"Xinhe, don't you recognize your senior brother?" the man asked softly, his voice full and emotional. He took two steps forward, entering the prison cell and grabbed Ming Hui Shitai's hand until she looked up and spoke weakly.
"Qingming, why are you here?"
It turned out this Ning Duzhe was her aunt's senior brother, named Qingming. When they were young, they must have been lovers. Liu Liu looked at her aunt's eyes filled with gentle light and finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed her master was willing to leave here.
"Xinhe, let's leave here and find a place to live peacefully. Don't dwell on past events. Besides, don't you want those children to live in hatred forever? You've spent twenty years; it's time to let go of hatred."
Qingming's words clearly had a profound impact on Su Xinhe, and she had lived too arduously for so many years.
Thinking of those children, if they continued to be stubborn, they would only meet a dead end. Although their martial arts were gone, life wouldn't be an issue. Did Feng Xie truly intend to release them?
Su Xinhe looked at her senior brother. Feng Shixiong's breathing was heavy, completely unlike the steady rhythm of a martial artist. She couldn't help but touch his hand in surprise, her face changing color: "Qingming, how did your martial arts get crippled too? Feng Xie, if you have to, why did you cripple his martial arts as well?"
Qingming quickly pulled Su Xinhe closer, fearing her harsh words might anger the Emperor. Liu Liu heard her aunt's cry and turned to look at Feng Xie. On this matter, Min Na Ba Du had made the greatest concession, and Qingming knew this.
He publicly demonstrated his power and crippled his martial arts, which was considered lenient. Liu Liu quickly spoke.
"Master, it's alright. What does it matter if you have no martial arts? You should be happy together." Liu Liu dared not say more, afraid of inadvertently revealing something.
Feng Xie was very sharp; she needed to be cautious.
Qingming nodded in agreement after hearing Liu Liu's words: "Yes, Xinhe, do you know? I've waited for you for many years. We should be together. It doesn't matter if we have no martial arts. I'll take you back."
Su Xinhe finally fell silent. Feng Xie called from outside the door: "Ri Ying, Yue Ying."
Ri Ying and Yue Ying walked in, followed by a group of guards, respectfully obeying: "Your Majesty."
"Immediately lead your guards and escort them out of the city. Be extremely careful, and do not let any ill-intentioned individuals exploit this situation."
Feng Xie spoke coldly. He always appeared indifferent and aloof to others. So far, only Liu'er could make him speak in a gentle tone; no one else had that ability.
"Yes." Ri Ying and Yue Ying bowed and quickly turned, making a gesture to invite them. Qingming supported Su Xinhe as they walked out. Liu Liu, following behind them, called out: "Master!"
Su Xinhe stopped, looking at Liu Liu with concern. Liu Liu, fearing her worry, stepped forward and hugged her: "Don't worry about me. I can handle things. Be happy."
"Liu'er?" Su Xinhe choked, wanting to say something, but Liu Liu had already released her. Naturally, she couldn't say anything in front of Feng Xie. She nodded and whispered: "You too!"
Those young Taoist nuns were released. They looked at Liu Liu, somewhat guessing the events. They never expected to escape danger this time. After leaving, they no longer wished for revenge. They had been so close to death, just a step away.
Feng Xie held Liu Liu's hand as they walked out with the others. Liu Liu felt a pang of sadness, watching everyone board the carriage. The setting sun's afterglow illuminated the imperial palace, magnificent and brilliant. The hand holding hers was warm and strong, his fingers intertwined with hers so tightly she couldn't even move.
Liu Liu looked up. Feng Xie's handsome features, his long eyelashes casting shadows in the sunset's glow, his eyes dark and deep, yet carrying a rare trace of tenderness, like a spark of light on cold rock. His lips curved into a captivating smile.
"Alright, they've all left. I'll escort you back."
"I'm tired," she said weakly. She was truly exhausted. The lowered eyes concealed a worried glint. She didn't know if Feng Xie genuinely released her aunt or if he was putting on a show, while secretly planning something else. The people in that carriage had no martial arts.
If they wanted to resist, these people would have no ability to fight back. They were heading only towards certain death.
Liu Liu's heart was burning with anxiety. What should she do now? She didn't have even a shred of martial arts, so even if she had the intention, she couldn't leave the imperial palace. Just as Liu Liu was deep in thought, her body suddenly lifted. Feng Xie had carried her into the woods. Liu Liu's face immediately flushed, and she said sternly: "What are you doing, Your Majesty? Put me down quickly."
Feng Xie saw her blushing face, knowing she was embarrassed and angry. He ignored her and strode towards Weiyang Palace. Many palace maids and eunuchs looked at them in astonishment along the way. Liu Liu quickly buried her head in his chest. How could people be so inconsiderate of the occasion? She whispered softly: "Put me down, people are watching?"
Feng Xie looked at the black head against his chest, finding her expression even more captivating. He couldn't help but recall the night she was drugged, how passionate she was, and now she was displaying such girlish shyness.
If he angered her, she would immediately become aloof and indifferent, as if the sky were falling and it had nothing to do with her. How many faces did this woman have?
The more Feng Xie thought about it, the brighter his glass-like eyes became. He held her even tighter, walking into the main hall of Weiyang Palace. Although the eunuch at the entrance was surprised, he calmly announced:
"This servant greets Your Majesty and Empress."
The Emperor and Empress are so affectionate, completely unlike their previous adversarial relationship. It seems their lives will be better from now on. Feng Xie took Liu Liu into the hall. As soon as Liu Liu saw that there was no one around, she quickly said:
"Your Majesty, please put me down. I am truly tired."
She didn't know why Feng Xie did it, perhaps because he didn't want to anger her. In any case, this time he obediently let go.
Liu Liu jumped down from him, her head lowered, not daring to look at Feng Xie. Without looking, she knew his burning gaze was fixed on her. What did he want? She thought in distress.
Did he really like her? It was too unreal. Not long ago, they were like enemies, and now he liked her.
Liu Liu's personality was such that after being hurt, she found it difficult to trust people. Therefore, she didn't believe Feng Xie would be good to her for no reason and always suspected he had ulterior motives, making it difficult for her to relax.
Feng Xie didn't understand this. But he wasn't in a hurry. This time, what he wanted was her heart, her genuine willingness to spend her life with him and bear him princes and princesses.
"Alright, since Liu'er is tired, you can rest for a while. I will go and handle state affairs."
"Mhm," Liu Liu nodded. After the sound of footsteps faded, she quickly raised her head. a dark gleam flashed in her beautiful eyes, and a hint of anxiety appeared on her face. She called out towards the outside: "Cui'er."
Cui'er rushed in upon hearing Liu Liu's call: "Your Highness, what do you need this servant for?" Thinking about how Your Majesty had held Liu Liu with such focus earlier, Cui'er couldn't help but be happy for her mistress. Had the Emperor finally recognized his mistress's goodness? That was wonderful.
Cui'er's face was full of smiles. Liu Liu knew what she was thinking and gave her a displeased glare, making the little maid purse her lips before anxiously saying:
"You immediately go to my Nan Gongyue and tell him I need his help with something."
Cui'er saw her mistress was anxious and knew it was an urgent matter, so she responded quickly and without delay: "What does Your Highness want Lord Nan Gong to help with?"