Chapter 91 Gu Huizhou is jealous and vies for favor: What does it matter if it's a brothel's trick? As long as Yao Ruyi likes him, what can't he learn?
Cui Xiangzhu couldn't understand what the problem was, why His Majesty looked so displeased.
Inside the Imperial Study, Gu Huizhou's face was gloomy. Thirteen, touching his nose, sauntered out of the Imperial Study. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Cui Xiangzhu looking anxious and helpless. Cui Xiangzhu stopped him, "Hey! Thirteen, come, come, this way!"
Thirteen raised an eyebrow. He followed Cui Xiangzhu away, getting further and further away from the Imperial Study. The two stopped as they stepped onto the corridor. "What does Eunuch Cui mean by this?"
Despite the sweltering summer heat, Cui Xiangzhu was sweating profusely, and even the whisk in his hand seemed to be tangling.
Cui Xiangzhu glanced at the imperial study over there, then looked at the eunuchs not far away. "Thirteenth Master, this old servant has noticed that His Majesty is in a bad mood since the end of court. Just now, you came to see His Majesty again. Is there any movement from Xiao Kingdom?"
"His Majesty looks so angry, this old servant is getting anxious too!"
Thirteen almost burst out laughing upon hearing this. He exhaled and turned to look at the closed door of the Imperial Study. It was the height of summer, a time when people are most prone to feeling irritable and restless. He spoke slowly, chuckling at Cui Xiangzhu's motherly demeanor, "It's all because of Little Nineteen."
The 19th National Congress?
No, now we should address him as Minister.
Hearing that it wasn't about the Xiao Kingdom, Cui Xiangzhu breathed a sigh of relief, but then frowned again, "Has the Minister been angry with His Majesty again?"
Thirteen paused upon hearing this, and from Cui Xiangzhu's words, it seemed that their little Nineteen was always angry with His Majesty. "No, not at all."
"What... what's wrong then?"
At this point, Thirteen became cautious. He pulled Cui Xiangzhu away and asked, "Do you know about the trip to Jiangnan that I went with Nineteen a few years ago?"
“This…this old servant has some recollection. Back then, there was a cunning merchant in Jiangnan who recklessly profited from the national crisis.”
Thirteen nodded. "Yes, homosexuality is prevalent in Jiangzhou City. At that time, a young master from Jiangnan took a fancy to Nineteen, and His Majesty also knew about it."
Cui Xiangzhu sensed something was wrong. He glanced at the imperial study and asked, "Could it be related to that young master?"
"Young Master Qiao went to the capital to do business a few days ago and ran into Nineteen on the street. The two were chatting and started talking again." Thirteen said with a smile in his heart. It seemed that their emperor had just had a quarrel with Nineteen a few days ago for some reason. Now he couldn't even bring himself to stop him from leaving the palace.
"What should we do?!" Cui Xiangzhu was at his wits' end. "Just now, this old servant heard that the Minister went to Lord Xu's residence again."
They said they were going to see Lord Xu, but who knows who they would meet with?
"Why bother, Eunuch Cui?"
Thirteen, don't be in a hurry. Does His Majesty think he can let someone escape?
"How can we not be anxious! Sir, you really are!" Cui Xiangzhu slapped his thigh in frustration.
"Well, Eunuch Cui is in a hurry, I'll go take care of my business first."
"Alright, alright then. You may go ahead and attend to your business, my lord." Cui Xiangzhu spun around in place as he watched the thirteenth prince's retreating figure. He then hurried back to the entrance of the imperial study, his eyes darting around as he tried to figure out how to bring the prince back to his lord.
The Xu residence.
Xu Yi had served as Minister for a year and had saved enough money to get married. Now that he was over thirty, most of the officials in the court with daughters wanted to introduce their daughters to Xu Yi so that they could become his wife.
They had all heard that this Lord Xu was of good character and incorruptible, a person worthy of entrusting one's life to.
But Xu Yi was no longer in a hurry. When he was poor, he was anxious to save money to get married, but now that he had everything he needed, he was thinking about finding a woman he truly loved.
Xu Yi had just seen off a matchmaker and returned to the main hall, rubbing his nose. Yao Ruyi was engrossed in reading a book.
"Aren't you in a hurry to return to the palace?" He remembered that His Majesty kept a very close watch on people.
Yao Ruyi looked up when he heard this. He hummed twice and sat up straight. He leisurely picked up a plate of pastries from the table and started eating. They had just bought them from a brothel on their way back from court. They were still warm. "What's the rush? It's not time to eat yet."
"I'd like to stay at the mansion for a meal."
Xu Yi was speechless for a moment, "You're probably hiding from His Majesty, you've been eating at my residence for several days now."
Yao Ruyi's eyes darted around, "How could this be?"
Xu Yi found his appearance amusing and his earlier irritation disappeared. He also started eating green tea pastries with him. "Why don't you tell me? Otherwise, it's not good for you to keep avoiding His Majesty all day. The Ministry of Personnel doesn't have that many things to do."
"Of course there is," Yao Ruyi muttered.
But it's good to talk to Xu Yi, since he went to Jiangnan anyway.
Letting out a long breath, Mushroom snorted coldly, "Do you remember Qiao Yu?"
"Qiao Yu?"
"Yes, the young master of the Qiao family in Jiangzhou City."
Upon hearing "Jiangzhou City," Xu Yi immediately remembered, "I do recall. Back then, it was thanks to that incident involving his family that the Deng family's rice shop was abandoned by the people so quickly. What does it have to do with him?"
“A few days ago, he came to the capital to do business. It just so happened that he saw me on the street when I returned to the mansion with you. He came up and said a few words to me when I returned to the palace. Qiao Yu also knows that I have no feelings for him. We are just friends.” Yao Ruyi felt wronged as he spoke. He hadn’t done anything, but Gu Huizhou took this opportunity to bully him.
Xu Yi asked with a smile, "Has His Majesty found out?"
Yao Ruyi puffed up her cheeks and ate the whole green tea pastry in one bite, "Mmm."
There's no need for Yao Ruyi to explain the rest. Xu Yi has been by the emperor's side for so long, how could he not know what kind of person His Majesty is? Back then, in order not to take concubines, he even talked about abdicating after his death in court, which almost made Lord Xue faint with anger.
"Why don't you just explain it to His Majesty?"
Yao Ruyi sat up straight immediately, her anger growing.
Why didn't he say anything? But Gu Huizhou didn't even give him a chance to explain. He pulled out a few storybooks from somewhere, the kind that would make anyone blush just by looking at them, and pestered him to try out all the positions in them. Yao Ruyi didn't get to sleep until dawn.
I wish I could just stand up and fall asleep during the morning court session.
He would have fallen if Lord Li hadn't caught him.
Xu Yi gave an awkward smile, but he remained silent.
"Alright then, stay here. But if His Majesty sends someone to find you, don't linger here." Xu Yi said awkwardly, afraid that His Majesty would burn his house down.
She pouted and said, "Oh, okay."
After finishing his sentence, Yao Ruyi lay back down on the recliner and continued reading. Qiao Yu was leaving Beijing that evening, and he had to see her off. He and Qiao Yu got along quite well, and he couldn't just kill her over something like this.
Besides, Qiao Yu didn't do anything.
Xu Yi waited anxiously until evening. As dusk approached, he saw Yao Ruyi finally preparing to leave, and his heart leaped with joy. "Are you going back to the palace?"
Mushroom shook her head, "Qiao Yu is going back to Jiangnan, I'll go see her off."
Xu Yi's smile vanished instantly. He swallowed hard and quickly added, "I'll go with you. It's rare for Young Master Qiao to come to the capital."
"Alright."
Yao Ruyi had wanted to treat Qiao Yu to a good meal at a restaurant a few days ago. Qiao Yu had done his best to be a good host in Jiangzhou City, but it was already late then, so they decided to do it today.
"Are you all done with your work?"
Qiao Yu has shed his naivety in the past two years. He has been doing business with his older brother for two years and has gradually developed some connections with the Siyun Chamber of Commerce. His voice sounds much more robust now. "Yes, everything is going smoothly."
Two years had passed since they last met, and seeing Yao Ruyi still stirred a feeling in his heart. However, he was not as eager as he had been two years ago. Qiao Yu smiled gently at Yao Ruyi and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Ruyi. If you ever come to Jiangzhou, you must come and find me. Jiangzhou City has become more and more fun in recent years."
"nature."
The two chatted happily until nightfall before leaving the restaurant.
The group chatted as they walked toward the city gate. As they approached, Qiao Yu stopped and said, "Thank you both for seeing me off."
Qiao Yu gave the person opposite him a deep look. Yao Ruyi was wearing a light yellow brocade robe, and his hair ornament gleamed silver in the night. A white jade hairpin held his black hair up tightly, and everything about him was precious. He had a smile on his lips, just as spirited as he had been in Jiangzhou City. "Ruyi, farewell."
"all the best."
Thank you.
The three bid farewell, and Xu Yi breathed a sigh of relief. After the two turned and walked a few steps, he had a gut feeling that there must be His Majesty's people nearby, so he couldn't help but say loudly, "I have a deep friendship with Brother Qiao, and I am deeply saddened by Brother Qiao's departure from the capital."
Yao Ruyi turned her head and said, "You two have only just met today."
Enraged, Xu Yi felt a surge of anger welling up inside him. He glared at her and looked down, saying, "Wasn't I just trying to help you?!"
Yao Ruyi accepted the favor, but why should he feel guilty? "I didn't do anything wrong."
That's what he said, but... Xu Yi was exasperated. Qiao Yu had already left the capital; this matter could be easily resolved with a few kind words. Why bother getting angry with His Majesty?
Xu Yi wanted to speak with Yao Ruyi some more, but before he could open his mouth, he saw someone walking towards him. He immediately fell silent. Seeing that no one was around, Xu Yi quickly knelt down and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
Gu Huizhou secretly left the palace again.
Yao Ruyi glared at her, looking at her with an air of "What are you doing here?"
Xu Yi's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He had known about their relationship for two or three years, but he still found it hard to believe every time he heard his brother and the emperor speak like this.
Out of the corner of his eye, Xu Yi saw the emperor waving to him. He breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Your subject takes his leave." Then he turned around and strode away, as if he wanted to run.
Yao Ruyi kept a straight face, and he didn't speak when Gu Huizhou didn't speak.
Gu Huizhou frowned as he looked at the person in front of him. He frowned for a long time and said, "How long do you intend to hide from me, Minister?" This person did not even return to Yun Palace last night.
Despite claiming she had nothing to hide, it was true she was avoiding him. Yao Ruyi's eyes darted around. "I wasn't avoiding him. There was some urgent business at the Ministry of Personnel last night..."
"Urgent matter?" Gu Huizhou sneered. "How could I not know that Your Excellency had any urgent matter last night?"
Yao Ruyi was speechless for a moment.
Gu Huizhou stepped forward and grabbed Yao Ruyi's hand. "Yao Ruyi, don't hide from me." These words sounded like an order, but Yao Ruyi heard a hint of pleading in them, and he couldn't help but smile instantly.
"Really? When have I been avoiding you?"
Gu Huizhou was so angry that his teeth itched. He pulled Yao Ruyi into his arms with great force, his warm breath hitting Yao Ruyi's ear, making him tremble. "You still haven't avoided me? These past two days, apart from attending court, I haven't seen a trace of you, Your Excellency."
But what could he do with this person? He couldn't hit him, and he couldn't scold him.
"That's because you're being unreasonable." Yao Ruyi was now more confident. He raised his head slightly to confront Gu Huizhou. If Gu Huizhou hadn't treated him that night, he wouldn't have been avoiding him. The hard bed in the Ministry of Personnel wasn't as comfortable as the imperial bed.
"How am I being unreasonable?"
"Qiao Yu and I are just friends, why won't you listen to me... Ugh—" Yao Ruyi's eyes widened, at this moment Gu Huizhou still wouldn't listen to him!
After a long while, the man finally released him. Gu Huizhou was thinking about something when his eyes suddenly shifted, selectively ignoring Yao Ruyi's words. He immediately began to reflect on himself, "I was wrong. Immortal Lord, please give me another chance."
He didn't just admit his mistake; he clearly committed it despite knowing it!
"You—" Yao Ruyi was indignant, but just as he was about to continue arguing, he saw Gu Huizhou with his eyes downcast, looking sad and heartbroken. Noticing this, Yao Ruyi looked over cautiously and raised his head. His deep eyebrows and eyes looked pitiful in the moonlight. Gu Huizhou said softly, "My lord, I know I was wrong."
Seeing this, Yao Ruyi couldn't utter a word.
The anger in her heart dissipated in an instant, and Yao Ruyi couldn't help but soften her tone, "Well... it's enough that you know you were wrong, just correct it next time."
"Really?" Gu Huizhou's eyes lit up.
"really."
"What the Immortal Lord says, I will naturally believe." Gu Huizhou smiled brightly, stepped forward and put his arm around Yao Ruyi's waist, stroking her up and down with his hands, and led her back to the palace while saying nice things all the way.
Back at the Cloud Palace, they were served pastries and fine tea. The aroma of the tea spread throughout the courtyard, and even Cui Xiangzhu could smell it. The head eunuch was all smiles as he watched His Majesty bring them back. He kept telling Xiao Dezi that he would take them out for drinks when he had time.
Inside the palace, Yao Ruyi, having eaten and drunk his fill, lay on the bed stretching out. He hadn't slept well for two days, and the moment he lay down, he felt completely relaxed.
"Ruyi, do you miss me?" Gu Huizhou immediately came closer as soon as he saw her lie down.
"Don't we see each other every day?"
Gu Huizhou chuckled softly; that wasn't what he meant.
The moment the man's eyes flickered, Yao Ruyi immediately understood. He feigned displeasure and said, "I don't want to."
"Are you really not going to?" Gu Huizhou said, loosening his grip and lying on his side on the bed. He was dressed lightly in the summer, and his belt came undone with a slight rub, the fabric hanging loosely around his waist and chest area came undone.
The man had somehow acquired a chain and wore it around his neck as a necklace. It was adorned with what appeared to be gemstones favored by people from the grasslands, which shone brilliantly in the flickering candlelight. There were about a dozen small diamonds hanging on the chain, which was attached to the man's chest.
Yan Ruyi couldn't take her eyes off him.
Gu Huizhou asked again, "Are you really not willing?"
As the man moved, the chain moved again, making the pink skin appear even pinker and the muscles on his chest even more defined.
"It's not that I don't want to at all." Yao Ruyi pursed her lips and couldn't help but smile.
"That's good, Your Excellency, please take a good look again." Gu Huizhou reached out and pulled Yao Ruyi's hand to his chest. "I haven't seen you for the past few days, and my chest feels uncomfortable."
Yao Ruyi was so bewitched by his words that he didn't even know when his robe had ended up on a shelf or when the gemstone necklace had appeared around his neck. He didn't remember anything else. He only remembered that he seemed to have touched a storybook when the candle was blown out.
In his daze, he was still thinking that Gu Huizhou had taken all the books he had looked for a few days ago, so where did this one come from?
Gu Huizhou noticed it too. He silently pushed the book away, then lay down on the bed with the person who had just washed up in his arms, saying, "I'll hold you while we sleep."
Distracted by him, Yao Ruyi forgot about the book and, half asleep, replied, "Okay."
The moonlight shone halfway into the palace, illuminating the smile in Gu Huizhou's eyes in the dim light. He held her in his arms with one hand, and tiny figures fell one by one beside Yao Ruyi's ear. Recalling the tricks from the book just now, the emperor wore a smug expression.
He quietly put the book into the box, turned around, hugged Yao Ruyi again, closed his eyes, buried his head in the side of her neck, took a deep breath, and had a satisfied smile on his lips.
What does it matter what tricks a brothel uses? As long as Yao Ruyi likes him, what is there that he can't learn?
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Inside the brothel, the two sat facing each other.
Twelve smiled smugly and pushed the wine toward Ruoruo: "Thank you, Ruoruo."
The young male prostitute blushed and said, "It's just a storybook. We have plenty of those in our brothel. Young Master Tingqin, there's no need to be so polite."
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