Chapter 354 I don’t like you like this

Although Yu Qinghuan had been low-key enough when she entered the palace, the news still spread throughout the palace, especially among the palace maids who served the two of them at meals, all of them were talking about it.

"I saw it with my own eyes. Your Majesty dotes on Lady Yu!"

"If you ask me, it's all just a show. If His Majesty really favors her, why doesn't Madam Yu have a title yet?"

"Anyway, I saw today that His Majesty was not at all arrogant in front of Madam Yu and refused to let Madam Yu kneel."

"I've heard from people in their palace that His Majesty spoke softly to Madam Yu and never used that name!"

"Even if Madam Yu has no official status, who else in the palace has this unique favor?"

Some people disagreed. "If you ask me, there's no master in the harem yet. When there are more people in the future, how will His Majesty remember Madam Yu?"

"I think His Majesty truly dotes on Madam Yu. Don't forget how Concubine Liu was asked to leave the palace..."

After hearing this, no one said anything. Concubine Liu originally wanted to send Miss Han, who was somewhat similar to Madam Yu, to His Majesty. However, the next day, only a corpse was sent out of the palace. The Han family also suffered, and Concubine Liu's whereabouts are still unknown.

Some people said that Concubine Liu was sent to a nunnery for meditation, while others said that Concubine Liu had been executed by secret decree long ago.

From this we can see that Madam Yu’s importance in His Majesty’s heart cannot be diminished by having more concubines in the future.

Otherwise, Your Majesty has been on the throne for almost a year, why is there still no master in the harem?

Hearing the conversation of the palace servants, Du Yunxiao, who had been standing for nearly six hours, looked a little ugly, and his knuckles turned white from being clenched too tightly.

The sounds of these discussions were like fine needles, piercing his ears one by one and making his chest feel stuffy.

On the way to the palace last night, he even prepared his words. As long as His Majesty asked about his relationship with Yu Qinghuan, he would tell the truth and would never hide anything just to survive.

But Xiao Jinghe didn't see him, so he didn't even have the chance to speak. He just stood there, not allowed to move a step without any instructions, and couldn't even drink a mouthful of water to moisten his throat.

Until just now, Du Yunxiao still thought that Xiao Jinghe's refusal to see him was a test of his imperial intentions.

But at this moment, when he learned that Yu Qinghuan had entered the palace, he was shocked to realize that this person simply didn't bother to verify anything from him, so he didn't even give him the chance to speak.

It felt like a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He didn't know whether these people had already surpassed his position in Yu Qinghuan's heart.

Is it true that there is really no trace of the friendship from our youth left?

...

That evening, Yu Qinghuan did not wait for Xiao Jinghe to come, but the eunuch beside him.

"Madam, His Majesty invites you to have your meal in Funing Palace."

Funing Palace was Xiao Jinghe's bedroom. Yu Qinghuan didn't think much about it. After tidying up, he took Sang Ru and Cai Zhi there.

It was not until he approached the Funing Palace and saw a familiar figure standing at the door from afar that Yu Qinghuan paused and understood Xiao Jinghe's intention.

Sang Rudu, who was standing by, felt a little sympathy for Du Yunxiao. He heard that the man had been standing here for a whole day and night without even a sip of water.

The eunuch hurriedly brought Yu Qinghuan into the hall and did not dare to stay at the door for long, for fear that Madam Yu would make eye contact with General Du or say a few words to him, which would be disastrous for him.

Even so, Yu Qinghuan still saw Du Yunxiao clearly. His figure was as straight as a pine tree, but the fatigue between his brows could not be concealed. His face had become gray after the day.

Her heart suddenly tightened, and her fingertips unconsciously clenched her cuffs. Complex emotions surged in her heart - heartache and a hint of displeasure.

She felt sorry for Du Yunxiao for standing for so long without eating or drinking, and was angry that Xiao Jinghe was not angry with her but found ways to make things difficult for others.

She was even more annoyed with Du Yunxiao. It was obvious that if he had stayed away from her, this wouldn't have happened, but he just wouldn't listen to her and insisted on getting involved in this mess.

Du Yunxiao seemed to have sensed something, and suddenly looked up, his gaze staring straight into her eyes.

The moment their eyes met, he froze, his chest felt like someone was gripping it tightly, and even his breathing stopped for a moment.

Yu Qinghuan also saw clearly that Du Yunxiao's eyes, which should have been full of vigor and vitality, were now dull and lifeless, as if covered with a layer of dust.

She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but her throat seemed to be blocked and she couldn't utter a word.

The same thing happened to Du Yunxiao. He could only watch helplessly as the emperor's eunuch brought her into the Funing Palace.

This is Xiao Jinghe's bedroom. The purpose of Xiao Jinghe calling Yu Qinghuan here is obvious.

The hem of her skirt swept across the bluestone floor, and Yu Qinghuan stepped through the palace door and walked inside.

Xiao Jinghe was waiting in the hall. When he saw her coming, he immediately stood up to greet her and held her hand. "I asked the imperial kitchen to prepare a lot of your favorite dishes. Come and try them."

As he spoke, he placed Yu Qinghuan in a seat next to him.

The incense burner in the hall emits wisps of sandalwood fragrance, which makes people feel calm and peaceful when they smell it.

But at this moment, Yu Qinghuan lost her appetite when she thought of Du Yunxiao still standing outside the hall, even though the table was full of delicious dishes that she loved.

As soon as she sat down, she couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, why is General Du..."

But before she could finish her words, she was interrupted.

Xiao Jinghe picked up a piece of rouge goose breast with his jade chopsticks and placed it in Yu Qinghuan's bowl. "Huanhuan, I remember you liked eating fish before. This fish is steamed fresh and tender today. Come and try it and see how it tastes."

Yu Qinghuan could only bite the bullet and take a bite. The fish was indeed tender, but it had no taste in his mouth.

She didn't like anyone suffering because of her, especially when that person was Du Yunxiao, who had always protected her and thought about her since she was a child.

Yu Qinghuan lowered her eyes and stared at the piece of fish left in the bowl. Her throat tightened and she was thinking in her mind how to speak so as not to anger Xiao Jinghe and still get him to release the person from the palace.

Suddenly, the back of her hand felt hot. Xiao Jinghe actually held her hand in front of all the palace people, rubbing her palm with his thumb. "Why don't you eat? Is it because the food prepared by the imperial kitchen is not to your taste?"

His eyes were gentle when he spoke, but Yu Qinghuan could hear a hint of displeasure in his tone.

Xiao Jinghe knew that Yu Qinghuan didn't touch her chopsticks even though she usually liked to eat the dishes because of the person outside the palace.

But he just wanted Du Yunxiao to stand outside and watch or listen.

He wanted to let these people know clearly that Yu Qinghuan could only belong to him, Xiao Jinghe. Even if others tried every means to take her away, they had to consider whether they had the chance to do so.

Yu Qinghuan tightly gripped the chopsticks, her fingertips turning white, "Xiao Jinghe, I don't like you doing this."

As soon as these words were spoken, the palace servants in the hall stiffened!

The only one who can address His Majesty by his name in the palace is Madam Yu.