Chapter 51: 51

The Gilded Cage Chapter 51

Standoff (1)

In the side hall, Chu Ning was forced to lie on Xiao Yu's chest. When she smelled the strong scent of alcohol from his breath, she couldn't help putting her free hand on his chest, wanting to get up from him.

However, Xiao Yu vaguely sensed her struggle and tightened his grip on her wrist. At the same time, he rolled over subconsciously and pressed half of her body beneath him.

"Ning..." He called her name groggily. Although he could hardly move his body, he still subconsciously pressed his head to her neck and rubbed against it.

"Your Highness, don't--" Chu Ning couldn't help frowning and pushed hard against his chest. However, she was unable to push him away.

Although the light in the room was dim, she was still afraid that he would discover that her undergarments were different from usual.

Fortunately, after a while, there was a knock on the door followed by Cui He's cautious voice. "Your Highness, the hangover soup is here."

"Come in!" Chu Ning endured the discomfort and called out.

Cui He opened the door and closed it quickly. She walked to the side of the couch with the hangover soup and was unflustered by the scene before her.

"Your Highness, it's time to take some hangover soup." Chu Ning tried her best to adjust her position and whisper softly into his ear.

The burst of cold air from outside seemed to have woken Xiao Yu slightly. He frowned uncomfortably, turned over, and lay on his back with difficulty. Chu Ning and Cui He helped him sit up and fed him a few spoonfuls of hangover soup.

He drank a lot of wine at the banquet but ate little food. This made him more drunk than usual. After drinking half a bowl of hangover soup, he accidentally choked, leaving a stain on the front of his robe.

Chu Ning summoned the two eunuchs into the room to help Xiao Yu take off his robe, leaving him in his under shirt and pants. Then, they helped him lie down and covered him with a quilt.

After that, Chu Ning put out the light in the room. Xiao Yu lay on his back and soon fell into a deep sleep.

His breathing was gentle and slow in the silent room. Chu Ning looked down at him for a moment to make sure that he was really asleep. Then, she got up and walked out of the room with Cui He.

"Madam, I have spoken to the Chief Eunuch." Cui He looked a little nervous as she whispered, "The Chief Eunuch asked you to go to the third side hall west of Autumn Gate."

Upon hearing that, Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively looked towards the inner room. Seeing that Xiao Yu was still asleep, she calmed down a little.

She bit her lip and tidied her appearance. Then, she took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand. Please stay here for me. If His Highness wakes up, tell him that I lost my bracelet and am looking for it."

Cui He nodded. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Madam, please be careful."

……

Chu Ning nodded. She took off the bracelet on her wrist and put it in her sleeve. Then, she opened the door and gave orders to two eunuchs who were guarding outside. "His Highness is asleep. I think he will only wake up after a couple more hours. Both of you should send the clothes you took off just now to the East Palace for washing and bring over a clean set of clothes. Also, remember to ask the cook to prepare some congee for His Highness so that he can have it when he wakes up."

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The eunuchs did not suspect anything. After accepting her orders, they hurried to the East Palace.

As there was no one outside, it suddenly became empty and quiet.

Although it's not far from the main hall, the liveliness in the main hall did not reach here.

Chu Ning paused and walked alone on the path westward.

...

In the main hall, Qi Chenxiang finished her dance and felt that she had danced well. The guests had responded enthusiastically, making her glad. However, when she looked at the main seat, she could not see Xiao Kezhi.

Her heart sank. She forced herself to smile in response to the guests’ compliments before getting down from the stage. When she saw her maid, she asked softly, "Where is the Emperor?"

When she looked at the seat a while ago, Xiao Kezhi was still there. She couldn’t understand how he could disappear suddenly. Then, she remembered meeting Zhao Yue just now, and a sense of trepidation surged within her.

"The Emperor... The Emperor said that he was tired, so he left to rest..." the maid said nervously. "However, the Emperor said that you have danced very well, so he gave you a hundred gold as a reward."

After the maid spoke, she rushed to show Qi Chenxiang a tray lined with rows of golden frog figures.

Qi Chenxiang looked at them unhappily.

As a member of a noble family, she had more than enough gold and treasures. Therefore, even a simple verbal praise from Xiao Kezhi would be worth more to her than these golden frog figures.

"Take them away."

She stopped looking at these golden frog figures but looked at where the women sat.

The banquet was still merry and filled with sounds of laughter. However, someone was missing.

Zhao Yue is gone.

Qi Chenxiang frowned. After searching for Zhao Yue twice, she still couldn't find her. Thus, she asked, "Where is Lady Zhao?"

The maid was taken aback for a moment. After considering carefully, her face suddenly turned pale. "After the Emperor left, Lady Zhao left too..."

Qi Chenxiang was silent for a moment. She didn't bother to change her dress but walked towards the side hall.

Zhao Yue had left only a moment ago. Qi Chenxiang called two eunuchs along the way to ask them questions. Soon, she found Zhao Yue near the west side hall.

She saw her sitting on the edge of a curved corridor with a bright light hanging right above her. She pinched her forehead with one hand. Her gaze seemed a little dazed as if she was slightly drunk. As it was late autumn and nearly winter, the weather was cold. However, Zhao Yue had taken off her outer robe and sat exposed to the cold in her thin inner dress. Even from several feet away, Qi Chenxiang could clearly see the alluring curves of her cleavage under the bright lamp.

A short distance north of where Zhao Yue sat, Liu Kang was standing outside a side hall with two eunuchs. The door behind him was shut tightly, and a bright yellow candlelight could be seen inside. Xiao Kezhi must be resting there.

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