“Yes,” Liu Liu nodded, her gaze icy. A fierce glint settled on her beautiful face, like a poisonous poppy, exuding its charm and its venom.
Anyone with ulterior motives would surely fall victim to her machinations.
“I don’t know what happened between the Princess and Prince Yan five years ago. The Princess left Prince Yan’s estate and became a nun in a convent behind Tianxiang Temple. I’m not sure what happened afterward.
But roughly, the Princess must have discovered she was pregnant, left the convent, and wandered. Later, those hiding in the shadows discovered her whereabouts and sent people to kill her.
The masterminds behind those assassins then stirred trouble in Yuehua Kingdom, successfully provoking a war between the two countries.
And Princess Jie Lan is still living in dire straits. That Emperor of Yuehua Kingdom has no idea that these wicked people are pursuing his daughter while instigating a war between the two nations, plunging the populace into fear.”
“So that’s how it happened. During these five years, the Emperor was too grief-stricken and entrusted many state affairs to Prince Yan. Prince Yan is a talented general, but not a talent for stabilizing a nation.
The late Emperor knew this, which is why he appointed Feng Xie as the Emperor. In these five years, Prince Yan’s administration has had many loopholes that those people have exploited,”
Prime Minister Liu said with a heavy heart. He had some understanding of the court’s situation, but due to his daughter’s death and his wife’s profound grief, he felt overwhelmed and resigned from his post to return home.
“Fortunately, the Emperor has now pulled himself together. As long as the Emperor is determined to rectify the court, I believe the administration will soon regain its clarity.”
Liu Ting spoke to ease his sister’s worries. He actually believed in the Emperor’s capabilities. Feng Xie was a capable person; there was nothing he couldn’t do if he set his mind to it, acting decisively and boldly.
Liu Liu nodded. She also believed in Feng Xie’s abilities, but she found his five years of self-neglect baffling. She couldn’t understand if it was because Feng Xie loved her or because he felt guilty.
Guilty for harming his wife and child, perhaps. But there were more important matters at hand. Liu Liu raised her eyes to look at Liu Ting.
“Brother, I hope you will help the Emperor.”
“Liu’er?”
Liu Ting’s mouth dropped open in surprise. He hadn’t expected his sister to bring this up so directly.
Truthfully, he had strategies in his heart and had studied diligently for years, yearning to showcase his ambitions, but he had wasted many years.
Previously, it was because their father was the Prime Minister, and the Liu family should not be too prominent. Later, after his sister’s death, he had no interest in the imperial court.
Upon hearing Liu Liu’s suggestion, he was momentarily lost in thought. Everyone in the main hall was looking at him, waiting for him to speak. Gu Lan, who had been sitting beside Liu Ting, clapped her hands gleefully.
“That’s wonderful, Ting Gege! I believe in your abilities. You will definitely help the Emperor punish the bad guys. Please agree,”
Gu Lan said, reaching out to tug Liu Ting’s arm. Liu Ting’s face grew stern. This woman was truly meddlesome.
However, seeing her confidence in his abilities made him somewhat happy. Moreover, he had already been considering taking action. Since his sister had spoken, he shouldn’t play coy.
“Alright, I promise you.”
Upon hearing Liu Ting’s words, Prime Minister Liu, Madame Liu, and Liu Liu all began to smile joyfully. The hall of the Liu mansion filled with happiness. Gu Lan’s laughter rang out like silver bells, carrying far.
Just then, a young maidservant from the Liu mansion rushed in to report, “Reporting to Master and Madam, the patient has woken up. We’ve already sent her some food, and she’s eaten. She said she wishes to see the Empress.”
“Oh, she’s awake,” Liu Liu quickly stood up from her high seat, greeted her parents, and left the main hall. Leading a few young maids and Liu Ting, she hurried towards Tingfeng Tower.
Tingfeng Tower was still adorned with shady willow trees and blooming flowers, the gentle breeze rustling the parasol trees.
As Liu Liu entered the bedroom, she heard voices. It turned out that the young son, Feng Xin Hun, was talking with his mother.
“Mother, do you know? Brother is so handsome! And that beautiful Empress is truly lovely, as pretty as you, Mother?”
Princess Jie Lan sat askew on the bed, turning her head to observe everything in the chamber. It was elegant and quiet. She heard that this was the Liu mansion, and this room was where the Empress resided before her marriage.
From this, one could discern the Empress’s growth. She must have been a lady who disliked extravagance; otherwise, given Prime Minister Liu’s capabilities, this place should have been resplendent.
“Is that so?”
Jie Lan was somewhat puzzled. Her heart was filled with doubt. She remembered the Empress having a rather ugly face; otherwise, why would the legend of the ugliest woman in the capital exist?
Yet her son described her as beautiful. She had asked the young maids, who said they were rescued by the Empress. This was the Liu mansion, and could this Liu Liu not be that Liu Liu? The more Jie Lan thought about it, the more confused she became, and she decided to stop thinking about it.
The pearl curtain rustled lightly as a young maid lifted it. Liu Liu walked in, and Jie Lan froze. The woman before her was truly beautiful, deserving of the description ‘devastatingly beautiful.’ No wonder her son called her pretty. But who was she?
Upon closer inspection, she noticed the wisdom and calmness in her deep, dark eyes, and the subtle aloofness on her face. It turned out the woman before her was indeed the Empress, and a veil of crimson had merely obscured her peerless beauty. Jie Lan smiled.
“It really is you. You’ve returned.”
She had never believed that this woman would die. It was as if all the events in the world were held within her knowledge; how could she die so easily? A gentle radiance flashed on her face. “Thank you for saving us.”
“You’re welcome. You’ve suffered a lot these years, but did all this happen because of your pregnancy?”
Liu Liu looked earnestly at Jie Lan. Jie Lan shook her head in confusion. For years, she had been moving from place to place with her son.
Sometimes she had considered returning to Prince Yan’s estate, but she feared Feng Lie would not acknowledge her and might even accuse her of having a bastard child.
Would she have to endure another humiliation after the first one? Therefore, even if she starved or fainted from hunger, she did not return to seek further disgrace.
“What happened?”
Jie Lan raised her eyebrows, asking in alarm, her heart filled with suspicion as she looked at the Empress uneasily. Liu Liu waved her hand, instructing Hong Xiu to take the young son Feng Xin Hun to the front to play with Mu Xing. The two children were about the same age and would make good companions.
“Hong Xiu, take Xin Hun to the main hall to play with Mu Xing.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Hong Xiu nodded and quickly came forward, reaching out to take Feng Xin Hun’s hand. Feng Xin Hun, being five years old and fond of Mu Xing, had a flash of excitement on his face. However, he remembered to seek his mother’s permission with his gaze. Jie Lan nodded.
“Alright, Xin Hun, go play with brother. Be careful not to cause any trouble.”
“I understand,” Feng Xin Hun nodded vigorously and followed Hong Xiu out. Liu Liu turned back, sat down by Jie Lan’s bedside, and waved for the other young maids to leave, leaving only her brother Liu Ting sitting on a nearby chair.