Male Lead Is Always That Heartless

Chapter 34

The following day, Gu Yi officially became Lady of Fairness Gu. In less than half an hour, the six palaces poked around to find out the news that Lady of Fairness Gu had fallen into the lake at night after encountering thieve and that this reward was a compassionate gesture to suppress the shock.

In the Luoying Hall, Consort De asked: “How does the doctor say? Did that Gu really hurt?”

Dong Cao replied: “I bribed the medicine boy, and he heard Doctor Hu say that her leg had a knife wound, and she was indeed injured. It might leave a scar.”

If the body had a scar, it was uncertain whether she could serve the Emperor in the future.

Consort De’s willowy eyebrows slightly knit, “How could the thieve enter the imperial garden? Did the imperial army don’t want their heads?”

Dong Cao: “Consort is right. I heard that His Majesty punished Chief Qi with fifty planks, and the guards patrolling the palace have doubled today, so I’m afraid the thief is still in the palace!”

Consort De felt palpitations when she heard this, sighing, “Ms. Gu is unlucky. Let her be rewarded.”

Dong Cao nodded, “Consort — about the balls for Cuiwan Games, I haven’t found time to lay hands on it. What if we took advantage while Lady of Fairness Gu is hurt and let someone go to Sibin Bureau to exchange the balls?”

Consort De took a deep breath in annoyance. “Forget it. His Majesty must be unhappy in his heart at this time. I don’t want to cause another storm.”

In the Caiwei Hall, Consort Shu paced back and forth, her mind restless.

Yuhu advised: “Consort, do not be anxious. That thief may have long left the palace. No need to be afraid.”

But Consort Shu asked, “When Tanyuan Hall was on fire, who was the person who brought Consort Dowager Liu out?”

Yuhu shook her head, “I asked a circle of eunuchs who put out the fire, and they all said they didn’t see it. When they arrived, they only heard that the Consort Dowager was unharmed, but no one knew who was the first to realize that fire.”

That would be Xiao Yan’s people.

Consort Shu’s heart sank increasingly, her fists clenched in her sleeves, and she pursued, “Where is the Consort Dowager? Where is she now? Can concubines be allowed to visit?”

Yuhu: “The Consort Dowager seems to have moved to the Ping Cui Palace. I don’t know whether anyone is allowed to visit her, but in this whole palace, who will be visiting her ……”

Consort Dowager Liu is the mother consort of King Shen, Xiao Lu. In Qingzhoufu, King Shen led the old subordinates of Crown Prince Heng and posthumously named Xiao Heng as Emperor Jing. He also ascended the throne and became the Emperor. Who in the palace dared to go to see Consort Dowager Liu?

Consort Shu lightly bites her pink lips, “I’ll go to Ping Cui Palace to see Consort Dowager.”

Yuhu’s voice was slightly stiff, “Consort ……” wanting to persuade again, but Consort Shu was already walking outside Caiwei Hall.

Yuhu could only follow.

Ping Cui Palace is a small palace in the northwest corner of the West Garden. Because of years of disrepair, the red paint on the palace’s door is peeling and looks decayed.

Xiao Yan walked through the courtyard and stepped into the palace. The palace staff inside were well-behaved and withdrew noiselessly outside and closed the door.

Consort Dowager Liu was kneeling in front of the Buddha’s statue, pinching a string of beads with her eyes closed and mouth chanting. She wore a maroon jacket and was under forty years old, but white frost layered her temples.

“Consort Dowager’s Buddhist heart is still the same. After last night’s shock, you still don’t forget to recite sutras today.”

Consort Dowager Liu’s shoulders trembled when she heard the voice. Slowly turning her head, she saw Xiao Yan in a jade crown, a robe with wide sleeves with gold-threaded flying dragons, and the jade belt around his waist inlaid with engraved five-clawed dragon.

Her resentful expression flickered, and then she calmly said, “The Emperor has taken the trouble to visit this old woman.”

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, “Consort Dowager has served the late Emperor for many years. I naturally respect you.”

Consort Dowager Liu’s face suddenly changed, “The late Emperor –”

She could no longer maintain her calm face. “You still have the face to mention the late Emperor.”

Xiao Yan spread his eyebrows and smiled, “Why can’t I? King Shen always uses the flag of the late Emperor all day. He can mention it; why can’t I?”

Consort Dowager Liu indignantly said, “How can you be compared to Lu’er? You kill your father and brother! You disregarded ethics and joined forces with strangers to besiege the capital. Although you have become Emperor, your sins are too heavy. You will be scorned by thousands of people and be cursed for eternity!”

Xiao Yan shook his head, lost his smile, and said slowly: “Consort Dowager, I’m afraid you can’t witness me whether I am scorned by ten thousand people or cursed for eternity. Now that Consort Dowager is taking poison daily and does not want to drag King Shen, eventually, you will die and can not wait for Xiao Lu’s people to come ……”

His words broke the most secretive thoughts of Consort Dowager Liu, causing her body to chill steeply. She took poison for many months and thought she had avoided Xiao Yan’s eyes and ears and was waiting to die. However, he knew it long ago and only watched her die coldly. Last night was originally her last chance to see Lu’er again, but he cut it off.

Consort Dowager Liu couldn’t help but feel ashamed and angry. Her throat made a soft sound, and the hatred in her heart spewed out, “Xiao Yan, you killed Xiao Guo, Xiao Heng! You also used me to coerce my son! If you kill all the Xiaos under the sky and don’t have an heir, will the future Xiao’s kingdom be named Xiao or Qi? Hahaha!”

Consort Dowager Liu stood before the Buddha statue, laughing like a madman, “However, even if it is surnamed Qi, it is still better than letting you, the person born from this wild seed, take the throne!”

After Consort Dowager Liu said that, she gazed at Xiao Yan unnoticeably, waiting to see his appearance when he became enraged. But the Xiao Yan before her was no longer the young man she remembered. He just stood in place with his eyebrows slightly drooped and softly smiled, “Whether I have an heir or not, this world surnamed Zhang or surnamed Wang, you shouldn’t worry too much about it. But I will grant your wish; after you die, I’ll bury you and King Shen in one place to fulfill your mother and son’s relationship.”

Consort Dowager Liu stood in place with bloodshot eyes, “Xiao Yan, if you hurt my Lu’er…… you shall not die well ……”

Xiao Yan shook his sleeve robe and chuckled, “Since I have seen you, I will not stay much longer. Take care.”

He spun and pulled open the palace door, leaving behind the mournful cry.

A loquat tree is planted in front of the Ping Cui Palace. Due to neglect, it has never borne fruit in previous years. However, it bloomed this fall, and broad, thick leaves hid a few clusters of tiny white flower bones.

Xiao Yan stopped and enjoyed the flowers for a while, and only when the palace staff returned, and calm was restored in the Ping Cui Palace did he leave. When he reached the palace entrance, Eunuch Gao bowed and said, “Consort Shu is coming to the Ping Cui Palace.”

Xiao Yan saw a figure in a consort dress approaching the palace road.

Consort Shu traveled closer and bowed, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yan smiled lightly, “Consort Shu, no need to be polite.”

Consort Shu smiled, “I heard last night’s fire at the Tanyuan Hall, and the Consort Dowager was frightened, so I came to Ping Cui Palace today to visit her. I didn’t expect that His Majesty was also here.”

Xiao Yan nodded, “Consort Shu is thoughtful. Consort Dowager is praying. You can go in.” He took a step and left.

Consort Shu curtsied and said, “Sending off Your Majesty.”

Consort Shu saw the Emperor walk away and instructed Yuhu: “You guard here.”

Alone, she stepped into Ping Cui Palace. Consort Dowager Liu had her back toward her and was kneeling on the green bricks in front of the palace. Consort Shu told the palace staff: “You guys retreat first.”

After the palace staff walked out, Consort Shu approached and called, “Consort Dowager.”

After waiting for a while, Consort Dowager Liu turned her head. Her eyes narrowed briefly before recognizing her. “It’s A Shu. Your makeup is so heavy, I cannot recognize you.”

Consort Shu’s index finger gently caressed her luscious lipstick, “A Shu hasn’t come to see Consort Dowager for a long time. Do not blame me, Consort Dowager.”

Consort Dowager Liu shook her head and turned her face back, continuing to chant sutras with a string of beads in her hand. Consort Shu stood behind her, but seeing that she did not turn back again, she realized she might not want to talk to her more, so she turned around to leave.

Consort Dowager Liu spoke softly, almost whispering: “The Emperor… he knows I consumed Liumuzhu (*). Qi Shu, think about how to save yourself.”

T/N: I don’t know what this is; probably the drug’s name.

Consort Shu’s face suddenly stiffened. Fear and unwillingness clutched her heart, and she bowed, “Qi Shu excused herself. Consort Dowager, take care.”

Consort Dowager Liu stopped speaking, and the only sound in the hall was chanting sutra.

Qi Shu was distraught, initially thinking that she had done it without God’s knowledge. How did Xiao Yan know? When did he know? If he knew, would he guess that she hates him? She hated that the one who died was not him.

Yuhu saw Consort Shu exit from Ping Cui Palace with a pale face and looked miserable. She asked, “Consort, how is it? Are you uncomfortable?”

Consort Shu shook her head, “Nothing.” She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thoughts flying through her mind, “I want to visit the newly appointed Lady Of Fairness Gu in Heluo Hall.”

*

Because of the severe pain in her calf, Gu Yi couldn’t get off the bed and could only lean on the soft cushion, flipping through a book. The book was a new book that Beauty Qi had secretly slipped to her when she came to visit her early this morning, saying that she would let her study it to create a new book.

As a loyal fan of her books, before Beauty Qi left, she didn’t forget to say, “Lady of Fairness hurt your leg and can’t go anywhere, so why don’t you write some books!”

Gu Yi: ……

But she indeed couldn’t go anywhere!

Bored, Gu Yi flipped through the book and realized it was about a monk. Initially, she had little expectation. But as she read, she realized it was a harem story.

The monk subdued demons and monsters, putting himself in danger, and met all kinds of female demons, all of which he collected in his sack.
The description was very explicit, and the words were very spicy.

So disgraceful!

She then read on with total concentration. Tao Jia ran into the chamber and met Gu Yi, whose eyes were glowing and whose hands could not put down the book. She interrupted: “Jieyu, the palace staff have come to report that Consort Shu is here! She’ll be arriving soon!”

“Who?” Gu Yi looked up, not yet back to her senses.

Tao Jia said sharply, “Consort Shu of Caiwei Hall.”

Gu Yi shoved the book under her pillow, “Why did Consort Shu come to the Heluo Hall?”

They didn’t cross paths at all, ah.

Tao Jia shook her head, “Perhaps Lady Of Fairness was injured, and Consort Shu came to visit?”

As she spoke, she lowered her head and pinched the corner of her coat, twisting and turning. “Can I not come to serve later? I’m somewhat afraid of Consort Shu.”

Gu Yi was puzzled, “Why?”

Tao Jia only stammered, “When I was young and ignorant, I offended her. When she came to the palace to see the late empress dowager, I threw grasshoppers into her dress!”

Fierce, ah! It turned out that Tao Jia was so fierce from a young age!

Gu Yi lost her smile and said, “Okay, you find a few clever palace maids to come in and serve.”

Tao Jia immediately went, and not long after, a few blue-clothed palace maids into the chamber. At this moment, the palace staff reported, “Consort Shu has entered the hall.”