ITOTIABSAM | The Tyrant in the Deep Palace | 77
The emperor's decision to leave the palace sent a group of ministers into a panic.
Autumn was approaching, so what kind of heat were they trying to avoid? Moreover, in the entire court, there was only this single legitimate heir left. Even if he was mad, he still needed to be protected properly.
However, being called a tyrant was synonymous with being headstrong. While the court was still in turmoil, His Majesty had already packed his bags. He even took the opportunity to drag out a certain censor who had been most vocal in criticizing Gu Cong and personally counted out twenty lashes for him.
Using the censure of one to warn the others, combined with Xi Jinyu's subtle influence, the matter of the young emperor going on a trip was settled.
Though it was called a trip, everyone in the palace knew the truth. In civilian terms, it was more like a long-overdue homecoming:
If it weren't for Gu's attendant's background in the summer palace, having grown up there since childhood, His Majesty, who usually couldn't be bothered to stroll even in the imperial garden, wouldn't have the interest or the motivation to mobilize so many people to visit a place that had been untouched by the royal family for over a decade.
Moreover, while the summer palace was not far from the capital on the map, the actual journey, even with fast horses, would take two days and two nights. It wasn't exactly a bustling location, which was why Gu Cong had been labeled as "someone from the countryside" when he first entered the palace.
In today's world, things were different from the past. Any place the emperor specifically mentioned wanting to visit, no matter how remote, could become a sought-after destination.
Except for the eunuchs responsible for procurement, most palace servants had never seen the outside world. They were all wracking their brains, eager to seize the opportunity to accompany the emperor. They didn't mind a little hardship as long as they could get out and stay away from His Majesty a bit longer.
After all, even though the frequency of the emperor's fits of madness and killings had greatly decreased since Gu's attendant entered the palace, it was still like walking with a tiger. It was better to stay away. As for the future, what was more important than one's own life? Didn't Eunuch Li, who had lost his authority, just quietly accept it, obediently relinquishing the position closest to the emperor?
Eunuch Li, who had been deposed in a disguised manner, was indeed not as resentful as one might imagine.
Having experienced two reigns, he was most sensitive to the changes in the situation. Ever since being admonished by Xie Ye, he had been secretly observing.
He had seen firsthand how Xie Ye had neutralized Prince An's influence in the palace, saved Jiangzhou from a severe drought, and garnered favor among the military through Ningwei. Not only had he regained some popularity among the people, but even his health had improved.
Was the former Minister of Revenue really killed because he was too noisy? Eunuch Li didn't think it was necessarily so.
It seemed that this emperor knew very well how to use his "madness" to his advantage, whether as a warning or to eliminate troublesome pests.
Therefore, even though he hadn't been reinstated, Eunuch Li had no intention of defecting to Prince An's camp. In a battle where losing meant losing his head, he wouldn't bet unless he was sure to win.
As the overseer of the eunuchs, it was natural for him to go to the summer palace. However, he hadn't expected that, in addition to the attendants and maids accompanying the palace, the emperor had also brought along an unexpected figure.
Pei Yi.
Eunuch Li’s eyelids twitched, wishing he could suddenly fall ill on the spot and faint to avoid this trip altogether.
But it was already too late.
The imperial procession had already left the palace.
The only one who could ride with Xie Ye was Gu Cong. Pei Yi leaned against the back of the carriage, his knees throbbing painfully. There was no one around to attend to him, not even Xia He, who usually accompanied him. She had claimed illness and chose to stay confined to the Jingxue Pavilion.
Pei Yi knew well how hard-hearted a tyrant could be. Even if he knelt before the tyrant and begged for mercy, the tyrant might not even bother to move aside, let alone spare him. He might even trample over him.
But Gu Cong was different.
From the looks of it, he seemed naive and inexperienced, untouched by the harsh realities of the world. As long as Pei Yi pretended to be pitiful, even if they were competitors on the surface, Gu Cong might still intercede on his behalf.
As it turned out, Pei Yi's judgment was correct. After half a year, he finally left the palace again.
Although he didn't know why the tyrant spared his life, it didn't matter even if his suspicions were exposed. He had to see his master.
1101 witnessed a series of subtle changes in Gu Cong's expression and remarked, "This move... this move puts you at the lowest level."
Who would have thought that the scene of "Gu Cong pleading for mercy" was arranged by their own host?
Otherwise, with someone as possessive as Gu Cong, even if the sky were to fall, he would never voluntarily present his rival to Xie Ye.
Despite this, it could still sense a faint sourness in the air. "Since Your Majesty has already determined that Pei Yi harbors sinister intentions and was acting on Prince An's orders to poison, why not just drag him to the marketplace on the west side of the city and execute him there as a warning to others?"
Xie Ye: Good question. Maybe because he wants to see the protagonist fight back?
But for Gu Cong, who hadn't opened up the perspective of the original work, a different explanation was needed. "What's the fun in a person beating up a dog? It's more interesting when dogs bite each other, isn't it?"
It was rare to hear Gu Cong talk about killing someone. He reached out and, like when they first met, gently lifted Gu Cong’s chin. "Are you jealous?"
Gracious favors from the sovereign are like thunder and rain, yet Gu Cong was not the soft-spoken, coquettish type of woman who would readily accept such favor. Despite being favored, the cold, rigid hierarchy still stood, and others might not dare to acknowledge it.
But Gu Cong didn't flinch at all. "Yes."
To maintain a serious demeanor, he had initially kept his face stiff and stern. However, the emperor's touch was too gentle. After a slight tickle, he couldn't help but break into a smile.
The imperial carriage was spacious and sturdy, traveling on well-maintained roads, making the journey smooth. No matter how long they waited, this scene of the young emperor accidentally falling into his arms wouldn't happen.
So, instead of waiting for the mountain to come to him, Gu Cong took the initiative to embrace the young man. With his arms outstretched, he wrapped them around the slender waist of Xie Ye and exerted a bit of force, easily lifting him onto his lap.
Everything seemed to spin around them.
In the blink of an eye, Xie Ye, who had been teasing just moments ago, became the one being held in the other's arms, being teased like a pet.
In truth, Xie Ye quite liked this gesture. It was filled with a sense of security and intimacy. Gu Cong's legs were strong, warm, and had a slight elasticity, unlike the hard surface of a wooden chair. During their usual reading sessions, Xie Ye would often rest his head on Gu Cong's lap.
But that was all in the past.
Now, after confirming that everything was in place, sitting like this was somewhat dangerous. Subconsciously, Xie Ye placed a hand on Gu Cong's shoulder and subtly shifted away.
Gu Cong, who didn't think much of it: ...
"Is Your Majesty doing this on purpose?" Gu Cong tightened his arms around the squirming young emperor. Despite knowing that the other had no ulterior motives, he still had to ask, "Do you prefer being inside the carriage, Your Majesty?"
They were seated sideways, and with a slight hook of his leg, Xie Ye kicked him gently. "Nonsense..."
"Hush," the remaining words were silenced by a gently pressing index finger, warmer than his own temperature. Gu Cong leaned in, looking serious, and whispered, "There are attendants outside, and Imperial Guards on both sides. Your Majesty should speak softly."
Too close.
Their heads were almost touching, their breaths intermingling, as if they were about to kiss but didn't. The ambiguity was rampant, as if they had truly entered the scene described by the other.
In such matters, Xie Ye never liked to compromise. He raised his hand and grabbed the man's collar, pulling it down slightly. "And what if they do hear?"
An oppressive silence followed, and then the sound of water.
Is this what I'm supposed to be hearing? The thought had barely flashed through 1101's mind before it was thrown into the metaphorical doghouse.
However, after about ten minutes or so, it was released again. After all, they were in a carriage, and given its host's temperament, certain boundaries could be accepted, even if overcoming his cleanliness obsession was difficult.
The conversation between the two had completely shifted to another direction. "Is it really okay for General Xue to accompany us?"
Almost crossing the line, Xie Ye had shifted to a different position. He wasn't sitting on the other's lap anymore, but they were still on the same side, with just a short distance between them, their hands intertwined intimately.
"It's fine," with a hint of lingering blush at the corners of his eyes, the young emperor leaned back against the cushion lazily. "He will understand how to choose."
Would a father who cherished his daughter dearly truly be satisfied with a "prospective son-in-law" who had no proper engagement and turned his precious jewel into gossip fodder in the capital?
If Xi Jinyu ascended to the throne in the future, with the inner palace filled with intrigue and competition, could a daughter from a noble family truly secure her position? And if they were to have a legitimate eldest son, one didn't need to look back in history; the recent example of the Liu family, and the influence of the previous young emperor's maternal relatives, was vivid enough.
These were things he could think of, and surely Xue Hai could think of them too. Though straightforward, when it came to his daughter's future, he would surely ponder deeply.
Moreover, Xie Ye was never one to put all his eggs in one basket.
"Don't worry about anything else, just focus on how to have fun," he reassured with a gentle scratch in the other's palm. He closed his eyes. "If it's even more boring than when I was stuck in the palace, only you can ask."
After soaking in medicinal baths for nearly two months consecutively, his head still occasionally throbbed with pain, but it wasn't as constant and intense as it was when he first arrived.
Seeing that the other was feeling tired, Xie Ye responded with a simple acknowledgment and didn't speak further.
The emperor's journey was quite meticulous. Despite the lack of rain, it still took them three full days to reach the summer palace.
Trapped in the carriage for several consecutive days, as I lifted the curtain, a fresh mountain breeze greeted me, with ancient trees towering and lush greenery all around, occasionally accompanied by a few clear bird songs.
Seeing the slight furrow in the young emperor's brow relax, Gu Cong felt relieved and smiled, "After sitting stiffly for so many days, does Your Majesty want to take a stroll with me?"
Xie Ye responded with a sound of agreement and supported the other's arm as he stepped out of the carriage steadily.
Most of the palace servants here recognized Xie Ye and were familiar with his temperament. Initially, when they heard the rumors about Gu Cong "bewitching" the emperor, they were skeptical. Now, upon seeing them together, they found it even more absurd:
With his fair skin, red lips, and a complexion like spring flowers, although the emperor's body was a bit slender, his features were extremely handsome, far from the rumored gloominess and brutality. Under the sunlight, he looked exceptionally beautiful.
On the other hand, while Gu Cong was handsome in his own right, he was nowhere near the level of a "bewitching demon." Standing side by side, it was clear who was bewitching whom.
Of course, they dared only to think this in their hearts. Regardless, the golden embroidered blue robe on Gu Cong's body clearly indicated that he was not ordinary like before.
As the emperor and Gu Cong walked away hand in hand, another person got down from the carriage behind them.
This person was also known to them: Pei Yi, the adopted son of the Minister of Rites. After Gu Cong entered the palace, Pei Yi fell out of favor. They wondered why he insisted on coming along this time, subjecting himself to witnessing the affection between the emperor and others.
Further back, there were also the eunuch supervisor Li Dezhong and the commander of the Imperial Guards Xue Hai... for some reason, they couldn't help but feel that Pei Yi's gaze towards Commander Xue was a bit strange.
Xue Hai also noticed it.
In his memory, he had no interaction with Pei Yi, not even a face-to-face meeting.
— Xue Hai, the father of the prospective Princess Consort An, was here.
Struggling to suppress the surging bitterness in his heart, Pei Yi discreetly surveyed his surroundings:
In a place where he couldn't be seen, his master must have also arrived.
He needed to find an opportunity to meet him.
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