"cousin!"
Gu Yue looked excited and full of affection.
She threw away her reserve and threw herself into Xie Shi's arms.
"I thought you wouldn't come today." Her voice trembled with excitement.
Xie Shi hugged her tightly, "No one found out, right?"
Gu Yue shook her head repeatedly, "Don't worry, I've been very careful along the way and I'm sure no one will find out."
She looked at him, "Cousin, I miss you so much. Do you miss me?"
Xie Shi didn't say anything, just lowered his head and kissed her lips.
The two of them were entangled in each other's arms, rolling on the bed.
After finishing, Gu Yue used hot water to wash her whole body, making sure that no trace was left.
Xie Shi took a towel and wiped her body.
Young skin, smooth and tender, feels great.
He raised his eyebrows and smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
He asked softly, "Who's better, me or Zhao Erlang?"
"Why would my cousin stand up for that bastard? Even though he looks like a decent human being, he's nothing but a silver-plated spear. He's no match for my cousin's might and majesty."
After saying that, Gu Yue turned around and pressed tightly against Xie Shi's chest.
Xie Shi's heart was burning with anger, but he suppressed his inner desire and pushed her away. "No. If you stay in for too long, it will arouse the driver's suspicion."
Gu Yue bit her lip, "Cousin, when can we meet next time?"
Xie Shi raised his hand to wipe away the water droplets on her cheek, "Wait for my news, I will make the arrangements."
Gu Yue nodded heavily and hugged him again. "If it weren't for you, I would have died under Zhao Erlang's stick. In this life, my life is yours, you can take whatever you want. When you get married in the future, don't forget me, okay?"
Xie Shi placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her beautiful body.
He asked solemnly, "Will you marry me?"
Gu Yue was stunned for a moment, surprised, and incredulous. Then she shook her head repeatedly, "No, I can't implicate my cousin. I'm an ominous widow, you can't marry me. You should marry a lady from a well-known family who is of equal status."
Xie Shi laughed at himself, "With my current family background, how can I marry a lady from a noble family? Don't rush to decide on this matter. It won't be too late to reply to me after you leave Haixibo Mansion."
Gu Yue opened her mouth and asked, "Are you serious?"
Xie Shi asked back, "Do you need me to dig out my heart and show it to you?"
Gu Yue smiled sweetly, shook her head and said, "I believe you. But I'm unwilling to leave Haixibo's mansion like this. Zhao Erlang deserves to die, and so does Haixibo's wife."
Xie Shi said, "Zhao Erlang's death can be said to be an accident. The death of Lady Haixi may arouse suspicion. I still say that revenge does not necessarily require killing, and I don't want you to be involved in a lawsuit."
"Then what should I do? Am I supposed to just leave Haixibo's mansion and watch everyone in that room living in harmony?"
Xie Shi pinched her cheek and said, "I'll find a solution for you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Gu Yue laughed, "Cousin, you are so nice."
"Wait for my news. Don't act rashly, or all your efforts will be wasted."
Gu Yue nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, I've been very well behaved recently and haven't caused any trouble at all. I'll listen to you and do whatever you say."
"You're so good, I deserve a reward. It's a pity it's too late today. Next time, we'll have a day. Then I'll definitely reward you handsomely."
When Gu Yue heard the word "reward", she trembled all over with excitement.
She was so excited that her cheeks turned red like a cooked duck.
She couldn't help but urge, "Cousin, please arrange it quickly. I can't wait any longer."
"You can't wait! You really want more. Just bear with me for a moment. I'll arrange the next meeting as soon as possible."
Gu Yue nodded, dressed herself, and made sure there was nothing wrong with her body before leaving the room contentedly. She also bought some cotton cloth.
The waiter of the cloth shop was chatting with the driver about family matters. The driver was in high spirits and wanted to keep talking.
The driver was very disappointed when he saw Gu Yue coming out. He complained in his heart, why didn't they pick for a while longer.
"let's go."
Gu Yue called out to the coachman and got on the carriage.
The carriage started and wobbled towards the Haixi Marquis's Mansion.
The maid Grape huddled in the corner of the carriage, looking shocked and frightened.
Gu Yue looked at her like she was gouging her, "What are you afraid of?"
"Slave, slave..."
Grape looked timid and didn't dare to say what was in her heart.
Gu Yue's face darkened as he warned her, "Put away your expression. If anyone notices anything is wrong, I'll skin you alive."
The maid Grape quickly lowered her head and buried her face, not daring to show it to anyone.
The master and servant spoke in silence along the way.
After returning to Haixibo's mansion, Gu Yue first went to pay his respects to Haixibo's wife.
Mrs. Haixibo was indifferent to her. She neither cared about her nor criticized her.
Anyway, there are still a few months left. After one year is up, Gu Yue will return to the Gu Mansion with her dowry.
In the future, she will be someone else's daughter-in-law and will have nothing to do with the Haixi Marquis's Mansion.
Gu Yue just followed the rules and fulfilled her duties.
As for Mrs. Haixibo's attitude, she didn't care at all.
Good or bad, that's how it is.
After saving her face, she left the upper room and returned to her own courtyard, where she lived her simple life behind closed doors.
Grape was uneasy and when he served the tea, the tea spilled out.
I pricked my hand with the needle while sewing.
While making the bed, her knees hit the bedpost and she cried in pain.
Gu Yue couldn't bear to watch it anymore, so he waved his hand and sent the other servants out first.
She waved and called Grape over.
Bang!
A slap hit Grape hard on the face.
Grape was stunned.
Gu Yue asked her, "Are you calm?"
Bang!
Another slap, and the same question, "Are you calm?"
Grape burst into tears, nodded repeatedly, and knelt on the ground to kowtow, "This slave has calmed down. This slave will never dare to make a mistake again."
Gu Yue smiled softly and helped Grape up. "It's not scary to make mistakes. What's scary is making countless mistakes in a day."
Aren't you telling others that you have something hidden in your heart? Are you trying to kill me?
If I can't survive, I will definitely peel off your skin before I die, and kill all your parents, brothers and sisters. You know, I can do what I say."
Grape was trembling all over, scared.
She knelt down in front of Gu Yue again, "Young Madam, please spare my life. I know I was wrong, and I will definitely change. Please have mercy on me, Young Madam."
Gu Yue raised her chin and said, "You are the most useful maidservant by my side. I never hide anything from you. Do you know what this means?"
"It means that we, the master and the servant, will prosper together and suffer together. It also means that if you leave me, you will die. No one will want to serve a servant who betrays her master. Remember this?"
Grape nodded repeatedly, "I'll remember this."
"Remember to get up. Prepare some hot water. I need to wash up."
"As you command."
After preparing hot water, Grape helped Gu Yue wash up.
When she took off her clothes, she was shocked to see the marks on Gu Yue's back.
Gu Yue turned around and looked at her back in the mirror.
She smiled softly, bit her lip, and said coquettishly, "He's so fierce, he doesn't even know how to be gentle with women."
Grapes lower their voices, no louder than the buzzing of a mosquito.
"Madam, is this okay? It would be terrible if someone found out."
Gu Yue stepped into the bathtub and said softly, "As long as you don't say it, no one will know."
After a long silence, Grape asked the question in her mind, "There are many ways to thank my cousin, but why did the young lady use this method? Isn't this putting herself in danger?"
Gu Yue laughed at herself, "You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the rabbit. If I don't sacrifice myself, how can he help me wholeheartedly?"
"What will happen in the future? Do we have to maintain this relationship forever?"
"We'll talk about the future later."
After a pause, Gu Yue laughed, "What do you think if I marry him?"
Grape breathed a sigh of relief. "That's fine. I was just worried the Master and the Mistress wouldn't agree."
"I obey my father at home, and I obey myself when I marry. My master and mistress have no say in who I marry."
"That's good. I'm relieved."
Gu Yue shook her head, what a silly girl.
Do you really think she will marry Xie Shi?
Ever since Xie Mao died, the Xie family has fallen into decline.
The Xie family has nothing nowadays.
What can she get by marrying Xie Shi?
Imperial edict? No.
Money? No.
What's the point of her coming to a marriage that has no benefits?
Xie Shi relies on His Royal Highness the King of Chu, which is also a way.
But can I rely on the King of Chu for the rest of my life?
Gu Yue was lost in thought and only got up from the bucket when the water had already cooled down.
She lay in bed, tossing and turning.
She had to find a way to keep Xie Shi hanging and make him her pawn.
…
In the palace, Jiang Yan was also tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
A few days ago, she had her first fight with Li Zhaoyi and lost.
She had been ignored by His Majesty for several days. Even today, His Majesty had not summoned her to sleep with him.
She got up from the bed, walked to the window and opened it.
It's a cold night in early winter.
A slight chill wind blew in.
Jiang Yan suddenly had an idea and simply lay down on the couch facing the window, not afraid of the cold wind.
Before daybreak, as expected, she caught a cold and developed a high fever.
She dragged her sick body, closed the window, returned to the cold bed, and shivered.
By the time the palace maid discovered that she had a fever, she had already had it for quite some time.
"Oh no! Empress Shuyi has a fever. Go get the imperial physician."
"I also need to report to the Imperial Concubine."
The palace maids went their separate ways, some asked for the imperial physician, and some reported to Concubine Xue.
When Concubine Xue heard that Jiang Yan was seriously ill with a fever and a cough, she knew she was seriously ill. She raised her eyebrows and said, "It's almost the perfect time for her to be ill. Come, find an opportunity to tell His Majesty that Jiang Shuyi is seriously ill."
"As you command."
Jiang Yan had a fever and was unconscious, half asleep and half awake.
She knew that the imperial physician had come, that the palace maid was giving her medicine, and that Concubine Xue had come to visit her.
But she simply didn't have the strength to do it. Just opening her eyes was a huge effort.
Not to mention talking, shaking your head and other actions.
She felt a little regretful. She shouldn't have stayed out in the night wind for so long. She hoped she wouldn't get sick and die in the palace.
If she really died, then her death was really unjust.
It's like killing yourself.
She laughed at herself, trying to laugh at herself, but couldn't.
My whole body was numb, my cheeks were stiff, and my whole body felt tight and uncomfortable.
I feel drowsy and don’t know what day it is.
When she regained consciousness, she saw a familiar figure through the slits of her eyes, the emperor.
His Majesty came to visit her, and she cried for joy.
Her efforts were not in vain. His Majesty's visit to her meant that His Majesty had not given up on her. She had not fallen out of favor.
After confirming that her method was effective, Jiang Yan's condition improved rapidly.
After a few days, she had fully recovered, only a little thinner, but she looked even more beautiful and charming.
Concubine Xue smiled and said, "You can be considered to have turned a disaster into a blessing. His Majesty was very happy when he learned that you had recovered from your illness. He asked you to sleep with him tonight."
Jiang Yan was extremely surprised, "Your Majesty, are you really summoning me to sleep with you?"
"Of course it's true. Go down and prepare, and be sure to serve His Majesty well."
"Then, what about Li Zhaoyi?" Jiang Yan asked uncertainly.
Concubine Xue smiled contemptuously, "Don't worry about Li Zhaoyi, just serve His Majesty well."
"I understand. I'll go down and prepare right away."
…
Prince Ning brought Liu Zhao into the palace to meet the emperor.
He treated Liu Zhao as a talisman, hoping that the emperor would show mercy to him for the sake of his grandson Liu Zhao.
Recently, many imperial censors have had nothing to do and have been specifically looking for Prince Ning to impeach.
Prince Ning has a bad history, so impeaching him is politically correct. There's no need to worry about anything going wrong.
As a result, Liu Zhao's amulet was completely useless.
When the emperor saw Prince Ning, he was furious.
This time he didn't use his hands, he used a whip.
He picked up the whip and whipped Prince Ning.
Prince Ning was no simple man. Seeing the emperor's whip coming, he ran away. He ran around the hall and even ran to the edge of the dragon throne.
"Rebellious son, stop right there."
"Father, please promise not to hit me. I will stop."
"Rebellious son, you dare to negotiate terms with me? I must destroy you today."
The father and son started a new round of chase.
Liu Zhao stood in the corner, pinching his nose, not understanding what the fun was in this.
If the emperor really wanted to deal with Prince Ning, he would just give an order and the guards outside the door would rush in, catch Prince Ning in a few moves, and beat him half to death.
But the emperor refused to do so. He insisted on whipping Prince Ning himself. He was so tired that he was out of breath and didn't even hit him with a single whip.
This is a special hobby!
Liu Zhao could only use this reason to explain the scene before him.
It really refreshed my three views.
The emperor was tired of running, so he stopped running.
He gasped and pointed at Prince Ning, "Stand still."
How could Prince Ning possibly obey? He quietly retreated.
The emperor was furious and said, "Come here, capture Prince Ning. I will whip him myself."
The Lang guards had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. They rushed into the hall as quickly as possible, captured Prince Ning, and waited for his punishment.
The emperor walked down the steps and waved.
The guards pressed Prince Ning onto the bench.
The emperor swung the whip and hit Prince Ning's back, thighs, buttocks and other parts of his body.
"ah……"
Prince Ning screamed like a pig being slaughtered, "I'm going to die, I'm going to die. Old man, please be gentler."
"Unfilial son, I will beat you to death today."
As a result, the emperor only whipped him six or seven times before he ran out of strength.
The emperor refused to admit defeat, and even more so, he refused to admit defeat in front of others.
He threw the whip away and said, "Unfilial son, this is it for today. If you do it again, I will put you in the imperial prison and make you reflect on your mistakes."
Liu Zhao helped Prince Ning up.
Prince Ning rubbed his back, which was painful from being beaten. "Old man, you are so old but still so strong. I was almost beaten to death by you. Next time, don't put me in the imperial prison. Send me directly to guard the imperial mausoleum."
The emperor laughed in anger, "You are so beautiful. You just want to eat and drink in the imperial mausoleum, hug women left and right, and live a carefree and happy life. Do you think I am stupid?"
Prince Ning sat down on the ground and then jumped up again.
pain!
The emperor was amused.
The emperor was in a gloomy mood because of his sore, numb and trembling hands.
He was also a bit more proud of Prince Ning's humor.
He is still going strong.
Look, after a few whips from him, Prince Ning couldn't even sit down.
If this happened in summer, Prince Ning would have been beaten to a pulp.
As soon as the emperor was in a good mood, he turned a blind eye to Prince Ning's affairs, making a lot of noise but doing little, and finally let him go.
The emperor warned King Ning a few more times and then kicked him out.
Liu Zhao helped Prince Ning out of Xingqing Palace and asked, "Why bother?"
Prince Ning smiled contemptuously, "You are still too young to understand."
After a moment's silence, King Ning asked him again, "Did you see it?"
Liu Zhao nodded.
The emperor's hands were shaking so violently that it was hard to ignore them.
Prince Ning said, "It's not easy to appease an old man. But finding the pulse is actually very simple.
The old man's biggest fear now is getting old. He refuses to accept his age, you know? I sang and wrote well today, so I'll coax him and see how happy he is.
You need to learn to be more polite and not have such a stern face all day. This king can be shameless, so as his son, you should be even more shameless.
Liu Zhao asked, "Father, do you mean that when you are old, I will use a similar method to comfort you?"
Prince Ning was so angry that he jumped up and down, "Unfilial son! How dare you fool me? I will peel off your skin."
"Before the father skins his son, the royal grandfather will skin you first."
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