Jin He asked nervously. The Empress Dowager gave a cold sneer, “If we didn’t do this to him, he would never calm down.” Men like him always think about having affairs; not castrating him outright was already showing mercy. At midnight, Chen Qi woke up, touched himself, and found he was still soft. Recalling the words of the imperial physician, he broke down in tears, “I don’t want to be this useless emperor anymore, I’m done with it, you can have my body back.” “Are you sure?” Gu Jinghan asked. Chen Qi nodded vigorously, expressing his utmost disdain, “Absolutely, positively, definitely, I’m done with it, it’s yours again.” “Sigh, I knew you’d willingly give your body back to me,” Gu Jinghan said with a yawn, then slapped him out of his body with a single palm strike. Floating in mid-air, Chen Qi looked at everything around him and said indignantly, “What a lousy place, I’m never staying here again.” With that, he floated away without any attachment. Hearing some noise, Gu Jinghan called out to him, “Wait, it’s thundering outside, be careful not to get struck by lightning…” Boom, crash! “Ah—” Gu Jinghan opened the window and saw that Chen Qi had been struck by lightning and turned to ashes. He sighed regretfully, “Ah Qi, I told you to be careful, but you didn’t listen. Now, you’ve been struck by lightning, haven’t you?” “Your Majesty, have a cup of hot tea and rest a bit, don’t wear yourself out,” Gao Yi placed a cup of hot tea on the table and softly reminded. Gu Jinghan had been reviewing memorials for three days, all thanks to the troublesome Ah Qi, who had left him with a pile of documents. Fortunately, he was quick, and had almost finished dealing with them. He took a sip of the tea, stood up, and stretched his muscles. Gao Yi, looking at his master, sighed inwardly. Ever since the Emperor found out he was impotent, he seemed like a different person, no longer causing trouble, and now dedicating himself to state affairs. The Emperor must be very sad, pouring his grief into his duties. Poor Emperor. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince seeks an audience.” At that moment, an inner servant announced from outside. Gu Jinghan said, “Let him in.” Normally, the Emperor would be reluctant to see the Crown Prince because of the Queen, but now… Gao Yi felt even more sympathy; the Emperor must feel that the Crown Prince is his only heir in this lifetime, thus beginning to value him. Crown Prince Gu Chen entered, bowed formally, and knelt to greet, “Your son greets the Emperor.” The three-year-old performed the actions perfectly. “Rise,” Gu Jinghan said lightly as he sat back down. Gu Chen stood up, looked at his father, and smiled, “Father, I wrote some characters today, and the tutor praised me. I brought them to show you.” He had just started his education and was not long into his studies, but being the only prince in the palace, the tutor paid him special attention, making his learning easier. Plus, he was intelligent, and in just a few months, he had shown progress. The original Gu Jinghan would not have looked, as he was annoyed with Yue Sang for obstructing his concubines and thus took it out on Gu Chen. But now, looking at this child who knew his father did not favor him yet still yearned for closeness, and thinking of his original fate, Gu Jinghan’s eyes softened, and he gestured, “Bring it here.” “Yes, Father.” Gu Chen happily brought the characters over and unfolded them for his father to see. The characters on the rice paper were not well written, but considering his age, they were quite good. Gu Jinghan nodded, “Very good, but pay attention to these few points, like this, this, and this. Have you got it?” He demonstrated with his fingers on Gu Chen’s palm. “Got it.” Gu Chen felt a tickle in his palm but didn’t mind; he was just happy that his father was showing him such affection. His black eyes were full of admiration for his father. Gu Jinghan couldn’t help but ruffle his hair, seeing that it was getting late, he asked, “Would you like to have dinner with your father?” “Your son would, but…” Gu Chen remembered something and looked troubled, “I already promised to dine with Mother.” He looked torn, like a greedy child who couldn’t choose between cookies and candy. Gu Jinghan laughed, “That’s easy. Father will join you and your mother for dinner, how about that?” “Is that okay?” Gu Chen’s eyes lit up with surprise. Gu Jinghan nodded, “Yes.” Gu Chen couldn’t help but cheer, but then remembered the palace etiquette and restrained his excitement, glancing at his father with concern. Such a young child, yet bound by etiquette, losing the innocence of childhood. Gu Jinghan said softly, “From now on, you don’t need to be so formal with your father. Be yourself.” “But the nanny said, as a prince, I must follow the rules,” Gu Chen said worriedly. Gu Jinghan took his small hand, “But you are also my son. Children should not be too bound by rules when with their parents; rules are for outsiders. Do you understand?” “Yes, your son understands.” Gu Chen nodded joyfully. Father wasn’t as stern as he thought! He liked his father!
Author’s Note: This story isn’t long, and it should end tomorrow. Please bookmark it!
The Cold Palace Queen Wins Without Trying 5
“Empress,” Yue Nu called softly. Yue Sang raised her head, rubbing her temples as she opened her eyes, “How did I fall asleep?” She had been reading at her desk, but how did she end up falling asleep? The sky was almost dark; how long had she been asleep? “Perhaps you were tired from reading, Your Majesty.” Yue Nu walked over and gently massaged her head. The soft fingers pressed with just the right amount of force, quickly alleviating her discomfort. Yue Sang asked, “Has the Crown Prince returned?” “The Crown Prince went to the Emperor. The Emperor is testing his studies, and Chief Gao came to say that the Emperor will dine with the Crown Prince here tonight.” Yue Nu’s voice was filled with joy. Yue Sang was surprised, “The Emperor is testing the Crown Prince’s studies? And he’s coming here for dinner?” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Yue Sang felt a surge of joy; he was finally willing to come to her. “Your Majesty, shall I inform the imperial kitchen to prepare dinner?” Yue Nu asked, seeing that her mistress’s headache had eased. Yue Sang nodded, “Yes, prepare more dishes that the Emperor and the Crown Prince enjoy.” Indeed, her headache had gone away, her husband was coming, and she was happy. When happy, all discomforts seemed to vanish. Yue Nu agreed and left. Yue Sang called in the maids to help her with her makeup and change her clothes. Sitting in front of the vanity, she noticed her complexion was sallow, not as radiant as before, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes and faint circles underneath. Her face fell; she was aging, no wonder her husband always wanted new concubines. Facing her like this, how could he be in a good mood? When Yue Nu returned, she saw Yue Sang sitting motionless in front of the dressing table, looking deeply hurt. Puzzled, she asked, “Niangniang, what’s wrong? What happened?” “This palace…” Yue Sang was about to speak when a palace maid entered. “Reporting to Niangniang, the maidservant Liu Su requests an audience.” Liu Su? Yue Sang recognized the name; she was the maid who had an affair with the Emperor. Seeing her master’s expression worsen, Yue Nu immediately ordered the maid, “Send her away.” The maid responded and turned to dismiss Liu Su. “Wait,” Yue Sang stopped her and said, “Let her in.” She was curious to see what kind of woman her husband favored.
Liu Su entered the hall, kneeling and paying her respects, “This servant, Liu Su, greets the Empress.” “Rise, there’s no need for formalities,” the Empress said in a calm voice from her seat, and after Liu Su stood up, she continued, “Lift your head, let me have a look at you.” Liu Su complied, raising her head.
