Chapter 34
“No!” The Emperor blurted out almost reflexively.
Gan Qiongying held the Emperor in her arms, a sour ache welling up in her heart.
“Elder Sister…” The Emperor couldn’t stop sobbing. “It’s my fault… I couldn’t find any other way…”
Each sob felt like a blunt knife stabbing into Gan Qiongying’s heart, slowly carving open a wound. And what made it worse was that, aside from easing the pain, the embrace also stirred her desire. The closer she was to the Emperor, the more she wanted to be intimate with him.
“If I were more capable,” the Emperor choked out, swallowing a few words as he spoke, “I would never let Elder Sister suffer the slightest grievance…”
As the Emperor leaned on her shoulder, Gan Qiongying gently patted his back, seemingly comforting him, but in reality, she had already suppressed the urge to kiss him multiple times.
Gan Qiongying was utterly despairing over her sudden “overwhelming desire” at such a moment.
Yet at the same time, she sensed something was off. Logically, no matter how much she liked him, it shouldn’t have come to this… It felt as if she were being controlled, driven by an inexplicable urge to be close. After much thought, Gan Qiongying couldn’t help but suspect it was the plot at work.
If she had let her body act on its own, she wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation now.
She had to figure out what connection existed between the original owner and the Emperor, but the Emperor kept apologizing. Not only was it difficult to coax information out of him, but she could hardly even get a word in edgewise.
Buddy, please stop crying.
My heart can’t take it anymore.
The long-suppressed guilt finally found release, and as the tears flowed, the Emperor’s emotions gradually stabilized. He stared at the small patch of damp fabric before him, roughly wiping his face with his hand.
He truly was useless. Even in such a situation, he still needed Elder Sister to comfort him.
“Elder Sister,” the Emperor straightened up slightly, putting some distance between them. His eyes were still moist as he looked at Gan Qiongying and said, “I’m so glad you came.”
Gan Qiongying withdrew her hand at that moment and met the Emperor’s gaze. His eyes were still wet, as if tears could flow at any moment.
Seeing how heartbroken he was, Gan Qiongying comforted him, saying, “Elder Sister is also very happy to see you.”
Upon hearing her words, the Emperor seemed momentarily dazed, as if he had truly returned to the past, as if all the estrangement between him and Elder Sister had vanished.
“Elder Sister, let’s go to the bedchamber,” the Emperor said, realizing he had lost his composure. Turning his back to Gan Qiongying, he wiped the mess from his face.
“Alright,” Gan Qiongying nodded.
As several maids helped Gan Qiongying change her clothes, the Emperor pressed his sore eyes. The sudden meeting had filled him with uncontrollable joy, and when he looked up at the sky, he realized the sun had already reached its zenith—it was time for the midday meal.
In the Tranquil Peace Hall, the two sat at the table. The hall was filled with various types of emerald bamboo and some plants Gan Qiongying couldn’t name. The entire space was a sea of green, with the scent of wood permeating the hall, relaxing both body and mind.
The Emperor ordered the palace attendants to prepare the meal, while Gan Qiongying sat upright and waited. No matter what dishes the Emperor mentioned, she agreed, because she was too hungry.
“Shredded lamb skin with flowers, Immortal’s Delicacy, Heavenly Crisp, Breeze Rice…”
Without hesitation, the Emperor listed several dishes in succession. Gan Qiongying found the names familiar, and upon closer listening, she realized they were all dishes she had often eaten at the Princess Manor since her transmigration.
“Make the Breeze Rice a little sweeter,” the Emperor added with a smile toward Gan Qiongying. “Elder Sister likes it sweet.”
“Alright.” Gan Qiongying’s heart was filled with doubt and unease, but she smiled on the surface and said, “Thank you for remembering, Your Majesty.”
“Sister… why do you keep calling me Your Majesty?” The Emperor looked at Gan Qiongying with eyes full of grievance.
Gan Qiongying choked on her words upon hearing this. Based on their interactions over the past half-day, she had come to understand that despite the conflicts and estrangement between her and the Emperor, their private relationship should have been very intimate.
Now that they had “reconciled,” she really shouldn’t address the Emperor as Your Majesty.
But there was a big problem!
She had no idea what the Emperor’s name was!
Gan Qiongying forced a smile and changed the subject, saying, “Let’s have another plate of radish cake made.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression dimmed slightly, but he didn’t say anything more.
“Whatever you say,” he replied with a placating smile directed at Gan Qiongying.
Before long, the maidservants filed in, arranging the dishes one by one.
Gan Qiongying sat at the table, analyzing everything that had happened since she entered the palace that morning.
The Emperor was so familiar with her preferences, so attached to her, calling her “Sister,” and showing her kindness and tears without hesitation. Their relationship didn’t seem as tense as the rumors suggested; instead, it appeared to be very close.
Those absurd impulses she felt toward the Emperor—if it was the plot at work, then could it be that she and the Emperor… had some kind of unspeakable relationship?
Lost in thought, she was startled when a eunuch behind her suddenly shouted, causing her shoulders to jerk.
“Your Majesty!” The young eunuch hurried over in a panic, not even bothering to straighten his wind-tilted hat. He seemed to have run all the way here, now leaning on his knees, panting heavily. “The Empress Dowager… the Empress Dowager has summoned Your Majesty for the midday meal…”
The Empress Dowager!
Gan Qiongying couldn’t help but glance back. When she turned around again, she saw the Emperor’s expression change drastically, as if facing a formidable enemy. He suddenly looked at Gan Qiongying.
“Sister, hurry and leave,” the Emperor said anxiously, standing up to pull her. “Leave now!”
Gan Qiongying was abruptly dragged from her seat by the Emperor. Her neck jerked backward, and she heard the cracking of her joints. From behind, she asked, “Huh? Where to?”
The Emperor’s breathing suddenly grew heavier. He pulled her toward the door, repeatedly urging, “Sister, hurry and leave.”
Gan Qiongying stumbled along, feeling the strength in his palm gradually increase. She hadn’t realized that the seemingly frail Emperor could be so strong!
“No, we have to leave through the side hall,” the Emperor said, abruptly changing direction halfway. He muttered nervously, “There’s still time, there’s still time…”
Gan Qiongying struggled to keep up with the Emperor’s pace. All the palace attendants inside the hall, including Eunuch Li, wore expressions of panic.
What on earth was happening?
She didn’t want to see that old witch either, but she hadn’t expected the Emperor’s reaction to be so intense.
The maidservants ran ahead to push open the side hall doors. A blinding beam of midday sunlight poured in, and they all froze in place before retreating in fear, as if facing a flood or a wild beast.
The Emperor suddenly stopped, and Gan Qiongying bumped into his back. Her hair ornaments flew wildly, hitting her forehead. When she tried to rub it, she realized her hand was trembling—or rather, it was the Emperor’s hand holding hers that was trembling.
She looked up and saw a group of unfamiliar faces.
The Emperor tried to step back, but it was clearly too late. Instinctively, he shielded Gan Qiongying, though his uncontrollable trembling betrayed his fear.
He was the Emperor. Even if he truly faced some kind of flood or beast, he shouldn’t have been like this.
Gan Qiongying peered past the Emperor’s figure.
At the entrance of the side hall, an auntie stood with a group of maidservants, blocking the doorway as if lying in wait.
“Why has Aunt Hu come here?” the Emperor asked, his face and shoulders tense, his voice trembling slightly.
Aunt Hu was one of the Empress Dowager’s trusted confidantes. She had a black mole the size of a grain of rice at her temple, and her high cheekbones and thin frame gave her a sharp, unkind appearance.
“Your humble servants pay respects to Your Majesty and Princess Duanrong,” Aunt Hu and her entourage knelt and spoke in unison.
The Emperor silently took a step back, giving Eunuch Li a meaningful glance before speaking in a hoarse voice, “Auntie, rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Aunt Hu replied respectfully.
Eunuch Li immediately stepped forward to support Gan Qiongying. Before she could fully grasp the situation, she was about to be led away by Eunuch Li, but before she could turn, she was stopped.
“Princess Duanrong, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has sent word that she has not seen the Princess for a long time and misses her dearly,” Aunt Hu deliberately raised her voice. “Today, upon hearing that the Princess has entered the palace, she has specially arranged a banquet at Yinian Hall.”
“No!” the Emperor blurted out almost instantly.