Liu Liu refused to engage with Jie Lan and led the little maid away from the pavilion. Jie Lan watched her departing figure, lost in thought.
Perhaps the Empress was a woman of true feelings, understanding the bitterness in her own heart because they had both fallen in love with the same man.
"Princess, the wind is picking up, shall we go back?"
Jie Lan's personal maid looked at her mistress with concern. Her mistress was kind and beautiful, the kindest and most lovely princess of Yue Hua Kingdom.
But ever since coming to Tian Feng, she had encountered one obstacle after another. She truly wished her princess would return to Yue Hua Kingdom immediately, but the princess loved that man and would not leave so easily.
"No, I want to see the Emperor of Tian Feng," Jie Lan declared, raising her small chin defiantly. She looked up at the sky, determined to make the Empress meet Feng Lie.
If the Emperor of Tian Feng refused, she would kneel before him. Jie Lan made up her mind and stepped out of the pavilion, only to be blocked by a dazzling figure. Looking up, she saw it was Noble Consort Shu.
This woman was truly beautiful, Jie Lan sighed. Her crimson silk gown accentuated her delicate figure, exuding an indescribable allure and sexiness. Any man would surely be unable to escape her charm.
Jie Lan speculated silently but instinctively disliked this woman, finding her too ostentatious and attention-seeking.
"So it's Noble Consort Shu. Jie Lan pays her respects."
Jie Lan turned her body slightly, unsure why Noble Consort Shu sought her out, and why she was blocking her path so directly. She could only offer a polite greeting.
Jin Jia Li appraised Princess Jie Lan with her gaze. Initially, she had hoped Jie Lan would fancy her brother, which would have elevated the Jin family's influence. She never expected the princess to ultimately choose Prince Yan.
Prince Yan was always arrogant and overbearing, looking down on all women. When the Emperor bestowed their marriage, the Prince’s refusal pleased Jin Jia Li, who then secretly monitored Jie Lan's movements.
If Prince Yan still did not fancy Princess Jie Lan after three months, her brother would propose to Princess Jie Lan, and she would surely be touched.
Jin Jia Li's grand scheme was meticulously planned, but she never dreamed that the one Prince Yan fancied was that ugly woman Liu Liu. She simply could not accept this fact.
Because Prince Yan was a dragon among men, why would he fancy that ugly woman? Even Princess Jie Lan didn't like her, yet he fancied an ugly creature. A fleeting glint of darkness flashed in Jin Jia Li's eyes as she reached out and took Princess Jie Lan's hand.
"Jie Lan, my dear sister, are you troubled by something? Tell me, perhaps I can help you."
Jie Lan fluttered her eyelashes, appearing incredulous. Was this woman truly offering to help her?
She had heard that this woman was the Emperor's favorite consort. If she asked her to plead with the Emperor, would it be better?
The sunlight illuminated Jie Lan's hesitant young face, her indecisive gaze immediately captured by Jin Jia Li. Pressing her advantage, she softened her words further.
Jie Lan finally decided to trust this woman, bowing gracefully and thanking Noble Consort Shu for her concern.
"Jie Lan thanks Noble Consort Shu."
"It's nothing. From now on, if you have any worries, feel free to come to me. I will help you find a solution." Jin Jia Li smiled at Jie Lan, and Jie Lan actually began to believe her.
Upon her arrival in Tian Feng, she was alone and without allies. Although she liked the Empress, who was as pure as clear water, the Empress was always so distant, making her hard to approach.
Furthermore, since Feng Lie fancied her, there was a natural barrier. Now, seeing Noble Consort Shu so friendly and approachable, Jie Lan found herself leaning towards Jin Jia Li.
"It's Feng Lie. He fancies the Empress and spends his days drinking to drown his sorrows. I asked the Empress to try and persuade him, but she refused, so I wanted to beg the Emperor."
"Oh," Jin Jia Li responded. Honestly, she dared not meddle in such matters, at most she could offer this woman some advice.
She knew the Emperor disliked his harem women being too clever. If he found out she was involved in such affairs, she might be cast out.
However, for her brother's future, for the Jin family's future, she had to stir up trouble until the marriage between her and Prince Yan was ruined.
Jin Jia Li plotted in secret, her smile growing more alluring.
"Go find the Emperor and tell him that the Empress has agreed to visit Prince Yan, but you fear the Emperor might disagree, so you have come to beg him."
As soon as Jin Jia Li proposed her idea, she felt incredibly pleased with herself. She hadn't realized how sharp her mind was. Her brother always said she had a head full of schemes, but this was a stratagem that killed two birds with one stone, striking at both the Empress and Prince Yan. Then the princess would fall into the Jin family's hands.
Jie Lan had already intended to see the Emperor, and upon hearing Jin Jia Li's words, she felt as if she had received a shot of confidence and became elated.
As long as the Empress could persuade Feng Lie, she believed he would listen. And she would stay by his side. Sooner or later, he would recognize her worth and marry her. She would only marry the man she loved, otherwise, she would not marry at all.
Thinking of the envoy's parting instructions before returning to her country, Jie Lan smiled. Although she was currently unhappy, she believed that clarity would soon come to pass.
"Alright, I will go and beg the Emperor."
After speaking, Jie Lan bid farewell to Jin Jia Li and, leading the little maid, left the rear palace and headed forward.
Flowers withered, golden threads and jade stems, the lake's surface was clear, fallen petals scattered on the ground, obscuring the fragrant path. The wind rose, seeming to stir up a rain of flowers.
In the Imperial Study, Feng Xie, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, had a dark expression. He cast a chilling gaze at his subordinates, his phoenix-like brows slightly raised. In his eyes, dark as ink, flashed the tempestuousness of an approaching storm. A cold, thin smile played on his lips, accompanied by a chilling snort.
"It seems you two are quite idle, engaging in a fierce fight within the palace grounds. Have you nothing else to do?" Though his words were simple, they carried a frostiness that pierced to the bone. Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei knew the Emperor was angry, and his suppressed rage was even more terrifying.
He tapped his fingers rhythmically, each tap like a heavy drumbeat on their hearts, leaving them trembling in fear, daring not to move. No matter how arrogant they were, the person before them could destroy them with a single word. They were not foolish enough to overestimate themselves, and they lowered their heads, remaining silent.
"Speak, what were you fighting over?" A hint of bloodthirsty amusement flashed on Feng Xie's lips. He was genuinely curious why these two, seemingly unrelated individuals, would fight with such desperation, as if their lives depended on it.
"He?" Zhan Yun and Zhao Jiu pointed at each other simultaneously. Both their handsome faces froze for a moment before they stopped speaking. They belatedly realized that if they mentioned the Empress, she would surely be punished by the Emperor. They were caught between speaking and remaining silent, looking at each other helplessly.
Feng Xie's dark pupils were deep and cold, suddenly sharp and chilling. Was there something these two were hiding from him? Just as he was about to press them, Xiao Wan Zi timidly entered from the door and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Princess Jie Lan requests an audience?"
"What does she want?" Feng Xie snorted impatiently. His delicate features were etched with slightly raised brows, chilling eyes, and a hint of coldness around his lips, as if the vast Imperial Study had been frozen over. This was why Xiao Wan Zi was afraid and exceptionally cautious.
He did not want to be punished. Lowering his brows, he respectfully gazed at his feet, awaiting the Emperor's command. In his heart, he cursed the ancestors of Zhan Yun and Zhao Mei's families, lamenting their foolishness. He wished the Emperor would flay them alive, then they would not dare cause trouble again. But outwardly, he dared not be careless.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant does not know. The Princess's face appears anxious, as if she has urgent matters to discuss with Your Majesty. She repeatedly implored this servant to report. This servant mentioned that Your Majesty was handling state affairs, but the Princess insisted on not leaving."
Xiao Wan Zi elaborated at length to prove it wasn't his fault. Feng Xie snorted, "Very well, let her in."
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Zhan Yun and Zhao Jiu simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the Emperor had forgotten about their altercation. They quickly bowed respectfully, "Your subordinates shall take their leave."