The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 936 - 520: Gu Xingchuan’s Grief and Helplessness (Fifth Update)
"Young Master, you’re smiling so happily. Is there some good news you need to report to me?" Xiao Jinxing’s gaze tightened.
At a glance, he saw Wu Xufan gloating there to himself.
Wu Xufan was speechless.
Even when not in good spirits, Xiao Jinxing could still catch his small actions.
Is Xiao Jinxing’s body structure different from that of ordinary people?!
Wu Xufan quickly withdrew his smile and, with a serious demeanor, respectfully said, "I wasn’t laughing, but I do have something to report to Your Majesty."
"It’s rare for the Young Master to be so concerned about court affairs." Xiao Jinxing’s tone was obviously sarcastic.
Of course, Wu Xufan knew about Xiao Jinxing’s discontent towards him.
Initially, over Xiao Hezhen’s insistence on leaving the Imperial Palace, Xiao Jinxing likely harbored resentment for a long time.
And Xiao Jinxing held grudges.
Wu Xufan loudly reported, "Yesterday was the Empress’s investiture ceremony, also the day of Your Majesty and the Empress’s wedding! Your Majesty worked excessively last night, I beg Your Majesty to consider your health and retire early from court today. All the ministers will surely understand the occasional indulgence of Your Majesty, after all, Your Majesty’s hard work is also for the prosperity of Daxuan!"
Xiao Jinxing was still yawning.
Indeed, he was sleepy.
It wasn’t as if he hadn’t stayed up late before.
He often reviewed memorials day and night like this in the past.
But yesterday, those rounds of chess with An Ning were truly mentally exhausting, fully concentrated, ultimately resulting in his overuse of the brain. This morning’s early court, he found it difficult to concentrate on the memorials reported by the ministers. At this moment, he genuinely felt physically and mentally exhausted.
However, being said so directly by Wu Xufan...
In front of all the civil and military officials, he was suddenly at a loss on how to clarify himself.
The other officials, upon hearing Wu Xufan’s words,
clearly felt the Emperor’s not-so-well state today.
One minister quickly reported, "May Your Majesty take care of your health and retire early from court."
"May Your Majesty take care of your health and retire early from court." All the ministers knelt on the ground, pleading.
Xiao Jinxing was simply tongue-tied.
He cast a glance at Wu Xufan.
This instigator, Wu Xufan, was smug with glee.
On one hand, it was clear that Xiao Jinxing was visibly not in a good state, so he hoped the Emperor would retire early from court.
On the other hand, he truly disliked the early court; next time, regardless of what Xiao Hezhen said, he wouldn’t come.
It was utterly boring.
Xiao Jinxing adjusted his mood, maintaining his authority, "Today I am unwell. Ministers will submit any unmet memorials for me to take up later. Court is dismissed!"
"Long live Your Majesty!"
In the great hall, the resounding echoes reverberated.
Xiao Jinxing departed.
The other ministers then subsequently left the hall.
Wu Xufan strode towards Gu Xingchuan.
Gu Xingchuan ignored him.
"Are you angry?" Wu Xufan asked deliberately.
Gu Xingchuan still ignored him.
"Wasn’t it that last night the Emperor and the Empress might have stayed up all night, otherwise the Emperor wouldn’t be like this, right?" Wu Xufan intentionally remarked.
Gu Xingchuan finally stopped walking.
He looked at Wu Xufan, "What’s the point of the Young Master telling me this?"
"Simply put, the Emperor and the Empress seem to have a good relationship. As they say, couples may fight in bed but make up at its end..."
"Don’t worry, Young Master, you can report to the Emperor. As long as the Empress is happy, I have no unruly desires," Gu Xingchuan said with a cold face, his words firm.
Wu Xufan was momentarily at a loss for words.
Just as he was about to explain, he saw Gu Xingchuan already striding away.
Wu Xufan was speechless.
He genuinely just wanted to advise Gu Xingchuan not to hang himself on a single tree.
At twenty-seven or twenty-eight, he was still isolated for the Empress.
Especially since the Empress was destined to be with the Emperor.
From what he knew of the Emperor, he would never let go of the Empress.
If this continued, Gu Xingchuan would grow old alone.
So many years in the court with camaraderie against common foes made Wu Xufan somewhat sympathetic.
Therefore, he wanted to show a little concern.
Unexpectedly, it seemed to backfire.
However, upon reflection, if it could really make Gu Xingchuan give up, being the villain wouldn’t be so bad after all?!
He loved helping others the most!
Wu Xufan waited inside the Imperial Palace for Xiao Hezhen to emerge from the harem.
He didn’t see Xiao Hezhen but saw Song Yanqing instead.
How did this person win Xiao Jinxing’s favor to the extent he could freely enter the harem?
For a while, Wu Xufan almost thought Xiao Jinxing was interested in Song Yanqing, the pretty boy.
If not for Song Yanqing marrying Xie Ruotong.
If not for Xiao Jinxing conferring An Ning.
"Young Master," Song Yanqing took the initiative to salute.
"Why are you out so early?" Wu Xufan was surprised.
"Today the Empress is still resting, was exhausted last night, and I didn’t want to disturb her. Additionally, the two princesses have other engagements today, so I planned to leave. Is the Young Master waiting for Princess Hezhen?" Song Yanqing asked.
"Have you seen Hezhen?"
"Haven’t seen her, but I know Princess Youyou and Princess Anqi have gone to Consort Li’s place, so it must be where Princess Hezhen is."
"Hmm." Wu Xufan nodded.
At times, one had to admire Song Yanqing’s impressive deductive abilities.
No wonder Xiao Jinxing favored him so much.
After all, Song Yanqing was still a die-hard loyalist.
Unlike Gu Xingchuan, who occasionally infuriated Xiao Jinxing.
"Then I’ll take my leave." Song Yanqing saluted again.
"Hmm." Wu Xufan nodded.
As Song Yanqing was leaving.
Wu Xufan suddenly thought of something, "Aren’t you somewhat on friendly terms with Gu Xingchuan? Maybe you should advise him, I’m worried he has suicidal thoughts."
"What’s wrong?" Song Yanqing appeared visibly tense.
"Just today’s early court, the Emperor was visibly weary, and then everyone knew it was because last night the Emperor and the Empress..." Wu Xufan sported a mischievous face.
Song Yanqing’s face turned a bit red.
How could the Emperor and Empress’s matter be discussed like this?
Even if today when he went to visit the Empress to change her medication, she was still resting, and he thought the same.
"And then after court, I noticed Gu Xingchuan seemed lifeless." Wu Xufan stated matter-of-factly.
"Alright, I’ll go talk to him." Song Yanqing agreed.
Wu Xufan said no more.
Watching eagerly for Xiao Hezhen to come out.
...
Song Yanqing left the Imperial Palace and first went to the Ancient Medical Hall to find Gu Xingchuan.
He understood the pain of unrequited love better than anyone.
The two of them sat in the special seating at Jingshui Restaurant.
Gu Xingchuan sipped his wine one mouthful at a time.
He drank quite a lot.
"Lord Gu, drink a little less." Song Yanqing couldn’t bear to see it.
Gu Xingchuan put down his wine cup, still silent.
"If the Empress is happy..." Song Yanqing tried to comfort him.
"But I can’t be sure whether she’s truly happy," Gu Xingchuan’s eyes turned red as he looked at Song Yanqing. "Do you know how much it pained me to see the Emperor allow Bai Moyi to hurt her at the investiture ceremony yesterday? How powerless I felt? I genuinely hate myself for not being able to protect her, for not having the ability to take her away from all the disputes!"
