Consort Shu stared in astonishment at Xiao Dingyuan.
She swallowed hard. "Your Majesty...? Why are you here? Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I did not bully Consort Gu."
Xiao Dingyuan ignored her.
Xiao Dingyuan had always doted on her and never even gave her a cold look, but today, she saw disappointment in His Majesty's eyes.
He walked straight to Gu Jiangli, who was kneeling on the ground, and gently and carefully helped her up.
His eyes showed deep heartache.
Gu Jiangli's eyes were red and her face was covered in tears.
"Your Majesty, when did you arrive? Please don't misunderstand the Imperial Concubine. She didn't make things difficult for me. It was I who felt I had wronged her and that's why I apologized to her..."
Taking all the blame upon yourself first will elicit the man's sympathy.
This trick has never failed.
As expected, Gu Jiangli's words were poignant and touching, and Xiao Dingyuan's heartache deepened.
"You're just too kind. If Consort Shu hadn't been deliberately making things difficult for you, why would she have made you kneel on this cold floor for so long?!"
Xiao Dingyuan's tone became much harsher.
He then immediately questioned Consort Shu:
"Consort Shu, why are you making things difficult for her? Consort Gu is already so remorseful, why do you still want to make things difficult for her!"
Consort Shu immediately explained to Xiao Dingyuan, "Your Majesty! You have truly misunderstood me! Consort Gu is not what you see; her gentle and tender demeanor is all an act!"
Consort Shu glared fiercely at Gu Jiangli, wishing she could tear off her mask directly.
But her appearance only made Xiao Dingyuan more disgusted.
"Consort Shu, I heard everything clearly outside the door. Consort Gu kept saying that she was at fault, but you were harsh and critical, which was completely different from your usual dignified and generous demeanor."
"You say that Consort Gu's gentleness is fake, but what I see in Consort Shu is that your poise and generosity are fake!"
Consort Shu trembled and could only stand by holding onto the chair next to her.
She was in a state of utter confusion.
In front of Gu Jiangli, she even forgot the pretense she used to put on in front of the Emperor!
She had forgotten that His Majesty preferred sensible and unassuming women.
But her current ferocious and deranged state is exactly what His Majesty hates most.
Consort Shu glanced around in a panic, and when she looked at Gu Jiangli, she saw the smug look in her eyes.
It's all her fault!
It's all her fault for not controlling her emotions!
It's her problem!
Thinking of this, Consort Shu forcibly suppressed the anger in her heart.
In an instant, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Your Majesty!" she cried, "I couldn't control myself. Don't you understand why? Have you forgotten how this Consort Gu hurt me back then?"
"If it weren't for her, how could I have miscarried?"
"If it weren't for her, I could have given birth to your child."
"Your Majesty, how can I remain unmoved and treat this woman, who caused me to lose my beloved son, with kindness?!"
"What did I do wrong? Just because I raised my voice at her, does that make me a rude shrew in your eyes?"
Consort Shu covered her chest with one hand, tears streaming down her face.
Xiao Dingyuan was momentarily dazed.
Gu Jiangli watched the performance, blinked twice, and thought to herself: Wow, their skill level is quite high.
But what good is a high rank?
Back then, her debut TV series was a role as a scheming and malicious supporting character, and she became an instant hit with this role.
It's fair to say that this kind of performance is a piece of cake for them.
She knew that Xiao Dingyuan was silent because he thought Consort Shu's words made sense.
That feeling of guilt and pity was nagging at him again.
What she needs to do is first shatter this "guilt and pity".
Gu Jiangli's tears were no less than those of Consort Shu.
She spoke sadly, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, please don't let me cause any unpleasantness."
"Your Majesty, I know I have made a mistake and am not worthy of Your Highness's respectful treatment. I will not tempt Your Majesty again. I will return to Yilan Palace immediately and, as I have done for the past two years, reflect on my actions day and night and pray for your well-being."
Gu Jiangli gave a slight bow, stood up unsteadily, and made it look like she was about to leave immediately.
But at this moment, Xiao Dingyuan reached out and grabbed her arm.
"etc."
Xiao Dingyuan's gaze was long and deep, filled with heartache.
Whenever Gu Jiangli mentioned "the past two years," he would recall the miserable days she endured while imprisoned in Yilan Palace.
They were starving, poorly clothed, and without anyone to care for them. They were so bored that they could only look at the sun and moon to brighten their days.
He couldn't bear to see her hurt and aggrieved expression.
Gu Jiangli has suffered enough!
"Your Majesty?" Gu Jiangli asked cautiously, her eyes filled with tears.
Xiao Dingyuan gently wiped away the tears on her face.
This action intensified Consort Shu's hatred.
"Your Majesty! It seems you have truly forgotten that child completely? He didn't even come into this world to call you 'Father'!"
Xiao Dingyuan had completely lost his former tenderness.
"Enough! Consort Shu!"
Xiao Dingyuan roared, and both of them instinctively shrank back.
Xiao Dingyuan continued, "You have indeed lost a child, but didn't Consort Gu also lose two years of freedom?"
"What's done is done. Do you think tormenting Gu Cairen will bring your child back?"
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