In the following days, with Gu Qianying's care, the Empress's health improved significantly, and she was finally able to move around the palace.
Although she was still followed by people, her increased mobility brought a sense of freedom.
However, just as she thought things might return to a temporary peace, gossip began to spread through the palace from an unknown source.
"Did you hear? The female physician who won the competition in the palace was secretly meeting a man in the Imperial Study."
"What? That's where the Empress handles state affairs. How dare she?"
"I heard she used some kind of charm on that man, gaining Grand Tutor Su's permission. Otherwise, who would dare enter the Imperial Study?"
The palace maids by the corner were chatting about the recent rumors, completely unaware that someone was standing behind them.
"Oh? You speak so convincingly, you're making even me believe it."
The clear, cold voice of a woman cut through the air. The palace maids shrieked in fright, turning around to find Gu Qianying, the newly appointed female physician they had been discussing.
"Your Excellency, we were wrong. This was all hearsay. Please, be magnanimous and don't punish us."
Following Su Ye's arrangements, Gu Qianying had already been declared the winner of the competition and thus became a court physician.
Although she was reluctant, she was ultimately under someone's control. The title itself didn't significantly impact her.
"As members of the palace, your sole profession is to diligently serve your master. Today it is me, but if the Empress discovers you gossiping and chatting idly tomorrow, I will not be responsible for any punishment you receive."
Gu Qianying merely reprimanded them.
Despite her new identity being publicized, her situation remained quite awkward.
"Yes, thank you, Your Excellency."
The palace maids quickly bowed and left. However, once rumors spread, they were impossible to retract.
In the evening, Grand Tutor Su summoned Gu Qianying to the Imperial Study again. This time, he was dressed in women's attire.
"You know about the rumors outside, don't you?"
As expected, the matter had reached Su Ye's ears. He knew clearly that the man rumored to be meeting her in the Imperial Study was himself, dressed in male attire that day.
Gu Qianying wore a troubled expression.
"I truly don't understand why I keep attracting enemies in the palace. This time, they've used such a reason to frame me."
They conducted themselves uprightly and honestly, and thus had nothing to fear from gossip. However, Su Ye could not tolerate any stain on his reputation.
"Since someone has set their sights on you, you must be more careful in your actions from now on. However, you must not mention seeing me, your Grand Tutor, in the Imperial Study."
This man was adept at shifting blame.
Gu Qianying felt displeased.
If he hadn't chosen to summon her to the Imperial Study while dressed as a man that day, no matter how intentional others were, such gossip wouldn't have spread.
Seeing her troubled expression, Su Ye slammed the table.
"You must understand that even though you are free now, you are still within my control. Don't forget, both your children are with me. Although that little medicine boy is being watched by two men, I don't mind keeping two more people locked up."
He had revealed his true nature.
Gu Qianying clenched her fist within her sleeve.
It is said that women and petty people are difficult to deal with.
This Su Ye, dressed in women's clothing, possessed both a woman's disposition and a petty person's behavior.
Although she didn't know Su Cheng's whereabouts, she had already surmised that Xiao Yihao must be in danger, which was why he had sought out the brothers Su Jie and Su Ming.
Looking at the person before her, Gu Qianying knew that the danger Xiao Yihao faced could only be from this person.
"I have indulged you in many ways. However, if you do not obey me obediently, the lives of your son and your brother will be in peril."
It turned out that Su Ye had already discovered the true identities of the two people Gu Qianying had brought to the palace.
They were not women but men in disguise.
This time, she was truly at this man's mercy. Gu Qianying gritted her teeth and could only compromise to Su Ye's threat.
"Alright, I promise you that if this matter truly comes to light, I will not reveal that it was you, Grand Tutor, whom I met in the Imperial Study that day."
Her gaze turned cold.
Previously, after hearing about his affairs with the Empress, Gu Qianying had felt a sense of empathy. However, some people truly did not deserve pity.
Since he was so selfish and distrustful of her, why should she proactively offer help to such an unworthy person?
Both parties harbored their own thoughts in the room. As expected, the matter was brought to light when the Empress finally recovered and returned to court.
"Your Majesty, you have just recovered from a serious illness, and it is not appropriate to cause you distress. However, Gu Qianying, upon her recent appointment as physician, has openly defied your authority by secretly meeting a man in the palace. Such behavior is indeed detrimental to the national prestige."
At the banquet, several officials jointly brought up the matter of Gu Qianying meeting a man in the Imperial Study.
Upon hearing this, the hall erupted in an uproar.
"This is outrageous! A woman meeting a man in secret is punishable by law, especially within the palace, and even more so in the Empress's Imperial Study."
Murmurs and discussions rose one after another, and the Empress's expression turned very grim.
Although she had not heard about Gu Qianying meeting a man, she recalled that only the Grand Tutor could enter her Imperial Study.
Since the Grand Tutor was a man, then the person Gu Qianying met must indeed be Su Ye.
Her gaze turned icy as she looked at Gu Qianying. This woman knew she was pregnant and was also aware that Grand Tutor Su was a man.
Were these two truly meeting in secret in the Imperial Study?
When one cares too much about someone, they are bound to overthink. The Empress felt a surge of jealousy and slammed the table, demanding Gu Qianying come out and explain.
"Speak, who was that man?"
Gu Qianying had not expected the Empress to actually believe these people's rumors.
It was true that she had met a man in the Imperial Study, but where was the talk of a secret meeting? Moreover, the Empress should have known that man was Su Ye.
The murmurs grew louder, and the Empress pressed her further, demanding Gu Qianying reveal the truth of the matter.
Seeing everyone's eyes filled with smug ridicule as they looked at Gu Qianying, a voice called out from a corner.
"It was me. I was the one who met Physician Gu that day."
As the source of the voice was revealed, everyone turned to a corner of the hall. The person who stepped forward was someone they all recognized.
"Su Cheng? How could you..."
Gu Qianying never expected that, at her moment of difficulty, he would step forward to defend her.
Ever since she heard that Xiao Yihao was being protected by Su Jie and Su Ming, Gu Qianying had been secretly inquiring about Su Cheng's whereabouts.
She had initially thought something might have happened to him, but she never expected him to step forward at this moment to speak for her.