Emperor's Favored Concubine 071 Calm After the Storm, Undercurrents Remain Unabated Full Text

  "His Majesty has arrived, Her Majesty the Queen has arrived——"

  Two loud shouts echoed, and the chaotic grand hall suddenly fell silent. Gong Sunlie's imposing aura had not dissipated, and he strode into the great hall with large steps. Sun Wan followed behind Gong Sunlie, her eyes flashing like lightning as she scanned the crowd in the hall. When she saw Xiang Jun, her gaze turned slightly cold.

  "Your Majesty, I pay my respects; Your Imperial Majesty, Empress."

  The sound of everyone bowing in unison made Gong Sun Lie's brow furrow even more impatiently. He walked straight to the side of Empress Shu, "Yu Jin, how is the child?"

  Xiao Yu Jin's face was pale, and her forehead was covered in sweat. At this moment, she glanced at the tightly closed inner palace gate, "The imperial physician just arrived a while ago, I don't know what's going on inside either, I..."

  Xiao Yu Jin burst into tears, Gong Sun Lie glanced at the overturned bowls on the ground, his gaze fell on the faint bloodstains between them, and his eyes suddenly changed color. "What's going on?!"

  This remark was like a thunderbolt that struck the ground, and everyone immediately knelt down. Xiao Yu Jin's face turned pale, "I don't know either, I only heard Madame Yun call out once, then saw her suddenly turn pale and fall to the ground, and then I saw that there was blood all over her body, just like me back then."

  The emperor furrowed his brow, glanced at Xiao Yu Jin with a hint of reluctance. He raised his hand to help her up and gently patted her back, "Don't worry, if this matter has nothing to do with you, I won't blame you!"

  Xiao Yu Jin wiped away tears, "I have sealed off this hall at the first moment, everyone is here and no one has left. If Your Majesty wants to investigate, go ahead and investigate whoever you want, I am not afraid as I have a clear conscience."

  Sun Wan could no longer hold back, and at this moment she stood up and asked, "What exactly did Yun'er eat to become like this? If someone with ill intentions wants to harm my son Sun, I will not forgive her!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, Gong Sunlie also asked Xiao Yujin, "Yujin, what did the lady eat?"

  Her eyes swept across the bowls and plates on the ground, and a small, fox-like soup pot was particularly eye-catching as it rolled over to one side. She pointed at the small pot, "It seems to be this one."

  Gongsun Lie's gaze swept through the crowd, then his eyes fixed straight on Xiao Yu Jin, "What is this thing? Is it something you made for the Crown Prince's wife?"

  Xiao Yu Jin hastily shook her head, "Today's menu was reported to me by the kitchen, I had no idea there was such a dish, I don't know what it is or where it came from, and I also don't know how it ended up in Bao Bao's hands!"

  Gongsun's eyes sank, and on this side, Gongsun Ci was kneeling with a pale face. Seeing this, she was about to speak, but her words were covered by someone before they even left her mouth. Ya Pei knelt behind her, and in her eyes, there was an inexplicable depth, even with a hint of fear.

  "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, and Consort Shu."

  At this moment, the tightly closed palace gate behind the hall was pushed open, and a man dressed as an imperial physician walked out of the house, his face covered in sweat. On his chest, the white collar had been stained crimson with fresh blood, which shocked everyone's eyes. The ladies outside couldn't help but gasp in shock.

  Gongsun Lie's eyes sank, "What's going on inside?"

  The imperial physician trembled and knelt down, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the child of the empress did not survive."

  Sun Wan immediately felt a blackness in front of her eyes, fortunately, the nanny behind her held her up and she stood firm. Shu Fei Xiao Yu Jin also turned pale, but heard Gong Sun Mo's voice asking calmly, "Have you figured out why your labor started flowing?"

  The imperial physician's body was almost prostrate on the ground, "I report to Your Majesty, the lady had eaten something containing a large amount of musk, which led to her sudden miscarriage."

  Gu Yunxue and others furrowed their brows, and without saying a word, they all focused their attention on the small ermine's bowl. Gong Sunlie also looked over and said, "You, go take a look, which one of those things in that pile contains musk?"

  The imperial physician crawled over to the spot, and without hesitation, he used his fingers to dab at the tea cups and bowls, bringing them to his nose for a sniff. After a moment, he bowed again to Emperor Gong Sun Lie, "Your Majesty, if this humble official's verification is correct, then it is indeed one of these bowls that has a problem."

  Everyone followed Ta Yi's pointing hand and looked over, it was that small Duan Tang cup!

  Gongsun Lie took a deep breath, "How can this be? In my own palace, there is actually someone with ulterior motives trying to harm me, the great Emperor of Yan. Where did this poisonous soup come from?"

  The entire hall was silent, the kneeling palace family members had not expected to encounter such a thing when entering the palace, and at this time they were so frightened that they didn't dare make a sound. Gong Sunlie's gaze swept over everyone's body, suddenly fixing on a small maid who was trembling with fear.

  "You, tell Us, do you know who brought this soup?"

  Everyone's gaze swept over, and they saw that the maid was kneeling behind Gu Yingxue, the future German princess. She seemed to be afraid to look up at Gong Sunlie even once, and now she said something in a voice as soft as a mosquito hum. Lie Emperor frowned, "Speak louder!"

  "The maid took a deep breath and said, 'Replying to Your Majesty, I saw that it was Princess Jingci who passed away!'"

  As soon as the words fell, Gong Sunlie's cold gaze fell on Gong Sun Ci. He glanced at Ya Bin beside Gong Sun Ci and spoke softly, "Jing Ci, you come to tell your father why you brought this bowl of soup to the Crown Prince's wife?"

  Gongsun Ci only then realized the reason for Ya Bin's fear, she was trembling slightly and didn't dare to look up at Gongsun Lie, "Your Majesty, I, Ai Ci, received it from a maid's hand, I didn't know it was something that would harm people, if I had known, I wouldn't have dared..."

  "Respectful Ci Gongzhu is not young anymore, why do you speak so unclearly? If you can't clearly say where this soup came from, do you know how great a crime you will bear?"

  Sun Wan's words fell with a loud voice, and Gong Sun Ci had already shed tears. Gong Sun Lie's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, "Where is the Crown Prince's wife now?"

  Xiao Yu Jin heard this and immediately stepped forward, "The Crown Prince's consort was also frightened earlier and is now resting in another small room."

  Gongsun Lie nodded, "I heard that the two of them were sitting together. Since that's the case, go and call the princess's maid to come over. I want to get to the bottom of this!"

  As soon as the words fell, someone went to summon the maid of the crown prince's concubine. Time passed minute by minute, and Gu Yunxi felt that her waist had almost taken on this shape. However, Emperor Lie did not speak up, and the people kneeling in the room did not dare to move at all. A hurried footsteps came, and only heard Emperor Lie ask, "Tell me in detail about what happened just now!"

  That little maid also had a face full of fear, however Gong Sunlie's gaze was really too overwhelming, she lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "Now

  Yesterday, my master and Madam Yun were sitting together, nothing happened at first, but later Gongzhu sent a bowl of tonic to the Crown Prince's consort, who thought that Madam Yun's tonic was not as much as hers, so she pushed it to Madam Yun. The Crown Prince's consort didn't think much of it since it was sent by Gongzhu, but unexpectedly, it harmed Madam Yun——

  The maid finished speaking and Ya Gui's body became even stiffer, while Gong Sun Ci clenched her mother's hand tightly, having been scared to tears.

  Lian, Sun Wan looked at Ya Gui and Gong Sun Ci again, "Gong Ci princess, do you have anything else to say? You said it was handed over from a maidservant's hand. Describe the appearance of that maidservant. Not one person in this palace has gone out tonight. I will definitely catch her tonight!"

  Gongsun Ci heard the words and shed more tears, she looked around in a daze, finally fixing her pleading gaze on Ya Pei. "I don't know, I forgot, I didn't pay close attention to that maid, I only knew she was wearing the palace attire of Fuyue Palace, pink-colored, and her appearance and dress were the same as everyone else's, everything else... everything else I've forgotten..."

  With a sobbing tone, one sentence after another came out. Consort Ya still couldn't hold back her tears and deeply kowtowed at the Emperor's feet. "Your Majesty, it was all my fault. Ah Ci grew up under your care, this matter has nothing to do with her. Whatever punishment you have, punish me instead. I am willing to take on all the blame."

  Sun Wan hummed, "Sister is not one to ask about external matters, but today she's so diligent. Sister might as well advise Jing Ciren, to carefully remember what that maid looks like, or if she saw her with anyone, and clearly state these things in order to be convincing."

  "Your Majesty, I don't know and neither does Ah Cai. I only beg of you to put today's blame on me, please don't vent your anger on Ah Cai, she is still young after all."

  Gongsun Lie looked at Ya Bin's appearance and slightly furrowed his brow, but still stared at Gongsun Ci and said, "You said the maid you saw was dressed like this in Fuyue Palace?"

  Gongsun Ci nodded, and Gongsun Lie suddenly turned his gaze to Xiao Yu Jin. Xiao Yu Jin immediately changed color and knelt down again, "Your Majesty, I will immediately summon all the servants in my palace for you to investigate. Unfortunately, Princess Jingci is vague about her appearance, do I have to put everyone in my palace in prison?"

  Gongsun Lie listened to this, but Empress Sun Wan suddenly raised her eyes and said, "What are you talking about, sister? Now that my Longqing's children are all gone, today's banquet is being held in your place, no matter what, your guilt cannot be escaped. Come, take all the servants from the Shu Palace!"

  As soon as the words came out, the guards rushed in and forcibly brought all the little maids wearing pink clothes from various halls. In a short while, the courtyard outside was full of people kneeling down.

  Xiao Yu Jin smiled at the Empress Dowager, "Sister, where did you get this from? If we follow your logic and say that whoever loses a child must take responsibility for it, then back in the day when I lost my child at your Spring Festival banquet, shouldn't you have taken responsibility for it? But as far as I can remember, all you did was execute two beautiful palace maids, and never gave me any explanation. Now that you're saying this, are you planning to add another crime to your own record?"

  Sun Wan's face changed greatly at once, "You——"

  Gongsun Lie was really disgusted, and now seeing the maids outside being brought out, he looked at Gongsun Ci, "Jing Ci, you go identify, today is you who put that soup bowl in front of the Crown Prince's wife, if you can identify it, Father will spare your life today, otherwise, although you are young, you cannot be used by others as a pawn!"

  Gongsun Ci looked at Ya Bin with a fearful expression, the latter looking at her dazed and confused appearance was also filled with heartache, she wiped away her tears, her hand slightly trembling.

  "The Empress's eyes flickered, but she was no longer obedient. 'Your Majesty, the Princess only said that person was wearing a servant's uniform from my palace, but didn't see their face clearly. If you insist on having the princess identify them now, and if the princess is intimidated into randomly identifying someone at the scene, wouldn't that wrongly accuse an innocent person? In the end, it would still be me who takes responsibility.'"

  Xiao Yu Jin's words were not unreasonable, but Sun Wan just coldly laughed and said, "If sister didn't do anything wrong, why would she be so nervous now? Jing Ci, you go and point out..."

  Gongsun Ci looked at Ya Gui, then looked at Gongsun Lie, while on the other side, Xiao Yu Jin's fierce gaze fell on Gongsun Ci. Gongsun Ci burst into tears, feeling bewildered. Just a moment ago, she was laughing and chatting with the Crown Prince's consort, never expecting disaster to strike so quickly. And now, should she or shouldn't she expose the truth? If she didn't, who would take responsibility for this bloody palace debt?

  Gongsun Ci stood up, her eyes scanning the kneeling women in their fine clothes. She, who had always been smooth sailing and never suffered any grievances since childhood, suddenly lost her courage in the face of the sudden sinister plot. Step by step, she walked towards the central courtyard, where the pale moonlight shone down on the small palace maids, who were trembling with fear as they looked at her, as if looking at a poisonous snake spitting venom.

  Gongsun Ci walked past those people, carefully sizing each one up, but the more she looked, the heavier her heart sank in despair. No, no, none of them were the one. Just as she was about to finish looking at the last few people, she turned around and gazed into the hall, over the dark shadows of the kneeling figures, where under the bright lights, her mother was standing up straight, staring tightly at her.

  Those eyes were very familiar to her. When she was a child, she wasn't a clever kid and couldn't even walk properly until she was three or four years old. Many palace maids would mock her in private, and even her father, the emperor, didn't like her because of this. It was her mother, the empress, who taught her how to walk every day and night, accompanying her as she practiced. Her gaze was always warm, filled with encouragement and support. She would say, "Ah Cai, you're still so young, don't rush, take your time walking, don't be afraid, it's okay if you fall down, just don't go the wrong way, don't go the wrong way..."

  Yes, don't go wrong, her mother told her, don't go wrong.

  Gongsun Ci turned around and swept her eyes over the last few palace maids, then slowly walked back to the central courtyard. Ya Bin's eyes shone with appreciation as she looked at her, and her mouth curved up slightly, as if she was no longer so afraid of her father. She knelt down, "Father, among these people, there is not one who gave Jing Ci the soup bowl."

  As soon as the words fell, everyone in the courtyard let out a sigh of relief. Xiao Yu Jin's face relaxed, but Sun Wan immediately stood up and said, "Jing Ci, did you see clearly? Everyone is here today!"

  Gongsun Zan nodded again and replied, "Jingzi take a closer look, there is no such person."

  Xiao Yu Jin saw Sun Wan ask this, her eyes suddenly turned cold. "Sister doesn't have to force the princess like this, if the princess says she didn't do it then that's all there is to it. The maids' uniforms in my palace are also made by the Imperial Household Department every year, even now the Imperial Household Department probably still has many stored away. If someone with ill intentions wants to frame me, it would be easy for them to get a set and wear it. Now, can you really convict based on just one set of clothes? I'm afraid that wouldn't convince my sister either."

  Sun Wan's mouth hooked, "Sister said that it doesn't matter, but today this soup was handed over to the Crown Prince's wife by Princess Ci, since now only one princess can be recognized, then Ben Gong will follow the example of the harem..."

  "Empress!"

  With a soft call, Ya Pei looked at Gong Sun Ci and slowly opened her mouth. "Your Majesty the Empress, today's matter did not arise because of Ai Ci, but Ai Ci was young and ignorant after all, and eventually became an accomplice. I don't want to shirk responsibility for Ai Ci, but Ai Ci is someone I taught with my own hands, her mistakes are my mistakes."

  "Empress Dowager!"

  Gongsun's eyes changed, and she seemed to know what Yafen was going to say. With an anxious expression, she knelt down and crawled to Yafen's side. However, Yafen remained calm and said, "Please, Your Majesty, have mercy on me. I am willing to take all the blame for Ah Cai's mistakes. Please punish me instead."

  Xiao Yu Jin let out a soft breath as he gazed at the mother and daughter embracing each other, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes before disappearing. Meanwhile, Sun Wan's gaze fell on Gong Sun Lie.

  Gongsun Lie looked at Yafen, who was firmly closing her eyes, and let out a deep sigh. This woman had never been one to please him, nor did she care about his favor. If only she could be like others and try to win him over, or if today she could beg him pitifully, he might have truly not borne to let her suffer. But she didn't.

  "Empress Yaa's love for her daughter is deep, and my heart is the same. Moreover, since Princess Jingci was young and ignorant, it was all due to Empress Yaa's poor teaching. I will imprison Empress Yaa in the Palace of the Concubines as a substitute punishment, and Princess Jingci will be confined to the Fuyaa Palace. Before this matter is investigated, neither of them is allowed to take half a step out of the palace."

  Gongsun Lie's cold and hard words fell, and everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief. Today's bloody disaster would ultimately require someone to be punished, whether it was taking the fall for someone else or her own doing. Every crime committed within these dark palace walls required another crime to bring about its conclusion. Only then could the superficial grandeur of the imperial family's dignity continue.

  Tonight is a disaster of sword and shadow, when this night passes, no one will care about the right or wrong of this night. People have long been accustomed to such days that are true and false, and tomorrow will be another day of peace and prosperity.

  Gu Yunxi's breathing paused, she slightly raised her eyes, and not far away, Ya Bin was kneeling quietly with her head lowered. Gong Sun Ci looked like a delicate puppet that had lost its thread, staring blankly at Ya Bin. Sun Wan's face was gloomy as she gazed at the mother-daughter pair who couldn't meet her expectations. Gong Sun Lie's eyes were shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to discern his emotions. Xiao Yu Jin's gaze was cold and detached as he knelt, seemingly pondering who the true victor was in this game of intrigue.

  She looked aside, Xiang Jun's expression had not changed much from start to finish, Gu Yingxue also kept her head down, and the maid behind her was Jinwen.

  Eunuchs walked in, politely asking Ya Gui and Gong Sun Ci to rise, finally leading the two out of this magnificent hall under the gaze of everyone. In front of Ya Gui and Gong Sun Ci, one was a cold palace where people in the palace were afraid of its bleakness, and the other was a prison cell that was no longer warm and desolate.

  At this moment, Gong Sun was looking at her most beloved person getting farther and farther away from her with a belly full of anxiety. She thought this was the cruelest moment in her life, and she regretted her choice even more at this moment. However, she didn't know that for the ruthlessness of fate, this was still far from enough.

  For tonight, the outcome of Ya Pei and her mother was not enough to take responsibility for this disaster. Gong Sunlie summoned the Imperial Guard Lin Zhu, then summoned the Minister of Justice Yu Yong, who simply interrogated everyone present tonight before stopping. All items on the table of the Crown Prince's wife were taken away by Yu Yong's subordinates. Gu Yunxi looked at the small ermine soup cup and once again clearly remembered the ermine tail on Gong Sun Ci's head. She couldn't help but think that Zhao Lianhua's maid was right, if someone else had brought over the soup cup tonight, would Zhao Lianhua and Banban have added another thought to not drink the supplement?

  When Gu Yunxi walked out of the Fuyue Palace, it was snowing outside. From a distance, she saw the crown prince and Gong Sunmo hurrying over with gloomy faces. The former didn't even glance at her, rushing into the Fuyue Palace with a sorrowful expression to see his beloved woman. Gu Yunxi couldn't help but think of Xiang'Er again - would this woman who had just obtained happiness ever imagine that her happiness was so short-lived?

  What else can she rely on now that she has lost her child?

  Gongsun Mo stopped beside her, his eyes deep and solemn. Gu Yunxi took a deep breath and said, "Madam Huan had a miscarriage, Concubine Xiang and my sister are both fine, but Concubine Ya has been imprisoned in the Yueting Palace, and Princess Jingci is under house arrest in the Fuya Palace."

  Gongsun Mo's eyebrows twitched as he turned his head, "Ya Gui?"

  Gongsun Mo's unexpected move made Gu Yunxi sigh again, how could it be Ya Pei? At this moment, she seemed to understand why there were only struggles in the deep palace, because from the moment she entered the palace, no one could stand by and watch. Behind these deep palace walls, everywhere was filled with poisonous cold arrows that would shoot at you at any time, and you had no choice but to make yourself stronger.

  Gu Yun Xi's eyes narrowed slightly, "Xiang Juniang is still inside, if the prince has any questions, he can go ask her."

  She paused for a moment, and then Gu Yunxi continued, "The miscarriage of Quan's wife is just the beginning. So far, no one knows who was behind it, but the prince also knows that it was not Ya Pin. What will happen next, no one knows. The prince should remind Xiang Bin Niangniang."

  Gongsun Mo nodded, seemingly also noticing her fatigue. He patted her shoulder and reminded her to be careful on her way home before disappearing into the Fow Moon Palace with a flash of his figure.

  The sky was already starless, and the heavy snow fell down, fluttering and swirling. Gu Yunxi walked step by step from the stone steps in front of Fuyue Palace, alongside other officials' family members who were rushing out of the palace with frightened faces. She didn't hurry, and after just a few steps, snowflakes had already covered her shoulders.

  She stood in front of the Fuyue Palace, looking back at the high-raised signboard, and couldn't help but think of that snowy night again. She and Yueniang knelt on the snowy ground, the cold air enveloping her, piercing through her. She longed to return to the Cangmo Plateau, where there were so many hopeless nights, with no one coming to rescue her, as if a nightmare would never wake up.

  Suddenly, a light flashed in Gu Yunxi's mind, and the thing that she had been trying to remember but couldn't quite see clearly finally appeared vividly. That sedan door, that ink-colored figure, and the large cloak she saw at the Duke of De's mansion. She held her breath, and her hand clenched tightly into a fist in her sleeve.

  Not far away, a dark sedan chair was slowly moving in this direction. Wan Qi Chen slowly lifted the curtain and looked towards the Fuyue Palace, where people were coming and going at the palace gate. Mu Yan followed outside the sedan chair, and at this time, he rushed to a small palace maid who came out of the palace in a hurry, asked a few questions, and then said softly, "It's Mrs. Quan who has had a miscarriage."

  Wan Qi Zhen was taken aback, he slowly closed his eyes, opened them again in an instant, and a hint of sadness flashed across his face. Then, among the busy crowd rushing to and fro, he saw a slender figure with her back to him. She was slightly tilting her head upwards, as if staring intently at something. Snowflakes were falling around her, and Wan Qi felt that she was about to get soaked through. He furrowed his brow and handed out an umbrella from the sedan chair, "Give it to her."

  He was taken aback for a moment, then took another look at the palace gate and saw that figure again. He responded with a "yes" and quickly walked over to Gu Yunxi.

  "Hello Miss Gu."

  At a soft call, Gu Yunxi turned around, her eyes slightly surprised, and it was actually Mu Yan.

  "You——"

  Mu Yan's face was expressionless, just like his master. "Miss Gu, this is what my master asked me to give you. He said it's snowing heavily and you should head home early."

  Gu Yunxi took the umbrella with a daze, looking at the black oil-paper umbrella, a smile curled up at the corner of her mouth. She turned around and saw a small black sedan slowly moving away into the distance. The world was indeed full of coincidences. She looked at Mu Yan and said, "Thank your master for me."

  Mo Yan nodded and turned to chase after the already distant sedan, even he himself didn't know why he blurted out that extra sentence to help his own master.

  Gu Yunxue held up the oil-paper umbrella, and the snowflakes mixed with the whistling cold wind were blocked outside. She was startled, and in an instant, she didn't feel so cold anymore. She picked up her long skirt and walked step by step in the direction of the distant sedan chair, heading out of the palace into the dark night.

  The snow had been falling non-stop, and when Gu Yunxue got up early and pushed open the window, she saw a vast expanse of white outside. Yuanni came in with a tray, and after a glance, it turned out to be a piece of clothing.

  The maid picked up the clothes and unfolded them for Gu Yunxi to compare, "Miss, this is what you need to wear during the ancestor worship ceremony. Please hurry up and change into it."

  Gu Yunxi was taken aback, only then remembering that today was already the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. In two days' time, on the 31st, it would be a brand new year. She slowly got changed, feeling empty inside. In the past, these things were all taken care of by Luo Qingyi, who would even remind her before she went to sleep: "Mother..."

  She muttered two words in her heart, and Gu Yunxue only felt a sour nose. Her mother helped her braid her hair behind her back, carefully dressed her up, and finally took a bright glance at her before stopping.

  Gu Yunxi stood in front of the mirror, and she seemed to have gained some weight from an unknown time, no longer as thin as a few months ago. Just as she was looking at her reflection, Xu Dama pushed open the curtain with snow, and a cold air rushed into the room, causing Gu Yunxi to let out an uncontrollable "Ah-choo".

  The old woman's brow furrowed, "Oh dear, come in quickly, it seems the young lady has caught a chill."

  Mrs. Xu hastily covered the door curtain and smiled, "I'll take a look at how the young lady's preparations are going. This year's ancestor worship will be simpler, just reciting scriptures in the ancestral hall for one night is enough. I'll tell Miss that it gets very cold in the ancestral hall at night, so she should wear more clothes."

  Her voice fell, and Yu Nang hurriedly went to find clothes. Gu Yunxi frowned slightly, rubbing her nose lazily lying on the couch, "Can't we not stay overnight..."

  "Who made you the second young lady of the Gu family? Ancestral worship is a big deal in Master's eyes, and it can't be taken lightly. Miss, just bear with it for now, wear more clothes and endure one night, it won't be so bad."

  Gu Yunxi's eyebrows furrowed at his words, who let you be the second miss of the Gu family anyway?

  At noon, someone came to call and said that the ancestor worship was about to begin. Gu Yunxue hurriedly walked to the ancestral hall, where almost everyone had arrived. She felt unspirited but still forced herself to stand in front of Gu Zixuan. Gu Zixuan hadn't seen her for a few days, and when he did, his expression was as unpleasant as ever. However, she didn't have the energy to pay attention to him at this time.

  Gu Zhongzheng stood at the front, surrounded by Buddhist monks who formed a circle and murmured scriptures. Gu Yunxi stood in this circle, being incensed with incense that made her want to sneeze, but she was desperately holding back. Suddenly, someone poked her from behind, she turned around, it was Gu Zixuan, a handsome young man with a few hints of disdain on his face, handing her a small cloth package.

  She hesitantly accepted it, and when she brought it to her nose for a sniff, it was refreshing. Only after another sniff did she realize that it was peppermint. Her eyebrows and eyes were filled with joy, and gradually, her nose didn't feel uncomfortable anymore, and her spirits lifted greatly. However, just as the Buddhist masters finished reciting the scriptures and were about to make divinations for Gu Zhongzheng, something unexpected happened.

  The Taoist priest furrowed his brow, made calculations three times in a row, but still couldn't reveal the fortune of Gu Zhongzheng for the coming year. Everyone looked on, feeling quite uneasy. Gu Zhongzheng furrowed his brow and said, "Master, is there some problem?"

  The monk's eyebrows and eyes slightly moved, "Please forgive this poor monk's words, the donor may have a bloody disaster next year."

  Gu Zhong Zheng's eyebrows sank, "Really?"

  The old monk nodded slightly with his eyes closed, and Gu Zhong's forehead was already sweating, "Master, is there a way to break the calamity?"

  The Taoist closed his eyes and calculated with his fingers for a while, shaking his head and saying, "The host's fate is against the killing star, this bloody disaster is not easy to break."

  Gu Zhongzheng murmured a phrase, "Fate is against the killing star? Master, can you tell me in detail?"

  The fortune teller pondered for a moment, "Master, you were originally destined to be a person of great wealth and nobility. However, about a year ago, you encountered someone whose fate was even more prosperous than yours. This noble person had the aura of a dragon soaring through the skies, but they had committed too many killings, and their fate was also heavily burdened with murderous energy. When your auspicious energy collided with theirs, it immediately had an uncontrollable effect. As the saying goes, 'a big tree attracts strong winds.' Because your destiny is too illustrious, you can't avoid arousing this noble person's desire to kill."

  Gu Zhongzheng's cold sweat increased as he listened, his eyes moved slightly, "I beg the master to point out one or two things."

  "The method to break this calamity has two ways. Firstly, there should be no red events in the donor's home next year. Secondly, the donor must distinguish himself from this noble person and keep his wealth away from his body, it is best to widely establish good relationships to dissolve the calamity."

  The monk's words were finished, not only did Gu Zhong's face change greatly, but also Gu Yingxue's face was pale. Next year, there should be no red affairs in the family, isn't this referring to her? However, the imperial edict has been issued, even if it is what the great master said, Father may not be able to change it!

  At this thought, Gu Xiang's heart slightly relaxed, but Gu Zhongzheng's heart sank to the bottom of the valley. It was exactly a year ago that he and Gong Sunmo formally started contacting each other, which means that the noble person in the master's mouth must be him. He thought carefully, once Gong Sunmo successfully ascended to the throne, his identity would be that of the emperor's father-in-law, plus his own identity as the prime minister, he would inevitably be extremely prestigious. Thinking of the current emperor's father-in-law, Sun Yu, Gu Zhongzheng shuddered all over.

  The Taoist finished his calculations and stood up to bid farewell, while Gu Zhongzheng escorted the group out of the house with a respectful expression. However, the others in the house had different expressions: Liu's wife closed her eyes and fiddled with her Buddhist beads, but her hands were tightly clenched together; Zhen Niang's eyes were filled with fear, worried about what would happen to her son if Gu Zhongzheng lost power; Gu Yingxue was also startled by the words "no red affairs"; only Gu Yunxi held a thin cloth package against her nose, smelling it repeatedly, looking weak and frail.

  When Gu Zhongzheng returned, Gu Yingxue could no longer hold back, "Father, the monk's words are not entirely trustworthy, you——"

  "Shut up!"

  Gu Zhongzheng's face turned cold as he looked at Gu Yingxue, "Do you think your father doesn't know what you're thinking? You'd do anything to secure that position as De Wangfei, wouldn't you?"

  Gu Yingxue's expression changed slightly, "Father——"

  "You don't have to say anything, just kneel in the ancestral hall for two days and pray for your father's blessings." As soon as the words fell, Gu Zhongzheng walked out of the ancestral hall with a gloomy face. Gu Yingxue stood pale-faced on the spot, and after a moment, she slowly knelt down, her mouth slightly moving, but it was unknown what she was thinking in her heart.

  At dawn, Gu Yun Xie finally got up and saw that Gu Ying Xue was still kneeling on the side. She slightly bowed her head, "Sister, don't worry, I'll leave first."

  Gu Ying furrowed her brow and ignored her, while Gu Yunxi walked out the door with the support of Yu'e's arm, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she gazed up at the sky that had finally cleared to reveal a patch of blue.

  Outside the temple, thick snow had accumulated, and she walked with a deep and shallow step. Although a night of torment had left her physically and mentally exhausted, she still couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth. Sometimes, a little desire can evoke the deepest fears in one's heart, and this fear will be infinitely amplified by the desires born from the bottom of one's own heart, extending to suspicion, doubt, and betrayal. And all these sins ultimately need someone to bear, who is it? Gu Yunxi's mouth curved up slightly.

  The Empress's miscarriage was downplayed as an accident during a banquet, although the Ministry of Justice conducted a secret investigation, but the whole thing basically had no turning point. On the night of the banquet, the Imperial Guard searched the entire palace, but in the end, not even a clue was found. The Emperor was once again disappointed with the Imperial Guard, and while scolding their incompetence, he also thought of two other people, namely Gu Yunxi and Ye Qi, who were about to take office after the New Year's decree.

  On the last day of the 475th year of the Imperial Calendar, Gu Yunxi was summoned to enter the palace. Today, she will go to the Diligent Governance Hall to meet the Emperor in front of all the courtiers, which is considered her first formal reception of the Emperor's sacred decree. At the same time, on the first day after the New Year, she took over as the deputy commander of the Feathered Forest Army and formally became a three-product inner palace martial general commanding one thousand Feathered Forest soldiers.

  Gu Yunxi met Ye Qi again, and the ordinary little guard at that time had become the deputy commander of the Black Armor Army. It was only later that she learned that Ye Qi also had outstanding military achievements in the Zhenbei Army, and now he was even higher than Gu Yunxi in rank. However, it seemed that he still had the habit from before, and when he saw Gu Yunxi, he subconsciously called out "Young Master!"

  Gu Yunxi today also had her hair standing high, the clothes on her body were not armor but a strong men's attire, this set of clothes was elegant and neat, as soon as she appeared in front of everyone, it made all eyes light up, she hooked the corner of her mouth and bowed to Ye Qi, "Greetings, Night Commander."

  At night, Qi Ze shifted his body slightly and said, "Young Master, you mustn't——"

  Gu Yunxi's eyebrows furrowed as she walked over. "Night Commander, don't forget that I am now above you. You should be at ease and accept my courtesy."

  Ye Qi's poor eloquence was fully displayed in front of Gu Yunxi, his mouth slightly hooked into a smile, and the rarely expressive him suddenly lit up for an instant. Gu Yunxi looked at him shaking his head, standing outside the Temple of Diligent Government with him until they heard Fu An's long summons before walking into the Temple of Diligent Government.

  This was the first time Gu Yunxi had entered this grand hall, where nine dragons coiled and cloud pillars stood tall. On the high throne, Gong Sun's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at them. She and Ye Qi knelt down together to pay their respects, "Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live, forever and ever."

  Gongsun Lie looked at the two young people with satisfaction, and again had Fu An read out the imperial edict of granting titles, which also determined the identities of the two in front of all officials. Although Ye Qi was also one of those who were granted titles this time, he came from a military background and had some real abilities, so that the officials had nothing to say. However, Gu Yunxi was a daughter of a wealthy family who didn't even know martial arts, and the officials' suspicious eyes turned to her. She slightly bowed her head and made a fist towards the emperor, "Your Majesty, I have a request for Your Majesty's approval."

  Gongsun Lie's eyebrows shot up, "What?"

  "Please Your Majesty allow Gu Yunxi to bring her Snow Wolf to attend to the matter together."

  The entire court was in an uproar, but the fierce Emperor merely cast a glance of interest at this bright and spirited young girl. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before suddenly turning to Wen Yuan, "Wen Yuan, Gu Yunxi's success today is all thanks to your recommendation. Do you think she will be granted an audience on this trip?"

  Wen Yuan is now just holding a idle position, perhaps because today is the last day, so he came to court for the first time. Wen Yuan looked at Gu Yunxi who had not been seen for a long time and frowned, "I think that Your Majesty agreed with my recommendation that day was because of appreciation for Gu Yunxi's family being able to tame the snow wolf's bravery, I think that Your Majesty can agree today."

  The emperor stroked his chin whiskers and smiled faintly, "Very well, I grant your request!"

  Gu Yunxi looked at Wen Yuan and bowed to Gong Sunlie, "Gu Yunxi thanks Your Majesty."

  As soon as the words were spoken, the courtiers' faces changed color. Today, many people saw that last night, Gu Yunxi used a snow wolf to knock down a young noble, and that snow wolf seemed to be able to communicate with gods under her guidance.

  The awards ceremony in the grand hall came to an end, and Gu Yunxi and Ye Qi also stood among the officials for the first time to listen to the imperial court discussion. After the court session was over, it wasn't really over, because today was the last day of the New Year. Emperor Lie ordered all the officials to follow him to the Jinxiu Hall to have a good time before they could go home. The officials naturally did not object. If it were in previous years, tonight's night banquet would be the most grand one, but unfortunately, a disturbance had recently occurred in the palace, and Emperor Lie had already ordered all the banquets to be cancelled after the incident.

  Gu Yunxi and Ye Qi walked at the end, exchanging a glance with a slight smile. The so-called banquet was just a formality. Today, Gong Sunlie didn't have any concubines accompanying him. It's said that Empress Sun Wan is ill due to losing a grandson, while Shu Fei has been punished and confined to Fuyue Palace for her responsibility in the previous incident. As for the other consorts, they knew the emperor was in a bad mood these past few days, so naturally, they didn't dare come without being summoned.

  The banquet was halfway through, and Fu An presented a cup of tea to Emperor Lie, "Your Majesty, this Bi Luo Chun is one of the new tributes this year. It's just been brewed, would you like to try some?"

  The emperor's interest today was not very high, seeing the tea tray come over and picking it up to lightly sip a mouthful, this one mouthful made his already furrowed brow furrow even deeper, "Such tea is also dared to be given to me to drink?"

  Gu Yunxue and others heard the noise and looked over. They all had Mingqian by their side, so why did they suddenly present a cup of Bi Luo Chun to the emperor?

  The emperor waved the teacup away, and Fu An immediately panicked and bent down to pick it up. "Fu An deserves to die, Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This Bi Luo Chun tea is only liked by the empress when she brews it, I took the liberty of serving it, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me..."

  Fu An seemed extremely frightened, and Lie Di waved his hand impatiently, "Alright, alright."

  He furrowed his brow several times, then suddenly sighed and said, "This banquet is no longer needed, let's set up the sedan chair to return to Fuyue Palace!"

  The emperor spoke, and everyone naturally stood up to kneel down. As they watched the emperor leave, Gu Yunxi's gaze fell on Fu An. This person was really too clever, but why did he want to help Shu Fei?

  Looking at the banquet which could no longer continue, Ye Qi asked Gu Yunxi, "Young Master, shall we return to the manor?"

  Gu Yunxi was about to nod as the time was getting late, but then she noticed a slender figure slipping out of the side door of the Jin Yi Hall. Although the girl was wearing palace maid attire, Gu Yunxi's sharp eyes still caught sight of the ermine tail on her head. Her brow furrowed, and she looked at the crowd that had already dispersed, "You go ahead, I have something to take care of."

  She paused for a moment and then said, "Actually, you can call me by my name."

  Ye Qi smiled awkwardly and nodded slightly, then walked out of the palace gate alone.

  But Gu Yunxi followed the small figure that flashed out of the side door, the little figure in front walked very quickly, with her head bowed low, as if she was afraid of being recognized by others. Gu Yunxi followed her at a steady pace, watching the direction she was heading in with an increasingly deep gaze.

  It wasn't until they reached a deserted corner that Gu Yunxi caught up, her three steps becoming two as she grabbed the person's shoulder. The other person turned around in surprise, and Gu Yunxi's eyes narrowed, "The princess can't go to the Yueting Palace—"

  ——

  Digression

  Yeah, this month is almost over, I must hold on to 10,000 more! Thanks for all the beautiful people's support. Actually, I wanted 20,000 more, but it's really hard~