Chapter 61 Favored by the Empress (2) (Revised) "Do you think I'll let you run away..."
Gu Xi paused, looked around uncertainly, and when she looked up, she found his gaze fixed on her. It was clear that his words were directed at her.
She looked at him hesitantly, unsure whether she should step forward. This banquet was different from the last family dinner; she shouldn't be sitting next to him.
"Come here." Xiao Heng's voice rang out again, a few degrees deeper than before. His bright yellow robes represented the majesty of an emperor, which was not to be defied.
The entire hall was silent, and all eyes were fixed on her, making her feel like she was being pricked by thorns. Gu Xi gritted her teeth and walked towards the throne.
She sat down beside him, but dared not get too close. She sat up straight, looking incredibly reserved, as if afraid of being impolite.
Xiao Heng glanced down at her, then reached out and pulled her to his side, pressing her tightly against his shoulder. The gesture was intimate and natural, but Gu Xi's body stiffened, and she felt even more at a loss.
She glanced down and saw that no other concubines were attending the banquet. She couldn't imagine what they would say about her tomorrow, or how the Imperial Concubine and the other concubines would view her.
If one day his favor fades, how will she face it all alone?
The music began, but no one was in the mood to listen.
Their gazes kept drifting to the woman beside the emperor, for her beautiful eyes were truly captivating. Despite the two shallow scars across her face, anyone could see that the beauty beneath those scars was breathtaking.
Bai Xingzhi only glanced up at her when she appeared, then continued pouring wine into his glass while seated, as if the world's troubles were none of his concern.
He drank one glass after another.
Actually, he didn't like alcohol; he preferred tea. But today, the alcohol was just the right amount of spicy, enough to dispel the bitterness in his throat.
Xiao Heng glanced at the crowd indifferently, and those probing eyes all lowered their heads, not daring to look again, for fear of angering the emperor.
Gu Xi sat there absentmindedly. She secretly looked down but couldn't see her father and brother, and was immediately disappointed. She had something she wanted to ask them.
Her poisoning was related to the assassination attempt on the emperor, and the people who injured the emperor along the way were most likely the Empress Dowager's men. Does that mean that the poison was related to the Empress Dowager?
But Master has always despised members of the royal family, so how could he be involved with the Empress Dowager? Was Master forced into this?
But given his temperament, if he didn't want to, no one could force him...
That's why she didn't dare let Xiao Heng know.
She had to find a way to see her father. She always felt that there was a secret between her parents and her master, and maybe they knew something that could help her find her master.
She dared not let her parents know about her poisoning and heart attack. She had not forgotten how heartbroken they were when she almost died at the age of eight, and how her mother almost followed her in death.
If she could find her master, perhaps she could live a little longer. If not, she would ask him for a favor: to keep her death a secret so that they would think she was still alive and well in the palace.
Gu Xi was lost in thought when the words "Consort Gu... has served the Emperor well... and is now promoted to Consort Xi..." entered her ears intermittently, causing her to suddenly look up.
She stared blankly at the Ministry of Rites official holding the golden book in the hall, then looked at Xiao Heng beside her with a blank expression, as if she had not yet come to her senses.
It wasn't until the imperial envoy reminded her to accept the decree again that Gu Xi hurriedly got up, wanting to kneel down to express her gratitude. However, Xiao Heng suddenly grabbed her wrist and made her sit back down. Gu Xi looked up at him, confused. When their eyes met, the tenderness in his eyes almost drowned her.
Xiao Heng looked intently at her and said, "No need for formalities." His voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of indulgence.
Gu Xi, wait a little longer. I will make you my empress. That day will not be long.
That old scoundrel Xue Huaiyuan dared to threaten him; he'll make him pay the price sooner or later.
He wouldn't kill his mother and ninth brother. Now that Qin Jianshan's military power had been handed over to him, he no longer needed to be subservient to others. He wanted to show them how he would rule this country.
Today's so-called victory celebration banquet made everyone present realize what status the newly promoted Consort Xi held in the Emperor's heart; her prominence would likely soon surpass that of the current Imperial Consort.
The banquet ended, and the music and rituals gradually ceased.
Xiao Heng led her towards the back hall of the Qianqing Palace. After taking only a few steps, Zhao Fuquan came up to them and whispered something in his ear.
Gu Xi seized the opportunity to break free from his hand, lifted her skirt with one hand and pulled Zhu Yin with the other, and ran towards the outside of the palace.
She absolutely cannot stay here tonight!
Xiao Heng watched her hastily fleeing figure, a smirk playing on his lips, finding it all quite amusing.
He followed slowly behind her, and when she reached the gate of the Qianqing Palace, he stepped forward, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into his arms.
"Do you think I'd let you get away?"
Before she could even stand properly, Xiao Heng scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to her bedchamber step by step.
The more she struggled, the tighter his arms tightened, leaving Gu Xi on the verge of tears.
Then, just like the night before, she was put on the bed.
She looked at Xiao Heng hanging above her and suddenly remembered what he had done to her last night, her face instantly turning bright red.
"What came to mind? Hmm?" he asked in a low, husky voice, his eyes slightly raised.
Gu Xi felt increasingly shy under his gaze and quickly covered his eyes with her hands, trying to block his eyes from seeing her.
He took her hand away, stared at her delicate white fingers for a moment, and then suddenly put them in his mouth, one by one.
Gu Xi's mind went blank, and then it felt like he was burned by the heat. He tried desperately to pull his hand back, but the other person gripped it even tighter.
Xiao Heng glared at her angrily. Gu Xi blushed crimson at his actions. She bit her lower lip in embarrassment, her face so red it looked like it could bleed. She felt like she was burning up from head to toe.
Xiao Heng noticed her reaction and looked at her with a wicked expression.
He intertwined his fingers with her slippery little hand, and the girl beneath him was crying from his rough handling, even her fingertips were curling up.
......
"Do you still dare to run?" he asked in a hoarse voice in her ear, a hint of excitement rising within him as he saw her cry.
Gu Xi cried and said, "Waaah... I won't do it again..." He always bullies her in these kinds of situations.
......
That night, Gu Xi was bullied terribly.
The next day, she got up in her sleep.
So tired, so sleepy.
Just as she was about to get up, a warm arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a hug.
"It's my day off today, I'll sleep a little longer," Xiao Heng's lazy voice rang out.
Gu Xi glared at him irritably, but still struggled to get up. She was going to pay her respects to the Imperial Concubine today, and not going yesterday was already a breach of etiquette.
Fortunately, the Consort was kind and considerate, and because she had just returned to the palace, she specially sent someone to Weiyang Palace yesterday to say that she was exempt from paying her respects.
After changing her clothes and dressing, she led Zhuyin toward Xianfu Palace. Along the way, people bowed to her, and she then remembered that she had been promoted to Consort Xi.
What she didn't know was that the events at the banquet in the Qianqing Palace last night had already spread far and wide. Not only had Consort Gu been promoted to the rank of Consort after her trip, but her appearance had also changed. If it weren't for Zhu Yin beside her, they wouldn't have recognized her.
Who would have thought that the woman who was always ridiculed for her appearance was actually so beautiful that she could topple kingdoms? No wonder the emperor doted on her so much. They were all very curious about what had happened to her.
Gu Xi hurried to Xianfu Palace. She wasn't late, but everyone was already sitting there.
When she stepped into the main hall, the hall suddenly fell into a deathly silence. All eyes turned to her, some in shock, some in amazement, and some in jealousy. She didn't have time to distinguish them one by one.
Gu Xi lowered her eyes, ignoring the burning gazes. Just as she was about to bow, a hand with distinct knuckles suddenly grabbed her wrist, stopping her movement. Xiao Heng had appeared beside her at some point, followed by Zhao Fuquan's voice.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Everyone then realized what was happening and stood up to greet him. Xiao Heng, however, pulled Gu Xi and pressed her down to sit, while he sat down in the seat next to her.
Gu Xi was truly experiencing what it meant to be on pins and needles at this moment.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"No need for formalities," Xiao Heng said casually.
Consort Xue looked up and saw Gu Xi already seated. She was so angry she almost gritted her teeth, but she still tried her best to maintain a smile and sat down in the main seat.
She composed herself and said, "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the palace!"
Xiao Heng casually hummed in agreement, then grabbed Gu Xi's hand and pinched and examined it.
Why are these hands so small and soft?
Gu Xi tried to break free from him, but he gripped her even tighter, acting as if no one else was around. She was utterly helpless.
Consort Xue, no longer caring about the intimacy between the two, couldn't help but ask, "This is... Sister Xi? Why does she look so different?" This was also the question everyone present wanted to ask.
She had no idea that this was her true appearance. Had she kept her around to deal with Consort Wan? Was she raising a tiger only to cause trouble for herself?
Gu Xi was about to explain when she heard Xiao Heng say casually, "She was ill before, but she was treated by a master doctor after leaving the palace, which is how she regained her appearance."
Gu Xi was truly embarrassed by this excuse; it was a shame he had come up with such a lame reason for her.
Consort Xue's smile froze for a moment. No one present believed it, but since it was Xiao Heng who said it, no one dared to say anything more.
Then the Imperial Concubine added some flattering words: "I haven't yet congratulated you on your promotion to the rank of Imperial Concubine..."
After about half a cup of tea's time, Xiao Heng said impatiently, "I still have official duties to attend to, so I'll head back first." With that, he pulled Gu Xi up to leave.
Gu Xi jerked back slightly, but remained seated. The morning and evening greetings were not yet complete; it would be utterly impolite to leave like this.
He can leave, but she can't.
Xiao Heng stared at the dark circles under her eyes, his brows furrowing slightly: "Come back with me and rest some more." Last night, he had been too unrestrained and forgot that she had to abide by the rules of this palace.
"Your Majesty, please return first. I will go back as soon as this matter is over," Gu Xi said softly, her eyes pleading. She did not want to offend the Imperial Concubine.
Xiao Heng pursed his lips, grabbed her tightly, and said in a low voice, "Be good!"
Gu Xi sighed inwardly, fearing he might do something else that would anger everyone. She dared not meet the gazes of the crowd, and simply bowed her head to the Imperial Concubine, saying, "Your Highness, I must take my leave now. Tomorrow..."
Xiao Heng paused slightly, interrupting her: "From now on, Consort Xi will be exempt from the morning and evening greetings." Without waiting for the Consort's reply, he took Gu Xi's hand and strode out of the palace.
Gu Xixi staggered after him out of Xianfu Palace and onto the palanquin that led back to Qianqing Palace. She was really angry with him and didn't want to say a word to him the whole way.
How is she supposed to face the world after what he's done today?
She cherished his kindness towards her, but was unwilling to make a public spectacle of it and become the target of everyone's criticism.
She could feel his love, but she wasn't sure how long it would last, because they weren't an ordinary couple.
Outside the palace, he was her husband alone, and she could enjoy his favor without restraint. But after returning to the palace, she did not forget his status, nor did she forget herself. He was the king of this Great Sheng, and she was just one of his many concubines. He could never belong to her alone.
Her senior brother said she only had three years left to live, but she dared not gamble on whether the emperor's love could withstand three years.
She also hoped that he and she could stay together until old age like her parents, but she never dared to hope for it.
Because she understood that things in this world are never perfect, just like her, who would never be able to live her life completely.
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Author's note: Here I am! [cheering emoji]
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