"Very well, it's a deal."
Feng Xie didn't say another word. He crossed Liu Liu and quickly left Cining Palace. After the Emperor left, the Empress Dowager beckoned Liu Liu to sit beside her. Holding her hand tightly, she affectionately asked,
"Has the Emperor treated Liu'er a little differently?" She had seen their interaction just now. Liu Liu smiled faintly. He had merely accepted her suggestion.
From then on, the two would remain distant, like well water and river water. Her heart couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Was she truly destined to remain in the harem forever, until she grew old and died?
"Aunt, nothing is wrong at all," Liu Liu said gently, a faint smile gracing her lips. She would worry about the future when it came. What was the difference where she was, if she couldn't find a man she loved deeply?
"Why do you still call me Aunt? You should call me Empress Dowager," the Empress Dowager gently patted Liu Liu's hand. The maternal love radiated from her still-beautiful face, filling Liu Liu's heart with warmth, as if her own mother were beside her. She slowly nestled into the Empress Dowager's embrace.
"Empress Dowager,"
"Good child, Empress Dowager knows you've been wronged. Empress Dowager feels very sorry for you. The Emperor will realize what a good child Liu'er is," the Empress Dowager gently patted Liu Liu's back, embracing her and speaking softly.
"It's nothing, Empress Dowager doesn't need to worry. Liu'er is perfectly fine," Liu Liu murmured softly, straightening up and smiling at the Empress Dowager.
In that instant, her eyes sparkled with captivating allure, as if rippling with a pool of water, clear and transparent. What kind of nature nurtured such eyes, untouched by the dust of the world?
The Empress Dowager was captivated. This was clearly a pearl unique in the mortal realm, yet the Emperor had his eyes clouded by the mundane world. Who indeed could possess this luminous pearl? She truly feared the Emperor would miss this opportunity.
"Empress Dowager, do not worry, the Emperor will understand."
"Empress Dowager is tired, isn't she? Liu'er will take her leave," Liu Liu said softly, seeing the weariness in the Empress Dowager's eyes. She slowly stood up. The Empress Dowager was indeed a bit tired and nodded.
"Go, come find Empress Dowager anytime you wish. Empress Dowager will settle matters for Liu'er."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Liu Liu elegantly and charmingly descended the steps. Her slender and beautiful figure carried an unusual resilience. The Empress Dowager gazed at her for a moment before her female attendant spoke respectfully.
"Empress Dowager, please go into the sleeping chambers to rest for a while."
"Alright," the Empress Dowager yawned. She couldn't control her children's affairs, so she might as well go rest.
The sky darkened, and the moon climbed to its zenith, casting its dazzling silver glow upon the imperial palace. Pillars stood in rows, pavilions and towers reflected each other, appearing hazy and ethereal in the night. Chu Chu led several palace maids along a secluded path towards Huaqing Palace at the very back.
From afar, she could hear mournful and melancholic melodies. In such a deep night, it felt exceptionally desolate. Was he playing the flute again? She was truly curious why he was so sorrowful, a pervasive melancholy clinging to him, his gaze perpetually veiled in melancholy.
Liu Liu's footsteps faltered as she stopped. "You all may return. I wish to stroll around. I ate too much today and need to aid my digestion."
The four young maids spoke in unison respectfully, "Your Highness, we will accompany you."
"No need. I wish to be alone," she said faintly, her voice carrying an irrefutable command. Cui'er quickly led the other three in a graceful bow. "Your Highness, please return early."
Liu Liu walked step by step towards the Xunchun Grove. That ethereal figure, as graceful as a startled swan, stood alone amidst the sea of flowers, playing his flute, as if the world around him held no relevance.
She did not disturb him, sitting down silently, listening to his flute music. It was as beautiful as the man himself, and she was utterly captivated.
On such a moonlit night, listening to such a mournful and lingering melody, her soul felt cleansed, her spirit settled.
Why was he so heartbroken? What had wounded such a man's heart, causing him such profound pain, that even his flute played so sorrowfully?
He played only two pieces before putting away his flute and leaving, as if unaware of her presence. Little did she know, he usually played only one piece; it was because of her that he played a little longer.
Liu Liu waited until he had left before rising to return to Huaqing Palace. This time, she did not use her qinggong, walking slowly back.
Her heart was still deeply moved, even touched by a trace of heartache. Why did she feel a sense of closeness towards him? Seeing his sorrow caused her heart to ache.
By the time she returned to Huaqing Palace, the night was very deep. Cui'er and Caixia waited by the door. The moment they saw her return, they happily welcomed her.
"Your Highness must be hungry. We've reheated the meals several times. Please eat something."
Hearing Caixia's words, Liu Liu remembered she hadn't had her dinner yet. Her stomach indeed felt hungry. She nodded. "I am truly hungry. Please set the meal out."
Just then, the night grew darker. Liu Liu looked up at the sky. Dark clouds obscured the moon's silver glow, casting Huaqing Palace into a dim, dark silhouette. Her heart skipped a beat.
Were affairs about to unfold in the palace again? Shaking her head, she dismissed the uneasy feeling. She would face whatever came, as it was not in Liu Liu's nature to worry about what might happen.
Cui'er and Caixia quickly prepared some of Liu Liu's favorite dishes. She ate a little, but thinking of Nangong Yue's melancholy and sorrow, she involuntarily lost her appetite. After eating only a small portion, she instructed the two maids to clear the dishes.
After bathing and washing, she would sleep. Whatever happened, she would deal with it tomorrow. Perhaps tomorrow would be a beautiful day.
However, many things that were hoped for did not materialize, and bad omens often came true.
The Emperor had mentioned during the grand wedding that Jin Jiali would ascend the imperial platform to receive the salutations of the officials. However, this promise was not fulfilled. Fortunately, he had not made a public vow, only mentioning it in front of the eunuchs.
But the implication had reached Jin Jiali's ears. The Emperor felt somewhat guilty, and it coincided with Jin Jiali's birthday, so he ordered Grand Eunuch Jiang Cheng to organize a lively banquet for Consort Shu.
Seeing the Emperor's favor towards her, Jin Jiali took the opportunity to make a request, asking the Empress to attend as well.
Emperor Feng Xie agreed without hesitation. The news arrived at Huaqing Palace early in the morning. Cui'er, seeing that her mistress was still asleep, did not wake her, only reporting the matter after she awoke.
Liu Liu's delicate eyebrows furrowed. The Emperor had just said he wouldn't bother her yesterday, and now he was asking her to attend Jin Jiali's banquet. It was obvious Jin Jiali intended to put her in her place. Was Feng Xie so foolish?
Or did he simply intend to watch the show from the sidelines?
"I'm not going," Liu Liu said, her face hardening. She stood up, allowing Qiao'er and Mingyue to dress her. The two young maids chose a sky-blue straight-cut shirt embroidered with frog fasteners, paired with a pleated skirt of the same color. A white silken sash adorned with a butterfly and mist pattern was tied around her waist, making her look fresh and adorable, completely free of any artificial scent.
Cui'er and Caixia exchanged glances upon hearing their mistress's words. If it were merely Jin Jiali's invitation, it would be fine if their mistress refused.
But this was an order from the Emperor. How could she refuse? To refuse would be to defy the imperial decree. Those women would surely seize upon any mistake, and even the Liu family would be implicated. Cui'er spoke softly.
"Your Highness, if you do not go, it will be an act of defiance against the imperial decree, and then the Master and Madam will be implicated." Cui'er knew Liu Liu's soft spot. Upon hearing Cui'er's reminder, Liu Liu indeed fell silent. After a long while, she reluctantly said, "Very well, I will go."
The birthday banquet was held at Yunxiang Wan in Guangyang Palace. The sky was clear and cloudless, impeccably pristine. The sun cast its oppressive heat, making people feel stifled and restless. Fortunately, at Yunxiang Wan, lakes bordered the shores, and lotuses bloomed on the water.
Numerous pavilions dotted the lake, with bridges every three steps and pavilions every five steps, arranged in a pleasing, albeit intricate, manner, forming both a cohesive whole and independent spaces.
The shore was lined with craggy rocks, folded into hill-shaped artificial mountains, from which verdant vines hung down. From a distance, they formed a cool barrier. Bamboo groves provided shade, and the clear lake rippled, shimmering enchantingly. It was truly a place of picturesque beauty, refined and serene.