After everyone left, only Wei Huaixu and Qingying remained in the hall.
Qingying casually brushed off her outer robe and walked inside.
Wei Huaixu immediately chased after him, "Are you unhappy?"
"No." She picked up the clothes she had carelessly left behind when she rushed out and put them on one by one.
Wei Huaixu came up behind her and helped her straighten the wrinkles in her clothes with practiced ease.
Qingying paused, looking down at her hand at her waist, lost in thought.
“You’re clearly unhappy… Is it because of Wei Dongchen? I didn’t make things difficult for him just now.”
"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. If it weren't for your help this time, things might not have progressed so smoothly. I should be thanking you."
"Then why..."
Qingying turned around, looked at him, and gently interrupted, "Were you aware that the Empress had planted people in my palace?"
Wei Huaixu was taken aback for a moment, then slowly looked away and said truthfully, "...I knew."
"What did you promise me before I entered the palace?"
"I promised you that you could choose the people around you, and no one could interfere." He looked innocent. "I really didn't interfere. Besides, I gave her a heads-up beforehand. There's nothing I can do if she doesn't take it seriously."
Besides, I wasn't actually sure which person she planted, which is why I cooperated with you today to expose the spy. Otherwise, I would have kicked down the door when you two were alone together.”
"Hmph~ Your Majesty has used all your eloquence on sophistry." Qingying glanced at him sideways, still feeling indignant, and stomped on his foot as she walked past him.
Wei Huaixu was already barefoot, and the kick was quite powerful, causing him to howl in pain.
Qingying felt somewhat relieved and left the Yuqing Palace without looking back.
...
Liu Shushu returned to her palace, closed the door, and then angrily swept the teacup on the table onto the ground. After a series of loud crashes, she slowly took off her outer robe and shoes and walked forward, stepping on the broken pieces.
When Liu Chengfeng walked in, this was the scene he saw. He was terrified and quickly ran over to pick her up in his arms.
"What are you doing?" His voice was icy, and his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
Liu Shushu remained silent.
He placed her on a low couch, ordered someone to bring warm water, and then used a handkerchief to gently clean the wounds on her feet.
Why torture yourself like this?
"Hmm? Speak."
Liu Shushu kept her head down, her long, curled eyelashes concealing the expression in her eyes. After a long while, she slowly spoke: "I will remember this humiliation. How dare he treat me like this, so ungrateful and treacherous! I will repay him a hundredfold."
Liu Chengfeng sighed, "But you don't need to punish yourself for other people's mistakes."
Liu Shushu looked at him, then suddenly curved her lips into a smile. She reached out and hooked her hand around his belt, pulling him closer. Leaning down to whisper in his ear, her breath sweet as orchids, "Brother, are you worried about me?"
His expression froze for a moment, a blush creeping up his skin below his collar, his earlobes gradually turning red, as if about to bleed.
"Shushu, don't do this..." His breathing was a little disordered, and the hand holding her ankle tightened unconsciously.
"Ouch—" Liu Shushu pouted and complained, "Brother, you hurt me."
"I'm sorry..." Liu Chengfeng immediately let go and apologized hastily.
"Shh—" Liu Shushu placed her slender white fingers on his lips and said with a smile, "I know you spoil me the most, brother. If I need anything, you will definitely help me, right?"
He nodded. "I'm your brother. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."
"Could you help me gain His Majesty's favor, brother?"
He seemed to freeze suddenly, opened his mouth, and after a long while, found his voice: "...What?"
Liu Shushu wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her soft, boneless body against his chest, buried her face in his shoulder, and said softly, "Please, brother, although I am the empress, everyone in the court and even the common people know that I am out of favor. I must gain the emperor's true favor in order to keep my position."
"But..." He felt his eyes welling up slightly, his throat tighten, but he could only bury his true thoughts deep inside, "But what about Ying'er..."
"She has already won His Majesty's heart, should I just let her climb over my head?"
Her voice suddenly turned cold, startling Liu Chengfeng.
"Sparse?"
Realizing something was wrong, she softened her voice: "Brother, I know you and she have a deep bond that has lasted since childhood, but you and I are blood relatives. You should know in your heart which is more important, right?"
Liu Chengfeng remained silent for a long time before finally nodding. "I'll help you... but you have to promise me that even if you become favored in the future, you won't treat her too harshly. After all, we were originally family, and we share both glory and loss."
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, brother." She replied obediently, lowering her eyes to hide the cold glint in them.
...
The palace became exceptionally quiet after nightfall.
The Eastern Lin Kingdom had a clear rule that after the emperor's death, all the concubines in the harem had to leave the palace. Those with princes could go to live with their sons, while those with only princesses had to go to a villa outside the capital. Concubines who had not borne children were required to be buried alive with him.
The new emperor has not been on the throne for long, so nowadays there are empty palaces everywhere in the harem.
Qingying didn't dare to wander around the palace at night, so she sat on the swing in the courtyard to cool off. When she looked up, she could see a sky full of stars.
Tongxia, who was standing to the side, gently fanned her. Suddenly, as if thinking of something, she asked, "Does Your Highness really have no feelings for the Crown Prince at all?"
“I’ve known him since childhood, so of course there is something between us.”
"You know that's not what I meant."
Yu Yue and Tong Xia were the maids who had been with her the longest, but they had different opinions about Qing Ying's marriage.
Yu Yue was more supportive of Qingying and Wei Huaixu being together because she felt that the Empress was most affectionate when she was with the Emperor, which was very different from her usual self. She would do many outrageous things, and Yu Yue believed that it must be out of genuine affection.
Tong Xia supports Qingying and Wei Dongchen being together because she feels that the Empress is most comfortable and relaxed when she is with the Prince, and she can see that the Prince genuinely likes the Empress.
Of course, the side Tong Xia supported has now narrowly lost, but she is still somewhat unwilling to give up.
Qingying looked at her regretful expression, smiled, and said softly, "I met Asu when I was just beginning to fall in love. It is undeniable that he wronged me, but the seed he planted will forever remain in the deepest part of my heart."
And Ah Chen, he was a drop of sweet dew that came with the wind when my love was about to wither away. He healed my broken roots, so how could I say I was completely unmoved?
Tong Xia only half understood what she was saying, scratched her head in frustration, and turned to ask Yu Yue, "What does Your Majesty mean?"
Yu Yue blinked and smiled, saying, "Figure it out yourself."
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