The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 845 - 845 388 Particularly Clingy (Second Update)_2

Chapter 845: 388 Particularly Clingy (Second Update)_2 Chapter 845: 388 Particularly Clingy (Second Update)_2 Emperor: “…”

Did he just explain to no one in particular?

The Empress Dowager’s cold response was definitely a heavy blow to the Emperor, who would never have thought that he was being dismissed because he had lost his value in exchanging for preserved fruits. He stubbornly believed that the Empress Dowager was angry with him for the many years he had hurt her.

Some things are only a thought away from understanding.

Yet, some chasms take over twenty years to bridge.

The Emperor visited Bishui Alley again.

Xiao Liulang guessed that the Emperor would frequently visit Bishui Alley these days, so he specifically took leave from the Hanlin Academy to stay at home to “take care of” Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao sat on the bed, enjoying fine food and drink, as well as the view of her husband’s unparalleled beauty.

Xiao Liulang sat on a stool by the bed, peeling an orange for her.

With distinct knuckles and slender fingers, he also did rough work, but he was born handsome, as flawless as fine jade.

Gu Jiao glanced at his face for a while, then at his hands.

Even though Xiao Liulang was used to her frank scrutiny, he couldn’t help feeling a little puzzled.

Is he really… that good-looking?

He was a cripple, perhaps one that would remain crippled for life, forever dragging along a broken body. By being with him, she would always face criticism from others.

“Gu Jiao, I’m a cripple.”

He let his inner thoughts slip before he realized it.

Gu Jiao responded with an “Oh”: “I know.”

Xiao Liulang continued peeling the orange in his hand, “Do you truly not mind? I might… never get better. You’ve seen how hard I try to rehabilitate, never missing a day, but I just can’t walk… like the rest of you.”

She must have some expectations for him, hoping that one day he could walk like a normal person.

But he was afraid he really wouldn’t be able to.

When her patience ran out, would she still look at him the same way?

Feelings are a delicate thing; the more one cares, the more insecure one becomes.

In the past, he also thought that losing a leg was no big deal. After all, life was dark anyway, and no one saw it, not even himself, and those who could see it, he pretended they couldn’t.

However, one day, she lit a lamp, illuminating the path at his feet, and also casting light on his disarray.

Gu Jiao gave him a peculiar look. Wasn’t he indifferent to his leg? When he had surgery, Fen Lin was scared to death, but he didn’t care at all.

Why was he so concerned about it now?

Gu Jiao couldn’t figure out what was on his mind for a moment. After thinking it over, she pointed to the birthmark on her face, “Then would you mind that I’m so ugly?”

She didn’t know the mark on her face was the Tears of the Moon, and thought it would stay with her for life.

Xiao Liulang opened his mouth.

Fool.

How could he mind?

Moreover, it would fade away.

When you become so perfect, will you still feel I, with my broken body, am worthy of you?

Gu Jiao didn’t understand his sudden emotions and after pondering seriously, asked, “Do you have something troubling you? Is it because of what I said last night? You don’t want me to see you bathing?”

“No.” It wasn’t about that at all.

Gu Jiao’s eyes were bright: “So you want me to see you bathe?”

Xiao Liulang: …How did this conversation become so muddled?

The voices of Eunuch Wei and the Emperor came from outside the door.

Gu Jiao quickly lay down.

Xiao Liulang intended to put the peeled orange on the table, but her small hand reached out, took the orange, and hid it under the blankets.

“Mine,” she said.

…

Xiao Liulang met with the Emperor in the main hall.

The Emperor inquired about Gu Jiao’s health, and Xiao Liulang naturally said it had improved since yesterday; she had been awake in the morning and only went back to rest after lunch.

The Emperor felt he had come at an inopportune time; he was there to inquire about medicine.

“Where does Your Majesty feel unwell?” Xiao Liulang asked. If it was a minor illness, they could summon a doctor from the Medical Hall to treat His Majesty; if it was serious, then they would have to wake Jiaojiao up once more.

The Emperor, having not slept all night, looked haggard indeed, as if he were seriously ill.

The Emperor said, “I was wondering if there is an antidote for the black medicine. I… cough.” He cleared his throat and continued, “For many years, the discord between the Empress Dowager and me has mostly been fueled by the effects of that medicine. Now that the truth has been revealed, I want to inquire about the antidote.”

Xiao Liulang looked at him, not understanding.

You’re already referring to her as the Empress Dowager; do you really need an antidote?

Gu Jiao had said that the effects of the medicine in His Majesty’s body had already diminished; otherwise, Consort Jing wouldn’t have risked administering the drug to His Majesty a second time.

Now with the truth out in the open, the last vestiges of the drug’s effects would probably have dissipated with the shock of revelation.