"What, it's this sinful servant."
"Yes, Gu Qianying agreed to the physician's competition to atone for him before. I didn't expect there to be a connection between these two."
Listening to the surrounding voices, Gu Qianying frowned.
"Why did you step forward?"
She looked at Su Cheng, who was walking towards her, her heart anxious but with no better solution.
"I'm here to protect you." His voice was very low, only audible to Gu Qianying.
"Oh, it really is you. It seems you two indeed have a secret affair."
The Empress's gaze was cunning. She knew very well that at this moment, as long as a man stepped forward, Gu Qianying's secret meeting with a man would be confirmed.
Since it was impossible to argue, she would pin this charge on this scapegoat.
To everyone's astonishment, Su Cheng knelt on the ground. Although he said nothing more, his action already admitted what people were discussing.
After all, in the Nan Yi Kingdom, men were not allowed to casually associate with women before marriage.
In fact, there had been some gossip about Su Cheng and Gu Qianying before, but since neither of them was a prominent figure at the time, people only treated it as gossip and didn't take it too seriously.
But now it was different.
Gu Qianying had successfully passed the competition and become a physician, and would remain in the palace, becoming a colleague to other officials.
Since they would serve in the same court, natural enemies would emerge.
The discussions among the courtiers were endless.
"I can't believe there are still people in the palace who disregard male virtue. They truly deserve to die."
Listening to their words, Gu Qianying quickly stepped forward to explain, but as soon as she lifted her foot, Su Cheng grabbed her skirt.
They looked at each other. Although there were no words, all their thoughts were conveyed through their eyes.
Su Cheng was determined to help Gu Qianying, and in this situation, even an explanation would not be believed.
Gu Qianying was helpless, cupped her hands, and lowered her head.
"It seems it's true. My dear, how could you be so foolish, to be seduced by a man?"
Seeing that a scapegoat had been found, the Empress finally relaxed, and her voice became gentler.
"Your Majesty, I also love him. We did not do anything disrespectful when we met that day. I beg you to spare Su Cheng."
Gu Qianying had heard the discussions of the courtiers, but she could not let Su Cheng lose his life in vain.
"I know you are kind-hearted, but if he hadn't been the one to be seduced first, you wouldn't have done such a thing. This Empress understands your feelings, but cannot tolerate such a person's existence."
Her gaze suddenly turned fierce, and the guards below also approached Su Cheng.
"Throw him into the heavenly prison."
"Yes."
Following the Empress's command, the guards led Su Cheng out of the hall.
Gu Qianying clenched her fingers. She could not repay Su Cheng like this.
While some were happy with this turn of events, others were not.
The banquet ended in an atmosphere of general happiness, and Gu Qianying returned to her residence.
Su Xiuer was not here either. She didn't know where that woman had gone, but with Su Cheng imprisoned, she had no mind to care about anyone else.
In the evening, Su Ye actually found her.
"What happened today was my doing, instructing the Empress to deal with it this way."
They stood opposite each other in the room. Gu Qianying's guardedness made Su Ye a little uncomfortable.
"Grand Tutor Su is quite the one to burn bridges after crossing them. Your daughter is still being kept in the palace, and you are displeased that she cannot be publicly acknowledged. You are venting your frustration on me."
If this matter had not involved Su Cheng, Gu Qianying could have endured it, but the Empress's attitude today was to take Su Cheng's life, which she could not tolerate.
"Don't worry. This matter has already blown up. The reason I did this was to protect him."
This was the first time Su Ye had been reprimanded by a woman like this.
Although he was a little displeased, for some reason, he felt a sense of fairness.
In fact, as early as when Gu Qianying had interceded for Su Cheng, he had sensed that there was something different between the two. Today, he was even more certain of Gu Qianying's feelings for Su Cheng.
It was merely a male servant. He was good-looking, but in the vast Nan Yi Kingdom, what kind of man couldn't she find? Why did she care so much about one person?
If it weren't for deep feelings, with Gu Qianying's intelligence and resourcefulness, she would never have become so agitated.
"You must understand that since this matter has been brought up and publicized, if there is no resolution, that person will certainly not give up. Moreover, you are now entering and leaving the palace, and many people consider you a hypothetical enemy. If you hesitate on this matter, others will think you are easily bullied."
He actually patiently explained to the woman in front of him, but Gu Qianying remained extremely wary of this man.
After so long together, she had figured out most of Su Ye's intentions.
He was two-faced, inconsistent in his words and actions, and his thoughts were mysterious and difficult to guess.
Even though he claimed to be protecting Su Cheng, she could not fully trust this man.
They remained at odds, and Gu Qianying finally spoke.
"Fine. Since you say it's to protect him, then arrange for me to see him in the heavenly prison, alright?"
She actually made such a request, and Su Ye was stunned. He didn't know what trick she was planning. However, if he refused, this woman, who would go to any lengths for her lover, might reveal his affairs. Even if it meant mutual destruction, he would lose more.
With this in mind, Su Ye nodded.
"I promise you. However, he has just been imprisoned, and the situation is still tense. If you want to see him, I will arrange for you to go in three days. But you must also know your place. I, your Grand Tutor, help you in every way and agree to everything, not because I am controlled by you, but because I don't want to lose such a good physician."
Seeing his stubbornness, Gu Qianying felt somewhat relieved.
"Good, Grand Tutor Su's word is as good as gold. I will wait for three days and then go to the heavenly prison with you to see Su Cheng. I hope you will not break your promise to me."
Their conversation ended there. To avoid further trouble, Su Ye left Gu Qianying's room after saying this.
Now alone in the spacious room, Gu Qianying sat down, feeling a sense of desolation.
A physician naturally needed maids to serve them.
In the following two days, several maids were sent to the palace. Gu Qianying wanted to refuse. She knew that the Empress and Grand Tutor Su would not be so kind as to truly arrange servants for her; it was just another round of surveillance.
However, just as she was about to send them away, a voice called out.
"Your subordinate greets the master."
"Qianying, it's us!"
The voice was so familiar that Gu Qianying suddenly looked up, and a wave of warmth surged into her heart.
"Caixia, Xiangxiang, why are you here?"