Why Aren't These Sisters Following the Script?
"Imperial sister, autumn will soon be upon us, and the weather is turning cold. I specially made some snow lotus soup to help nourish you."
Looking at the translucent snow lotus soup on the table, Qi Yueli had to admit she was a little bewildered.
In the past, Huai'an had barely wanted to exchange a word with her, let alone show her any concern... Gu Yuan had clearly taught her this.
Outside the hall, Gu Yuan smiled faintly.
The empress should already know that the empress dowager wants to marry Huai'an off to Qingzhou.
The King of Qingzhou has concealed himself so well that even the Mystic Shadow Guard hasn't discovered his rebellious intentions. From the empress's perspective, Qingzhou is the strongest of the Nine Provinces, so a marriage alliance with it is the most effective way to stabilize the court.
Besides, the sisters' relationship is already strained. Huai'an's wishes don't matter to her at all...
At that moment, Qi Yueli lightly touched the table with her fingertips and slowly raised her phoenix eyes to Huai'an.
"If there's something you want to ask of me, just say it."
Huai'an clutched the hem of her dress tightly, took a breath and said:
"Imperial sister, I don't want to get married."
A brief silence fell over the hall.
Qi Yueli picked up the snow lotus soup and took a small sip.
"It's too sweet."
Huai'an trembled slightly. "I... I can make another bowl."
Qi Yueli shook her head. "Of the heirs to the princes of the Nine Provinces, the King of Qingzhou's heir has the best reputation. He's also a martial arts genius who has already reached the fifth rank at a young age. He's upright, and his looks are passable. Why don't you want to marry him?"
"I only want to marry someone I like..."
"You've never met him. How do you know you won't like him?"
Gu Yuan couldn't agree more.
You haven't even met him. How can you say you don't like him?
"Because I... I already like someone!" Huai'an suddenly blurted out.
Qi Yueli: ???
Gu Yuan: ??????
"Who is it?"
"It's... it's... it's Gu Yuan!"
"That's right, it's him!"
Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough... A violent bout of coughing rang out from outside the hall.
Qi Yueli quietly raised her eyes and glanced at the door.
"Gu Yuan, the heir to the Marquis of Pingxiang?"
"Y-yes! We even ate together and picked up food together!" Huai'an said loudly, her face red.
Gu Yuan was stunned.
The Mystic Shadow Guard on duty with him looked up at Gu Yuan, his gaze saying only one thing-
Badass!
Qi Yueli said slowly, "How did you come to like him?"
"He's handsome, talented in martial arts, and bold... Anyway, he has lots of good qualities."
Please, stop talking! If you keep going, I'll lose my life... Gu Yuan was having trouble keeping his composure.
Then again, now that Huai'an had said that, wouldn't he lose his position as an imperial guard?
As he was thinking, a voice came from inside the hall:
"In that case, forget about your marriage to the King of Qingzhou's heir."
Huh?
Gu Yuan froze.
Huai'an abruptly raised her head and looked at Qi Yueli, her lips trembling slightly.
"R-really?"
"A sovereign's word is no jest."
"I will speak to the empress dowager for you myself."
"Thank you, imperial sister!" Huai'an's heart leaped with joy, and a relaxed smile appeared on her face.
For the first time, she felt that her empress sister might not be as heartless as the empress dowager had said.
"Imperial sister, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Qi Yueli nodded gently.
Huai'an left the hall in high spirits. As she passed the entrance, she even gave Gu Yuan a triumphant look.
Gu Yuan: ...
What's going on?
The empress isn't granting the marriage after all?
Then how is the part where Huai'an goes to find Xiao Chen supposed to happen?
Did my appearance change the plot?
After turning it over in his mind, he could only think of that one possibility.
Still, he didn't need to worry too much, as long as the overall direction stayed the same.
If all else failed, he could find a chance to patch a few things up...
"Gu Yuan, come in."
Qi Yueli's voice sounded in his ear.
Gu Yuan took a deep breath.
Is it coming?
Surely hooking up with a princess is enough to get me thrown into the imperial prison, right?
He walked slowly into the hall.
Thud.
"I know my crime. Please punish me, Your Majesty. I won't utter a single complaint."
Qi Yueli pursed her lips. "Tell me, what crime have you committed?"
"My crime is being too handsome. My beauty has caused the princess to entertain thoughts she shouldn't have. I deserve ten thousand deaths!"
Qi Yueli: ...
Even after that, she still won't throw me into prison?
Come on, Empress, I'm ready!
"Your appearance is a gift from your parents. It hardly warrants death."
???
Gu Yuan raised his head, his face full of astonishment.
"But you cannot go unpunished. Your salary will be withheld for a year as a warning to others."
Just a fine?
Gu Yuan was a little dazed.
He could no longer guess what the empress was thinking at all.
"Aren't you going to thank me?" Qi Yueli said calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gu Yuan sighed heavily inwardly.
Qi Yueli rose, walked over to Gu Yuan's side and said, "Come with me. We're going somewhere."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gu Yuan's head was full of questions.
The empress was treating him a little too well.
So well that it was abnormal.
Could she really be lusting after my body?
Gu Yuan quietly sized up the empress...
Absolutely gorgeous!
Maybe I wouldn't be losing out...
Half an hour later.
Gu Yuan followed Qi Yueli out of the imperial palace to an inconspicuous pavilion.
"Cloud-Soaring Pavilion... Your Majesty, what is this place?"
"The Mystic Shadow Guard's prison."
"A prison?" Gu Yuan was a little surprised. The Cloud-Soaring Pavilion looked no different from any ordinary pavilion and didn't resemble a prison at all.
"You'll be on duty here for the next few days."
???
Gu Yuan asked curiously, "Your Majesty, what am I supposed to do?"
"Deliver meals to the person inside and chat with him."
"That's all?"
Qi Yueli nodded. "That's all."
"Your Majesty, may I ask who's being held inside?"
"Go and see for yourself."
Puzzled, Gu Yuan stepped forward and pushed open the doors of the Cloud-Soaring Pavilion.
There was none of the dusty smell he had imagined.
The place seemed to be cleaned regularly.
When he looked back, the empress had already disappeared.
A box containing a meal had also been placed by the table ahead.
"Who could it be?"
Muttering to himself, Gu Yuan picked up the food box and headed underground.
The space beneath the Cloud-Soaring Pavilion wasn't large. There were only four cells.
Three were empty. In the innermost cell was an old man with snow-white hair.
"So it's him..."
Gu Yuan had seen this man before. He was the very person the King of Qingzhou's men had tried to rescue from the imperial prison.
He had also been the chief minister under the late emperor and a great scholar of the age,
Zhang Qiandao.
"Hm? Why is there someone different today?" Zhang Qiandao's somewhat weak voice rang out.
"Her Majesty ordered me to bring you your meals from now on," Gu Yuan said casually.
He recognized Zhang Qiandao, but Zhang Qiandao didn't seem to recognize him.
They had only met once in the imperial prison. The old man had a poor memory, so it was understandable that he didn't remember him.
"Thank you, young friend."
Quite polite.
Gu Yuan stepped forward and handed the food box to him.
Zhang Qiandao took it and began eating at a leisurely pace.
"Have I met you somewhere before, young friend?"
Gu Yuan smiled.
"Of course. Back in the imperial prison, I lived on the floor above you."
Zhang Qiandao was taken aback.
"I remember now. You're the young man from the day of the prison break."
"Why did you become a Mystic Shadow Guard?"
Gu Yuan sighed.
"Ah, what else could it be? I'm too handsome, so the empress decided to keep me."
Zhang Qiandao looked utterly astonished.
"You really are amusing, young friend."
Gu Yuan smiled faintly. "Old Zhang, let me ask you something."
"What would you like to ask, young friend?"
"Do you want freedom?"