Liu Chengfeng's clothes were soaked by a young palace maid who was serving tea, so he had to change into clean clothes.
After changing his clothes, he came out of the side hall and was bumped by a little eunuch, causing him to stumble.
He frowned, about to get angry, when suddenly a wad of paper was stuffed into his hand.
He paused for a moment.
The young eunuch knelt at his feet and kowtowed repeatedly, apologizing: "This servant was blind and offended you, sir. Please have mercy and forgive this servant this time."
"Alright, it's not your fault. Get up." He waved his hand.
"Thank you, sir, thank you, sir..." the young eunuch said gratefully as he took his leave.
Liu Chengfeng looked around to make sure no one was there before walking to another corner and opening the note in his hand.
Above were a few small characters, elegant yet slightly sharp: "Hoping to meet you in the Imperial Garden, brother."
It's obvious who handed it to you without even having to guess.
He rubbed his temples in frustration.
Ever since he exposed her true colors at Juxian Pavilion, he has been deliberately avoiding her. Even though they live in the same mansion, he hasn't seen her even once.
He didn't know how to face her.
He had to admit that he had fallen deeply in love with Ayan and was even preparing to marry her, only to find out that the person he loved was actually a deliberate illusion created by his own sister.
How could he possibly accept that?
It felt as if he had lost both his lover and his sister overnight.
However, he gradually discovered that he seemed to harbor some hidden feelings for Liu Shushu. Seeing her current situation, he felt extremely sad and sorry for her.
He knew perfectly well that it wasn't the affection a brother had for his sister.
This made him feel uncomfortable and deeply guilty.
Liu Chengfeng hesitated for a long time.
He lingered on the palace path for so long that the clouds in the sky obscured the last corner of the moon before he finally stepped into the Imperial Garden.
Even from a considerable distance, he immediately spotted the woman standing in the pavilion with her back to him.
He walked over slowly, his footsteps so light they were barely noticeable.
He walked for a long time on what was not a long distance.
"What do you want?" he asked, his tone unusually stiff.
Liu Shushu turned around, saw him, and smiled, "Brother, you've come."
Liu Chengfeng was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously looked away.
My heart was pounding like a drum.
He deliberately lowered his voice, making it sound cold and somber, "It's chilly at night, you shouldn't be wearing so little."
She was wearing a light blue dress with several layers of thin fabric, the outline of her slender arms faintly visible, and a moon-white orchid-patterned belt around her waist, making her waist appear incredibly thin.
She looked much thinner than before, even though it had only been a short time.
"Is my brother worried about me?"
Liu Chengfeng pursed his lips and said, "Speak quickly if you have something to say, I can't stay in the palace any longer."
"Don't worry, he's busy with his wedding night right now and shouldn't have time to deal with us. I've already smoothed things over in the palace, so no one will find out."
He frowned but didn't reply.
Liu Shushu looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I know you're still bothered by what happened before. I don't blame you. I was the one who was wrong. I shouldn't have lied to you like that. I sincerely apologize to you."
"Brother, I'm sorry."
Liu Chengfeng finally glanced at her, but quickly looked away again, saying coldly, "It's unnecessary for Her Majesty the Empress to have summoned me just to discuss this matter. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Judging from his appearance, Liu Shushu was somewhat unsure of his thoughts.
As she hesitated, seeing that he was really about to leave, she quickly grabbed his sleeve, "Brother, wait..."
Liu Chengfeng paused in his turning motion, his movements stiffening.
"What I actually wanted to explain to you was why I suddenly left without saying goodbye during that autumn hunt."
"You said it was because your enemies came looking for you...you were lying to me too?"
“No, no…” Liu Shushu’s voice suddenly became choked with sobs as she whispered, “It’s my mother, she’s going to kill me.”
Liu Chengfeng froze, then mechanically turned his head, as if he couldn't understand her words, his eyes full of confusion.
"Really, I swear I'm not lying to you right now. I was drugged in my own room, and when I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a carriage, and we had already left the capital."
The men who kidnapped me were two strangers. I overheard their conversation and learned that they had received a bribe from the General's wife and were planning to sell me to a brothel.
Do you know why?
Liu Chengfeng clearly saw the fleeting hatred in her eyes, and he opened his mouth blankly, asking, "Why?"
"Because I'm related to you! Back then, I was just an orphan of unknown origin. How could I be worthy of you, the legitimate son of the Great General's Mansion?"
"No... Mother... she wouldn't... I don't believe it..." His hands, hanging by his sides, slowly clenched into fists, his expression revealing pain and struggle.
Liu Shushu chuckled and said, "Don't you believe me? When I got married, I specially asked my mother for Shuoyue. Why don't you meet her and ask me for yourself if what I just said is true?"
After saying that, without waiting for Liu Chengfeng to say anything, she summoned her personal maid and gave her an instruction.
A moment later, the ragged Shuoyue was carried up by two eunuchs. She was put down at the pavilion and collapsed as soon as she hit the ground. She curled up and trembled as she repeated, "Your Majesty, this servant knows her mistake, Your Majesty, this servant knows her mistake..."
Looking at Shuoyue, who seemed somewhat delirious, Liu Chengfeng asked in astonishment, "What happened to her...? What did you do to her?"
"I didn't do anything, I just asked her to admit her mistake."
Liu Shushu went over and squatted down in front of Shuoyue. A faint smile appeared on her face. She raised her hand and gently patted Shuoyue's face, saying softly, "Be good, don't play dumb with me. The eldest young master is here. Tell me everything you know, and I might spare your worthless life."
"This servant knows she was wrong, this servant knows she was wrong..." Shuoyue was so frightened that she kowtowed repeatedly to her, her forehead hitting the ground heavily with a thud. Soon, blood seeped from her head and flowed down from her forehead, smearing her face. Against her haggard face, she looked quite terrifying.
"Alright, stop kowtowing and talk properly."
Liu Shushu's voice was neither loud nor soft, and her tone was light and airy, but she immediately fell silent and stopped kowtowing.
Upon seeing this, Liu Chengfeng frowned deeply and pursed his thin lips.
"Come here, my dear Shuoyue, tell me exactly what Madam told you back then, without omitting a single word."
"Yes." Shuoyue didn't dare to look up, her voice slightly hoarse.
She recounted in detail: "At that time, the lady learned that the eldest young master was accompanied by a woman of unknown origin from the martial arts world, who had even impersonated a servant to participate in the royal autumn hunt. Thus, she harbored murderous intentions..."
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