A group of people left the cold palace, stepping on golden light. Far away, the foolish Consort De lowered her head and began to sing again.
Leaning against the jade pillar, the pavilion and towers formed a painted scroll. Liu Liu led several palace maids along the long corridor, heading towards the Weiyang Palace. A small palace maid ran towards them, panting.
The hairpins on her head trembled precariously, almost falling off. She glanced up at Liu Liu and spoke quickly.
“Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, the head eunuch of Cining Palace, Qing An, has come to invite Your Majesty to Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager wishes to see you.”
Liu Liu stopped, glanced at the small palace maid, walked over, and straightened the hairpin on her head. Her gentle voice rang out, “This Empress understands. Tell Qing An that I will be there shortly and that he may return.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”
The small palace maid nodded excitedly. The Empress was so kind, even fixing her hairpin. She happily stood up and ran back with a smile. Liu Liu watched her figure, and as she ran, the hairpin swayed again. She couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile, “This girl?” Then she turned and walked towards the other end of the corridor, which was closer to Cining Palace.
“Let’s go to Cining Palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.” Hong Xiu and Ming Yue respectfully curtsied and followed their mistress towards Cining Palace.
In front of the Cining Palace gate, in a flower bed, several precious chrysanthemums bloomed. There were no other elaborate flowers. It was already late autumn, and winter would soon arrive.
This winter had come earlier than usual. The sunlight fell on people’s bodies like spilled gold, dazzling and carrying a delicate warmth.
Several young palace maids and eunuchs stood before the palace gate. As soon as they saw Liu Liu, they curtsied gracefully, “Your servants have seen Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Rise,”
Liu Liu waved her wide sleeves of flowing clouds. She spoke with a clear, cool voice. Her hair was pulled up high, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin with four butterflies, swaying elegantly. She walked into the grand hall of Cining Palace with grace.
In the grand hall, musk was burned. The Empress Dowager favored the scent of musk. The strong aroma filled the hall. Pearl curtains swayed, and jade rings chimed. The gauze curtains fluttered gracefully with the movement of people.
“Liu’er greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
“Rise. Come, sit beside this Empress. This Empress has something to discuss with Liu’er.”
The Empress Dowager lazily raised her body and gazed at the beautiful and elegant woman before her. She was like a maiden when still, and like a startled rabbit when in motion. Her wish had finally come true.
Her son loved Liu’er very much, so much so that he had cleared the harem for her. To be honest, with only two women left in the harem now, it was quite desolate.
Liu Liu slowly walked to the Empress Dowager’s phoenix couch and sat down. She looked at the Empress Dowager and asked, “Mother, what did you wish to discuss with Liu’er?”
“I heard that Consort De Lou has gone mad. Is she truly mad?”
The Empress Dowager also had some doubts about Lou Sijing’s madness because the Crown Prince’s safety was paramount. The Empress Dowager was very saddened by Yu Lou’s death.
She had doted on Yu Lou since he was a child, but she never expected him to be Feng Luo’s child. It was hateful that Feng Luo had harmed Lou Sijing and her daughter. However, if Lou Sijing set her sights on Mu Xing, it would be troublesome.
“Liu’er has tested her several times, and it seems she is truly mad. But she is so utterly mad that Liu’er feels uneasy. If Lou Sijing is not mad, then her acting skills are truly formidable. However, we are familiar with her acting. Hiding Feng Luo in Changxin Palace for so many years is not something an ordinary person could achieve. Therefore, after Prince Yan’s wedding, I plan to ask the Emperor to send her to Tianxiang Temple for recuperation, to ensure the Crown Prince’s safety.”
Liu Liu spoke calmly. She would not allow anyone to have any ill intentions towards Mu Xing. The Empress Dowager, upon hearing Liu Liu’s words, was quite approving. At this moment, Mu Xing had to be protected well, and no mistakes could be made.
“Have you not ordered people to protect Mu Xing well?” the Empress Dowager asked worriedly. Liu Liu nodded, “I have asked Ri Ying to lead a few people to follow that young man around the clock. Ri Ying’s martial arts skills are top-notch, so I believe he will be fine.”
“Oh, that’s good,” the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. A satisfied look flashed across her plump face, but the dark circles beneath her eyes showed that the Empress Dowager had not slept well last night. Liu Liu asked curiously, “Mother, do you have something on your mind? You don’t seem to have slept well last night?”
“Liu’er, tomorrow is Prince Yan’s wedding. Will you accompany this Empress to the Prince’s mansion? We should not let the Emperor leave the palace. Feng Luo is currently outside the palace, and this Empress fears that if he goes out, there might be trouble. However, he may not listen if I say it, so I hope Liu’er will persuade the Emperor well.”
“Alright,”
Liu Liu nodded. Feng Luo was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
He was a desperate man who would do anything for revenge. He could even be willing to perish together with the Emperor. However, the Emperor could not. The Emperor bore the responsibility for countless subjects of the empire. If the Emperor were to have an accident, the empire would fall into chaos.
The Empress Dowager and Liu Liu were talking about Cai Cao, and Cai Cao arrived. The eunuch’s voice was heard from outside the grand hall: “The Emperor has arrived.”
From afar, Feng Xie’s arrogant laughter could be heard, accompanied by another voice. It seemed the Emperor was very happy. Who was with him?
Liu Liu guessed to herself. Two figures, one yellow and one white, walked in amidst the golden light. The Emperor wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a golden crown. His face was like jade, and his narrow, sharp eyebrows were raised high. His starlike eyes gleamed, showing that his mood was exceptionally good. The person behind him wore a pure white brocade robe with water and cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs.
His hair was tied with a silver hairpin, and his face bore a resemblance to the Emperor. It was Prince Yan, Feng Lie. As the saying goes, happiness makes a person radiant. Feng Lie looked full of joy, carrying an air of romantic chivalry and an untamed spirit.
The two entered the grand hall and saw the Empress sitting on the phoenix seat, chatting with the Empress Dowager. They couldn’t help but smile.
“Your humble son greets Mother,” the two bowed to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling the two brothers to rise. Prince Yan, Feng Lie, then respectfully greeted Liu Liu. Liu Liu smiled and nodded, gesturing for him to sit down.
“Lie’er, have all the arrangements for tomorrow’s wedding been made?” the Empress Dowager asked with concern. Her phoenix coronet and robes had already been sent, as had the gifts. The Emperor and Empress’s gifts had also been sent. The Prince’s mansion was piled high with things. Feng Lie had come to the palace to express his gratitude.
“Your humble son thanks Mother for the gifts. The gifts from the Emperor and Empress, and all wedding arrangements are complete.”
Tomorrow was the joyous occasion of Prince Yan’s wedding. The Emperor had summoned the Prime Minister, Prince Yan, the Minister of War, and other officials to the study overnight, secretly setting up a tight net.
Prince Xiang, Feng Luo, would undoubtedly appear at the wedding feast tomorrow. They had to be extremely careful. All the high-ranking officials of the Tianfeng Dynasty would surely attend to offer congratulations tomorrow.
If he were to poison them or do anything else, it would be troublesome. Therefore, all water, fruits, vegetables, and other items were tested for poison by silver needles at various checkpoints. All prepared dishes were also tested for poison with silver needles, ensuring absolute safety.
They deliberated in the Imperial Study by candlelight until late into the night before finalizing their plan. Seeing that the night was deep, Feng Xie thought Liu’er must have slept long ago and decided not to disturb her, so he rested in the Yongyuan Hall.
Regarding the Emperor’s departure from the palace tomorrow, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and several ministers unanimously agreed that the Emperor must remain in the palace. However, Feng Xie, being a man of evasiveness, insisted on going to Prince Yan’s mansion tomorrow to confront Feng Luo.