Chapter 63 With ulterior motives, what exactly happened between him and her...?

As expected, things did not go so smoothly.

The imperial edict establishing a system of female doctors was immediately met with opposition from many people, and there were also many voices of dissent in the court.

Gu Xiyuan thought it would take some more time to deal with things.

Unexpectedly, the wind suddenly changed the next day, and someone presented a petition with ten thousand signatures, firmly supporting the establishment of the female doctor system.

I heard that the letter from ten thousand people came from Jiangnan.

Gu Xi knew that Mu Yunqi was helping her.

It seems that this petition of ten thousand people was prepared long ago, otherwise how could it have arrived in the capital overnight?

Strangely enough, the voices of opposition in the court suddenly decreased.

Despite this, the Imperial Medical Academy continued to voice their dissatisfaction, but Xiao Heng silenced them with a single sentence.

Hua Yue mimicked Xiao Heng's tone: "This matter is settled then. If you are worried that your medical skills are inferior to those of women, then spend more time studying and practicing. Don't try any tricks under my nose." She cleared her throat and said in a deep voice, "If I find out that anyone is deliberately obstructing this, kill them without mercy!"

Gu Xi and Zhu Yin were both amused by her appearance.

Hua Yue blinked: "How come I never realized the Emperor could be so sharp-tongued before?" She used to think he was just fierce, always looking murderous, and she would tremble at the sight of him from afar.

Gu Xi smiled even more brightly, her eyebrows curving like the crescent moon in the sky, and Hua Yue was momentarily stunned.

"Your Majesty, please stop laughing. When Huayue falls for you, she'll want to compete with the Emperor for you, but she won't be able to win," Huayue said with a troubled and aggrieved expression.

Gu Xi was stunned for a moment, and after realizing what was happening, she blushed deeply.

Zhu Yin rubbed her forehead, thinking that the flower-and-moon scene had begun again, it had begun again.

Since Cailian left, with no one to keep an eye on her, she dares to say anything.

*

After receiving this good news, Gu Xi hurried to the Qianqing Palace before the appointed time.

She held a brocade box in her hand, inside which was a wolf-hair brush, which she had someone make from the finest sandalwood, intending to give it to Xiao Heng.

She hoped that when he used this pen to review memorials, he would occasionally think of her.

However, when she arrived at the front hall of the Qianqing Palace, she couldn't find Xiao Heng. After thinking for a moment, she walked towards the sleeping quarters.

As soon as I stepped into the palace, I heard Xiao Heng's voice from inside.

"How's the matter going?"

"Your Majesty, everything is in order. The Left Prime Minister will marry Miss Yu tomorrow," Zhao Fuquan reported.

"Yes, give the order: she must not know before the wedding."

"yes."

The brocade box in Gu Xi's hand fell to the ground with a clatter, and the conversation abruptly stopped.

Xiao Heng went over upon hearing the sound, his gaze fixed on the brocade box that had fallen to the ground. He then looked up at her, who was staring in shock, his eyes unfathomable.

"Aheng, what were you just saying? Who's getting married to whom?" Gu Xi asked urgently.

Zhao Fuquan inwardly cried out in alarm and quickly retreated.

Xiao Heng pursed his lips and did not answer.

Why are you so nervous when you hear he's getting married? Is it really because you have amnesia that you can't let go of him?

Seeing that he remained silent, Gu Xi quickly squatted down, picked up the brocade box, and opened it to check its contents. Fortunately, it was undamaged.

She placed the box on the table in the bedroom, walked quickly towards Xiao Heng, and tugged at his sleeve: "Aheng, tell me quickly!"

“Bai Xingzhi and Yu Xinyao,” Xiao Heng said in a deep voice.

Gu Xi was frantic upon hearing this: "Why would Lord Bai marry Yao Yao? When did they get engaged?"

"This marriage is bestowed by me," Xiao Heng said without raising an eyebrow.

Gu Xi was stunned. Why did he suddenly bestow a marriage upon the two of them?

She gripped his sleeve even tighter and asked hastily, "Can Your Majesty rescind your decree?"

Xiao Heng glanced down at her pale fingertips, his face darkening: "A ruler's word is law!"

Seeing that he was unwilling to budge, Gu Xi asked in a voice that was both angry and anxious, "Why did you have to arrange a marriage for the two of them?"

Xiao Heng said coldly, "Why not? The man is unmarried and the woman is unmarried. Both of them have rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor. This is my reward for them!"

This person is setting up a marriage between two people indiscriminately, and Gu Xi is so angry that she stomps her feet

The more anxious she became, the uglier Xiao Heng's expression grew. His gaze locked onto her: "Answer me, why can't the two of them get married?"

Gu Xi growled urgently, "Because brother likes Yao Yao!"

My brother finally got Yao Yao to annul the engagement, but this guy actually betrothed her to someone else! It's infuriating!

Xiao Heng lowered his eyes to look at her and snorted coldly, "Is that so?"

Gu Xi was baffled by his attitude.

Xiao Heng sneered, "But Gu Xiao was there when the marriage was arranged that day, and neither he nor Yu Xinyao objected. Why do you disagree?"

Gu Xi was taken aback. Her brother was also present during the arranged marriage? He didn't object?

Gu Xi cursed inwardly: What a coward my brother is!

Wait, he said Yao Yao didn't object? Does that mean Yao Yao doesn't like her brother?

Or are these two just cowards?

Or perhaps Yao Yao likes Bai Xingzhi?

Gu Xi had a series of questions in her mind, but before she could figure them out, she heard Xiao Heng say coldly in her ear, "Answer me!"

"Answer what?" Gu Xi looked up blankly.

What is your reason for not wanting the two of you to get married?

Gu Xi frowned: "It's the reason I just mentioned, because of my brother..." She didn't understand why he asked again.

Xiao Heng stared intently at her, not missing a single expression on her face.

Gu Xi, I will spare his life out of consideration for the years he has helped me and the several times he has saved you. But if I find out that you still care about him, I will never let him off easily!

"Aheng, could you let me meet Yaoyao?" She wanted to find out Yaoyao's feelings. If she really liked Lord Bai, she would bless her. But if she had no feelings for Lord Bai and was only forced to marry because of the imperial decree, then she would fight for her brother one more time.

Xiao Heng sneered and said, "Impossible!"

Why would I see her? To persuade her not to marry Bai Xingzhi?

Gu Xi was infuriated by his uncompromising attitude: "You, you, you... I want to see her!"

"I said it's impossible!" Xiao Heng's jaw was clenched tightly, his voice cold and hard.

Gu Xi frowned, glaring at him with anger, her eyes practically spitting fire!

She had to think of a way to see if anyone could help her contact Yao Yao.

Oh, right, Grand Tutor Yu!

She remembered Yao Yao saying that Yu Taifu used to frequently enter and leave the palace to teach the princes. Although the emperor had no children now, he would occasionally visit the Qianqing Palace to discuss political affairs with the emperor.

She had completely forgotten about that!

She'll go and wait outside the Qianqing Palace; maybe she'll run into him, and maybe she can even use this opportunity to contact her father!

Thinking of this, Gu Xi turned around and left without even glancing at him.

Xiao Heng suddenly grabbed her wrist with such force that her wrist bones ached. She tried to shake him off, but she couldn't.

"You will stay in the Qianqing Palace for the next two days and are not allowed to go anywhere!" Xiao Heng ordered coldly.

Then he pointed to the door and ordered, "Send men to guard the area. No one is allowed to approach her without my permission!"

After saying that, he pulled her into the hall, then let go of her hand and strode towards the door. Gu Xi quickly followed, but the door had already been closed.

"Aheng, let me out!"

*

at night.

Xiao Heng returned after finishing his work and pushed open the door.

Hearing the noise, Gu Xi put down the book in her hand, glared at him angrily, and her eyes turned slightly red with anger.

She's been calling out all day, but he still won't let her go out.

She was so angry that she didn't concentrate on reading much.

"Why can't I see Yao Yao!" Gu Xi roared, her voice slightly hoarse.

"For no reason."

His attitude infuriated her, and she raised her voice even higher: "I want to see her! I want to ask her if she likes my brother!"

"It's not important," Xiao Heng said matter-of-factly and without room for argument.

Whether she liked it or not, Yu Xinyao had no choice but to marry Bai Xingzhi.

He understood her; only by making Yu Xinyao Bai Xingzhi's wife would she never have any feelings for Bai Xingzhi again, even if she regained that memory someday.

Gu Xi was so angry that she suddenly stood up, went up to him, grabbed his hand, and bit the back of it: "You, you, you! You're so annoying!"

Xiao Heng glanced at the teeth marks on the back of his hand with a sullen face, and the next moment he picked her up by the waist and laid her down on the bed, then pressed her down beneath him.

He restrained her wildly flailing hands, raising them above her head, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Hate me? I'll make you like me in a minute!"

......

"ah!"

"Do you still hate it?"

"Hate!"

......

"Do you still hate it?"

"Ugh..."

......

Gu Xi was thus imprisoned in the Qianqing Palace for two days.

The day she was freed, the two had already married, and she was powerless to change anything.

In her heart, she cursed the unreasonable Xiao Heng and her cowardly brother a thousand times!

Fortunately, the person she was betrothed to was Bai Xingzhi. Although she didn't know him very well, she still felt that he was a reliable and trustworthy person during the trip.

What happened at Yanyu Tower might have been a misunderstanding, but unfortunately she didn't have the chance to tell Yao Yao, otherwise she could have investigated it to avoid entrusting the wrong person.

As for her brief infatuation with Bai Xingzhi, that was a thing of the past. Now that the two were married, there was no need for Yao Yao to know about it.

Now she only hopes that the two of them can live in harmony and grow old together.

Winter is approaching, and the weather is getting colder and colder. The cold wind whips up the dead leaves on the ground, and people feel chilly after being outside for a while.

There's still no news from my senior.

The poison in her body seemed to be about to take effect. She had recently read many medical books, but had not found a way to cure it. Most of her master's poisons could only be cured by himself. He did not teach her and her senior brother the methods of making and detoxifying poisons.

She felt that she was more afraid of the cold than in previous years, so Zhu Yin lit a charcoal fire in Weiyang Palace early in the morning.

The bedchamber was warm and cozy. Gu Xi sank into the chaise lounge covered with a plush carpet and fell asleep comfortably.

The poison not only made her feel cold, but also made her drowsy.

Is she dying?

She was a little reluctant to part with him.

Although she was still angry with him.

As soon as Xiao Heng entered the room, he saw Gu Xi sleeping on the chaise lounge, her face slightly flushed from the heat of the charcoal fire.

He had this chaise lounge arranged by someone yesterday, thinking that she always had that book in her hands, and this chaise lounge would make her more comfortable.

He carried a snow-white fox fur cloak in his hand and walked towards her with extremely light steps, draping the cloak over her body.

When she first entered the palace, he went hunting in the Western Hills and specially hunted this fox fur to make this cloak for her, which is now perfect for her to use.

He bent down to pull the cloak over her shoulders, but suddenly noticed tears in the corners of her eyes.

His hand paused.

Who is the person in her dream? For whom is she crying?

*

Gu Xicai woke up in the evening and glanced at the cloak she was wearing.

"Zhuyin, was Aheng just here?"

"Yes, Miss. The Emperor said this cloak was specially made for you. He also said that after you wake up, you should have dinner at the Qianqing Palace. He has prepared your favorite dishes especially for you."

Gu Xi snorted. He only tried to coax her after she had angered him. She was not going to forgive him!

Even so, a sweet feeling still welled up in my heart.

Gu Xi put on a cloak and rode in a palanquin toward the Qianqing Palace.

Before long, she fell asleep on the palanquin again.

at the same time.

Inside the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace, a bronze stove was burning with the finest silver charcoal, which should have been warm and cozy, but it was tinged with a chill by Xiao Heng's anger.

The dinner served by the imperial kitchen was still steaming hot, and the two desserts that had come all the way from Tongzhou were served in exquisite bowls and plates.

Xiao Heng suddenly raised his hand and swept all the food on the table to the ground with a loud crash. Bowls and plates shattered everywhere, and soup was splashed all over the place.

The eunuchs and palace maids all knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling.

Zhao Fuquan stood by, trembling with fear, barely daring to breathe.

Yesterday, the Emperor specially ordered someone to go to Tongzhou to buy the two sweets that Consort Xi liked from the tavern he passed by during his inspection tour, hoping to please her.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor learned of the Prime Minister's feelings for Consort Xi. It turned out that the sweets were actually prepared by the Prime Minister for Consort Xi!

The Left Prime Minister had been doing his job perfectly, sending several portions to the tavern every day, presumably to prevent the Emperor from suddenly sending someone over.

Unexpectedly, something went wrong. A group of customers at the tavern saw that someone had bought the two desserts and started arguing that they wanted to buy them too. The waiter had no choice but to bring out all the remaining desserts, but it still wasn't enough.

The eunuch noticed that the waiter was evasive and hesitant, which seemed strange. He then asked a few more questions to the other customers in the shop and learned that the shop had never sold these two desserts before.

Under severe torture, the waiter finally revealed that the sweets were delivered daily by someone who gave them a lot of money. They didn't know the person's identity and only instructed that they should only bring them out if someone specifically came looking for them.

The eunuch reported this matter to the Emperor, who immediately guessed that it was the Left Chancellor!

When they arrived at the tavern that day, the food on the table was served according to his orders. Who else could it be but him?

Xiao Heng looked at the amber-colored nectar mixed with flower petals on the ground, and the round white food scattered everywhere. His eyes surged with anger, and his body emanated a chill.

He originally thought he was attracted to her on his way to the tour, but he never expected that he had been harboring ill intentions towards her all along!

No wonder he suddenly appeared at the family banquet that day. It was something they had agreed on beforehand that he would go to Jiangnan under the pretext of the flood. In the past, he only needed to ask the eunuch to convey such reports. Given his trust in him, he didn't need to come in person to report.

He originally thought he was trying to make it more convincing so that the Empress Dowager would believe him, but it turns out that his real intention was not what he thought!

But how did he know all her preferences? What kind of past did they share?

He only knew that he had saved her on the road, but it seems there was much more to it!

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Author's Note: Countdown to going crazy begins [laughing and crying emoji]