Chapter 64 Was it kicked too hard? Has it truly become extinct?
It must have been the hard, rigid memorials in the Hall of Diligent Governance that bothered him.
Ji Qingwu took a breath and turned over to lie on her side.
Even after changing my position, there were still red marks on my wrist from being pinched, and my left ear still felt burning.
She opened her eyes and looked at the bed curtains outside.
Considering her actions today, she must have thoroughly angered Emperor Wusu. In her desperation, she even kicked him. Could she have hurt him?
From now on, it will truly become extinct...
She rubbed her forehead in frustration.
*
Li Yuzong was covered in sweat as he looked at the emperor who had appeared at Hongsheng Pavilion late at night.
He practiced swordsmanship in the hall with an icy expression.
The longsword was drawn from its sheath like a dragon's roar; the heavy sword gleamed with a cold light, its blade light like a surging tide, chilling to the bone.
At this time of day, Emperor Wusu would normally be handling state affairs in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Who would have thought that Miss Ji would actually force the emperor out of the hall?
However, no matter how angry the emperor was, he did not issue any decree of punishment, but instead came to the hall alone to vent his anger.
Li Yuzong knew that the emperor would only pick up the Crimson Sky Sword when he was in a bad mood.
He had no idea what had happened in the palace; just a moment ago, the two of them were sitting together on the dragon throne, their posture intimate.
Not long after, Emperor Wusu, his face as cold as a deep pool, pushed open the vermilion gate and strode out of the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Having just gained the emperor's favor, he could still incur his wrath.
This Miss Ji... she's someone who always puts her life on the line.
The violent sword energy carried the force of a thunderbolt, causing the sword post to tremble violently before shattering into pieces, exploding into a pile of fragments.
After using this sword move, Emperor Wusu felt much better, and his furrowed brows relaxed.
He casually tossed the precious Crimson Sky Sword behind him.
Li Yuzong quickly caught the emperor and hurried behind him, saying, "Your Majesty, Master Liaoran from Hanshan Temple has come to see you and has been waiting for a long time."
Upon hearing this, he paused, raising his long eyebrows.
"Please ask Master Liaoran to go back first. Tell him that I already know the purpose of his visit, and I will personally visit Hanshan Temple another day."
When Emperor Wusu was still the General Who Pacifies the North, he had a very good personal relationship with Master Liaoran.
However, this master was elusive and had been traveling for several years. The two had not seen each other for a long time, but Emperor Wusu declined this rare opportunity to meet.
Just as they stepped out of Hongsheng Pavilion, they encountered Consort Wei, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe.
Li Yuzong quickly lowered his head and stepped aside. Consort Wei was stunningly beautiful and had an older brother, Wei Ting, who had achieved numerous military exploits. She was the most popular woman in the harem.
However, these days, the emperor has been deliberately neglecting her.
Wei Liru smiled with delight, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, and her voice as melodious as a nightingale's song.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Emperor Wusu stopped: "How did you get here?"
Consort Wei replied with a smile, "The weather is nice today, and I was just taking a stroll around the neighborhood when I had the good fortune to run into Your Majesty. Is it because we are destined to meet?"
According to the emperor's habit, he would still be reviewing memorials in the Hall of Diligent Governance at this hour, so her presence here did not seem to be intentional.
Wei Liru's lingering gaze remained fixed on Emperor Wusu's face.
She said softly, "Your Majesty has not visited my palace for many days. Would you like to come and sit for a while tonight?"
It wasn't just a few days; Emperor Wusu hadn't come back since the day Yuan Heng fell into the water.
Throughout the palace, everyone said that she, the favored concubine, had lost power.
Only Wei Liru knew that this was not the case.
All the palace regulations for Guanju Palace were fulfilled, and the things sent by the Imperial Household Department were all done with utmost care. She remained a concubine, and the emperor did not blame her.
She did not lose power, but she lost the emperor's trust.
Emperor Wusu's eyes were as cold as water: "No need." After saying that, he turned and left.
"emperor!"
Consort Wei called out to him from behind, her bright eyes filled with grievance, "Your Majesty, I was wrong. It was Li Ru's oversight that Your Highness fell into the water, but Yuan Heng is not seriously injured. Aren't you being too harsh on me?"
Emperor Wusu did not turn to look at her, and said coldly, "You did not fail to supervise, you allowed Consort Luo to carry out this act of plotting against the imperial heir."
Wei Liru clenched her handkerchief tightly; it turned out that the Emperor had long been aware of her role in all of this.
"I originally intended to grant you the power to assist in managing the six palaces on the Empress Dowager's birthday, but you have disappointed me."
The word "disappointment" was even more painful for Wei Liru than losing the power to manage the six palaces that was within her grasp.
Born into a military family, she had always been proud and arrogant, but now, wanting to win back the emperor's favor, she could only lower herself in a humble manner.
"Consort Luo is arrogant and domineering. I only wanted to teach her a lesson, but I didn't expect that she would almost harm the young prince. I know I was wrong. Your Majesty, please give me another chance."
Emperor Wusu remained silent and was about to leave when Wei Liru rushed over, trying to hug his waist.
The moment she touched his waist, he grabbed her wrist and threw her against the cold palace wall.
Emperor Wusu glanced down at her, his tone flat and emotionless as he said, "My beloved concubine, would you also like to visit the Inner Palace?"
The Yeting was a place where concubines and palace maids who had made mistakes were imprisoned.
With tears welling in her eyes, Wei Liru said in a mournful voice, "I've only made this one mistake, can't Your Majesty forgive me?"
Emperor Wusu shook off her hand: "Send your empress back to the palace."
After saying that, he left without a second thought, ignoring her sobs behind him.
His heart was as hard as iron, and there was no way to persuade him.
The maid Bitao helped Consort Wei up and whispered, "Your Highness, please don't cry. Keep your voice down. If people from other palaces see this, they will surely look down on our Guanju Palace."
Wei Liru wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, gazing at the street corner where even the man's shadow was no longer visible.
"His Majesty is so cruel to me, it can't be just because of this," she said unwillingly. She guessed, "Has the one from Anhua Palace come out?"
Bitao shook her head: "I've never shown my face."
Wei Liru said, "Go and investigate who has been appearing around His Majesty recently."
Bitao, a maid she brought from home, was meticulous in her actions. She advised, "Your Majesty, if we go to investigate the Emperor's whereabouts at this time, he will only be angrier if he finds out."
Wei Liru nodded blankly.
"Yes, Bitao, you're right. I can't intervene anymore. I'll go back to the palace now and write a letter to my brother. He'll definitely help me out of this predicament."
Although Wei Ting is still in the Northern Army, he will surely find a way.
The next day.
As the drums and music began, the elaborate ritual of offering sacrifices to Heaven commenced.
At the ceremony, Emperor Wusu wore a black ceremonial robe embroidered with the twelve symbols of imperial authority, but his wrists were bare, and he wore nothing.
The Court of Imperial Sacrifices prepared tributes including chilled rice cakes, wine from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, jujube cakes, glutinous rice dumplings, and golden peaches. After the nine major rituals of the sacrifice were completed, the emperor bestowed the chilled rice cakes and glutinous rice dumplings upon his officials.
The more a family received, the more favored they were by the monarch.
This time it was strange; the Ji family didn't receive anything.
Madam Ji waited at home all day, but received no reward whatsoever.
When Madam Qiao arrived at Shou'an Hall, she saw the old lady looking worried and called out, "Mother."
Madam Ji, regaining her composure, said, "You've arrived. Please sit down. Did your family receive any rewards this year?"
Mr. Qiao nodded.
The Qiao family received cold rice cakes, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and sachets, just like in previous years, showing that the emperor's favor remained unchanged.
Madam Ji's face was furrowed, her lips drooping, as she pondered the reasons behind it all.
The Ji family must have done something to anger the Emperor recently, otherwise he wouldn't have acted so disregarding the Empress Dowager's feelings.
"I heard that Qingwu went to the palace yesterday? What happened?"
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