Male Lead Is Always That Heartless

Chapter 30

The two sat opposite each other in silence for a moment, awkward and unfamiliar.

Gu Yi smiled and asked, “You have just moved to the Heluo Hall; did you sleep well last night?”

Zhao Wan: “I’m grateful for your attention. The side hall is fully furnished, and I slept extremely well.”

Gu Yi nodded, “That’s good. If you have any other needs, ask the palace maid. There are no significant rules in the Heluo Hall, and you don’t have to come to pay your respects every day.”

Zhao Wan hung her head, “I’ll listen to your command.”

Such a small white flower female lead! Gu Yi is hard to accept!

She coughed falsely, “Since there is nothing else, you can go back, I ……” Gu Yi was about to make up an excuse when the voice of an unfamiliar palace maid came from outside the Hall, “Greetings, Noble Lady and Talent Lady. Consort De invited the two masters to go to the Luoying Hall. She hadn’t seen you two for a long time and missed you.”

Gu Yi couldn’t help but get up, “Okay, you quickly go back to Concubine De. We’ll be right there!”

Consort De, finally, was going to make her official appearance.

In the original book, Consort De’s difficulties with Zhao Wan began after she returned to the capital from the Wu Shan Palace and Talent was crowned Beauty Wan. Now that Zhao Wan is Talent Lady Zhao and lives in the Heluo Hall’s side hall, she was invited to have tea at the Luoying Hall. Gu Yi felt overwhelmed.

The palace maid went to relayed the reply. Zhao Wan looked at the frowning Gu Yi and asked, “Noble Lady, have you ever interacted with Consort De? Are you a little worried?”

Gu Yi: “I have not met with Consort De in private before, so it is natural that I pay my respects today.”

After fixing her makeup, Gu Yi and Zhao Wan walked towards the Luoying Hall.

Luoying Hall has five rooms with a yellow-glazed tile roof and a long corridor under the eaves. When Gu Yi and Zhao Wan arrived at the main hall door, they stood in the corridor, waiting for the summon.

Inside the main Hall stood a glazed door. In front of it was a carved red peacock and peony-patterned table, and on top was a blue china vase and an octagonal chandelier. It was several times more luxurious than the Heluo Hall and Xiuyi Hall.

As expected from Consort De! As expected from Liu Piaopiao’s father!

At this time, the weather was slightly cold. The autumn wind rolled the ground, and Gu Yi gathered her hands inside her sleeves, standing outside the door. After a while, there was still no summons.

Tao Jia whispered, “If I had known this, I should have prepared a hand stove for you.”

Gu Yi shook her head. “The view here is good. Look, the maple leaves in the front yard are red. Don’t they look good?”

Zhao Wan stood a step behind Gu Yi, and when she heard this, she couldn’t help but look at the maple tree standing in the front courtyard.

The maple leaves were flaming red. It was already late fall.

A palace maid wearing a reddish blouse came out of the Hall and bowed, “Consort De invited the two masters to enter the hall.”

Gu Yi smiled and said, “Many thanks, please lead the way.”

Consort De sat on the rosewood chair in the Hall and heard Noble Lady Gu’s voice.

A gentle and good voice. Vixen!

She unhappily stroked the fake fingernails on her hand.

Gu Yi and Zhao Wan entered the Hall, and as they approached Consort De at the top, they all bowed in unison, “Greetings to Consort De.”

When Consort De saw the two faces, she was even more displeased.

She had seen Noble Lady Gu at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, and she was a beauty. But she didn’t expect that Talent Lady Zhao, who was conferred in the Wu Shan Palace, was also an unrivaled good skin.

No wonder!

She straightened up, her willow eyebrows slightly wrinkled and stretched again. “Two sisters, you are too polite. Why do you need to perform such a big ceremony? Get up. I was only looking for you to come and talk, drinking tea.”

Consort De turned her head and ordered the palace staff, “Give them seats and serve tea.”

The palace maidservant moved two short stools, and they were instantly shorter after sitting down.

Consort De looked down on Zhao Wan and smiled faintly: “Is this the newly appointed Talent Lady Zhao? It’s a good appearance. I love it when I see her!”

It’s starting, it’s starting! The battle between the female lead and the second female lead has begun!

Gu Yi held a hot tea in her hand without moving, striving to minimize her presence.

Zhao Wan lowered her eyebrows, “Consort De has flattered me.”

Consort De let out another delicate laugh: “If not, I would be even more surprised. His Majesty has never promoted palace maids before. A lackey is a lackey, so how can they become a master!”

Zhao Wan’s heart ached. She lightly bites her lips, unable to spit out half a word.

Consort De felt satisfied and looked at Gu Yi, “Noble Lady Gu, what do you say?”

Noble Lady Gu didn’t want to say anything!

Gu Yi tried smiling nicely. “Consort De does not know that Talent Lady Zhao was originally a female official. She was the headmaster of the Clothing Department and was ingenious. The Talent Lady makes the Yuehua dress, not the servants. In my opinion, Consort De is the real pearl, graceful and elegant. The emperor only felt novelty when he saw me and the Talent Lady in Wu Shan Palace.”

Consort De chuckled, “Noble Lady Gu is so eloquent.”

Zhao Wan, on the other hand, glanced sideways at Gu Yi in surprise.

Gu Yi smiled again, “It is my honor to please you.”

Consort De’s face became clear: “I invite you to come today because I have something to tell you. October is approaching. Last year, the Palace ran the Cuiwan Games, and the whole Palace was happy. This year, to relieve boredom, I thought I would hold it while it has not yet snowed. Last year, Noble Lady Wang and Noble Lady Gong arranged it for me, but now that they were Lady of Fairness, I cannot let them do this errand again. As for Noble Lady Tian, she’s sickly. So, I will give this task to the two of you from the Heluo Hall…….”

In the book, Consort De entrusted a heavy responsibility to Beauty Wan. Of course, to let her screw up and make a fool of herself in front of the imperial court. Now, she’s dragging her; is it to blame her —

Gu Yi was about to refuse, but she heard a long voice outside the Hall sing, “His Majesty has arrived.”

Consort De immediately rose joyfully and greeted, “His Majesty is here!”

Gu Yi and Zhao Wan followed and stood aside.

Shura, though late, shall arrive. An emotional whirlpool between the second female lead, the male lead, and the female lead. She, the tool person, happens to be here again —

Consort De bowed, “Greetings. His Majesty has gone to the Wu Shan Palace, and I have not seen you long. I miss you at all times.”

Xiao Yan helped her get up. “Get up. Today, after the court, I see that the hour is still early, so I came to look at you.”

Consort De felt overjoyed at his words, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I have specially prepared Your Majesty’s favorite Bamboo Leaf Tea. Please taste it.”

Xiao Yan smiled lightly, “Consort has the heart.” However, his eyes saw Gu Yi standing behind Consort De with her head hanging down.

Seeing her standing with a lowered brow, she looked like a dork.

Consort De turned around and looked. “I forgot. Today, two sisters also happen to be in the Hall. Just now, we were talking about this year’s Cuiwan Games.”

Xiao Yan seated himself and raised his eyebrows, “Oh, let’s hear it.”

Consort De sat next to him, leaving her hand adorned with fake nails gently on his right arm, smiling like a flower, “Now that Lady of Fairness Gong and Lady of Fairness Wang has been promoted, I cannot put these small things on them. So, for this year’s Cuiwan Games preparations, I’ll hand it over to the Noble Lady Gu and Talent Lady Zhao of Heluo Hall.”

Xiao Yan smiled, “Good idea.”

Consort De saw the emperor in a good mood and smiled: “In the past, only sisters had fun at the Cuiwan Games, so this Cuiwan Games in October, Your Majesty must come to support me, ah.”

Xiao Yan: “Of course, I will go to support the scene.” His gaze swept over the two people who stood on the sidelines.

Consort De asked, “Talent Lady Zhao, since His Majesty praised it, you must plan well and make no mistakes for this year’s Cuiwan Games.”

The plot is online!

Gu Yi’s eyes went to aim at Zhao Wan, and she saw that she had a solemn face and said, “A Wan will certainly do her best.”

Xiao Yan laughed, “Then I will wait and see.”

Zhao Wan was delighted in her heart and restrained the smile at the corners of her lips, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your auspicious words.”

Xiao Yan saw that Gu Yi’s eyes had looked at Talent Lady Zhao and Consort De but never landed on him, “Noble Lady Gu, what do you think?”

Gu Yi looked at Xiao Yan and saw that he was wearing a jade crown on his head; his peach blossom eyes were staring at her, so she lowered her eyes and said, “I will certainly do my best as well.”

Consort De glanced sideways at the emperor in detail and saw him staring intently at Noble Lady Gu. She tugged his sleeve, “Since Your Majesty has come to accompany me, and the two sisters have had their tea in the Luoying Hall, I’ll let them return to the Heluo Hall.”

Gu Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this. Xiao Yan looked at Gu Yi’s sinking shoulders. Was she relieved? Such a hurry to leave?

“Withdrew.”

Gu Yi bowed: “I’ll retire.”

Zhao Wan slowed down for half a moment before saying, “I will retire.”

Walking out of Luoying Hall, Zhao Wan hesitantly asked Gu Yi, “Noble Lady, this preparation for the Cuiwan Games, do you have an idea in mind?”

Gu Yi recalled the book’s contents: “I don’t, but I know you do. When Consort De sends you the Games Regulations, prepare it according to the instructions. Then, we’ll discuss it together.”

How can you eliminate all the pots and pans while ensuring the main plot line is correct?

Zhao Wan curtsied, “To have your trust, A Wan is grateful.”

Gu Yi helped her up, “No need to be polite. I believe you!”

According to the plot, after you’ve received favor, there’s a small bump in the road, then you’ll soon be on the rise! Entering crazy face-slapping mode!

*

“Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?”

Consort De personally made Bamboo Leaf tea and handed it to Xiao Yan. She saw him supporting himself on the armrest of the yellow-pear wooden chair with one hand. Is he distracted?

Consort De saw Xiao Yan’s eyes turn to her. He smiled lightly and said, “I am just wondering why Prime Minister Liu claimed to be sick again and did not go to court?”

Consort De’s heart sank. She smiled and said, “Father is old. Every time he encounters cold weather, his leg disease attacks. Your Majesty, do not be offended.”

Xiao Yan: “New officials have just entered the six ministries, and Prime Minister Liu is a pillar of the country. I hope he will take good care of himself and go to the court as soon as possible.”

Consort De smiled reluctantly, “I will pass on His Majesty’s words to A Niang.”

Although Liu Fang was dissatisfied with the new official’s promotion, he did not dare repeatedly advise like Qi Ruotang. He only claimed to be sick and did not go to court.

Xiao Yan came today only to warn the Liu family a bit, lest they learn from the Qi family and have a big heart.

He tasted a mouthful of tea, “Consort’s tea art has improved again.”

Consort De: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliment.”

Xiao Yan drank a cup and rose, “I have to return to Tianlu Pavilion, so I won’t stay.”

Consort De panicked and got up, “Your Majesty is leaving after one cup of tea?”

Xiao Yan: “The affairs in the court are complicated. I will come back to see you another day.” Saying this, he headed towards the door of the Hall.

Consort De felt that today’s emperor was different, but she couldn’t tell where it was different. She clenched her teeth and hugged Xiao Yan’s waist from behind.

Xiao Yan stopped and laughed, “What’s this?”

Consort De’s face turned red. “I’m impolite, but I haven’t seen His Majesty for a long time, and today—today is not the flipping day— but I hope that His Majesty will stay… …take pity on me.”

She said that, but the emperor in front of her did not respond.

After waiting for a few moments, Consort De’s heart became increasingly hopeless, and she couldn’t help but let go of her arm and raise her head to say, “Your Majesty…”

Xiao Yan turned around with a faint smile on his face.

Consort De’s smile had not yet reached the bottom of her eyes when she heard him say, “I am too busy today. I will come back to see you another day.”

Consort De could only bow and say, “Then I will wait for Your Majesty. I respectfully send Your Majesty off.”

After the emperor left, Consort De slowly walked into the chamber. The Wu Shan Palace Note (*) the Shang Yi Bureau sent was on the head bed, with its scarlet strokes.

T/N: 彤史 tóng shǐ: notes about sexual history in the harem, including birthdays, habits, and menstrual period.

Consort De grabbed the ruyi by the bedside and violently flung it to the ground. The ruyi fell to pieces and turned into fragments.

“It’s all those vixens!”

She hadn’t even been able to keep the emperor today, even after giving up her face. Her heart was angry and anxious, and she was aggrieved!