Chapter 62 The Truth About Sleeping with Her: He wouldn't allow any other man to occupy a place in her heart...
The palanquin stopped at the Qianqing Palace. Xiao Heng lowered his eyes and glanced at Gu Xi, who was leaning on his shoulder. Her breathing was shallow, and her eyelashes cast dappled shadows under her eyes, as if she were asleep.
He gently bent down and picked her up, only to see a single tear slide from the corner of her eye and land on the back of his hand. The coolness spread, and his heart tightened instantly.
He carried her into the bedchamber and placed her on the bed. He lay down beside her, gently embracing her, his chin resting on her hair.
Why is she crying?
*
Gu Xi slept until noon. She rubbed her eyes and heard the sound of Xuan paper turning over on the desk not far away. Turning to the side, she saw Xiao Heng sitting there reviewing memorials.
She didn't dare to disturb him and quietly watched him for a long time.
As if sensing her gaze, Xiao Heng paused slightly in his grip on the pen, looked up at the bed, and the composure he had displayed while reviewing memorials softened in his eyes: "Awake?"
He put down his pen and walked towards her. Gu Xi also sat up on the bed and opened her arms to hug him as he approached.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled against him affectionately: "Aheng, do you still remember what you said before you left the palace, that you would take me back to the Gu family when you came back? Does that still stand?"
“Of course it counts, a gentleman’s word is law.” Xiao Heng raised his hand, his fingertips threading through her hair, entwining between his fingers.
"Can we go back in the next few days?"
"Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll go back with you." There are many things to do after returning from my months-long tour, and I also need to take over the Qin family's troops. I really don't have time to spare these days.
Gu Xi glanced at the mountain of memorials behind him, knowing he couldn't leave, and tentatively asked, "Can I go back by myself? Or can Father come to the palace to see me?"
Xiao Heng paused slightly, frowned, and said in a deep voice, "No." She could only stay by his side; he couldn't let her meet with the Gu family alone again.
Gu Xi lowered her eyes and dared not say another word.
It seemed she wouldn't be able to get any information from her father. She had considered asking Xiao Heng to help find her master, but she was afraid he would find out that her master was involved in the assassination attempt. She had even thought about going to the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager was currently imprisoned in Cining Palace. If she went to her, Xiao Heng would definitely find out, and even if she did, she might not be able to get the antidote.
It seems I can only rely on my senior brother now.
After lunch, Gu Xi suddenly remembered something and hurriedly led Zhu Yin back to Weiyang Palace.
"Miss, the medicine is ready." Zhu Yin placed a bowl of medicine in front of Gu Xi.
Gu Xi finished the drink in one gulp.
This is a contraceptive medicine. She is currently poisoned and absolutely cannot have a child. If she does, the poison will harm the child.
Gu Xi stayed in Weiyang Palace until nightfall, until Xiao Heng arrived.
She hid behind Zhuyin and Huayue, looking wary, and growled, "I don't want to live in the Qianqing Palace!"
Xiao Heng looked at her with a deep gaze: "It's not up to you!"
After saying that, he strode towards her. Zhu Yin and Hua Yue instinctively tried to protect her, but Xiao Heng gave them a look that made them freeze in place, not daring to breathe.
He reached out, grabbed her waist, and hoisted her onto his shoulder, carrying her back to the Qianqing Palace.
Gu Xi did not give up and continued to run back to Weiyang Palace every day. The people in Qianqing Palace did not stop her, but Xiao Heng would come to take her away every night, as if he regarded it as a kind of fun. He enjoyed it every day, but at night he would still torture her in different ways as punishment for her disobedience.
Gu Xi racked her brains but couldn't find a solution. She locked the gates of Weiyang Palace tightly, so he had them removed. She hid elsewhere, so he sent people to search for her everywhere. The entire palace was filled with his men, and she had nowhere to hide.
Every day in the palace, this scene would unfold: the Emperor would lead Consort Xi to the Qianqing Palace, sometimes carrying her on his back, sometimes holding her in his arms, and sometimes dragging or clutching her.
This was far too conspicuous, and Gu Xi finally gave up and decided to sneak into the Qianqing Palace every night, trying her best not to be seen.
But Xiao Heng insisted on making it public knowledge, and she could hear about his plans for her from time to time.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen has followed your instructions and will prepare a meal for Consort Xi according to her taste from now on."
"Your Majesty, I have followed your instructions. From now on, Consort Xi's food, clothing and other necessities will be drawn directly from the Qianqing Palace's treasury."
Not only that, he would reward her with something every day, but all of these things were sent to the Qianqing Palace, and now everyone knows that she stays there.
This person is really annoying!
This commotion was so great that it finally aroused the dissatisfaction of the ministers.
That day, Gu Xi was about to pass by the front hall when she heard the ministers' memorials about the matter coming from inside. She stopped and dared not go forward, but she only heard him say, "Does my minister have to concern himself with who lives in my bedchamber?"
The ministers were speechless.
Gu Xi was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
*
On this day, inside Xianfu Palace.
"Your Highness, a eunuch from the Qianqing Palace just came to tell you that the Emperor has chosen you for his concubine tonight," said Granny Chang with a happy expression.
"Really?!" Consort Xue's eyes lit up.
“It’s true! Your Majesty, you see, the Emperor still cares about you. His feelings for Consort Xi are just temporary. He’s only been back in the palace for a few days and he’s already thinking about you.”
Consort Xue was truly delighted; the gloom of the past few days had vanished completely.
Granny Chang is right. People come and go in the palace, and there are many who receive the Emperor's favor, but only she will ultimately stand by his side.
Did the young eunuch say what time the Emperor would arrive?
"His Majesty will arrive at Hai Shi (9-11 PM)," said Granny Chang, holding a sachet in her hand. She opened the sachet to reveal several delicate incense balls inside. "The little eunuch specifically instructed Your Highness to remember to light His Majesty's favorite incense to enhance the occasion."
Consort Xue agreed with a shy expression.
at night.
Inside the sleeping quarters of Xianfu Palace, the palace servants had already left. Xue Huixin took out the incense from the incense box and placed it in the incense burner.
A wisp of smoke drifted out, mingling with the candlelight in the hall, creating a hazy, enchanting scene. The ambergris scent at the tip of her nose grew stronger, and in a daze, she seemed to see that bright yellow hue brushing against the edge of the bed. She had not been intimate with him for months, and she longed for that feeling.
The fragrance filling the hall was like a gentle net, enveloping her in its enchanting beauty. Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she drifted into a deep sleep.
As dawn broke, Xue Huixin propped herself up and sat up, a blush creeping onto her face as she thought of the previous night.
She threw back the brocade quilt, got up, straightened her robes, and went into the warm pavilion on the east side in her embroidered shoes.
In the past, if the Emperor stayed at Xianfu Palace, he would always get up earlier than her, brew a pot of tea in the warm pavilion, read a few pages of memorials, and then go to court.
She gently pushed open the door to the warm chamber, but inside it was so quiet that only the dripping of the water clock could be heard.
Did she oversleep today? Has the Emperor already gone to court?
Disappointed, Xue Huixin returned to her bedchamber, where she saw Granny Chang making the bed. She rubbed her temples in annoyance, saying, "It's all my fault for getting up late today and not being able to say a few words to His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Granny Chang paused, stopped what she was doing, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, what are you saying? The Emperor didn't come at all last night."
She had waited all night in the front hall, but the Emperor hadn't stepped into Xianfu Palace once. She was just thinking about how to comfort the Consort.
Xue Huixin froze instantly, staring at Granny Chang in disbelief.
The Emperor didn't come? Then who was she with last night...?
She slumped down, staring blankly ahead, her gaze suddenly falling on the burnt-out incense burner...
With trembling hands, she opened the incense box and lit the incense again. A moment later, that familiar feeling washed over her.
It turns out that all that romance and tenderness was just a lie!
She suddenly raised her hand and lifted the lid of the incense burner, slamming it down on the incense with a loud crash. Sparks flew up and quickly went out. Seemingly still not satisfied, she then pushed the incense burner over violently, scattering incense ash all over the ground.
She stared at the scattered incense ash, the last trace of dazedness in her eyes replaced by coldness, her gaze filled with resentment.
No wonder he always came at the appointed time, no wonder he always asked her to light the incense, no wonder he was never there when she got up—it turns out he had never slept in the same bed with her!
All the fragmented details, pieced together, revealed the truth, like a poisoned ice knife, piercing her heart.
Xiao Heng, how dare you treat me like this!
*
After breakfast, Gu Xi took advantage of Xiao Heng's absence at the morning court session to return to Weiyang Palace.
It's been almost half a month, and there's still no news from her senior brother. She's getting anxious and panicked.
"Miss, the herbal medicine has gone cold, but you can drink it now."
"Okay." Gu Xi drank it all in one gulp.
As soon as she put down the bowl and was about to wipe the medicine stains from the corner of her lips, she looked up and suddenly saw Xiao Heng standing in front of the door. He was backlit, so she couldn't see his expression. Gu Xi's hand trembled involuntarily.
Xiao Heng strode up to her, his face grim, and asked, "What did you drink?"
Gu Xi was caught off guard by his sudden appearance and panicked. She knew she couldn't keep it a secret anymore. Mu Yunqi had been the one who gave her the medicine before, and now that he was no longer in the Imperial Hospital, no one else would help her keep it a secret.
She tried to remain calm: "It's a contraceptive soup. Ah Heng made me drink it that day, and I didn't dare to neglect it."
Xiao Heng recalled that he had indeed made her drink contraceptive medicine when they were outside the palace, and his expression softened slightly: "You don't need to drink it anymore in the future."
Gu Xi lowered her eyes and replied, "Okay." Fortunately, they needed a lot this time, so they could last a while longer.
Xiao Heng pulled her to sit on the couch, and Zhao Fuquan and the others withdrew.
Xiao Heng picked her up and straddled her on his lap, intending to kiss her, but Gu Xi suddenly spoke up: "Aheng, I have something I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
Gu Xi considered carefully and said, "I mentioned the matter of the female physician before I left the palace. I wonder if it can be accomplished?"
She doesn't have much time left. If she can accomplish this before she dies, firstly, the palace maids in the palace will no longer have to delay treatment due to the separation of men and women or hidden illnesses, and secondly, women like Yun Ke can also work in the Imperial Hospital based on their medical skills.
"Okay." Xiao Heng's eyes were glued to her lips, his fingertips tracing them repeatedly, his gaze deepening.
That's fine. In the future, he will have those female doctors take her pulse, so that no one like Mu Yunqi will appear in her life again!
Gu Xi was surprised that he agreed so readily. She was happy, but still asked nervously, "Can I recommend Yun Ke?"
She had already approached Yun Ke, and both Mu Yunqi and she were willing to give it a try, even if they might face further hardships.
Now she can rely on his favor to protect Yun Ke.
Xiao Heng's face instantly darkened. Gu Xi looked at him anxiously, afraid that he would be angry, and quickly kissed him on the lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Xiao Heng was far from satisfied. He turned around and laid her down on the couch, leaning down to cover her lips with his. The palms protecting the back of her head suddenly tightened, and the kiss was filled with burning desire and intense possession.
He wouldn't allow any man to have a place in her heart!
Gu Xi was almost out of breath from his kiss. She raised her hand to push him away, panting as she looked at him. Once she could catch her breath, she still asked, "Is it okay?"
Xiao Heng stared intently at her, his voice taut: "You must not have any further contact with Mu Yunqi!"
Gu Xi nodded: "Yes, Yun Ke is Yun Ke, and he is him." She suddenly seemed to remember something, and a smile appeared on her face. "Aheng, are you jealous?"
Xiao Heng was stunned for a moment, and his expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural.
Gu Xi suddenly reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, pulling him closer, and asked earnestly, "Aheng, do you like me?"
Xiao Heng lowered his head, his lips pressed against hers, and said in a hoarse voice, "I like it."
Gu Xi pushed him away again, looked into his eyes and continued to ask, "Will you always like me?"
"meeting."
"I knew it!" Her features were exquisite, and her smile was as beautiful as a flower.
Xiao Heng felt as if the world around him had lost its color in an instant. All he could see was her. Her smile was as bright and dazzling as the sun, captivating him so much that he stopped breathing.
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Author's Note: There was a mistake. [Let me see] The author isn't being lazy, just writing slowly. [Laughing and crying with facepalm]
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