I knew it! I still have to carry the plot banner myself!

Gu Yi walked to Xiaoyan’s side and turned her head toward Zhao Wan, speaking with concern: “Wan, have you injured your foot? Are you unable to stand up?”

A flash of confusion crossed Xiaoyan’s eyes as he glanced at Zhao Wan on the ground, finally recognizing her.

It was her, the palace maid from the Peach Garden that day…

He then looked back at Gu Yi.

But why… did Gu Yi seem especially concerned about this palace maid…

Hearing Concubine Gu’s question, Zhao Wan murmured: “In response to Concubine, this servant has injured her ankle.” She tried to push herself up from the muddy ground, but her ankle throbbed with pain, and she helplessly fell back down. “This servant truly cannot stand…”

Avoiding Xiaoyan’s scrutinizing gaze, Gu Yi lowered her head and sighed: “Your Majesty, what shall we do?”

The strange feeling in Xiaoyan’s heart grew stronger as he looked toward the lead guards, his gaze falling on Qi Chuang.

Understanding, Qi Chuang knelt and said in a deep voice: “This servant will carry the miss down the mountain.”

Xiaoyan nodded. Qi Chuang took several strides across the steps and stopped in front of Zhao Wan, lowering his body. “Miss, please hold onto my shoulders.”

Zhao Wan’s cheeks grew warm as she grasped Qi Chuang’s shoulders to support herself. She bowed to Xiaoyan, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness.” Then to Qi Chuang, “Thank you, Soldier Qi.”

Qi Chuang recognized her as the palace maid he had encountered at the hot spring last night.

He averted his eyes and said softly: “The miss need not be so formal.”

Zhao Wan carefully climbed onto his back.

Thus, Gu Yi watched as Jieyu Gong took the sedan chair and Qi Chuang carried Zhao Wan down the mountain.

This plot development, how should she put it…

It seemed things weren’t going quite as expected.

Xiaoyan, seeing Gu Yi gazing with a complex expression at the group heading down the mountain, said: “Let’s go, continue up the mountain.”

Gu Yi looked up at the seemingly distant mountain peak and tentatively asked: “Your Majesty, are we going to reach the summit today?”

Xiaoyan: “Since we’ve come this far, that is the plan.”

Gu Yi smiled: “Your Majesty is wise!” Well then…

Xiaoyan moved quickly, and Gu Yi struggled to keep up.

After climbing for a while, she removed her indigo cape.

Xiaoyan turned to see her red-faced, climbing with her head down, and asked: “I heard you went to the hot spring pool this morning?”

Gu Yi looked up to see him standing still, his expression unchanged, seemingly without breaking a sweat. “In reply to Your Majesty, this humble consort did go. The pool is wonderful!” She also remembered the plot and advised, “Your Majesty should also try soaking in it. It’s excellent for relaxing muscles and relieving fatigue!”

Xiaoyan made an “Mm” sound.

The two stood on the forest path as a palace servant offered water skins.

Gu Yi took a sip, feeling the coolness soothe her throat.

Seeing her breathing stabilize, Xiaoyan continued walking upward.

Suddenly, an eagle’s cry echoed through the air.

A black-winged, white-headed eagle soared past.

Gu Yi looked up to see the black eagle diving down directly toward Xiaoyan.

She couldn’t help but cry out: “Watch out!”

But the palace servants around didn’t move. The black eagle circled near the ground before perching on a branch of the tree closest to Xiaoyan.

It was then that Gu Yi noticed the bamboo tube tied to the eagle’s talon for carrying messages.

Xiaoyan reached out to untie the bamboo tube and tucked the message inside his robes.

Gu Yi saw the black eagle flap its wings and fly away, while Xiaoyan looked at her, seemingly waiting for her to ask questions.

But Gu Yi understood that she shouldn’t ask about things that weren’t her business.

So she once again became that dutiful, professionally smiling girl.

Xiaoyan gave a light chuckle and continued walking upward.

Step by step, they climbed for about an hour before finally reaching the summit of Wushan.

The midday sun’s golden light bathed the mountaintop.

Gu Yi was drenched in sweat but felt refreshed and invigorated.

Looking down at the gathering and dispersing clouds, the sunlight casting over the forests, with deep and light shades of green.

She couldn’t help but sigh: “This is this humble consort’s first visit to Wushan Imperial Villa. I didn’t expect the scenery to be as beautiful as rumored, truly breathtaking!”

Xiaoyan gazed at the red-tiled roofs nestled among the green mountains.

Wushan Imperial Villa.

This was his first visit too.

This place had once been Prince Heng’s private villa, a place he had no right to enter.

The victor writes the history, and the loser is destined to become dust.

But what becomes of the winner in the end?

Gu Yi instinctively sensed the unapproachable aura emanating from Xiaoyan and wisely closed her mouth.

The accompanying guards and palace servants all retreated several steps away. The two stood at the cliff’s edge, feeling the mountain breeze for quite some time.

Eunuch Gao fake-coughed, approached with a food box, and bowed, saying: “Your Majesty must be tired from climbing. Would you like some refreshments?”

Gu Yi gave an approving look to Eunuch Gao.

So bold!

Seeing the Emperor turn to look, Eunuch Gao smiled and said: “This food box contains osmanthus cakes made by Jieyu Gong. Would Your Majesty like to try them?” After speaking, Eunuch Gao looked toward Gu Yi.

Gu Yi understood the hint and said: “They look delicious. Would Your Majesty try one?”

Xiaoyan picked up a piece and tasted it, “Not bad.” He turned to Gu Yi, “Would Concubine Gu like to try one?”

Gu Yi boldly reached out and took a piece, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness.” And she began eating it.

Seeing her eat so nonchalantly, Xiaoyan felt somewhat displeased. “Concubine Gu had no talent to offer at the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, and now at the imperial villa, you also have no achievements to present?”

Gu Yi swallowed the osmanthus cake, realizing this was a critical moment of peer competition.

“This humble consort is slow-witted. Your Majesty’s words are right. This humble consort will reflect on her shortcomings. Tomorrow, I shall accompany Your Majesty for a game of chess. Serve soup? What does Your Majesty like to eat? This humble consort can learn.”

She had already shown disrespect by requesting to leave the Emperor’s carriage on the way to Wushan, and now, with Jieyu Gong providing a contrast, she appeared even more idle and lazy.

Moreover, Xiaoyan’s mood probably hadn’t been good lately…

For Gu Yi to establish herself in Xiaoyan’s harem, she still needed to pay attention to his mood.

Gu Yi smiled without showing her teeth and boldly said: “Perhaps this humble consort could learn to make some snacks tonight?”

Xiaoyan, seeing her lean closer with deliberately flattering eyes.

He reached out to remove a small leaf that had fallen into her hair at some point. “Lacks ambition.”

Gu Yi hurriedly expressed her determination: “This humble consort will certainly remember Your Majesty’s teaching and will always be vigilant in the future!”

Xiaoyan gave a cold laugh and began walking down the mountain. “Let’s descend.”

Gu Yi exchanged a glance with Eunuch Gao, instantly feeling a sense of mutual understanding.

They both read each other’s eyes.

The Emperor was in a bad mood.

Xiao Gouzi was in a bad mood.

Going down the mountain was much faster than climbing up.

By sunset, everyone had returned to Xuanyu Pavilion.

Since Xiaoyan hadn’t dismissed her, Gu Yi had to follow him into the pavilion.

She immediately noticed the board game on the bookshelf and exclaimed with delight: “Your Majesty, you even brought the board games!”

Seeing her eyes light up, Xiaoyan suggested: “Keep me company for a game.”

Gu Yi nodded, “This humble consort obeys.”

Truthfully, after losing several games of Five-in-a-Row to Tao Jia, it had hurt her pride a bit. Time to slaughter a newbie.

Xiaoyan took the little figure wearing a long robe and cicada-winged hat, while Gu Yi took the little figure with a dress and styled hair.

Unexpectedly, Xiaoyan won quite easily. In less than half an hour, Gu Yi had lost everything.

Gu Yi: …That stings!

Xiaoyan’s expression lightened a bit, his fingers pleasantly tapping the wooden board. “Concubine Gu, thank you for yielding.”

Gu Yi realized that when Xiaoyan called her “Concubine Gu,” he was subtly mocking her.

Childish!

Gu Yi’s face maintained a smile: “This humble consort has learned much.”

Xiaoyan clapped his hands, and the meal-serving palace servants entered the pavilion and began setting the table.

Gu Yi sensibly rose, intending to stand aside to serve.

Xiaoyan laughed, “Sit down.”

You wouldn’t know how to serve standing up either, so why bother standing!

Gu Yi sat down, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

In Luoxia Hall, Jieyu Gong had not eaten dinner.

Today, she had lost tremendous face in front of the Emperor! What should have been a pleasant outing had been ruined!

She lay irritably on her couch as Chun Ya gently massaged her legs. “Jieyu, please don’t be angry. Today was an accident. His Majesty surely won’t blame Jieyu. Besides, Jieyu’s ankle had just healed, and you shouldn’t have pushed yourself so hard…”

Jieyu Gong turned over, “If not now, when should I compete? In the palace, there are many people, including the four consorts above us. Here at Wushan, there are only I and Concubine Gu. My father is a fourth-rank official—how can he be compared to the mere Prefect of Fuzhou? Who would have thought!”

Chun Ya consoled her further, “His Majesty hasn’t said how long we’ll stay at Wushan to escape the heat. Jieyu need not rush. In the future, there will be many more opportunities!”

Jieyu Gong sighed, hoping this was true.

Her eyes swept across the bedchamber, and not seeing Zhao Wan, she asked: “Where is Wan?”

Chun Ya: “Commander Qi just escorted her back to the small room behind the hall. Would you like this servant to call her?”

Jieyu Gong shook her head, thinking of how Zhao Wan had caught her today. “No need. She doesn’t need to be on duty tonight.”

In the small room behind the hall, Zhao Wan sat alone at the table, wrapping her swollen ankle with layers of white gauze. She glanced at the white jade porcelain bottle on the table.

It was the medicine that Qi Chuang had left for her.

Qi Chuang, the younger son of General Qi Wei, and now the commander of the imperial guards.

He had once been Prince Heng’s study companion.

He had grown into a reserved and quiet young man.

Zhao Wan had seen him once when she was a child.

Unfortunately, Qi Chuang didn’t remember.

Just like A’Yan, who seemed to have completely forgotten her.

Zhao Wan smiled bitterly. Supporting herself on the wooden table, she tried to stand up bit by bit.

She still had duties tomorrow. Perhaps tonight she could bathe in the hot spring, which would be better than the bone-chilling well water.

Qi Chuang left from behind Luoxia Hall, following the vermilion-lacquered palace wall toward the camp behind the villa.

“Brother Qi Chuang.” A female voice came from behind.

Qi Chuang turned to look and frowned, “Tao Jia.”

Tao Jia approached him with a smile, “Brother Qi Chuang, it’s been a long time. You seem to have gotten even darker.”

Qi Chuang: “Standing guard outside, that’s natural.”

Tao Jia took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, “Here, I embroidered this out of boredom during the carriage ride. A gift for Brother Qi Chuang.”

Qi Chuang saw that the handkerchief was embroidered with blue lotus flowers. He turned his gaze away, “A girl’s trinket, I don’t want it.”

Tao Jia said with dissatisfaction: “In the past, when you took things from me, weren’t they also girls’ trinkets? How is this handkerchief any different?”

Qi Chuang looked somewhat embarrassed, “That was childish ignorance.”

Tao Jia put the handkerchief away, “If you don’t want it, I’ll give it to our Concubine!”

Qi Chuang raised his eyes to examine her closely, “Why did you choose to follow Concubine Gu? Wasn’t the Gardens Office good enough?”

Tao Jia tilted her head and said: “What’s good about the Gardens Office! All day with flowers, fruits, and vegetables—extremely boring! Our Concubine has a good temperament and is favored. That’s a good place to be!”

Qi Chuang lowered his eyes, silent for a moment.

“You entered the palace at eight years old. It’s been ten years now. Female officials all have ranks, and your honor depends on yourself. But following Concubine Gu, your honor depends on someone else…”

He raised his eyes to look directly at Tao Jia and slowly asked again, “Tao Jia… why did you choose to follow Concubine Gu?”

Upon hearing this, Tao Jia angrily patted his silver armor, “Why is Brother Qi Chuang being so fierce with me! I won’t talk to you anymore!”

With that, she turned and left.