Liu Liu's eyes dimmed upon hearing Feng Xie's words. She never imagined that people from the Liu mansion would withdraw from the imperial court because of her. She truly felt she had failed the ancestors of the Liu family. Although they were not her biological parents, they treated her better than her own, so she ought to repay their kindness. Her brother, a man of such talent and wisdom, should be serving the court.
"Alright, I will speak to him about it. I believe he will be willing to contribute to the nation."
"Mmm," Feng Xie nodded and stood up. It was getting late, and he still had to go to the Imperial Study to handle memorials. A great many matters had accumulated recently. Although his imperial brother had dealt with a significant portion, there were still some he had to personally oversee, so they were left at the Imperial Study awaiting his return.
"I am going to handle the memorials. Liu'er, rest early." Feng Xie strode out with a decisive turn. Liu Liu watched his retreating figure, tall and straight, yet carrying a hint of loneliness. The Emperor, too, must feel lonely sometimes, she thought faintly, and couldn't help but call out, "Your Majesty?"
Feng Xie stopped and looked back. In the magnificent and resplendent halls of Weiyang Palace, the palace lanterns swayed, creating a hazy and ethereal atmosphere. Liu Liu, clad in a floor-length smoke-and-cloud skirt, was breathtakingly beautiful. At this moment, her clear and bright eyes gazed at him, a subtle hint of concern gracing her lips. In this moment, he felt content.
"Your Majesty, please rest early as well."
"Alright," he turned and walked away. Outside the palace, a cool breeze rustled, and a full moon hung in the sky, casting a veil-like radiance over the entire imperial palace. Beyond the long corridors stood pavilions amidst rock gardens and famous flowers, adorned with red railings and embroidered screens. Everywhere was a scene of natural beauty, serene and elegant, making the boundless night feel warm.
Feng Xie, feeling happy in his heart, appeared young and full of vitality, his steps light as he hurried towards the Imperial Study. Xiao Wanzi, following closely behind him, also rejoiced for the Emperor. Her Highness had finally returned, and His Majesty was much better, no longer as cold and detached as if he were a walking corpse.
The next day, as dawn began to break, Liu Liu was fast asleep when she heard the chirping voices of her son in her ears, accompanied by the voices of Cai Xia and Ming Yue. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please be quieter. If you wake up the Empress, we servants will be in trouble." These former palace maids knew well that the Empress had a habit of disliking being disturbed while sleeping. If anyone dared to do so, she would show no leniency. Therefore, the two young maids kept reminding the Crown Prince as they followed him.
However, Mu Xing, too excited, paid no heed to Cai Xia and Ming Yue's words, continuing to point at an antique on the shelf and asking Ming Yue, "Is this also something valuable?"
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince," Ming Yue could only nod resignedly. This young Crown Prince was definitely a difficult one to manage. Although he was only five years old, like Prince Yu Lou, he was not someone who could be easily fooled. He rolled his eyes and continued, "How much is it worth? A lot, a lot?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Ming Yue nodded again, her peripheral vision catching the movement of a figure on the bed. Good heavens, had the Empress woken up? This had nothing to do with her; it was all because the Crown Prince had been bothering her. Ming Yue grumbled inwardly, while Mu Xing, oblivious, noticed her pale face. He reached out his tender little hand and wiped her cheek, asking curiously, "You're not hot, why has your face changed?"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone rushed in from outside the sleeping chambers. It was Cui'er, who had woken up early and couldn't find Mu Xing, having searched for him for a long time. She never expected him to have come to the Empress's sleeping chambers. Cui'er quickly took Mu Xing's hand and led him out, "Mu Xing, your mother is tired and needs to sleep more. If she wakes up and gets angry, she might leave you alone in the palace."
Upon hearing this, Mu Xing dared not say another word and obediently followed Cui'er to the sleeping chambers next door. Ming Yue, standing in the chamber, wiped the sweat from her brow. This little ancestor was truly a handful. Finally, she could breathe a sigh of relief, but just as she thought this, a cold voice sounded, "Why is it so noisy?" Liu Liu asked displeasantly. Ming Yue, startled, dropped to her knees with a thud and repeatedly said, "Empress, it is not my fault. It was the Crown Prince who entered, and I could not stop him."
"Mmm, it's alright," Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling Ming Yue to leave. She would get up after a little more sleep. Liu Liu slept for a while longer before getting up. Hong Xiu and Ming Yue attended to her, and they had breakfast. The Emperor had already ordered Xiao Wanzi to deliver many gifts, with instructions to take them to the Prime Minister's mansion. Liu Liu reviewed them and nodded with satisfaction. Thinking that she had not seen her parents for a full five years, she felt a surge of emotion, wondering how her parents were doing at this moment. The thought made her drift into a daze while sitting on the phoenix couch in the main hall.
Xiao Wanzi walked in from outside and respectfully reported, "Empress, everything is prepared. Please board the imperial carriage, Your Highness, and proceed to the Liu mansion."
"Mmm," Liu Liu nodded and looked up to see Cui'er leading Mu Xing in. She beckoned Mu Xing to come over, took his hand, and walked out of the main hall of Weiyang Palace, boarding the imperial carriage in front of the palace gates. Ji'er led a few people behind them to escort them. Liu Liu, with Mu Xing and Cui'er, sat in the front imperial carriage. Hong Xiu, Ming Yue, and Cai Xia, the three young maids, rode in another. The group passed through pavilions and archways, exiting the palace, and the imperial carriage headed straight for the Liu mansion.
The streets were bustling with people, full of life, with vendors and peddlers shouting along the roadside. Although it was morning, there were many people and many carriages. The imperial carriage drove slowly through them. This group of them appeared to be just an ordinary wealthy family, giving no clue as to their true identity. In these times of caution, it was natural not to attract attention. That would simply be asking for trouble. Liu Liu sat in the imperial carriage, thinking that she was about to see her parents after five years and feeling uneasy about her concealment from them, her palms covered in cold sweat.
Beside her, Mu Xing was very excited. He lifted the curtain to look outside. He saw freshly steamed buns emitting a dense heat, and the waiter was repeatedly calling out to attract customers. Just as Liu Liu was about to turn her head, she suddenly saw a commotion at the spot where the buns were being sold. She saw Mu Xing quickly tugging at her hand: "Mother, look quickly! They're all hitting that younger brother, he looks so pitiful! Mother, please save him!"
As soon as Liu Liu heard her son's words, she looked over and saw a small boy, about Mu Xing's age, being held by the bun vendor, who was viciously slapping his face. The child was in a sorry state, his clothes tattered, and he looked like a small beggar with a messy head of hair. Yet, he clung tightly to the bun in his hand. The white bun, gripped by his dirty hands, now bore two dark smudges. Seeing that, despite his young age and the beating he was receiving, he still held onto the bun tightly, the onlookers all watched with amusement, no one speaking. The vendor became even more vociferous.
"Stop the carriage!" The eunuch driving the carriage, upon hearing the Crown Prince's voice, immediately stopped the imperial carriage and respectfully replied, "Yes." Mu Xing quickly lifted the curtain and stepped out of the imperial carriage. Sunlight, like ten thousand golden threads, sprinkled upon his small brocade robe. His dark hair was tied up with a golden hairpin inlaid with large pearls. He was resplendent and beautiful.