Male Lead Is Always That Heartless

Chapter 22

It was dawn. Without the Eunuch Gao’s punctual report, Gu Yi slept until she woke up naturally, and it was already close to noon. Xiao Yan was long gone from the bed beside her. She rubbed her eyes and rolled over.

Standing outside the curtain, Tao Jia said, “Noble Lady is awake?”

Gu Yi hummed. “Let’s get dressed. We’ll go back to the Xunxie Pavilion.”

Sleeping in Xuanyu Pavilion, she was too bold!

Tao Jia nodded, “I already prepared new clothes. After Noble Lady drinks the calming tonics, change your clothes.”

Gu Yi remembered the bitter taste and said, “Bring it quickly, make it quick!”

Tao Jia handed her the simmering medicine, and Gu Yi smothered it in one gulp, so bitter that she winced.

“Go.”

Tao Jia followed Gu Yi to the Xunxie Pavilion and asked, “Your birthday is coming up. How do you want to organize it?”

Birthday?
What day is it?

Naturally, the book didn’t mention the birthday of cannon fodder Beauty Gu.

Gu Yi’s eyes rolled, and she asked Tao Jia, “What do you think?”

Tao Jia tilted her head and smiled, showing her teeth. “Wu Shan Palace is secluded and the best place to watch the stars and enjoy the moon at night. There is a terrace behind Xuanyu Pavilion, so if you inform Eunuch Gao in advance, you may be able to invite His Majesty to have a drink together under the moon to celebrate your birthday, which would be very beautiful!”

Xiao Yan suspected her of being negligent yesterday, and the banquet three days later was an excellent way to make up for her mistakes.

Gu Yi thought of this and instructed Tao Jia: “Then you talk to Eunuch Gao?”

Unsure how long they’ll stay in Wu Shan. The critical plot is unfinished yet! So annoying! However, exactly which night did Xiao Yan meet Zhao Wan?

She thought for half a day to no avail. Hence, she stopped thinking about it for the time being. If she had known about this day, she would have memorized “The Heartless Emperor Loves Me” in its entirety in the first place.

Tao Jia went to Xuanyu Pavilion to look for Eunuch Gao Gui. Along the way, she met a few palace maids, all of whom were the maids of Wu Shan Palace. Strangely enough, they didn’t wear the usual double buns but copied the single bun Noble Lady Gu had recently worn while bathing in the hot spring pool. Noble Lady Gu didn’t like to put in a hairpin because it was too heavy, so she always wore flowers. And these palace maids also wore flowers! There were even several palace maids who wore Yuehua dresses!

Since arriving at the Wu Shan Palace, Noble Lady Gu was the only one who stayed in the Xuanyu Pavilion. These palace maids had their hearts set on it.

Tao Jia averted her gaze and snorted coldly, “Imitating others blindly!” She quickened her pace and walked to Xuanyu Pavilion, where she saw Eunuch Gao standing outside. “Eunuch Gao!”

Gao Gui recognized the outsider as Tao Jia beside Noble Lady Gu and asked aloud, “Your Noble Lady Gu has returned to Xunxie Pavilion?”

The Emperor woke up in the morning to practice his sword, and when he came back, Noble Lady Gu was no longer in the pavilion.

Gao Gui secretly thought: she left just like that? Is there even such a way to fight for a favor? Or is it a desire to escape?

Tao Jia replied, “Yes. Our Noble Lady returned to change her clothes and then bathed at the hot spring pool.”

Gao Gui ‘hehe’ laughed, “Noble Lady must love that pool, ah ……”

Tao Jia detected the derision in his tone but couldn’t figure out why. Smilingly, she said, “Eunuch Gao, that’s true …… Our Noble Lady sent me here today to ask if His Majesty can come and share the evening meal with her three days later?”

Three days later?

Gao Gui counted the days in his head, and his face suddenly turned slightly pale. Three days later, it was probably impossible —

He pressed down the layers of complicated thoughts in his chest, raised his eyebrows, and asked, “Oh, why does Noble Gu want to host a banquet three days later?”

Tao Jia smiled again. “Eunuch doesn’t know that three days from now is Noble Lady’s birthday. She hopes to drink under the moon with His Majesty on the terrace behind Xuanyu Pavilion.”

Gao Gui laughed at her words and did not speak.

Tao Jia moved a small step forward, whispering, “Noble Lady has been having trouble over money lately, so I will make up a share for Eunuch Gao when I return to the palace.”

Gao Gui laughed, “Got it, I understand. You can go.”

Tao Jia smiled and withdrew. Not long after she left, Lady of Fairness Gong’s Chunya arrived.

Chunya respectfully handed over a pearwood brocade box, “Lady of Fairness has embroidered a new handkerchief for the Emperor. I’ll bother you to pass it on.”

Gao Gui glanced at the brocade box, “Lady of Fairness Gong has a heart.”

Chunya handed over a heavy purse, “Thank you, Eunuch Gao.”

Gao Gui received the purse and revealed a smile, “You’re welcome.”

After Chunya left, Gao Gui looked up at the sky.

The sun hung over the top. He turned around, patted his robe, and pushed open the pavilion door. The Emperor was sitting in front of the desk, lifting the pen to write a letter.

Gao Gui bowed and said, “Your Majesty, it’s time for lunch.”

Xiao Yan looked up and saw the brocade box in his hand.

“What is in your hand?”

Eunuch Gao Gui quickly stepped forward, “The handkerchief that Lady of Fairness Gong specially embroidered for the Emperor.”

She lost a big face yesterday and must make it up today.

When Eunuch Gao saw Xiao Yan raise eyebrows, he lifted the box lid. Inside was a plain silk handkerchief embroidered with rouge-colored branches, very elegant.

Eunuch Gao had taken people’s money and was loyal, so he smiled and said: “Lady of Fairness’s handiwork is so refined, ah.”

Xiao Yan glanced at him, “Put it away.”

Eunuch Gao covered the brocade box again and asked, “Your Majesty, why don’t you go to the Luoxia Pavilion?”

Xiao Yan pondered momentarily, “Ask the Lady of Fairness to come to Xuanyu Pavilion for dinner.”

“Yes.” Gao Gui paused and slowly said, “Speaking of dinner, three days later, I heard that it was Noble Lady Gu’s birthday, and she sent a palace maid to ask if Your Majesty could come to share a drink with her under the moon on the terrace behind this Xuanyu Pavilion?”

Three days later — Gu Yi’s birthday?

Xiao Yan put down his pen. His. His face was cold. “What else did Noble Lady Gu say?”

Gao Gui saw his expression and replied softly, “Did not say anything–”

He thought momentarily and added, “Noble Lady Gu today left Xuanyu Pavilion to go to that hot springs pool.”

Why is this person accustomed to bathing in the daytime?

Xiao Yan’s mind suddenly surfaced a few streaks of color on her snow-white neck, and he immediately shook his head and changed his mind, “Send someone to set up some sky lanterns at the rear terrace of the pavilion.”

Since it is her birthday, he’ll fulfill her.

“I won’t go …… just serve her well ……”

Sure enough, it didn’t succeed. Eunuch Gao nodded and said yes. Initially, he wanted to bow and exit outside the pavilion but clenched his teeth and decided to advise, “Your Majesty …… Noble Lady Gu has a delicate mind; if Your Majesty refuses to accompany her on her birthday, won’t it hurt her heart? Furthermore, the birthday is only once a year. Noble Lady Gu has begged Your Majesty to come. Why don’t Your Majesty accompany her to drink a cup? Even if it is a little late, it will be fine.”

Gao Gui showed a rare pleading expression: “It’s also nice for Your Majesty to loosen up.”

Xiao Yan saw his expression, stared blankly, and said, “Let’s talk about it later. Wait for me to think about it.”

Gao Gui retreated outside the Xuanyu Pavilion with a heavy heart.
*

Meanwhile, after Chunya sent the handkerchief, she hurriedly returned to the Luoxia Pavilion.

Lady of Fairness Gong was waiting for her, “Have you seen His Majesty?”

Chunya bowed, “Xuanyu Pavilion’s door is closed, and I did not see His Majesty. I gave the box to Eunuch Gao.”

Lady of Fairness Gong anxiously asked, “Then, is Noble Lady Gu still in Xuanyu Pavilion?”

Chunya shook her head, “Although Noble Lady Gu stayed overnight, I heard that she returned to Xunxie Pavilion early in the morning, and the palace maid said that she went to the hot spring pool to play in the water again.”

Lady of Fairness Gong lightly bites her pink lips. “I never expected that she’s a vixen! She’s good at acting!”

Chunya: “In the past two days, in Wushan Palace, many people have rushed to flatter Noble Lady Gu and are gathering at the Xunxie Pavilion!”

Lady of Fairness Gong snorted coldly, “No matter how much these people praise her, she can’t bring them back to the capital! Wasted effort!”

Chunya nodded, “Exactly. Noble Lady Gu is just fresh at the moment. When this excitement passes, who can still think of her? The silk handkerchiefs you sent this time are superb and will surely gain a good impression.”

Lady of Fairness Gong smiled and asked, “Is A Wan’s foot improving?”

“When I fetched the handkerchief, she saw A Wan, and she’s already better.”

Zhao Wan’s feet were much better than yesterday, thanks to the medicine left behind by Qi Zhuang. Zhao Wan squeezed the white porcelain bottle that still had half in it and headed out. The imperial army garrison seemed to be behind the Wushan Palace.

Zhao Wan walked slowly, carrying a food box in her hand. The box contained the osmanthus cake she had made by hand when she woke this morning. At this exact moment, three patrol soldiers walked towards her, and the one at the head was Qi Zhuang.

Zhao Wan voiced out, “Chief Qi.”

Qi Zhuang stopped when he saw her, and to the guards behind him, he said, “You guys go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”

He looked at Zhao Wan, “Miss Wan, what is the matter?”

Zhao Wan handed the white porcelain bottle in her hand to him, “Many thanks to Chief Qi for the medicine.”

Qi Zhuang did not accept it, “Miss, keep it. It’s just a bottle of medicine.”

Zhao Wan did not force him and pursed her lips slightly, “Thanks.”

She moved the food box in her hand forward, “This is a courtesy. These are some snacks I made as a token of gratitude, Chief Qi. Don’t dislike it.”

Qi Zhuang initially did not want to take it, but hearing the word ‘dislike’ in her mouth was harsh. He carefully looked at her and saw her pale face and outstretched hands trembling.

Qi Zhuang took the food box, “Many thanks to Miss.”

Zhao Wan smiled, revealing dimples on her cheeks, “A Wan takes her leave.”

In the distance, Gu Yi stopped to watch Zhao Wan and Qi Zhuang go their separate ways.

The female lead and the second male lead parted ways. The plot was online.

She had just gotten out of the hot spring pool and was on the way to return. She had just walked a short distance when encountering the scene before her. She naturally couldn’t bother and only stood in place. The string of palace maids following behind her also abruptly stopped. Only after Zhao Wan had walked farther toward the Luoxia Pavilion, she raised her feet and continued walking forward.

Qi Zhuang went toward Xuanyu Pavilion and came face to face with her on a narrow path. When he saw Gu Yi, he clasped his fists and bowed, “Greetings, Noble Lady Gu.”

Gu Yi smiled, “Chief Qi, no need to be polite.”

Qi Zhuang remained standing and waited until she passed by before continuing on his way.

Gu Yi glanced back at his back — A tiger’s back, a bee’s waist, and a sturdy pace. Qi Zhuang, you have to do your best! The future of Shura fields depends on you!

Although Qi Zhuang’s feelings for Zhao Wan came unexpectedly and inexplicably, it was, after all, the aura of the female lead. Because of this triangular relationship, Zhao Wan in the book was in a dilemma for dozens of chapters! Which in turn drives the main love line between the main leads.

Fighting, Qi Zhuang!