Chapter 13 deliberately forced Xiao Heng to look at the redness that spread from his ears to his neck...
Seeing that Gu Xi deliberately distanced herself from him, Xiao Heng didn't seem to care. He smiled slightly and let out a very soft laugh.
"Do you like the zither I gave you today?" he asked.
"Your Majesty, I am very pleased with this gift. Thank you for your kindness." Gu Xi was truly grateful; this reward had indeed touched her heart.
Xiao Heng hummed in response.
Zhao Fuquan suddenly appeared out of nowhere, holding a zither in his hand, the very one that Xiao Heng had given her during the day.
Zhao Fuquan placed the zither on the table in front of the two of them. Gu Xi then realized that the table was empty today, and it seemed that Xiao Heng had not brought the memorials with him.
"What is this...?" Gu Xi asked in confusion. Wasn't she supposed to grind the ink?
"Since you like it, then start practicing more from today," Xiao Heng said in a calm tone.
Gu Xi was in a dilemma. She wanted to practice more, but she couldn't do it in front of the Emperor!
"What? Don't you want to play?"
"No... Your Majesty, I just feel that my skills are not good enough and I am afraid of disturbing your ears." It's true that she likes playing the zither, but it's tiring for her to always play in secret!
"It's alright, I don't mind." Xiao Heng appeared understanding.
Gu Xi was speechless.
"But……"
"If you don't want to play, I'll take this zither back. It would be a waste to have such a great instrument that's difficult to use..." Xiao Heng said, feigning regret.
"No... Your Majesty, I just haven't decided what piece to play yet..." Gu Xi looked at Xiao Heng with some annoyance, she always felt that he was doing it on purpose!
Xiao Heng found it amusing to see Gu Xi's eyes sparkling with anger, but he remained outwardly calm and said, "Let's start with your poem 'Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank' from earlier today..." After saying that, he leaned back on the cushion and closed his eyes.
Gu Xi dared not hesitate for too long, for she was truly afraid that the emperor would take the zither back.
The song ended.
“No, play it again,” Xiao Heng said lightly.
Gu Xi was confused and didn't understand what the emperor meant.
“Play ‘Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank’ again,” Xiao Heng repeated.
Gu Xi played it again.
"No, play it again."
"wrong"
Gu Xi played it over and over again, initially just puzzled, but getting angrier the more she played!
"It's still not right," Xiao Heng said, repeating the same statement.
"Your Majesty, I don't know what's wrong. Please enlighten me!" Gu Xi turned around and looked at Xiao Heng, who was sitting on the cushion, and said in a stiff tone.
Xiao Heng opened his eyes, supported himself on the soft couch with his hands, and got up to meet Gu Xi's gaze.
The distance between the two closed in an instant, and their eyes were almost touching. Gu Xi could even smell the scent emanating from Xiao Heng, a faint fragrance of ebony sandalwood that blended with the air to create a unique aroma.
Xiao Heng stared intently into Gu Xi's eyes and said with certainty, "You know."
Gu Xi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. What did he mean by that? Did he know she...?
No, he couldn't possibly know, unless, unless he is... Gu Xi had a vague guess in her heart.
To verify her hypothesis, she made a bold decision, even though she knew it was somewhat risky.
Gu Xi withdrew her gaze from Xiao Heng, sat upright at her desk, and gently plucked the strings of her zither. The music that rose was like the breaking of dawn, spreading across the vast and boundless world.
As the melody begins, it seems as if a flock of wild geese is carried by the wind over the sand dunes, raising a sky full of golden sand. The geese struggle to flap their wings in the mist, breaking through the wind and sand, and with a mournful cry, they cut through the sky, soaring into the horizon and shuttling among the clouds.
Finally, the music ended with a melodious long note, and wild geese flew into the distance under the setting sun, disappearing into the horizon, leaving only the lingering sound of the guqin echoing between heaven and earth.
After the music ended, Gu Xi let out a long sigh, turned to look at Xiao Heng, and asked with unusually clear eyes, "Your Majesty, was this the right thing to do?"
Xiao Heng did not answer, his eyes remaining unfathomable.
But Gu Xi still guessed the answer from his reaction, because he didn't ask her to play it again.
At this moment, Gu Xi no longer cared whether the emperor would blame her. She desperately wanted an answer: "Does Your Majesty recognize this zither?" Perhaps the person in front of her was the kindred spirit she had been searching for.
Xiao Heng seemed still immersed in the music he had just heard. Hearing Gu Xi's words, he glanced at the guqin on the desk and said in a nonchalant tone, "It's just an ordinary guqin from the palace. What's there to say about recognizing it?"
Gu Xi was somewhat disappointed by this answer, and the light in her eyes dimmed instantly. This zither was no ordinary instrument; if he were... he certainly wouldn't have said that.
"Does His Majesty know the owner of this zither?" Gu Xi couldn't help but continue to ask.
"Now that I have bestowed the zither upon you, you are now its master."
This was not the answer Gu Xi wanted. Thinking that the emperor had not understood, she continued to explain, "What I mean is, does Your Majesty know who sent this zither into the palace?"
Xiao Heng, who had been reclining on the cushions, suddenly stood up. His movements were unhurried and graceful, exuding the dignity and composure of an emperor. There were two teacups on the table beside him. He pushed one of them in front of Gu Xi, then picked up his own cup and took a small sip.
"What, you know the original owner of this zither?" Xiao Heng asked casually.
Gu Xi shook her head, somewhat bewildered.
"Is this person very important to you?"
Gu Xi hesitated for a moment, but still nodded solemnly.
Xiao Heng's eyes flickered slightly, and the tips of his fingers holding the teacup turned slightly white. He then said, "You should ask the Imperial Household Department about this matter."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gu Xi heard the emperor's displeasure and dared not ask any further questions.
He doesn't seem to be that person, but he was clearly forcing himself on purpose just now. What was his intention?
The two fell silent for a moment. Gu Xi felt a little awkward, so she picked up her teacup and took a sip, only to find that it was her favorite Beiyuan tea. The tea left a lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth, not harsh but with an unforgettable aftertaste. Gu Xi loved this unique fragrance the most.
Just as Gu Xi was surprised that Xiao Heng also enjoyed drinking Beiyuan tea, she suddenly heard him say in a deep voice in her ear, "Don't forget who gave you this zither. From now on, don't try to fool me..."
The two were sitting so close that Gu Xi could almost feel the warm breath Xiao Heng exhaled as he spoke, which seemed to carry a faint aroma of tea. Gu Xi's face flushed instantly, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Xiao Heng looked at Gu Xi, whose face was red from her ears to her neck, his eyes darkened slightly, and his throat felt a little dry.
"Your Majesty, I dare not." Gu Xi quickly lowered her head to admit her mistake. She knew he was referring to the matter of playing the zither, and after today, she really didn't need to hide it from him.
"That's enough for today," Xiao Heng's voice sounded somewhat hoarse. He waved his hand and said to Zhao Fuquan, who was walking briskly from a distance, "Escort Consort Gu back to the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Gu Xi took her leave, she returned to Weiyang Palace under the escort of Zhao Fuquan. No one noticed her along the way, and Zhu Yin and the others stayed in their respective rooms without coming out.
Xiao Heng didn't press her about why her piano skills had improved so rapidly, but he also refused to admit that he was the one who played with her. Gu Xi couldn't understand why, if he was, he wouldn't admit it, and if he wasn't, why he seemed to know what she was hiding.
Gu Xi felt as if she were trapped in a fog, and when she tried to clear it, she found herself already deeply engrossed.
*
Since that day, Xiao Heng has never allowed Gu Xi to go to Bihe Garden again, nor has he ever come to Weiyang Palace. Everything seems to have returned to calm.
Gu Xi was happy to finally have some peace and quiet, no longer having to deal with the emperor and fearing that she might say or do something wrong.
Aside from paying her respects to the Imperial Concubine every day, she spent the rest of her time in her own palace, and her relationship with Huayue and the others grew increasingly harmonious. In addition to joking around, they would also cook together and tend to the courtyard, making Weiyang Palace much more lively and elegant than when they first moved in.
During the day, Gu Xi and Hua Yue trimmed the flowerbed together. Feeling a bit tired, she washed up and was about to go to sleep when, just as she turned off the light, a dark figure suddenly rushed into the room. Gu Xi was startled and her heart jumped into her throat.
Gu Xi was about to shout when the dark figure quickly appeared behind her and covered her mouth.
There was a commotion outside. Gu Xi guessed that the palace guards had discovered the assassin and were searching for him. She was scared, but dared not make a sound.
Weiyang Palace is remote; how did he happen to escape here? What was his purpose in breaking into the palace? Was he trying to assassinate the emperor?!
Gu Xi tried to calm herself down, but the increasingly strong smell of blood made her wonder if the Emperor had really been murdered. If so, would this person kill her too to silence her?
Seemingly sensing the fear in the person in his arms, the assassin lowered his voice and said, "Don't be afraid, it's me."
Who? Gu Xi was startled! The assassin seemed to recognize her. Several faces flashed through her mind, but she couldn't remember whose voice it was.
Gu Xi dared not relax, her whole body tense, not daring to move, for fear of provoking him.
"Miss, Miss, are you asleep?" Zhu Yin's somewhat nervous voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Don't let her in," the assassin whispered in Gu Xi's ear, removing his hand from her mouth.
Gu Xi couldn't guess who this person was, so she didn't dare to act rashly and had no choice but to do as she was told.
"Miss?"
"Zhuyin, what is it?" Gu Xi asked, feigning that she had just woken up.
"Miss, I'm so glad you're alright!" Zhu Yin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Gu Xi's voice, then said, "It seems an assassin has broken into the palace. The guards are searching everywhere. Miss, please be careful!"
"Okay, I understand. Lock the doors and windows tightly and don't let anyone in."
"Yes, Miss... Miss, how about Zhuyin keeps you company tonight?"
Gu Xi didn't know how to refuse for a moment. Zhu Yin must be very worried about her. Normally, she would have agreed.
"Miss?"
"Um... Zhuyin, I'm already asleep..." Gu Xi had no choice but to pretend that she was already asleep.
"Miss, Zhuyin won't bother you anymore. Zhuyin won't sleep tonight; she'll stay here and watch over you. If you need anything, just shout."
"Hmm," Gu Xi responded to the door.
"She's a loyal girl." The assassin suddenly whispered in Gu Xi's ear. Gu Xi was momentarily confused and became alert. She cautiously said, "I'll do whatever you say. Please don't hurt her."
The assassin did not respond. Gu Xi did not know whether he had not heard her or was unwilling to agree, and she became even more uneasy.
The commotion outside subsided, and it seemed the guards were merely passing by the gates of Weiyang Palace and had no intention of entering.
Gu Xi thought that perhaps the assassin had done something to mislead them before coming in, or perhaps he had accomplices who had led everyone away.
Once the sound outside the door had completely ceased, the assassin finally released Gu Xi.
Once freed, Gu Xi immediately turned to face the assassin, wanting to see who was holding her hostage.
The person in front of me was dressed in black, his face covered by a mask. He held a sword in his right hand, the tip of which pointed directly at the ground. He was leaning against the bed frame, seemingly injured, and needed the support of the bed and the sword in his hand to stand up.
Gu Xi asked warily, "Who exactly are you?!"
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