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墨書 Inktalez
The Imperial Physician said that I was already three months pregnant.
He spoke with trembling fear, his voice slightly shaking. Everyone knew that Gao Zhai had made me a consort less than half a month ago.
The child is Gao Shuo's, yet Gao Zhai seemed completely unconcerned. Not only did he grant a general amnesty, but he even promised in the court to establish this child as the heir apparent. He stood in the court, his expression calm and his tone steady as he announced it.
However, for over ten days, Gao Zhai had not appeared, despite coming every day before.
I overheard the palace servants chatting and learned that he had been frequently visiting Consort Qi lately. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I unconsciously twisted the hem of my clothes, filled with confusion and unease.
The letter I sent to Gao Shuo seemed to have sunk into the sea without a trace, receiving no response at all.
I paced back and forth in my room, my brows furrowed, my heart burning with anxiety.
That night, Gao Zhai mentioned that Gao Shuo had been using me. His hesitating demeanor lingered in my mind for a long time.
Using me? What value do I have?
His marriage to me only seemed to bring him trouble in politics from Gao Zhai.
Yet, Gao Zhai's tone did not seem like he was deceiving me. I cradled my head in my hands, painfully contemplating.
I changed into another outfit and, disregarding the palace maids' attempts to stop me, headed straight for Furong Palace. The maids reached out to block me, but I forcefully shook off their hands and hurried forward. Just as I reached the entrance of the hall, I heard Consort Qi's piercing voice.
"What's this? Now you know to come looking for me? Hmph, when the Emperor conferred that wretched Chaoge as a Consort and declared the child in her womb as the heir, why didn't he think of me then? Now that he knows Duke Rong has gathered an army of a hundred thousand and is preparing to march, he suddenly remembers me," Consort Qi said, her voice sharp and filled with deep resentment.
"To mobilize an army of a hundred thousand requires three military tokens. Gao Shuo should only have one token in his possession; do you know why?" It was Gao Zhai's voice, sounding serious and cold.
"Hmph, when the late King passed away, four military tokens were distributed: one with the Grand Tutor, one with my father, and the remaining two with you and Duke Rong."
Consort Qi continued, "Your Majesty, you are always a step behind Duke Rong. The Grand Tutor cares most for Chaoge, and Duke Rong has long been in the Grand Tutor's favor, winning Chaoge's affection; they have formed an alliance. It's a pity that although the Grand Tutor was deeply trusted by the late King, in the end, it was still the Empress Dowager who outmaneuvered him and declared you as the heir."
"My beloved consort, I am aware of all this. What I want to know is where he obtained the third military token. Since I still possess my token, it means that Prime Minister Qi must also be involved in this matter?" Gao Zhai said, his tone growing icy, a hint of danger flashing in his eyes.
"At this point, what does it matter if I admit it? This world will soon no longer belong to your Gao family," Consort Qi replied arrogantly, unconcerned.
I leaned against the doorframe and inadvertently pressed against it, causing it to creak. The people inside quickly hushed and came out to greet me. I stood frozen in place, staring at the grave expression on Gao Zhai's face, my lips trembling slightly. "What you just said... is it true?"
I followed behind Gao Zhai all the way back to Qianqing Palace. The night deepened, and the poison from the Moonlight Powder began to take effect again. My steps faltered with pain as Gao Zhai reached out to support me.
He helped me onto the bed and gently covered me with a blanket before silently sitting beside me, his gaze filled with complex emotions.
The palace was particularly quiet tonight; rumors of Gao Shuo's rebellion had likely spread by now. Lying in bed, I felt anxious.
"Let me out of the palace," I said, staring intently at Gao Zhai, my eyes resolute and determined.
He chuckled softly, a hint of helplessness in his laughter. "Out of the palace? Are you planning to seek out Gao Shuo? Aren't you afraid that your child will be branded a traitor as soon as they are born?"
"Gao Shuo won't necessarily lose to you. With Prime Minister Qi joining forces with Gao Shuo, you should be more worried about yourself!" I said, sitting up and looking at him with excitement.
After all these years of being married to Gao Shuo, how could I not know?
The mechanisms hidden behind the scrolls in his study, the secret chamber beneath the rockery in his backyard, the yellow and black dragon robe concealed within that chamber.
Though he spent his days composing poetry and painting with me, every word was filled with desire.
How could I be unaware?
I knew every official who came to the Wang residence, every box of military supplies sent from the backyard.
Gao Shuo was as skilled in strategy and warfare as Gao Zhai; he was merely born a few months later, and of course, he was unwilling to accept that.
But I didn't care. Whether he was an emperor, a prince, or a commoner, as long as I was with him, it made no difference to me. I held my belly tightly with both hands, my gaze gentle yet resolute.
"Chaoge, what if I told you that Gao Shuo will definitely lose?" Gao Zhai said, his eyes lingering on me, deep and mysterious.
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