"Do you know? Because you went missing, your father emperor borrowed one hundred thousand troops from a neighboring country, totaling two hundred thousand soldiers who advanced towards Tianfeng Dynasty's borders. The two countries are on the verge of war, and war will bring suffering to the people. Do you wish for this to happen?"
As Liu Liu finished speaking, Jie Lan was stunned. She hadn't expected things to escalate to this point. She shook her head repeatedly, her eyes filled with panic. She certainly didn't want to be a sinner for all eternity. How could two countries go to war because of her disappearance?
"What should we do? Why is Father Emperor so foolish?"
Jie Lan cried out in distress and quickly sat up straight. Her body was still weak, and she felt dizzy.
Liu Liu quickly reached out to steady her and spoke gently.
"Don't worry, it's not too late to salvage the situation. Princess, could you write a letter? Ask my elder brother to send someone highly skilled to deliver it to your Father Emperor. I believe he will surely stop the war, and we will send someone to escort the princess to Yuehua Kingdom."
"Good," Jie Lan nodded immediately without a second thought. Even if she were to die.
She couldn't allow her Father Emperor and Tianfeng to go to war. The two countries had always been friendly.
If their relationship soured because of her, she would never find peace even in the netherworld.
Although she resented Feng Lie, it wasn't to the point of wanting to destroy their country. Most importantly, Yuehua Kingdom couldn't possibly destroy Tianfeng Dynasty. At best, it would be a mutual destruction.
Then, other countries would reap the benefits. The country that lent the troops had obvious intentions, and their motives were clear.
"Thank you, Jie Lan,"
Liu Liu gratefully reached out and hugged Jie Lan. It was rare to see her be so understanding. Regardless of anything else, it was Feng Lie's fault. She hoped Feng Lie would realize Jie Lan was a good woman.
Now that they even had a child together, she hoped he would cherish her. This way, Xin Hun would have parents who doted on him. That child was exceptionally intelligent.
"I have responsibility in this matter as well,"
Jie Lan spoke softly. Liu Liu let go of her and smiled.
Their past grievances vanished with this smile. Jie Lan was very happy. She had always regretted not being friends with the Empress. Now she could finally be friends with her. It was enough to have one true friend in life.
Liu Liu called out towards the outside, "Someone." Ming Yue then entered to ask for instructions.
"Your Highness?"
"Bring the writing brush, ink, and paper from the study next door,"
Liu Liu said calmly. Ming Yue immediately obeyed and went next door to retrieve the writing materials. Jie Lan slowly got out of bed.
Liu Liu reached out to help her sit at the table. Jie Lan pondered for a moment, then picked up the brush to write a letter. The letter roughly stated that she had a misunderstanding with Prince Yan and was staying at the Liu Mansion out of anger.
She asked her Father Emperor to quickly recall his troops, and she would return to visit him in a few days. Jie Lan did not mention the suffering she had endured over the past five years. Because if she leaked even one word, the old emperor of Yuehua Kingdom would likely not withdraw his troops.
Liu Liu handed the letter to her elder brother. "Brother, find a trusted subordinate with superior martial arts skills and deliver this letter to the Emperor of Yuehua Kingdom tonight."
"I'll go. I don't trust others,"
Liu Ting stood up. Since he had decided to serve the imperial court, this was a good opportunity to personally lead the charge. He didn't trust others and feared it wouldn't be easy to leave the city at the border. It would require cleverness to get out.
"Alright,"
Liu Liu nodded. She took a brocade box from behind her and placed it in Liu Ting's hands.
Liu Ting opened it and saw a shining official seal engraved with the words "Prime Minister." Liu Ting's heart was stirred. He hadn't expected his sister to bring the official seal. He, Liu Ting, could finally realize his ambitions.
"When you cross the border, if the soldiers refuse to let you pass, you can show this official seal. It is not advisable to request an imperial decree at this time, as there may be spies in the palace. Requesting an imperial decree would alert them. Therefore, Brother, you must be careful. Investigate everywhere first to see who is loyal and reliable, and who is not. You can use this official seal to punish those wicked people at the border."
After Liu Liu finished her instructions, Liu Ting nodded and looked at his sister. His sister's mind was no inferior to his own. If she were a man, she would be a pillar of the nation.
In the bedroom, Liu Liu waited for her brother to leave and then turned to look at Jie Lan. Seeing her gazing at her with admiration, she couldn't help but smile softly. "What is it?"
"It's suicidal to be your enemy. This plan is too terrifying. I believe those people lurking in the shadows will be dealt with by you sooner or later."
Jie Lan felt a sense of relief because she hadn't forgotten that her son's surname was Feng. If Tianfeng fell, her son's roots would be gone as well. Therefore, she sincerely hoped that Tianfeng would become increasingly prosperous and strong.
"Since they dared to provoke us, they must bear the wrath of our anger,"
Liu Liu said arrogantly, a chill emanating from her. However, when she met Jie Lan's gaze, she pursed her lips and smiled. She was that kind of person. She was always kind to her friends but left no room for her enemies.
Jie Lan nodded and stood up, walking towards the bed. She felt restless.
Liu Liu reached out to help her onto the bed, carefully tucking in the quilt. She smiled faintly, looking at Jie Lan softly.
Now they needed to discuss Xin Hun's matters. Jie Lan wandering around with Xin Hun was not good for her son's upbringing. She sincerely hoped she would take Xin Hun back to Prince Yan's mansion.
"Jie Lan, you should let Xin Hun return to Prince Yan's mansion. Do you want Xin Hun to never have a father? He is a prince of Tianfeng Dynasty, yet he lives like a beggar. And you, a princess, are wandering outside and being hunted. If Feng Lie knew about this, he would be devastated."
"I thought about sending Xin Hun back and going to wander alone. But I was afraid he wouldn't acknowledge Xin Hun and call Xin Hun a bastard. He is not a bastard, and I, Jie Lan, am not a bad woman. Therefore, I would rather die than seek humiliation."
Jie Lan's expression darkened as she recalled the events of that year. She bit her lip until blood overflowed, her delicate face showing determination. At worst, they would die together.
After all, she had done her best for Xin Hun by giving birth to him and not aborting him. So even if they died, she would have no regrets towards him.
"Jie Lan, what exactly happened back then? Tell me," Liu Liu believed Jie Lan was not that kind of bad woman. Although she had been scheming before, she was not a woman of such grave sins.
"Back then?"
Jie Lan's eyes became unfocused for a moment. Memories were painful. She paused. She originally didn't want to speak, but the suffering of the past five years made her want to vent. She couldn't help but gasp for breath and said.
"He raped me. Because I loved him, I didn't resent him. Later, he kept me in the prince's mansion as a concubine. However, there were two other concubines in the prince's mansion. They ostracized me because of my noble background.
One night, I don't know why, I fell unconscious. When I woke up, there was a man in the room – a servant of the prince's mansion.
Feng Lie was furious and kicked me out of the prince's mansion. You say I should send Xin Hun back. What if he says Xin Hun is not his child? I have nothing to say. In fact, that man and I had nothing. That man was also drugged."
Liu Liu was completely stunned upon hearing Jie Lan's words.
So, both of the Feng family brothers were so detestable. Feng Xie was much better compared to Feng Lie. At least he had detoxified her instead of raping her. Women indeed had bitter lives, Liu Liu sighed.