"Your subordinate just received news that they left Fengyue City as soon as it got dark, about two to three hours ago."
Yue Ying said with trepidation. He knew his master would be anxious, but it wasn't his fault. He just hoped his master wouldn't take his anger out on him. Yue Ying inwardly wailed and secretly glanced at his master.
His master's agitated expression calmed down. A chilling, killing, and flamboyant aura emanated from him, and a confident smile played on his lips.
Liu Liu, do you think you can escape from me? That's absolutely impossible. Since I know you're not dead, you are the Empress of the Tianfeng Dynasty.
This will never change. A deep look flashed across Feng Xie's powerful and wild handsome face. "Ri Ying, find out the location of the Seven Star Tower's headquarters as quickly as possible. I want to know this matter in the fastest time."
"Yes," Yue Ying nodded respectfully. The Emperor released his hand and waved him out. Yue Ying quickly flashed out of the main hall. Finding the Empress's whereabouts was much easier for him. As long as the Emperor wasn't angry, it was fine.
The night was deep, the sky was covered with dense star clouds, sparkling like countless jewels dancing on a black curtain, dazzling and bright. The wind blew, and the waves rolled. The river water by the bank struck the embankment with a heavy sound. Large ships could be seen moored on the river.
Each large ship had four lanterns hanging before and behind, left and right. They glowed dimly like ghost fires on the Chu River, interspersed with the sounds of silk and bamboo. This place was like a mirage.
Liu Liu sat in a room on the second floor. Leaning by the window and looking at the river, she had taken off her mask, revealing a beautiful, small, and exquisite face, flawless like a luminous pearl emitting an alluring glow, with eyebrows and eyes like a painting.
The wind blew in through the window, stirring her dark hair, which fluttered like her deep and distant thoughts.
Hong Xiu refilled her tea and handed it to her. Liu Liu turned her head and smiled, nodding.
"Hong Xiu, go rest. I'll sit quietly for a while, and then I'll go to bed myself."
Hong Xiu nodded in agreement and walked out. Her room was downstairs. She didn't know what her master was thinking, why she was rushing back to Xiaoyao Island overnight without even saying goodbye to anyone. It felt a bit like fleeing in a hurry.
As soon as Hong Xiu walked out, Cui'er met her and asked softly, "Is Miss asleep?"
Hong Xiu shook her head and leaned forward, whispering to Cui'er, "Master seems to have something on her mind. Cui'er sister, go see what's wrong with her?"
"Mm, you go rest. I'll go talk to her."
Cui'er waved Hong Xiu away. She had already coaxed Mu Xing to sleep. Since she herself had something on her mind and couldn't sleep, she had to figure out why Miss left Fengyue City without even saying goodbye to the Emperor. Did she really not want to return to the imperial palace?
Hong Xiu went downstairs as instructed. Cui'er lifted the beaded curtain at the door on the second floor. The sound startled Liu Liu, who was lost in thought. She looked up at Cui'er and knew from her expression that this girl had something to ask her. She motioned for her to sit beside her. "What's wrong? You look so downcast. Who upset you?"
Liu Liu smiled teasingly at Cui'er. Cui'er pouted, looking unhappy.
"Miss, why did you leave Fengyue City without saying goodbye to the Emperor and the others? How worried the Emperor must be! The Emperor was more anxious than anyone when Mu Xing was captured. You should have at least said hello to him."
Liu Liu's expression turned grim. She cast a cold glance at Cui'er. This girl was truly meddlesome. At this time, shouldn't she be thinking about Duanmu?
It had been a while since they left, and she was still preoccupied with others.
"Cui'er, don't forget that when we return, I will officiate your wedding with Duanmu and Chu Feng. So don't think about other things. Focus on your relationship."
Upon hearing Liu Liu's words, Cui'er's face turned red. However, she quickly looked up and said earnestly,
"Miss, I will not marry Duanmu. Since the Emperor has appeared, Miss and Mu Xing will definitely leave Xiaoyao Island. I want to go back to the capital with Miss, so I will not marry Duanmu."
Although Liu Liu was touched by Cui'er's loyalty, she hoped Cui'er could have a good future.
As for returning to the capital, she hadn't made up her mind yet. This was why she hadn't said goodbye to Feng Xie. She wasn't ready to return to the capital with him. Moreover, she needed to find time to talk to Mu Xing properly about his father, as she feared he would react negatively.
After all, a person who hadn't appeared for five years suddenly wanted to integrate into their lives. Mu Xing would surely find it difficult to accept. Furthermore, if people in the imperial palace knew about Mu Xing's existence, she didn't know what their intentions would be.
Although they didn't care, others did. History was full of examples of emperors shedding rivers of blood for the throne. Therefore, she dared not rashly bring Mu Xing back to the palace. However, Cui'er's marriage was the most important matter at hand.
"How can that be? Didn't we agree last time? I said you would marry Duanmu when we got back. Why the sudden change of heart?"
Liu Liu frowned displeasedly. Seeing her mistress's expression, Cui'er, who thought her mistress had made up her mind to marry her off to Duanmu, panicked and knelt down with a thud.
"Miss, please! I don't want to leave you all. I've grown accustomed to being with you all these years. Please don't leave me alone on Xiaoyao Island. I will explain things to Duanmu and let him find someone else who is compatible with him."
Seeing Cui'er's drastic action, Liu Liu quickly reached out to help her up. "What are you doing? Get up quickly. We can talk things through properly. Why do you keep kneeling? It's really a bad habit."
"Miss, promise me, and then I'll get up. I will never leave Miss and Mu Xing. So please withdraw your order," Cui'er kowtowed again. Seeing her determination, Liu Liu, unable to force her, reluctantly nodded. "You, you're such a stubborn girl. What will you do when you're old? Get up."
Hearing her mistress's helpless voice, Cui'er stood up, wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief, and murmured softly, "Don't I have Mu Xing?
He always tells me he'll support me in my old age."
Cui'er spoke with pride and satisfaction, completely forgetting that Mu Xing was just a five-year-old child. But she believed his words, perhaps because she had poured too much emotion into Mu Xing.
"Cui'er, go rest. I'm fine. As for the Emperor, let's not force things. Let nature take its course. Have you forgotten that Consort De is still in the palace? And there's a prince. If Mu Xing returns, they might end up in fratricidal conflict. Would that be acceptable to you? It's better for us to stay happily on Xiaoyao Island."
After hearing Liu Liu's words, Cui'er understood why Miss had left without saying goodbye. It was because she was afraid of royal bloodshed. Having one prince in the palace was enough; there was no need for Mu Xing to add fuel to the fire.
If Mu Xing were harmed, they would be heartbroken. Thinking of this, Cui'er immediately nodded. "Miss, I understand. I'll go to sleep now."