The room was adorned with a glass screen depicting butterflies dancing playfully. Beyond the screen lay a bed where a frail woman reclined. Her brow was furrowed, her face small, and her eyes large, exuding a gentle, pitiable melancholy. She possessed none of a princess's haughtiness, but rather a softness that tugged at the heart.
As she looked up and saw her imperial brother standing before her, her eyes welled up. Tears, large and glistening, began to trickle down her cheeks.
Feng Xie, his heart aching, strode to the bedside. Wu Yang lunged into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably, "Imperial Brother, Imperial Brother, you've come. Wu Yang is so useless."
A wave of sorrow washed over everyone in the room. She was a dignified princess, yet she had endured five years of such hardship. Feng Xie gently stroked her head, his voice soft as he comforted her, "Wu Yang, do not worry. Imperial Brother is here to take you back to the capital. Let all of this be but a bad dream."
"Thank you, Imperial Brother," Wu Yang nodded. The past was too painful to recall. Her past love had been repeatedly shattered by heartache, ultimately turning to dust.
Thinking of Yun Jinshu now, her heart felt only pity for the man. He had been suppressed, robbed of the spirit a man should possess.
Love, it turned out, was a double-edged sword, capable of both cherishing and wounding. The price of growth was too heavy. She smiled faintly, biting her lip until it bled, then turned to the side, shifting from her imperial brother's arms to her imperial sister-in-law's.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, thank you. I knew you would come to save me." This was a trust that ran to the bone. Instinctively, she had sensed her arrival. The unspoken understanding from childhood told her that her sister-in-law would come to her rescue.
"Mm, it's alright now. It's all over. Forget all the bad things. Your path ahead is still long. There are plenty of good men in the world," Liu Liu consoled her gently. Wu Yang shook her head. She no longer dared to speak of love. Love was too damaging. Sometimes, even enduring hardship and pleading for mercy could not elevate love, only bring deep pain.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, thank you." Her tears flowed, her heart bleeding with each beat. This love had consumed five years of her life, and the pain remained etched in her heart.
Mu Xing, seeing his aunt cry so sadly, also felt heartbroken. With his large eyes, he walked over and tugged at Wu Yang's long skirt, speaking softly, "Auntie, don't be sad. Mu Xing feels like crying when he sees Auntie cry."
Hearing such childish words, Wu Yang looked down at Mu Xing. Those eyes, as bright as stars, held two small sparks, shining with a tender concern for her. Her heart inexplicably began to calm.
For five years, she had longed for a child, such a beautiful child. But she had never conceived. It wasn't that she hadn't conceived, but rather that the old madam did not want her to bear the Yun family's child, and thus constantly gave her medicine.
Furthermore, her time with Yun Jinshu was limited, preventing her from becoming pregnant. Now, seeing the adorable Mu Xing, it was as if she saw her own child, and her heart found peace.
"Are you Mu Xing? You're so cute. Am I very ugly?" Wu Yang thought of her own disheveled state and shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Mu Xing immediately shook his head, "Auntie is so beautiful, how could you be ugly? You're beautiful even when you cry!"
This remark drew laughter from everyone in the room, dispersing the oppressive atmosphere. Wu Yang signaled Luo Yi to arrange for everyone to sit. She then looked up and noticed a man standing by the screen.
This man possessed a smile as bright as sunshine, his eyes radiating intelligence. But what did that have to do with her? she asked plainly.
"Who is this?"
Liu Liu turned and glanced over, having forgotten Bai Han. But this fellow was truly something, to come to the princess's chambers. However, since he was here, what could be done? She nodded, "This is Lord Bai."
"Mm, please sit," Wu Yang nodded, gesturing for Bai Han to take a seat. With Mu Xing's presence, the atmosphere became much livelier. The little one stuck close to Wu Yang, and Wu Yang, in turn, doted on him, forgetting much of her pain.
As night deepened, everyone departed, preparing to rest. They had not forgotten about Feng Luo's affairs. The most pressing issues were Feng Luo and Lou Si Jing.
Until these two were dealt with, they could not find peace, especially since Wu Yang was fond of Mu Xing.
Liu Liu decided to leave Mu Xing behind to keep Wu Yang company, assigning additional guards to ensure their safety. Bai Han voluntarily stayed nearby, protecting the Crown Prince and the princess. Liu Liu agreed with peace of mind and returned to their room with Feng Xie.
In the intimate confines of their chamber, Feng Xie gazed intently at the woman hesitating by the bedside. Gone was her usual indifference, her icy demeanor. She was now a truly adorable little woman, possessing a woman's natural modesty and tenderness. He reminisced about the nights she got drunk, transforming into a little demon who commanded everything. He rather missed that side of her.
He reached out and pulled her closer, eliciting a gasp from her as she tumbled into his arms.
He watched as his narrow phoenix eyes grew hazy, clouded with an overwhelming desire, intensely entwining with her. With nowhere to escape, she could only allow his large hands to ignite a fiery passion. His breath, intoxicating, whispered, "Liu'er, Liu'er."
The moonlight broke through the clouds, its watery radiance spilling onto her skin, as clean as jade. Her exquisite curves were enough to make one's blood surge. What was there to wait for? His wild, domineering form lunged onto the bed, onto the flower, and they were entwined through the night until sleep claimed them.
Morning arrived, with thin mist coiling over the small courtyard. A gentle breeze drifted through, carrying the scent of flowers. As the mist dissipated, it bathed the plants and trees, leaving them lush and verdant, full of life.
In the distant pond, carp occasionally leaped from the water. Disturbed by the stagnant air at the bottom, they sprang into the air, their powerful splashes creating a clear, tinkling sound.
Inside the courtyard, hushed voices could be heard, disturbing Liu Liu's light sleep. Being a light sleeper, she was roused by the sounds outside and found it difficult to fall back asleep. She slowly stirred, only to be pulled into an embrace by a long arm, eliciting a low groan. She turned her head into a pair of deep, dark eyes. Remembering their intimate embrace from the previous night, her face flushed.
"You should sleep a bit longer. It seems something is happening outside," Liu Liu whispered, trying to slip out of Feng Xie's embrace. His body was lean and muscular, his upper body exposed, his long hair cascading over his shoulders, incredibly alluring. It left Liu Liu parched. She then heard a voice by her ear, "Last night, I was very careful. I wouldn't have harmed the child."
"You?" Liu Liu wanted to reprimand him but couldn't find the words, so she remained silently disgruntled. Feng Xie pulled her closer, beginning to help her dress. He seemed accustomed to such tasks. On days when he didn't attend court, he would always help her dress and paint her eyebrows; it was one of life's great pleasures.
Liu Liu let him arrange her until she was perfectly ready. Only then did she hear his satisfied nod, "Alright. Let's go see what's happening outside?"
"Mm," clad in a blue robe, her hair casually loose, she exuded an undeniable charm. If not for the fear of what was happening outside, he wouldn't have wanted her to leave. He pursed his lips in a faint smile, realizing he was becoming increasingly attached to her. A sensual smile touched his lips. He would keep her tightly by his side.
Liu Liu stood under the eaves of the corridor, her gaze sweeping over the circle of people. Ri Ying, Yue Ying, and a few others were speaking. Hearing the light rustle of the bead curtain, they turned, and upon seeing Liu Liu's silhouette, they immediately spoke respectfully, "Master, the front of the Blazing Flame Tower is swarming with people. The shopkeeper sent someone to notify Master. Seeing that Master was not yet awake, we let them proceed."
"What happened?" Liu Liu's delicate eyebrows arched, her gaze deepening, her expression turning cold.
"It's the Yun family's old madam and Yun Jinshu. Both are kneeling in front of the Blazing Flame Tower, demanding to see the princess," Ri Ying reported with her head bowed to Liu Liu. Before Liu Liu could speak, a cold reprimand came from beside her, deep and chilling, "Immediately dispatch troops to arrest these two disgraceful wretches. How dare they have the face to kneel here? Do they still consider themselves honorable?"
Feng Xie, dressed in a brocade robe, his tall frame appearing even more handsome. His face was like flawless jade, his phoenix eyes narrowed, deep, cold, and overbearing. His ink-black hair was casually tied at his waist with a silk ribbon, not bound by a jade hairpin, giving him a unique charm and an imposing aura. The chilling energy emanating from him made it difficult to look directly at him. His thin lips were tightly pressed together, his perfect face growing ever more stern. Upon hearing the Emperor's voice, Ri Ying and the others immediately lowered their heads and obeyed.
"Yes."
Liu Liu was about to speak to stop them. This was Wu Yang's matter. If it was to be ended, Wu Yang should end it herself, so she could return to the capital without any lingering attachments. They could not protect her forever. After this incident, she believed Wu Yang would be able to handle matters with ease. However, Liu Liu did not need to speak this time.
"Wait," Wu Yang emerged, supported by Luo Yi. Little Mu Xing followed beside her, and a short distance behind, Bai Han approached with several guards.