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Chapter 16: Confusion
🕑 Added 2025-02-09 10:38:08 +0000 UTCAfter much effort, Qiu Che finally shook off Wu Yiqi. She had only walked halfway along the path, vaguely following the direction her memory recalled, when she saw Li Qingwu's figure.
She wasn't sure how she recognized her, but somehow, she had.
Seeing Li Qingwu relax suddenly after hearing her response, Qiu Che lowered her eyes, a hint of contemplation flashing across her gaze.
Li Qingwu was trembling all over, but her hands were pressed against her back by Qiu Che, making it difficult for her to even turn around to look at the other person.
Qiu Che tightened her grip on Li Qingwu's wrist, whispering, "Don't move, someone is coming."
Li Qingwu blinked slowly, her lashes trembling.
Although she didn't speak, her look immediately made Qiu Che understand what she meant: Isn't it good that someone is coming?
In her current situation, Li Qingwu was desperately looking for someone to call for a doctor.
Qiu Che gestured for her to look up.
Li Qingwu raised her eyes and immediately froze in surprise.
There was a continuous row of artificial hills by the koi pond, irregular in shape, each standing in a unique pose.
They weren't very tall, but certainly not short enough to reveal much—perfect for concealing things.
Including some of the palace's unspeakable secrets.
"Why did the princess suddenly send me here?... Aren't you at the palace banquet?"
"I missed you, so I found an excuse to come out," the woman's voice was low, with only a few faint words reaching the two of them. "…Is that alright?"
"…What excuse did you use?" The man sounded uneasy. "What if His Majesty finds out…?"
"I told him I was tired, and he agreed."
The empress sneered, "Don't worry, he's too preoccupied with the marriage of that little wretch, Lehe. He won't be coming out. I've sent all the people in the garden away… No one will know we met here."
"But—"
The empress extended her hand, adorned with a delicate nail painted with betel nut, and lightly tapped the man's forehead. Then, she reached for his collar, teasingly smiling. "Stop talking nonsense... If you keep going, I can't guarantee someone won't overhear us."
The implied flirtatious tone in her words made the two people hiding in the corner stiffen.
Li Qingwu was still trying to look, but feared being caught.
As she hesitated, the two figures behind the artificial hill had already begun to undress, eagerly pressing against each other.
"Yuan Lang, hurry…"
"…Clothes…"
White, exposed skin intertwined and wriggled, stimulating Li Qingwu's visual senses.
Her pupils contracted, and she instinctively closed her eyes.
At the same time, the hand that had been covering her lips moved to cover her eyes.
"Don't look, let's go."
Li Qingwu staggered, following Qiu Che as they stepped out of the artificial hill's range and into a corner of another pavilion in the imperial garden.
Confused and breathless, she hurriedly spoke, "Apologies, Young Master Qiu... I don't quite understand. Don't we need to find someone?"
Qiu Che glanced at her flushed face and reached out to feel her forehead, shocked by how hot it was.
She curled her fingers slightly, her voice serious. "Everyone's been sent away. Calling a doctor now would be too conspicuous… Your father wouldn't like it."
Li Qingwu, slow to understand, asked, "If he doesn't like it, so what?"
Qiu Che’s thoughts stirred. "Aren't you afraid your father will be angry?"
Li Qingwu replied, "I am."
After a pause, she added, "But not too afraid."
She had intentionally broken a string on the zither, purposefully stained herself with blood, and even planned to leave the banquet early, all to make Li Shi angry.
Qiu Che thought for a moment and nodded. "I understand."
Li Qingwu looked up, confused. "Understand... what?"
Qiu Che glanced around, then said nothing. Instead, she took a bird whistle from her sleeve and blew it three times.
Li Qingwu stared at the whistle in her hand, still stunned. After a while, she pointed at it. "This."
The palace had strict security, and although there was no one in the imperial garden now, it didn’t mean there were no hidden guards around important figures.
Even if hidden, the movements of secret guards would still make noise.
Qiu Che focused, listening for any sound, prepared in case someone came. Hearing Li Qingwu’s comment, she turned her head. "Hm?"
Li Qingwu tilted her head slightly, speaking softly. "Didn't you give this to me? Why… is it still with you?"
Qiu Che looked at her for a while before suddenly smiling.
Li Qingwu, dazed and unsure whether it was the drug or her racing heartbeat, blushed and asked, "Why are you smiling?"
"I gave that bird whistle to Miss Yue from Ganyu Temple," Qiu Che leaned forward slightly, gently tapping Li Qingwu's earlobe with her fingertip, her tone light.
"By what identity are you asking me that, Princess Chang?"
Li Qingwu stared at her blankly.
Then, in the next instant, she suddenly closed her eyes and collapsed into Qiu Che's arms.
Qiu Che: "…"
Not this again.
She lowered her head and saw that Li Qingwu was still frowning even with her eyes closed. Realizing it was the effect of the drug, she quickly supported her.
When she looked up, she saw Yuyan squatting on a nearby branch, looking at her with a complicated expression, holding a pouch.
Yuyan: "Master… did I interrupt something?"
"…"
Qiu Che was speechless for a moment.
Then, her gaze fell to the pouch in Yuyan's hand, and she frowned. "What are you doing with that pouch?"
Yuyan blinked, even more confused. "Ah, you told us to be ready for any orders… I thought we were kidnapping the princess?"
Qiu Che: "…"
Yuyan, now excited, said, "I figured Princess Chang isn’t very old, so I picked a pouch in a lovely shade of pink, thinking she might like it… What's wrong? Doesn’t it meet your expectations?"
Her voice trailed off uncertainly.
"I wasn’t kidnapping anyone… never mind."
Qiu Che closed her eyes in exasperation, frustrated with the misunderstanding. She then gently guided the unconscious Li Qingwu, "Take her away."
Then, she quickly added, "And get rid of that ridiculous pouch!"
"Oh." Yuyan hurriedly stuffed the pouch into her pocket.
Her sister had said it cost ten copper coins!
Master wasn’t receiving a salary right now, and they had to save money.
She quickly stuffed the pouch away and, holding Li Qingwu's limp form, was about to leave.
But then she paused.
"Why can't I carry the princess?" Yuyan asked, perplexed.
Qiu Che: "…Wait a moment."
Yuyan turned, only to find that the person she had been carrying had opened her eyes. The hand dangling by her side was gripping Qiu Che's sleeve.
It was this hand that blocked her from using light footwork to fly away.
"Don’t…"
Li Qingwu lay on Yuyan’s shoulder, her eyes open but bloodshot, tears glistening in her eyes.
She clutched Qiu Che’s sleeve and, in a strained voice, repeated, "Don’t… hand me over to anyone."
"I only want… you."
Her voice cracked, her name slipping from her lips in a soft murmur: "—Qiu Che."
"…"
Qiu Che looked at Li Qingwu in her arms, the confusion evident in Yuyan’s gaze.
Then, she tugged at her sleeve.
It wouldn’t budge.
She was still being held tighter by Li Qingwu.
She looked so delicate, yet her strength was unexpectedly great.
Qiu Che had no choice but to sigh deeply, tugging at her sleeve and looking Li Qingwu in the eye. “They’re all my subordinates. They won’t harm you.”
The two of them gazed at each other quietly for a moment.
Li Qingwu seemed to understand something, and after a long while, she lowered her gaze.
Then, she released the hand that had been gripping her sleeve tightly.
“...Okay.”
She believed it?
Wait—just like that, she believed it?
Her master said they wouldn't hurt her, but there was no proof, no comforting words like "everything will be fine"… and she believed it just like that?!
Yu Yan was stunned. Her sister often said she was too naïve, not good at reading people’s expressions.
But it turns out, there are people even more naïve than her in this world!!!
“Let’s go.” Qiu Che urged.
If they didn’t leave soon, it would be too late.
“Be careful.”
“Got it.”
Qiu Che glanced at their retreating figures, adjusted the already-wrinkled long robe, then turned and leisurely made her way towards the banquet.
“You’re serious?”
“Of course I am!” Qiu Chudong knelt on the ground, nervously swearing, “I swear on my life, that was definitely the Princess!”
The music and dancing at the banquet had already stopped. Li Shi sat at the top, surveying the officials and their families. As he listened to Qiu Chudong's earnest promises, his face turned completely black.
In front of so many people, he was being told that his eldest daughter was in the Imperial Garden, being unchaste with someone while changing clothes?
Does he have no shame?!
Li Shi gritted his teeth, “If there’s a single lie in your words—”
“You’ll die!” Qiu Chudong hastily replied, but a trace of guilt flickered in his eyes.
The truth was, he hadn’t seen who the two figures embracing in white were. He had hurried here to report, fearing he’d miss the perfect opportunity.
But in the palace, who would dare be so bold except the drugged Princess?
Qiu Chudong forced himself to calm down, reassuring himself that it would be fine. He had seen Qiu Zhe drink the wine mixed with an aphrodisiac, and watched as he went to the garden to find someone.
It would be fine. Yes.
Li Shi snorted coldly and stood up, brushing off his sleeves. “Then I’ll go take a look.”
“Your Majesty,” Wu Rusheng rose to bow, a glint of light flashing in his lowered eyes. “I think it would be best if everyone present went to confirm—whether it’s true or not, we’ll be able to tell.”
Li Shi’s expression darkened.
He knew this was a royal scandal. For everyone to go together was nothing but an attempt to embarrass him.
No wonder they were late, just like the Empress Dowager.
This Wu Xiang! He must have other intentions!
Before he could speak, the Empress Dowager spoke coolly, “I think it’s unnecessary.”
“If Lehe is still changing clothes, sending such a large group to look for her would, frankly, make it seem like we’re catching someone in an inn. If this turns out to be a rumor, this wouldn’t reflect well on her reputation.”
Wu Rusheng’s gaze flickered, and he stopped speaking, his face showing an expression of regret. “I didn’t consider this properly.”
In the end, only the Xianfei and the princes and princesses stayed behind. Li Shi, along with the Empress Dowager, a few eunuchs, and palace maids, headed to the Imperial Garden.
Of course, they also brought Qiu Chudong, who had claimed to see the Princess.
As they passed by a rock garden, the Empress appeared suddenly.
She was fully dressed, though her hair was slightly disheveled.
Upon seeing them, the Empress looked surprised. “Your Majesty, Mother, why have you left the banquet?”
Li Shi’s gaze darkened. “What are you doing here? Where are the maids who serve you?”
The Empress calmly curtsied. “Your Majesty, forgive me. I returned and suddenly felt a bit anxious. I rested for a while and just woke up. I came here for a walk but didn’t bring any maids. You see, my hair is still uncombed.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled faintly.
But Li Shi’s suspicious gaze gradually softened. “I see.”
“Your Majesty, what are you planning to do?”
Li Shi hesitated but then signaled for Fuzhi to step forward.
Fuzhi quickly explained everything in a few words. The Empress’ expression slowly changed from confusion to astonishment. “...That’s not possible, right?”
Li Shi’s gaze turned icy. “Whether it’s possible or not, you’ll know once we see it.”
Fuzhi, observing the Emperor’s expression, stepped forward and lightly kicked Qiu Chudong. “You said it’s here, why aren’t we there yet? If you waste the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s time, you’ll be held responsible!”
“It’s here, it’s here!” Qiu Chudong hurriedly pointed to the nearest room. “It’s right there!”
The Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance and, without saying anything, both lightened their steps.
Fuzhi approached, listened carefully, then stepped back with a grave expression.
“Your Majesty.”
Li Shi felt a bad premonition. “What’s going on?”
Fuzhi whispered, “There... there are indeed sounds.”
Qiu Chudong, overjoyed, didn’t forget to lower his voice to avoid alerting the people inside. “I told you! It’s right here! The Princess must be in that room! Your Majesty, I didn’t lie!”
Li Shi’s face darkened completely as he kicked Qiu Chudong. “Shut up!”
Qiu Chudong stumbled away, afraid to speak further, his face still unable to hide his ecstatic expression.
But at that moment, everyone’s thoughts were elsewhere, and no one paid him any attention.
Only the Empress Dowager gave him a thoughtful glance.
Meanwhile, Fuzhi had taken the Emperor’s cue and approached the door. Gathering his resolve, he kicked it open.
“Who is here indulging in immorality!”
“Ahhh—”
Inside the room, people screamed loudly, lost in lust.
Men and women, completely naked, were tangled together in a scene too indecent to witness.
One person, buried among the others, was also completely naked, their face showing a look of intoxicated pleasure, unaware of the door being kicked open, as if their soul had left their body.
Fuzhi gasped in shock. “—Young Master Qiu!”
Li Shi had been secretly relieved when he realized the person inside wasn’t Li Qingwu. But when he took a closer look at the individual’s face, his anger erupted. His vision went dark with rage.
“Qiu Che!!!
