Tian Gui Escapes with the Imperial Concubine's Two Treasures 98 Gets Beaten

  Hua Xiyuan suddenly changed her mind and said to Liu Gugu: "Take Min Taizhen out and let him stand outside."

  Liu Aunt thought that Dr. Min had probably offended Hua Xiuyan's temper, so she immediately nodded and took Min Wenjing out to educate her for a while.

  On this side, Hua Xiyan turned her head towards Li Jiuyao and suddenly pinched a finger on Li Jiuyao's arm.

  Li Jiya was pinched by her, because she had a great strength, and the pain squeezed out a tear: "Sister!" The tone was very shocked, and didn't know why Hua Xiyan pinched her.

  "Aren't you awake? If not, I'll have someone bring a basin of water to wash your head." Hua Xiyan's icy words hit Li Jiayao's head like hailstones.

  Li Ji Yao's face suddenly turned fiery red, and after realizing what had just happened, she showed a daughter-like shyness: "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I..."

  "You're not wronging me, but..." Hua Yu Yan took a look at her and thought that this child was really strange. Logically speaking, she had seen more handsome men than anyone else, so why would she be so easily infatuated with a lowly imperial physician like him? She spoke with a heavy heart, "Your Highness, it's not that I want to blame you, but think about your own identity."

  That kind of free-spirited view on love and marriage can only exist in modern times. In ancient times, there were rules to follow, and social status had to match. As a county princess, Li Jiuyao would never be able to marry a lowly doctor, no matter what. If that happened, the entire Long Princess's estate would die from anger. And Li Jiuyao herself would become a laughing stock on the streets.

  It's rare for Hua Xixi, someone who has been to the modern world, to speak so realistically. It's just that she never believed in love. If she were to be confused by passion and make unrealistic moves, the one who would end up losing out would definitely be herself, Li Jiayao.

  All I can say is that Imperial Physician Ming is really too good-looking. No matter how excellent his medical skills are, with such a charming face, he shouldn't be staying in the palace. Hua Xiuyan thought to herself.

  Li Ji-yao covered her burning face with the back of her hand, seemingly puzzled by Hua Xi-yan's words, and said: "If a husband and wife are not harmonious, won't they..."

  "This child, where did she learn these things. Hua Xiyuan was simply staring at her with wide eyes: 'Princess, you wouldn't be hiding from the Empress Dowager and secretly reading some obscene books that can't be shown in public?'"

  "Those books aren't considered obscene, are they?" Li Ji-yao muttered, "These things, Sister-in-law and the Emperor's brother aren't also doing them. I just heard about it this morning."

  Huā Yùyán's fingers supported her forehead. She knew that those voices had misled everyone outside.

  Li Jiya pulled her arm and slyly said: "Sister-in-law, how is the Emperor?"

  "The princess can go ask the emperor."

  "I can only ask Sister Shang about what I want to ask the Emperor," said Li Jiuyao.

  This girl is getting more and more glib. Huā Xīyán stretched out her hand, wanting to pinch her cheek like she pinched her little son's cheek.

  "Holding back her breath, Hua Yexuan asked her: 'What brings the princess to our palace?'"

  "Oh." Li Ji Yao, who had a childlike personality, suddenly remembered, "Right, I came to find sister-in-law to go to the White Dragon Temple together to burn incense and also to help sister-in-law relax her mind. I've also invited Miss Qi from the Qi manor."

  Hua Yuye, who didn't like staying in the palace for a moment, naturally wanted to go out. So she ordered Liu Gugu: "Those people from the Nei Wu Fu, let those who should work do their work. Just leave those few in charge. This palace is going to Bailong Temple, and I'll deal with it when I get back."

  Liu Auntie repeatedly agreed, then tidied up because now that Lü Cuì was not around, she had to personally follow Hua Xi Yan to the White Dragon Temple. However, Hua Xi Yan did not want her to follow, apart from the fact that she would only add trouble, also hoped that she could stay in the palace to help her keep watch. In this way, Hua Xi Yan brought only Xiao Wu along when they set off.

  Li Ji-yao had already jumped out of the room a step ahead during her busy time. Walking to the corridor, she saw Min Wen-jing standing alone there, facing the courtyard, with his back straight, like a student who was being punished to stand still.

  She had seen many handsome men, like her imperial brother, like the most noble and wealthy bachelor in the world, Yun Chenjing, like her father's former son-in-law, but a man as beautiful as Min Wenjing, was truly the first time she had ever seen, it made her think of the scenes she had read about in those books.

  Don't look at Li Ji Yao's naive and romantic, but it's really very naive and romantic. Maybe it was growing up in the oppressive environment of the Crown Princess's mansion, plus seeing her parents' hypocritical husband-and-wife relationship too much. A couple, whether they are harmonious or not, can be seen clearly. At that time, although the Crown Princess and the Marquis appeared to be model couples in front of the public, very loving, in fact, Li Ji Yao had long heard that the Crown Princess hadn't touched the Marquis for a long time.

  As the eldest princess, you have the right to choose your own man. The husband of the princess, at some point, has already been disliked by the princess and does not want to touch him. So, this husband is depressed to death, apart from the issue of offspring, going outside to find another woman has also become a way to vent.

  Li Ji-yao had often heard the wet nurse beside Princess Chang talk, saying that the husband of Princess Chang couldn't satisfy her, and Princess Chang was a picky one. Therefore, this Princess Chang had actually been unfaithful for a long time. It's just that Princess Chang's pride only allowed her to be unfaithful, not allowing her husband to be unfaithful.

  The Empress Dowager, as her mother, had only one qualification, that is, even if she had a lover, she would never expose it in front of her daughter. However, the more she tried to hide it, the more Lei Jiuyao was disgusted.

  Li Ji-yao had long been very clear about what she wanted. She didn't want to become like her parents, so she was determined to find a man she really liked and was interested in. As for social status and background, if she wasn't fond of it, then even if they were together, it would still be a tragedy just like her parents'.

  Thinking of this, Li Jiuyao furrowed her brow again, thinking of Hua Xiyan. How did she feel more and more that Hua Xiyan was similar to the eldest princess?

  Does she love her brother or not? Does her brother love her or not? It seems to be getting more and more unclear.

  As she approached Min Wenjing, the mysterious and seductive scent on her body made her heart skip a beat again.

  When she looked up, she saw Min Wenjing's eyes staring at her strangely, and Li Jiyao hurriedly covered her face and whispered: "What's with the fragrance on you?"

  Min Wenjing seemed to have just remembered her identity after a moment, and knelt down to pay respects: "Your subject greets the County Master."

  "No need, get up, get up." As Li Ji Yao stretched out her hands to help him at that moment, she only felt that through the layer of clothing, her palms seemed to touch his skin for an instant, and her entire hand from palm to fingertips became hot.

  Feeling the slight tremble of her fingers, Min Wenjing's lips curved into a subtle arc in the shadow of the sunlight, making it hard to discern. A pair of peach blossom eyes, more beautiful when lowered, whispered: "Is the young mistress experiencing menstrual irregularities?"

  He, how did he know?

  Li Ji-yao rounded her eyes, only to feel that her face was getting hotter and hotter, so ashamed that she almost couldn't go on. So she pretended to be angry and said: "How is it? You know that the lady of this county has a disease of irregular menstruation, what do you want to do with the lady of this county?"

  Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at her, shining with colorful lights.

  Li Ji Yao's heart suddenly skipped a beat again. This man's eyes were born with a natural charm that was beyond words.

  "Now that I've learned of the princess's illness, it's natural that I'd be willing to help her recover."

  The fingers he held suddenly trembled, and his voice was even more choked with a quiver: "How to cure?"

  "The princess is busy today, so tonight when the princess needs me, I will go to the princess's room and treat her myself." After saying this, he let go of her fingers and turned around, presenting a posture like a primary school student being punished.

  Li Jiya touched her fingers that had just been touched by him, and felt that his touch had scratched the deepest part of her heart.

  What kind of person is this man?

  As Li Ji Yao was about to leave, the soft and melodious voice that smelled like peach blossoms and wine, echoed gently behind her: "By the way, when you have time, please persuade the princess. The princess's illness, if not treated urgently, the remaining half of her life will not last long. Of course, the princess can either compromise with the emperor or come to me for a solution."

  Li Jiya turned back in shock to look at him, but saw that he was still facing the courtyard, his face calm and his lips tightly pursed, as if he hadn't just said those words.

  Huā Yùyán tidied up in the room and called out to Xiao Wu, then went out to look for Lí Jìyáo.

  She climbed up the carriage and saw Li Ji Yao sitting inside, seemingly having some emotions in her heart, sitting there motionless. Her face was gloomy, really different from usual, no, just now's lively young lady was completely different. Hua Xi Yan walked over, sat beside her, and asked: "Why are you looking so angry? Did I say something too heavy to the young lady just now in the room?"

  Li Ji Yao shook her head, then suddenly looked up, her eyes gleaming with a sharp light as she scanned her face, trying to grasp something: "Sister-in-law, could it be that you don't like the Emperor? Or is it that the Emperor doesn't like you?"

  Huā Yù Yán was taken aback by her sudden question. Did she like him or not? They were already husband and wife, so she didn't understand why he questioned whether she had feelings for him. Alright, even if she did have feelings for him, could the way he passionately loved her be considered love? Didn't men love women because of that little bit of devilish impulse?

  It's her now, with only half a life left, trapped in his cage. If she can't touch him for even one day, she might die. Thinking of this, a chill ran down her spine. A bitter smile followed. Is this what she deserved? Unintentionally, she had provoked his passion to flames. What would be the consequences of provoking a man's passion, it was easy to imagine. Moreover, this was provoking his passion. Provoking his passion is like taking that aphrodisiac every day; if he doesn't pull her into the hell of passion together with him, how can he rest?

  She's lost her beauty, this life is over. Unless she can bring herself to cut off all emotional ties with him, but can she? Is she capable of doing so?

  She is heartless and unscrupulous, but in reality, she has indulged him, taking away half of her emotions to suffer with him.

  Just like that, she sat in the carriage and left the palace, leaving his scent far away, but she could still feel a dizziness in her chest, her pale face was trembling, making her break out in cold sweat.

  "Sister?" Li Ji Yao saw her forehead sweating profusely and quickly handed her a handkerchief to wipe it off.

  Take a deep breath, exchange the air, and don't know how long she can control herself. This battle has just begun, and she won't lose. The love of Gong Xiuxiu can only be controlled by herself, not given to anyone, even him.

  Li Jiya frowned, looking at her like that, thinking in her heart: Could it be true what that man said, that her sister's fate had gone wrong? Then, could the one called Min Wenjing really help her sister?

  According to the plan, due to the late departure, in order to rush for time. Qi Yunyan and Gong Furen respectively took a sedan chair from their own mansion and set off, and met with Li Jiuyao Hua Xiyuan and others at the Bailong Temple.

  Madam Wang was the first to arrive at Baidi Temple, kneeling in the front hall of the temple, facing the lotus statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, with her hands clasped together, murmuring words, praying for the safety of every family member at home, especially her husband and son. As for her daughter - Madam Wang secretly lowered her eyes.

  Her daughter had died once, and occasionally, when she thought of the current daughter, she always felt that something was a bit different, as if it was no longer her completely biological one. Moreover, people who have died once, praying to the gods in heaven and making demands is a luxury, is excessive. Madame Gong did not dare to do so.

  Ling stood behind her, not daring to speak or move, and could only look listlessly at the crowd passing by the door, wondering if Miss and the county lord's daughter had arrived.

  The Bailong Temple is bustling with incense, and people come to worship the gods without end. During the season when locals offer sacrifices to their ancestors every year, more pilgrims from inside and outside the capital city come to the Bailong Temple to burn incense and draw divination lots.

  People come and go, almost impossible to get through, can only see the top of each other's heads. In such a situation, finding someone should be like looking for a needle in a haystack, basically impossible to find. But, there is fate between people.

  Just after Ziyunyan walked into the White Dragon Temple, he hesitated for a moment at the entrance, wondering whether to go in or not. After standing there for a while without seeing Huajiang and Lijiao, it seemed as if he was led by something, walking to a small Buddhist hall beside the front hall.

  Madam Wang would always, after paying respects to the larger deities in the front hall, proceed to the small Buddhist shrine beside it to calm her mind and then seek divination. As a result, she was also very familiar with the masters of this small shrine.

  The small Buddhist hall is located in a small alley behind the front hall, and people who don't know about it would have no idea that there's another small Buddhist hall here. Qiyun Yan had been to Baidi Temple before, but she had never walked to this place. But today was strange, with a series of unexpected events, as if something was guiding her, leading her to come to this place, and only when she reached the entrance did she see Madame Gong kneeling down talking to the master of the Buddhist hall.

  Linglong was startled to see her, because she didn't know she was coming. When Li Jiuyao invited the two groups of people to come, he played a small trick and didn't say they would come together. It's just that previously, this ghostly and cunning princess had already sensed that there seemed to be some clues between Qi Yunyan and Gong Xiangru.

  Zi Yun's eyebrows furrowed as she realized Lei Jiuyao's scheme, but it was too late.

  Could only stand in the courtyard, pinching the hem of her skirt with her fingers.

  Linglong was thinking about whether or not to tell her husband. In the Buddhist hall, Madame Gong held the finished divination slip and was talking to the master of the Buddhist hall.

  The master said: "Madam, may I ask what each of these three divination sticks is asking about?"

  Madam Wang first mentioned the first branch: "This is asking about my husband's health and career prospects for the next one or two years."

  The master looked at the first stick's inscription and said with a smile: "Congratulations, madam. In the next one or two years, not only will your husband be in good health, but his career will also go smoothly."

  Madam Wang's eyebrows and eyes curved, she couldn't help but feel excited, and asked about the second stick: "This one is asking about my son. I don't worry about his health, because he is a doctor himself and young. He is different from his father, doing things carefully, and the Emperor's love for him surpasses everything, even if someone in our palace gets into trouble, it will absolutely not implicate him. Everything perfect about him, only one thing has been unfulfilled all along. Therefore, this year I just want to ask Buddha, can my son complete his marriage within this year or next?"

  It was said that they were going to ask about the marriage of Gong Xiangyu, and it spread outside the Buddhist hall. Qi Yunyan only felt a loud rumbling in her ears, as if she had been struck by lightning, and seemed to refuse to listen to any more words.

  No matter what, she shouldn't have anything to do with him again. She thought to herself.

  The master carefully looked at the second divination slip sought by Madame Gong, and looking at the text of the slip, he seemed to have a hint of puzzlement between his eyebrows. He said: "Madame, your son should have gotten married long ago. However, it seems that something has hindered him, which is why he has delayed completing this major life event for so many years."

  "What?" Madame Wang was startled. "What did you say was blocking it?"

  "Isn't there a daughter in your family? Why don't you, madam, let me take a look at the third stick first?"

  Madam Wang hastily handed over the divination slip she had obtained for her daughter and whispered, "That year, I don't know why, but later I heard from our maid that someone had intentionally switched the divination slip I had obtained with an evil one to harm my life. I thought about it and realized that since Master is here and there are many high-ranking monks at White Dragon Temple, how could that person have succeeded? It can only be that it was switched on the way home. So this time, after obtaining the divination slip, please also ask Master to help me dispose of these three slips."

  The master looked at her and sighed: "Miss Gong's marriage to the imperial palace is full of controversies, madam should be more careful in the future."

  "Yes. I humbly follow the Master's teachings." said Madame Guo, and then she looked forward to how her son and daughter would interpret the two branches of signed texts.

  "Madam, what's hindering your son from getting married is actually his sister's fate."

  At this point, Mrs. Gong had long expected it. At that time, after her daughter's death, her son almost gave up the idea of getting married. Because he didn't know when the Gong family would completely collapse, marrying any girl from another family would be harming their daughter.

  "But my daughter is better now. My son should be able to get married soon, right?"

  "No." The master held the divination stick of Gong Xiuyi, his expression serious. "She seems to have not completed her destined life cycle."

  "What? What does it mean?" Madame Gong was puzzled.

  "She forgot one of the most important things, as a seven-soul-six-ghost, she is incomplete. Now she only has half her life left."

  Madam Wang was taken aback, turned her head around, and saw Linglong making eyes at her, as if there was someone outside. She hastily looked out, but the small courtyard of the temple was empty without a single person in sight.

  Zi Yunyan, without realizing it, quickly walked away to another place when the master was about to interpret the divination text for Madame Gong. She didn't want to listen, really didn't want to listen. And this not wanting to listen wasn't under her rational control, but rather her feet moved involuntarily and she walked away.

  Liking a man is such a terrible thing for a woman, it seems that now her mood can somewhat understand the words said by Gong Xi and her back then.

  Don't put your heart on a man, or you're done for this lifetime.

  She's already ruined half her life. No matter how many times she warned herself to be rational, no matter how many times she told herself the reasons why it was impossible for them to be together, none of it worked. As soon as she saw him, her heart would involuntarily move. Even now, just seeing his mother made her terrified. Afraid of being rejected by him and his family.

  What should she do?

  Sitting on the stone steps beside the nursery, gently exhaling, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds: perhaps she should fly far away.

  "Hey, isn't that Miss Qi?"

  When Lin Mu Rong heard his own mother suddenly say something like that, he turned around while walking among the incense guests heading into the temple. As for his accompanying mother, Madam Lin, she quickly left the crowd of incense guests and rushed to where Qi Yunyan was sitting. Lin Mu Rong thought for a moment before hurrying after her in two quick steps.

  Mrs. Lin walked up to Qi Yunyan and confirmed that she was alone, with a slight curve at the corner of her mouth: "Miss Qi, why are you here by yourself? Didn't you make an appointment with someone?"

  Qī Yún's eyebrows were furrowed, she really couldn't understand why this woman had to oppose her all day. No matter what, she couldn't be compared to Gōng Xiāng Rú. Lín Fūrén was being overly cautious around her, it wasn't necessary at all.

  Patted his knee, Qi Yunyan stood up and said faintly: "Madam, if you are looking for the imperial concubine, she is in the small Buddhist temple at the back."

  Thinking about it, if he had married a young lady from another family earlier, she would have given up on him by now.

  Mrs. Ke Lin listened to her words without being grateful to her, but instead had an angry expression: "Did you come with Concubine Palace?"

  "No."

  "If not, how did you know where Madame Guo was?"

  "Happened to see you on the way."

  "Miss Qi, it's said that your mother has passed away, but your father is still around. Family traditions should be maintained. Someone like you, who doesn't know the rules, uses every trick in the book to curry favor with Palace Lord, even going so far as to fawn over his mother."

  Lin Murong listened to his mother's words, possibly for the first time, and was shocked. His gaze swept across Qi Yunyan's plain face, then his eyes sank. A woman's mind has nothing to do with her appearance.

  Qī Yún's eyes narrowed slightly as she raised an eyebrow, and then, with a hint of mockery, she curled up the corner of her lips: "Is Lady Lin saying this to me with actual evidence? If I wanted to curry favor with the Palace Mistress, why would I tell Lady Lin about the Palace Mistress's whereabouts?"

  "This is you deliberately covering people's ears and eyes."

  "It's better to say that your Lin family has been harboring ulterior motives, wanting to curry favor with the Gong family all along, so no one is pleasing to the eye. If you really want your daughter to marry into the Gong family, it's better to make it clear to Madame Gong now, to avoid misunderstandings."

  Zi Yunyan is a person who doesn't like to talk much normally, but when he really starts talking, he has the same problem as Old Master Zi, which is being straightforward and hurtful.

  The Lin family was indeed ashamed by her words, their faces flushing bright red. Thinking that there were so many people around, among whom might be acquaintances of the Lin family, and with their daughter present, having suffered such humiliation, if they were to be rejected by the Gong family, how could their daughter ever marry in the future? Mrs. Lin, thinking this way, completely forgot that her previous words had also humiliated Qi Yunyan, making it impossible for Qi Yunyan to marry out. Perhaps in her eyes, Qi Yunyan was not considered a young lady at all.

  "Raise your hand! Mrs. Lin, in a fit of rage, slapped Qi Yunyan's face: 'You shameless woman! You humiliate yourself and still dare to humiliate others? See if I won't beat you to death today!'"

  Qiyun Yan raised her arm to block Mrs. Lin's hand, but she didn't have any maids by her side, while Mrs. Lin had at least four or five helpers who were used to throwing their weight around and beating people. A group of robust and powerful women surrounded her, helping their mistress beat her up mercilessly.

  Li Ji-yao and Hua Xi-yan's carriage had just left the palace gate when it was suddenly intercepted. Xiao Wu pulled on the reins, but before he could stop, someone had already jumped onto the carriage and lifted up the curtain without warning.

  The two women sitting in the carriage were taken aback.

  "I pay my respects to the county master." After finishing the courtesy with a perfunctory expression, Gong Xiang's eyes, like two sharp needles, directly shot onto her sister's pale face. Then, she walked straight over and pulled up one of Hua Xiuyan's hands.

  Huā Yùyán pulled her hand back with force, but although her brother seemed like a bookworm who didn't know martial arts and had no strength to bind a chicken, the truth was completely different. Her brother's strength could actually lift her up by himself when she wasn't paying attention and spank her butt. In fact, Gōng Xiāng Rú used to do this in the past when Huā Yùyán was being naughty to the point of hurting herself, and even their parents didn't dare to punish her at that time.

  He lifted one of her hands, then directly pulled up the sleeve, and his three fingers pressed against her wrist. With just a light press, the empty and hollow state inside her body made his expression turn pale in an instant.

  "Brother——" Hua Xiyuan weakly called out to him, using a nearly pleading tone. Before she could react, his other hand swiftly pulled out a silver needle from his sleeve and inserted it into an acupoint on the back of her hand.

  As a result, the emptiness in her body suddenly improved, and at the same time, her body became even more fiery, as if she was being burned on a fire rack, causing her heart to thump loudly, almost deafening.

  Li Ji Yao saw her like this and was frightened out of her wits for a moment.

  "Please get off the carriage, Princess!" Palace Director Xi's voice was cold and commanding, his sharp eyes, like a knife, glanced at Li Ji Yao.

  Li Ji Yao completely forgot her identity as the host and was flustered by his gaze, getting off the car in a flurry.

  Gong Xiangru sat down in the place where Li Jiuyao was sitting, one hand holding onto Hua Xiyan who wanted to follow Li Jiuyao out, and shouted at Xiao Wu who was driving the carriage: "Don't you hurry up and drive the carriage back to the palace? Do you want to see Her Majesty die?"

  Xiao Wu didn't dare argue with him on this matter and had no choice but to turn the car around.

  Huā Yùyán struggled with all her might, but couldn't break free from Gōng Xiàng Rú's grasp. She let out a low growl: "Brother! You're pushing me into the fire pit!"

  "Why didn't you just say no to marrying him back then?" Gong Xiangru's cold and ruthless gaze pierced through her flushed face, "You chose this path yourself, do you want to escape now? You can escape if you want. But as the queen's subject, the emperor's subject, I only have one choice, which is to first ensure the queen's safety."

  "I can also do without him—"

  "Can't you see what's going on inside you now? Can you leave him? If you leave him, as soon as you step out of this palace, your life will be over." As he spoke, he gently manipulated the needle inserted into her palm while she was still trying to struggle free.

  Her eyes stared straight at him, the silver needle hindering her from releasing the vital energy inside her body, but at the same time, it caused the vital energy to flow back, rushing towards that weak pulse, which was connected to half of her soul. The other half of her soul was tied to his. He might have already sensed that she had left him, stirring up her soul within her body. She was now engulfed in flames, on the verge of an explosion, standing precariously at the edge of a volcanic crater.

  Now she had no choice but to force herself to spit it out of her mouth.

  When she bent down, Gong Xiang's hand quickly wrapped around her waist from behind, holding her close. His palm pressed against her abdomen to prevent her from vomiting. At this moment, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he whispered into her ear, "Qing Yu, listen to me, you can't do this. No matter what, you can't do this. If the child is gone, your life will be gone too."

  Huā Yùyán's whole body shook, she looked up, her apricot-like eyes rounded, staring at his face.

  "Brother isn't talking nonsense to you. What you're carrying is a dragon fetus. And as you know, both times you gave birth, you almost lost your life. This time, the Emperor insisted that you conceive this child. As for the reason, the Emperor should have told you last night."

  Last night, he said that the two children she gave birth to were not born out of her love for him. If she continued like this, who knows what choice he would make towards her. Yes, taking her with him to hell.

  "Listen to your brother," said Gong Xiangyu, with a hint of red in his eyes. "This child, you must carry it to term and give birth to it. He has already tied his seven souls and six spirits to yours, you can't escape. I'm not unwilling to help you, but... I just can't bear to see you torturing yourself like this. You don't have to do this for the Gong family's sake, neither Father nor Mother would be happy about it."

  "I'm not for the sake of the Miya family—"

  "Why must you deceive yourself? If it's because the Gong family hurt you before and made you not dare to love him, I promise you, whether you love him or not, I have the ability to protect the Gong family. You're just tormenting yourself now, Gong Xi!"

  Her lips trembled slightly. No, she didn't love him.

  Gong Miao's eyes sank suddenly: "Are you still doubting his relationship with Su Qinger?"

  Huā Yùyán tightly closed her eyes.

  "Brother knew. In those years, when he was young, due to the agreement between the previous emperor and the Western Zhen Empress, it was indicated by the divine that he and the Western Zhen Princess were the true match made in heaven. So at that time, when the Yun family came to propose marriage, brother was also very happy and had intended to give you to Yun Zongzhu. But who knew that because of your mother's relationship, you couldn't marry Yun Zongzhu."

  "Because you saw him having a crush on me from the start, right?"

  "He said to me after meeting you for the first time at the Gong's house, 'In this life, I will only marry Gong Xingyu. Only Gong Xingyu can make him understand what love is and move his heart.'"

  He was an unfeeling and bloodless young master, but he alone could move his emotions for her.

  "Until now, Ge can't figure out why none of the Xi Zhen princesses could move his heart, but only you can."

  Gong Xiangru's sudden change in tone made her heart skip a beat, reminding her of the words Yun Zhendong had spoken to her at the Cloud Clan.

  "Brother——" Hua Xiyan's voice was hoarse, thinking that if Yun Chenjing's words were true, then wouldn't he himself be very clear about it? He should be even more aware of the secrets hidden here after seeing her in person, so why did he have to drag her down to hell with him.

  He was indeed a rich and profound emperor with deep thoughts.

  "Gong Xi." Palace Xiangru's tone was soft and gentle, it had been a long time since he spoke to her in such a warm voice. Ever since she returned, he had been overly worried and could only constantly remind her with a warning tone, "Listen to me, now that you know what men's emotions are like, if you stubbornly resist, wouldn't that be irrational? Seeking death on your own, isn't that unlike Palace Gong Xi's style?"

  "He loves me——"

  "Yes. The Emperor told me that he loves you, loves you to the point of madness, and that you are his only woman, there will be no one else. And if you don't love him, for him, it's more terrifying than anything else. That would drive him completely crazy."

  Huā Yù Rǎn's eyes moved again, seemingly somewhat perplexed.

  "The more skilled one is, the easier it is to produce heart demons. To avoid this, especially when cultivating and upgrading to a new stage, one must rely on emotional intelligence to make up for it. He needs you, Shi Qi. He can't help but suspect you, guess at you, because he needs you too much, especially at this time."

  She didn't know about these things, he never told her...

  Li Ji-yao and San Qi stood in the middle of the street, master and servant, thinking about whether to go to Baidong Temple or not. The carriage had abandoned them both on the road.

  "Alright." Li Ji Yao waved her hand, "Forget it, let's head back to the manor."

  Sanqi felt that she was a bit strange today. If it were in the past, she would never give up such an opportunity to have fun, no matter what, and would think of all ways to get to Baidi Temple. Now suddenly changing her mind and going home? Is there something more fun waiting for her at the mansion?

  Li Ji Yao sensed that her maid was suspecting something, and her heart skipped a beat. She glared at her: "What's wrong? I went out early this morning as the county lord's daughter, and I want to go back to sleep early. Can't I?"

  Sanqi pouted and bowed: "I'll go find a carriage for the young mistress to ride in right away."

  Li Ji-yao waved her hand, and then stood by the road waiting for her to come back. In her heart, however, she was thinking about that handsome man from Peach Blossom Village. He said he would come find her, whether she needed him or not, and give him a chance. After returning to the mansion, she had someone go to the hospital to invite him over. That's it, I'll do just that.

  Sanqi returned with the sedan chair and the bearers, only to see his master laughing at a lump of air, his teeth bared and about to drool, his eyes bulging out.

  Bailong Temple

  Mrs. Lin directed several women to surround and beat Qi Yunyan, herself busy with sweat all over her head, shouting: "Beat this little cheap woman to death!"

  "Madam, who are you going to beat to death? What capital crime has the other person committed? Can you tell this official so I can hear it?"

  The sudden arrival of the man's voice, with a hint of inherent cruelty and indifference amidst its elegant tone.

  For Lin Murong and Mrs. Lin, however, it was all too familiar.

  Mrs. Lin was so frightened that she jumped to one side, and after turning around, her whole body trembled uncontrollably for a moment. Lin Mu Rong also looked at the newcomer with a shocked expression. Because this person was not someone else, but the one she had been thinking about day and night, and who had caused her mother to hit her.

  Gong Xiang furrowed his brow, almost wanting to sigh in his heart, thinking that his sister's premonition was so accurate. He had originally thought it was his sister trying to trick him into leaving quickly, but after leaving the palace, he felt uneasy and followed his sister's suggestion to hurry to the White Dragon Temple.

  As far as he knew, the Lin family was absolutely not a common official family that liked to bully and intimidate others, nor would they randomly beat people in public and lose their reputation. So, what was the reason for this scene unfolding before his eyes?

  "Sixth Uncle, let them disperse." Palace Xiangru instructed softly.

  Sixth Uncle brought others, immediately driving away the crowd of onlookers. At the same time, with just one glance, the several Lin family women who were surrounding Qi Yunyan, all knelt down trembling and said: "Lord, spare our lives."

  Gong Miao took a few steps closer, and clearly saw the woman surrounded by several old ladies in the middle. Because his sister had mentioned it before, he knew who that person would be. However, at this moment, seeing with his own eyes, his heart was still shaken, and a hint of anger flashed across his face.

  This is not a fight, it's simply several people ganging up on one person and beating them to death.

  Zi Yunyan, who was lying on the ground, couldn't move at all. In order to save her own life, she used all her strength to protect her head, as a result, her chest and abdomen were kicked, and blood spurted out of her mouth. Her two legs were beaten by an old woman until one leg had an obvious fracture.

  Such a tragic scene made everyone who saw it around take a cold breath.

  Mrs. Lin retreated step by step, waiting for an opportunity to escape. Because, it was clear that the disaster had gone too far.

  Mingxiangru took a deep breath, and then pressed down the surge of anger in his chest. He said to Liu Shu: "Tie up everyone we saw at the scene, those who were fighting, those who were instigating the fight, and take them to the government office for interrogation. Ask them clearly why they were fighting. Was it intentional homicide or was there another reason?"

  Mrs. Lin, who couldn't escape more than three zhang away, was immediately caught and could only shout loudly: "Your Honor, Palace Master, I beg the Palace Master to investigate clearly! I didn't want to hit her, it was she who hit me first!"

  "She hit you first, where did she hit you?" asked Gong Xiangyu coldly.

  Mrs. Lin had a throat blockage and lost her voice.

  Qī Yún didn't even touch a single hair of hers. Where did the injury on her body come from? If only she had slapped herself a few times earlier, it would have left some evidence of being bullied. What to do now? Mrs. Lin was tearless and looked at her daughter.

  When Lin Murong saw the gaze of Qi Yunyan, she had already bitten her lip and was about to bleed. She walked forward, suddenly rolled up her right sleeve, revealing a bruise that looked like it was beaten, saying: "She hit me, not my mother."