Chapter 60 The Crown Prince's Favor (1) The Qianqing Palace's sleeping quarters were blush-inducing...
Inside a side hall of Chengqian Palace.
Wei Lin and Wei Ran had originally brought Gu Xi to hide here, but she was really worried about Xiao Heng, so she sent the two away to help, and hid with Zhu Yin.
Two hours had passed, but there was still no news. She was extremely worried and anxious.
What if he loses? Will the Empress Dowager kill him? Will she never see him again?
The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Her fists clenched so tightly that she didn't even notice her nails piercing her palms. She forced herself to hold back her tears, suppressing the bitter taste in her throat.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, and the tightly closed palace doors were kicked open with a loud bang.
Startled in the darkness, Gu Xi suppressed her fear and worry, held her breath, and her palms were sweaty.
The footsteps suddenly slowed down, and then she heard that incredibly familiar voice: "Gu Xi..." The last syllable was panting, as if he had run a long way.
"Gu Xi..." Xiao Heng called again, his voice trembling slightly, with a cautious probing tone.
Gu Xi gently pushed open the cabinet door and looked in the direction of the voice: "Aheng, I'm here..."
Xiao Heng turned around abruptly and saw the petite woman curled up in the closet, her eyes slightly red.
He strode over, gently pulled her out, and instantly embraced her. Then his arms tightened little by little, as if he wanted to press her into his bones.
Gu Xi raised her hand to hug his waist, her back aching from the tightness, but she couldn't bear to break free. She buried her face deeper, letting that familiar and warm breath envelop her, so as to feel his presence.
The next moment, Xiao Heng suddenly picked her up by the waist. Gu Xi was startled, her eyelashes trembled, and she instinctively hooked her arms around his neck, pressing herself tightly against his chest.
Xiao Heng carried her step by step out of Chengqian Palace and walked through the palace grounds. It was late at night, and only palace servants on duty were on the road. They all lowered their heads and dared not disturb them when they saw her from afar.
Gu Xi, still embarrassed, shrank back into his arms, burying her face in his shoulder, afraid that someone would see her like this, and just hoping that he would walk away quickly.
But after walking for a long time, Gu Xi felt something was wrong; this road was not the way back to Weiyang Palace.
"Aheng, where are you taking me?" Gu Xi asked, her voice soft as a cloud.
Xiao Heng paused slightly, feeling as if a feather had brushed against his heart, and a surge of heat instantly washed over him, causing him to quicken his pace.
He walked along the familiar palace path and soon entered the Qianqing Palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Greetings, Consort Gu!"
Zhao Fuquan and a group of palace servants were already there to greet them.
Gu Xi was startled. Why had he brought her here? Was he going to make her stay here tonight?
But this is the emperor's palace. How can a concubine stay here overnight? This is against etiquette. If people find out, it will definitely cause controversy.
She said somewhat urgently, "Aheng, I can't stay here, I need to go back to Weiyang..."
"If I say it's permissible, who dares to utter a single word of dissent?" Xiao Heng interrupted her, speaking without even raising an eyebrow.
Gu Xi wanted to say something, but she had already been led into the bedchamber. As soon as her feet touched the ground, several palace maids took her into the bathing room, and soon after, they put her on the bed in the bedchamber. Gu Xi had no room to resist and could only let them do as they pleased.
When Xiao Heng returned to his bedchamber, he saw her sitting restlessly on the bed. Her slightly upturned peach blossom eyes were extremely charming, yet they also revealed a hint of innocence, which made his throat tighten.
He sat on the edge of the bed, and with a forceful pull, he drew the person into his arms. Gu Xi, unprepared, bumped her head directly into his chest, causing a slight ache in her forehead.
Gu Xi raised her hand to rub her temples, looking at him with a wronged expression, only to hear him scold in a low, husky voice: "If you act up like this again next time, you and they will all be punished!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Xi instantly forgot her pain and quickly pleaded, "Please don't punish them..."
Her voice was soft and sticky as she spoke, her damp hair, which she had tousled, clung to her forehead, and her cheeks were slightly flushed from the rising steam. The fragrance emanating from her body wafted into his nostrils, making him unable to restrain his already burning desire any longer, and he instinctively pulled her down beneath him.
"If you won't punish them, then you will..."
He skillfully found her lips... his fingertips probed into that moistness... licking, sucking, grinding...
"Ah Heng, not there... ah..."
"Will you dare to be so disobedient next time?"
"Ugh... I won't do it again... Stop it..."
...
"Ugh...no more..."
He couldn't get enough of her.
The sounds that made one blush and their heart race echoed throughout the night inside the Qianqing Palace's sleeping quarters.
The next day, Gu Xi suddenly opened her eyes, but she didn't know what time it was.
She looked around and felt a pang of regret. She had actually stayed at the Qianqing Palace last night. What was she going to do?
She had to hurry back to Weiyang Palace; she couldn't let anyone find out.
Gu Xi hurriedly dressed herself and rushed out of the bedchamber, but when she passed the front hall, she bumped into Xiao Heng and the ministers who were discussing matters.
She awkwardly took two steps back, wanting to retreat, her hands gripping the hem of her skirt so tightly it was wrinkled, but they had already heard the sound and turned to look at her.
Xiao Heng stared intently at her, and the ministers stopped their presentations, looking at her with astonishment.
Gu Xi quickly composed herself, lowered her head, and walked towards the outside of the hall, trying to pretend she hadn't seen them. However, the eunuchs wouldn't let her have her way. When they saw her appear, they all bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Consort Gu!"
Gu Xi just wanted to disappear into the ground. She hurriedly walked out, taking such quick steps that she almost tripped and fell. She flailing her hands wildly to keep from falling.
Xiao Heng's heart tightened as he watched, and he reminded him, "Slow down."
The deep, gentle voice came from behind, which made Gu Xi feel hot all over. Her cheeks and ear tips turned red and burning. Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest, and her steps became even more unsteady.
She finally managed to leave the Qianqing Palace, but the constant gossip about her along the way made her feel utterly ashamed.
"Have you heard? The Emperor went on a tour last night..." a palace maid whispered.
"I didn't just hear about it, I saw it with my own eyes. The Emperor carried a woman all the way back to the Qianqing Palace..."
"A woman? Could it be Consort Gu, who accompanied you on the inspection tour?"
"It's hard to see clearly at night, but it must be her... And I also heard that she stayed at the Qianqing Palace last night..."
"Really?!" The palace maid exclaimed in shock and disbelief. "That's where the Emperor lives! I've never heard of any concubines staying in the Qianqing Palace..."
"Don't even mention you, none of the old nannies in the palace have ever seen one..."
"Could it be that since the imperial tour, Consort Gu is going to become the emperor's new favorite?"
Gu Xi lowered her head as low as she could, not daring to look them in the eye. She didn't know if she had been recognized. She wandered around the Imperial Garden several times before finally finding her way back to Weiyang Palace.
But as soon as she arrived at the entrance of Weiyang Palace, she saw Zhao Fuquan directing a group of palace servants to move her belongings out.
Zhao Fuquan also saw her and quickly bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Consort Gu!"
Gu Xi hurriedly asked, "Steward Zhao, what's wrong...?"
"Your Majesty, I am here on His Majesty's orders to move your usual belongings to the Qianqing Palace so that you may be more comfortable there in the future."
Gu Xi became even more anxious upon hearing this. Did he mean for her to live permanently in the Qianqing Palace? How could that be allowed!
"Steward Zhao, wait a moment. Go and tell the Emperor that I've gotten used to living here and don't want to move..."
Zhao Fuquan smiled, as if he had expected Gu Xi to say this: "His Majesty said that Weiyang Palace is still reserved for Consort Gu, and you can come back at any time."
Before they could finish speaking, the palace servants had already moved everything. Gu Xi watched their departing figures, feeling a sense of helplessness.
She turned and stepped into Weiyang Palace. She had only taken two steps when she heard Huayue's long-lost voice: "Your Majesty!" Zhuyin was standing beside her.
Hua Yue looked at Gu Xi with surprise, then rushed towards her, shook her arm vigorously, and complained, "Your Majesty, why did you take so long to come back? Hua Yue missed you so much!"
Gu Xi smiled and said, "I miss Hua Yue too."
Hua Yue looked around behind Gu Xi and asked in confusion, "Your Highness, where is Sister Cai Lian?"
Gu Xi's smile froze instantly.
Zhuyin lowered her head sadly, not daring to let Huayue see. Huayue had asked her about it after she returned last night, but she didn't dare to answer. Huayue thought that Cailian was with the young lady.
Looking at the innocent-looking Hua Yue, Gu Xi suddenly felt afraid to let her know this cruel truth. She suppressed her sadness and said, "His Majesty has been merciful and allowed Cai Lian to leave the palace ahead of schedule. She is reuniting with her mother right now."
Hua Yue's eyes lit up at the news: "Really? That's wonderful! Sister Cai Lian is looking forward to going back to take care of her mother!" Then she added with some regret, "It's a pity she won't be able to eat the pastries you brought me, Your Majesty. I even saved some for her!"
Zhu Yin was afraid that if Gu Xi listened any longer, it would upset her and affect her condition, so she quickly pulled Hua Yue away.
Gu Xi stood there for a long time before stepping into the bedchamber. She took out the handkerchief from her bosom and murmured, "Cailian, Your Majesty will take good care of your mother, don't worry."
After lunch, Gu Xi checked all the items in Weiyang Palace. Her daily necessities were still there, and she had made up her mind to continue living there.
As evening fell, Gu Xi was tending to her herbs in the flower garden when Zhao Fuquan suddenly arrived.
“Consort Gu,” Zhao Fuquan thought to himself, “soon I will no longer be Consort Gu. His Majesty is hosting a banquet tonight at the Qianqing Palace to reward those who have rendered meritorious service in defending the emperor. He has specially ordered this servant to fetch you there.”
Gu Xi's heart stirred slightly. Would her father and brother be included as well?
She changed her clothes and went with Zhuyin.
Zhao Fuquan led her through the rear gate of the Qianqing Palace into the banquet hall. As soon as she entered, she saw Xiao Heng already seated on the throne and instinctively called out, "Aheng..."
The entire banquet hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned to her, their gazes seeming to say, "Who dares to address the Emperor by his name!"
Gu Xi quickly covered her mouth, her face instantly turning red.
Oh no, I've gotten used to calling it that!
She murmured softly, "Your Majesty..."
After speaking, he lowered his head and was about to walk towards the seat at the end when he heard Xiao Heng's unyielding voice from the throne: "Come here."
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Author's note: I updated late today [laughing and crying emoji]
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