Liu Liu saw that Cai Xia's forehead was bleeding. Although their previous behavior was somewhat malicious, they had been punished.
Moreover, self-preservation in the palace was not wrong. it was all the Emperor's fault. If the Emperor had not bestowed Huaqing Palace upon her, would these people have been unwilling to follow her? Besides, she didn't need so many people.
"Alright, Cai Xia, you may rise. I will have Xiao Anzi inform Steward Jiang. You may return now."
"Thank you, Your Ladyship. Thank you, Your Ladyship," Cai Xia kowtowed a few more times and quickly left. Liu Liu walked into Huaqing Palace. Cui'er, who was behind her, saw that her expression was a little displeased and did not dare to say anything further. She only heard Liu Liu call out to Xiao Anzi.
"Xiao Anzi, go to Steward Jiang and tell him to transfer the people who previously served me to the Laundry Bureau. Their punishment has been sufficient."
"Yes, Your Ladyship," Xiao Anzi rushed out to handle the matter. Some of the people had gotten along quite well with him before, and hearing that they were suffering made him feel sympathetic. Since Her Ladyship was magnanimous, they should be fortunate to have encountered a good master.
After Xiao Anzi left, Cui'er followed Liu Liu into the main hall and spoke softly, "Your Ladyship, this servant knows she was wrong."
Liu Liu stopped and looked at Cui'er seriously. "Cui'er, I know you're concerned about me, but we should address things as they are. Otherwise, we would be no different from that Emperor, unable to distinguish right from wrong and only blaming others."
"Yes, it is this servant's fault." Cui'er, although somewhat unconvinced, did not want to displease Her Ladyship. When Her Ladyship got angry, she was quite terrifying. If others didn't know, would she not know?
"I'm tired and want to recline on the soft couch to rest. Please don't disturb me."
"Alright," Cui'er nodded obediently and served Her Ladyship as she leaned back on the couch. Seeing that Her Ladyship's face had become thinner, her heart truly ached.
Her Ladyship was right. It was all the Emperor's fault. What was wrong with their own mistress? Such a kind and noble person, yet he was so picky, keeping those vases in the palace. It was best that he wouldn't regret it sooner or later.
Xiao Anzi reported to Her Ladyship after handling the matter. Liu Liu had not fallen asleep. Hearing him and Cui'er talking, she called out, "Xiao Anzi."
"This servant deserves death for disturbing Your Ladyship's rest," Xiao Anzi rushed in and reprimanded himself. Liu Liu waved her hand. "What did Jiang Cheng say?"
"The Head Steward has already sent people to call them out. Don't worry," Xiao Anzi replied with his body bent.
"That's good," Liu Liu nodded. Just then, Xiao Nianzi rushed in to report, "Your Ladyship, Cai Xia and Ming Yue are here."
"What are they here for?" Liu Liu knew they were the two palace maids. Since the Head Steward had released them, why were they running over again? Liu Liu raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Call them in and see what they want to do."
"Yes, Your Ladyship," Xiao Nianzi rushed out to lead them in. Liu Liu slowly sat up from the soft couch. Cui'er walked over and helped her put on her embroidered soft-soled shoes.
Cai Xia and Ming Yue, the two palace maids, were led in by Xiao Nianzi. Liu Liu looked at them. These two girls were indeed quick-witted. Especially Cai Xia, who decisively sought her out when faced with a problem; she was a decisive maid.
As soon as Cai Xia and Ming Yue saw Liu Liu, they knelt down and said respectfully, "We implored Steward Jiang and he agreed to let us come serve Your Ladyship. We beg Your Ladyship to take us in."
Liu Liu was stunned. She hadn't expected these two girls to want to serve in Huaqing Palace. To be honest, although Huaqing Palace was short-handed, there was no future in following her.
Perhaps one day she would leave the palace, and what would happen to these girls then? Wouldn't she be implicating them? Liu Liu thought of this and was unwilling to keep them.
"Cai Xia, Huaqing Palace doesn't need so many people. Ask Steward Jiang to assign you elsewhere."
Upon hearing Liu Liu's words, Cai Xia and Ming Yue quickly kowtowed.
"We beg Your Ladyship to take us in. This servant will definitely serve Your Ladyship wholeheartedly and with no ulterior motives. Originally, all those people were supposed to come, but Steward Jiang said Your Ladyship did not need too many people, and only allowed us two to come."
When Liu Liu heard that Jiang Cheng had arranged for them to come, she thought about it. Since they were determined to stay, she would let them stay.
Because the vast Huaqing Palace only had a few people, it seemed too desolate. Cui'er and Qiao'er were also too tired. Since Cai Xia and Ming Yue were willing to stay, they could share some of their work. Therefore, she nodded.
"Alright, since you are willing to stay, then stay. However, it will be very difficult, as this place is not like other places."
"We are not afraid of hardship. We will follow Your Ladyship to the death from now on," Cai Xia and Ming Yue said happily. Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling them to rise. Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi were delighted to see Ming Yue and Cai Xia could stay and enthusiastically pulled them to jump around.
Only Cui'er and Qiao'er, remembering that these two girls had previously looked down on their mistress, had somewhat displeased expressions. Cai Xia and Ming Yue, being nimble, stepped forward and surrounded the two maids.
With their affectionate greetings, they quickly won over Cui'er and Qiao'er. Huaqing Palace immediately became lively.
Liu Liu looked at everything before her, nodded with satisfaction, and smiled. "Alright, I am going to Cining Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. The young maids can accompany me. Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi will remain in the palace."
"Yes, Your Ladyship," several people responded in unison.
The group left Huaqing Palace and headed for Cining Palace. Frankly speaking, Huaqing Palace was a bit far from Cining Palace. After a long walk, they reached the entrance of Cining Palace. Liu Liu was completely unfazed.
She saw the four young maids following behind her were panting from exhaustion. Only Cui'er knew that her mistress practiced martial arts, and walking a short distance was nothing to her.
The other three were somewhat surprised. Fortunately, they had arrived at Cining Palace. Since they didn't have to go inside, they sat on the stone steps in front of the gate to rest.
As soon as the eunuch at Cining Palace saw Liu Liu's figure, he immediately shouted inside, "The Empress has arrived."
Liu Liu lifted her skirt hem and elegantly walked into Cining Palace. She saw that on the high seat, besides the Empress Dowager, Emperor Feng Xie was also present. Her face instantly darkened.
Feng Xie had clearly seen her small face and his anger flared up again. He had persuaded himself for a whole night and finally decided to coexist peacefully with her. He should leave quickly.
Otherwise, he might get angry again and want to punish this woman. Liu Liu had no idea what the Emperor was thinking. She simply bowed gracefully.
"Liu'er greets His Majesty and the Empress Dowager."
"Liu'er, you may rise," the Empress Dowager said kindly, feeling very guilty towards Liu Liu. Liu Liu slowly stood up. At this moment, Feng Xie also stood up from the high seat and looked at the Empress Dowager. "Your son will come to pay his respects to Mother again another day."
"Very well, you may return now." The Empress Dowager eyed the two little rivals before her. It was best to let them fight less at the moment, so she waved her hand, signaling Feng Xie to leave first.
Feng Xie nodded, walked down the high platform, and passed by Liu Liu. His handsome peach blossom eyes cast a sideways glance at her, shining with an evil gaze. His long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and he leaned close to her body, speaking in a deep voice.
"I've decided to agree to your request. We will coexist peacefully."
Liu Liu quickly dodged aside. Coexisting peacefully was fine, but was it necessary to be so close? Seeing the Empress Dowager's eyes flash with disbelief, she thought they might suspect something. She nodded with a cold expression.