FIMA Ch87: Like Something

Emperor Jianzhao, sitting at the top, looked at the crowd gathered around the Empress Dowager to view the painting, and out of the corner of his eye, glanced at his beloved son Xie Huan, whose expression was ugly.

For a moment, he felt quite helpless in his heart.

This birthday gift presented at the Empress Dowager’s Thousand Autumns was originally specially planned by him and Xie Huan.

It just so happened that this time, they were going to select a principal consort and grant a marriage for Xie Huan. Getting married meant truly becoming an adult, and it also meant the marital ties behind it. Because Xie Huan had no help from his maternal family, he had always been relatively isolated and helpless in the royal court. But after marriage, it would be different; his wife’s family would henceforth be his family.

Then, by earning a good reputation for loyalty and filial piety through the Empress Dowager’s birthday gift, he would officially step onto the front stage just like that.

This was originally a perfect plan.

Who knew Xie Xuan would come up with such a novel birthday greeting painting? Not only the Empress Dowager, but even many courtiers who loved calligraphy and painting had their attention drawn away.

Recalling the failure at the sacrificial ceremony earlier, Emperor Jianzhao actually didn’t know in his heart whether this was a coincidence or destined.

Right at this moment, Emperor Jianzhao suddenly noticed a small commotion over by the Imperial Guards.

Because of the distance, although he didn’t know exactly what Gu Xun said, judging by Gu Xun’s expression at this moment, it must have been some words of criticism and disdain toward the painting.

For a moment, Emperor Jianzhao actually felt much more comfortable in his heart. At least there are still a few clear-headed people.

Moreover, ultimately, both the Capital Garrison and the Imperial Guards were firmly held in his own hands.

No matter what, his sons couldn’t make any waves. As long as he waited a bit longer, waited until Xie Huan truly established himself after marriage, then he wouldn’t need to hide his thoughts anymore.

Emperor Jianzhao’s brows relaxed slightly.

The Thousand Autumns banquet continued.

After the several princes finished presenting their gifts and paying their respects, the members of the imperial clan came up one by one to present their birthday gifts.

Although they couldn’t compare to the meticulous ingenuity of the princes, they were also extremely rare items.

The Empress Dowager was getting on in years. After going through a bout of activities, she was already leaning slightly diagonally against her chair, showing clear signs of exhaustion.

Seeing this, Emperor Jianzhao and the various concubines hurriedly stepped forward to inquire after her well-being.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, saying gently: Let the young people eat, drink, and have fun themselves; no need to mind an old woman like her.

Everyone naturally agreed.

A moment later, a batch of singing and dancing temporarily paused. Everyone stood up together, raised their cups to respectfully congratulate the Empress Dowager on her Thousand Autumns, saying all kinds of auspicious words.

Empress Dowager Jiang had always been a tolerant and kind person. Forcing up her spirits, she raised her cup and drank a cup together with everyone.

Next, however, she waved her hand, having the palace servants behind her bring out a pile of rewards, bestowing them upon these young daughters of official families.

Only then, supported by two female officials, did she enter the rear hall of the Ningshou Palace to rest.

Aside from the daughter of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Weng Xiuyong, who was bestowed a jade Ruyi, the other noble ladies received all gold hairpins, jewelry, and such items. Among them, Jiang Yuanyuan received the most abundant rewards.

However, Jiang Yuanyuan didn’t have a trace of happiness.

At this very moment, aside from shock in her heart, there was also a slight trace of bewilderment and panic.

The First Madam Jiang of Duke Cheng’en’s mansion couldn’t even maintain her dignified appearance and cultivation, her body starting to tremble slightly?

How could this be?

A Ruyi, a Ruyi represents being selected as a daughter-in-law by the royal family.

No matter how precious or numerous the jewelry the Empress Dowager bestowed, how could it compare to the position of a Prince’s Consort?

Sitting to the side, after her initial shock passed, the Second Madam Jiang’s facial expression was indiscernible, but deep in her eyes, there was a secret joy.

Looking at the rewarded items in front of her, although Jiang Ruirui still received much less than her eldest sister as usual, for the first time, she had no feelings of jealousy, leaving only slight sympathy.

Her normally most noble and arrogant eldest sister wouldn’t become the Sixth Prince’s Consort anymore…

The singing and dancing in the garden were lively.

However, to the royal family who were accustomed to it, there was absolutely no novelty to speak of. After the Empress Dowager returned to the rear hall to rest, Emperor Jianzhao watched for a while and also stood up to leave, even calling the Fourth Prince Xie Huan to go with him.

Today, Xie Huan’s birthday gift was indeed presented well. Although his thunder was stolen by Xie Xuan, his filial piety wouldn’t be diminished. Coupled with the fact that his principal consort had been selected, he was considered to have truly grown up into an adult.

Emperor Jianzhao summoning this normally uncared-for prince alone at this time didn’t arouse much suspicion from everyone.

Bringing the Imperial Guards, Gu Siyuan followed behind the two to protect the imperial carriage.

Afterward, the other princes also left one after another.

Finding an opportunity, the First Madam Jiang of Duke Cheng’en’s mansion hurriedly pulled Jiang Yuanyuan into the side hall of the Ningshou Palace. Waiting there was Female Official Xiangsong, who served by the Empress Dowager’s side.

If it were someone else, not being selected meant not being selected. How could there be any reason to question the royal family? But the Jiang family was, after all, the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, so an explanation still had to be given.

Holding Female Official Xiangsong’s hand, First Madam Jiang barely maintained her dignified face, asking with immense incomprehension: “Female Official, what does Her Majesty the Empress Dowager mean by this, our family’s Yuanyuan…?”

Female Official Xiangsong patted First Madam Jiang’s wrist, her voice gentle: “First Madam, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has always doted on Miss Yuanyuan.”

First Madam Jiang complained in her heart: If she truly doted on her, how could she go back on her word like this?

But on the surface, she could only smile and nod in agreement: “Yes, yes, this common woman naturally knows Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has always doted on Yuanyuan. But what exactly is going on with the Sixth Prince’s matter? Or does Her Majesty have some other thoughts?”

“Miss Yuanyuan is both talented and beautiful, and also from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, are you afraid she won’t find an ideal husband in the future?” Female Official Xiangsong’s expression remained unchanged.

Hearing this, First Madam Jiang’s body trembled, knowing this matter was completely hopeless.

There were many men in the world, but no matter how many or how good they were, how could they compare to a prince?

Not to mention, the Sixth Prince was highly valued by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and the hope of him ascending to that position in the future was extremely great. Now, everything was gone.

After a long while, still unwilling to accept it in her heart, First Madam Jiang grabbed Female Official Xiangsong’s hand and said: “Female Official, but this common woman is ultimately puzzled. Wasn’t Her Majesty the Empress Dowager always very satisfied with Jiang Yuanyuan? She was perfectly fine when entering the palace a few days ago, why did she suddenly change her mind today? Did Yuanyuan do something wrong?”

Female Official Xiangsong’s brows furrowed slightly; these words had already overstepped the bounds.

First Madam Jiang stuffed a generous purse over, pleading again: “Female Official, please let this common woman feel more settled in her heart.”

Female Official Xiangsong pushed the purse away, refusing to accept it. Thinking that this person was ultimately the Empress Dowager’s niece-in-law, and Jiang Yuanyuan had always had face before the Empress Dowager, she finally explained a few sentences softly: “There is nothing wrong with Miss Yuanyuan. It’s just that the Sixth Highness is still young and temporarily doesn’t plan to take a principal consort.”

First Madam Jiang was naturally a smart person and immediately understood the meaning behind Female Official Xiangsong’s words. She was momentarily in a trance: “Female Official means the Sixth Prince, the Sixth Prince disagreed…”

What do you mean young in age? He’s actually only one year younger than the Fourth Prince Xie Huan. These are all excuses.

Moreover, when the Eldest Prince and Second Prince married earlier, they were even younger, only fifteen years old.

Female Official Xiangsong patted the arms of First Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanyuan. Without answering further, she directly turned and left.

The atmosphere in the side hall completely fell silent.

Jiang Yuanyuan’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze unfocused.

She never liked Xie Xuan, and was even more extremely repulsed by marrying him.

But for Xie Huan’s great cause, for the man she deeply loved, she was willing to endure humiliation and bear a heavy burden.

However, at this moment, she suddenly realized that the man she looked down upon actually hadn’t looked favorably upon her either. Truly, truly…

How could it be like this?

On what basis did Xie Xuan look down on her?

Jiang Yuanyuan’s gaze turned dark and heavy.

First Madam Jiang’s state of mind was already quite restless. Realizing at this moment that her daughter probably found it harder to accept than herself, she hurriedly restrained her emotions, stroked her hand, and comforted: “Yuanyuan, what Female Official Xiangsong said also makes sense. There are plenty of good men in this world. My daughter is so outstanding, what kind of man could you not get?”

Jiang Ruirui and Second Madam Jiang were happily drinking wine and admiring the dance at their seats. Seeing the First Madam and Jiang Yuanyuan come out, the two immediately turned their heads to look.

Second Madam Jiang asked: “Eldest Sister-in-law, what did you go do, why did it take so long?”

First Madam Jiang hurriedly curved her eyebrows and eyes: “Nothing, just went out to get some fresh air and sober up. Sister-in-law and Ruirui, eat well.”

As she spoke, she reached out and patted her dispirited daughter beside her.

But Jiang Yuanyuan didn’t act as she wished. Ignoring everyone, she changed her usual proper and noble posture, remaining standing in a daze on the spot.

First Madam Jiang finally couldn’t maintain her expression anymore. Half-closing her eyes, she let out a long sigh.

Looking at her eldest sister, Jiang Ruirui bit her lip.

Still the same scene, the same beautiful sun, the same beautiful peony garden. But after just a short hour, it seemed as if everything had changed.

Previously, that eldest sister who was dismissive of the whole garden of peonies, incredibly arrogant, and seemed to look down on everything in the world, was actually just pretending. See, when she truly lost it, she still revealed such an expression of being at a loss.

So, everyone is actually just an ordinary person…

Second Madam Jiang curled the corners of her mouth, having guessed long ago that things couldn’t possibly change. She raised her voice: “Eldest Sister-in-law, the banquet is almost over, and many people have left. Let’s leave too, it’s getting dark soon.”

First Madam Jiang nodded: “Then let’s go.”

Jiang Yuanyuan finally raised her head, looking at Second Madam Jiang and Jiang Ruirui in front of her.

Ever since the Empress Dowager revealed the news of wanting her to marry the Sixth Prince, her Second Aunt and Jiang Ruirui, who usually loved to be overly competitive and aggressive at home, had been flattering and currying favor with her every day, incredibly attentive.

In all matters, they took the opinions of herself and her mother as the main ones. Let alone making decisions without authorization like this, they hadn’t even spoken loudly again.

But now, they completely changed their faces again.

There was resentment in Jiang Yuanyuan’s heart, but more than that, a trace of panic suddenly rose.

Second Aunt and Jiang Ruirui were like this.

Then what about the others? How did the others view her?

How could she go out in the future? How could she face people? Those people were probably already secretly mocking her in their hearts.

All the myriad emotions in her heart ultimately transformed into hatred toward Xie Xuan.

Why did Xie Xuan do this?

Why did Xie Xuan treat her like this?

On what basis did he look down on her?

…

Meanwhile, Xie Xuan, who had left the banquet midway, was naturally completely unaware of these thoughts.

Because right now, he also really wanted to ask, on what basis?

On what basis did he, a dignified prince, always have to be bullied by this rough fellow Gu Siyuan?

Previously, Gu Siyuan escorted Emperor Jianzhao and Xie Huan back to the Huangji Hall to rest.

After standing duty outside the hall for a while, the sky was already approaching dusk. Other General of the Household colleagues from the Imperial Guards came to change shifts with him.

Gu Siyuan had just descended the steps in front of the Huangji Hall when he heard movements behind him. Xie Huan came out of the Huangji Hall and even specially called out, “General Gu!”

Xie Huan’s mood today was extremely bad. Whether it was the planning of the birthday gift or the matter of Jiang Yuanyuan entering Xie Xuan’s Sixth Prince mansion, neither achieved its goal.

And both of these were messed up by Xie Xuan.

Perhaps feeling they were like-minded and had a common person they hated, or perhaps having other thoughts, Xie Huan specifically came over to talk to Gu Siyuan.

Gu Siyuan’s treatment of Xie Huan wasn’t considered polite; this was his usual character and conduct. Although he disliked Xie Xuan the most, his attitude toward the other princes was equally very ordinary, just without obvious disgust.

However, Xie Huan was untiring, gentle as jade, always communicating with him in a pleasant tone.

With a prince being so approachable, Gu Siyuan found it hard to drive him away, so he just walked while listening like a wooden man.

As the two walked along, when turning the corner of the Yujing Garden, from the corner of his eye, Gu Siyuan caught sight of a familiar hem of a garment passing by his side.

Looking at the person, he narrowed his eyes.

But Xie Huan called out enthusiastically: “Sixth Brother, you came out too.”

Xie Xuan nodded, then cast a cold glance at Gu Siyuan, and quickly walked forward.

Seeing the two’s eyes meet, Xie Huan said softly: “Sixth Brother is still young, General Gu doesn’t need to take it to heart.”

Hearing this, Gu Siyuan sneered: “Seventeen years old is still young. The Sixth Highness’s way of calculating age is truly original.”

These words were spoken extremely impolitely.

However, Xie Huan wasn’t unhappy. He knew this was directed at Xie Xuan.

Thinking of this, he originally had the intention to talk a few more sentences with Gu Siyuan, but seeing Gu Siyuan’s face was visibly not looking good, he thought to himself he shouldn’t act too hastily. After casually putting a few drops of eye medicine on Xie Xuan (badmouthing him), he readily proposed to bid farewell and leave.

Seeing Gu Siyuan’s face look slightly better after he said he was leaving, he secretly thought his estimation was indeed correct.

After sending away this annoying fellow Xie Huan, Gu Siyuan hurriedly turned back and searched in the direction Xie Xuan had left.

He originally thought that after so much time had passed, the person had already walked far away. But unexpectedly, just after turning the corner of the covered corridor in the Yujing Garden, he saw the familiar figure beside an artificial rockery.

Gu Siyuan’s footsteps slowed down slightly.

Xie Xuan was sitting on a huge rock beside the artificial rockery, crossing his legs leisurely. Seeing the person coming, he asked with an uncertain expression: “Yo, why did General Gu walk over here?”

Hmph, weren’t you chatting merrily with someone else just now?

Gu Siyuan naturally noticed his tone was wrong. He took large strides forward, stopped near him, and said carelessly: “I just saw a little lion baring its fangs and brandishing its claws entering the Yujing Garden. Afraid he might get too angry and bite people indiscriminately, I specially came to capture him.”

Xie Xuan glared at him fiercely: “Who are you saying bites people indiscriminately?”

Pinching his soft cheek, Gu Siyuan said calmly: “Saying a little lion. What, are you one?”

Xie Xuan flushed red with anger, bit down on the tiger’s mouth (the web between thumb and forefinger) of his hand with an ‘aowu’, “Why do you only know how to bully this Prince?”

Gu Siyuan remained motionless, letting him bite. This bit of strength was completely painless and itchless to him.

After biting for a while, Xie Xuan slowly raised his head.

Looking at the clear tooth marks on the large hand, he felt somewhat regretful, yet also somewhat annoyed: “Why don’t you dodge, and don’t struggle either?”

Gu Siyuan curled the corners of his mouth slightly: “This general was afraid in case Your Highness says I’m bullying people again.”

Xie Xuan gently stroked the tooth marks with his fine white fingers, but his mouth was unforgiving: “You were bullying me in the first place. You have a very good attitude with others, but only know how to bully me. You even said so loudly that my painting was just playing to the gallery.”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Actually, it seems I drew that painting.

However, Gu Siyuan was too lazy to argue anymore, otherwise who knows what other crime might be added.

Gu Siyuan pinched his cheek: “Could it be you want this general to take back the words just now and say them all over again?”

Xie Xuan hummed and hawed.

He naturally knew he was making trouble out of nothing, but it was precisely because it was unreasonable that he had the happiness of being favored and spoiled.

However, on the surface, the Sixth Highness would absolutely not admit he was being unreasonable.

Thinking this way, he suddenly lowered his head, gently touched his lips to the tooth marks on the back of Gu Siyuan’s hand, and even stuck out his tongue to lick them gently: “Alright, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Feeling the soft and wet sensation on his hand, Gu Siyuan’s gaze sank slightly.

He grabbed the person’s waist and lifted him up, changing him from sitting to standing on the rock, their lines of sight level, and said indifferently: “Has the Sixth Highness forgotten the words this general said by the Chuntao Pavilion last time?”

Xie Xuan blinked his eyes, pretending to be stupid with a beaming smile: “Said what? Why doesn’t this Prince remember.”

As he spoke, his hands didn’t stop either. A pair of fair, slender arms directly circled around Gu Siyuan’s neck.

Gu Siyuan’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze still icy cold.

His large palms, however, slowly moved down from the slender waist.

Inside the artificial rockery cave.

“Pah…” With a soft sound, a jade belt fell to the ground.

Xie Xuan’s body trembled slightly.

Not knowing where he was touched.

“Wu…” Xie Xuan let out a muffled groan.

“Lord Gu, General Gu, I was wrong, spare me!”

Gu Siyuan’s cold and stern face lowered slightly, his voice deep: “Shh! Don’t make a sound! Someone’s coming.”

Sure enough, soon, the sound of a branch being stepped on lightly came from not far away.

“Wu…” Xie Xuan immediately swallowed back all the moans and groans filling his mouth forcefully.

But his beautiful eyes couldn’t help but turn red, seeping out a few drops of crystal-clear physiological tears.

After the person left.

“Tsk, do you know what we look like right now?” Xie Xuan leaned in someone’s embrace, but his mouth still wouldn’t stop, his voice slurred.

Scrutinizing him, Gu Siyuan’s expression was cold: “Like what? Like having a secret affair.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

Tsk, look at this person.

His face looks like a block of ice that hasn’t melted for ten thousand years, but his mouth is so…

False, how false.

The events that happened in the Ningshou Palace this day, whether it was the Sixth Prince selecting a principal consort or anything else, quickly vanished into nothingness in the capital.

Because on the third day after the Empress Dowager’s Thousand Autumns, a major case first reported by the Shuntian Prefecture instantly caused a storm to rise in the royal court.

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