Daylight shone brightly.

Without Eunuch Gao’s punctual court time reporting, Gu Yi slept until she naturally woke up, which was nearly noon.

Xiaoyan was already nowhere to be seen on the bed beside her.

She rubbed her eyes, and just as she rolled over, Tao Jia, who was standing outside the curtain, said, “Has the Noble Lady awakened?”

Gu Yi made an “mm” sound. “After I dress, we’ll return to Xun Xue Palace.” How bold of her to sleep in late at the magnificent Xuanyu Pavilion!

Tao Jia nodded, “This servant has already prepared new clothes. After the Noble Lady drinks the calming medicinal soup, you can change.”

Gu Yi thought of the bitter taste and said listlessly, “Bring it quickly, let’s get this over with!”

Tao Jia handed her the simmering bowl of medicine. Gu Yi downed it in one gulp, the bitterness making her shudder.

“Let’s go.”

Tao Jia followed closely behind Gu Yi back to Xun Xue Palace and asked, “The Noble Lady’s birthday is approaching. How would you like to arrange it on that day?”

Birthday? Which day? The book naturally wouldn’t mention when the cannon fodder Beauty Gu’s birthday was.

Gu Yi’s eyes rolled, and she asked Tao Jia, “What do you think?”

Tao Jia tilted her head, revealing a toothy smile, “The Wu Mountain villa is most serene, and observing stars and admiring the moon at night is wonderful. There’s a terrace behind Xuanyu Pavilion. If the Noble Lady informs Eunuch Gao in advance, perhaps you could invite His Majesty to drink together under the moonlight to celebrate the Noble Lady’s birthday. How delightful!”

Yesterday, Xiaoyan had complained that she was somewhat negligent. A banquet three days later would be a good way to make amends.

With this thought, Gu Yi instructed Tao Jia, “Then go discuss it with Eunuch Gao, will you?”

She just didn’t know how long they would stay at Wu Mountain. The important plot points hadn’t been completed yet, which was worrisome!

But on which night exactly did Xiaoyan meet Zhao Wan?

She thought about it for a long time without result.

She decided not to think about it for now. If she had known this day would come, she would have memorized the entire text of “The Heartless Emperor Falls in Love with Me.”

Tao Jia went to find Eunuch Gao at Xuanyu Pavilion, encountering several groups of unfamiliar palace maids along the way, all servants from the Wu Mountain villa.

Strangely, they weren’t wearing the usual double buns of palace maids, but were imitating the single bun that Noble Lady Gu had recently worn while bathing in the hot spring pool.

Noble Lady Gu found hairpins too heavy and didn’t like wearing them, preferring to simply wear flowers in her hair.

These palace maids were also wearing flowers!

Moreover, quite a few of them were even wearing Moonlight Dresses!

Since arriving at the Wu Mountain villa, only Noble Lady Gu had stayed overnight in Xuanyu Pavilion.

These palace maids had all been getting ideas.

Tao Jia shifted her gaze and coldly snorted, “Ugly imitators!”

She quickened her pace, walking to the outside of Xuanyu Pavilion, and saw Eunuch Gao standing outside the hall. “Eunuch Gao!”

Eunuch Gao recognized that it was Tao Jia from Noble Lady Gu’s side and asked, “Has your Noble Lady returned to Xun Xue Palace?”

When the Emperor rose early to practice swordsmanship and returned just now, Noble Lady Gu was already gone from the hall.

Eunuch Gao thought to himself, she just left like that? Is this her strategy for gaining favor? Or is she playing hard to get?

Tao Jia answered, “Yes, Eunuch. Our Noble Lady returned to the palace to change clothes, then went to soak in the hot spring pool.”

Eunuch Gao chuckled, “The Noble Lady must truly love that pool, ah…”

Tao Jia detected the mockery in his tone but couldn’t understand why. She said with a smile, “Eunuch Gao, that’s true… but our Noble Lady sent this servant today to ask whether His Majesty might honor her with his presence for dinner three days from now?”

Three days later…

Eunuch Gao calculated the days in his mind, and his face immediately turned slightly pale. Three days later would most likely be impossible…

He suppressed the complex feelings in his chest and raised an eyebrow to ask, “Oh, why does Noble Lady Gu want to hold a banquet three days from now?”

Tao Jia smiled again, “What the Eunuch doesn’t know is that three days from now is our Noble Lady’s birthday. The Noble Lady hopes that on her birthday, she can drink with His Majesty under the moonlight on the terrace behind Xuanyu Pavilion.”

Hearing this, Eunuch Gao laughed but didn’t say anything.

Tao Jia moved a small step forward, lowering her voice slightly, saying, “The Noble Lady is short on funds recently. She’ll give Eunuch Gao a supplementary gift upon returning to the palace.”

Eunuch Gao laughed, “Alright then, this old servant understands the Noble Lady’s meaning. You may go now.”

Tao Jia smiled and took her leave.

Not long after she left, Chun Ya from Concubine Jieyu’s side arrived.

Chun Ya respectfully presented a pearwood brocade box, “Concubine Jieyu has newly embroidered a brocade handkerchief for His Majesty. Please convey it, Eunuch Gao.”

Eunuch Gao glanced at the brocade box, “Concubine Jieyu is thoughtful.”

Chun Ya handed over a heavy pouch, “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Gao.”

Eunuch Gao accepted the pouch, revealing a smile, “Concubine Jieyu is too kind.”

After Chun Ya left, Eunuch Gao looked up at the sky.

The sun was suspended at its zenith.

He turned to the crimson steps under the eaves, shook out his clothes, and pushed open the hall door.

He saw the Emperor sitting at his desk, writing a letter with a brush.

Eunuch Gao gave a deep bow, “Your Majesty, it’s time for lunch.”

Xiaoyan looked up and saw the brocade box in his hand.

“What is that in your hand?”

Eunuch Gao quickly stepped forward, “A silk handkerchief specially embroidered for Your Majesty by Concubine Jieyu.”

Having lost face yesterday, today he needed to make amends.

Seeing Xiaoyan raise his eyebrow, Eunuch Gao opened the box lid. Inside lay a plain silk handkerchief, embroidered with rouge-colored rosewood seeds, just a couple of stalks, quite elegant.

Eunuch Gao, having taken someone’s money, was obliged to do their bidding, and smiled, “Concubine Jieyu’s needlework has improved, I see.”

Xiaoyan glanced at him, “Put it away.”

Eunuch Gao closed the brocade box again and tentatively said, “Your Majesty, why not visit Luoxia Palace for a while?”

Xiaoyan pondered for a moment, “For dinner, summon Concubine Jieyu to Xuanyu Pavilion.”

“Yes.” Eunuch Gao paused, then slowly opened his mouth, “Speaking of dinner, I heard that three days from now is Noble Lady Gu’s birthday. She sent a palace maid to ask if Your Majesty would honor her by drinking with her under the moonlight on the terrace behind Xuanyu Pavilion?”

Three days later… Gu Yi’s birthday?

Xiaoyan put down his vermilion brush, his expression cold, “What else did Noble Lady Gu say?”

Seeing his expression, Eunuch Gao answered in a low voice, “She didn’t say much else…” He thought for a moment and added, “Noble Lady Gu left Xuanyu Pavilion today to soak in the hot spring pool again.”

Why does this person always bathe during the day?

Xiaoyan’s mind suddenly flashed with images of the crimson marks on her snow-white neck. He immediately shook his head, changing his thoughts, “Have someone arrange some sky lanterns on the terrace behind the pavilion.”

Since it’s her birthday, he would accommodate her.

“I won’t go… Just make sure the Noble Lady is well taken care of…”

Indeed, it won’t work.

Eunuch Gao nodded in agreement, intending to bow and exit the pavilion, but he gritted his teeth, determined to advise, “Your Majesty… Noble Lady Gu is thoughtful and naturally carefree. If Your Majesty refuses to accompany her on her birthday, wouldn’t that… hurt the Noble Lady’s feelings? Moreover, a birthday comes only once a year. Noble Lady Gu has eagerly requested this. Why not accompany her for a drink? Even if it’s a bit later, it wouldn’t matter.” Eunuch Gao’s face showed a rare pleading expression, “Your Majesty should also relax a little…”

Seeing his expression, Xiaoyan was stunned for a moment, and finally said, “We’ll talk about it later. Let me think about it.”

Eunuch Gao retreated outside Xuanyu Pavilion with his heart in his mouth.

*

Meanwhile, after delivering the brocade handkerchief, Chun Ya hurriedly returned to Luoxia Palace.

Concubine Jieyu was waiting for her, “Did you see His Majesty?”

Chun Ya curtseyed, “In reply to Concubine Jieyu, the doors of Xuanyu Pavilion were tightly closed, and I did not see His Majesty. This servant gave the brocade box to Eunuch Gao.”

Concubine Jieyu asked anxiously, “Is Noble Lady Gu still in Xuanyu Pavilion?”

Chun Ya shook her head, “Although Noble Lady Gu stayed overnight, I heard she returned early to Xun Xue Palace. The palace maids also said they saw her going to play in the hot spring pool again.”

Concubine Jieyu lightly bit her pink lips, “Who would have thought she’s such a seductress! Always knowing how to act cute!”

Chun Ya said, “These past two days, many people in the Wu Mountain villa have been rushing to flatter Noble Lady Gu, always gathering in front of Xun Xue Palace!”

Concubine Jieyu snorted coldly, “No matter how much these people flatter her, she can’t take them back to the capital! They’re wasting their efforts!”

Chun Ya nodded, “That’s precisely it. Noble Lady Gu is just a novelty right now. Once this phase passes, who will remember her? The silk handkerchief Concubine Jieyu sent is of superior craftsmanship and will surely make a good impression.”

Concubine Jieyu smiled and asked, “Is Wan’er’s foot any better?”

“When this servant went to get the silk handkerchief, I saw Wan’er, and she was somewhat better.”

Zhao Wan’s leg was indeed much better than yesterday, thanks to the jar of medicine that Qi Chuang had left.

Zhao Wan clutched the white porcelain bottle, still more than half full, and walked outside.

The Imperial Guards seemed to be stationed behind the villa.

Zhao Wan walked slowly, carrying a food box containing osmanthus cakes that she had made herself early this morning.

Just then, three patrolling soldiers came from the opposite direction, led by Qi Chuang.

Zhao Wan called out, “Commander Qi.”

Qi Chuang saw her and stopped, saying to the guards behind him, “You go ahead, I’ll catch up shortly.”

He looked at Zhao Wan, “Miss Wan’er, what can I do for you?”

Zhao Wan handed him the white porcelain bottle, “Thank you for your medicine, Commander Qi.”

Qi Chuang didn’t take it, “Keep it, Miss. It’s just a bottle of medicine.”

Zhao Wan didn’t insist and pursed her red lips, “Thank you.” She pushed the food box in her hand forward, “Reciprocating your kindness, these are pastries I made, a small token of my gratitude. Commander Qi, please don’t disdain them.”

Qi Chuang initially didn’t want to accept, but hearing the word ‘disdain’ from her lips sounded somewhat jarring.

He carefully looked at her, seeing that her face was snow-white, and her outstretched hands were trembling slightly.

Qi Chuang accepted the food box, “Thank you, Miss.”

Zhao Wan smiled, revealing dimples beside her cheeks, “Wan’er takes her leave.”

In the distance, Gu Yi stopped in her tracks, watching Zhao Wan and Qi Chuang part ways.

The female protagonist and the second male lead are reluctantly saying goodbye.

The plot was on track.

She had just come out of the hot spring pool and was walking back when, not far along, she encountered this scene.

She naturally couldn’t disturb them and just stood in place.

A string of palace maids following behind her also suddenly stopped.

Only after Zhao Wan had walked far in the direction of Luoxia Palace did she continue walking forward.

Qi Chuang was heading toward Xuanyu Pavilion, coming face to face with her in the narrow path.

Seeing Gu Yi, he clasped his hands in a bow, “Greetings to Noble Lady Gu.”

Gu Yi smiled, “Commander Qi, no need for such formality.”

Qi Chuang stood still, continuing only after she had passed by.

Gu Yi looked back at his silhouette. With a tiger’s back and a wasp’s waist, his steps were nimble.

Qi Chuang, you must show some spirit! The future bloody battle depends entirely on you!

Although to be fair, Qi Chuang’s feelings for Zhao Wan in the book came somewhat unexpectedly and inexplicably, that’s the halo of the female protagonist.

Relying on this love triangle, Zhao Wan in the book was torn between two choices for dozens of chapters! This furthered the love storyline between the male and female protagonists.

Go for it, Qi Chuang!