Liu Liu finished reading and glanced at the Empress Dowager. Seeing her dejected appearance, she felt a pang of sympathy. The Empress Dowager doted on the little princess and couldn't bear to see her suffer even the slightest hardship. Now that the princess had left the palace, how could she not be anxious? "Wuyang has left the palace."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes darkened, and she nearly fainted. Feng Wuyang had grown up in the palace and knew nothing of the dangers outside.
The Empress Dowager imagined Feng Wuyang being so poor that she had no food to eat, and her heart filled with panic. She reached out and grabbed Liu Liu, her fingertips icy cold.
Liu Liu couldn't bear it and quickly sat beside the Empress Dowager to comfort her.
"Mother, you don't need to worry. The princess will be fine."
Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing heard this and felt a hint of joy in their hearts. They kept their expressions neutral, as the princess had always disliked them.
It would be best if she suffered a bit outside, both consorts thought simultaneously, but their faces showed a look of deep concern as they stood up to comfort the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty, please do not be overly sad. The little princess is beautiful and intelligent. No one would dare to harm her."
The Empress Dowager felt a little more at ease hearing the comfort from those around her, but she remained troubled. Liu Liu turned to look at the young eunuch kneeling in the grand hall and coldly commanded,
"Report the matter of the little princess's disappearance to His Majesty and ask him to send someone to investigate how the princess left the palace. Which carriages entered and exited the palace this morning? I believe it can be found out quickly. His Majesty will send someone to retrieve the little princess."
The kneeling young eunuch quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty," and rushed out. The Empress Dowager looked at Liu Liu's calm face and, seeing her composed handling of the situation, felt somewhat better. Liu'er was indeed suited for the inner palace; she was decisive and efficient.
After instructing the young eunuch, Liu Liu sat down to comfort the Empress Dowager diligently.
Soon, His Majesty arrived at Cining Palace. He wore a jade-green brocade robe, a jade belt, silken sashes, and a jade crown. His temples were sharply defined, his eyes like shooting stars, and a chilling aura surrounded him. His steps were steady. As he entered the grand hall, he immediately became the center of everyone's attention. He walked directly forward. Liu Liu stood up and curtsied.
"Liu'er pays her respects to His Majesty."
Feng Xie glanced at her, remembering how soundly he had slept last night. Her music could indeed soothe the soul. A gleam flashed in his eyes as he reached out and lightly brushed his hand. "Empress, please rise."
Liu Liu remained silent, rose with a detached expression, and went to stand beside the Empress Dowager. After His Majesty was seated, the Empress Dowager began to weep.
His Majesty raised a phoenix eyebrow, a cold and charming smile playing on his lips. He was not as worried as the Empress Dowager. Long Wuyang was so cunning and clever; who would dare to make her suffer? It was more likely that others would suffer at her hands.
As her imperial brother, he even felt a sense of relief, wondering which man in the world would fall victim to his sister's torment.
"Mother, please don't be sad. It's alright. I will send people to find my imperial sister."
Feng Xie's dark eyes were deep and profound, his voice exceptionally clear and cold. The Empress Dowager, hearing His Majesty's words, naturally couldn't say more.
However, thinking of her beloved daughter possibly suffering outside, her eyes still turned red. Looking at her son, she felt he didn't care about his mother at all.
After all, daughters were more thoughtful. With this thought, the Empress Dowager reached out and pulled Liu Liu, who was behind her, closer.
"Good. His Majesty will immediately send people to investigate. Perhaps Wuyang can be brought back," the Empress Dowager commanded with a stern expression. Her previous radiant demeanor had been replaced by profound sorrow. She looked at His Majesty with deep sadness. Feng Xie gave a charming glance towards the entrance of the grand hall and called out,
"Little Playboy, immediately send a young eunuch to find the Grand Eunuch Jiang Cheng and investigate which imperial carriages entered and exited the harem today."
"Yes, this servant will go at once," Little Playboy said, performing a kowtow, and slowly retreated. Once outside the hall, he ran swiftly to find Grand Eunuch Jiang Cheng.
In the grand hall of Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager reclined casually on the phoenix couch, unwilling to say another word. For a moment, the grand hall was silent. Feng Xie's phoenix eyes shone brightly, like dazzling jewels, fixed on Liu Liu's face.
Liu Liu was lowering her head, diligently comforting the Empress Dowager.
Although she didn't look up, she knew His Majesty was looking at her. However, she just kept her head down, as if unaware. Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing, standing below, saw that His Majesty had not looked at them from beginning to end since entering.
The hearts of both women felt as heavy as if they had been fried in oil. Their gazes towards Liu Liu were filled with envy and resentment. It seemed that what happened last night was true.
His Majesty had stayed overnight in Huaqing Palace. Since His Majesty had stayed in Huaqing Palace, it seemed there was a subtle, unspoken affection between them.
Why didn't His Majesty bestow Weiyang Palace upon the Empress? The more Jin Jiali thought about it, the more her expression darkened. She hadn't slept well yesterday, and her face looked a bit haggard and sallow. Now, with faint bloodshot veins in her eyes, she looked like a resentful woman. She spoke plaintively,
"Your Majesty, this concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty."
As Jin Jiali's words echoed in the grand hall, Feng Xie withdrew his gaze from Liu Liu and looked sharply at Jin Jiali below. Seeing her haggard appearance, he mistook it for illness and said with displeasure in a deep voice,
"Since Consort Shu is feeling unwell, you may return. There is no need to wait here."
Just as Jin Jiali was about to explain that she was not ill, Lou Sijing, who was always quick-witted, knew of His Majesty's displeasure. She reached out and took Jin Jiali's hand, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, we concubines will take our leave."
"Go," Feng Xie nodded, his gaze towards Lou Sijing softening considerably.
This woman was always graceful and proper, a truly understanding flower. Unlike Jin Jiali, who was beautiful but too arrogant. Feng Xie thought to himself and instructed the two consorts to withdraw.
Although Jin Jiali was unwilling, she could see His Majesty's displeasure.
Even though she was a bit slow to realize it, she dared not provoke him further. Following Lou Sijing, she walked out of Cining Palace. Once outside the hall, she stamped her foot on the green jade steps, complaining indignantly. The two women led their maids, talking as they returned to their respective palaces.
In the vast palace, even the eunuchs and maids had retreated, leaving only the Empress Dowager, Liu Liu, and Feng Xie.
No one spoke. The wind stirred the gauze curtains, lifting a corner, creating an indescribable sense of elegance.
Although the Empress Dowager was heartbroken, she was not so foolish as to miss the sparkle in her son's eyes. Therefore, she stood up and instructed her female official to help her to her sleeping chambers to rest for a while, saying she was tired.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had also left, leaving her alone with the Emperor, Liu Liu curtsied gracefully.
"Liu'er will take her leave now." Having spoken, she descended the high platform and, without waiting for Feng Xie to speak, turned to walk outside. Sunlight fell upon her. Feng Xie, seated on his high throne, narrowed his eyes, a captivating smile on his lips. His voice, like aged wine, spoke,
"I shall bestow Weiyang Palace upon you."
Liu Liu froze, stopping in her tracks. Disdain flickered in her eyes, and a cold smile touched her lips. He bestowed Weiyang Palace upon her; was it still necessary now?
Don't think that just because she played a tune for him last night, they could get along peacefully, and she would accept his reward, being grateful like other women.
If it were when she first entered the palace, she might have felt grateful. Even if he didn't love her, they could still get along as friends.
Now, they weren't even friends. Liu Liu did not turn around, only gazing at the falling flowers drifting past the palace gates, occasionally swirling in the air. The cool wind that blew onto her face carried a thin chill. Autumn had truly arrived, and people's hearts felt desolate.