Xi Liang nodded, then led his two maids to help Hai Ling onto the carriage, watching it head back to the palace.
On the street, two maids stood behind Xi Liang and asked curiously, "Miss, Her Majesty the Empress looks rather pale. Has something happened?"
"I don't know," Xi Liang shook his head, but he was also a little worried. He wondered if something had happened to Ling'er.
"Let's go back," he said, turning back to ask her what had happened. She would soon be marrying into the Southern Ling Kingdom, so he would help Ling'er if he could.
Upon returning to Liuyue Palace, Hailing was surprised to find a group of eunuchs and palace maids kneeling outside the palace gates.
What happened?
"Your Majesty, the Emperor came to see you earlier and learned that you had left the palace. He was very angry and punished us servants by making us kneel here. The Emperor also said that if such a thing happens again, all of us servants will be beheaded."
As the chief eunuch of Liuyue Palace replied, he felt a chill on his neck, as if a sharp blade was attacking it. He was terrified, and his face turned pale.
Upon hearing the chief eunuch's words, Hai Ling knew that Ye was angry. She was pregnant when she left the palace, no wonder he was anxious and angry.
"Alright, you can get up now."
"Your Majesty, we dare not. His Majesty has given the order that we kneel for an afternoon and then get up in the evening. Your Majesty, please do not make us get up. Please have some pity on us."
If the emperor found out they had disobeyed his orders, they would be doomed. So the chief eunuch quickly pleaded, and the eunuchs and maids behind him also pleaded.
"Your Majesty, please show some mercy to your servants."
Hai Ling was both annoyed and amused. She had meant well by telling them to get up, but there was no need for them to cry and beg to kneel. Fine, if they wanted to kneel, so be it.
However, now that she's back, she should still go to the study to avoid worrying Ye, and besides, she has something to say to Ye.
"Let's go to the study."
Upon hearing Hai Ling's words, the chief eunuch assumed that Hai Ling wanted to settle scores with the Emperor. His face immediately turned pale, and he rushed over to hug Hai Ling's legs, crying loudly, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry with the Emperor. Please don't cause trouble for the Emperor. We beg Your Majesty."
In front of Liuyue Palace, all the eunuchs and palace maids burst into tears.
"Your Majesty, please don't go to settle accounts with the Emperor. We servants are fine, Your Majesty, please don't go."
Hai Ling thought to herself, "What kind of situation is this? I went to discuss something with the Emperor, not to stand up for them. These arrogant fellows!" She smiled and said, "Alright, I just went to let the Emperor know that I'm back, so that he won't worry about me."
"Oh, Your Highness, then go ahead."
The chief eunuch wiped away his tears and finally let go of her hand. Sobbing, he still reminded Hailing, "Your Majesty, please don't plead for us. Please don't! If the Emperor gets angry, we'll lose our heads."
Hai Ling rolled her eyes speechlessly. Was the Emperor such a bloodthirsty person? He was just trying to scare them; they were such cowards.
Thinking this, he turned around and led Shi Mei, Shi Yue, and the others to the Imperial Study.
Outside the Imperial Study, Shizhu and Shiju breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the Empress arrive. They quickly came forward and respectfully greeted her, saying, "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress."
Is the Emperor angry?
Hai Ling inquired in a low voice. To be honest, she was in the wrong today, which was why she asked in such a low voice. Shi Zhu saw that the Empress's expression was very cute and wanted to laugh, but then realized that this was a serious matter and that the Empress was the master, so she quickly nodded and lowered her voice.
"His Majesty is very angry, so none of us dare to go in. The main reason is that His Majesty is worried about His Highness. It's still very chaotic outside. If His Highness encounters any trouble, His Majesty will be worried to death."
"I know."
Hai Ling subconsciously pouted. She had only been focused on going out for a stroll and had forgotten her promise to spend the night with him. She would inform him of everything she did. As she thought this, Hai Ling tiptoed to the door of the study, gently opened it, and slipped inside.
Outside the door, Shizhu, Shiju, and the others exchanged smiles. They wondered how the Empress could be so childish at times, and so domineering and aloof at others. She was truly unpredictable.
Inside the study, Ye Lingfeng was engrossed in processing memorials, feeling both worried and angry. Then the door opened, and someone walked in. He knew who it was as soon as she entered because her unique fragrance filled the room. Seeing that she had returned safely, he felt relieved, but he still kept a straight face and calmly continued with his official duties until her small hand covered his eyes and she asked softly.
Guess who I am?
Ye Lingfeng's pupils darkened, and a smile appeared on his lips. However, thinking about her behavior today, which had worried him to death, he felt a desire to punish her, so he thought about it seriously: "Flowers?"
“Uh,” Hai Ling blinked, thinking seriously, when did this flower that she didn’t know about appear? Who is it?
Ye Lingfeng then asked, "Is it still Duo'er?"
This time, I blinked even more, feeling a bit depressed. Not only did I get a flower I didn't know about, but now I also have a bud. When did all this happen?
Ye Lingfeng, you bastard! How dare you do this to me when I wasn't looking? Thinking this, I let go of Ye Lingfeng's hand and said sourly, "Your Majesty will probably be disappointed. I am neither a flower nor a blossom. I am a water chestnut."
"Oh, it's Ling'er."
Seeing her aggrieved expression, Ye Lingfeng was both amused and annoyed. Who would dare to lay a hand on him except for her? However, thinking about what she had done today, he still didn't smile and looked at Hai Ling with a serious and earnest expression.
"The Empress has returned?"
Hai Ling was somewhat unable to react to his expression, blinking her eyes repeatedly. What was going on? She had never seen Ye's expression like this before; it seemed so unfamiliar. What was he doing? Was it because of Hua'er Duo'er that he treated her differently? Her heart ached with conflicting emotions.
"Night, are you angry?"
Ye Lingfeng squinted at Ling'er, seeing her guilty and ashamed expression, he was finally somewhat satisfied. It seemed that this girl still had some sense. Well, the punishment had been given. With that thought, he reached out and pulled Hai Ling onto his lap, then spoke harshly.
"If you don't tell me next time, you can leave the palace at will and I'll spank you. Remember, I'll hold off on this one because you're pregnant, but if there's a next time, I'll do it all at once."
"I see."
The person who was in the wrong snorted, then remembered something and asked very seriously, "Who is the flower, and who is the bud?"
"Ling'er is jealous."
Ye Lingfeng laughed, his narrow, arched eyebrows arching upwards, his deep, dark eyes shimmering with light, his whole face radiant and captivating. He was delighted that Hailing was jealous; she rarely cared about such things, so this was a rare occurrence. It seemed that he had risen even higher in her eyes.
"You haven't said who the flower is yet?"