Chapter 39 The Truth of That Night (Minor Revision) "Xiao Che, you've crossed the line!..."
"Xiao Xi..." Xiao Che called softly, his voice filled with longing, and... resentment.
"Brother Che?" Gu Xi only then noticed Xiao Che standing to the side. She had been so busy catching up with Gu Xiao that she had forgotten about him.
The three of them sat down.
Gu Xi proudly presented the formula she had developed to Gu Xiao, who patted her head and smiled indulgently.
"Brother, when do you plan to marry Yao Yao and make her my sister-in-law?" Gu Xi suddenly asked.
"Cough cough cough..." Gu Xiao choked on his tea at her words, a suspicious blush rising on his face. "Xiao Xi, don't talk nonsense! She's engaged."
This marriage has always been a source of anxiety for both families. Years ago, when Grand Tutor Yu was overjoyed to have a young daughter, he invited his friends for drinks and, in a moment of elation, arranged this childhood betrothal. When Xin Yao's mother, Cui, found out, she had a huge argument with him and threatened to break off the engagement, as she had originally wanted to marry into the Gu family. Grand Tutor Yu couldn't bring himself to do it, and in the end, the engagement wasn't called off. Both families knew about this, and they often teased the two children about it when they were young, but gradually stopped mentioning it as they grew older.
"But I heard from Yao Yao that she's breaking off her engagement with that person." She said that the person didn't like martial arts practitioners, but actually it was because he already had someone he liked. After she found out, she agreed without hesitation, but the two families haven't officially announced it yet.
Gu Xiao paused for a moment, then raised his voice slightly: "Really?"
Gu Xi smiled and nodded: "Brother, go find her quickly after you leave the palace. I'm waiting to see you and Yao Yao fight side by side on the battlefield and protect our country!"
How wonderful it would be to live as a young general and his wife!
Gu Xi turned to look at Xiao Che, who had been silent all along, and said earnestly, "Brother Che, you will soon find the woman you like!"
Xiao Che looked up at her abruptly, and after a long pause, he could only manage to utter a single "okay." His eyes were red as he said, "Xiao Xi, I suddenly remembered that I still have some military affairs to attend to. I'll come see you again when I have more free time."
Gu Xi nodded and urged, "Official business is important, Brother Che, you should go quickly!"
Xiao Che fled in panic, afraid that the pain in his eyes was too obvious and would give her away. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would be unable to resist telling her how much he missed her, and he was afraid that the next moment he would ask her if she would like to leave this place with him.
After Xiao Che left, Gu Xi asked with some concern, "Brother, Brother Che seems a little sad. Did something happen?"
Gu Xiao sipped his tea and said calmly, "Perhaps it's because I haven't been back to the capital for too long and I'm not used to it. I'll be fine in a couple of days."
Gu Xi nodded.
Not far away, a figure stood watching all of this.
"Your Majesty, aren't you going over there?"
"No." She probably had many private things she wanted to say to her own brother, but she didn't dare to say them while he was around.
Xiao Heng withdrew his gaze and walked towards the Qianqing Palace.
They had only taken a few steps when they suddenly heard the whispers of palace maids.
"Was that General Gu, Consort Gu's brother? He's so handsome!"
Upon hearing her name, Xiao Heng stopped in his tracks.
"Yes, you said her brother is so handsome, why is she..." the palace maid chuckled, the words unspoken but understood by all who heard them.
"That's right, even her maid is much prettier than her." He then chuckled softly.
"I think I just saw the Sixth Prince. What are they doing together? Could it be that something's going on between them...?"
Xiao Heng suddenly emerged from his hiding place, looking at the two palace maids with a gloomy expression.
The palace maid trembled with fear and immediately knelt down, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty..."
Xiao Heng strode up to them and kicked a palace maid, yelling, "What kind of dog are you to talk about her like that!"
The palace maid was kicked to the ground, but ignoring the pain, she scrambled to her feet and knelt down, begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!"
"Zhao Fuquan!"
"Your servant is here." Zhao Fuquan thought to himself, "These two unlucky palace maids, they don't even know when to stop talking. Of all people to gossip about, they have to talk about the Emperor's darling. This time, even the Jade Emperor can't protect you!"
Xiao Heng ordered, "Pull out these two lowly maids..." He originally wanted to say pull out their tongues before killing them, but then he remembered that she would not like it, so he changed his words to, "Give each of them twenty lashes and throw them into the servants' quarters."
Zhao Fuquan almost thought he had misheard. Just like that? When did His Majesty become so benevolent? It's unbelievable!
He quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty," fearing that the Emperor might change his mind if he was too late.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life! Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life!" The palace maid, having escaped with her life, knelt and thanked you repeatedly.
Xiao Heng strode away.
"Young Master, Young Master... what are you looking at?" Zhu Yin asked breathlessly. Gu Xiao was walking too fast for her to keep up.
The young lady was worried that the young master would get lost, so she asked her to escort him. It turned out that the young master not only knew the way better than her, but also walked faster than her.
"It's nothing," Gu Xiao replied casually.
He recalled the scene he had just witnessed, and it seemed that the emperor was not entirely without affection for his sister.
Gu Xi had just told him that the Emperor had already seen her true face, and that he needed to go back and report to his father as soon as possible.
*
Inside the Qianqing Palace.
"Brother, why did you bring Xiaoxi into the palace?" Xiao Che asked, clenching his fist.
Xiao Heng paused, then said without looking up, "You should ask the Ministry of Rites about this."
"But she's not happy at all in the palace!" Xiao Che roared.
Xiao Heng looked up, his gaze locking onto him: "How do you know she's unhappy?" He lowered his voice and asked, "Did she tell you?"
Xiao Che shook his head. Gu Xi didn't say anything, but he could tell that when she cried, his heart felt like it was being repeatedly cut by a rusty, dull knife, causing him unbearable pain.
Xiao Che lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "If you can't treat her well, why don't you release her?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fuquan broke out in a cold sweat, fearing that if he angered the Emperor, he would also suffer the consequences.
"Xiao Che, you've crossed the line!" Xiao Heng's eyes fixed on him, and he said coldly.
Xiao Che's body stiffened, and he swayed uncontrollably, staggering back two steps, feeling as if a wad of cotton was stuck in his throat.
Yes, he crossed the line.
Now she is someone else's wife, and her brother's wife at that. He can't bear to see her, he can't take her away, he can only watch her be sad and heartbroken, but he can't do anything about it.
Xiao Che, his face deathly pale, fled in panic.
After Xiao Che left, Xiao Heng, seeing that it was almost lunchtime, headed towards Weiyang Palace to have lunch with her.
Upon arriving at Gu Xi's bedchamber, they heard her crying from inside.
"Zhuyin, I want to go home..." Gu Xi hugged Zhuyin and cried loudly.
Standing outside the door, Xiao Heng experienced heartbreak for the first time.
He pushed open the door, and the crying inside suddenly stopped.
Looking up, he saw her just standing up from the couch, hurriedly wiping away tears with the back of her hand, her nose red, choking out as she called out, "Your Majesty..."
Zhao Fuquan and Zhu Yin left and closed the door.
Xiao Heng slowed his pace, walking towards her step by step, and pulled her into his arms: "In a few days, shall I accompany you back?"
Gu Xi suddenly looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise and delight: "Really?"
The light in her eyes was so dazzling, and her long eyelashes, glistening with moisture, trembled slightly. He was momentarily mesmerized by her gaze.
He composed himself, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said, "Hmm, when have I ever lied to you?"
Gu Xi looked at Xiao Heng with misty eyes. After a moment, she suddenly stood on tiptoe, hooked her arms around Xiao Heng's neck, and he lowered his head. She kissed him. Towards the end of the kiss, her legs went weak and she could hardly stand. Xiao Heng put his arm around her waist, pulled her close to him, looked down, and sat on the couch, letting her straddle him, deepening the kiss.
He only released her when her breathing became rapid, gently wiping away the saliva from her lips with his fingertips.
Gu Xi buried her head in the crook of his neck and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty..."
Thank you for letting her meet her brother, thank you for agreeing to let her go back to her family home; she really misses her parents.
After a moment, Gu Xi asked in a muffled voice, "Your Majesty, when are we going back?"
Xiao Heng stroked the top of her head and said, "Let's discuss it again after we leave the tour."
He feared that if she went back now, she wouldn't want to return. If he won the rounds and the situation was settled, he could stay with her at the Gu family home for a few days. If he lost, he would… no, he absolutely couldn't lose!
Upon hearing the words "on patrol," Gu Xi shuddered, recalling the words she had overheard by the artificial hill.
She suddenly looked up and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, who will you be taking with you on this inspection tour?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"I'll take you there." Xiao Heng brushed a strand of hair from her temple.
Gu Xi's eyes dimmed instantly; she hadn't misheard that day after all.
Gu Xi suddenly said anxiously, "Your Majesty, can we go back now?"
"No!" Xiao Heng said in a deep voice.
"Then tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?" Gu Xi asked, clutching his clothes, her voice gradually turning into a sob.
"Gu Xi!" Xiao Heng shouted in a low voice.
Gu Xi's eyes flickered, then she lowered her head and stopped talking.
Your Majesty, after we return from our tour, will you still remember to take me back to our hometown?
After you've used me, are you going to deal with me and discard me, like Consort Li and Consort Shu did?
She said she didn't want to love him, but she was lying to herself. Even though he hurt her like that, she still liked him very much and wanted to see him every day.
But if you really don't want me anymore, I won't bother you. But if you can think of me occasionally and come to see me, that would be wonderful.
As Gu Xi thought about it, she started to cry, and her tears dripped onto Xiao Heng's hand.
Xiao Heng was startled and pulled her into his arms again.
He didn't know what she was afraid of, but he couldn't let her go back now; he wanted her to stay with him.
*
The next morning.
"Miss, Miss, open the door quickly!" Zhu Yin pounded on the door from the outside.
Gu Xi touched the bedside; Xiao Heng had already gone to court. She got up and opened the door.
"Zhuyin, what's wrong?" Gu Xi welcomed Zhuyin into the house, and she became nervous herself because of Zhuyin's tense mood.
Zhu Yin, panting, said, "We found it, we found it... Lord Bai gave the evidence to Yun Ke first thing this morning." She paused and said, "The one who drugged Physician Mu that night was Su Hong from the Imperial Hospital, the same Su Hong who bullied Yun Ke in the Imperial Kitchen last time!"
Upon hearing this result, Gu Xi did not show much surprise. Her guess was correct; the person who administered the drug was indeed from the Imperial Hospital.
Mu Yunqi didn't have many people he could come into contact with in the palace. That night, it was very likely that his colleagues were the ones who could drug him so easily without him even realizing it.
"Did Su Hong explain why?" Gu Xi continued to ask.
"Lord Bai said that Su Hong vehemently denied it, only saying that he retaliated against Physician Mu because Physician Mu had offended him, but Lord Bai suspects that most likely..."
"It's most likely related to the Empress Dowager's imperial edict?"
Zhu Yin nodded.
But on the night of the incident, before the imperial edict had even been issued, they acted so quickly, and of course, they chose her. It seems that Yun Ke's treatment of the palace maids, and her previous act of saving the Empress Dowager, had already made them a thorn in the side of the Imperial Hospital.
They wanted to use this opportunity to wipe them all out and make sure no one dared to mention the matter again.
Su Hong is an incompetent person, so even if he is found out, it won't be a big loss for them.
She had only known of the treacherous nature of officialdom as her father had described, but she never imagined that she herself, living in the inner palace, would be so deeply entangled in it. Those who held power would stop at nothing to prevent their interests from clashing with theirs, even at the cost of innocent lives.
If this is how a mere Imperial Medical Academy acts, I wonder what kind of dangers my father faces every day?
She was too naive, which led to the Mu siblings being in danger. She was the one who let them down.
Zhu Yin's voice rang out again, pulling Gu Xi back to reality.
“Miss, we owe a great debt to Lord Bai this time. Yun Ke said he entered the palace before dawn today and delivered the evidence to her before the court session.”
Gu Xi nodded, thinking that she owed Bai Xingzhi another favor, and if she had the chance, she would definitely thank him properly.
“There’s one more thing…” Zhu Yin paused for a moment before saying, “Lord Bai said that Su Hong only admitted to drugging the person, and denied everything else. He told me to remind Miss to be careful of the people around her.”
She didn't know what Lord Bai meant by those words, but he and Miss were both intelligent people, and since he asked her to remind Miss, it must be right.
Gu Xi was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. He really knew. He probably even knew everything that happened that night.
She lowered her eyes and replied, "Okay, I understand."
Regardless, she had to do everything she could to keep Cailian's affair a secret; she was nothing more than a victim of those who manipulated power. She just didn't know if the person who instigated Cailian was the same group that instigated Su Hong.
Now we just need to wait for Xiao Heng to come over, tell him the truth, rescue Mu Yunqi, and put an end to this.
I wonder how Mu Yunqi is doing now. He was so badly injured and spent so many days in a place like prison. I wonder if he will be able to stay in the Imperial Hospital after he gets out.
She had wronged him.
After Gu Xi finished dressing up, she stood in the courtyard waiting for Xiao Heng.
But after waiting for a long time, there was still no sign of him. Normally he would have arrived long ago, and gradually her expression became anxious.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
As soon as Xiao Heng entered the door, he saw her in the courtyard, looking on expectantly. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and he was immediately in a good mood.
He strode towards Gu Xi, took her hand, and kissed her lips: "Did you miss me?"
Gu Xi paused for a moment, then nodded hesitantly.
She had no time to think about these things; all she wanted to do was rescue Mu Yunqi.
"Your Majesty, there is something I wish to tell you..."
"What is it?" The last syllable rose slightly, the voice filled with pleasure.
"Regarding Physician Mu that night..."
Xiao Heng's smile faded slightly. He released her hand and said, "Let's have our meal first." With that, he walked towards the main room of the sleeping quarters.
Gu Xi quickly followed. Seeing that he suddenly became unhappy, she didn't dare to continue. She thought that they should wait until after the meal to talk about it. So many days had passed, there was no need to rush.
Xiao Heng ate his breakfast in silence, and soon most of the porridge in his bowl was gone, but Gu Xi was preoccupied with something and couldn't eat much.
Seeing that she looked restless, Xiao Heng put down his chopsticks and frowned, asking, "What is it? Speak."
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Author's Note: The older brother is a siscon [starry-eyed]
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