As a warm atmosphere filled the room, the voice of a guard sounded from outside the door: "Master, Lord Ri Ying has returned."
Upon hearing that Ri Ying was back, Liu Liu decided she would properly deal with Lou Si Jing. That hateful woman, daring to conspire with Luo Xiang Si, that slut, to harm the princess's life, deserved to be sliced into ten thousand pieces.
Releasing Mu Xing, she signaled Hong Xiu to escort the Crown Prince away and settle him, assigning two people to protect his safety.
"Yes, Master," Hong Xiu nodded. This was the territory of the Seven Star Tower, where many brothers resided, and even an ordinary worker possessed martial skills. Hong Xiu led Mu Xing out.
Reaching the doorway, she looked strangely at Ri Ying as he passed by. Ri Ying, usually so composed, now wore a bitter expression. Lou Si Jing was nowhere to be seen behind him. Had that woman escaped? Hong Xiu frowned but remained silent, walking away.
Liu Liu straightened her posture and glanced at Ri Ying. Seeing no sign of Lou Si Jing behind him and observing his dejected demeanor, she began to understand.
For Lou Si Jing to have remained in the palace for so many years without revealing any weaknesses, she must possess considerable cunning. It was only natural that Ri Ying was no match for her. Liu Liu was contemplating this when Ri Ying suddenly knelt down with a thud.
"Your subordinate deserves to die. I have failed the Empress's trust and am deserving of a thousand deaths."
With that, he raised his hand, a treasure sword appearing. He brought it towards his neck. Liu Liu's face turned stern. She truly wanted to let him go, but a shred of pity held her back. Reaching out, she grabbed a teacup from a nearby table and shot it forward, deflecting Ri Ying's sword by half a centimeter. Following this, a cold voice echoed:
"Scram. You are annoying me. A grown man, when he makes a mistake, should find a way to rectify it. Suicide is the act of a coward."
Ri Ying was stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief. He picked up the sword from the ground and said in a low voice, "Your subordinate will definitely retrieve that woman."
With that, he stood up and hurried out. Fearing he would act alone and fall into another trap, Liu Liu spoke calmly, "Do not act on your own. I have received news that Feng Luo is in Ye Lan City. Lou Si Jing must also have this information and will likely seek out Feng Luo. So, do not be anxious. Wait for your assigned mission."
"Yes," Ri Ying paused, then responded and walked out. In truth, he knew the Empress feared he would encounter danger alone, and his heart warmed.
Silence descended upon the room. The wind stirred a corner of the curtain, and golden sunlight streamed through the half-open window lattice, illuminating the carved redwood bed within. A pretty and elegant woman slept peacefully on the bed. The dim light refracting from the glass screen concealed half her body, creating a flickering effect.
Her skin, touched by the sunlight, was fair and crystal-clear, like a piece of fine antique jade. On her melon-seed shaped face, long eyelashes concealed her radiant, pearl-like eyes. Below her delicate, upturned nose was a tender, bright red mouth that occasionally knitted in a slight frown.
This unconscious movement caused the man entering the room to feel his heart pound several times. His tall frame slowly moved to the bedside, he removed his long boots, and sat beside her, pulling her into his embrace.
He heard the small woman on the bed snuggle contentedly against his strong waist, muttering,
"You're here." Nestled in his arms, she found a comfortable position and continued to sleep peacefully.
The man who had entered the room was none other than the current Emperor, Feng Xie. He had rushed to Ye Lan City without pause, found the Lu Residence, and coincidentally met Nangong Yue and the others, thus learning that Liu Liu had returned to the Blazing Flame Tower.
He was overjoyed that Nangong Yue had not died. This way, Liu Liu could set her heart at ease. Moreover, Nangong Yue had also lost his memory, so he wouldn't recall the grudges between the Feng family and himself. He would live happily. Feng Xie thought this as he lowered his head to gaze at the woman nestled in his arms.
It was both infuriating and amusing. She had clearly slipped out of the palace alone, yet she naturally slipped into his embrace. However, her unconscious recognition of him filled his heart with boundless joy.
This proved she accepted him from the depths of her heart to her outward appearance. How could he not be happy? However, those two who accompanied her out of the palace would not escape punishment.
Feng Xie's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. He leaned his head against hers to rest, for he too was tired. After days of traveling, he hadn't slept a proper night.
Only upon seeing her did his heart finally relax. Thankfully, his son and she were both unharmed. The weight in his heart lifted.
He awoke from his slumber to find the night deep and a cool breeze blowing in from the window.
Liu Liu opened her eyes and looked up at the man gazing at her with handsome eyes. His thin lips were curved into a slight, knowing smile as he looked at her. Liu Liu recalled her secret departure from the palace and felt a pang of guilt, lowering her head.
"Your Majesty, you have also left the palace."
"Mmm, I couldn't rest easy without seeing you. How could I not leave the palace?"
Feng Xie's face flickered in and out of the light. He let out a cold snort. Seeing her unusually flustered demeanor, his eyes filled with amusement. Liu Liu's eyes sparkled with light, and she smiled, reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Xie, my Xie, are you angry?"
Her childlike charm was irresistible. It was the first time she had acted so coquettishly towards him. Her eyes were like willow strands, filled with autumn water in their black depths. The soft whispers from her lips, every smile and gesture, were captivating, stirring his soul.
He had no thought of teasing her any further. His chest grew warm, and his entire being was enveloped in affection. He lowered his head to capture her lips, finally relieving his longing of many days. The enticing scent constantly wafted to his nose, making him want to cherish her.
No matter what mistakes she had made, they could be turned into a gentle caress. This woman was truly his undoing. He sighed with a helpless sweetness.
"You are a siren, my little siren."
With a satisfied murmur, he continued to linger on her lips, his hot hand moving towards her collarbone. It was delicate and fair, smooth as silk, fragrant as a bloom, drawing his gaze and the soft touch.
A casual smile touched Liu Liu's lips. It seemed she had found another treasure to deal with him – a gentle treasure. Her charming eyes fluttered, becoming even more enchanting. They clung to each other. Her delicate fingers threaded through his hair, filled with deep trembling and excitement. However, just as their intimacy deepened, the door was flung open, and a small figure rushed in.
"Father Emperor, Father Emperor, you're here!" Mu Xing gazed at the two figures entwined on the bed with his large, blinking eyes. He stared curiously before exclaiming, "Father Emperor and Mother Empress are kissing, Mu Xing wants a kiss too!"
Without regard for his father's darkening expression, he pounced onto the bed, shoving his father aside in an instant, and offered his own small lips.
"Mother Empress, come, kiss."
The two adults sighed in resignation. Liu Liu lowered her head and pecked his cheek. Mu Xing released her and turned to kiss Feng Xie's face. Feng Xie was jolted, his previous annoyance vanishing, his heart filled with emotion. This little fellow, truly.
Hong Xiu entered the room to ask, "Master, where should we have dinner?"
"Set it up in the flower hall," Liu Liu waved her hand and stood up. Hong Xiu stepped forward to assist her. After washing up, she walked out to instruct the maids of the Blazing Flame Tower waiting at the entrance to set dinner in the flower hall. The young maids took their orders and busied themselves.
Outside, the moonlight was hazy, casting a silky veil like water, clear and bright. A gentle breeze lingered in the small garden.
Flowers bloomed before the door, a riot of color. A stretch of emerald water wound around from the flower pond. Fallen petals drifted past, and the clear pond water rippled with gentle waves, reflecting the moonlit white light, shimmering and captivating.
On the bank, two upright figures knelt, heads bowed without moving. Liu Liu stood on the stone steps and immediately spotted Ri Ying and Zhao Jiu.
It seemed the Emperor had punished them. She tilted her head upwards, displeasure evident in her eyes, "Your Majesty, release them. It is Liu'er's fault, after all. They are loyal subordinates."
Feng Xie's eyes flashed with coldness. The punishment had been meted out, but if they dared to do this again, the penalty would not be so simple. Regardless, the Empress's departure from the palace should have been reported to him. How could he allow the Empress to leave the palace so carelessly?
"All of you, rise. This is the last time. Another instance, and you will end yourselves," his harsh words in the night swept over the two men's backs like thin ice. They bowed and replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Empress."
With that, they rose and waited to the side. Liu Liu glanced at Bai Han under the eaves as she passed Feng Xie, and they walked together towards the flower hall.