After Xiao Yunjing left, Gu Qingli did not go to sleep immediately. Instead, she went into the Space to check on the three little ones before coming out to sleep for a while.
Xiao Yunjing arrived at the Imperial Study soon after. Not long after he sat down, the officer who delivered the memorials and several Imperial Censors arrived.
As usual, the Imperial Censors waited to the side.
However, this time Xiao Yunjing spoke first, saying, "Lord Wu, you and the others go select an auspicious day. Once you have found one, begin preparations immediately. Also, prepare everything for the Empress’s enthronement ceremony. Let’s get everything done on that day."
"Ah? Yes, Your Majesty." It took a while for Lord Wu and the others to react. They quickly paid their respects and left with great joy.
They had thought they would have to argue extensively again today, but they hadn’t expected such a great outcome so soon after arriving. Other men who become Emperor can’t wait to announce it to the world. Their Emperor is different, hesitating to ascend the throne, as if he doesn’t want to be Emperor at all. There was even a time when becoming Emperor wasn’t an urgent matter for him. Heh, now that there’s an Empress as well, they can finally rest assured. A country cannot go a day without a ruler, and the Imperial Harem cannot remain without a mistress for long. The Imperial Harem has been in chaos for some time now.
Xiao Yunjing watched their retreating figures with a slight smile. If the three little ones had appeared that day, these Imperial Censors would have been beyond ecstatic.
After putting down the memorials, the officer left quickly. He wanted to tell everyone the good news, and at the same time, he could finally be relieved. Delivering the memorials so early every day was truly hard on him; he couldn’t even sleep in.
The morning passed quickly. After Xiao Yunjing finished handling the memorials, he instructed the eunuchs to distribute them and hurried back to Fengqi Palace.
When he returned, he saw Gu Qingli was still sleeping. He didn’t wake her but lay down beside her, watching her sleeping face and occasionally stealing a kiss.
When Gu Qingli woke up, she rolled over and sat up, suddenly noticing Xiao Yunjing still lying beside her. She looked out at the sky and nudged him.
How long have I slept? Did I oversleep?
Xiao Yunjing opened his eyes and wrapped his long arm around her. "Awake?"
He actually hadn’t slept at all; he was just waiting to see when Gu Qingli would wake up. They had been active all night, and he wasn’t tired in the slightest. On the contrary, Li’er was exhausted, so he had let her sleep a little longer.
"What time is it?" Gu Qingli asked, frowning.
"The noon hour is almost over."
"Then let’s get up quickly! We need to eat something and leave the Imperial Palace soon. You came back and didn’t even wake me earlier," Gu Qingli glared at him.
Luckily, nothing else urgent had come up, or he would have caused a delay. It was all his fault for being so restless last night.
Xiao Yunjing lazily pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He just loved her petulant look.
"Get up," Gu Qingli glared at him again. This guy isn’t anxious at all.
"Don’t worry, Li’er. Your husband will get up now." Xiao Yunjing raised his eyebrows. Li’er looks lovely even when she’s angry. They say a well-cared-for woman is the most beautiful, and it’s true. After their activities last night, Li’er looked different today. Her fair skin was even more radiant, with a hint of red from her slight annoyance, making her look even more charming.
As Xiao Yunjing continued to watch, a wicked flame stirred within him.
Forget it, I’ll spare her for today. We can deal with *that* after our sons’ matters are handled.
After they both got ready, Xiao Yunjing had a palace maid serve lunch. Once they finished eating, Gu Qingli entered the Space and had Wuqing help her with her makeup and hair. Then, the two of them left the Imperial Palace.
One of the eunuchs accompanying them was Liu Desheng.
Seeing Liu Desheng, Xiao Yunjing remembered something he hadn’t told Li’er yet. He whispered, "Li’er, do you know who that eunuch following us is?"
Xiao Yunjing gestured to the carriage behind them. There were two carriages today: one for them and another for Liu Desheng, driven by another eunuch.
"How would I know? Tell me who he is. Why are you being so mysterious?" Gu Qingli asked.
Xiao Yunjing didn’t tease her further, instead whispering into her ear, "Back in the Snow Maiden Clan, didn’t you say Wuyou was rescued by someone named Liu Desheng? That’s him in the carriage."
"He’s Liu Desheng? Are you sure? How did he become a eunuch?" Gu Qingli was astonished. Could things really be so coincidental?
Xiao Yunjing nodded and explained Liu Desheng’s experiences that led to him becoming a eunuch. Chu Xiong also knew about this and had questioned Liu Desheng, confirming his story.
"That damned eunuch!" Gu Qingli said angrily, then sighed. "It’s a good thing Wuyou is so resilient, and even better that we ran into this Liu Desheng. Otherwise, Wuyou might never have found him."
"Isn’t it?" Xiao Yunjing replied. "Are Wuyou and the others alright now? It’s been many days; they should have recovered, right?"
He had been so busy today that he had forgotten about their situation.
Gu Qingli whispered, "There are no major issues. They all sustained injuries to their muscles and bones and will need some time to recover."
"That’s good to hear."
Sixty members of the Secret Sect... if any of them were lost, it would break my heart. Of course, that’s assuming Li’er is safe first.
Gu Mansion was not far from the Imperial Palace; they arrived in about half an hour.
They both alighted from the carriage and stood before Gu Mansion.
The red-painted gate looked rather old, giving it a weathered, historic appearance.
The gate was closed. Liu Desheng quickly went up to knock. Soon, a head poked out from a small side door. "Who are you looking for?"
Liu Desheng replied, "Please inform your master that Ninth Young Master has come to visit."
Xiao Yunjing had previously instructed him to use "Ninth Young Master" when outside the Imperial Palace.
The gatekeeper nodded and hurried to inform Gu Qingping. Gu Qingping managed all affairs in the Gu Mansion. As soon as the gatekeeper announced the visitor, Gu Qingping’s eyes lit up. He immediately followed the gatekeeper to the entrance and swung the main doors wide open.
"Li’er!" Gu Qingping exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Gu Qingli.
"Big Brother," Gu Qingli nodded.
"Quick, come in," Gu Qingping said to them.
Xiao Yunjing nodded and led Gu Qingli into Gu Mansion.
Liu Desheng and the other eunuch followed Xiao Yunjing. This woman must be the future Empress, they thought. She seems very familiar with Gu Mansion. She even called Gu Qingping ’Big Brother.’ We don’t understand. Gu Qingping only has one younger half-sister, born of a concubine, and she’s already married. This Liu Desheng knew very well; accompanying Chu Xiong, there wasn’t a prominent official or noble family in the Capital City he wasn’t aware of. Could it be...?
"Uncle Liang, quickly go and tell the Madam that the Young Miss and Ninth Young Master have returned," Gu Qingping instructed the housekeeper accompanying him after they entered Gu Mansion.
"Yes, Eldest Young Master."
The housekeeper, though slightly puzzled, hurried towards Li’er’s courtyard.
From the outside, Gu Mansion looked unremarkable. But once inside, it was like stepping into another world. The courtyard was vast, with winding covered walkways – a standard feature of large residences. Pavilions, rockeries with flowing water, and an abundance of flowers and trees were all present, creating a delightful and pleasing sight.
Gu Qingli felt completely awestruck, much like a villager visiting a grand city for the first time. She hadn’t even explored the Imperial Palace grounds during her stay. When she emerged from the Space, it was always nighttime. After meals, they would take a sedan chair out of the Imperial Palace, then switch to a carriage.