"I will send someone to investigate, but for now, imprisoning the Empress is the only way to gain credibility," Feng Xie stated with undeniable authority, his masked face stern, only the corner of his lips curling into a smile. He was curious if this woman would offer any defense.
Unfortunately, after hearing his words, Liu Liu said nothing. She lifted her chin, straightened her back, and proudly followed Xiao Wazi out of the main hall of Guangyang Palace. Liu'er needed to suffer a bit, otherwise, how would her disposition tolerate the women of the harem?
After Liu Liu departed, Feng Xie stood up to leave Guangyang Palace. Jin Jiali's personal maid, Wan Rong, rushed out, speaking in panic, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Consort Shu has learned of her miscarriage and is crashing into walls everywhere, saying she doesn't want to live."
Feng Xie swept a chilling gaze over her, his lips pursed with a cold, decisive resolve. Did that woman wish to die so badly? Her petty schemes could not fool him; she merely wanted him to console her. What a calculating woman.
"Let her be. If she wants to die that much, don't stop her."
With these harsh and resolute words, Feng Xie strode out of the main hall of Guangyang Palace. The Empress Dowager, seeing the impatient Emperor, sensed that he seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps he never wanted the child, and its loss felt like a release. If that were the case, why did he still have the Empress arrested?
The Empress Dowager stood and walked down from her couch, glancing at Wan Rong kneeling on the ground, and spoke with displeasure.
"Let her rest in peace; stop this fuss."
"Yes, this servant obeys."
Wan Rong spoke cautiously. Only after the Empress Dowager had left did she dare to rise and enter the sleeping chambers of Guangyang Palace. With a helpless expression, she relayed the Emperor's words.
Jin Jiali immediately turned ashen, her body softening as she collapsed onto the bed. She had initially hoped that after losing her child, the Emperor would come to comfort her, allowing her to seize the opportunity to regain a night of favor, perhaps even conceive another child.
To think that this fantasy was shattered. Tears streamed down her face like rain. Who had harmed her child? She thought furiously, wanting to scream. It was that ugly woman who had caused the loss of her child. She had originally pinned her hopes on the child for future prosperity, but now she had nothing. The Emperor's resolute words indicated he would never come again.
Could all this be retribution? Retribution for her having caused Qiao'er's death? Heaven, why must you punish me so? Jin Jiali wept and wailed in her chambers, but alas, no one paid her any mind, except for the maid Wan Rong who waited silently by her side.
Liu Liu was confined to the imperial prison in the harem. Everyone in Weiyang Palace was terrified. They only knew how to weep, their hearts filled with dread, and no one could make a decision.
Cui'er was even more frantic, her expression extremely grim. But what could she, a mere young maid, do?
Cui'er suddenly thought of Nangong Yue. Nangong Yue was the only person she knew and could see. She hoped he could rescue her mistress from prison. With this thought, Cui'er rushed out of Weiyang Palace.
To think that the Empress Dowager did not stop the Emperor's actions, saying the mistress had drugged Consort Shu's child. In truth, the mistress was not that kind of person. Why did they not believe her?
Cui'er, wiping away tears, hurried towards the Imperial Hospital. The eunuch Xiao at the Imperial Hospital secretly told Liu'er that Imperial Physician Nangong had not visited for many days. Cui'er's heart sank. What could be done now? She returned to Weiyang Palace, still in tears.
At night, the dampness in the dungeon was heavy. The enclosed space was cold and eerie. Moonlight pierced through the bars, casting distorted shadows. The scent of blood filled the air. Liu Liu frowned and looked up at the various torture devices on the wall, faintly discerning traces of blood.
To think that such a place as the dungeon was where she had ended up. The feeling was indescribable. But at that very moment, she conceived a plan to leave the palace without implicating her parents. A cold smile flickered across her lips, shining with the moonlight, full of spirit.
As she was lost in thought, faint sounds echoed from outside the dungeon. Then, someone opened her cell door and, walking a few steps quickly, stopped before her. He gazed at her with concern, reaching out with a large hand to grasp her shoulder. "Are you alright? I'll help you get out of the palace."
"No need," Liu Liu shook her head, a smile gracing her lips, a smile from the heart. She looked earnestly at the man in the moonlight, the divinely beautiful Nangong Yue. She had anticipated that he would come to see her, and so she had devised a plan.
"I don't want to implicate my parents. So I've thought of a way. Can you do me a favor?"
"Tell me?" Nangong Yue's handsome face was radiant, his eyes sparkling. He believed she must have a foolproof plan. There was no light in the dungeon, but the faint moonlight shone upon him, clean and pure, like the flawless clouds in the sky, making one instinctively want to trust him.
"I have a medicine on me. After taking it, one's meridians will become disordered, the heart rate will increase, and the face will flush, appearing as if poisoned. In reality, it's merely an allergic reaction to pollen, but ordinary imperial physicians won't be able to detect it. Go immediately to see the Emperor and beg for my pardon. With Feng Xie's arrogant and domineering personality, he won't agree. Perhaps before you can even finish speaking, he'll chase you away. You stay there, to prove that nothing has been done, and send someone to escort me out of the palace."
Nangong Yue's eyes held admiration and delight. She was indeed meticulous. This idea was truly foolproof. Feng Xie had met his match.
Nangong Yue's lips curved into a smile. His judgment was indeed unique. From their first meeting, he knew she was not as she appeared on the surface; her depth of thought was beyond that of ordinary people.
"Alright, we'll do as you say. I'll have Lüyī and Yuèhuán escort you out of the palace and arrange for you."
"Mm," Liu Liu's lips held a smile, a sly glint in her eyes. She took out a pill she carried and swallowed it. Nangong Yue gazed at her intently, his clear, jade-like eyes reflecting shimmering ripples, like a bright, clear lake, staring at her without blinking.
Soon, Liu Liu's face became somewhat flushed, her heart beat faster, and her breathing grew rapid. Her lips also developed a dark hue.
Although Nangong Yue knew this was feigned, he still felt a pang of heartache. Knowing Liu Liu was urging him to leave quickly, he rushed out, woke the jailer he had previously knocked unconscious, and ordered in a stern voice with a chilling expression.
"I wish to see the Empress."
The jailer dared not let Imperial Physician Nangong in. Rubbing his groggy head, he shook it. Just then, Liu Liu's scream rang out. The jailer's face changed drastically. Without bothering to stop Nangong Yue, several people rushed in first. It was the Empress inside!
If anything were to happen to the Empress, would they not lose their lives? Nangong Yue, as if nothing had happened, followed the jailer into the prison. Liu Liu was curled up on the ground, her face flushed, her lips black. Nangong Yue exclaimed in feigned alarm.
"Her Majesty has been poisoned! Her Majesty has been poisoned!"
As Nangong Yue's voice rang out, the jailers became frantic, crying out, "Her Majesty has been poisoned! Imperial Physician Nangong, what should we do? You are a skilled physician; please save Her Majesty!"
Nangong Yue waved his hand, his face turning cold as he glared at the jailers.
"Do you wish to kill me? Her Majesty was imprisoned by Imperial decree. Just now, I passed by and heard faint sounds, so I came to take a look, only to find Her Majesty truly drugged. You incompetent fools, I will go see the Emperor immediately."
Nangong Yue sternly reprimanded the jailers and then flashed away from the prison. However, he did not rush directly to the Imperial Study. He took a detour to arrange matters before taking several leaps towards the Imperial Study.