Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"I am indeed feeling unwell, and I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission to return to my residence to rest," Gao Shuo said, keeping his head lowered, avoiding my gaze. His voice was hoarse, as if he were struggling to suppress his emotions.
Gao Zhai paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile that carried a hint of satisfaction, pulling me up onto the high platform.
His hand remained tightly clasped around mine, his steps firm. The sounds of song and dance erupted once more, and I sat there in a daze, my eyes hollow as I watched Gao Shuo disappear into the crowd in the distance, my body feeling as if it had been frozen in place.
Gao Zhai glanced at me, his eyes filled with curiosity. He poured a cup of wine and handed it to me. I turned my head away, unwilling to look at him, my neck stiffly twisting to the side.
"It seems he doesn't want to look at you even once," Gao Zhai said softly, forcing the wine cup into my hand. When his fingertips brushed against mine, a chill ran through me. The scar on my shoulder throbbed faintly, and I instinctively recoiled.
My hand trembled, spilling warm wine onto my dress, the liquid slowly seeping into the fabric.
I quickly stood up and bowed, my movements hurried and flustered. Using the excuse of changing clothes, I retreated from the Imperial Garden. As soon as I stepped through the archway of the garden, I hurried down the corridor, clutching my skirt tightly as I ran, my footsteps quickening and the hem of my dress fluttering in the wind.
Gao Shuo had not been gone long; perhaps I could still catch up with him.
Once inside the Inner Palace, who knows when I would have another chance to see Gao Shuo? I did not believe he would give up on me so easily.
Even if it were futile, I needed to explain to him in person that in this life in Chaoge, I had never held any feelings for anyone else.
A familiar figure flashed past me from around the corner. As they passed through a nearby courtyard door, I hurriedly followed.
As soon as I stepped inside, a rich scent of wine filled the air, causing me to frown slightly.
Didn’t Gao Shuo say he was going back to rest? Why was he in the Imperial Kitchen of the Western Palace?
I approached the doorway and saw that there was no one else inside; the kitchen staff seemed to have vanished. Gao Shuo stood with his back to me at the table, his posture straight as if deep in thought.
He heard footsteps and suddenly turned around, a hint of panic in his eyes, with a packet of medicinal powder still not hidden away beside him.
I stepped forward, snatched the paper from him, quickly tore it into pieces with both hands, and then threw it forcefully into the nearby stove. “Gao Shuo, what are you trying to do…” I whispered. He gestured for me to be quiet, placing a finger on his lips, his gaze nervously scanning the surroundings.
“I want to save you,” he said, his voice low and resolute, determination flickering in his eyes.
A warmth surged from my heart, and tears instantly welled up in my eyes, swirling in my sockets.
How foolish I was; I was still afraid he wouldn’t believe me, afraid he would avoid me, afraid that when he saw me, he would respectfully address me as Consort Rong.
I was eager to tell him everything that had happened these days—the movements of various officials in court, Consort Qi’s fake imperial edict, and Gao Zhai…
But I didn’t know where to start; I could only hold him tightly, wrapping my arms around him with all my strength.
“Gao Shuo, what should I do now?” I asked, looking up at him with a hint of helplessness in my eyes.
He paused for a moment, picked up the jug of clear wine from the table, and placed it in my hands with decisive movements.
“I’ve made arrangements. As soon as he acts up, my guards stationed outside the city will…” His words were cut short as he froze. I looked up; his gaze had shifted behind me, his expression turning strange and wary.
I turned around to see Gao Zhai leaning against the doorframe, squinting at us with an ambiguous smile. I quickly hid my hands behind my back, using my sleeve to cover the white jade wine jug, instinctively taking a step back.
“What will happen? Duke Rong doesn’t seem to want to continue,” he said as he walked towards me with an imposing presence. He yanked me forward, gripping my wrist tightly. With a swift motion, he flipped my hand over, revealing the wine jug hidden in my sleeve.
He fixed his gaze on Gao Shuo, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Someone go fetch Imperial Physician Xu for me. I want to see if Duke Rong’s wine is any good.”
He spoke, casting a meaningful glance at me, his eyes betraying a hint of calculation.
Suddenly, I recalled the earlier banquet. Could it be that Gao Zhai had deliberately soiled my dress?
He had intentionally given me an opportunity and then followed me closely, hoping to catch evidence of Gao Shuo's treason. My heart tightened.
Gao Shuo performed a bow and said, "Your Majesty, this is merely a jug of clear wine, bland and tasteless. Allow me to pour you another." As he spoke, he reached for the jug, but his movement was deftly evaded by Gao Zhai. A flicker of serious intent flashed in Gao Shuo's eyes, which instantly turned cold.
The atmosphere grew tense, and outside the courtyard, hurried footsteps approached.
If the poisoned wine reached the physician's hands, then the crime of regicide would...
There was no time to think. Just as the physician stepped over the threshold, I snatched the jug from Gao Zhai's hand, closed my eyes, and drank it all in one go. The liquid flowed down my throat, bringing with it a chill.
Gao Zhai was momentarily stunned before he suddenly gripped my shoulders tightly. One hand forcefully pried my mouth open while his fingers dug into my chin.
"You! Spit it out now!" He furrowed his brow, breathing heavily with frustration and confusion. " Imperial Physician Xu, quickly check her pulse!"
I wiped the remnants of wine from the corner of my mouth. "Check my pulse? Why would I need that? It's just a jug of clear wine," I replied, giving Gao Shuo a reassuring nod. He looked at me with concern, his brow slightly furrowed.
Gao Zhai glared at me for a long moment before storming off in anger, his robes swaying violently with each step.
Comment 0 Comment Count