intended love.
The carriage traveled all the way to the outer palace gate, then entered the inner palace gate, crossed a soft bridge, and stopped in front of the inner palace gate. Immediately, a young eunuch, Xiao Wanzi, stepped forward, lowered the footrest, and respectfully invited the Emperor to alight.
After the Emperor dismounted, he still extended his hand into the carriage with a beaming smile. A beauty of peerless charm emerged from the carriage, her every movement exuding an otherworldly coolness, as if she were a celestial being from a painting.
Xiao Wanzi dared not look directly. A glance from the corner of his eye was enough to render him astonished. No wonder the Emperor returned with such a radiant smile, completely unlike his cold detachment when he had left the palace.
Seeing the imperial family's good fortune approaching, Xiao Wanzi immediately felt happy for the Emperor. Then he heard the Emperor's gentle voice.
"Liu'er, slowly." Feng Xie helped Liu'er down and extended his hand to Mu Xing, whose eyes were wide with surprise within the carriage. "Come, Mu Xing, Father Emperor will carry you down."
This statement was like a stone sinking into the sea. Xiao Wanzi and the eunuchs carrying the sedan chairs were all stunned. The Emperor had just called this woman Liu'er, the Empress's personal name, and let this woman's child call him Father Emperor. Heaven help them, this was chaos! The Emperor had never been so good to his own child, Prince Yu Lou. Could it be that just because this woman was called Liu'er, he brought her into the palace and let her child call him Father Emperor? The thought made Xiao Wanzi's scalp tingle.
"Your Majesty?" He wanted to ask the Emperor what was going on, but the Emperor ignored him and coldly ordered the eunuchs, "Lift the sedan chair to Weiyang Palace."
This mention of Weiyang Palace completely stunned Xiao Wanzi. This beauty who had suddenly appeared had not only become the Emperor's favored concubine but was directly moving into Weiyang Palace. This was a position Consort De had coveted for five years without success, and an outsider had obtained it so effortlessly. She would surely be enraged. Most importantly, this woman had brought a child with her and let the child call him Father Emperor. Did the Emperor intend to bestow the position of Crown Prince upon her as well? This was too wild. Xiao Wanzi felt his legs weaken, and he only regained his composure to slowly follow at a distance after the soft bridge had moved far away.
The soft bridge stopped before Weiyang Palace. Three large characters, Weiyang Palace, were written in a bold, flowing script above the palace gate. White jade steps ascended layer by layer, with carved phoenixes standing on either side, exuding nobility and distinction. This was the dwelling of the most honored woman in the Celestial Phoenix Kingdom, a place of supreme authority. Little Mu Xing slowly descended, her large, dark eyes sparkling with curiosity and exploration. She followed her mother and Father Emperor into this grand and magnificent place. A dozen young palace maids and eunuchs knelt with graceful curtsies, respectfully bowing.
"Your servant greets Your Majesty."
"Rise." Feng Xie waved his hand with unrestrained charm. His authoritative words carried a hint of softness, leaving the kneeling young eunuchs and palace maids full of doubt, silently speculating. Was this heavenly beautiful woman accompanying the Emperor the future Empress? And what about the child beside her?
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Come and meet the Empress," Feng Xie knew that these eunuchs and palace maids no longer recognized Liu'er. Because Liu'er had always had ugly blemishes on her face, and after revealing her true beauty, not many eunuchs and palace maids had seen her. Therefore, it was normal that they did not recognize Liu Liu. Hearing the Emperor's words, they were all startled and moved swiftly to bow.
"Your servants pay respects to the Empress."
Liu Liu scanned Weiyang Palace, her heart filled with emotion. She never expected to return. It felt like another lifetime. Seeing the palace maids and eunuchs kneeling on the ground, her cool voice rang out.
"All rise."
Her voice was so familiar that Cai Xia, Ming Yue, and Xiao Wanzi couldn't help but feel suspicious. This voice was so similar to the late Empress Liu's. What was going on? However, not knowing the new Empress's temperament, these palace maids and eunuchs dared not boldly look up to examine the new Empress and could only cautiously offer their thanks in low voices.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress."
Cui'er stood behind Liu Liu, holding Mu Xing's hand. Seeing everyone's cautious and careful demeanor, it seemed they still didn't know who was standing before them, their former mistress. Come to think of it, the person had died. She had even been buried in the imperial mausoleum in front of everyone. Now, another person who resembled her had appeared. Who would dare to think otherwise? At most, they would think the Emperor had found someone who resembled the Empress to replace her. Therefore, Cui'er softly called out to Cai Xia and Ming Yue.
"Cai Xia, Ming Yue, look and see who is before you."
As Cui'er's voice sounded, Cai Xia and Ming Yue looked up in surprise. They were very familiar with Cui'er's voice. They hadn't expected even Cui'er to return. Could it be that the person speaking was indeed the Empress? The two young maids examined her carefully. The woman before them was as beautiful as a celestial being. Her furrowed brows, her cool gaze, the faint smile on her lips, and her overall aloofness. Heavens, it truly was the Empress. When the Empress had finally revealed her unparalleled beauty, her close maids had been by her side.
Seeing that the deceased Empress had seemingly come back to life, the eunuchs and palace maids in the main hall of Weiyang Palace became emotional, tears welling up in their eyes. They knelt again to pay their respects to Liu Liu.
"Your servants respectfully welcome the Empress back to the palace."
"All rise."
Liu Liu saw everyone's joy and finally felt some happiness, a faint smile appearing on her face. Feng Xie, standing beside her, saw Liu'er smile and his anxious heart finally settled. He extended his hand to help Liu'er to the high seat. Little Mu Xing followed her Father Emperor and mother to the high seat. Looking at everything before him, he felt even more surprised. These people seemed to be very afraid of Father Emperor. Although Father Emperor could be fierce when he was angry, he was usually very kind.
"Come, this is the Crown Prince." As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Cai Xia and Ming Yue immediately looked towards the beautiful face. He looked so much like the Empress! So cute. He was much better looking than Prince Yu Lou, and very bold, staring at them without any shyness. Most importantly, the Emperor directly stated that this was the Crown Prince. So, the Empress's child from that year had not died. Since he hadn't died, the Empress's child was naturally the Crown Prince. However, everyone had thought the Empress had died, and the Crown Prince should be Prince Yu Lou. Although he hadn't been formally appointed by the Emperor, everyone privately called Prince Yu Lou the Crown Prince. Now, unexpectedly, a Crown Prince had appeared out of nowhere. It was likely that Consort De would be greatly impacted. But what did this have to do with them, the little maids? Cai Xia and Ming Yue led the people of Weiyang Palace forward and spoke in clear voices.
"Your servants pay respects to the Crown Prince."