Chapter 11: 011 Turning Anger into Peace

The autumn wind swept through, and leaves fell one after another. Some danced like fluttering butterflies, some soared like orioles spreading their wings, and others spun with the lightness of ballet dancers. These falling leaves seemed like colorful petals scattered by a fairy.

The falling leaves—some were like boats sailing with the wind, some like acrobats performing somersaults as they fell, and others like gliders circling smoothly downward.

The withered yellow leaves, one by one, two by two, drifted lightly onto the surface of the He'an Pond, like countless tiny boats slowly drifting away with the wind.

From the moment she stepped out of her sedan chair, a lovely smile had remained on Liu Qian'er's cheeks. She waved her hand gently, signaling everyone beside the sedan to leave. Hanyu tactfully retreated to the side, but her heart was filled with worry. In her eyes, her Second Miss had always been someone who knew how to do nothing; but now, she could do everything. She truly was a talented woman!

A soul-stirring melody of a flute rose softly from beneath the shade of the trees. The one playing was none other than Liu Qian'er's elder brother, Liu Hongwen. When Liu Qian'er returned to the Prime Minister's manor that day, she had found him and requested his help. Since Liu Qian'er was his sister after all, he had agreed without hesitation. However, he had never known his sister possessed such talent.

Several young palace maids gently tossed countless gorgeous petals into the air, and the refreshing fragrance of the flowers was intoxicating.

Liu Qian'er danced with her long sleeves flowing. Following her light, graceful, and ethereal movements, the opening and closing of her wide sleeves further accentuated her myriad charms and exquisite beauty.

The crowd watched her graceful dance in a trance, almost forgetting to breathe. As her beautiful eyes flickered, every person present felt their heart race; the young nobles and princes all instinctively thought she was looking at them.

At that moment, the flute music suddenly turned rapid. Using her right foot as an axis, Liu Qian'er gently unfurled her long sleeves, her delicate body spinning faster and faster. Suddenly, she took flight from the ground. The young palace maids formed a circle, waving their jade-like hands, and dozens of blue silk ribbons fluttered out. The sky seemed to ripple with blue waves; her slender feet tapped lightly, her clothes fluttering, looking just like a fairy treading upon waves.

Applause erupted throughout the He'an Palace, and cries of admiration rang incessantly in everyone's ears.

Spinning slowly, she gradually came to a halt. Taking the purple glazed glass from Hanyu, she held it with her slender jade hands and walked elegantly toward the Empress Dowager. With a light bow, she gave a radiant smile. "This servant greets Mother Empress. May the Empress Dowager's blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and her longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains!"

The Empress Dowager could not believe what was before her eyes. She froze for a moment, then regained her composure before slowly speaking, "You are Liu Qian'er?"

Liu Qian'er nodded gently and said softly, "This servant is Liu Qian'er." She respectfully presented the purple glazed glass. "This is a small token of my affection. Please, Empress Dowager, accept it!"

The Empress Dowager reached out to take it and slowly opened the box. A flash of purple light leapt out, causing her to freeze once more. After a moment, she said, "Purple glazed glass?"

"This servant knows that Mother Empress has always hoped the Purple Light and the Treasure Spirit Pearl could become one, so I specifically brought the purple glazed glass!" Liu Qian'er looked at the Empress Dowager sincerely.

The Empress Dowager felt a surge of emotion. It was because of the Treasure Spirit Pearl and the purple glazed glass that the late Emperor had wanted to bestow treasures upon Prime Minister Liu Mengyun and the Protector General Li Yuanzhong, a move she had consistently opposed. In the end, the late Emperor had insisted on his own way; when he passed away, they were in the midst of a disagreement, and she had actually, out of spite, failed to see him one last time. Now, had the late Emperor forgiven her?

"Qian'er, you are very thoughtful. Quickly, take a seat!" the Empress Dowager said, pulling her thoughts back. No matter how one looked at her, Liu Qian'er was a peerless beauty. Could the rumors of her mediocre looks have been false?

"This servant thanks Mother Empress!" Liu Qian'er smiled slightly. It seemed the Empress Dowager did not dislike her very much.