Chapter 72: Past Events
Evening sunlight filtered through the silk screen, turning into fine threads.
As the sky dimmed, candles were lit in the bedchamber, hanging high on both sides, flowing with faint light.
Staring at the curtain for a long time, Zhao Yiyi pursed her lips, maintaining her posture without speaking.
Gu Zhen’s voice was tinged with despair, gripping her hand tightly, fingertips trembling. “Yiyi, don’t open it. Sit and talk to Zhen.”
His throat burned, voice sounding weak.
Like a frayed string scratching.
Through the black gauze, she saw the patterns clearly. After a long while, she asked, “What happened to Your Majesty?”
” Zhen’s current appearance is very bad.” Gu Zhen laughed lightly, a sound un-laugh-like, stinging the ears. Perhaps knowing his laugh was ugly, he stopped, whispering comfort. “Don’t be afraid. It’s nothing. Just smoked by fire that day. Will be fine in a while.”
While speaking, not only his throat burned, but his skin and organs hurt too.
Seeming to have no intact flesh.
Gu Zhen truly didn’t want her to see him now. Abnormal scars, bone-deep wounds on his left arm. Even physicians found it hard, calling in specialists.
She was timid; seeing it, how could she not be afraid?
Worried she’d be scared, yet deep down, afraid she would see.
When she was drunk, she said, “Your Majesty looks good. Even pear blossoms in late spring aren’t as good looking as Your Majesty’s smile. I liked you at first sight.”
He hadn’t taken it seriously then. Now recalling it, he took it to heart, daring not forget.
Undoubtedly, Yiyi liked his looks.
If she saw his current appearance?
Gu Zhen felt uneasy, daring not think further.
His usually steady voice carried a plea. Zhao Yiyi blinked, staring at the curtain, as if seeing the person inside.
Even when they fought most fiercely, when he begged for reconciliation, he never used such a tone.
Zhao Yiyi tightened her grip on the curtain. Thoughts rolling, struggling, she asked slowly, “How is Your Majesty’s injury? This consort heard physicians say it improved. Did the physician lie?”
Hearing her voice like spring breeze, Gu Zhen’s worry smoothed slightly. The itch and pain faded.
But only for a moment.
Hearing the half-smile in her voice, Gu Zhen choked. Through the thin gauze, he gripped that soft hand tightly, rasping, “There is a place injured heavily. You’ll be scared seeing it. Be good, let’s not look.”
Zhao Yiyi said, “What can’t be seen? Will the injury disappear if I don’t look? Or can we pretend it doesn’t exist?”
The hall fell silent. Separated by a curtain, yet like a chasm.
A light layer of gauze, heavy as a thousand catties.
Zhao Yiyi looked down at the hand he gripped. Her lashes fluttered. She struggled but didn’t break free.
Heart bitten by ants, chest heaving with rapid breath, Gu Zhen frowned, feeling uncomfortable all over. He paused, voice trembling. “It’s ugly. Zhen fears you’ll be disgusted.”
He was arrogant, never knowing inferiority. As Crown Prince for twenty years, he looked down on all. Even when medicated by servants, he faced his wounds calmly.
But seeing her, he couldn’t be calm.
Never had he been so afraid and uneasy.
Their relationship had just eased; he dared not gamble.
Afraid gambling meant truly losing.
“Don’t look, okay?” Gu Zhen held her hand, voice trembling. “You won’t like it.”
Night wind hit the window. Maybe not closed tight, the windows shook, sounds dull and violent.
Zhao Yiyi withdrew her hand silently, sitting slowly on the side.
“That day the fire was fierce. This consort sat by the Dragon Pool, seeing smoke blotting the sky.” She placed her hands on her knees, blinking gently, voice warm. “Why did Your Majesty go in?”
Gu Zhen released the gauze, then gripped it tighter. Repeating this, he closed his eyes, raspy voice saying, ” Zhen thought you were still inside.”
No one knew how afraid he was of losing her.
In that moment, he thought nothing, only worrying about losing his Yiyi.
He knew the fire was huge, knew the danger, but worry for her prevailed. He plunged in subconsciously.
He felt nothing when the fire wrapped around him.
Just searching desperately, unable to find his Yiyi. He only thought, such a big fire, Yiyi must be scared.
Don’t know where she was hiding and crying.
Choking up, Gu Zhen trembled. “Good that you’re fine.”
Zhao Yiyi thought it was just a rumor.
She froze, took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, staring at the grape-patterned rug.
Candlelight flickered. Zhao Yiyi said warmly, “That day I felt unwell, so I climbed the window and went to the Dragon Pool alone.” She paused, then laughed. “It was my luck. The only impulsive act in so many years saved me from disaster.”
“Did you have dinner?” Gu Zhen sighed in relief, asking low.
Zhao Yiyi shook her head, then realizing he couldn’t see, replied, “Just walked by the Dragon Pool, met Wu Mao, and came over.”
Gu Zhen frowned. “You came with him? How long did you wait outside?”
Not watching the water clock, how could she remember? Zhao Yiyi said, “Not sure.”
Gu Zhen turned his head with difficulty, trying to see her through the gauze. “Since you came, why not announce it sooner? Those people are getting lazy! Cold weather, no charcoal in the side hall—careful not to catch cold.”
Zhao Yiyi smiled, replying warmly, “Wu Mao mentioned announcing, but seeing Your Majesty discussing politics, I stopped him.”
Her voice was soft and pleasant as usual. Gu Zhen’s expression softened, eyes filling with a smile. “You defend him well.” He added, “Nothing urgent recently. If you come, just let them announce.”
Zhao Yiyi agreed, playing with her sash, glancing at the sky.
Hearing her stand up, Gu Zhen panicked, asking, “Going back? Zhen ordered your favorite shrimp and crab soup. Have some?”
“It’s getting dark. I’ll light more candles.”
Soft tone, no different from usual. But it made his heart soar. A sense of regaining what was lost filled him.
She wasn’t leaving.
Just this realization made Gu Zhen’s eyes soft, loosening his fist.
“Yande Palace is remote and abandoned long. Is it livable?” Gu Zhen asked.
Zhao Yiyi said, “It was old. Your Majesty sent people to fix it; it’s much better. Servants cleaned it up, changed furniture. It looks new.”
She spoke lightly, even with a smile. Gu Zhen showed guilt and heartache.
Listening silently, he said, “It’s Zhen’s fault. Too busy before, making you make do for so long.”
Zhao Yiyi said it was fine.
Between them—polite, yet distant.
Back and forth, restraint and testing.
Careful, daring not cross the line.
“Jiao Fang Palace is destroyed. Surroundings burned too.” Gu Zhen rasped, knowing the difficulty in his words. ” Zhen ordered rebuilding. Or if you like another palace, have servants renovate it. Stay there for now.”
Zhao Yiyi shook her head. “I’ve lived in Yande Palace for a while, got used to it. Won’t move for now. Besides… Duanduan is injured too, can’t be moved. I’m worried about her.”
Gu Zhen smiled bitterly. “Good.”
Many questions in his heart. Did servants neglect her? Did Mother make trouble about Linchuan? Did she feel… even a little sadness for his injury?
But he dared not ask.
If not the answer he wanted, it would only add to his sorrow.
And unwillingness.
Hearing his voice like an un-oiled hinge, Zhao Yiyi frowned, then relaxed. She stood up, poured tea, and handed it through the curtain.
“I hear Your Majesty’s throat is uncomfortable. Drink some to soothe it.”
She handed the cup forward.
The curtain opened a slit. A hand reached out slowly.
Zhao Yiyi looked down. The hand had scars, unnatural color, rough as stone. Where was the slender, powerful look of before?
So, the hand holding hers just now was like this.
Seeming burned by her gaze, Gu Zhen shrank his hand back. The curtain swayed, closing the slit.
“Yiyi,” he called urgently, explaining in panic, ” Zhen… won’t be like this forever. Physicians said a few months to recover. Don’t be afraid…”
Gu Zhen choked, gripping the porcelain cup, heart pounding.
He was terrified.
The thing he hid was revealed, displayed before her. Nowhere to hide.
Previous actions seemed like a clown’s struggle.
She didn’t speak. Gu Zhen panicked more, pulling her sleeve through the curtain, repeating hoarsely, “Yiyi, don’t be afraid… The injury isn’t serious. It will recover. Won’t be scarred forever.”
“Will fade.”
Zhao Yiyi froze.
A sourness rose in her heart.
She remembered the past. When she learned cooking for him, getting splashed by oil or cutting fingers.
She also ignored the pain, worrying only about scars, fearing he would be disgusted.
Between them, one always suffered.
Zhao Yiyi’s breath hitched. Even without seeing him, she turned her head away, looking at the arm he gripped.
“Hurts.” She frowned, trying to withdraw. Couldn’t.
Gu Zhen panicked, choking, “Yiyi, don’t… don’t dislike Zhen.”
Mincing her lips, she whispered, “This consort doesn’t dislike. Though not in the hall that day, I haven’t thanked Your Majesty for entering the fire to save me.”
Servants brought medicine and ointment, knocking outside.
Zhao Yiyi retreated to the side hall.
Drinking medicine, applying ointment—no sound.
Unlike Duanduan’s wailing.
Moments later, servants exited. Zhao Yiyi drank some soup and prepared to leave. “Duanduan is alone, scared. I’ll go back.”
Pondering, Gu Zhen said, “Yiyi, what should be given, Zhen will give her. Rest assured.”
“I know. Thank Your Majesty for Duanduan.” With that, Zhao Yiyi put on her cloak and left.
Twilight fell; wind whistled.
Lying alone, Gu Zhen summoned Wu Mao.
“Lead the interrogation yourself these days. Pry her mouth open.” He ordered low, coughing violently. “Make her explain the reasons clearly.”
Wu Mao knew he meant He Taifei, agreeing immediately, then ordering food.
Interrogated for days, He Taifei lost her vitality.
Staying in Dajiao Temple, tortured, her health failed.
Relied on the Seventh Prince to last till today.
This interrogation broke her.
“Why bother, Taifei?”
In the dark room, Wu Mao sat on a chair, smiling at her.
She was no longer Taifei. Wu Mao using the title sounded ironic.
“What grudge with Her Highness to risk your life?” Wu Mao asked slowly.
Fire was definitely hers. But His Majesty wanted the reason.
He Taifei said, “Said before. Tell His Majesty again—I hated the Empress, so I did it.”
Wu Mao said, “If you hated Her Highness, why start the fire from the outer room late at night? It takes time to spread to the inner chamber.”
Mocked by his eyes, He Taifei’s heart skipped. She looked down. “The maid was clumsy, lit the wrong place.”
Wu Mao tapped the armrest, silent.
He Taifei suddenly knelt, the guards failing to stop her.
She kowtowed. “I know my crime deserves death. Beg His Majesty, for brotherhood, spare Seventh Prince.”
Head on hand, she said after a long time, “Beg His Majesty’s mercy, let me see… see Seventh Prince and Elder Sister one last time.”
Wu Mao tapped, noncommittal.
Every tap struck the heartstrings.
“Only worried about Seventh Prince?” Wu Mao asked suddenly.
He Taifei’s brow jumped, expression stiffening, then hiding it. She sobbed, “I worry for my brother and sister too, but Brother is favored, Sister is Empress Dowager. No need for me to worry. Only Second Brother… I worry but can do nothing.”
Dark room, light rays through holes.
Wu Mao laughed, leaning forward. “In Taifei’s heart, no place for Princess Huayin?”
He Taifei turned pale, looking up in terror.
Princess Huayin, daughter of He Taifei and late Emperor, eighth daughter, died young.
“Late today. Taifei think it over.” Wu Mao stood up, glanced meaningfully, and left.
“Supervisor Wu!”
At the door, a scream came from behind.
Wu Mao stopped, paused, then turned slowly.
After twists and turns, finally got the result.
He Taifei knew it was over, confessed all in despair. Being held by her weakness, she answered everything.
Looking at the list, Wu Mao sweated cold, hands trembling.
He mentioned Princess Huayin to trick her. Unexpectedly, he hit the mark.
He Taifei admitted to arson and intent to kill Zhao Second Miss. She didn’t want to implicate the Empress, but Zhao Second Miss stayed in the outer room, giving no chance.
Exposed, she had to act to kill Zhao Second Miss. Time was tight; she acted recklessly.
Didn’t expect to hurt His Majesty.
“Linchuan is indeed my daughter. Mine and the late Emperor’s.” She confessed, breathless, prostrate in grief.
Wu Mao didn’t trust her fully, interrogating her aide.
Knowing exposure meant doom, the aide confessed fast: “Late Emperor promised Taifei promotion if she bore a son. Later Taifei and Empress Dowager bore daughters. Taifei heard them say Ninth Princess would be titled at one year. She hated it. Empress Dowager was ill; Taifei offered to help care for Ninth Princess, moving then.”
“Two princesses in Taifei’s palace. Great chance. Taifei claimed her daughter sick, then died. Everyone thought she neglected Eighth Princess for Ninth Princess. Actually, she switched Eighth Princess with Ninth Princess.” The aide looked confused. “Slave heard Zhao Second Miss is the Ninth Princess. But Taifei ordered no survivors back then…”
Gu Zhen leaned on the couch, scanning the confession. Eyes darkening, knuckles turning white.
Wu Mao stood by, heart pounding.
A child—she could be so cruel. Looking at the Emperor, he called, “Your Majesty?”
Gu Zhen looked up at the screen. “Seems Zhen’s methods were too light.”
Wu Mao bowed, then asked, “Your Majesty, He Taifei wants to see Empress Dowager. Should we…”
“Let her see.” Gu Zhen sneered. ” Zhen wants to see what she can say to Mother.”
Rain began to fall outside.
Gu Zhen listened, then said, “She ate a lot of shrimp and crab soup yesterday. Order servants to pick good crabs, make a portion for Yande Palace. Warm some yellow wine to go with it.”
Just thinking of that day, he felt fear.
If Yiyi hadn’t gone out?
If…
Gu Zhen breathed rapidly, chest heaving, wounds hurting.
Want to touch his Yiyi?
Gu Zhen crumpled the paper, sneering.
Anyone she wanted to protect, she couldn’t.
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