Feng Qi Palace.
The Empress was holding a cat, pinching its claws to make it reveal its sharp nails from time to time. She seemed to be deep in thought.
The few servants who were serving at the side all looked at the cat with trepidation.
Although the cat had been raised by the Empress and only recognized the Empress and the servants in charge of raising cats, they were still afraid that it would hurt the Empress's precious body and didn't dare to relax.
After a long silence, the Empress asked, "Has Chu Mo received the edict?"
His personal attendant replied respectfully, "He's already on his way here. Her Highness the Empress personally issued the edict. Even if you give him a hundred guts, Chu Daren won't dare to disobey the edict. "
The Empress had always liked to listen to such flattery, but today she felt it was harsh to the ears.
He couldn't help but think of the scene he saw three days ago.
After he was released from his confinement, he heard that the Emperor had recently become fond of reading and often summoned Chu Hanlin to accompany him. He also heard that Chu Hanlin had seen an ancient book in the library and had helped the Emperor solve the "plague" crisis of the imperial scholars last year. Thus, he was tempted to go to the library to take a look.
The library was located in the side hall of Zhengyang Palace. It was at the intersection of Zhengyang Palace and Jiaotai Hall. The other half was connected to the East Rear Palace. Entering from the side door didn't require passing through Zhengyang Palace.
As the Empress, he naturally had the qualifications to enter and leave the library.
He thought that in the past, he was also a famous scholar in the capital. He was famous in Shuang 'er. The Emperor liked to move people with books. Wasn't this his opportunity?
But he didn't expect that what really moved the Emperor wasn't the book that saved the people, but that person.
Thinking of the original Chi Cheng, the Empress felt it was ironic.
"Meow!"
The pinched cat screamed. The Empress suddenly recovered and stroked the cat's fur, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's no big deal."
He repeatedly said it, not knowing if he was comforting the cat or himself.
His eyes flashed with a trace of determination, he asked, "Qin Shu, is he ready?"
The attendant respectfully replied, "It has been prepared according to His Highness's instructions."
"His Majesty?"
"Answering Your Highness, His Majesty entered Chongwu Gate a cup of tea ago."
"That's good."
The Empress smiled, her eyes filled with viciousness.
Not long after, Gou Liang entered the side chamber of Feng Qi Palace. There was a screen separating the inside from the outside. Behind the screen, a vague figure could be seen.
Seeing Gou Liang come in, a servant slowly came out from behind the screen. Seeing that He Taiji was beside Gou Liang, the servant's expression changed. He immediately came forward with a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Lord Chu, please sit for a moment. Her Highness the Empress will be here soon."
As he spoke, Qin Shu also bowed to He Taijian and quickly walked back behind the screen. He then fetched another cup of tea and offered it to He Taijian.
"Lord Chu, why aren't you drinking tea? Is it not to your taste?"
It was already impolite not to drink the tea offered by the host, let alone the tea from the Phoenix Palace. Qin Shu gave Gou Liang a strange look.
He Taiji, who was about to take the tea and express his gratitude according to etiquette, seemed to have thought of something when he saw this. He abruptly stopped his action of pouring the tea.
Gou Liang said, "This humble subject is a foreign subject and cannot stay in the harem for long. Today, I was summoned by Her Highness the Empress. This tea … This humble subject has never drunk such expensive tea. The fragrance of the tea is strong and very pleasant. This humble subject wants to smell more to thank Her Highness the Empress for her kindness … This servant won't mind, right? "
On the side, He Taiji felt a chill run down his spine. The fists hidden in his sleeves secretly clenched.
Gou Liang was His Majesty's favorite. What good things had he not seen and not used? If he used inferior goods like "First Green After the Rain", it would be their fault as servants. Why would he want it?
This could only mean that there was something wrong with this tea!
He Taiji's nerves were tense. His back was slightly sweating, but his expression was still respectful.
Qin Shu didn't notice anything wrong and said with a smile, "How could that be? Lord Chu, you are too polite."
As he said this, he looked at Gou Liang with eyes full of love. He said with admiration, "Lord Chu is brimming with talent. Even I have heard of it in the harem. Her Highness the Empress also admires you very much. As a matter of fact, I saw a problem in the book today, so I wanted to ask Lord Chu for advice. It's a pity that we servants have shallow knowledge and can't understand it. "
In the face of such a beautiful smile and straightforward adoration, if it was an ordinary bookworm, they would have long been fascinated and blushed.
But Gou Liang wasn't a normal bookworm.
With a serious face, he said, "You don't have to belittle yourself when you serve me. Everyone has their own specialties. To be able to receive Her Highness' favor is rare. "
Qin Shu didn't hear Gou Liang's "praise" that he was a good servant. He was insinuating that he only had the fate of being a servant. He thought that he didn't understand the situation.
He said angrily, "Lord Chu is overpraising this servant … Ah, this tea is going to get cold. Lord, drink it quickly. If you like the fragrance of the tea, this servant will make another cup for you. "
Before Gou Liang could speak, He Taiji said respectfully, "Lord Qin Shu, it's getting late. His Majesty wants to return to the palace. Yesterday, he told this servant that he has a classical story to discuss with Lord Chu. This matter can't be delayed. What do you think? "
Qin Shu was anxious and said, "Her Highness the Empress hasn't arrived yet and you want to leave. What is the rule?"
He Taiji said, "There are priorities. How can His Majesty's matter be delayed? Please explain to Her Highness the Empress. This servant will take Lord Chu back to Zhengyang Palace. "
"You!"
Qin Shu didn't know how to refute and could only be anxious.
The Empress, who was hiding in the side room, cursed in her heart. He couldn't even handle such a simple matter. She walked behind the screen from the side door of the side room and said, "What urgent matter does Eunuch He have that you can't even wait for a moment?"
Qin Shu walked back behind the screen. He Taiji also knelt down in front of the screen, "This servant greets Her Highness the Empress!"
"This servant, Chu Mo, greets Her Highness the Empress."
Gou Liang raised his hands and bowed.
The Empress frowned. Qin Hua, who was beside him, said sternly, "Lord Chu, why don't you kneel in front of the Empress?"
He Taiji said first, "Reporting to Your Highness, Lord Chu injured his leg a few days ago. His Majesty allowed Lord Chu not to kneel."
There was no need to kneel in front of the Emperor. There was no need to kneel in front of the Empress.
The Empress gritted her teeth and said, "I see. Is there anything wrong with Lord Chu?"
Gou Liang said, "This servant is fine. It's just that His Majesty loves me so much … His Majesty's kindness is so great that this servant doesn't dare to refuse."
Hearing this shy and timid tone, the Empress was so angry that she pinched the armrest of the chair. She held back her anger and said, "His Majesty has always been kind to this servant. I naturally can't neglect it. Come, serve the tea. "
Then, she said to Gou Liang, "Lord Chu, please sit down. This Empress saw a problem in the book and couldn't figure it out. So, I took the liberty to ask you to solve this problem for me. "
How could Gou Liang sit down?
He stood up and bowed again, "Your Highness, please speak."
"There's no hurry," the Empress said with a smile, "Lord Chu, please drink tea first. You came to this Empress' Feng Qi Palace and didn't even serve a cup of tea. It's this Empress's fault."
"Your Highness, this servant doesn't deserve this."
Gou Liang didn't panic. Qin Shu, who was serving tea again, personally served the tea to Gou Liang. Gou Liang smiled faintly at him. Qin Shu's pupils lost focus for an extremely brief moment. In this moment of distraction, the tea in his hand had already fallen to the ground.
Scalded by the warm tea, Qin Shu cried out in alarm. Then, there was the sound of porcelain shattering.
"What's the matter?"
The Empress strode out and saw Qin Shu kneel down in fear, "This servant deserves to die!"
He Taiji frowned and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, this servant was really careless. He actually spilled the tea. Fortunately, it didn't splash Lord Chu, otherwise … … "
"Eunuch He, you're exaggerating." Gou Liang hurriedly said, "Your Highness, people make mistakes and horses stumble. Please don't blame this servant. Otherwise, it's this servant's fault."
Listening to his kind tone, it was as if he would be vicious if he punished this good-for-nothing who couldn't accomplish anything but spoiled everything.
The Empress was furious, but she heard Qin Hua whisper in her ear, "Your Highness, His Majesty is about to arrive."
The Empress saw that her plan didn't work and was even more furious. She looked at the cat in Shishuang's arms and couldn't help but give him a look.
Shishuang was also her confidant. He immediately understood and threw the cat teasing stick in his hand in the direction of Gou Liang. The white cat excitedly meowed and rushed towards the embroidered ball on the teasing stick. It was right in front of Gou Liang's face!
"Lord Chu!"
He Taiji was shocked and reached out to block, but he was a step too late!
Gou Liang's eyes narrowed. The cat in the air suddenly slapped away the cat teasing stick and rushed towards Gou Liang. With a tearing sound, its sharp claws cut open Gou Liang's clothes, but the white cat was still trying its best to climb up Gou Liang's chest with its claws, its mouth making a fawning "meow meow" sound.
"Come down."
Gou Liang rubbed the cat's head and put it down. He smiled at the Empress, "Your Highness, your cat is very cute."
The white cat was still unwilling to leave Gou Liang's side. It circled around his legs and suddenly knelt down. It meowed and licked Gou Liang's shoes, looking like it was trying to please him.
The Empress's expression became twisted.
What he liked the most in the past was the pride of this cat. It was as noble and arrogant as the Empress. But now, the cat that he had raised for ten years was kneeling in front of Gou Liang and licking his feet. It was as if the Empress's dignity was trampled on the ground.
The Empress's face was ferocious. She was so angry that she couldn't speak.
At this time, there was the sound of hurried footsteps outside the hall. Then, someone kicked open the door.
The sound seemed to ring in the Empress's ears. A crazy idea suddenly flashed in his mind. His actions were faster than his thoughts. He tore open his phoenix robe and cried out pitifully, "Your Majesty, please help me …"
In his original plan, the Qin Shu should have been entangled with Gou Liang, who had drunk the Red Dust Drunken Wine, and then be seen by the Emperor. He didn't believe that the Emperor would treat such an impure thing as a treasure.
Now that his plan had failed, the Empress, who was angry, thought irrationally. Even if he had to sacrifice himself, he wouldn't let Gou Liang have an easy time!
Even Gou Liang was shocked by this unforeseen event.
Then, the corner of his mouth hooked up into a smirk. In the blink of an eye, he had a face that looked like he was about to cry. He threw himself at the Emperor, who was striding towards him.
"Your Majesty!"
There was a hint of sobbing in his voice.
The Emperor's eyebrows immediately furrowed. He hurriedly caught him. With one hand around his waist and the other touching his face, he anxiously asked, "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Gou Liang held back a tear and said pitifully, "Your Majesty, you have to help me."
"The Empress wanted to seduce me. I didn't want to. He even wanted to take off my clothes. Look …" He pointed at his clothes that had been torn open by the cat's claws, "Your Majesty, I'm so scared."
The Emperor had never heard him use such a charming voice to talk to him. His back immediately went numb. He unconsciously kissed his forehead and said, "Don't be scared."
Seeing this scene, the Empress was like a duck that had been grabbed by the neck. She was tongue-tied.
He never thought that Gou Liang would see through his intentions. Not only did he beat him to it, he even used this to gain the Emperor's favour!
Seeing the Emperor lovingly hug and kiss him, the Empress' mind went blank. She sharply shouted, "Nonsense! You're talking nonsense! It was clearly you who wanted to do something to me! "
Hearing this, whether it was the Empress's trusted servants, He Taiji who had been in the hall for a long time, or Tong Gensheng who had come with the Emperor, they all knelt down in fear. They didn't dare to watch the gods fight. They didn't want to see mortals suffer.
"Your Majesty, listen. He actually dared to slander me."
Gou Liang's tone was charming and full of grievances. However, his expression was filled with an extremely evil smile.
The Emperor saw this and felt extremely moved. He allowed him to do as he pleased.
Seeing him point at the screen with his eyes, the Emperor called for Tong Gensheng and had people put away the screen that was in the way. Afterwards, he carried Gou Liang to the main seat and had Gou Liang sit on his lap. He gently wiped away his fake tears and said gently, "What happened? Xiao Kener, tell me. Zhen will definitely help you. "
"Your Majesty!"
The Empress shouted in disbelief.
The Emperor's eyebrows moved. Tong Gensheng looked around and then steeled his heart to personally cover the Empress' mouth.
The Empress angrily struggled but to no avail. She let out angry and frightened cries. The Empress's personal servants trembled as they knelt on the ground. No one dared to speak up to protect the Empress' dignity. Instead, they lowered their heads even more in fear.
Gou Liang, who had transformed into a flirtatious cheap man, said softly, "Your Majesty, you know that I only love you in my life. I only have you in my heart and eyes. Although the Empress's status is honorable, this humble subject cannot agree to such a request. "
As he spoke, he did not forget to give the Empress a malicious and provocative look. He said with compassion, "Ai, the Empress is also pitiful. Please don't blame him. I know that he has not had a day with a man in the inner palace for more than ten years. When his passion flares up, he doesn't even have to think about it. Any man would throw himself at him. But I … "
He bit his lip and continued with a shy expression, "I can't do it even if I die. Other than Your Majesty, I don't want anyone else."
The Emperor pressed his lips together to hold back his laughter and said hoarsely, "Xiao Kener is very good. You did the right thing. I will reward you greatly."
"Wuwuwu!"
The Empress' eyes filled with tears.
Gou Liang said, "Your Majesty, I already have you. Being able to stay by Your Majesty's side day and night is already the greatest favor you have given me. I don't dare to ask for more. How about Your Majesty bestow it to the Empress? "
The Emperor finally couldn't help but smile. He hugged him a bit tighter and said, "Alright, I'll listen to you."
"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
Gou Liang happily kissed the Emperor's lips. He purposely made a loud sound. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the Empress glaring at him. He even purposely stuck out his tongue to lick the Emperor's thin lips.
"Wuwu!!"
The Empress loudly cried out.
The Emperor's lower abdomen warmed as he was teased.
This was not a good time to be affectionate with Gou Liang. The Emperor returned the kiss and said with a gentle smile, "When have I not allowed you what you want?"
Gou Liang smiled sweetly and then said awkwardly, "Then what reward should I give to the Empress? Look at her. She is the Phoenix Empress of a country and doesn't seem to lack anything … "
He thought hard for a while and suddenly gave an ah sound.
His eyes lit up and Gou Liang said as if he had been enlightened, "I know, the Empress is lacking a man!"
"Wuwu!!!"
The Empress was shocked by his shamelessness. She was filled with hate and fear.
Gou Liang hugged the Emperor, but he turned around to stare at the Empress. He said in a flirtatious and cheap voice, "Your Majesty does not need to thank me. If it wasn't for the Empress's hunger and thirst, why would she give me the Red Dust Drunken Wine and want me to have sex with her? I can't satisfy you, so I naturally have to help you. "
"What!"
The Emperor was used to him being naughty, but when he heard the words Red Dust Drunken Wine, his expression changed greatly.
"Xiao Kener, did you drink it?!"
The Emperor nervously held his face and felt around. He was anxious to see if he was okay.
"Your Majesty, you forgot that I have great medical skills. I was poisoned by the Red Dust Drunken Wine once. How could I be tricked by it a second time?" Gou Liang looked at the Emperor with comforting eyes. He turned his head and kissed the Emperor's hand. He said with a smile, "Your Majesty the Empress has been urging me to drink, but I really don't have the fortune to enjoy such kindness."
After confirming that he was okay, the Emperor let out a sigh of relief.
Then he looked at the Empress.
This was the first time he looked at the Empress since he stepped into Feng Qi Palace. His eyes were so cold that it made the Empress feel like she had fallen into an ice cellar. The killing intent that had materialized made the Empress shiver.
That look was very short and the Emperor quickly looked away. He lowered his head and looked at Gou Liang, saying, "What does Xiao Kener want to give him as a reward? How about giving him the Red Dust Drunken Wine? "
He still had a smile on his face, but he said the words of killing the Empress without any emotion.
Gou Liang smiled until his eyes turned into crescents.
He put his palm on the Emperor's arm and stroked it comfortingly. He turned his head and glanced at the deathly pale Empress who clearly knew that the Red Dust Drunken Wine was a fatal poison to Shuang 'er. He smiled and said, "It's rare for me to ask for a reward from Your Majesty. How can I neglect Your Majesty the Empress like this? In my opinion …" He paused and suddenly put away the frivolous smile in his words. He said lightly, "How about I give him a drug to liven things up and let him have a good taste of a man. It's my apology for not being able to find pleasure for him."
"What does Your Majesty think?"
Gou Liang asked the Emperor, but his gaze was on the Empress.
He was inattentively admiring the Empress's deathly pale face, the futile struggle, and the muffled cries for mercy. Gou Liang's gaze was filled with a disdain that made the Empress hate him to the extreme and fear him to the extreme.
The Emperor chuckled, "Little Keng 'er is right."
"Someone come."
"This servant is here."
Tong Gensheng, who had covered the Empress' mouth and watched the entire scene, responded with a face full of cold sweat.
He heard the Emperor say, "Pass on zhen's decree. Order the Imperial Army to surround the House of Marquis Boyang and invite all the men of the House of Marquis Boyang into the palace. Just say that zhen wants to invite them to see a good show. "
The House of Marquis Boyang was the Empress' father's family.
Tong Gensheng's palm was hit by the Empress' panting panting. He forced himself to calmly respond, "This servant obeys."