Liu Liu, who was in the Weiyang Palace, couldn't help but shiver. She wondered why she was suddenly trembling for no reason.
After thinking about it, Xiao Anzi had already led Prime Minister Liu Ting into the Weiyang Palace.
Upon seeing her brother, Liu Liu's spirits lifted. The cold aura dispersed, replaced by the coy demeanor of a young woman. She stepped forward.
"Brother, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Liu Ting thanked his sister. Although Liu'er liked to call him brother, he was her subject, and he always maintained his proper conduct in the palace. However, in private, Liu'er still preferred to call him brother. "Come, brother, please sit down."
Liu Ting sat to the side. Palace maids brought tea and waited. Since concubines in the harem had to have at least three palace maids and eunuchs present when meeting an outside male, Hong Xiu led Cai Xia and Ming Yue to stand at a distance.
After Liu Liu's brother finished his tea, she slowly began to ask, "Brother, why did the Emperor issue a decree of guilt? Did something happen that caused him to do so?"
Liu Ting was taken aback. His sister didn't know about the rumors in the capital. He hesitated, unsure whether to tell her. But seeing her sharp and insightful eyes, he knew that any ordinary excuse would not fool her.
If she were to learn about this from someone else, she would inevitably be angry with him. She had always hated being deceived. Liu Ting put down his teacup and spoke earnestly.
"Rumors spread throughout the capital overnight, claiming that Your Majesty the Empress is a demon who bewitches the world, causing chaos in the nation and disrupting the imperial court. Upon receiving the news, His Majesty immediately issued a decree of guilt, explaining the circumstances to the common people. To our surprise, this not only quelled the rumors but also had a positive effect. The matter has passed, so Your Majesty need not worry."
Liu Ting comforted Liu Liu, fearing she would overthink things. In truth, this incident was merely a ploy by someone in the shadows.
"His Majesty is indeed thoughtful,"
Liu Liu sighed softly. She never expected someone so proud and arrogant to restrain his sharp edge and sincerely apologize to a woman publicly.
This was unprecedented in ancient times, especially for an Emperor, the supreme man.
Liu Liu's heart fluttered. She couldn't quite describe the feeling. Since her return to the palace, she could genuinely sense the changes in Feng Xie.
When facing others, he was still the cold and ruthless Emperor, but only when facing her and Mu Xing was he a flesh-and-blood man. The negative thoughts she once held in her mind slowly faded away.
However, all their efforts were now focused on the mastermind behind the scenes. It seemed that mastermind had set their sights on her. The depths of Liu Liu's eyes were filled with the chill of winter. Was it aimed at her? If so, let it come.
"Since that person targeted me, and they failed this time, they will surely make another move against me,"
Liu Liu stated with certainty. Liu Ting was momentarily stunned. They had overlooked this possibility.
Liu'er's words were indeed plausible. Since they had targeted her, they would undoubtedly make further moves. But what kind of moves?
"Then I will immediately report this to His Majesty and have him send people to protect Your Majesty,"
Liu Ting said anxiously. He couldn't allow his sister to suffer even the slightest harm. Liu Liu heard the concern in her brother's voice, saw the anxiety on his handsome face, and felt a warmth in her heart. She calmly shook her head.
"There's no need. Do not alarm His Majesty with this matter. If His Majesty is alerted, that person will not act so quickly. I believe I can handle this myself."
Liu Liu stopped her brother. She believed she had the ability to resolve all of this. More importantly, if those people knew that the Emperor had sent people to protect her, they would surely become more cautious. In the current situation, the sooner these people revealed themselves, the better.
"Then allow me to send people to protect Your Majesty. Otherwise, I will not be at ease."
A hint of determination flickered in Liu Ting's eyes. He feared his sister would be harmed again. Knowing that those people were coveting his sister, how could he place her in the jaws of a tiger?
In this way, he would not be able to do his work with peace of mind. Her capability was one thing, but his fulfilling his responsibility was another.
"No, that will alert the enemy. Brother, don't worry, I won't let those who want to bully me have an easy time. Not a single one of them,"
A cold glint sparkled in Liu Liu's intelligent eyes. She exhaled softly. If Feng Luo was the one controlling everything from behind the scenes, then she would not be afraid of him. Since this man controlled everything,
then he must know that she was the楼主 of Seven Star Tower, Qi Ye. Knowing she was Qi Ye and still making a move against her showed his arrogance. Was he secretly laughing behind the scenes?
I will peel their skins off layer by layer. However, there is one thing that should be checked thoroughly.
"Brother, if you truly want to help me, then help me investigate one matter."
"Tell me," Liu Ting replied earnestly. As long as she asked, he would help her unconditionally with anything.
"Send people to investigate Lou Sijing's movements thoroughly, her activities in the palace over the past five years, and the movements of everyone around her. Since the Lou family is controlled by Feng Luo, can Lou Sijing remain completely uninvolved and unscathed?"
Such a bold suspicion was something Liu Liu dared not raise with the Emperor, as it was utter disrespect. Could Lou Sijing be so daring as to have an illicit affair with an outsider?
Furthermore, there was not even a trace of Feng Xie from top to bottom in Yu Lou. As for who he resembled, Liu Liu didn't know, but she was certain he didn't resemble Feng Xie at all.
"Sister?"
Liu Ting was startled by his sister's thought. Impossible, Lou Sijing was a lady from a prestigious family. Could she have committed such a rebellious act?
Where would the Emperor's reputation lie? Liu Ting suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Feng Xie. If this Prince Yu Lou was not Feng Xie's child,
then Feng Xie, if not driven mad, would at least be deeply affected. Back then, he desperately wanted to abort Liu'er's child to preserve Yu Lou, but in the end, Yu Lou turned out to be someone else's child, a pawn. The thought sent a shiver down Liu Ting's spine, and a cold breeze swept over him.
"Alright, I will send people to investigate. Additionally, I will station people outside Weiyang Palace for protection.
Those people will be disguised as eunuchs. Your Majesty, rest assured, just call out if anything happens."
Liu Ting would absolutely not fail to arrange for people to enter Weiyang Palace. Even if his sister objected, it would be useless. Seeing that her brother was determined, Liu Liu knew that whatever she said, he wouldn't listen, so she let him have his way. Otherwise, he wouldn't be at ease.
"Alright, if anything happens, I will call them,"
Liu Liu could only nod. Liu Ting breathed a sigh of relief. Despite his outward stubbornness,
if his sister had firmly objected, he truly wouldn't have been able to do anything to her. Fortunately, she didn't object further, and he could finally put his mind at ease. He lifted his long robes and stood up, gracefully cupping his fists. "Your subject takes his leave."
"Yes, brother, go back," Liu Liu nodded, watching her brother's tall and straight figure leave. His back was as upright as a pine tree, always protecting her as a family member. A smile unconsciously curved her lips.
After Prime Minister Liu departed, Hong Xiu and Cai Xia walked over and respectfully asked, "Does Your Majesty wish to retire to the sleeping quarters to rest for a while? You seem very tired."
"Good," Liu Liu nodded. The two palace maids stepped forward to support her as she went to her sleeping quarters to rest. She had been worrying about these hidden matters for the past few days.
The day passed quickly. Liu Liu slept for half the day and only woke up in the evening.
The palace lanterns were already lit in the sleeping quarters, casting a bright and dazzling glow. Liu Liu sat on the bed, lost in thought for a moment. Only two young maids were guarding the room.
Hong Xiu and Ming Yue approached, curtsied respectfully, and asked, "Your Majesty, shall we prepare dinner for you?"
"I'm not hungry yet. Bring me a cup of flower tea to refresh myself," Liu Liu gestured. Hong Xiu went to the side to pour tea, while Ming Yue drew back the bed curtains and offered her a hand to help her off the bed, softly asking, "Did Your Majesty sleep well?"