Chapter 208 Relying on My Favoritism, You Become More Arrogant and Unscrupulous

Ji Qingwu wanted to observe Emperor Wusu's expression to make plans in advance, but he was caught red-handed.

Seeing him staring at her head, she reached out and touched the cloth bag on her head, puzzled.

It wasn't loosened; it was wrapped very tightly, and its appearance was fine.

Emperor Wusu frowned even more deeply, his face showing displeasure.

Tao Wanyin's body trembled even more violently as she knelt on the ground. Ji Qingwu said softly, "Your Majesty, Princess Yong is still pregnant."

Upon hearing her speak, Emperor Wusu's lips curled into a smile.

Ji Qingwu lowered his head rapidly again, leaving only a small gray cloth bag on his head.

After a long pause, the emperor finally spoke, asking, "How long has Prince Yong been kneeling at the palace gate?"

Li Yuzong stepped forward and respectfully replied, "It has been four hours since the morning court session ended."

Upon hearing that Prince Yong had been kneeling for so long, Tao Wanyin didn't know why he had angered Emperor Wusu and thought it was related to her.

She said anxiously, "Your Majesty, I know I am guilty and dare not continue to hold the position of Princess Consort. Please do not blame the Prince."

Tao Wanyin's face, which had just regained some color, turned deathly pale again, and the gray fabric on her back began to soak through, revealing a lot of sweat from fear.

Ji Qingwu had to protect the child in Princess Yong's womb, so she could only look up again, her bright eyes filled with tears, and blink as she gazed at the cold-faced emperor.

Emperor Wusu received the plea in her eyes and turned his gaze away.

Ji Qingwu's gaze remained fixed on him.

She wasn't sure if she had heard correctly, but she thought she heard him sigh.

A cold, deep voice came from above.

"Tao's family".

Tao Wanyin hurriedly raised her head.

“These days, Prince Yong has become increasingly unruly.”

Emperor Wusu continued, "I summoned you here not to punish you, but because Prince Yong openly provoked Wei Ting in the front court today and fought with him. He still refuses to admit his mistake. I can give you a chance to make amends."

It wasn't to punish her, but because of the fight involving Prince Yong.

Having said that, Tao Wanyin understood the Emperor's intention and immediately said, "I understand! I will go and persuade Prince Yong to admit his mistake and apologize to General Wei. I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Emperor Wusu waved his hand, and Tao Wanyin hurriedly got up and left the hall.

He then said, "Li Yuzong, go and keep watch at the door."

In a short while, only two people remained in the vast Hall of Diligent Governance.

Ji Qingwu first turned around and looked at the doorway, and found that Li Yuzong had already closed the door slightly when he went out, so that people outside could not see what was happening inside.

Her courage immediately grew, and she walked up several steps to stand in front of Emperor Wusu.

Ji Qingwu's eyes held an undisguised smile: "Your Majesty's wise decision is truly admirable."

Emperor Wusu glanced at her only once, then turned his head away, his gaze falling on the paperweight on the desk.

He asked, "Where is your wisdom found?"

On the way here, Ji Qingwu was also unsure how the emperor would deal with Princess Yong.

She thought that the emperor, like the empress dowager, wanted to abolish Tao Wanyin's status as a concubine and arrange another suitable princess for Prince Yong.

But now it seems that the emperor has no intention of implicating or blaming Princess Yong.

Ji Qingwu smiled sincerely: "Your Majesty may look cold, but you have a warm heart and cannot bear to see Prince Yong lose his beloved."

Hearing her soft voice, Emperor Wusu's ears felt much lighter.

He then looked at her properly and said in a deep voice, "What I cannot bear to do is not this."

When their eyes met, Ji Qingwu immediately broke into an even brighter smile. Even in coarse cloth, her beauty and charm were undeniable.

But Emperor Wusu said irritably, "What kind of attire is this?"

Ji Qingwu looked down at herself. The clothes she was wearing were fairly well-fitting and decent. In the past, she had worn even coarser clothes in the clinic in Nan Chu, but at least this set of clothes was made of a fabric that didn't itch.

“Your Majesty, this is the clothing worn by the palace servants of Anle Hall, and Princess Yong also wears it.”

Emperor Wusu said, "Why do you go to that Anle Hall every day? Is that a place you can go?"

Ji Qingwu was very remorseful and gently explained, "I didn't mean to break the palace rules. It's just that Prince Yong came to me saying that the Princess's pulse diagnosis was not good."

Noticing her cautiousness, Emperor Wusu interrupted, "There is no place in the palace that you cannot go."

These words startled Ji Qingwu: "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Emperor Wusu let out a truly deep sigh this time.

“Anle Hall is where palace servants who have made mistakes stay. All sorts of people are there. This filthy place is not for you.”

Ji Qingwu understood, her face began to flush, and she said softly, "So Your Majesty was worried about my safety."

"It's not just about your safety; there are too many dirty corners in this world that I don't want you to see."

What Emperor Wusu didn't say was that he didn't want Ji Qingwu to become even more afraid of the palace after seeing this place. He worried that she would become even more resistant to the Phoenix Palace.

Ji Qingwu looked back at him, her eyes holding a subtle but firm light.

"But simply avoiding it won't solve the problem."

Emperor Wusu beckoned to her, and Ji Qingwu moved closer until they were within arm's reach.

He commanded, "Lower your head."

Ji Qingwu obediently bent her neck, her gaze falling on his thigh.

The next instant, the gray cloth on Ji Qingwu's head was ripped off, and his long black hair cascaded down.

A few strands of hair slipped off Emperor Wusu's dragon robe.

Ji Qingwu straightened up and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty!"

Emperor Wusu held the gray cloth in his long, slender fingers, didn't even glance at it, and ruthlessly threw it into the incense ash burner beside him.

Ji Qingwu had no idea how this cloth had offended His Majesty the Emperor.

Her eyes widened as she watched it fall into the incense ash, becoming even more grayish.

Emperor Wusu had already disliked Ji Qingwu since the moment Ji Qingwu entered the palace.

"Your Majesty, why did you throw my headscarf?" Ji Qingwu asked, pouting.

Emperor Wusu said, "What kind of headscarf is this? The way you are makes me think of nuns in temples."

Ji Qingwu gathered her long hair behind her back and said, "The palace maids in Anle Hall wrap their hair up so that it will be easier for them to work."

Even after the cloth was removed, Emperor Wusu was still not satisfied.

He reached out, trying to grab the belt above her pants, which was woven from several strands of red rope.

Ji Qingwu gripped the belt tightly with both hands and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, there's nothing wrong with this belt. People wear belts even when dressed normally."

Emperor Wusu said impatiently, "Take off these clothes quickly, they're bad luck."

Once you've taken off your clothes, where are you going to get a change?

Ji Qingwu refused to take it off no matter what, and retreated while clutching his waistband.

"It's just clothes. If Your Majesty doesn't like them or finds them an eyesore, I'll leave immediately."

Hearing that she was leaving, Emperor Wusu's expression worsened.

He stood up, his tall figure approaching her step by step, his eyes lowered, his voice indifferent.

“Awu, relying on my favor, you have become increasingly reckless and even dare to go to such places.”

Ji Qingwu couldn't help but step back and said, "Didn't Your Majesty just say that there is no place in the palace that I cannot go?"

Emperor Wusu cornered her.