Chapter 167: The Nobleman's Madness, Gambling with Each Other
Emperor Chengming brought Xiao Qinggu into Wanning Pavilion. After many years, she finally saw her mother who did not love her again.
The decoration of Wan Ning Pavilion is not much different from that of the past, but there is a faint smell of medicine. It seems that a lot of palace maids have been replaced, and they are all faces that Xiao Qinggu is not familiar with - or maybe she left the palace too early and too long ago, so she can't remember them clearly?
Concubine Yue was skinny and bony, sitting at the head of the bed in plain clothes, looking sick. The first time she saw Emperor Chengming, the corners of her drooping mouth instantly lifted up.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
She didn't notice Xiao Qinggu who was right next to Emperor Chengming, and her eyes were full of Emperor Chengming's figure.
Perhaps it was because she had been suffering so much physical pain over the years, but it was obvious that Concubine Yue was a little confused while she was talking.
Emperor Chengming smiled slightly and moved aside to let Concubine Yue see Xiao Qinggu, "Ayue, look, Gu'er is back."
"Gu'er..." Only then did Concubine Yue notice Xiao Qinggu.
Xiao Qinggu raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that was neither ugly nor pretty.
"mother......"
"Get out! Get out!"
Concubine Yue suddenly looked ferocious and stretched out her hand to strangle Xiao Qinggu's neck.
Xiao Qinggu was stunned, and Emperor Chengming reacted in time and pulled her back.
Eunuch Kang was horrified and quickly asked the palace maid to hold down Concubine Yue who had suddenly gone crazy.
Concubine Yue was restrained by the palace maid, and she was still struggling to attack Xiao Qinggu, staring at the stunned Xiao Qinggu with hatred.
"It's all because of you! It's all because of you! You're a disaster! You're a jinx!!"
Emperor Chengming frowned, with a hint of impatience between his brows. When he turned to look at Xiao Qinggu, his expression became gentle again.
"Your mother isn't feeling well today. Can we come back to see her tomorrow?"
Xiao Qinggu stared blankly at Concubine Yue, who had a white cloth stuffed in her mouth and could not speak. He did not react for a moment and did not respond to Emperor Chengming's words.
When Concubine Yue gave birth to her, Emperor Chengming, apart from ordering the construction of a princess's mansion and rewarding her with a host of servants and fiefdoms, rarely set foot in Wanning Pavilion. Over time, Concubine Yue's initial joy turned to resentment for Xiao Qinggu's female body.
Xiao Qinggu had just finished school when Concubine Ning found fault with Concubine Yue, finding fault with her. That day, Xiao Qingxu and Xiao Qingji were studying how to govern a country, but Xiao Qinggu, refusing to accept her own desires, insisted on learning about women's virtues and training. She argued with Baili Pu and was slapped on the palm of her hand.
When she returned to Wan Ning Pavilion, a palace maid suddenly grabbed her hair and dragged her around the long corridor three times in full view of everyone. With the exception of a few concubines who disliked the hustle and bustle, everyone in and around Wan Ning Pavilion saw her miserable state.
"......" Xiao Qinggu stared blankly at Yue Guiren's hateful eyes.
After being dragged around three times by her hair, Concubine Yue, perhaps feeling humiliated, took her to the room and slapped her several times, and also ordered that her meals for the entire day be withheld.
She was locked up in the simplest little room in Wan Ning Pavilion, not even having a few rays of light.
At that time, Xiao Qinggu felt very aggrieved and wanted to cry, but she couldn't shed a single tear. She hugged her small body and slept in the corner of the small room for who knows how long.
Finally, the smell of meat woke her up from her hungry dream.
When she opened her eyes, she saw that it was Xiao Tong who had secretly brought a food box to see her. Xiao Qinggu felt dizzy and weak, but she still stood up staggeringly and saluted.
Xiao Tong quickly asked her to sit down and opened the food box. "Gu'er, look, what delicious food did your aunt bring you? They're all your favorites!"
The food was very tempting, but Xiao Qinggu remained indifferent and shook his head.
If Concubine Yue found out that she had eaten what Xiao Tong gave her, she would only be beaten and kicked even harder.
Xiao Tong looked at her distressedly, "Don't be afraid, Gu'er can leave here after eating."
"?" Xiao Qinggu didn't understand what she meant.
Xiao Tong smiled at her gently.
"Yes...your father asked your aunt to come. Your father is a little busy and can't take care of you, so he asked your aunt to help Gu'er leave here."
"......" Little Xiao Qinggu finally regained some of his vitality, "Really?"
Xiao Tong's eyes flushed as he nodded, "Of course it's true. Without your father's permission, how could your aunt get in?"
Only then was Xiao Qinggu willing to finish all the food and couldn't help licking his greasy fingers.
After being discovered by Xiao Tong, he embarrassedly put his hands behind his back, looking a little timid.
"It's okay." Xiao Tong felt a lump in his throat and reached out to rub her head.
"mother......"
The word "mother" disappeared as soon as it came out of his mouth. Xiao Tong changed his words in time: "Your father and aunt will help Gu'er."
"From now on, you can come back whenever you want. If you don't want to come back, your father will have a way to let you live freely outside for the rest of your life."
"The Princess of Dayu no longer needs to sacrifice herself for the world."
Emperor Chengming took Xiao Qinggu out, and Xiao Qinggu looked back before leaving.
Concubine Yue's eyes seemed to want to tear her apart. It was not the look of a mother looking at her child at all. Even if they had not seen each other for many years, it should not be like this - it was clearly the look of looking at an enemy, or perhaps, the look of looking at the daughter of an enemy.
"Father."
Emperor Chengming turned around and asked, "Are you scared?"
Xiao Qinggu shook his head and said, "I have something to ask them. I will go to the imperial study later."
Emperor Chengming looked at her deeply and then nodded.
"Be careful, your mother has not been in good spirits these years."
Xiao Qinggu nodded obediently, "Yes."
After Emperor Chengming left, Xiao Qinggu casually called over a palace maid.
The maid bowed respectfully: "Your Highness."
Xiao Qinggu's face was completely devoid of the obedient look she had when facing Emperor Chengming. She glanced sideways and said, "Although this princess hasn't been back for many years, it's not like she hasn't done anything."
"Where are the medicines that I sent back to you over the years?"
Ever since she left the palace, Yue Guiren's health had been declining. Although she would recover in time later, she would fall ill again after a period of recuperation, as if someone was deliberately torturing her.
In the past two years, Yue Guiren has shown signs of madness.
The maid lowered her head and said, "Your Highness, the noble lady has already taken all the medicine. According to your instructions, the medicine has been handled by the Imperial Physician. They said there is no problem, but it has not been effective."
"...I see. Thank you for your hard work over the years."
Xiao Qinggu didn't ask any more questions and walked away.
The palace maids behind her raised their heads and stared at her back.
The palace maid who was instructed by Xiao Qing said, "Chun Shi."
"exist."
"Go and call His Highness into the palace."
"yes."
On the other side, Xiao Qinggu entered the imperial study, and Emperor Chengming was waiting for her in front of the chessboard.
"Are you here? Come and sit down."
Seeing that a white piece had already been placed on the chessboard, Xiao Qinggu took a deep breath and sat down opposite Emperor Chengming.
"Are you still a little scared?" Emperor Chengming looked at her with a smile and pushed the fruit plate aside towards Xiao Qinggu.
"Would you like to eat something before we start?"
Emperor Chengming now looks like a kind and easy-going father.
But Xiao Qinggu knew in his heart that all this was just an appearance, and the real power was still to come.
She couldn't refuse Emperor Chengming's kindness, but she didn't dare to eat either. She could only say politely, "Thank you for your kindness, Father. I just asked a few questions. With your protection, I'm not afraid of anything."
Emperor Chengming smiled and said, "How about chatting with father and playing chess?"
Xiao Qinggu nodded cautiously but expectantly.
"Please show mercy, Father."
Emperor Chengming laughed heartily, and his hearty laughter echoed in the imperial study.
Xiao Qinggu: “?” What are you laughing at?
He stopped laughing and said, "Gu'er."
Xiao Qinggu's spirit tensed up, "Yes!"
Her slightly nervous face was reflected in Emperor Chengming's eyes, and a sincere and gentle smile appeared on his lips.
"You've grown up."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
