Chapter 271 My Beloved Darling (Two Chapters Combined)

"Who goes there? How dare you block the Empress Dowager's carriage! Get out of the way at once!"

The head eunuch serving the Empress Dowager, surnamed Qin, looked at Gu Jiao and said sternly.

Gu Jiao's attire didn't resemble that of a noblewoman in the palace, but she wasn't exactly a palace maid either. Her clothes weren't particularly luxurious, and she had a very aloof demeanor.

Gu Jiao did not move aside. She looked at the golden phoenix carriage about ten steps away. The huge golden phoenix embroidery shone brightly under the light, dazzling and eye-catching.

Behind the long gauze curtain, several figures could be vaguely seen. The figure in the center was dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold phoenixes, sitting upright with an imposing aura, both familiar and unfamiliar.

"Auntie!"

Xiao Jingkong finally managed to pry himself off the ground. He endured the slight pain in his body and hopped towards the Empress Dowager's phoenix carriage.

He hopped from behind the phoenix carriage to in front of it and immediately saw Gu Jiao standing in the middle of the path. He grunted, "Jiao Jiao?"

Jiaojiao?

Empress Dowager Zhuang felt a slight tremor in her heart.

Little Jingkong, covered in mud and grass clippings, hopped over, dropping grass clippings as he went, and said with utmost seriousness, "Jiaojiao, I didn't run around!"

Gu Jiao snapped out of her daze. Yes, you didn't run away. You were jumping and hopping around.

Gu Jiao reached out and removed the grass clippings from the little guy's head and body, then took out a handkerchief and wiped the dirt off his face.

Eunuch Qin intended to pull these two tactless people apart, but when he turned around, he glimpsed through the gap in the gauze curtain that Empress Dowager Zhuang's expression showed no displeasure.

Not only that, the Empress Dowager was also somewhat mesmerized by what she saw.

Empress Dowager Zhuang disliked children, a fact known to everyone in the palace. Even the two daughters of Prince Ning rarely approached her. Yet, right now, Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at the little girl and the dirty little bald boy without feeling the slightest bit annoyed.

I couldn't even take my eyes off it.

A strange emotion suddenly welled up inside her, and she didn't know why.

Zhuang Yuexi sat beside the Empress Dowager, observing her expression, a hint of nervousness flashing in her eyes.

Gu Jiao had almost finished cleaning when Xiao Jingkong tilted his head, looked up at the high-flying phoenix carriage, thought for a moment, and called out, "Grandma?"

Eunuch Qin's expression changed, and he strode forward, saying, "How dare you! Who is your great-aunt!"

Xiao Jingkong pointed and said seriously, "She is!"

Eunuch Qin's temples throbbed: "That's the Empress Dowager!"

“It’s Auntie.” Little Jingkong looked at the phoenix carriage and asked in confusion, “Auntie, why did you come here to be the Empress Dowager? Aren’t you coming back with us?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang was suddenly stumped by the question.

She didn't know the child, so why did the child's words leave her speechless?

Furthermore, that strange feeling intensified.

She was the Empress Dowager, but looking at the two children, her heart suddenly felt uneasy.

She lifted the curtain, wanting to get a good look at them.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!" Eunuch Wei rushed into Huaqing Palace.

The emperor glanced at him: "What's the matter? Why are you in such a panic?"

Eunuch Wei exclaimed, "Miss Gu and her brother have been stopped by the Empress Dowager!"

"What?" The emperor stood up abruptly and strode out.

"Mother!"

Just as Empress Dowager Zhuang lifted the curtain, the Emperor arrived, panting. He stood in front of Gu Jiao and Xiao Jingkong and said breathlessly to Empress Dowager Zhuang, "These two are guests I summoned to the palace. If they have offended Your Majesty in any way, I hope Your Majesty will forgive them."

Upon hearing that the person was the emperor's man, Empress Dowager Zhuang lost interest in watching.

Her gaze turned cold. She lowered the curtain and said calmly, "Since they are the emperor's people, then the emperor shall take them away."

She never intended to punish them, but who would believe her? In everyone's eyes, she was a ruthless, unscrupulous, and cruel empress who brought ruin to the country.

Empress Dowager Zhuang did not explain.

"Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager," the Emperor said.

"Prepare the carriage," Empress Dowager Zhuang said calmly.

The phoenix carriage slowly passed by Gu Jiao and Xiao Jingkong.

In that fleeting moment as they brushed past each other, Empress Dowager Zhuang couldn't resist lifting the veil to see the slender yet youthful face bathed in sunlight. Her features were delicate, her skin like porcelain, and she had a red birthmark on her left cheek.

That girl clearly had no expression, her face was aloof.

However, whether it was Empress Dowager Zhuang's imagination or not, she always felt that the girl was somewhat aggrieved.

What's she complaining about? I haven't even punished her yet.

Empress Dowager Zhuang lowered the curtain.

For the rest of the afternoon, the girl's face and the heartbreaking grievance lingered in her mind.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager had a tense relationship, and he had long been worried that Gu Jiao would be implicated, so he was very cautious. Unexpectedly, he still ran into Empress Dowager Zhuang.

Out of caution, he had Eunuch Wei personally escort the person out of the palace.

After leaving the palace, Gu Jiao and Xiao Jingkong boarded the carriage to return home.

Xiao Jingkong was a little downcast: "Jiaojiao, does Auntie not want us anymore?"

Gu Jiao touched his little bald head.

She didn't know either.

But it seems my great-aunt really isn't paying attention to them anymore.

Xiao Jingkong climbed onto Gu Jiao's lap and nestled into her arms for comfort.

Gu Jiao held him and stroked his little back gently. Xiao Jingkong fell asleep feeling sad and aggrieved.

The driver was a mistress.

He cracked his whip, and the carriage started moving, but after only a few steps, he was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Wait!"

It is Zhuang Yuexi.

She caught up and stopped Gu Jiao's carriage, forcing Xiao Sanzi to tighten the reins and stop the carriage.

Xiao Sanzi felt that the girl looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before.

Zhuang Yuexi ignored him and walked to the car window, saying to Gu Jiao, "Miss Gu, my aunt asked me to pass on a message to you."

She never addressed her as "aunt" in front of the Empress Dowager, yet she called her that affectionately and intimately in front of Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao casually lifted the curtain.

Zhuang Yuexi's eyelashes trembled, and she looked coldly at Gu Jiao, saying, "I hope that what happened today will not happen again. You should not come to the palace to see her again. She is the Empress Dowager. All that happened before was just a temporary measure. Don't have any improper thoughts."

Gu Jiao stared straight at Zhuang Yuexi.

Zhuang Yuexi felt a chill run down her spine from that direct and sharp gaze, but she didn't show it on her face. She composed herself, took out a purse from her wide sleeve, and tossed it to Gu Jiao, saying, "Here, take this back!"

This is a money pouch that Gu Jiao embroidered by hand for her great-aunt. Her needlework isn't very pretty, but it's very durable, and her great-aunt always carries it with her to store small amounts of money.

On the day my great-aunt left, she didn't take anything from Bishui Hutong with her, only a simple set of clothes and this small purse that she never parted with.

This was Gu Jiao's only remaining thought at her great-aunt's place.

Now, my great-aunt has returned it.

Gu Jiao smoothed the creases on the money pouch, said nothing, and silently lowered the curtain.

Seeing Gu Jiao's abandoned state, Zhuang Yuexi felt an indescribable sense of pleasure. The person who cornered her in the alley and threatened her that she wouldn't be able to pay the price had finally met her match.

The brother belongs to her, and so does her great-aunt!

Zhuang Yuexi returned to Renshou Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhuang was tidying up her coarse cloth clothes. Now that she was the Empress Dowager, such commoner's clothes were not presentable and should have been thrown away long ago.

But she didn't throw it away; instead, she took it back to the palace and carefully packed it in a box.

Today she took out her clothes and laid them flat on the large and luxurious bed, rummaging through her pockets as if looking for something.

A young palace maid asked, "Empress Dowager, what are you looking for?"

"I am looking for..." Empress Dowager Zhuang was stunned.

Yes, what is she looking for?

It just feels like something very important is missing.

But what is it?

Zhuang Yuexi walked into the room with a slight glint in her eyes: "Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Zhuang asked, "When you sent the clothes over, did you see anything else?"

Empress Dowager Zhuang stayed at the Zhuang family's residence for one night. Her clothes were washed by the family's servants and delivered by Zhuang Yuexi herself.

Zhuang Yuexi lowered her eyes: "No, there is only this set of clothes."

That night, Empress Dowager Zhuang did not sleep well. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the girl's aggrieved little eyes. She tossed and turned for most of the night, and when she finally fell asleep, she dreamed of the little monk again.

The little monk, with tears in his eyes, questioned her, "Grandma, why did you come here to be the Empress Dowager? Aren't you coming back with us?"

Aren't you coming back with us?

You are our great-aunt...

The next morning at court, even through the thick beaded curtain, the court officials could feel the aura of Empress Dowager Zhuang emanating from her, a powerful warning that "don't mess with me or I'll wipe out your whole family." The officials were all silent and trembling, not daring to utter a single breath.

After the court session ended, Empress Dowager Zhuang called Grand Tutor Zhuang aside.

In the corridor outside the side hall, Grand Tutor Zhuang bowed to Empress Dowager Zhuang: "Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Zhuang: "I have something to ask you."

Grand Tutor Zhuang: "Your Majesty, please speak."

Empress Dowager Zhuang: "During the year or so that I was missing, who exactly were I with?"

Grand Tutor Zhuang asked in surprise, "Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly ask about this?"

Empress Dowager Zhuang said calmly, "You only need to answer my question."

"Yes." Grand Tutor Zhuang cupped his hands and said, "After the Empress Dowager escaped from the leprosy mountain, she wandered among the common people and eventually came to a small village, where she was discovered by His Majesty's men, who temporarily placed her under house arrest."

Empress Dowager Zhuang asked impatiently, "I'm asking, who are they?"

Grand Tutor Zhuang said solemnly, "The newly appointed top scholar is Xiao Liulang."

"Xiao, Liu, Lang?" Empress Dowager Zhuang frowned. The name sounded very familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it before. However, if she had stayed at his house, it would make sense.

Grand Tutor Zhuang continued, "Xiao Liulang is His Majesty's man. He has been in contact with His Majesty since they were in the village. Later, he went to the capital to take the imperial examination, ostensibly for the examination, but in reality, it was to cover his tracks and bring the Empress Dowager to the capital. Heng'er actually discovered the Empress Dowager's whereabouts in the county town and even went to her door to recognize her. Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager did not recognize Heng'er at that time and even injured him. Heng'er was afraid of repercussions and dared not act forcefully, so he had to return to the capital to discuss countermeasures with me. I had no choice but to contact my subordinates and force His Majesty to reopen the Imperial Academy. Since Xiao Liulang is going to the capital, he will not leave the Empress Dowager in the countryside."

In fact, the situation at the time was far from that. They were clearly using Xiao Liulang, but after reflecting on everything, Grand Tutor Zhuang realized that Xiao Liulang had planned it all along.

If Grand Tutor Zhuang was lying to Empress Dowager Zhuang, she might have seen through his deception, but he genuinely believed it.

Empress Dowager Zhuang withdrew her gaze from his face: "With an extra person in the family, doesn't anyone suspect anything?"

Grand Tutor Zhuang said, "Xiao Liulang was originally a poor boy from out of town. He claimed to others that the Empress Dowager was his great-aunt and that he had no relatives left and came to seek refuge with him, so no one suspected anything. The Empress Dowager suddenly asked about them... is it because they came to see the Empress Dowager?"

Zhuang Yuexi had already sent a letter to Grand Tutor Zhuang regarding what happened in the palace yesterday. Of course, she didn't mention that she went back to find Gu Jiao, but only talked about the chance encounter in the Imperial Garden.

Grand Tutor Zhuang said, "They drugged the Empress Dowager, causing her to lose her memory, and took the opportunity to get close to her and win her heart. The Empress Dowager must not be deceived by them."

The fact that she was called "aunt" was fake; they only wanted to use her. This realization made Empress Dowager Zhuang very upset.

But isn't that strange?

Shouldn't she be angry, furious, and order the execution of their entire family?

But why do I only feel sad?

The weather was fine, with a clear blue sky.

Lord Gu hadn't been to Bishui Hutong for some time. Today, he was on his way to supervise the construction of the mansion being built for the Empress Dowager. Passing by Bishui Hutong, he decided to visit Madam Yao.

He had just arrived at the gate of the courtyard when he ran into Gu Jiao, who was carrying Xiao Jingkong back.

Little Jingkong fell asleep, nestled in Gu Jiao's arms, tears still clinging to his eyelashes.

Gu Jiao's expression was three degrees colder than usual.

Lord Gu hadn't seen this unfilial daughter for some time; she seemed to have grown taller, and her features resembled Yao's even more.

"Where did you go?" he asked irritably.

Gu Jiao ignored him and strode into the courtyard.

Lord Gu gritted his teeth: "I'm talking to you! Didn't you hear me?!"

Gu Jiao looked at him coldly: "You'd better not mess with me today."

Lord Gu felt a chill run down his spine from her icy gaze, and his hand trembled, causing the blueprints to fall out.

Gu Jiao wasn't interested in his things, but since they were there, she saw them even if she didn't want to, and then she stopped in her tracks.

Lord Gu hurriedly picked up the blueprints, brushed off the dust with his hand, and glared at Gu Jiao, saying, "What are you looking at? It's not like we're building a mansion for you!"

After saying that, remembering that he rarely showed off in front of this brat, he dusted off the blueprints and said to her, "Do you know what this is? It's a mansion that the Empress Dowager ordered the Ministry of Works to build for Miss Zhuang."

"What is this?" Gu Jiao asked, holding the sleeping Xiao Jingkong in one arm and pointing to a small dot on the drawing with the other.

Lord Gu raised an eyebrow and said, "An ancient well."

What about this one?

"A crabapple tree, it has to be tall, with straw mats tied around its trunk, the kind that you can fit a baby in."

Why would you want to have a baby?

"How would I know? If you're so capable, go ask the Empress Dowager!"

He rarely transforms into Gu Duidui, and his tone is incredibly arrogant! But as soon as he finished speaking, he subconsciously raised his hand and covered his head!

Gu Jiao didn't hit him.

That was... quite unexpected.

Gu Jiao continued to ask curiously, "And what is this?"

Today was probably the longest conversation the father and daughter had ever had since they met. They had said so many words, and this girl still hadn't started hitting him!

Has this girl finally become filial? Life is so wonderful!

"This is bamboo, this is a doghouse, this is a chicken coop, there's a birdcage here, this is a vegetable garden, this is the east room, this is the west room..."

Lord Gu spoke animatedly, but as he spoke, he sensed something was amiss.

He looked at the blueprints, then at the courtyard in front of him.

What's going on?

Isn't this the house?

Gu Jiao noticed it too.

She took out the money pouch from her bosom and examined it carefully for a long time.

She wanted to hear her great-aunt say "I don't want you anymore" herself.

The next day, Gu Jiao took the opportunity of giving the emperor a follow-up medical check-up to go to the palace again. This time, she played the disappearing act. She went to the latrine and vanished without a trace.

The palace was guarded, but it wasn't too difficult for her to avoid them.

She arrived at the Imperial Garden.

Perhaps it was because of the nice weather, or perhaps because Empress Dowager Zhuang didn't want to stay in Renshou Palace, but recently she often sat alone in the garden, lost in thought.

When Gu Jiao arrived, she was staring blankly at a potted crabapple tree.

"Who goes there?" Eunuch Qin spotted the shadow on the ground, turned to look at Gu Jiao, and said warily, "It's you again!"

Empress Dowager Zhuang turned her head upon hearing this.

Upon seeing Gu Jiao for the first time, Empress Dowager Zhuang's heart skipped a beat, but the next second, as if remembering something, her heart sank again.

"What brings you here?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked in a deep voice.

Gu Jiao said, "I've come to see my great-aunt."

Empress Dowager Zhuang said calmly, "Your great-aunt is not here."

"Yes, there is," Gu Jiao said with a hint of grievance.

Empress Dowager Zhuang's heart suddenly clenched. She clenched her fingers and said coldly, "Don't try to play these little tricks on me. You weren't even born when I carved my way through the harem. These are all things I've already mastered! Do you really think I'll fall for your schemes?"

Gu Jiao didn't rush to refute, but instead stretched out her hand, spread her fingers, and revealed the money pouch in her palm.

Empress Dowager Zhuang was unaware of what she had lost, but the moment she saw the money pouch, she instantly knew that it was what she had been searching for.

Empress Dowager Zhuang's gaze grew even colder: "How could my things be in your hands?"

Gu Jiao lowered her eyes, looking both aggrieved and obedient, and said, "Someone gave it to me, saying it was a return gift to you, that you didn't want me anymore."

How could I possibly abandon you? You are my precious darling...

These words suddenly flashed through Empress Dowager Zhuang's mind—

(End of this chapter)