Chapter 673: The Monarch Skips the Morning Court

Yun Duo flipped over a faux mountain, her toe tip touching a tree branch, her slender body slipped into the canopy.

At this moment the situation was unclear; she could not expose herself early in the open area.

She focused her gaze and discovered that the two small boats previously moored at the shore had only one left.

She instantly grew wary—could it be that the person had already taken a boat toward the lakeside pavilion at the lake's center?

Yun Duo's brows twisted fiercely, and she carefully leapt down from the branch.

She had to return to summon the archery camp's men; on such a vast lake surface, she alone could not catch anyone.

Fortunately, a pale dawn had already spread across the sky, the light gradually brightening; everything hidden in the night would have nowhere to hide.

Yun Duo cautiously stepped back a few paces, just as she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly froze in place.

Cold sweat instantly beaded on her forehead; there was someone behind her, and she hadn't noticed at all?

"Miss Yun Duo, are you all right?"

Yun Duo's spine instantly stiffened, and the hidden concealed weapon in her sleeve was flung backward.

She then sprinted forward a few steps, planted a foot on the tree trunk, and leapt backward into the air.

At that moment the soft sword at her waist was drawn; it was both sword and whip, forged for her by a renowned weapons master at Gu Jiu Ling's request.

Usually hidden at her waist as a decoration, it could unexpectedly become a soft sword that kills in combat.

"What a splendid skill!" the person couldn't help but exclaim.

Then, following Yun Duo's movement, he charged forward.

He did not clash directly with Yun Duo; instead he raised a white mist, evidently laced with some powder.

Yun Duo's mind was instantly thrown into chaos by the powder, and she thought inwardly that it was despicable.

Yet the soft sword in her hand still thrust fiercely toward his body, unfortunately missing by a few inches; then a dizzy whirl of sky and earth left her collapsing on the ground.

Yun Duo bit her tongue hard, the sharp pain keeping her briefly conscious.

She realized she could not meet force with force now; she had to leave first.

She gritted her teeth, leapt several times and planted her foot on the tree trunk; just as she was about to flee, a silent iron net dropped from the canopy, covering her head as if hunting a small animal.

In an instant Yun Duo was tightly bound by the iron net, suspended in midair.

His technique was extremely unorthodox, using lowly methods shunned by the martial world.

If it were a direct clash, Yun Duo wouldn't be afraid; she feared this kind of twisting and turning.

Yun Duo inhaled too much powder; in her daze she could only see the man in a black robe, wearing a silver mask, his figure oddly familiar.

She tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn't open, and she then fell into darkness.

When daylight fully broke, Jiu Yue noticed Yun Duo hadn't returned all night and became somewhat anxious.

Logically, they had entered the palace last night, and the palace's defenses should have been tight, so Yun Duo shouldn't have run into trouble.

But last night Yun Duo left with a few people, saying an assassin was chasing them; no one knows what happened, and they haven't returned yet.

She also dared not disturb the two people still sleeping soundly in the house.

Zhao Gonggong stood awkwardly outside the door until the daylight fully streamed in; from inside came Xiao Yin's voice, calling them in to serve.

Jiu Yue, just about to lead people inside, saw Yun Duo sprinting in from outside.

A hint of joy flashed in Jiu Yue's eyes as they whispered, "You worked hard all night; go rest, I'll hold the post for you on the master's side."

"Hmm!" Yun Duo nodded, turned and walked to the other side.

She has always been taciturn, even before Gu Jiu Ling she rarely speaks, like a piece of wood.

She gave a brief reply, turned, and left; the people in the house didn't think much of it.

Gu Jiu Ling opened her eyes at that moment and found the sky already bright.

She turned her face and met Xiao Yin's pair of bright, affectionate peach‑blossom eyes.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes widened instantly; Xiao Yin... hadn't gone to the morning court?

The emperor's role is truly hard to describe; every day one must attend the morning court before the sun rises, around four or five in the morning, to meet ministers.

Now Xiao Yin not only skipped the morning court but also stared at her, gently twirling a strand of Gu Jiu Ling's hair between their slender fingers.

"Your Majesty..."

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly propped herself up, feeling as if every bone in her body had been crushed by Xiao Yin, a sharp pain throbbing.

She recalled the endless, shameful absurdity of last night, and her call of "Your Majesty" carried a hint of embarrassment and resentment.

"Call me husband," Xiao Yin said with a smile, seeming in good spirits.

His fingertip pressed against Gu Jiu Ling's lips, as if to punish her, then moved to her cheek and squeezed hard.

"Between us, no formalities are needed; we are just ordinary spouses."

Gu Jiu Ling felt a sudden dizziness, glanced at the daylight outside and said, "The court session has started, big brother!"

That particular address finally made Xiao Yin let out a light laugh.

He leaned forward slowly, but Gu Jiu Ling raised her hand to press against his chest, keeping him at a distance.

"Fine, you actually resemble an emperor more than I do. Rest for now; the entire Imperial Harem is yours alone—do whatever you wish to do."

Gu Jiu Ling exhaled; at this point, if Xiao Yin were still lingering on her bed, her reputation as a treacherous queen would be impossible to clear.

Although she thought it didn't matter, Xiao Yin was still the emperor and should restrain himself.

Xiao Yin was overly vigorous in their marital life, leaving Gu Jiu Ling still shaken; if he continued to treat her this way, she feared it might cost her life.

Previously, Xiao Yin rarely encountered women in the army.

After the tragic incident in Qi Sha Gu, he became both physically and mentally exhausted.

Later, after so many Princess Consorts were brought in—each placed in the Wangfu by various factions—he had no time to avoid them, let alone indulge.

It wasn't until Gu Jiu Ling clung to his thigh, begging him to protect her, that he realized his own masculine desires were also intense.

Now that he indulges in Gu Jiu Ling, it's like a dish he can't get enough of, always feeling unsatisfied.

He gently rubbed Gu Jiu Ling's hair and whispered with a smile, "I allow you to rest for a few days."

Gu Jiu Ling didn't want to deal with this man.

Xiao Yin laughed, rose, and ordered the palace maids guarding outside to come in and attend.

He put on the dragon robes, had the early meal served, and then went to the Yangxin Hall.

At this time, the Yangxin Hall inside and outside was filled with kneeling officials; Xiao Yin slowly walked up to the throne and sat in the Dragon Throne.

The officials knelt down and shouted "Long live!" three times; Xiao Yin had them rise.

Gu Kang lifted his gaze toward Xiao Yin, and the expression on his face stiffened slightly.

There was a red mark on Xiao Yin's neck; the size of the mark clearly showed it was made by a woman's bite, and he embarrassedly lowered his head and coughed.

Last night Xiao Yin personally went to the Fengyi Palace, spent the night favoring the Empress, and did not even return to his own Jiaotai Hall, instead staying overnight in the Fengyi Palace of the Empress.

This morning he actually didn't come to the early court, which was his first early court as the new emperor.

Those censors were already furious, their faces flushed red.

The leading Lord Zhao and the other elderly officials had even worse complexions.

Could this still be acceptable?

Xiao Yin being the emperor is tolerable, but does the mistress of the Fengyi Palace not understand propriety either? How can she not let the monarch rise for the early court? She is simply a bewitching empress!

Lord Zhao, holding his tablet, slowly stepped forward, but with a thud he kowtowed three times to Xiao Yin, then loudly said, "I have a matter to report."

Xiao Yin had long found this old fellow displeasing; leaning on the Dragon Throne, he nodded at him and smiled, saying, "Speak, beloved minister, what is the matter?"

Lord Zhao loudly said, "I impeach the Empress."

Xiao Yin's peach-blossom eyes gradually turned cold.