It Turns out that I am Beautiful, Strong and Miserable [Quick Wear] - 83

 

ITOTIABSAM | The Tyrant in the Deep Palace | 83

In just a few days of outing, the protagonist and antagonist went crazy, driving 1101, a newly born system, to witness such a "terrifying" situation for the first time since its inception.

The consciousness born from the novel world inherently relied on the protagonist to some extent. Because Pei Yi took matters into his own hands, much of the world consciousness's energy was initially consumed internally. However, with Xi Jinyu's death, it dispersed throughout the heavens and earth. Despite being furious, there was no other way for it to manifest besides a few loud thunderclaps under the broad daylight.

The nearby relay stations, which had been under Xi Jinyu's control, also resumed normal communication. By the time the officials in the capital learned of the situation, Xie Ye had already been playing with fish and birds in the palace for several days without showing any fear, worry, or intention of returning to the palace to avoid the limelight.

Unable to do anything, the officials had to ask Ning Wei, who had just returned to the capital, to make another trip to the palace.

With Xi Jinyu dead, many officials who had relied on him during his lifetime were now eager to distance themselves from him and protect their own lives, except for those unavoidably tied to the Prince An's Mansion and the Ministry of Rites. Of course, they needed to quickly destroy evidence and sever ties to ensure their survival.

For the first time since the ascension of the young emperor, the court of the Great Chancellery achieved true calmness.

The past between Xi Jinyu and Pei Yi was dug up and slightly modified, arranged into a farce in the drama script.

It was not Xie Ye's intention to propagate this, but rather, the Miss Xue's character was too resolute. Upon receiving a handwritten letter from her father, she took matters into her own hands and got rid of the scum’s blood and flesh from her family without hesitation.

— Even though the emperor had agreed to let the child stay, how could she gamble with the fate of the entire family when the emperor's intentions were unpredictable?

Moreover, secrets cannot be kept forever. Bearing the title of the rebel's child from birth, regardless of whether the child is ultimately male or female, seeking revenge or not, their future days would not be easy. It would be better to spare the child from suffering in this world from the beginning.

Therefore, not only did she want to make a scene, but she also wanted everyone to know that it was Xi Jinyu who wronged her, it was Prince An's Mansion that deceived the Xue family. What did the honor of a daughter matter? She didn't care that much. As long as she could clear her father and her family from involvement in Prince An's rebellion, everything she did would be worth it.

Xie Ye never expected that Miss Xue, living in ancient times, would have such a clear mind that seemed to break free from constraints.

Not only did she firmly establish the image of Xi Jinyu as a scoundrel who cheated on his marriage and rebelled against the throne, but she also portrayed Xie Ye as a wise character who saw through everything and cleverly avoided discussions about the emperor's "affairs" by simultaneously praising him for his previous favor for Pei Yi that was half true and false, to minimize public discussion about the emperor's previous affairs.

Although Xie Ye himself didn't care about this.

From the distant palace, with a casual and understated manner, he single-handedly suppressed the rebellion of Prince An. The courtiers, especially the loyalists, finally realized that the emperor sitting on the throne, despite his youthful appearance, was no longer the child who ascended the throne under the manipulation of various factions.

Therefore, on the day Xie Ye returned to the capital, all the civil and military officials voluntarily welcomed him and kneeled down in homage.

As for Xie Ye and the young emperor sitting together in a carriage, while the last carriage carried Pei Yi, who had already gone mad, holding a round stone in his arms, smiling foolishly and muttering incomprehensible words, oblivious to the surrounding gazes.

Xie Ye's actions at present were far from reaching the level of fury and resentment as depicted in the original work. Moreover, with the distinguished military achievements and the personal escort by Ning Wei, who had saved Jiangzhou, the people naturally harbored a sense of hostility towards the potential disruptor of their peaceful lives. Once the halo around the protagonist shattered, no one regarded Xi Jinyu, who trampled on hearts and schemed for power, as a brave hero.

Even without much speculation, Xie Ye could guess the intentions behind the courtiers' welcoming gesture. Besides expressing loyalty and flattery, they also wanted him to quickly attend court and settle the matter of Prince An's rebellion.

However, after the headache disappeared, life in the palace gradually reverted Xie Ye back to his usual lazy and indifferent self. After all, with such a vast country to govern, if everything depended on one person, the emperor would sooner or later be exhausted to death.

Anyway, when the young emperor used to slack off or even cause trouble before, the subordinates handled things very well. He just needed to ensure that no second Prince An emerged.

So, as soon as the carriage entered the palace, Xie Ye directly ordered Ning Wei to stay put and took Gu Cong with him to the harem, where the ministers couldn't intervene.

The loyalists, who were still rejoicing over "rotten wood turning into a treasure" just a few days ago, were completely dumbfounded, while other ministers with their own agendas were also at a loss.

Ning Wei, who had been following the young emperor for a few days, remained unusually calm. He turned the horse around and politely said, "Gentlemen, please return."

—Whatever His Majesty doesn't want to deal with, it's futile to wait any longer.

Having successfully skipped work, Xie Ye re-entered the deep palace. Except for a new batch of flowers blooming in the imperial garden, everything else was pretty much the same as it was half a month ago when he left.

The most significant difference was probably his mood. He still didn't like being emperor, but with Gu Cong by his side, trying to be a "good person" to prevent the country from falling apart didn't seem so bad after all.

Although with the collapse of the main plot and the world deviating completely from the original work, he had finally escaped from the inexplicable headaches that haunted him before facing death, he still needed to take care of the deficiencies he had inherited from his mother, especially since he fell ill whenever the weather turned cold. The monthly medicinal baths were unavoidable.

Fortunately, after returning from the palace, autumn had arrived in the capital, and by the end of the year, there was even heavy snowfall. Bathing in a non-open-air bath during this season was simply delightful.

Wrapped in a cloak lined with soft fur, Xie Ye stood by the window and reached out his hand. "It's snowing."

Gu Cong, who had just finished arranging the dragon bed, sighed and took a towel to wipe the young emperor's damp hair. "The water hasn't dried completely yet, Your Majesty, be careful not to catch a cold."

In the bedroom, the floor was heated, and smokeless silver-thread charcoal burned, gradually improving Xie Ye's health. He no longer looked as pale as paper, with a hint of color returning to his face. His naturally rosy lips appeared even deeper in color.

Although the chances of catching a cold were minimal, he appreciated Gu Cong's concern and moved away from the window accordingly.

At this moment, only a few months had passed since the siege of the palace. Gu Cong continued to handle the "trivial matters" of reviewing memorials for the young emperor, and naturally, he was aware that officials at all levels who were closely associated with Prince An had only recently been completely replaced.

In the midnight dreams, the image of the figure holding a bow stained with blood in the darkness still lingered vividly. Gu Cong, along with other palace servants and guards, had witnessed firsthand the "horror" of being a ruler. However, in his heart, the young emperor was still the boy who had shown a pure smile to a deer and a white rabbit under the moonlight.

Gently smoothing out the tousled hair with his fingertips, Gu Cong said, "The daughter of the Xue family has gone to the border."

Xie Ye raised an eyebrow. "No wonder."

"The other day when I attended court, that Xue Hai had a troubled expression the whole time, as if someone owed him a large sum of money."

Attending court every seven days when there was nothing urgent was already the greatest compromise Xie Ye had made as a lazy person. He even let Gu Cong go in his place when there was more than that.

Such absurd and rebellious behavior naturally shocked the group of ministers who urged him to be diligent, and only a few stubborn censors would occasionally offer remonstrances.

...And then Xie Ye pretended not to see them, achieving a subtle harmony between ruler and subjects.

The daughter of the Xue family was always different from other noble ladies. Enjoying wielding weapons, she chose to go far to the border after recovering from her miscarriage, leaving behind the troubles of the capital and all that had happened there, which was quite a reasonable development.

Sensing the young emperor's distraction, Gu Cong put down the towel. "Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?"

Xie Ye responded instinctively, "I should have a child with you."

In ancient times, children were mostly precocious. If the other party was willing, it wouldn't take many years before they could sit on the dragon throne for him. Moreover, with the protection of the 1101 quick-transmigration system, he and Gu Cong could live freely like wandering clouds and wild cranes, becoming a pair of elusive wanderers.

With a hint of mystery in his eyes, Gu Cong reached out his long arm and skillfully wrapped around the young emperor's waist, encircling him. "A child?"

"I meant adoption," Xie Ye clarified, feeling the subtle touches on his stomach. He paused for a moment before reacting, his phoenix eyes narrowing as he swatted away the other's teasing hand.

Apart from himself and Xi Jinyu, there were naturally other branches in the imperial family. The opportunity to become the crown prince was probably not something he needed to force, as there would be many people eager to compete for it.

As a half-court physician by Xie Ye's side, Gu Cong was well aware that the young emperor's physique was perfectly fine. If Xie Ye was willing, he could marry and establish his own heirs at any time.

However, choosing to adopt and appoint an heir would inevitably require a grand announcement to the world, stirring up a string of troublesome matters.

As the saying goes, a ruler's words are not to be taken lightly. This meant that Xie Ye would be cutting off all future retreats, completely abandoning the idea of bearing his own bloodline, all for the sake of a mere eunuch.

Holding the other tightly in his arms, Gu Cong murmured softly, "What merits and abilities does this humble servant possess?"

Xie Ye responded firmly and without hesitation, "If I say you are worthy, then you are worthy."

In the next moment, Xie Ye was lifted off his feet, his whole body lifted along with his robe by Gu Cong.

Instinctively grabbing onto the man's shoulders, Xie Ye clung tightly, still feeling weak from the effects of the recent medicinal bath. "What are you doing? I just had a medicinal bath. Shouldn't you be more concerned about that?"

"The 'child' is more important," Gu Cong replied solemnly, deliberately misinterpreting Xie Ye's intentions. With a serious expression, he kissed the young emperor's forehead and said, "This humble servant will do his best."

Do his best?

Effort my ass.

But he couldn't make a sound.

"Um." Starting from the center of his brows, down his nose, and then his lips, the other party seemed to know very well how to silence him with actions. Xie Ye could only emit a few vague grunts, not too light nor too heavy, as he was tossed into the intricate embroidered quilt. The dark hair, white clothes, and bright red satin intertwined, creating a tantalizing allure.

"I am pleased, Your Majesty."

In the height of passion, Gu Cong buried himself atop Xie Ye, his warm breath brushing past his ear as he repeated the same phrase over and over, dozens of times, hundreds of times, as if to make him remember it forever.

Struggling to maintain some semblance of consciousness, Xie Ye lifted his phoenix-like eyes slightly and lazily traced his fingertips over the large birthmark beneath the man's collarbone. "Say my name."

Gu Cong paused for a moment, then replied honestly, "Xie Ye."

Although it was the first time he had spoken the name, it carried a familiarity as if he had said it countless times before, stirring up a surge of joy and surreal excitement within him.

Unconsciously, he repeated, "Xie Ye."

"I am pleased with you."

Outside the window, the snowflakes drifted down, but they could not conceal the spring within the palace. As the curtains were drawn shut, only two intertwined figures were illuminated.

They embarked on their journey together.

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