The words of the two ministers were heard by Feng Xie. What they said was pertinent. The Heavenly Phoenix Dynasty had been established for over twenty years.
Although it appeared prosperous on the surface, the evolutionary process of a dynasty was not long enough, and thus there were many hidden dangers. It seemed that being provoked by that ugly woman had made him forget the bigger picture.
However, the fact that the woman could utter such wise words indicated that her disposition was quite exceptional.
"I understand. You may all return," Feng Xie waved his hand. He needed to sort out his emotions. Did that woman want peace? Then he would give her peace. Since they both found each other detestable, it was better to live their own lives, which would be more hassle-free.
Jin Shaoyuan and Nangong Yue had already drunk quite a bit, so they got up and left the Yongyuan Palace, leaving the Emperor alone to ponder in the palace.
Meanwhile, Huaqing Palace was cold and deserted. The hall was filled with piled-up jade and shimmering treasures, all the gold and silver jewels bestowed by the Empress Dowager. Liu Liu, who had just woken up from a nap, felt annoyed by these things and coldly ordered the two young maids.
"Alright, you two, pack away all these gifts."
"Yes, Your Highness," Cui'er and Qiao'er curtsied in response, gesturing to two young eunuchs to come and help. The group quickly put away the items, not wanting to upset their mistress. In the distance, faint music of string and wind instruments drifted into Huaqing Palace, yet this place alone remained exceptionally cold and clear.
Liu Liu sat on a nearby couch, thinking that tomorrow she would host a banquet for her maternal family's female relatives, and then she would be able to see her mother and elder sister. This thought finally cheered her up a little.
"Xiao Anzi, tell the cooks to prepare some good dishes for me tomorrow. They must not be careless."
"Yes, Your Highness, this servant has already instructed them. Please rest assured, Your Highness," Xiao Anzi replied respectfully.
The moonlight tonight was like water, and its silver radiance streamed into the grand hall of Huaqing Palace. Liu Liu, having just woken up, couldn't fall back asleep, so she stood up, turned, and said to the two maids, "I'm going out for a walk. Don't follow me."
"Your Highness," all four of them exclaimed. The imperial palace was vast, and their mistress was not familiar with it. What if she got lost? Cui'er quickly said, "May I accompany you?"
"No need," Liu Liu shook her head. She refused to let the young maids follow her; she just wanted some peace. Was that too much to ask? "Do not follow me. I won't get lost."
Since their mistress had given the order, none of the four dared to follow her. They remained in the hall, watching as the Empress walked out.
The moonlight slanted westward. In the mist, green grass grew lush, and the winding paths were lined with flourishing flowers and trees. The wind blew gently, swaying the willow branches. She walked and looked as she went.
The night was so empty that it seemed as if she were the only person between heaven and earth. Although she didn't feel scared, a sense of loneliness lingered in her heart.
Suddenly, she heard a faint, melodious, and melancholic flute melody drifting from a distance. It was beautiful and lingering, yet filled with deep melancholy, as if an overflowing sadness could not be resolved. This tune perfectly matched her mood at the moment, and her steps involuntarily carried her towards it.
Before her lay a sea of white flowers. On the tall toon trees, lush leaves bloomed with small white flowers among the branches. When the wind blew, they fell in a flurry, like snowflakes dancing in the sky.
Liu Liu peered forward and saw a figure, indistinct in the sea of flowers, playing the flute. Attracted by the music, she walked closer, only to startle the flute player. A clear, cold voice called out, "Who?"
Liu Liu did not reply. Under the moonlight, the person was seen to be wearing a pure white robe, with dark hair cascading over his shoulders, giving him an ethereal and refined air. His face was like an exquisite painting, with eyebrows like crescent moons, eyes like stars, a proud nose, and cherry lips, his skin as fair as snow.
Most importantly, the melancholy radiating from him carried a faint sorrow. What had wounded this man's heart to make him so unhappy, filling even his flute music with such heartbreaking sorrow?
The person playing the flute under the moonlight was the imperial physician Nangong Yue. Nangong Yue was playing with abandon when he was suddenly disturbed by this unexpected intruder. His handsome face darkened, and he swept a cold glance over, seeing a vivacious woman who seemed like an elf who had stumbled into a different realm.
She watched him with such caution, filled with inquiry and curiosity. As she approached, he noticed a large, colored birthmark on her face, and in an instant, he felt a flicker of disappointment. He understood who had arrived.
"Empress Liu?"
"Who are you?" Liu Liu was certain he was someone from the palace. She thought it was only natural; anyone who could play the flute in this deep palace compound must be from the imperial palace. Would an outsider dare to come here and play the flute?
This man was so handsome. She seemed to recall Xiao Anzi mentioning someone – the imperial physician Nangong Yue, perhaps?
"It is not important who I am. Why is Empress Your Highness not resting so late at night?" Nangong Yue said faintly, his voice carrying an unshakeable melancholy.
"Nangong Yue, aren't you awake too? Don't I have more reason to be sad than you tonight?" Liu Liu stared at Nangong Yue. Why was this man so beautiful? He could be considered the most beautiful person she had ever seen.
Whether man or woman, he was the most handsome, and he carried a melancholy that made one reluctant to reject him. Did he have something sad in his life?
Nangong Yue remained silent. Tonight, indeed, no one was sadder than she.
On her wedding day, the Emperor and his close officials drank and chatted, completely forgetting the Empress. However, he couldn't detect any trace of pain on her. On the contrary, she appeared very calm, as if nothing had happened.
He was truly curious how she managed it. Although this woman was considered ugly, she was still a remarkable woman. It was no wonder Feng Lie spoke so highly of her. Since he was also lonely, why not play for her?
"Let this minister play a couple of tunes for Your Highness," Nangong Yue said. Without waiting for Liu Liu's reaction, he picked up his flute and began to play.
Liu Liu found a clean spot and sat down, resting her chin on her hands. She listened to the melancholic and lingering melody. The sorrow poured out from the flute's sound, releasing the grievances in her heart, and her eyes unknowingly welled up with tears.
It turned out his flute had a magical quality, playing so beautifully that it made one completely relax. She listened, entranced. But why did he carry so much sadness, as if it were innate?
As the night deepened, Nangong Yue played one tune after another. His heart drifted with the flute's melody, at times mournful, at times resentful.
Thinking of his mission, the flute seemed to gain a soul, carrying his helpless fate and expressing it, flowing forth.
Suddenly, the flute music stopped. Liu Liu, engrossed in listening, heard Nangong Yue's low voice softly say, "Empress Your Highness should return to rest. This minister will also take his leave."
He then picked up his flute and slowly departed from the toon grove, his back appearing lonely and solitary. Liu Liu mused to herself, what kind of story did this exceptionally beautiful man carry? Why did he possess such heavy sorrow?
With these thoughts, her figure flashed, and she swiftly leaped over the branches. In the blink of an eye, she landed before the gates of Huaqing Palace. Since it was night, who would come to Huaqing Palace? Even the patrolling guards were probably inspecting the areas around the three palaces.
Liu Liu smiled faintly. Before the gates of Huaqing Palace, Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi were guarding the entrance, pacing back and forth. Her heart couldn't help but feel a warmth. These two young eunuchs were truly touching; they truly treated her as their mistress.
"Xiao Anzi, Xiao Nianzi?"
"Empress Your Highness, you have returned! This servant was truly afraid you would get lost," Xiao Anzi said with relief, leading Liu Liu into Huaqing Palace. Xiao Nianzi then closed the worn-out door of Huaqing Palace.
Hearing the voices outside, Cui'er and Qiao'er had already rushed out. Seeing that their mistress did not appear overly sad, they finally felt at ease.
"Your Highness, please rest. It is already late."
"Alright. Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi, you may also go and rest," Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling the two young eunuchs to retire. Cui'er and Qiao'er had always slept in the single room outside her sleeping quarters, just in case she needed anything in the middle of the night.