Princess Jie Lan looked at the situation before her. The one who tied the bell must untie it. Perhaps the Empress's persuasion could work. Jie Lan quickly curtsied, "Your Majesty, please let the Empress persuade Prince Yan."
"You?" Feng Xie had not expected this noble princess to ask him to speak to them alone. His expression turned ominous as he glared at her. If she were not a woman, he would have struck her down with a single palm.
"Your Majesty, please leave. Liu Liu has something to say to Prince Yan. Please grant her wish."
Liu Liu took a step back, curtsied, and her face radiated an unyielding resolve. Feng Xie was taken aback. He knew that once this woman decided on something, even ten oxen could not pull her back unless it resulted in mutual destruction.
He did not want to be angered to death by her. Past experiences told him that this woman had the capacity to drive him to death. Therefore, after careful deliberation, Feng Xie finally agreed to let Liu Liu speak with Feng Lie alone for a while.
In the silent and spacious flower hall, Feng Lie was still squatting on the ground, but he was much calmer. A faint sadness was on his face as he quietly gazed at Liu Liu, his eyes as distant as if a century had passed.
Liu Liu walked over, helped him up, and seated him on a nearby couch. She then personally brewed him a cup of tea. She used to do these things too, albeit only when she was in a good mood. This was the last time, she sighed inwardly.
"Here, drink some tea to calm yourself."
Liu Liu spoke indifferently. Her distant tone made Feng Lie's face grow increasingly pale. His fingertips lightly touched the tea bowl, releasing its fragrance that filled the room. He took a sip and raised his eyes to stare at her.
"Liu'er, I don't believe you would be so greedy for vanity as to yearn for that position. Do you really want to grow old and die in the palace? His Imperial Highness is a man who holds all power and status. While he may be interested in you now, it won't be long before he finds a new target. What will you do then?"
Feng Lie urgently analyzed the pros and cons, trying to awaken Liu Liu's sense of crisis so that she would be willing to leave the palace and marry into Prince Yan's manor. Liu Liu's lips curved into a cold smile.
"Feng Lie, why are you so persistent? Do you really think I am that kind of person? Do you understand your Imperial Highness? Is he someone who easily gives in?"
Feng Lie's eyes widened in shock. His lips trembled. His usually handsome face was now haggard, filled with deep resentment and doubt. He reached out and grabbed Liu Liu's hand.
"You say Imperial Highness forced you, so let me go talk to him. He clearly doesn't like you, so why is he keeping you imprisoned in the deep palace? What good does that do? Is he too selfish to love, or to let others love?"
Listening to Feng Lie's words, Liu Liu's expression grew colder. Why couldn't Feng Lie understand that it was impossible between them? Her eyes held a tempest, and she bit her lip lightly.
"Feng Lie, please listen to me quietly, okay? It's impossible for us anymore. Once missed, it's for a lifetime. Do you understand? When I longed for you to propose countless times, you took in a concubine. When I wished you would stop me from entering the palace, you smilingly offered your blessings. When I am no longer myself, why are you saying these things now?"
Feng Lie was shocked by Liu Liu's words. Regret invaded his entire body like a bone-gnawing poison. So she had been waiting for him all along. No wonder when they were together, she always asked if he had anything to say. She had been waiting.
He had wronged her, not the other way around. He was truly an imbecile. Thinking about how they liked each other, why couldn't they have gotten the Emperor's blessing? Feng Lie immediately stood up, his entire face radiating a captivating charm.
"Liu'er, let's go ask His Majesty together. He will agree. If not, I will take you away from here and find a secluded place to settle down."
"Feng Lie, don't you understand yet? When you hurt me so badly, I no longer had any illusions. So I don't like you anymore. Now, in my heart, you are nothing. I have already removed you from my heart. Do you understand now?"
"I don't understand. Why? Liu'er, it's my fault. Please give me another chance, okay?" Feng Lie growled like a wounded leopard.
He didn't want them to become strangers again. He tried to reach for Liu Liu's hand again, but Liu Liu coldly shook him off and stood up. A chill emanated from her eyes, and a shallow smile played on her lips.
"Feng Lie, please don't make me hate you, okay? Please let me be peaceful, okay? You hurt me badly in the past, so now just let me be quiet. Can't this be considered some form of compensation?" Her words were light and soft, but they struck Feng Lie's heart, causing him so much pain.
So he was the one who had hurt her. After seeing the vast ocean, the water from the mountain streams is no longer comparable; after seeing the clouds of Wushan, the clouds elsewhere are not similar. He no longer had the right to ask for another chance. His body swayed, and he sank back onto the couch. His face was pale, his delicate eyebrows etched with sorrow, but a determination flickered in his eyes.
He was not worthy of possessing her again. He, who had hurt her, was no longer qualified. Although his heart ached, and there was deep regret, a hundred emotions surged through him, and a sense of powerlessness permeated his entire being. Gazing at her slender back as she walked towards the door, he spoke softly.
"I promise you, I will never trouble you again. This is the only thing I can do for you." She stopped and breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he was no longer fixated on this issue. She did not look back, merely speaking softly, "Thank you." This was a true farewell to the feelings of their youth. They were growing further and further apart, with no possibility of turning back. Liu Liu walked out of the flower hall.
The moon was as cold as water, and the residual wind rustled fallen leaves. Moonlight cast mottled patterns through the gaps.
In the imperial carriage, Liu Liu curled up in a corner, her eyes closed as if in slumber. She knew the man opposite her was guessing and pondering. She remained still, feeling weary and not wanting to do anything, not even offer an explanation or anything else.
His eyes held a chilling glint, and his expression was gloomy and uncertain. He gazed fixedly at her face, watching her slightly curled eyelashes blink gently to hide her inner unease. He admired this side of her, wanting to see how long she could hold out. Silence fell upon the carriage.
The night was deep, always harboring unknown dangers, just like at this moment. Everyone could sense the pressure and the killing intent. Someone was nearby, and they were all skilled. Feng Xie's eyes bulged with rage, his pores constricting and expanding incessantly. The corners of his lips were torn, bleeding. He smiled coldly, his mood bad tonight, and unexpectedly, someone had come to take his anger out on him. How fortunate. He smiled, but it was an extremely cold smile.
Liu Liu remained motionless, standing still. This was not the time for her to act. Everything rested with this man. It seemed she had wronged Feng Pi last time. Those assassins had their own channels. Even Feng Xie's sudden departure from the palace had been leaked.
Ri Ying and Yue Ying held their precious blades high. The others stood their ground. They heard the light sound of hooves, and Ri Ying reported in a low voice.
"Master, there is killing intent all around."
"Give it your all. Leave no one alive," a murderous glint flashed across Feng Xie's lips, his dark eyes deepening. With a cold command, Ri Ying obeyed and stepped to the front. He cupped his fists towards the air and spoke sternly.
"Since you're here, why hide? Come out?"