Inside the Nine Stars Palace, Empress Dowager Guo sat on the throne, coldly watching the girl who was being pressed to the ground.
"Speak, whose man are you? Why are you trying to seduce the Emperor?"
Wen Ruyi stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
She had just gotten up this morning when a group of palace maids suddenly burst into her room and brought her here.
"I...I don't know, I didn't..." She shook her head desperately in denial, looking disheveled and pitiful.
But Empress Dowager Guo remained unmoved and coldly said, "It seems you won't confess unless I torture you. Guards, bring the torture racks!"
Soon, a palace maid brought over the clamping rod.
Wen Ruyi's eyes widened as she struggled desperately, but she was no match for their strength. Before long, her fingers were caught in the clamps, and the palace maids on both sides pulled her outwards with all their might.
"ah--"
Wen Ruyi screamed in pain, and large beads of sweat slid down her forehead.
When Gu Heng entered, he saw this scene.
"Stop!" he shouted, stepping forward to kick away several palace maids, and then helping Wen Ruyi, who was lying on the ground with a pale face, to her feet.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Empress Dowager Guo was furious.
"Your Majesty, I was just about to ask you, what are you trying to do?" Gu Heng looked up at her. "Liu'er is just a weak girl. She is injured and doesn't remember anything, yet you are torturing her?"
Empress Dowager Guo looked at him with shock and anger.
"How dare you question me for the sake of such a lowly servant?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng pursed his lips and softened his tone, "Your subject simply does not wish for Mother to torture Liu'er without distinguishing right from wrong. She is so innocent, so pitiful..."
Empress Dowager Guo was so angry that her chest heaved. She sneered, "I think you've been bewitched by this vixen."
Gu Heng looked at her in surprise, "Mother, why are you saying such hurtful things? Liu'er saved my life, and I brought her back to the palace only to repay her kindness. How could you say such things, Mother?"
"A life-saving grace?" Empress Dowager Guo looked at him incredulously. "How could you, as the emperor, so easily trust others?"
Gu Heng said, "Your Imperial Uncle is aware of this matter. If you have any objections, you can ask him." He had no choice but to bring up Gu Linchao.
Gu Linchao?
Empress Dowager Guo was taken aback. "What does this have to do with your imperial uncle?" Her tone softened considerably.
Gu Heng had no choice but to tell her about the assassination attempt the day before.
"...I returned to the palace too late last night, so I did not inform you. My servant, Xiao Duzi, died saving me. When I ran all the way to the outside of the Wen family manor, I fainted due to my severe injuries. Fortunately, Liu'er saved me, otherwise I might not be able to stand alive in front of the Empress Dowager today."
Empress Dowager Guo was terrified after hearing this, but when she looked at Liu'er, her expression wasn't so bad anymore.
She stepped down from her seat. "Luckily, you're alright this time. Don't be so willful next time. If you want to leave the palace, you should tell me and your uncle first, and have your uncle arrange the necessary personnel before you leave."
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng felt disgusted. "Your subject is no longer a child."
Empress Dowager Guo put on a stern face, "But you are the emperor, and your safety cannot be compromised in the slightest."
Gu Heng was already tired of hearing this, but at this moment, he didn't want to argue with her anymore, so he said, "Your subject understands. Liu'er is injured, your subject will take her back to the room first." With that, he picked Wen Ruyi up in his arms.
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