Xiao guniang had been publicly scolded by Liu Zhao. How humiliating, how wretched, outsiders could never understand.
Gu Jiu gave her an awkward smile. This really had nothing to do with her. The blame lay entirely with that bastard Liu Zhao, deliberately sowing enmity.
Xiao guniang turned her head with a huff, refusing to respond to Gu Jiu’s glance.
She dared not resent Liu Zhao directly. With nowhere to vent her anger, it inevitably fell upon Gu Jiu. After all, she was Liu Zhao’s fiancée. Naturally, she would have to shoulder Xiao guniang’s resentment and reproach.
Gu Jiu ground her teeth, sneaking a glare at Liu Zhao.
With perfect seriousness, Liu Zhao asked, “Is Xiao biaomei dissatisfied with me?”
Xiao guniang nearly choked on her grievances. She was the one scolded, and she hadn’t uttered a single complaint against him, yet he had the gall to accuse her first. Shameless beyond belief!
“How could I dare to be dissatisfied with Zhao biaoge?”
She lowered her head submissively, looking like a bullied little wife.
Liu Yi could no longer bear it. “Da ge, what do you mean by this? Qin’er did nothing to offend you. Why are you picking on her? If you’re dissatisfied, take it out on me, don’t take it out on her.”
Xiao guniang’s heart leapt. Her cheeks flushed faintly red, and the way she looked at Liu Yi was as though he were a hero.
Liu Zhao slanted him a lazy glance.
That single look nearly drove Liu Yi to madness.
Liu Zhao kept a straight face, voice stern: “Pointing out someone’s mistakes is called making things difficult? Tell me, si di, which teacher taught you that reasoning?”
Just those two words si di carried such oppressive weight that even Gu Jiu felt it.
She secretly observed them. Was their brotherly relationship really this bad? Before their elders, they didn’t even bother to hide it?
Liu Yi ground his teeth. “All I know is that a man who bullies women is contemptible.”
Liu Zhao replied coolly, “Go back and read more books.”
“You–!”
“Cough, cough…”
Shu fei covered her mouth and coughed lightly. At once, Liu Yi dropped the matter. “Grandmother, are you all right?”
Shu fei waved a hand. “Bengong is fine. When your brother instructs you, you should listen.”
Liu Yi bowed his head meekly, all obedience and quiet grievance, enough to wrench her heart with pity.
Shu fei cast a cold glare at Ning wang, who was sitting by as though nothing concerned him.
Ning wang chuckled and pretended not to notice.
Two brothers quarrelling? What business was that of his?
Hadn’t he and his own brothers been exactly the same in their youth?
As a son of the imperial clan, if you expected your elders to stand up for you at every turn, what kind of imperial scion would you be?
Ning wang believed children needed tempering, needed rivals to push them forward.
So long as things didn’t escalate into blows or bloodshed, he wouldn’t bother himself with how his sons sparred, whether openly or in secret.
That was how he himself had grown up. Why should his sons have it easier than he?
Shu fei, helpless against Ning wang, let her gaze turn icy as she fixed it on Liu Zhao.
“Zhao’er, you’re the eldest brother. Yet the moment you sit down, you start hurling criticisms left and right. What kind of behaviour is this? This is Changchun Palace; you didn’t even ask bengong’s permission before chastising others. Do you have no regard for bengong at all?”
Her rebuke was harsh, just shy of outright calling him unfilial.
Expressionless, Liu Zhao said, “I beg Grandmother’s pardon. I did act in some haste. But I still hope Grandmother will discipline Xiao biaomei and si di properly. They are no longer children, yet their words and manners lack propriety. It is truly unseemly.”
Shu fei’s face darkened. “Bengong likes them just as they are. Must you meddle as well?”
“This grandson certainly cannot meddle in Changchun Palace affairs. It was only a casual remark.”
She snorted coldly, her gaze toward Liu Zhao growing ever more frigid.
Gu Jiu sneaked a glance at him. No wonder the elders disliked him.
The way he spoke could choke a person to death. It would be strange if the elders favoured him.
And yet… Gu Jiu was puzzled. The Liu Zhao she knew was a man of measure, his words and actions always well weighed, not the sort to lash out simply because something displeased him.
Why, then, did he act before his elders like such a rigid, unyielding, unlikable “paragon of virtue”?
She couldn’t make sense of it. What did he stand to gain from this?
Shu fei said to Liu Yi, “Ignore your da ge. He does nothing but lecture. Stay away from him in future.”
Liu Yi looked at Liu Zhao, then said obediently, “I’ll do as Grandmother says. But perhaps da ge only means it for my own good.”
Shu fei’s heart ached all the more for him. She became firmly convinced Liu Yi was the more considerate, more sensible grandson compared to Liu Zhao.
She shot Liu Zhao a glare. “Your younger brother is more thoughtful than you. Stop frightening silang in future.”
Liu Zhao gave Liu Yi a half-smile, his gaze mocking. Liu Yi met it with perfect calm, the two brothers’ eyes colliding in mid-air, sparks flying.
Gu Jiu looked from one to the other. She realised she had gravely underestimated the imperial clan’s heirs.
Mei jiejie had been entirely right: every imperial grandson was a consummate schemer.
Liu Yi’s anger, his agitation, his wounded look, it was all a masterful performance, with Shu fei as the audience.
Every word, every expression, every gesture was calculated to win her pity.
The more she pitied him, the less pity she had for Liu Zhao, even breeding aversion toward him.
As for Xiao guniang, Gu Jiu believed her grievances were genuine; her acting was nowhere near Liu Yi’s level.
Suddenly, Liu Zhao turned his gaze on Gu Jiu.
This was the first time since entering the hall that he looked directly at her.
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow: What are you staring at benguniang for?
Liu Zhao lowered his eyes with a faint laugh, his gaze filled with teasing mockery.
Gu Jiu frowned. She found him more and more unreadable.
Shu fei asked Ning wang, “What brings you here today, with time to visit bengong?”
Ning wang smiled. “Whenever I have time, erchen will always come visit mufei.”
At these words, her heart softened, her expression too. She laughed. “At your age, about to become a grandfather in a few years, and still so glib.”
Ning wang chuckled. “No matter my age, I will always be mufei’s son.”
Those words greatly pleased Shu fei. She laughed merrily for a good while before asking, “Have you gone to see your fuhuang?”
Ning wang nodded. “I have. Recently, fuhuang obtained a new beauty and has been so enchanted he practically forgot himself. He grew impatient and drove this son out.”
Shu fei gave a cold snort. “The Empress is already on the brink of… and yet your father still has the leisure to dote on some beauty. Had this been three years ago, the Empress would surely have had that woman flogged to death.”
“That is why your son says that the new favourite has had a stroke of luck, arriving at just the right time.”
Shu fei burst out laughing. “Say such things only before bengong. Do not repeat them outside. If they should reach the Empress’s ears, you’ll find the consequences unbearable.”
Ning wang chuckled lazily, looking entirely careless. “Mufei, rest assured. Your son knows his limits.”
Shu fei relaxed completely, leaning back against her chair. “Weiyang Palace doesn’t have many days left, yet they still refuse to be quiet. These next few days, all of you must stay alert. Be especially careful with Gu Jiu. At any moment, the Empress may summon you. Do you know what words should and should not be spoken?”
Gu Jiu bowed slightly. “Chennü understands.”
Shu fei gave a small nod. “Restraint in speech and action, very good. But if you cause trouble, bengong will never spare you.”
“Chennü would not dare!”
Just then, Liu Zhao suddenly said, “Grandmother, let the two of them withdraw.”
Shu fei turned to look at him and nodded slightly. “Take Qin’er and Gu Jiu to settle in. Have them both remain at bengong’s place here for supper tonight.”
“As you command.”
Gu Jiu hastily rose and withdrew with the palace maids.
Her thoughts wandered; this new beauty Ning wang mentioned… could it possibly be Jiang Yan?
No, surely not Jiang Yan.
She had no support within the palace. Even securing a single audience with His Majesty was nearly impossible, let alone receiving his favour.
Besides, even if she did gain his favour, it might not be a blessing.
After all, His Majesty was already past sixty. Judging by the average lifespan of men of this era, and especially emperors, his remaining years were few.
If she were favoured yet bore no child, once the Emperor passed, her fate would surely be grim.
Lost in such thoughts, Gu Jiu left the great hall.
Liu Zhao frowned tightly. What was this woman thinking? He had signalled to her several times, and she had not responded.
To drift off in the palace like that, did she not know what it meant to court death?
He would find a chance to properly discipline her.
Gu Jiu and Xiao guniang were lodged in the side chambers.
The two sat in silence, the atmosphere painfully awkward.
After a while, Xiao guniang grew impatient. She stood up and left directly.
The palace attendants did not stop her; indeed, they chatted and laughed with her familiarly.
Clearly, Xiao guniang knew Changchun Palace well.
With only Gu Jiu and her maid Qing Mei left in the chamber, Gu Jiu exhaled in relief. She finally felt more at ease.
At last, another hurdle passed.
Qing Mei asked with concern, “Guniang, are you all right?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I’m fine. Stand guard at the door. When Gongzi Zhao comes, let me know. I’ll close my eyes for a while.”
She was utterly exhausted. From early morning until now, she had been tense without pause. Life in the palace truly was not fit for mortals.
Qing Mei asked in surprise, “Gongzi Zhao is also in the palace?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “He should find a chance to come by. Keep watch, don’t let anyone discover it.”
“Understood.”
Gu Jiu closed her eyes to rest. Half-asleep, her head grew muddled.
It seemed as though a soft spring breeze brushed her face, warm and gentle, like being bathed in spring itself.
A smile spread across her lips. But then, suddenly, she realised something was wrong.
She was in the palace; how could she be dreaming of springtime? Her mind must be clouded.
The palace called to mind only the depths of bitter winter.
Her eyes flew open. Startled, she found Liu Zhao seated across from her.
“How did you get in? Where’s Qing Mei?”
“She’s standing guard outside.”
Liu Zhao gazed at her, his eyes brimming with hidden meaning.
Gu Jiu rubbed her face. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Do you drool in your sleep?”
“Ahhhh!”
Gu Jiu hastily pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth. Impossible! She could not possibly drool. This was slander, pure slander!
Watching her flustered and frantic, Liu Zhao secretly smiled.
He would never let her know that it was precisely her wild, untamed-cat side that he liked best.
After wiping her lips, Gu Jiu took up a cup of cold plain water to rinse her mouth, fussing for quite some time before she finally put herself back in order.
Liu Zhao saw her sit down again and asked, “Do you have something you wish to say to bengongzi?”
“You… coming here like this, isn’t it dangerous?”
Liu Zhao slowly shook his head. “Bengongzi’s affairs are not yours to worry about. Speak, what is it you want from bengongzi? Back in the hall, your eyes were practically begging me, bengongzi knew you had something to say.”
Gu Jiu’s brow twitched violently; she was truly furious.
Her face darkened as she said coldly, “The Empress niangniang asked me whether I had met you in the northwest. I denied it. But she seemed to know something. I don’t think niangniang will let this go easily.”
Liu Zhao raised his brows slightly. “Bengongzi is aware of this. Anything else?”
Gu Jiu bit down hard and accused, “The only reason I’m trapped in this wretched situation is because of you. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me, how helpless I am in the palace? I live in constant fear that one sip of water, one bite of food, could be the end of me, and I’d die here in silence, without a sound.
“My life was peaceful before you appeared. But because of you, all of it has been shattered. You are the culprit. What did I ever do to catch your eye, to make you choose me as your wife? And I can’t even return the goods!”
I’m furious to death!
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
All her grievances, helplessness, and fear, she poured out unreservedly on Liu Zhao.
At Weiyang Palace, when the Empress gripped her jaw and interrogated her, how terrified and powerless she had felt.
If, in that moment, the Empress had truly decided to kill her, who could she have turned to for help? No one. She would have died for nothing.
And she feared pain most of all. Yet that sickly Empress, her hands were frighteningly strong.
At that time, she had hated Liu Zhao bitterly for dragging her into this brutal struggle for the throne.
Gu Jiu had never felt such humiliation before. Even when Xie shi constantly made things difficult for her, she had never wallowed in self-pity, because she always had a retreat, always a way out.
But now, in this situation, there was no retreat. She was forced onto a thorny path, carrying a heavy burden forward.
And she had only just stepped onto this road, yet already she had tasted its cruelty.
A handkerchief appeared in front of her.
Gu Jiu looked up at Liu Zhao. “I don’t want your handkerchief.”
Liu Zhao’s expression was calm. “You’re already entangled with me. There is no way back.”
Damn it!
Gu Jiu glared at him and declared solemnly, “I want out.”
Liu Zhao shook his head slowly, his face cold. “The imperial edict has been issued. The only way out is death.”
Gu Jiu glared at him with hatred. “All of this is because of you.”
Liu Zhao nodded. “I admit, all of this is because of me.”
“You shameless man!” Gu Jiu cursed.
Liu Zhao nodded again. “Yes, I am shameless.”
Gu Jiu was enraged and kicked him twice, hard.
Liu Zhao remained unmoved and instead reached out, gently brushing her eyelid with his fingertip.
Gu Jiu turned her head away, dodging him.
But Liu Zhao stubbornly refused to stop. “When you’re done crying, you should start smiling again.”
Gu Jiu clenched her fist and punched him squarely.
Liu Zhao said with utmost seriousness, “You can hit me a few more times. It doesn’t hurt.”
Gu Jiu nearly vomited blood from sheer anger.
“Go away! I don’t want to see you.”
She shoved him, but he didn’t budge.
Instead, Liu Zhao firmly grabbed her hand, pressing it against his cheek. “Why not slap me here? That might help vent your anger.”
Insane!
Gu Jiu struggled, but Liu Zhao refused to let go, and even forced her hand down against his own face.
Slap!
Gu Jiu gasped in shock.
“Feeling better now?” Liu Zhao asked.
Gu Jiu turned away, gritting her teeth. “What do you want from me? Just say it straight, no need for all this nonsense.”
Liu Zhao reached out and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. “Crying doesn’t suit you. Ugly. Smiling suits you better.”
Gu Jiu nearly fainted from rage.
You’re the ugly one. Your whole family’s ugly.
Liu Zhao frowned, staring at her. “You’re secretly insulting me again?”
Gu Jiu snorted and kept silent.
Liu Zhao simply held onto her hand and sat down beside her.
Gu Jiu tugged several times but couldn’t break free, so she let him keep holding her hand.
Enough already! Was this man obsessed with holding women’s hands?
Liu Zhao gazed at her. “The Empress’s sudden summons to the palace was my miscalculation. But you needn’t worry too much. The Empress won’t harm you.”
Gu Jiu sneered. “That’s not certain. The Empress doesn’t have long left to live. If she does something mad at the end, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”
Liu Zhao’s expression turned solemn. “The only thing worth worrying about is that she might use tricks to force you to tell the truth.”
Gu Jiu whispered, “Rest assured, I won’t utter a word about the northwest.”
“I believe you. But I don’t trust the Empress. She could use any means against you. Think carefully, do you have any weak points she might exploit?”
Gu Jiu frowned in thought. “Qing Mei? Would the Empress torture Qing Mei? What should I do then?”
She was anxious, worried.
Liu Zhao tightened his grip on her hand, his fingertip brushing the corner of her lips.
Gu Jiu froze, then punched him again. “Don’t you dare touch me.”
Liu Zhao lowered his head slightly, smiling, then said seriously, “Right now, everyone is locked in a struggle. The Empress hasn’t lost her senses; she won’t leave Crown Prince with such a mess to clean up. I think she’ll try another route. Think carefully.”
Gu Jiu thought hard, then suddenly said, “The Xie family! At that time, Xie er laoye was in the northwest. And Xie Xian even met Guard Zhao once.”
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