ITOTIABSAM | The Tyrant in the Deep Palace | 67
As a leisurely prince who often roamed the mountains and waters, and was skilled in poetry and literature, it was quite normal for Xi Jinyu to appear in the library filled with famous calligraphy and paintings, as well as countless rare books.
But Xie Ye clenched his fingers tightly all of a sudden.
When feeling insecure—such as during sleep—he always tended to make similar movements, as if trying to grasp onto something.
After arriving in this world, these actions became even more frequent.
Although he knew that Xie Jinyu would never harm Gu Cong in the mid-stage of the plot, within the palace, his heart still couldn't help but feel restless.
It was like his carefully nurtured flowers and plants were being eyed by a vicious dog. He quickly got up, but halfway there, he seemed to remember something and took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket before turning back.
On the other side, Gu Cong also heard the announcement downstairs.
As part of the special training before entering the palace, he had familiarized himself with almost all the officials and dignitaries who might appear in the palace. Prince Xi Jinyu was naturally among them.
His father was the elder brother of the late emperor, born frail and non-competitive. However, as the struggle for the throne intensified, he wisely chose his side early on and reaped the rewards, receiving a hereditary title based on his contributions to the dynasty after the late emperor ascended the throne.
The rumored Prince Xi Jinyu seemed to inherit much of his father's demeanor. When the courtiers opposed the sixth prince, who suffered from madness, ascending to the throne, he was the first among the royal family to come out in support.
Although Gu Cong temporarily didn't want to leave the palace after seeing the young emperor, he also had no intention of befriending the powerful. He refocused his attention on the books in front of him, pretending to be deaf.
However, whether by coincidence or intention, the Prince Xi Jinyu calmly and steadily ascended to the second floor, even slowly approaching the window while searching for books.
Before long, he spoke again, "Who is this..."
Gu Cong's plan to feign ignorance failed, so he reluctantly set down his brush and stood up, only to awkwardly realize that he was slightly taller than the handsome Prince Xi Jinyu.
Although they shared the same blood, the prince appeared nothing like the young emperor. With his relaxed demeanor, smiling lips, one could easily overlook his attire and feel an affinity towards him.
Gu Cong felt a sense of familiarity with his demeanor, but couldn't recall where he had seen it before.
Accompanied by attendants as a member of the royal family, when he saw Gu Cong merely offering a polite bow and reporting his name, the attendant raised his eyebrows and scolded, "How dare you! You should kneel in front of His Highness!"
Standing tall as the tallest figure in the room, Gu Cong straightened his back and replied, "His Majesty has ordered that I shall not kneel."
His Majesty.
The tyrant.
As soon as these two words were mentioned, the attendant seemed like a rooster being strangled, his face flushing red. He seemed to want to retort but dared not open his mouth.
In the end, Prince Xi Jinyu stepped forward to smooth things over, "Since it's His Majesty's orders, of course, I must comply. I wonder if the gentleman has come on His Majesty's decree? If there's anything this prince can assist with, please feel free to ask."
The attendant nearby couldn't bear it any longer. In his eyes, Gu Cong was just a eunuch who climbed onto the dragon bed with his body alone, without any real roots. He could stand so ceremoniously in front of the prince solely because of the tyrant's favor. How long this favor would last remained to be seen. Why did the prince give him so much face?
It was simply beneath his dignity.
"I merely dared to ask His Majesty for a reward. It's not worth Your Highness's concern," Gu Cong instinctively turned to the side, concealing the contents of the book.
With just one action, Xi Jinyu could see Gu Cong's innocence. He was a prince; if he wanted to know what book Gu Cong had taken, he could simply ask.
Moreover... "Great Celestial Medical Records"? If the books in this library were truly useful, his good cousin wouldn't have gone mad like this.
Somewhat disappointed, Xi Jinyu lost interest in this newly favored eunuch. He had investigated the background of this person and found it to be very clean, not a spy inserted into the palace by any faction.
Now it seemed that it was precisely this "cleanliness" far from the capital that had attracted the attention of the tyrant in the Bright Hall, who had developed a taste for it.
Meeting in the library today was purely coincidental. If it weren't for the mention by the little eunuch below, he wouldn't have come to the second floor at all. After exchanging a few casual words, he quickly left the corner where Gu Cong was.
Xie Ye, who was halfway there:...
He felt like he was somewhat mentally ill.
He was the one who let people go, and he was also the one who secretly watched them. Even if Gu Cong lost the healing ability that could cure him with just a touch, he still hated to have people out of his sight. It was as if just doing so could make him feel much better.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Seeing the young man stop, the little eunuch who had been chasing after him for half a day finally dared to approach.
Remembering the tyrant's taboos, he didn't dare to speak loudly, only trying to calm his breath and asked, "Where does Your Majesty want to go? Let me call for the dragon carriage for you."
1101, who had been watching the whole time, couldn't understand: "Your Majesty wants to go to the library to find that 'little eunuch' who is half an inch taller than the protagonist."
【Being overly cautious isn't your style,】 1101 asked, puzzled. "You've experienced the consciousness of the world before, so what are you afraid of now?"
If necessary, he could just experience it again.
As the sunshade umbrella moved to cover his head, Xie Ye paused, unusually candid: "I don't want to hurt Gu Cong."
He was even more afraid of being disliked by him.
In the past, he could do as he pleased, without any restrictions or taboos. But now, he began to consider whether Gu Cong would be willing to endure his increasingly paranoid dependence, exacerbated by his headaches.
Moreover, consuming the consciousness of the world required killing both the protagonist and the antagonist. If he wasn't careful, it could cause the entire world to collapse.
Including Gu Cong.
【Whether he wants to or not, and whether he likes you or not, is his business. You just need to do what you want to do,】 1101 reassured, drawing on the hundreds of idol dramas he had watched when bored. "Don't worry, you didn't fare too well in the first two worlds either."
One is notorious for insomnia and criticizes everything online, the other is so thin from eating disorders that they resemble a ghost. And Gu Cong? He's still actively pursuing and accompanying for two lifetimes.
The somewhat unhelpful comfort, deeply ingrained in the essence of his host, strangely lifted Xie Ye's mood ever so slightly.
So, two hours later, as Gu Cong diligently studied in the library, he witnessed firsthand the abrupt change in demeanor of the attending eunuch, who went from overly enthusiastic to abruptly courteous, sending him off with a smile that seemed to freeze upon his face. With both Gu Cong and his books packaged up, they were escorted out the door.
Outside the door, Gu Cong's colleagues from the Mingguang Hall were equally enthusiastic: "Attendant Gu, you've only been here for a few hours, but His Majesty is looking for you. Come back with me quickly."
With no one around, the eunuch lowered his voice: "In the past, this treatment was exclusive to Attendant Pei, but now His Majesty favors you. Attendant Gu, hurry back, your good days are still ahead of you."
--- Wearing a robe embroidered in gold and blue but without an official position, it was necessary to distinguish oneself from other eunuchs. Gradually, starting from the Mingguang Hall, everyone began to address him as Attendant Gu.
Reminded in this way, Gu Cong finally remembered where the sudden sense of familiarity came from:
Attendant Pei.
Although their physique and appearance were vastly different, the aura and even the curve of the smile in the words of Assistant Pei and Prince An were strikingly similar, as if cast from the same mold.
Was it a coincidence? These two should have no connection whatsoever.
Instincts honed in the wild caused Gu Cong to be wary, but at the same time, there was a subtle sense of satisfaction—if he had to be compared to Pei, then of course winning would be more satisfying.
With long legs and a quick pace, Gu Cong returned to the Mingguang Hall carrying the medical books in a delicate wooden box. Inside, the young emperor was having his meal; it seemed the dishes had just been served as they were still steaming.
Gurgle.
Gu Cong's long-neglected stomach finally protested, but his mind was elsewhere. The young emperor's appetite had never been particularly good, usually eating based on the number of "mouthfuls," so why the sudden change today?
"What are you staring at?" With delicate white jade chopsticks pinching the ends adorned with golden threads, the young emperor cast a disdainful glance at him. "Sit."
Immediately, a round stool was brought over by the attendants.
In a moment of recollection, Gu Cong recalled a rumor he heard when he entered the palace about Attendant Pei's favor with the emperor. With that in mind, he complied, selecting a stir-fried vegetable dish that looked the most appetizing. After testing it himself to ensure it was safe to eat, he picked up a fresh pair of chopsticks and offered a bite to the young emperor.
Xie Ye: A bit clumsy;
But also a bit cute.
The young emperor's red lips parted slightly, resembling a cat as he took a small bite of the green vegetable. Xie Ye remarked casually, "Average."
"I'll reward you."
From shredded chicken with silver ear mushrooms to pearl tofu, crispy lotus root duck, and even the easiest-to-digest spinach congee... After tasting a bit of everything, even the slow-witted Gu Cong could discern that the young emperor was trying to coax him into eating.
As he finished the last sip of congee, the young emperor finally set down the pair of chopsticks he had hardly used. Immediately, palace attendants approached to tidy up the remnants of the meal and offer tea for rinsing.
The young emperor was watching him.
Gu Cong noticed.
During the meal, the emperor had been propping up his chin lazily, staring at him with brazen eyes. From top to bottom, his gaze completely enveloped Gu Cong, as if he wanted to thoroughly dissect him and see every detail inside and out.
Gu Cong had an instinctive feeling that something had changed, but he couldn't pinpoint the reason.
And this early and conveniently timed dinner also proved that every move he made in the palace was blatantly exposed under the young emperor's watchful eyes.
Was it frightening?
Perhaps a little.
But for Gu Cong, the emotion rising in his heart at this moment might be better described as joy.
He didn't mind the young emperor's scrutiny.
He also didn't mind that the young emperor seemed to have nothing else to do but focus all his attention on him.
Pretending not to notice anything unusual, Gu Cong smoothly rose from his seat and skillfully assisted the young emperor in rinsing his mouth. In the midst of his movements, however, he saw a bundle wrapped in a handkerchief roll out from the hidden pocket of the emperor's sleeve.
A corner of the fabric unfolded, revealing several pieces of broken chestnut cake inside.
This was what Xie Ye had hurriedly brought along when he stormed off to the library. Despite being extremely annoyed and worried, there was still a part of him that remembered, concerned that Gu Cong might get hungry.
Completely forgetting that he had stuffed this little bundle into his own sleeve, Xie Ye was momentarily stunned. Just as he was about to come up with an excuse, he recalled the words of the system. Instead of denying or admitting, he simply tightly shut his mouth.
As an emperor, enjoying the world's offerings, and even though he was still young, there was no necessity for him to hide snacks in his sleeve. Enlightened by this, Gu Cong understood something.
Carefully holding up the unattractive, crushed pastry covered by the thin layer of handkerchief, Gu Cong didn't reveal the truth. Instead, he looked up with bright eyes and asked:
"This... “
”Can I also be rewarded with this?"
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