"Is this the end of our relationship?"
Consort Rong smiled foolishly, looking at Gu Qingling, who was almost a carbon copy of Gu Heng, and said, "Tell me, is our relationship over?"
Gu Qingling revealed the same disgust she had shown when she faced Jiang Yu before. "I have already told you the reason for my father's anger. As for how to break this deadlock, that is none of my business."
"I have shared a ten-year bond with you and your son, but now that I am in trouble, does Your Highness intend to sever ties with me?"
Consort Rong's heart was bleeding. The child in front of her was someone she had given birth to with great difficulty, and now he wanted to sever ties with her.
"It was Consort Rong who committed the heinous act of deceiving the Emperor. What does it have to do with me?"
Gu Qingling revealed a harmless smile, "After all, I am the son of the Empress, the eldest legitimate son of the Great Qing Dynasty."
The next second, Gu Qingling saw a strange smile on Consort Rong's face. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, so she quickly left Lingxi Palace.
He was somewhat panicked.
Gu Heng recuperated in the Hall of Supreme Harmony for a full seven days before resuming morning court sessions.
Apart from Lingxi Palace remaining sealed off, the only change was that Gu Heng no longer stayed in other palaces, sticking to Zhaoning Palace like a leech.
[My good mood for the whole day was completely ruined by seeing Gu Heng.]
Countless rare treasures were carried into Zhaoning Palace, and Cen Hai's attitude towards Jiang Yu was several times more respectful than before.
"Your Majesty, I have no use for any of these things."
Jiang Yu spoke with a forced smile, but Gu Heng seemed not to hear her and nonchalantly checked Gu Qingyan's homework, while Gu Qingyan showed an expression of extreme pain.
If I had known this person would turn out like this after learning the truth, I wouldn't have encouraged my mother no matter what!
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Jiang Yu's face darkened even further. Were these two just bored out of their minds?
"Your son greets Your Majesty." Gu Qingling acted as if there had never been any discord between her and Jiang Yu, and even patted Gu Qingyan's shoulder affectionately. "I heard that my third brother's birthday is coming up soon. How does he plan to celebrate?"
Jiang Yu was so angry she laughed. She waved and summoned Granny Ling. A short while later, Granny Ling quietly left Zhaoning Palace.
......
Half an incense stick later, Consort An brought Gu Qingyao to Zhaoning Palace. At almost the same time, Consort Yi also arrived at Zhaoning Palace.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress."
[Since the goal is to create a lively atmosphere, I will make Zhaoning Palace even more lively.]
Jiang Yu immediately had everyone sit down, and then pretended to lightly scold Gu Qingyan, "Ayan, your uncle must be getting impatient at the Marquis's residence. You lost to your second brother in the last competition, so why don't you practice even harder?"
"Your son knows he was wrong. Your son will go to the Marquis's residence right now." Gu Qingyan let out a heavy sigh and left Zhaoning Palace with gratitude.
"Third Prince, what do you think His Majesty means by this? He's been coming to Zhaoning Palace for the past few days."
Gu Qingyan's face immediately turned extremely ugly. "Perhaps Father has other plans."
Inside Zhaoning Palace, Gu Heng was somewhat at a loss, but he still mustered the courage to inquire about Consort Yi's pregnancy.
“The sun is shining brightly today. Your Majesty accompanied Consort Yi for a walk. Pregnant women should take a walk.” Jiang Yu’s resistance was obvious. “I will stay here and talk with Consort An.”
[And Gu Qingling, she'd better disappear from my sight as soon as possible.]
Gu Heng and Gu Qingling left with livid faces, while Gu Qingyao silently sat down beside Consort An and remained in Zhaoning Palace.
After several blatant rejections, Gu Heng finally lost his temper.
Late at night, Gu Heng's sedan chair stopped outside Zhaoning Palace.
"Cen Hai, does this outfit suit me well?" Although it was only natural for the emperor to visit his empress, Gu Heng was extremely nervous.
"This servant noticed that the Third Prince's clothes are mostly black, so I suppose Your Majesty likes this color," Cen Hai said with a smile. How come the Emperor is still acting like a young boy when he's with the Empress?
Gu Heng waved to stop the servant who wanted to report, and walked directly into the inner room.
Inside the room, Jiang Yu, who had just taken a bath, was wearing a light purple nightgown, and Granny Ling was removing her hairpins and jewelry.
"Your Majesty's hair is the best I've ever seen." The wooden comb ran through Jiang Yu's hair, and Jiang Yu examined herself in the bronze mirror.
The fragrance of pear blossoms spread. In the past, all the concubines Gu Heng had seen who served him in bed wore hairpins and rings, had thick hair oil in their hair, and had thick makeup on their faces.
Therefore, when Gu Heng saw Jiang Yu like this, his blood instantly began to boil.
"Why has the Emperor come?" Jiang Yu immediately tightened her robes upon noticing Gu Heng, her eyes showing a hint of wariness.
[Could this person be so shameless as to stay overnight at Zhaoning Palace?]
Jiang Yu's nightgown covered her entire body, but her exposed neck appeared exceptionally white. Gu Heng swallowed hard. "I...I thought I'd come and see you."
Cen Hai kept giving Ling Mama winks, signaling her to leave, but Ling Mama stood motionless behind Jiang Yu.
"I am not feeling well and I am afraid I will be unable to serve Your Majesty until bedtime."
Jiang Yu's cold face brought Gu Heng to his senses, but his growing desire eventually overwhelmed his reason. Gu Heng picked Jiang Yu up and carried her to the bedside.
“Granny Ling, how can a servant stay here when it comes to the master’s business?” Granny Ling was forcibly dragged out by Cen Hai. The moment she was laid down on the bed, Jiang Yu reached under the pillow and touched the short blade.
"Ayu, please give me another chance."
Gu Heng looked at Jiang Yu with some eagerness. Even from close range, Gu Heng could clearly smell the fragrance on Jiang Yu's body.
He regretted it, regretted breaking his promise on their wedding night and leaving such a wonderful person for someone else.
"Gu Heng, you're talking to Consort Rong about being forever united, and then you come to Zhaoning Palace. Don't you find that ridiculous?"
Jiang Yu's voice already carried a hint of murderous intent, and Gu Heng snapped back to reality.
The woman before him, Jiang Yu, was no ordinary concubine; she was not only the Empress but also the apple of the eye of the Marquis of Dingyuan's family.
"It was I who lost my composure."
Gu Heng got up somewhat dazed, straightened his clothes, and then stepped out of Zhaoning Palace.
The moment Gu Heng stepped out of Zhaoning Palace, the murderous intent in the darkness gradually dissipated.
Gu Qingyan, in the side room, sheathed his longsword, which had already been drawn.
The hidden guards of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion withdrew the arrows that had already been drawn.
There was another group of people... who were so frightened that they barely managed to send a message to someone far away.
"Your Highness!" Granny Ling rushed into the inner room, and only after confirming that Jiang Yu was unharmed did she feel relieved. "I will go and severely punish the eunuchs who were guarding the gate today in a little while."
"It's alright, no one knew the Emperor would do this."
Jiang Yu gasped for breath; every contact she had with Gu Heng just now had made her feel utterly disgusted.
"Granny, prepare water, I want to take a bath."
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