The emperor was puzzled: "You believe what he said? You really believe that he sneaked into your room to perform a ritual to protect you?"
Gu Jiangli smiled gently: "Your Majesty, who can truly understand matters of the heavens?"
"In this palace, isn't Master Liu the only one who can read the heavens and know the will of Heaven? Besides, have you forgotten that two years ago, after he performed the ritual, Consort Shu became pregnant?"
"Two years later, he also said that I am a celestial being destined to give birth, and that I may conceive Your Majesty's child in the near future."
"Doesn't Your Majesty also believe that I am the celestial being who gave birth to you? Therefore, I also believe that everything Master Liu said today is true."
“His actions and words were consistent, all for the sake of Your Majesty’s offspring. Therefore, I believe that he has no intention of harming anyone.”
"Perhaps, His Majesty has misunderstood."
Gu Jiangli used every word she could to offer advice.
She had only one thought in her mind: Liu Bufan absolutely could not die.
This person knows far too much; such a bomb should be detonated when the time is right.
But now, it's clearly not the right time.
"Your Majesty, I know you are angry because I was injured and frightened, but I am really not in any danger."
"But Master Liu's injuries are much more serious. He also paid the price for entering my room without informing Your Majesty. Considering this, could Your Majesty spare Master Liu's life?"
The emperor listened attentively to every word without interruption, then gently stroked Gu Jiangli's head with his palm, his eyes filled with heartache.
"You are so sensible, so considerate of others, and so gentle and kind. What if you really encounter bad people one day and are misled by them?"
Gu Jiangli leaned against the emperor's arm, "Your Majesty is here for me. Even if bad people really appear around me, Your Majesty will definitely stand up for me, won't you?"
"Then I must stay by your side and protect you at all times."
Gu Jiangli smiled but didn't say anything.
She knew that the emperor had wavered.
Sure enough, after a short while, she heard the emperor speak again, his tone no longer as irritable as before.
"Since Consort Xian believes you are innocent, I will spare your life. However, I will revoke your right to freely enter and leave the inner palace. From now on, you may not enter the palace unless summoned."
In a panic, Liu Bufan hurriedly kowtowed.
Compared to life, what's the big deal about not being able to enter the palace?
"This humble Taoist accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty!"
"Take it out!"
Liu Bufan was dragged out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
He miraculously survived this ordeal, neither dying nor being punished.
Doubt and shock swirled in his mind.
On the one hand, he didn't understand why Gu Jiangli wanted to help him.
On the other hand, he was surprised that her few words had saved him from death.
It seems that Gu Jiangli has already gained unparalleled importance in the emperor's heart.
But then she thought, Gu Jiangli was helping herself by helping him.
If he were to confess that he had harbored ill intentions towards Gu Jiangli and had successfully entered her room, it would more or less make the emperor feel uneasy.
After all, what happened after entering the room was left for the emperor to ponder.
Liu Bufan stood in front of the palace gate, letting two guards untie him.
He touched his forehead.
What a pity...
Gu Jiangli is skilled in martial arts.
Otherwise, I could have gotten things done smoothly.
It's such a pity that such a beauty could only be enjoyed by the emperor alone...
Liu Bufan rubbed his forehead and walked out of the deep palace.
————
The Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Wen Deqing came in from outside and reported:
"Your Majesty, Consort Shu requests an audience."
The emperor then remembered that he had originally brought Consort Shu to Yilan Palace.
"I had forgotten about her. Let her in."
“Yes…and…” Wen Deqing stammered.
"what else?"
"Lord Shu Qingyu and Lord He are also requesting an audience outside the door."
The emperor's expression immediately turned much uglier.
Gu Jiangli had never heard of those officials' names, but it was probably not a good thing for them to come to the palace to see the Emperor so late at night.
The emperor looked displeased, seemingly in a bad mood, and said...
"Take those officials to the side hall, and then let Consort Shu in."
Wen Deqing accepted the order and pushed it down.
Then the emperor reluctantly stood up and said to Gu Jiangli:
"You can rest in the Hall of Mental Cultivation tonight. Don't be afraid of Consort Shu. She came to see you not to make things difficult for you, but to apologize. If you are tired, listen to her for a few minutes, and then let her go back to the Hall of Imperial Grace."
"Yes, Your Majesty, you are busy. I will take good care of myself."
As the emperor was leaving, he happened to brush past Consort Shu as she entered.
Consort Shu bowed to him, but the emperor merely nodded and did not stop for her.
Consort Shu's smile was about to fade, and once the emperor left, she dismissed the palace maids from the hall.
She was both anxious and annoyed. She hadn't expected that by the time she came back, the Emperor had already finished interrogating Liu Bufan, and she hadn't even seen a trace of him!
Seeing Gu Jiangli sitting on the soft couch, smiling at her, she felt even more angry.
"Gu Jiangli, it seems you've completely given up on acting, haven't you? You're even skipping the proper greetings when you see me?"
No matter what, she was still a Noble Consort, four ranks higher than Gu Jiangli!
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