Chapter 332 Misunderstanding Cleared Up (Two Updates)

The old chief priest continued, "Not many people know about this. The rumors circulating outside are that Consort Jing went to the nunnery at her own request. I only learned from His Majesty's mention that Zhuang Jinse actually drove her closest friend out of the palace in order to seize power."

Xiao Liulang frowned and said, "His Majesty must think that the Empress Dowager's kindness to him and Consort Jing over the years was all a carefully planned scheme, and that the Empress Dowager only wanted a puppet."

The old chief priest agreed wholeheartedly: "Yes, His Majesty does have this idea. In fact, not only His Majesty, but everyone in the world thinks so. Even the Empress Dowager's maternal family, the Zhuang family, thinks that the Empress Dowager has been putting on an act for so many years."

Everyone in the world was indignant on behalf of Consort Jing and the Emperor, but no one cared about Zhuang Jinse's gradually cooling heart.

No one asked Zhuang Jinse if there was another hidden story behind her betrayal of her best friend.

Whoever is weaker is right.

Zhuang Jinse's power is destined to make people fear her, hate her, be wary of her, and wish they could destroy her; no one will cherish her.

All the bad things will be easily attributed to her, because she disregarded the moral order and refused to relinquish the imperial power!

Dusk was falling in the west.

The evening glow fell on the brackets and eaves of Renshou Palace, casting a dazzling golden light.

After handling nearly half of her official duties, Empress Dowager Zhuang exuded a silent weariness.

Life in the palace is not as leisurely as outsiders imagine. Mountains of memorials, endless political affairs, and never-ending disputes... all of these ruthlessly crush one's will.

"Your Majesty." Eunuch Qin slowly entered and tenderly offered a cup of flower tea. "Rest for a while, have your meal first. You can look at these memorials tomorrow."

"There will be tomorrow's memorials." Empress Dowager Zhuang roused herself and picked up another memorial. "I'm not hungry."

Eunuch Qin said earnestly, "Even if you're not hungry, you should eat something. If you overwork yourself, Miss Gu will worry about you."

Mentioning this made Empress Dowager Zhuang furious. She glared at him coldly and said, "From now on, you're not allowed to go to her for every little thing! Don't think I really wouldn't dare to cut off your head! I have four trusted eunuchs by my side. Don't forget how the first three died!"

So you were the one who got your head chopped off...

Eunuch Qin rubbed his neck and said sheepishly, "Yes, this servant will not dare to do it again."

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager!"

The young palace maid, Emerald, rushed in excitedly.

Empress Dowager Zhuang is in a bad mood; anyone who offends her must die!

Empress Dowager Zhuang was not a good person. She killed people who didn't need to be killed. That's how vicious she was!

"Drag him out—"

Just as the words "beat to death" were about to leave her lips, Emerald gasped, "Lord Xiao is here!"

The words "beaten to death" had their own meaning, and they slid smoothly into Empress Dowager Zhuang's stomach.

Empress Dowager Zhuang rolled her eyes: "Let him in."

Eunuch Qin smiled secretly.

Xiao Liulang entered the study in the side hall. Empress Dowager Zhuang, while reading the memorials, casually asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you back?"

Listen to this, what a petulant tone!

Outside the door, Eunuch Qin almost burst out laughing. Wasn't it just that Xiao Xiuzhuan came to deliver something in the morning, but left without seeing him?

Xiao Liulang said, "Come over and have a meal."

Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted, "Is there no food at home? Why do you have to come to my house to eat?"

Xiao Liulang nodded frankly: "Yeah, there's no food."

They've become shameless; it's obvious they've been led astray by that old bastard Huo Xuan!

Empress Dowager Zhuang narrowed her eyes angrily.

Eunuch Qin coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, shall I have the meal prepared immediately?"

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Qin," Xiao Liulang said, turning to Eunuch Qin.

"Yes!" Eunuch Qin replied happily and went off with a cheerful air.

Empress Dowager Zhuang gritted her teeth: "Fine, you're all traitors! Renshou Palace no longer belongs to the Zhuang family, is that it?"

Dinner was served in Lingxiang Pavilion, which was in the same side hall as the study.

Empress Dowager Zhuang showed no intention of having a meal.

Xiao Liulang said with a hint of helplessness and grievance, "I'm hungry, Auntie."

Empress Dowager Zhuang rolled her eyes again before reluctantly putting down the memorial and going to Lingxiang Pavilion with Xiao Liulang.

Qin Gonggong was unaware that Xiao Liulang was coming. Some of the dishes were freshly cooked. He had been to Bishui Hutong so many times that he knew Xiao Liulang's tastes.

Empress Dowager Zhuang dismissed the palace servants who were serving her food.

Xiao Liulang placed a piece of green vegetable on Empress Dowager Zhuang's plate.

Empress Dowager Zhuang frowned: "I won't eat this!"

"You should eat." Xiao Liulang picked up another piece of pork belly for her, but removed the fatty part.

Empress Dowager Zhuang's face turned as black as charcoal.

Are you here to have dinner with me? I think you're here to die!

Empress Dowager Zhuang is furious! The consequences will be severe!

Xiao Liulang said dejectedly, "I never ate with my grandmother when I was a child. She didn't like my mother, so she didn't like me either."

Empress Dowager Zhuang's anger was extinguished halfway through.

Empress Dowager Zhuang had heard some things about the relationship between Princess Xinyang and Madam Xiao. Madam Xiao had originally chosen a gentle and quiet daughter from a wealthy family.

But who would have thought that the woman Marquis Xuanping married was a powerful figure, whom he couldn't beat or scold, and who even had to bow to when they met.

Madam Xiao was furious. It is said that she did not like Princess Xinyang's son very much, but instead doted on her two illegitimate grandsons.

Xiao Liulang didn't care about this at all; he was just saying it to play the sympathy card.

As expected, Empress Dowager Zhuang felt sorry for the person and couldn't refuse them any longer. With a dark face and a look of disgust and resentment, she ate the vegetable leaf.

Xiao Liulang's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

Afterwards, Xiao Liulang fabricated many stories about his miserable days under the care of Madam Xiao, successfully tricking the Empress Dowager into eating all the food she didn't want to eat.

When Empress Dowager Zhuang realized what was happening, she found that she had eaten half a bowl more rice than usual.

This was her normal food intake in Bishui Hutong, but after returning to the palace, her food intake decreased by more than half.

She's lost weight.

Even a fool could tell that Empress Dowager Zhuang ate more comfortably than usual during this simple meal.

After the meal, Xiao Liulang did not rush back, but went to the library that the Empress Dowager had built for him.

The library was located opposite Empress Dowager Zhuang's study, separated by a small garden.

Eunuch Qin very considerately opened the window.

Empress Dowager Zhuang only needed to turn her head to see Xiao Liulang engrossed in his studies by the window of the library.

Empress Dowager Zhuang's agitated mood suddenly calmed down.

The deep palace is lonely, especially at night. It is a loneliness that can drive you crazy, make you helpless and desperate, and make you want to escape but you can never escape it.

Empress Dowager Zhuang lived in the deep palace for decades and never felt that this was her home.

However, at this moment, looking at the boy's figure and feeling his silent companionship, Empress Dowager Zhuang felt a tranquility and peace she had never experienced before.

Empress Dowager Zhuang read through the memorials for a while longer. As night deepened, she still had a small stack left to read, but she decided not to continue.

She said to Eunuch Qin, "Tell him that I need to rest, and he should go back too."

Eunuch Qin smiled and replied, "Yes."

He tried to persuade her a thousand times, but the Empress Dowager wouldn't listen. It's Lord Xiao who has the best way.

"Wait a minute," Empress Dowager Zhuang called out to Eunuch Qin. "Send two secret guards to escort him along the way. Better safe than sorry. He's getting too close to me; I'm worried someone might try to harm him."

A dark and windy night is a good time to take action.

As for returning to Biyue Hutong, with Jiaojiao and Gu Yan's two bodyguards, there's nothing to worry about anymore.

"yes."

Eunuch Qin had a carriage prepared and personally escorted Xiao Liulang to the palace gate, then assigned two imperial guards to follow him along the way.

Several figures flashed by in the woods not far away.

Fifteen minutes later, in the dimly lit room, it was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

A man in black said, "Reporting to Master, experts from Renshou Palace are following us along the way, and we are unable to succeed."

The figure in the darkness waved his hand dismissively: "Step back."

The following day, Xiao Liulang took a day off, and there were no classes at the Imperial Academy's elementary school.

Xiao Liulang went to bed late last night and woke up a little later in the morning. Xiao Jingkong was already up and went to the backyard to wash up and water the plants.

When Xiao Liulang arrived at the backyard dressed in his finest attire, he was surprised to find two marquises standing there—the Marquis of Xuanping and the Marquis of Ding'an.

Marquis Xuanping came to take Xiao Jingkong as his disciple. He had thought it through. As long as he took him as his disciple, he could openly infiltrate the inner circle of the alley. At that time, investigating Xiao Liulang's background and winning over his daughter-in-law would not be a problem.

But coincidentally, the Marquis of Ding'an had also come to take Xiao Jingkong as his disciple.

In fact, he didn't leave last night because he was so frightened that he fainted and ended up spending the night in Bishui Hutong.

After waking up, he already knew that the child was his, and had nothing to do with Marquis Xuanping. The reason Marquis Xuanping was here was simply because he had taken a liking to the little monk and wanted to take him as his disciple.

In the past, Lord Gu would never have dared to compete with Marquis Xuanping, but this was related to whether he could stay in Bishui Hutong.

That's right, he had thought it through. Yao was pregnant, and the situation was special. Since she really didn't want to return to the Marquis's residence, he would stay with her for the time being.

We'll make other plans after the baby is born.

For the sake of his wife, children, and a warm bed, Lord Gu is going all out!

Even if you are a first-rank military marquis, whose status surpasses mine by several levels, I cannot back down!

Marquis Xuanping kept his hands tucked into his sleeves, which was admirable given the sweltering heat. He casually remarked, "In that case, let's have a fair competition and see who's more capable. Little monk, what do you think?"

Xiao Jingkong thought about it seriously and said, "Okay, okay!"

He took two small signs, quickly wrote a few words on them, then moved over a small stool, sat down on it in a cute way, and began to observe.

Lord Gu snorted coldly and asked, "I wonder what Marquis Xuanping wants to compete with me in?"

Marquis Xuanping raised an eyebrow: "Face."

Lord Gu, who nearly choked to death: "...!!"

Is this really acceptable?

Xiao Jingkong raised the small card in his right hand: "Lord Xiao wins!"

It's obvious that the bad brother-in-law's father is better looking than Jiao Jiao's father.

But Jiaojiao is the prettiest, no arguments allowed!

Lord Gu hadn't even realized what was happening before it started, and then he lost. Where could he go to seek justice?

He gritted his teeth and unleashed his trump card: "Let's have a poetry recitation contest!"

Marquis Xuanping: "..."

grass!

So heartless!

Although Lord Gu's calligraphy and painting were not satisfactory, he was still a little more learned than Lord Xuanping.

Xiao Jingkong tested him with five poems. Lord Gu could recite two, but Lord Xuanping couldn't recite a single one.

Xiao Jingkong raised the tile in his left hand: "Lord Gu wins!"

However, Lord Gu was not so lucky next. Marquis Xuanping was not only lacking in scholarship, but also had extraordinary abilities. Lord Gu was utterly crushed.

Even in the martial arts competition, despite his back injury, Marquis Xuanping still easily defeated Marquis Gu.

Lord Gu lost utterly!

An hour later, the ambitious Lord Gu was finally driven to his wits' end. He spread himself out in a starfish shape, rolled his eyes, stuck out his tongue, and collapsed on the steps, utterly dejected.

"Great job! Great job!" Little Jingkong sat on a small stool, straightened his little back, and clapped his hands.

Marquis Xuanping curled his lips and said smugly, "Alright, I have won. You can now become my disciple."

Little Jingkong tilted his head and said seriously, "But I already have a master! I can't take you as my master! A good disciple doesn't serve two masters!"

Isn't it said that a good woman doesn't serve two husbands?

Marquis Xuanping frowned, his handsome brows furrowing as he began to question the meaning of life.

Because he wasn't very knowledgeable, it's possible he misremembered; the original saying was indeed that a good student doesn't serve two teachers.

That's not the point. The point is that this little brat tricked him again!

Marquis Xuanping gritted his teeth: "If you can't become my disciple, why were you so agitated just now?"

Xiao Jingkong shrugged innocently and said, "I only said I'd watch your competition. I didn't say I wanted to become your apprentice after the competition. You guys said it yourselves. I didn't agree to that!"

Marquis Xuanping has a toothache!

That brat, he's so annoying!

Marquis Xuanping can't keep stumbling in the same place. If the little monk wants to fight him, wait another five hundred years!

He snorted coldly and said domineeringly, "I don't care, you have to agree whether you like it or not. Chang Jing!"

Chang Jing swiftly entered, grabbed Xiao Jingkong, and hoisted him onto his shoulder.

Little Jingkong flailed his arms and legs, shouting, "Hey, what are you doing!"

Marquis Xuanping casually dusted off his wide sleeves: "Take him away!"

Go and pay homage to the ancestral master!

"Oh no, no, I don't want it!"

The little monk chattered on and on, but was still mercilessly captured by the wicked monkey!

There were classes at Qinghe Academy today. Gu Yan was unaware of what had happened at home. Liu Quanlai took Gu Xiaoshun to Master Lu and Nanxiang to learn their skills, but Gu Yan did not go.

He slacked off again.

On the one hand, he didn't have much interest or ambition, and on the other hand, his health was indeed worse than that of ordinary people. Sitting in the carriage in the sweltering summer heat was unbearable for him.

He strolled back leisurely, and after a few steps, an elderly man, though advanced in years, was still vigorous and sharp as ever, walking towards him.

"What a coincidence!" the old man said with a smile.

"Hmm, what a coincidence." Gu Yan knew who he was; it was his grandfather, Gu Chao.

He recognized me the first time I came to see him outside the academy.

He was only four years old when he left the capital, and then eleven years passed without seeing him again. The old Marquis thought he had forgotten him.

In fact, Gu Yan really didn't remember, but the old Marquis's face was too representative; three generations of them all looked very similar.

Furthermore, he discovered that whenever the old marquis approached him, his bodyguards would keep their distance.

Gu Yan may not be good at studying, but he is definitely a shrewd and clever person.

The old Marquis wanted to see his grandson but couldn't bring himself to do it, so he had several "chance encounters" with Gu Yan.

He thought Gu Yan hadn't recognized him.

"Aren't you going to your apprenticeship today either?" the old lord asked.

"It's hot," Gu Yan said. "You've come to see your grandson again?"

The old marquis said awkwardly, "Ah, yes."

Gu Yan asked knowingly, "Did you see him?"

The old marquis looked at Gu Yan and gave a dry laugh: "I saw it."

"Oh." Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. "So, do we still want to go get some cold noodles today?"

The old marquis was taken aback at first, then quickly nodded: "Yes, yes!"

The two had eaten cold noodles once before, and Gu Yan noticed that the old Marquis liked them very much. Gu Yan's impression of this grandfather was not too bad.

As far as I can remember, my grandfather treated him well, and he treated his mother well too. When he and his mother moved to the village, my grandfather even gave him two bodyguards.

He fell ill several times in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep. If his bodyguards hadn't noticed the abnormality in time, he might have died long ago.

After finishing the mint-flavored jelly, Gu Yan felt refreshed and patted his stomach contentedly, saying, "You treated me last time, so this time it's my treat! It's only fair!"

The old marquis said, "No need."

Gu Yan waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright. Although I don't have much money, I can earn some pocket money by doing odd jobs every day. I can still afford to treat someone to a meal of cold noodles."

The old Marquis frowned upon hearing this. His grandson had actually fallen so low as to do odd jobs to earn money.

What kind of father is Gu Chong, that bastard!

Don't they give their son any money each month?!

"Where is your father?" the old marquis asked.

Gu Yan sighed, “My father forces me to move back every day. When I refuse, he cuts off my monthly allowance. As I told you, I was born prematurely, am physically weak, and suffer from heart disease. My sister has worked so hard to raise me.”

Could it be that the girl became a doctor for the sake of her own younger brother?

I realized I had misunderstood her.

Good night, sweet dreams.

(End of this chapter)