Liu Liu looked at Nangong Yue like this, recalling the scene of their first meeting, and memories flooded her mind. The person she owed the most was Nangong Yue, whose devotion to her had always been selfless.
Seeing his expression now, Liu Liu felt a pang of pain in her heart. She wished she could step forward and smooth away the pain in his brows, telling him that the woman before him was just a fake, and he shouldn't be sad for her.
But she could do nothing. Watching him slump onto the nearby seat, dejected, while Bu Xiangyin focused her entire attention on Feng Xie, it was clear that her target was Feng Xie.
Was it vanity, or did she have some ulterior motive? But this woman was cruel.
Even if Nangong Yue wasn't her husband, he had taken care of her for some days and even bought her freedom.
Anyone else would at least be moved, feel guilty, or sad. But she showed no reaction, only gazing at Feng Xie with a gentle smile, their eyes locked. It was as if others and events around them ceased to exist.
Liu Liu ignored the two people before her, her eyes only on the hurt Nangong Yue.
The pain he was suffering now was probably as intense as what she had experienced before, a pain deep within his heart. Liu Liu unconsciously walked over, hoping to say something to make amends. But as soon as Nangong Yue saw her approaching, he glared at her fiercely, a cold sneer on his lips.
"Qi Ye, the pain you have inflicted upon me today, I, Nangong Yue, will repay a thousandfold in the future."
With that, he vanished from the flower hall. Liu Liu took a few steps to follow but stopped. What could she say to him now, in front of so many eyes? To them, she was Qi Ye, and Bu Xiangyin was Liu Liu.
Was she truly going to reveal Qi Ye's true identity to others?
She could absolutely not let her years of effort go to waste. Therefore, despite the pain and discomfort, even the urge to cry, she could do nothing.
As for Feng Xie, he paid no attention to Liu Liu's unusual behavior. His eyes and heart were filled with Bu Xiangyin. He reached out, took her hand, and they left Xue Xiang Lou together.
Liu Liu was once again certain that Bu Xiangyin had a hidden agenda. She was waiting for Feng Xie, not Nangong Yue.
Otherwise, why would Bu Xiangyin have claimed to be looking for memories when Nangong Yue asked her to leave Xue Xiang Lou, but say nothing when Feng Xie took her away?
The group exited Xue Xiang Lou and, as before, took carriages back to Wan Feng Tea House. The only difference was the addition of one person: Bu Xiangyin, the famous courtesan.
Did Feng Xie truly care so much for her that he didn't even question Bu Xiangyin's background in the pleasure quarters before rushing to bring her back?
It was very late. The dark night was filled with the chirping of insects. The carriage rumbled down the street, the only sound the creaking of the wheels. Everyone in the carriage was tired. Feng Jiu had already leaned against the wall, his eyes closed in rest.
He had been heartbroken today, and with the evening's events, he was mentally and physically exhausted. He was too tired to concern himself with their affairs anymore.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu couldn't sleep. She kept thinking of Nangong Yue. He had suffered such a severe blow; she didn't know how he was doing. She still hadn't repaid him for what she owed him, and now she had hurt him again.
Recalling his final words, "repay her a thousandfold," her heart trembled. What a cruel statement that was! Had he fallen so deeply in love with her?
The Feng family's estate was vast; one more or one less person made no difference to them.
After alighting from the carriage, Feng Xie led Bu Xiangyin to their guest room. Liu Liu led Dai Mei back to the separate courtyard. As soon as they entered the courtyard and closed the door, Dai Mei let out all the words she had held back all night.
"My heavens, what happened here,楼主? How can there be someone exactly like you, even down to their mannerisms?
If I hadn't been with you day and night, I wouldn't have been able to tell who was who. And the Emperor and that Nangong Yue, having not seen you for years, it's no wonder they were confused.
Where did that woman come from? I looked closely at her face; it didn't look like cosmetic surgery, but real skin.
And she even has that little red mole on her arm, just like you! And that gaze, it's so infuriatingly similar to yours! What does she want? Is it vanity?"
Liu Liu remained silent. After Dai Mei had vented, she spoke with a heavy heart, "Who knows where that woman appeared from?"
Seeing the rare hoarseness in her楼主's voice, Dai Mei wondered if she was heartbroken, perhaps because the Emperor had fallen for the impostor.
"楼主, if you're sad, you can explain things to the Emperor. The real cannot be fake, and the fake cannot be real. Please don't be sad!"
Liu Liu shook her head. She wasn't sad about Feng Xie's actions.
Although Bu Xiangyin resembled her greatly, Feng Xie was by no means a fool. He had lived with her for some time and understood certain things. A person's appearance could be similar, but their mood and habits couldn't. That was why she had devised that plan.
She pushed Bu Xiangyin towards Feng Xie because she believed Feng Xie would quickly realize the truth. Nangong Yue, however, wouldn't, as they had always interacted as friends.
Some things were like trying to grasp flowers in a fog. She feared he would suffer even greater pain. She just hadn't expected Nangong Yue's feelings for her to be so deep.
Although she knew he liked her, it was just like, and she thought that five years should have diluted this liking, which was why she had left him five years ago.
She never expected that after meeting him again five years later, they would be in such a situation, and his feelings for her were even more persistent than five years ago. What virtue did she possess to deserve such selfless devotion from him? Liu Liu's dark eyes held an unfathomable depth.
"It's not for that woman. I feel sorry for Nangong. He's a friend I made in the palace, and he always helps me when I need it, time and time again. I thought I would never be able to repay his kindness in this lifetime, but I met him again, only to hurt him once more. Just now, I really wanted to tell him that I am Liu Liu, and that one is a fake, but reason overcame emotion, so I endured it. My heart aches deeply, aching for his devotion."
Liu Liu spoke slowly, her hoarse voice filled with deep remorse. She had already hurt him; what was the point of thinking about it? She sighed.
"You may go and rest. I'm tired and want to rest for a while."
"Alright," Dai Mei hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Seeing her楼主's tired face, she didn't want to talk any further and knew it wouldn't be polite to disturb her. She would talk about it tomorrow. Dai Mei lifted the curtain and saw Cui'er standing outside the door, calling out in surprise, "Cui'er, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Cui'er stood on the stone steps, shook her head gently, and said softly, "I heard you talking loudly and thought something had happened, so I came to check."
Dai Mei pointed at her楼主 inside with her finger and subtly shaped her lips, hinting that her楼主 was in a bad mood. She knew that Cui'er and her楼主 had grown up together since childhood, and their relationship was no different from sisters. Perhaps she could offer some comfort.
Cui'er understood Dai Mei's gesture and nodded. "Yes, I will. You go and sleep. I'll stay with her tonight."
"Alright," Dai Mei left, and Cui'er stepped into the room.
Liu Liu closed her eyes and leaned against the soft couch. She had heard the conversation outside and knew Cui'er had entered. She remained still, not wanting to say anything. Cui'er didn't ask her many questions, only spoke softly.
"Miss, please go to the bed to sleep. It will be uncomfortable here."
"Mm," Liu Liu nodded and got up from the soft couch to lie on the bed. Cui'er leaned by her bedside and said softly, "Miss, sleep soundly. Tomorrow morning, everything will be fine."
"Mm," Liu Liu responded. For so many years, Cui'er had been by her side. Every time, she could fall asleep peacefully, knowing someone was watching over her, which made her feel much more at ease.
Sometimes, when she felt anxious and couldn't sleep, Cui'er would squeeze in with her, tell her jokes, and then playfully fight for the bed, chasing away her feelings of insecurity. Liu Liu drifted off to sleep as she thought about these things.