Chapter 15 Their overly intimate gestures caused Gu Xi's face to flush slightly...
"Were you scared?" Xiao Heng's tone was gentle, his eyes lowered as he spoke, concealing the expression in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Gu Xi quickly rose and bowed.
Xiao Heng walked up to her and helped her up: "Get up. There's no need for these formalities in the future."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Gu Xi replied uncertainly. Was this considered a preferential treatment for the life-saving grace she had received?
Xiao Heng glanced at the open pages of the book beside her and asked, "What book are you reading so intently?"
"It's nothing, just browsing," Gu Xi replied casually, not wanting to elaborate.
Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow slightly and continued to ask, "Medical books?" His voice was full of certainty.
Gu Xi was startled again. How did he know?
Seemingly sensing her question, Xiao Heng continued, "Judging from your appearance last night, this shouldn't be the first time you've treated your wounds."
"Your Majesty is wise. I have indeed studied some medical principles, and know only the basics." Gu Xi thought to herself, "This man has a sharp eye. I'll have to be more careful around him in the future." Could it be that he saw through my zither playing incident in the same way? Gu Xi couldn't help but wonder.
"Hmm." Xiao Heng remained noncommittal.
Gu Xi thought that if she continued to be in the same room with this person, she would only expose more flaws. Now she just wanted to change the dressing and send him away as soon as possible. She hurriedly picked up the medicine box that had been prepared on the table and prepared to change Xiao Heng's dressing.
She had intended for Xiao Heng to sit on the couch, but when she turned around, she found that he had already sat on the bed by himself, in the same spot as last night.
Gu Xi had no choice but to follow.
"Your Majesty, please remove your outer garment so I can change your dressing."
Xiao Heng deftly took off his coat.
"Please also remove your undergarments, Your Majesty." This was a perfectly normal statement when speaking to an injured person, but it carried a different meaning for Xiao Heng. His Adam's apple bobbed, and the image of her blushing face suddenly appeared before his eyes on that day at Bihe Garden.
"I'm injured and I'm afraid of aggravating my wound, so please take it off for me," Xiao Heng said matter-of-factly.
Gu Xi recalled his composed demeanor at Xianfu Palace earlier that day, showing no sign of needing help. She couldn't help but wonder if he was deliberately teasing her again, just like when they first bumped into each other at Bihe Garden. But seeing his calm expression now, he didn't seem to have any ill intentions. Gu Xi sighed inwardly, ultimately not daring to refuse, and had no choice but to do as he was told.
After removing his undergarments, Xiao Heng's chest was half-exposed, revealing his muscular physique. Last night's situation was urgent, and there were no lights, so seeing it clearly now made Gu Xi feel somewhat embarrassed.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Heng asked knowingly.
"It's nothing." Gu Xi composed herself, telling herself that a doctor's heart is like a parent's, and she shouldn't overthink it, even though this person was her husband in name only.
Gu Xi carefully removed the bandages and checked the wound's healing progress. It looked like it was recovering well; the muscle-regenerating ointment was indeed effective. She would definitely ask her father where the medicine came from when she had the chance. If she could bring it to her brother on the battlefield, that would be wonderful.
"Your Majesty, could you press here for me?" Gu Xi pointed to the bandage with medicine on it.
Xiao Heng did not respond. Gu Xi looked up and saw that he had his eyes closed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, and he looked like he was in pain. She thought that his wound must still be very painful, and he must have been enduring it during the day. She could only bandage it back and forth using the same method as yesterday.
While being bandaged, Gu Xi's cheek accidentally brushed against Xiao Heng's chest a few times. She quickly moved away, but the burning heat still made her blush uncontrollably.
Xiao Heng lowered his eyes slightly, and in the gaps between her bandaging his wounds, he could see her blushing neck hidden behind her hair and her bright red ears.
"Alright, Your Majesty," Gu Xi said with a soft sigh, looking up at Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng opened his eyes and stared at Gu Xi for a few seconds before shifting his gaze from her face to the wound. When he saw the light pink strips of cloth wrapped around his body, his eyes twitched involuntarily.
Seeing this, Gu Xi quickly explained, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Hospital didn't provide enough strips of cloth, so I cut some myself and steamed it. This is all I have in my palace now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty..."
Xiao Heng found her anxious pleading amusing. Was she really that afraid of him? He sneered, "Did I say I was going to punish you? Are you that afraid of me?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not, please relent..."
“Gu Xi,” Xiao Heng called out by her full name, “I said I didn’t mean to blame you.” He interrupted Gu Xi, his voice carrying a strange anger.
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Gu Xi thought to herself that this was the first time Xiao Heng had called her by her full name, and he seemed really angry. She wondered what she had done to offend him, and felt very uneasy.
The previously harmonious atmosphere was instantly shattered by the commotion. Xiao Heng remained silent, and Gu Xi dared not speak either, only staring at the ground with her head down.
Xiao Heng stared at the top of her head for a while, and finally put on his clothes himself.
He was about to speak when his maid's voice came from outside the door: "Miss, Miss, are you asleep?"
Afraid of disturbing others, Zhu Yin lowered her voice and continued to ask, "You haven't eaten much today, so I made you some white jade dumplings. Try to eat a little."
Gu Xi wanted to say no, but upon hearing the words "white jade dumplings," her stomach started growling uncontrollably. She hadn't eaten white jade dumplings in a long time, but now...
"Let her in," Xiao Heng's voice came from above.
“But you…” Gu Xi looked up at Xiao Heng with some difficulty.
Xiao Heng pointed to the corner by the bed and slipped inside without a word, his speed leaving Gu Xi momentarily stunned.
"Zhuyin, I'm not asleep yet, come in." Gu Xi quickly tidied up the room and called out to the door.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yin pushed open the door and entered, placing the pastries on the table. Her voice was filled with barely concealed excitement and anticipation: "Miss, are you hungry? Please try some. This is my first time making them, so the taste isn't as good as Cuiyuxuan's, but it'll only satisfy your craving..."
Gu Xi was indeed craving something. She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and it was a familiar taste. Eating her favorite food, Gu Xi felt all the gloom in her mood vanish. She smiled and said to Zhu Yin, "Delicious!"
Her family's Zhuyin treats her so well; this silly girl even learned to make this for her.
"That's great, Miss! Eat as much as you like! You can't not eat. If you lose weight, the master and mistress will be heartbroken!"
"Okay, Zhuyin, you're becoming more and more like my mother." Gu Xi remembered that Xiao Heng was still inside, so she quickly sent Zhuyin out: "Go back and rest first, I still need to read for a while. I promise I'll eat everything tonight!"
"Miss, don't stay up too late!" Zhu Yin reminded her.
"Okay, okay..." Gu Xi half-pushed and half-coaxed Zhu Yin out of the room.
After hearing the door close, Xiao Heng emerged from the corner.
"Your Majesty, the wound has been bandaged. You should go back and rest early; it will help the wound heal." Gu Xi just wanted to send this big Buddha back and enjoy her delicious food.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow.
"Your Majesty, I dare not..." Gu Xi said, feeling stifled. She really wanted to send him away, but she also really didn't dare.
Xiao Heng ignored Gu Xi and walked straight to the table. He glanced at the round plate of food on the table and asked, "What is this called?"
Gu Xi explained, "Your Majesty, this is called White Jade Dumpling, a common folk food."
"You like it?" Xiao Heng asked suspiciously.
"Mmm." Gu Xi nodded. She really loved these snacks; she hadn't had them in a long time since entering the palace, all because of this person in front of her! The more Gu Xi thought about it, the angrier she became, wishing she could send him away immediately.
“Perfect timing, I’m hungry too.” With that, he lifted his robe and sat down.
Gu Xi found Xiao Heng's actions both amusing and exasperating. Was he not planning to leave? If he was hungry, he could go back and ask the imperial kitchen to cook for him. What was he doing staying here with her?
Despite her thoughts, Gu Xi still politely asked, "Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
"Hmm." After saying that, Xiao Heng picked up the chopsticks that Gu Xi had just used, picked up a piece, and put it in his mouth.
"Your Majesty..." Gu Xi wanted to say that she had already used the chopsticks, and that he could use the other end or wash them and reuse them, but it was too late.
"Hmm, not bad," Xiao Heng commented after finishing his meal.
"I'm glad Your Majesty likes it." Gu Xi said with a forced smile. She watched from the side, unsure whether to sit or stand, afraid that he would eat all her white jade dumplings.
She just said it casually, she didn't expect him to actually eat it.
He even used the chopsticks she had used. Thinking of this, Gu Xi's face couldn't help but turn red. In her eyes, sharing a pair of chopsticks was a very intimate act, something only her father and mother could do.
Seeing that Gu Xi had not sat down for a long time, Xiao Heng looked up at her leisurely and urged, "What are you standing there for? Sit down and eat."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gu Xi hesitated for a moment before sitting down on the stool next to Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng pushed the plate in front of Gu Xi: "I'm full, these are all yours."
One is enough to fill you up? Gu Xi thought to herself, it seems this food isn't to his liking. And that tone just now, why did it have a hint of condescension? This is her food.
"Then His Majesty must return first..." Gu Xi's words were cut short as she saw Xiao Heng's face suddenly turn cold, his dark eyes unfathomable.
Gu Xi read dissatisfaction in his expression.
Indeed, for an emperor, being repeatedly asked to leave by his concubines is a loss of face.
Actually, she didn't necessarily want to get rid of him, but his presence made her feel uncomfortable, and she was somewhat exhausted from dealing with him.
Gu Xi thought to herself, "Never mind, never mind."
She quickly looked away, pretending not to see Xiao Heng's displeasure, and was about to pick up her chopsticks when she suddenly encountered another problem.
There's only one pair of chopsticks, and Xiao Heng has already used them. Can she use the other end? But what if he thinks she's disgusted by him and then gets angry?
She really couldn't figure out his temperament, and if she angered him, she would be the one to suffer.
Never mind, let's just pretend the puppy stole a bite. It's no big deal. Zhu Yin put so much effort into making this; we can't let her hard work go to waste.
Having finally convinced herself, Gu Xi lowered her head and began to eat the white jade dumplings. The long-lost taste instantly made her feel satisfied.
Gu Xi didn't see the slight upturn of Xiao Heng's lips when she took her first bite.
Xiao Heng watched as Gu Xi slowly finished the entire plate of pastries. At first, she was a little reserved, but later she seemed to have forgotten his presence. With each bite, she smiled with her eyes crinkling, looking like a satisfied kitten.
His anger subsided immediately.
"Have you finished eating?"
"Yes, I'm done eating." Gu Xi nodded, looking satisfied.
A note from the author:
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Finally finished revising everything I posted earlier, I'm exhausted! [laughing emoji]
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