It Turns out that I am Beautiful, Strong and Miserable [Quick Wear] - 59

 

ITOTIABSAM | The Tyrant in the Deep Palace | 59

Tea.

What a splendid green tea.

From demeanor, pronunciation, to even body language, there was not a single flaw. If it weren't for 1101 having read the original work, one might have been deceived by the other party's exquisite acting and benevolent demeanor.

What about the supposed dark guard setting? Did they teach them how to act during the training of the death warriors in the An Prince's Mansion?

Seizing the opportunity while the host's current mental state was still relatively stable, 1101 vented all the sarcasm it had been holding back. Honestly, tempting the protagonist and getting jealous of Gu Cong who didn't even have his name mentioned in the original work... This scene was too stimulating, it had never seen anything like it before.

But... there was a tiny bit of confusion. Did Xie Ye really anticipate this?

Xie Ye: "..." 

【If you want to court death, just say so.】

1101 immediately shut its mouth.

Like the original, Xie Ye also feared the heat and disliked intense sunlight during summer. 

However, unlike the original, he also feared darkness and thunderstorms. Despite not saying it aloud, the lights in the bedchamber always remained on during stormy nights.

During the summer, his appetite waned and his temper worsened. No one dared to advise him, not even Li Dezhong, the eunuch steward, who turned a blind eye and let Xie Ye deal with it himself.

Only Pei Yi, with his boldness and the mission he carried, along with his serene and soothing voice, managed to pacify Xie Ye. In ordinary circumstances, no matter how uncomfortable Xie Ye felt, when Pei Yi spoke, he would always give him some face and taste a few bites.

The efficacy of Pei Yi's method was so remarkable that it made people suspect it was a slow-acting poison concocted by the author. Nevertheless, mouthful by mouthful, it flowed into Xie Ye's body.

Ignoring the others, Xie Ye was somewhat interested in this poison. He lifted his arm and touched the hand of the man still massaging his head beside him. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he languidly commanded, "Go fetch it for me."

"Put on your clothes."

"As for Pei Yi... bow your head."

In the solemn and majestic depths of the palace, it was an unwritten rule that subordinates should not look directly at their superiors. 

It was such a basic principle that Xie Ye's words seemed like trampling on Pei Yi's dignity, especially considering that in the eyes of outsiders, the son of the Minister of Revenue and an eunuch from the imperial palace were worlds apart and should not be compared.

Moreover, asking the former to bow his head was even more inappropriate.

However, when these words came from Xie Ye's mouth, they seemed perfectly normal, and even Pei Yi himself didn't find it odd. After all, dealing with an unpredictable tyrant like Xie Ye meant that anything could happen.

In fact, being able to live peacefully and unharmed in Xie Ye's hands for three months already exceeded Pei Yi's expectations and his master's expectations. So when the tyrant suddenly made a move, Pei Yi felt a sense of relief, as if he had been expecting it.

As a covert operative, Pei Yi had some martial skills, but he was not an expert. He knelt obediently, keeping his head bowed, and could hear the rustle of the fabric clearly without even lifting his head.

With a steady posture and calm breath, he appeared slightly better than an average person, perhaps having some basic physical training. But he was by no means a master...

"Pei Yi."

The footsteps halted near him, and he saw a pair of black boots with white soles, quite new, probably just issued. Pei Yi gained a rough understanding of the person approaching. He kept his eyes on the ground, strictly following the tyrant's instructions, and raised his hand to pass the heavy food box over.

Before entering the palace, he had meticulously disguised himself, not only removing calluses and scars from practicing martial arts but also lightening his skin tone. Now, against the dark, lacquered wood, the red marks left by burns became more prominent.

He managed to strike a perfect balance, not making the injuries look too severe with blistering or swelling, yet enough to evoke genuine sympathy. However, it seemed like casting pearls before swine, as the eunuch, whether genuinely foolish or pretending, was solely focused on serving the soup, without even a token inquiry about Pei Yi's injuries.

As for the young tyrant, he remained completely unmoved.

A sudden feeling of unease welled up in Pei Yi's heart:

This wasn't right. Even if he had possibly offended the tyrant's mood just now, causing him to feel unpleasant and embarrass Pei Yi, the fact that Pei Yi was injured should elicit some response.

 Whether it be a smile complimenting his appearance with the injury or expressing anger at other palace members, or both, the tyrant should have shown some reaction, instead of the current silence.

Like ice.

1101 understood and translated in real-time: "He thinks you're not crazy enough."

But there was nothing they could do about it. After all, it was just their host's nature...

Bang.

The porcelain bowl containing the lily and mung bean soup fell to the ground, shattering into several pieces with a clatter. Fortunately, it landed a bit away from Pei Yi's feet, avoiding any cuts or splashing.

The man whose hand had slipped knelt down instinctively, his knees about to land on the sharp shards at the edge. Seeing this, Xie Ye's anger flared up, and his voice rose: "Stand up."

The order was firm, and Gu Cong promptly stopped in his tracks.

The young emperor, irritated, sneered, "Why kneel?"

Gu Cong replied, "I... I accidentally spilled Attendant Pei’s soup."

Xie Ye interjected, "Tell the truth."

Gu Cong fell silent for a moment before saying, "I didn't want Your Majesty to drink Attended Pei's soup."

—Because there was an unpleasant smell in it, faint but distinct, like a mixture of mandragora and asarum, in minute quantities. Even if they called for the imperial physician to examine it on the spot, it might not be detected.

As a newly arrived eunuch in the palace, in terms of trust and imperial favor, he was probably no match for Attendant Pei. However, for some reason, he had just knocked over the bowl.

With a slow and deliberate tone, Xie Ye repeated, "Oh? You didn't want me to drink it?"

Pei Yi's ears involuntarily perked up.

The master's poison was surely reliable, and there would be support from the imperial hospital. However, what was the background of this sudden eunuch who could detect the strangeness of the soup?

Should he...

But before he could ponder further, his various speculations and plans were overturned in the next moment, because the tyrant sitting on the dragon bed suddenly burst into laughter, clapping his hands as he laughed heartily. 

He appeared extremely pleased. "Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous! I never thought that someone as respectful as you would also harbor such jealous tendencies."

"Li Dezhong."

Outside the hall came a response.

The young Emperor grew impatient. "What are you doing? Can't you just instruct someone to clean up my chamber?"

"As for this...," deliberately pausing, Xie Ye continued, "this one called Gu Cong, let him stay for now. I want him to attend to me today."

The heart of the sovereign was difficult to fathom, and the palace's atmosphere changed rapidly. Gossip spread faster than anyone could imagine. 

In no time, the nearby eunuchs and palace maids all knew that there was a new eunuch in the Mingguang Hall, who came from a remote summer palace but was remarkably handsome. Not only was he given a name by His Majesty before entering the palace, but he also openly defied the authority of Attendant Pei in front of many people.

Wrapped in a veneer of gentleness and elegance, Pei Yi's usual demeanor also fit the character setting. He treated his subordinates kindly, and occasionally, he would take advantage of his favor with the young master to make some lenient requests.

As a result, even though Pei Yi was rebuked today, most people temporarily had no intention of elevating or disparaging him. On the other hand, Gu Cong, who had risen to a high position in a single day, attracted not only admiration but also envy.

Pei Yi, after all, is the adopted son of the Minister of Rites, born into a prominent family, with a noble bearing. What does Gu Cong amount to? How is he worthy of ascending to the dragon throne?

Previously, those who dreamt of climbing onto the bed were not lacking in handsome appearances or cunning methods. But what was the result? They all ended up as fertilizer in the imperial garden.

They are all the same servants, so why does that Gu fellow effortlessly bypass them, without undergoing any trials, and become the master?

Just because of a dog? Because of a pair of eyes that look like a dog's?

1101, who was secretly observing, was startled: Although It has read many novels and TV dramas related to palace intrigue, as a new system that hasn't even finished accompanying its first host, this is the first time it has been in such a situation.

But Xie Ye is very accustomed to it: "This is the imperial palace."

It's the place where the most power, wealth, and beauty converge. No matter how good a person is, once they enter, they are inevitably transformed.

That's how it was for the mother of the small host. She was so happy and in love when she got married, but later she was full of regret and hatred. The grievances of the previous generation gave birth to such a "monster" as Xiao Hao.

These are scenes seen repeatedly.

On an individual level, however, it's a burden that can drive people insane.

Xiao Hao loves throwing things, and the palace servants are particularly adept at cleaning up afterward. The mess in the bedroom is swiftly cleared away, leaving it spotless. Not even the tiniest shard of porcelain is left behind. 

Gu Cong still wears the green clothes that represent the lowest-ranking eunuch, bending down to pick up the soft shoes next to the bright yellow boots more suitable for indoor walking.

Coldly, a fair foot, so pale it seemed it had never seen sunlight, kicks his shins. From another angle, it seems to support his about-to-bend knee. "Gu Cong."

"Do you always kneel to people?"

Of course not.

The late emperor was diligent in his duties, never once visiting any of the various palaces, and the princes followed suit, boasting of their lack of interest in pleasure and enjoyment.

Without the need for reception, there was less profit to be made, and people were too lazy to vie for it. Gu Cong, having grown up in the palace since childhood, can be considered an "old hand" at this. It can be said that apart from his early days learning etiquette, he has always been at ease.

In all honesty, Gu Cong answers, "Your Majesty is the first person I have knelt to since I became an adult."

In the deep palace rumored to be inhabited by a tyrant, even Eunuch Shun who led the eunuchs and was dragged out to be beaten, dare not act presumptuously.

However, Xie Ye, upon hearing this, was not pleased at all. It meant that in this lifetime, Gu Cong had no parents, not even a grave or tablet to pay respects to.

"I don't like you kneeling."

Another dislike. This time, Gu Cong didn't hesitate or refuse, but simply responded, "Yes."

Xie Ye frowned. "I don't like this either."

Gu Cong had to amend his response, "Understood."

Honestly, he didn't understand why the emperor, whom everyone described as cruel and ruthless, treated him so differently, even when angry, softening as if indulging in a tantrum.

Was it because of that unexpectedly deceased foreign dog?

At first, when Gu Cong was likened to this, he actually felt disappointed. 

However, as he performed the grand ceremony and was about to leave the bedroom, he unintentionally caught sight of the youth sitting high on the dragon bed—thin, pale, with deep black eyes, hair casually draped. Though he was revered as the supreme ruler, he seemed to radiate pain and loneliness.

If those eyes so different from ordinary people can bring the slightest comfort to the other, then what others say doesn't matter.

At that moment, such a thought suddenly popped into Gu Cong's mind.

Half crouching, he boldly lifted the youth's leg through the fabric, allowing the other's feet to rest on his knee. "Your Majesty."

"The floor is cold."

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