One hour later.
News that Consort Rong had somehow angered the Emperor and been confined to Zhongcui Palace had spread to every corner of the rear palace.
Inside the Void Space, everything had happened too quickly. The Celestial Beast, who hadn’t yet reacted, was already astonished: Wow! Is this what they call winning without shedding a single drop of blood?
The Little Beast kept exclaiming in amazement: I was just thinking earlier, when you appeared before Emperor Chu, you looked perfectly fine as soon as you entered. I wondered why you weren’t acting or pretending to be weak anymore. But then, in a twist, you pulled off a two-level reversal and put on a grand performance.
Tsk tsk, I’ve realized you’re truly ruthless in your methods, striking right at someone’s vital point.
Consort Rong treasures her face above all else. Now, she probably never dreamed that what she once believed was her greatest asset in competing for favor—her resemblance to the late Empress—would become the very reason for her confinement.
Gu Xi: Your voice is too loud; it’s giving me a headache. Please shut up, thank you.
A bit polite, but not much.
Little Beast: …
Evening.
Gu Xi accompanied Emperor Chu for dinner. Only after her complexion improved slightly did Emperor Chu feel reassured and send guards to escort her back to the Moon Embracing Palace.
After returning, upon hearing the palace maid recount the news of Consort Rong’s confinement, Gu Xi wept with such heart-wrenching sorrow right in front of the maid.
She handed the jewelry and ornaments Emperor Chu had bestowed upon her that day to the maid.
Her eyes brimmed with tears as she sniffled and choked back sobs, saying, “Send these to my aunt. Please tell her not to worry. I will go plead with Father tomorrow and do everything I can to have her confinement lifted as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
The moment the maid withdrew, Gu Xi’s sorrow vanished instantly.
Celestial Beast: I’ve noticed you really are quick to change expressions.
The Little Beast sat down on a small stool in the space and continued: By the way, why didn’t you mention to Emperor Chu earlier that Jun Qi is often bullied by everyone in the palace?
Gu Xi leisurely poured herself a cup of tea before speaking slowly: Do you think Emperor Chu is unaware that the Jun Kingdom’s hostage has been mistreated in various ways all these years?
Moreover, Emperor Chu fought against the Jun Kingdom for many years in his youth. He would gladly see every member of the Jun Kingdom’s royal family dead. Even if I brought it up, it would be useless. Emperor Chu would never treat the Jun Kingdom’s hostage well.
The Celestial Beast shook its head.
Gu Xi set down the teacup in her hand, a slight smile curling at the corner of her lips: However, since Jun Qi is someone I’ve taken a liking to, from now on, I will naturally protect him well.
Besides, if Emperor Chu ever inquires about it, it won’t be too late to bring it up then.
She lowered her head and chuckled softly, her slender fingers stroking the teacup as she tapped it rhythmically: Speaking of Jun Qi, tomorrow I must notify him about something.
Celestial Beast: Notify him about what?
Gu Xi tapped the teacup once more and said leisurely: Curiosity killed the cat, you know.
Celestial Beast: …
The next day.
Early morning.
In a secluded palace beside the Cold Palace.
Jun Qi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window. Golden sunlight filtered through the window cracks, casting a thick shadow across his face.
Behind him, a Black Shadow knelt on the ground.
Jun Qi’s gaze fell upon him. “Is the matter settled?”
The Black Shadow nodded. “Yes, Master.”
Jun Qi leisurely twirled a white chess piece between his fingers. “What is the situation like in the Jun Kingdom’s palace?”
The Black Shadow replied, “Everything is as the master anticipated.”
Suddenly.
As if sensing something, Jun Qi’s hand, holding a chess piece, paused.
The Black Shadow also noticed the movement. “Master, someone is heading this way.”
At that moment, voices from outside the hall drifted in.
“Your Highness, please step down from the sedan chair slowly. Watch your step.”
“You’ve only just started recovering. Why must you come to such a place? It’s so close to the Cold Palace, and the wind is strong. What if you catch a chill again…”
“Your Highness, let me support you. Please be careful.”
Inside the hall, the Black Shadow deduced who it was from the conversation. “Master, it’s Princess Yun Xi…”
Jun Qi’s deep, unfathomable dark eyes glanced toward the outside of the hall. His thumb tapped rhythmically against the chess piece. “Hmm.”
He glanced at the Black Shadow behind him. “You may withdraw for now. I’ll go out and see this sickly Bodhisattva. If her body can’t hold up and she suddenly dies here, it would be inauspicious.”
The Black Shadow retreated. “Yes.”
Outside the hall.
Gu Xi, supported by Tao Yao, had just stepped down from the sedan chair when the Celestial Beast in the Void Space let out a wail.
[What the—! I, the glorious Light of the Heavenly Dao protagonist, actually live in such a rundown place!]
[Look, just look! This courtyard is in such disrepair, overgrown with weeds and no one to sweep it. See that wall over there? There’s a huge hole letting the wind in.]
[And besides, Jun Qi is a prince after all. There isn’t even a eunuch serving him. If the courtyard outside the hall is this dilapidated, the inside must be even worse.]
The Celestial Beast chattered incessantly.
Gu Xi’s gaze swept over the desolate and worn-out courtyard, finally settling on a small patch of land in the corner. There, a small plot of grain was planted, and a few chickens were penned nearby.
Following Gu Xi’s gaze, the Celestial Beast looked over: [No way! Do people in the palace not even feed him? How can he grow his own grain? So pitiful, so pitiful! Ahhh, the Light of the Heavenly Dao!]
Gu Xi’s head throbbed from the Celestial Beast’s shrieking.
With her Spiritual Sense, she kicked the Celestial Beast in the rear. The beast let out a pained “ow,” clutching its bottom as it ran back and forth in the Void Space.
It was at this moment that Jun Qi emerged from the hall.
Warm sunlight spilled over his worn white robes. His eyes were clear as water, pure and transparent, and a gentle, refined smile graced his lips, like a spring breeze sweeping across the land.
He bowed respectfully to Gu Xi, his tone exceedingly mild. “I did not expect Your Highness to visit. I apologize for not welcoming you properly. I hope Your Highness will forgive me…”