"You?"
Dai Mei glared angrily at Ri Ying, at a loss for words to retort. But then again, the Emperor had just gone to sleep, and would surely only be wearing his inner garments.
While they were people of the martial world and not bound by strict propriety, barging in on someone resting was hardly the act of a chivalrous heroine. As for her mistress, she was the Emperor's wife; it was natural for him to look at her as he pleased. Dai Mei decided to stay outside with Ri Ying and Yue Ying.
In the bedchamber, Feng Xie leaned against the couch in his inner garments, his silky black hair cascading over his shoulders. It complemented his white robes, lending him a gentle and handsome air, softening his previous harshness and adding a touch of refined elegance.
The lines of his handsome features were smooth and soft, completely unlike his former ferocity. His dark, inscrutable eyes were fixed on Liu Liu. Only when Liu Liu glared at him in annoyance did he snap back to attention, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
"Sit down. Is there something you need?"
He knew who she was, but he didn't say it. She knew he knew, but she didn't press the issue.
The two of them were lost in this ambiguous, harmonious state, fearing that breaking it would shatter their current dynamic. If it were revealed, she would be Liu Liu, a woman he had drugged, and her resentment would resurface. But as Qi Ye, she seemed to be treating him like a friend, showing no anger or annoyance, handling the situation with ease.
"You led the attack to destroy the Demon Palace, didn't you?"
She asked in a low voice, knowing the likely answer, yet wanting to ask. She also wanted to warn him that his troubles were far from over; Hua Wu You was not to be underestimated, and destroying his palace was not as simple as they had made it seem last night.
"Yes, because I feared this sect would grow too powerful, so I had no choice but to annihilate them."
Feng Xie shifted his perspective, as if the matter had nothing to do with her from the very beginning.
Liu Liu's heart stirred. When had he started considering others' feelings, finding an excuse to spare them discomfort?
A demon palace of ten thousand people, while troublesome, could hardly threaten the imperial court.
"You need to be careful. I'm here to tell you that Hua Wu You is no ordinary man. Based on my understanding of him, he will likely target the people of Feng Yue City next. Since you annihilated his followers, he will annihilate your citizens."
Liu Liu's resolute voice rang out. Feng Xie's expression indeed darkened for a moment as he listened to her words, but his lips curved into a sexy, charming smile. "Are you worried about me?"
Liu Liu's expression turned cold. Even at a time like this, he was still so flippant. She yelled back in annoyance, "Go to hell! I'm worried that your citizens will be toyed to death by you!"
With that, she turned and rushed out of the guest courtyard without looking back. In the bedchamber, Feng Xie laughed gleefully. Watching her like this, even when she scolded him, made his heart feel warm. Who was he?
He was Feng Xie, the ruler of all lands. He was determined to win Liu Liu's heart. A firm resolve flashed in his clear eyes. Liu Liu, you cannot escape. What I have decided, I will not change, not for my entire life.
Because Feng Xie had destroyed the Demon Palace, Hua Wu You would surely retaliate. Though she hadn't participated, the matter was indirectly related to her. Liu Liu had to stay a few more days to see things through before returning to Xiaoyao Island.
She believed Hua Wu You would come looking for her. However, Hua Wu You didn't appear; instead, Nangong Yue arrived. The afternoon sun shone warmly on her face as she lounged lazily on a soft chair.
Petals drifted onto her, and the surroundings were tranquil. Her subordinates had all disappeared.
Even Mu Xing hadn't come to disturb her. Perhaps everyone knew she was troubled and dared not alarm her, Liu Liu mused silently, closing her eyes to prepare for a short nap.
Suddenly, the gentle sunlight above her was obscured, and a shadow fell upon her. Who could it be?
Liu Liu's eyes snapped open, her clear, sharp gaze catching the dazzling heat of the sun as she stared at the person smiling at her in the sunlight – it was Nangong Yue?
He was as handsome as ever, his skin like fine jade, his eyebrows long and elegant, bright and striking. He looked like an immortal, dressed in a white robe that exuded an unspeakable gentleness and grace. How could the world have produced such a purely yin man?
For a moment, Liu Liu was dazed until his magnetic, gentle voice broke the silence.
"Aren't you going to invite me to sit?"
Liu Liu came back to her senses and smiled sheepishly. Fortunately, her face was hidden by her mask, making her expression unreadable. "Sit down."
Nangong Yue lifted the hem of his robe and sat on the chair opposite her. In front of the chair was a low table, set with tea ware.
Liu Liu looked up and saw Hong Xiu standing at a distance. She was about to call Hong Xiu over to pour tea when Nangong Yue, without looking up, seemed to know what she was thinking. His voice, like a spring breeze, immediately sounded.
"No need to call anyone. I can pour your tea myself."
With that, he truly set about pouring a cup of tea, holding it in his hand. He looked up at Liu Liu, his starlike eyes as clear as ever, devoid of the fierce intent he had shown when trying to assassinate her that night.
A smile touched Liu Liu's lips. She said nothing. She didn't know what to say now. She had never expected Nangong Yue to be so persistently fond of her. She thought they would be friends, very good friends, or perhaps benefactors.
She admitted that because he had helped her countless times, she really wanted to do something for him. But after much thought, she couldn't recall anything he needed help with. His martial arts were peerless, his medical skills were superb.
He was also the master of Cang Lang Pavilion, with many disciples under him. Such a brilliant and radiant person, what help could she possibly offer? Lost in thought, Liu Liu's gaze grew distant.
Nangong Yue took a sip of tea and set down the teacup. Seeing her standing before him, perfectly unharmed, his heart trembled uncontrollably. He had been searching for her for five years, not just because he liked her, but for a deeper reason.
He had brought her out of the palace. If she couldn't live happily, if anything unfortunate happened to her, he would never forgive himself. Later, when he met that fake Bu Xiangyin, he knew very well that woman wasn't her.
But he couldn't resist his own greed. Each time, he would tell himself to pretend that she was the real one, that she could gently call him husband.
If it were truly her, perhaps nothing would have been lost. But a fake couldn't truly replace the real, and the real couldn't be faked. Yet, he never dreamed that the renowned Master of Qi Ye would be Liu'er. The shock was too immense.
"I've come to apologize for what happened that night."
"It's alright. It's all in the past, isn't it?"
Liu Liu's soft voice spoke. A hint of pain creased his brows, his brow slightly furrowed, and a hint of melancholy in his eyes. Sometimes she truly wished she could smooth the worries from his brow and help him live more happily, but she didn't know how.
If she had met him first, would she also have been captivated at first sight and kept him in her heart forever?
Yet, even knowing she couldn't accept him, she still wished to place him in a special position, to ensure she wouldn't forget him. What was this strange feeling? Liu Liu silently chided herself for her fickleness.
"Nangong?"
"Liu'er?"
They both spoke at once, then stopped, gesturing for the other to speak first. They couldn't help but smile. Nangong Yue's clear eyes were luminous, and he gazed at Liu Liu with a gentle expression as the afternoon sunlight poured around them.
"Please don't dwell on it. I simply met the right person at the wrong time. Don't feel burdened. I just want to be by your side as a friend. But you must make yourself happy. Only when you are happy will I have no further aspirations or thoughts. If you are unhappy, my heart will ache."
At his words, a tear glistened in Liu Liu's eyes, shining like a pearl in the sunlight. He truly understood. What a profoundly sensitive heart he possessed! Heaven would surely grant such a man happiness.
"Thank you," she didn't know what other words could express her gratitude at that moment. A thousand words could only be condensed into one.
Nangong Yue smiled, his heart filled with warmth. His love was not possessive; he had never intended to claim her as his own. He simply wished for her happiness, and that would warm his heart, allowing a feeling called happiness to flow through him.