If this was any other time, Emperor Tianhui's' victory and defeat are commonplace in war 'would have comforted Chu Qingge greatly.
But now she couldn't help but feel a chill run through her body as she backed up a few steps.
Fortunately, the empress dowager was still here. Otherwise, she wouldn't know what to do!
She had no weapons in her hands, and this was Tianning's imperial palace. As long as Emperor Tianhui wanted to keep her here, it'd be impossible for her to leave.
"Miss Chu, have you thought things over clearly from last time?" Emperor Tianhui asked, seemingly unconcerned by the empress dowager's presence.
A mother knew her son best, so the empress dowager could guess Emperor Tianhui's intentions. She should have left, but she didn't. She'd like to see how Chu Qingge would answer.
"I'm indebted to Your Majesty's misplaced love. Qingge already has someone in her heart," Chu Qingge refused politely.
She swore that she'd never set foot in the palace again. She didn't want to see Emperor Tianhui ever again, because the shadow in her heart was too great.
Emperor Tianhui seemed to be very confident in himself. His eyes flashed with displeasure, but he didn't show it.
"It looks like Zhen was a step too late," he said with an open-minded smile.
Chu Qingge lowered her head and didn't reply.
Emperor Tianhui studied Chu Qingge for a long time before saying, "Someone come, escort Miss Chu out of the palace."
Chu Qingge was surprised by his words. She never expected Emperor Tianhui to be so easy to deal with.
She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, but she didn't have time to think. "Many thanks to Your Majesty!"
After bidding farewell to the empress dowager and Emperor Tianhui, Chu Qingge left, wishing she could fly out of this terrifying place.
The empress dowager stared at her retreating figure from a distance, a cold smile rising to her lips. No wonder this Miss Chu lost to Han Yunxi. So she was such a brainless woman!
How could Emperor Tianhui let her off so easily? Duanmu Baiye and Chu Tianyin had long sold her out.
How could such a stupid woman fight against her?
But not long after Chu Qingge entered the palace as an imperial concubine, the empress dowager realized she was the stupid one.
"Emperor, since the truth of the case has come to light, it's time to bury Noble Consort Yun," the empress dowager said carelessly.
No one knew the truth behind Noble Consort Yun's death better than Emperor Tianhui. He knew why the empress dowager wanted to promote Noble Consort Xue, too.
"Mufei can handle it," Emperor Tianhui seemed indifferent as well. Then he left …
As soon as Chu Qingge left the palace, she went back to her quarters and started pounding on Chu Tianyin's door.
At this time, Chu Tianyin and Duanmu Baiye were discussing something in the room.
As soon as the door opened, Chu Qingge whimpered and hugged Chu Tianyin. "Sobsob … big brother … sobsob."
Chu Tianyin pushed her away. Although they were siblings, he was not used to such intimate contact. "What's wrong with you? Did you lose? "
Chu Qingge sniffled and prepared to speak, but stopped when she saw Duanmu Baiye's presence.
Duanmu Baiye's eyes flashed with coldness. He smiled and said, "Qingge, a loss is a loss. It's no big deal. Let me tell you some good news. Do you want to hear it?"
Chu Qingge wanted to tell Chu Tianyin about what had happened in the palace, but with Duanmu Baiye around, she could only endure.
She had always been cold and aloof, so how could she easily shed tears in front of outsiders?
She wiped her face and quickly regained her composure. "Your Highness, if you have any good news, please tell me to be happy."
"Haha, I must congratulate you." Duanmu Baiye laughed.
"Congratulate? What do you mean? "Chu Qingge didn't understand.
"Tianyin, it's better if you say it, heheh." Duanmu Baiye was in a very good mood. He had been ordered to explain and apologize for Duanmu Yao's actions. He assumed that Emperor Tianhui would make things difficult for him, but everything had gone smoothly thanks to Chu Qingge.
"Big brother … what's the good news?" Chu Qingge asked curiously.
"His Majesty has already decreed that you should marry Emperor Tianhui through a marriage alliance. Tomorrow, we'll set out for Western Zhou to prepare for the marriage alliance. "
Compared to Duanmu Baiye's excitement, Chu Tianyin was much calmer.
Chu Qingge gave a start at these words before she gave Chu Tianyin a shove. "You guys sold me out!" she cried.
She felt like a complete idiot!
No wonder Emperor Tianhui had let her out of the palace so easily. So everything had already been arranged. Everything was set in stone!
Western Zhou's emperor had already decreed her marriage alliance, but Emperor Tianhui still asked her such a question. What did he mean by that?!
Chu Qingge was not only disgusted, but terrified!
Chu Tianyin didn't speak, but Chu Qingge gave him another shove, narrowly missing him. "Are you still my big brother?"
Now Duanmu Baiye was unhappy. Coldly, he said, "Chu Qingge, you're being impudent. These are His Majesty's orders. Are you saying that he sold you out? There are plenty of people who want to marry into Tianning. Don't be ignorant of your good fortune! "
"Then you guys should find someone else! Why me? "Chu Qingge roared, her face ashen and eyes red. She was in a terrible state.
"Impudence! What kind of attitude is this?! " Duanmu Baiye slapped the table and rose to his feet. Although he was on good terms with the Chu siblings, that didn't mean they could treat him with disrespect.
Chu Qingge was about to lose her temper when Chu Tianyin stopped her. "Qingge, this is father's wish as well. The Chu Clan will be proud of you."
In a flash, Chu Qingge froze. Chu Tianyin's words were like a basin of ice water that drenched her from head to toe, freezing her from head to toe.
She couldn't help but tremble. Ever since they were children, she and her big brother had never disobeyed their father's wishes.
They'd never even had the right to question their father's wishes. All they could do was obey! Obey!
Seeing Chu Qingge's reaction, Duanmu Baiye laughed coldly. "What, even His Majesty's orders can't compare to Great General Chu's?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Chu Tianyin hastened to explain. "Your Highness Crown Prince, we'll set out for Western Zhou tomorrow. Everything will be done according to His Majesty and Emperor Tianhui's wishes."
As he spoke, he gave Duanmu Baiye a meaningful look. Duanmu Baiye immediately recalled the treasure trove in the Poison Sect's forbidden grounds and stopped arguing with Chu Qingge.
"Then that's good. Have her prepare well!"
Duanmu Baiye had already left, but Chu Qingge was still frozen in place. Her eyes were empty and filled with despair.
Chu Tianyin ignored her and went to pack up their luggage. After a long time, Chu Qingge finally spoke up, her voice choked with sobs. "Big brother, is father angry because I didn't listen to his words and provoked Han Yunxi?"
Chu Tianyin paused for a long time before he replied, "I don't know. But don't worry, I'll always stay in the capital with you even after you marry over."
No matter how stupid Chu Qingge was, she could still smell a conspiracy. "Big brother, just what are you and father planning?"
"If you have any questions, you can ask father yourself when you get back."
Chu Tianyin looked like a gentle older brother, but he was ruthless to the extreme. "Go pack up. We'll leave tomorrow."
After he was done, he ignored Chu Qingge and left the room to instruct his attendants. "Keep an eye on the young miss. If she escapes, you'll be the ones to blame!"
Han Yunxi was in a great mood after winning against Chu Qingge. She was about to leave the palace when she turned around and headed for the Imperial Physician Courtyard.
With her part-time job as an imperial physician, the Imperial Physician Courtyard had become her free medicine warehouse. She was actually quite grateful to Emperor Tianhui.
She assumed that Gu Beiyue was still in the courtyard, but nobody knew where he'd gone after asking around.
Han Yunxi left after getting her medicine. She had no idea that Lil Thing had snuck in at the same time she left the Imperial Physician Courtyard.
After its experience at the Medical Materials Association, Lil Thing was especially cautious. Fortunately, the Imperial Physician Courtyard was large enough that there were multiple doors. Few people had time to stare at the floor.
After entering, Lil Thing sniffed around before heading straight for the imperial pharmacy behind the Imperial Physician Courtyard.
Don't assume that it was here to steal medicine. As gluttonous as it was, it actually hurried through the pharmacy without even looking at the ingredients.
In the end, it stopped in front of a small room in the back courtyard.
The air was filled with the fragrance of herbs. However, it could still easily distinguish the unique scent from the herbal fragrance that filled the courtyard. It was a faint herbal fragrance, with a hint of vanilla.
Only people who'd been taking medicine since childhood would have such a scent. Only a nose as sensitive as Lil Thing's could sniff it out.
It stood up with its head held high, thoroughly enjoying the scent in the air. Its large tail swayed back and forth as it reveled in the scent.
It really liked this scent. If it could die in this scent, what a happy thing it'd be!
As it sniffed, it couldn't help but start dancing, spinning in circles on one paw as if lost in a beautiful dream.
Suddenly, there was a creak as the door opened.
Lil Thing gave a start before dodging to the side. The person who came out was none other than the Head Imperial Physician, Gu Beiyue.
"Chee chee!"
Lil Thing was so happy that it kept making noises.
Gu Beiyue looked back and was surprised to see Lil Thing. How did it find its way here?!
When Lil Thing saw Gu Beiyue looking at it, it grew even happier and scurried onto his shoulder. "Chee, chee, chee." It didn't know what to say, but after a few squeaks, it jumped down and scuttled back into the room.
Gu Beiyue's gentle eyes flashed with curiosity as he followed it in.
Who knew that when Lil Thing saw him enter, it actually stood still by the door.
Gu Beiyue squatted down and gently asked, "Lil Thing, what's wrong?"
Lil Thing looked at him and scratched at the door. Gu Beiyue didn't understand and gently stroked its little head. "What are you trying to do? I don't understand. "
Lil Thing wanted to close the door, but it couldn't push it. It wished it could return to its original form so that it could push the door down with just a slap. However, it didn't want to change. Its original form was too fat and not cute at all.
It became anxious and used its small body to push the door.
"Lil Thing, you want to close the door, right?" Gu Beiyue finally understood. He laughed as he scooped it up in his hand and closed the door.
Lil Thing sat in his palm and looked at his smile in a daze. How could there be a man who smiled so gently? It was like the spring breeze in April, blowing into one's heart.
After closing the door, Gu Beiyue found a place to sit down and asked seriously, "Lil Thing, why did you come looking for me?"
That's right, why did Lil Thing suddenly come looking for Gu Beiyue?
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