Zhao Wan trembled at the sound, immediately turning her head to look. She saw a figure emerging from the forest, clad in silver armor, tall and graceful.

The palace lantern she had placed by the pool’s edge didn’t illuminate the newcomer’s face, making it appear dark, but she could see a pair of eyes looking directly at her.

Zhao Wan instantly lowered herself deeper into the water.

A’Shu…

Qi Chuang squinted as he peered at the face amid the white mist in the hot spring pool.

But A’Shu shouldn’t be here…

He couldn’t help but take another step forward.

Zhao Wan urgently said, “Soldier, please stop. I am Wan, Jieyu Gong’s maid, not an intruder!”

Qi Chuang came to his senses and quickly averted his gaze, cupping his hands in salute: “So it’s someone from Jieyu’s palace. Please forgive me, I was quite impertinent just now! Please excuse me, I shall take my leave!” He took two steps, turning his back, “But it’s late at night with heavy dew. Miss should not linger here alone.”

Zhao Wan’s cheeks burned hot, “I’ll leave in a moment! The soldier need not worry!”

Upon hearing this, Qi Chuang departed immediately, striding toward Xuanyu Pavilion.

After Qi Chuang’s figure disappeared into the darkness, Zhao Wan dared not delay. She rose from the water and hurriedly put on her clothes.

Qi Chuang was moving through the night to see the Emperor.

The imperial guards were stationed behind the imperial villa. He wasn’t on duty tonight, but Xiaoyan wanted to see him.

As he arrived at Xuanyu Pavilion, Qi Chuang saw Xiaoyan wearing golden armor and holding a long sword, waiting for him.

Frost had settled on Xiaoyan’s golden armor, gleaming with cold light. “Qi Chuang.”

Qi Chuang knelt on one knee, “This humble servant greets Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan lightly tapped his shoulder with the long sword, “Come, spar with me.”

Qi Chuang rose, drew his sword, “This servant obeys.”

As weapons left their sheaths, sword light flashed coldly. Wind sounds and the clash of metal howled past, but there were no human voices.

Xiaoyan finally pointed his sword at Qi Chuang’s brow, the tip stopping just a hair’s breadth from his forehead.

Qi Chuang sheathed his sword, “I have lost.”

Xiaoyan withdrew his long sword, “Commander Qi, thank you for yielding.”

Qi Chuang knelt, “I await Your Majesty’s punishment.”

Xiaoyan unwound the white gauze wrapped around his hand, “I will not punish you. I called you here merely to practice with you. Rise.”

Qi Chuang rose silently, watching as Xiaoyan turned and left.

The Xuanyu Pavilion before him remained unchanged over the years, with its upturned eaves, yellow glazed tiles, and white palace lanterns swaying under the hipped roof.

Xiaoyan faded into the night, his solitary figure resembling someone from his memories.

A’Heng.

Early the next morning, Gu Yi awoke, stretched lazily, and felt refreshed.

Seeing her good mood, Tao Jia suggested: “Concubine has come to Wushan. Would you like to go sightseeing today?”

Gu Yi shook her head, “Bring me the clothes I packed yesterday! I want to soak in the hot spring!”

Tao Jia brought the package and thoughtfully said: “Then this servant will prepare some fruits for Concubine to enjoy if you get tired of soaking.”

Gu Yi excitedly changed clothes while nodding, “Good idea. Also, have the kitchen send some flaky pastries!”

Since she was out of the palace, it would be a shame not to enjoy herself properly!

Under her dress, she wore a modified undershirt and shortened gauze pants.

A two-piece swimsuit.

After all, it was broad daylight under the open sky.

She couldn’t swim naked in front of all the palace servants.

The hot spring pool behind the hall, emitting wisps of white smoke, was larger than she had imagined.

Though not a fifty-meter swimming lane, it was still a circular pool with a diameter of at least ten meters.

Gu Yi’s hair was styled in a single bun atop her head. She nimbly removed her outer clothes and jumped into the pool with a splash.

Warm, comfortable, refreshing!

After swimming for a while, Gu Yi rested at the pool’s edge, eating grapes.

She looked up at Tao Jia standing nearby, “Why don’t you come in for a soak too?”

Tao Jia shook her head like a rattling drum, “This servant is afraid of water! Please spare this servant!”

Gu Yi dipped her head back into the pool.

She wanted to enjoy the pool before the Emperor and Zhao Wan had their sweet entanglement in the hot spring. After that happened, she wouldn’t come here again!

At the third quarter of the hour of Si (9-11 AM), Eunuch Gao entered Xuanyu Pavilion carrying memorials delivered overnight by fast horse.

The Emperor was still writing with his brush.

“Your Majesty should rest. Since you’ve come to Wushan, why not go out for a stroll? The mountain scenery is especially beautiful in autumn!” Eunuch Gao glanced at the wooden board on the bookshelf brought from the palace and added: “If Your Majesty doesn’t wish to go out, perhaps summon someone for a game of chess to relieve boredom?”

Xiaoyan set down his vermilion brush and asked: “Where is Concubine Gu now?”

Eunuch Gao was delighted and replied: “Concubine Gu went to the hot spring pool behind the hall early this morning and has been soaking for over an hour. She must enjoy it!”

Xiaoyan frowned, “Soaking in a hot spring in the morning?”

Eunuch Gao nodded, also finding it a bit strange, and speculated: “Perhaps she was too tired last night and went this morning instead.”

Xiaoyan made an “Oh” sound. Just then, an announcement came from outside: “Jieyu Gong requests an audience.”

Xiaoyan looked up and saw Jieyu Gong standing outside with her maid carrying a food box.

Some were diligent, while others were extremely lazy.

Xiaoyan: “Summon her.”

Jieyu Gong entered the pavilion with a smile and bowed: “Greetings to Your Majesty. This humble consort has specially made some snacks for Your Majesty.”

Zhao Wan, behind her with lowered lashes, also bowed.

Xiaoyan felt the palace maid looked familiar but couldn’t recall where he had seen her before.

However, Eunuch Gao, with his photographic memory, immediately recognized Zhao Wan as the palace maid from the Peach Garden!

Jieyu Gong’s intention wasn’t really about the wine, but about something else.

He walked over to take the food box from the maid’s hands, unable to resist looking at her once more.

Jieyu Gong, holding a silk handkerchief, said softly: “This humble consort is visiting Wushan for the first time and hasn’t seen the mountain scenery yet. Would Your Majesty honor me by accompanying me for some sightseeing?”

Seeing the fine weather outside the pavilion, Xiaoyan nodded and said: “Gao, have someone prepare a sedan chair. If Jieyu gets tired later, she can sit for a while.”

Jieyu Gong’s face was filled with smiles, but before she could express her gratitude, she heard Xiaoyan add: “Invite Concubine Gu as well.”

While Eunuch Gao sent a palace servant to Xunxue Hall to summon Concubine Gu, Gu Yi was playing Five-in-a-Row with Tao Jia.

Tao Jia had already beaten her twice.

Gu Yi: “Are you sure this is your first time playing?” She felt so weak! Not Mary Sue-like at all! How frustrating!

Tao Jia said with a grin: “This servant truly is playing this Five-in-a-Row for the first time. I don’t know why I’m winning against Concubine! This servant won’t dare to win next time!”

Gu Yi waved her hand, “You don’t need to let me win. Let’s just play again!” Noticing Tao Jia’s familiar way of holding the pieces, she asked, “Have you played chess before?”

Tao Jia hesitated, “When I served previous masters, I watched them play.”

Gu Yi made an “Oh” sound. Well, you have talent!

Just then, a palace servant from Xuanyu Pavilion entered the hall and bowed: “Inquiring after Concubine’s well-being. His Majesty requests your presence to accompany him and Jieyu for mountain sightseeing.”

Gu Yi nodded and rose to leave.

Tao Jia immediately put down the chess pieces and found her a pair of leather boots suitable for walking.

Gu Yi changed her shoes and said, “Thank you for guiding the way, Sir.”

When they arrived outside Xuanyu Pavilion, Xiaoyan and Jieyu Gong were already there.

Xiaoyan wore all black, with dragon patterns embroidered only at the collar.

Jieyu Gong wore an autumn-gold colored dress with her hair in a high bun, clearly having dressed up specially.

Gu Yi curtseyed, “Greetings to Your Majesty, greetings to Jieyu.”

Xiaoyan glanced at her, seeing her wearing leather boots and an indigo cape. Perhaps from having just soaked in the hot spring, her cheeks were rosy, and her almond eyes seemed washed clean, clear black and white, filled with joy.

Xiaoyan looked away: “Let’s go.”

The group proceeded up the mountain path step by step.

Three armed guards led the way.

Gu Yi stretched her neck to examine the lead guard closely—bronze skin, silver helmet, imposing appearance.

She guessed this person was the imperial guard commander, Qi Chuang.

Male lead number two, he finally appears!

Gu Yi also glanced at the dark-robed palace maid following closely behind Jieyu Gong—it was Zhao Wan.

And Xiaoyan walked behind the guards.

Oh, this beautiful love triangle.

Gu Yi shifted her gaze to admire the layered greenery of the mountain and listen to the insects and birds.

After climbing for a while, Jieyu Gong couldn’t contain herself any longer.

Gu Yi was originally only half a step behind Jieyu Gong, but she saw Jieyu Gong suddenly quicken her pace to catch up with the Emperor ahead.

Zhao Wan brushed past her shoulder, murmuring: “Greetings to Concubine.”

Gu Yi nodded with a smile.

Just then, Jieyu Gong ahead let out an “Ah!” of alarm, her body suddenly swaying, about to fall down the mountain path.

This part of the path was extremely dangerous, with hundreds of steps descending to an unseen depth below.

Zhao Wan, quick-handed, caught Jieyu Gong. The two spun to the side of the path, avoiding rolling down.

The plot was indeed on track!

Gu Yi saw that Zhao Wan had protected Jieyu Gong with her body, preventing Jieyu Gong from falling into the mud.

The sudden incident halted everyone in their tracks.

Jieyu Gong hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, please forgive me for my impropriety. The mountain path is slippery, and I was careless.” She stood up with the help of a palace servant’s extended arm, but the hem of her skirt was already stained with mud.

Xiaoyan said with displeasure: “In that case, take the sedan chair down the mountain first.”

Jieyu Gong’s face paled, her fingers tightly clenched inside her sleeve. She could only curtsey and say: “This humble consort takes her leave.”

After she spoke, she noticed Zhao Wan, who had fallen to the ground, hadn’t moved.

Zhao Wan clutched her ankle, gritting her teeth, her face deathly pale.

Gu Yi immediately looked at Xiaoyan.

In the book, when Xiaoyan saw Zhao Wan injured because of Jieyu Gong, he admired her for sacrificing herself to save her mistress and suddenly felt compassion for her.

He would bend down to examine her injury, and their eyes would meet. Just then, Qi Chuang would step forward and say, “I will carry the miss down the mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Xiaoyan and Qi Chuang would exchange glances, with intense sparks in their eyes!

Ah, this damned sweet love triangle!

But at this moment, Xiaoyan’s gaze met Gu Yi’s instead.

Xiaoyan frowned, finding her expression quite strange as her eyes darted between him and Qi Chuang.

Gu Yi looked expectantly at Xiaoyan, waiting for him to deliver his line.

But after a long moment, Xiaoyan finally spoke: “Gu Yi, come here.”