The entire palace knew that the Emperor had once again selected Concubine Zhao of Heluo Palace.

When the palace maids reported this to Concubine Gong of Zhaizhang Palace, she sighed with a smile: “Zhao Wan is truly skilled. Such imperial favor, even more than Concubine Gu enjoyed recently… Indeed, no one stays fortunate forever, and no flower blooms for a hundred days. Lady Gu probably never imagined that by supporting Concubine Zhao at Wu Mountain Villa, she was truly lifting a stone only to drop it on her foot—she brought this on herself…”

Chunmei nodded, “This servant truly couldn’t tell that Wan had such talent. When she was in the Concubine’s palace, this servant only knew she was good at needlework. Who would have thought she was also skilled at ball games, catching His Majesty’s eye through the polo match. Come to think of it, what kind of background does her family have?”

Concubine Gong mocked coldly: “A palace maid background—could her family possibly be an old noble lineage?”

Upon hearing this, Concubine Wang of Xiuyi Palace was greatly astonished, “That… Concubine Zhao was once reportedly a servant to Gong Yueqin, and now lives in Concubine Gu’s palace. In just half a month, her jade tablet has been selected twice.” She laughed disdainfully, “One named Gong, one named Gu—both must be beating their chests in regret right now. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Gong Yueqin used every scheme to seek favor, and even accompanied the Emperor to Wu Mountain. As for Heluo Palace, she rose from Concubine to Imperial Concubine in just a few short months… Yet who would have expected a Concubine Zhao to emerge out of nowhere…”

Huang Li whispered, “Concubine speaks truly. This servant heard that Concubine Gu was nearly killed by an assassin’s blade. Thinking about it now, appointing her as Imperial Concubine doesn’t seem so strange. As for Concubine Gong, hasn’t it been a long time since His Majesty selected her jade tablet? The palace maids of Luoying Palace saw in the records brought by court historians that even at Wu Mountain Villa, His Majesty didn’t summon Concubine Gong.”

Concubine Wang’s mood improved somewhat, and she sneered, “Concubine Zhao is merely a concubine after all, and not from a good family. I still don’t even consider her worth noticing…”

Meanwhile, in the side hall of Heluo Palace, the officials from the Department of Etiquette arrived once again.

Xiuhe exclaimed joyfully, “His Majesty truly cherishes the Concubine. Though he didn’t come last time, tonight he will surely make it up to you!”

Before the bronze mirror, Zhao Wan’s black hair cascaded over her shoulders as palace maids used combs to arrange her topknot.

She responded with a soft “Mm.”

This reward, this favor, had come faster and more abundantly than she had expected.

During the polo match, she had indeed been competitive.

But the Emperor’s rewards had come too easily.

Throughout the six palaces, everyone said she had been favored at Wu Mountain, and now that favor continued undiminished.

Yet only she knew the true circumstances.

She wondered if tonight… she would truly be favored…

At the third quarter of the Xu hour, a half-moon of icy radiance rose at the edge of the sky.

Outside the side hall of Heluo Palace, palace servants announced loudly: “His Majesty arrives.”

Zhao Wan knelt at the entrance to the hall and bowed, “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor slowly entered the side hall of Heluo Palace, with Eunuch Gao closely following behind him, carrying several scrolls of memorials.

“Rise.”

Zhao Wan lifted her head to meet his gaze from above, seeing scrutiny in his dark brown, glass-like eyes.

She rose and said softly, “This concubine will help Your Majesty remove your hairpins and crown.”

“No need. I still have memorials to review,” Xiaoyan said as he walked toward the study.

Zhao Wan was left standing alone, dumbfounded.

Eunuch Gao glanced at her and reminded her, “Concubine, why not serve tea?”

Zhao Wan finally came to her senses and immediately sent someone to brew tea.

In the side hall, only the rustling sound of scrolls being opened and closed could be heard.

Eunuch Gao used a dragon-patterned paper knife to slightly brighten the candle in the study, then retreated to stand silently to one side.

This side hall was extremely close to the main hall of Heluo Palace. Looking out from the half-round window in the study, one could still see the lush garden courtyard behind the main hall.

On the grape trellis entwined with vines, no fruit could be seen anymore, only sparse, yellowing leaves hanging limply.

Eunuch Gao glanced sideways and saw the stone-built small pond where Concubine Gu usually fed the fish.

Unfortunately, though the moonlight shone down, the courtyard was deserted.

Concubine Gu had injured her leg and probably didn’t feel like feeding the fish anymore.

Zhao Wan carried a tea tray and tiptoed into the study, curtsying as she said, “Tea for Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan looked up, “Set it down.”

Zhao Wan placed the teacup beside his hand, “This concubine will wait outside the study. If Your Majesty has any instructions, just call for me.”

Xiaoyan watched her, keeping her head low and eyes downcast, while thinking to himself that this was how a palace consort should behave. Having been defied by Gu Yi so often, he had almost forgotten how it should be.

He nodded and said slowly, “Mm, you may withdraw for now.”

Seeing his relaxed expression, Zhao Wan felt relieved and smiled faintly, “This concubine takes her leave.”

The night stretched on.

Dong, dong—two strikes, the palace drum for the second watch sounded, marking the third quarter of the Hai hour, when all should be at rest.

Eunuch Gao glanced at the Emperor and advised, “Your Majesty, it’s time to rest.”

Xiaoyan put down his vermilion brush, “Prepare for washing.”

Eunuch Gao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The sound of water came from the partitioned room in the side hall of Heluo Palace.

Palace maids helped Zhao Wan sit on the wooden couch and removed the hairpins and ornaments from her head.

The time of waiting was long.

The candle flickered gently, and Zhao Wan sat motionless on the couch, listening to her heartbeat growing faster.

Footsteps finally approached. She looked up to see Xiaoyan dressed in plain deep-colored clothes, casually wearing a dark dragon robe, slowly entering the bedchamber.

A’yan.

Xiaoyan raised his hand, dismissing the palace maids serving in the hall.

Zhao Wan’s eyes flickered with light, and she forced a smile, “This concubine will serve Your Majesty to bed.”

Xiaoyan watched her approach and reach out to undo the black robe he was wearing.

“Why are you skilled at polo?”

Zhao Wan’s hands paused, and she replied softly, “This concubine, in childhood, often played ball games with family relatives…”

Xiaoyan avoided her hand and sat directly on the couch, asking slowly, “Your surname is Zhao. Which Zhao family?”

Zhao Wan’s heart jumped in alarm, and a thin layer of sweat immediately formed on her back. The thought of taking out her jade pendant flashed through her mind but was ultimately suppressed. “This concubine’s family is not a noble one, just small merchants… an… unremarkable Zhao family. That’s why… this concubine entered the palace as a maid.”

Xiaoyan laughed lightly, “I was just asking casually. Concubine need not be so nervous… I am tired tonight. Let’s retire early.” After speaking, he removed his black outer robe and casually threw it beneath the couch.

Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Zhao Wan turned to blow out the candle first, then slowly climbed onto the couch, lying down on the inner side.

The bedchamber was dark, but her heartbeat remained rapid.

But Xiaoyan merely lay down fully clothed on the outer side.

Zhao Wan stiffly closed her eyes.

However, she couldn’t sleep, her mind filled with countless thoughts.

Why had the Emperor asked which Zhao family she belonged to? Did he already know about her background…

She went over her first meeting with the Emperor again and again, then their subsequent encounters, ensuring she hadn’t left any clues.

Dong, dong, dong—several strikes, the third watch drum sounded, and Zhao Wan still couldn’t sleep.

Suddenly she sensed a breeze beside her, and the Emperor seemed to have risen from the couch.

Zhao Wan froze completely, not daring to open her eyes.

After waiting for quite a while, until the footsteps gradually faded, she slowly opened her eyes.

The night was as cold as water. In the pitch-black bedchamber, there was no one besides herself.

Outside the side hall, Eunuch Gao, who was on night duty, was extremely surprised to see the Emperor walking out wearing a black robe!

This Concubine Zhao truly didn’t know how to serve!

This was the second time!

But the Emperor’s sharp gaze swept across his face like a knife, and Gao fell silent.

Seeing the Emperor walking toward the main hall of Heluo Palace, Eunuch Gao wanted to both cry and laugh—he knew it!

Outside the main hall of Heluo Palace hung two palace lanterns of colored glass, casting down orange light.

Xiaoyan lightened his footsteps and pushed open the door to enter.

The palace maids in the hall were dozing off in chairs.

Gu Yi didn’t know how to discipline her servants; the slaves in this palace had always been like this.

Outrageous.

He laughed coldly in his heart, passed through the corridor, and slowly entered the bedchamber.

Inside the hall, a Fu-style incense burner gave off a warm fragrance, with colored bed curtains hanging down in layers.

Gu Yi was sleeping soundly, lying on her back with her arms stretched out, her chest slowly rising and falling.

Xiaoyan’s gaze fell on her leg.

Her calf was exposed outside the silk quilt. By the dim lantern light from outside the window, he could see the scar covering it, half a palm’s length.

The flesh was slightly raised, already scabbed over, with dark brown scabs entangled like spider webs.

But around the scab were many small red dots, like scratch marks.

Xiaoyan frowned unconsciously, then saw Gu Yi’s form slightly stirring.

The scar was very itchy. Even in her drowsy state, Gu Yi instinctively reached out to scratch it.

But this time she didn’t scratch it; instead, her hand suddenly touched something cold…

What is this!

She was so frightened that her eyes flew open!

Everything around was pitch black, but at the edge of the bed stood a tall figure. The dense shadow cast by the moonlight covered a corner of the bed.

She felt all the blood in her body rushing to her head, momentarily dizzy. She couldn’t help but cry out, “An ass—” Before the word “assassin” could leave her mouth, a cold hand covered it.

“It’s me! Don’t make a sound!”

It was Xiaoyan’s voice!

Gu Yi’s eyes widened as she made out the figure now sitting on the couch. Though his hair was disheveled and his brow dark, it was indeed Xiaoyan!

She took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart, then reached up to pull his hand away, whispering, “Your Majesty… why have you come?”

My goodness, if you want to scare me to death, just say so!