News of the southern tour accompaniment spread, and Caiwei Palace was shrouded in a cloud of gloom and misery.

Noble Lady Gong had fallen overnight from the position of Concubine to Noble Lady.

She already secretly hated Zhao Wan, and now hearing that Zhao Wan would accompany the Emperor, her heart felt as if it had fallen into boiling oil, with sparks flying and crackling everywhere!

She was truly too resentful!

Chunya, seeing her face turn pale with anger, quickly handed her a cup of fruit tea. “My lady, don’t upset yourself. Drink some tea to soothe your throat.”

Noble Lady Gong took a sip of the hot tea, but her indignation remained undiminished! “Come with me to pay respects to Consort De at Luoying Palace.”

Last night, she had noticed that Consort De disliked Zhao Wan.

This southern tour might provide an opportunity.

In Luoying Palace, upon hearing the list of those accompanying the southern tour, Consort De had smashed two porcelain cups in succession.

The palace maids serving in the hall didn’t dare to breathe.

“Heluo Palace… hehe…”

She had originally thought the Emperor was simply uninterested in romance and also mindful of the Liu family’s status. She had often consoled herself that he did have her in his heart. But now it seemed he… simply didn’t like her…

Consort De smashed things in a fit of rage, with the sound of gold and jade hitting the ground audible even from the corridor outside Luoying Palace.

Chunya whispered in Noble Lady Gong’s ear, “Noble Lady, the Consort seems to be having a fit of anger…”

That’s exactly what would be good…

Noble Lady Gong’s lips curved slightly. Consort De was different from them.

Consort De had never been jealous of power.

Noble Lady Gong stood in the corridor, waiting for a long time before seeing a palace maid in pink emerge from Luoying Palace. “The Consort invites the Noble Lady to enter.”

Noble Lady Gong straightened her dress and slowly entered.

“Paying respects to Consort.”

Consort De, seeing the visitor and thinking of her as another “defeated opponent” from Heluo Palace, coldly asked, “Noble Lady Gong, why do you have the leisure to visit Luoying Palace today?”

Noble Lady Gong heard the mockery in her voice but replied calmly, “This concubine has been remiss in not visiting Consort’s palace more often.”

Consort De snorted coldly, not responding.

Noble Lady Gong continued, “With His Majesty’s southern tour imminent, this concubine has come to share Consort’s worries…”

Consort De’s willow eyebrows frowned slightly. “You’ve come to share my worries… You can barely protect yourself, how can you talk about sharing my worries? What a joke!”

Hearing this, Noble Lady Gong was not angered but said slowly, “This concubine is willing to serve Consort with utmost loyalty, hoping only for Consort’s protection.”

Consort De examined Noble Lady Gong carefully.

Was she seeking revenge for last night? Even willing to be her pawn just to get revenge?

Consort De laughed lightly, “I don’t know what you’re planning to do, but if you truly please me, you’ll naturally have my protection.”

Noble Lady Gong felt somewhat relieved and curtseyed, “In that case, this concubine will take her leave first.”

Consort De nodded.

Let her go!

The sky gradually darkened, and winter added more frost and cold as small flakes of snow began to fall like scattered debris.

Xiuhe held an oiled paper umbrella, walking behind Zhao Wan, advising, “Noble Lady, please walk slower. The stone path is very slippery in the snow. Please be careful.”

Zhao Wan didn’t slow down. She needed to reach the Imperial Medical Bureau before the medical officials went off duty.

Hurrying along, the vermilion-lacquered gates of the Imperial Medical Bureau came into view.

Xiuhe widened her eyes, seeing someone approaching from the dimly lit area, and called out, “Sister Tao Jia.”

Zhao Wan looked closer and saw that it was indeed Tao Jia, Concubine Gu’s attendant, coming out of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Tao Jia tucked her hands into her wide sleeves and curtseyed, “Greetings to Noble Lady Zhao.”

Zhao Wan said, “Rise.” Then asked, “Why did you come to the Medical Bureau? Is Concubine Gu’s wound not healing well?”

Tao Jia shook her head. “Don’t worry, Noble Lady. The Concubine’s wound is fine. This servant came to get some calming and sleep-aiding herbs. The southern tour will be tiring with all the travel, and I fear the Concubine won’t sleep well.”

Zhao Wan nodded, “I see.”

Tao Jia curtseyed with a slight smile. “I won’t delay Noble Lady’s business. This servant will take her leave.”

Zhao Wan stood in place, watching Tao Jia walk away before stepping into the Imperial Medical Bureau.

In the courtyard were two female medical officials in green robes, collecting the herbs laid out during the day. Seeing Zhao Wan, they immediately bowed, “Greetings to Noble Lady. What brings you here?”

Zhao Wan asked, “Is Medical Director Xu in the bureau?”

The two female medical officials looked at each other, remained silent for a moment, then one answered, “Noble Lady may not know, but several months ago, Bureau Chief Zhong sent Medical Director Xu to the outer palace medicine storehouse. May I ask why Noble Lady is looking for Medical Director Xu?”

Zhao Wan’s heart skipped a beat, and worry arose. “Do you two know why Medical Director Xu was sent to the medicine storehouse?”

Both female medical officials shook their heads. “We don’t know the specific reason. Medical Director Xu had been in the bureau for many years. Perhaps he requested a quieter position, who knows?”

Zhao Wan forced a smile. “I understand. Thank you both for telling me.” Having said this, she left the Medical Bureau.

Xiuhe held the umbrella, following closely behind, and asked curiously, “Was Noble Lady looking for Medical Director Xu for medicine? Or to see a doctor? Couldn’t you see another medical official?”

Zhao Wan thought for a moment and said, “Medical Director Xu had prescribed medicine for me before. I came today just to casually inquire. I’ll find someone else another day.”

Xiuhe nodded and asked, “Would you like this servant to ask tomorrow and get some calming and sleep-aiding herbs, like Sister Tao Jia, for Noble Lady to use on the southern journey?”

Zhao Wan absent-mindedly made an “mm” sound.

The mistress and servant headed toward Heluo Palace.

The imperial palace was now covered in darkness, and the snowflakes in the sky fell more densely. Xiuhe heard movement behind them and turned to look. At the end of the dark stone path, she thought she saw a black shadow flash by.

She immediately recalled the incident from days ago when Concubine Gu was attacked in the Imperial Garden and exclaimed, “Noble Lady, I think I just saw someone following us!”

Zhao Wan looked back. In the dim lamplight, the shadows of artificial mountains and stone sculptures were indistinct, and nothing could be seen clearly.

She couldn’t help but urge Xiuhe, “Walk faster! Keep moving forward.”

The two quickened their pace. The stone path was covered with frost and snow. As they hurriedly turned a corner, Zhao Wan’s foot suddenly slipped, and she fell forward. But she unexpectedly fell into a broad embrace.

Her forehead touched the armor on the person’s chest, feeling icy cold.

Looking up, she saw it was Qi Chuang.

Qi Chuang held her arms and helped her stand up. “Noble Lady, are you alright?”

Zhao Wan looked up at him and saw his respectful expression.

“Thank you, Commander Qi. I was careless just now.”

Xiuhe anxiously said, “Commander Qi, there seems to be someone following this servant and Noble Lady!”

Qi Chuang’s brows furrowed, and he commanded the guards behind him, “Go and check quickly!”

Two guards with swords headed toward the path behind them.

Zhao Wan felt relieved. “Thank you, Commander Qi.”

Qi Chuang was about to leave when he heard her ask, “For this southern tour, will Commander Qi also be accompanying?”

Qi Chuang paused for a moment, then answered honestly, “This humble official will also accompany.” Having said this, he cupped his fists and took his leave.

Zhao Wan watched his figure disappear in the distance before turning back. “Let’s go, we should return to the palace early.”

Half a month passed in a flash, and Heluo Palace quietly prepared trunks, luggage, and everything needed for the southern journey.

On the day of departure, the snow that had been falling intermittently for several days stopped.

After the snow cleared, a warm red sun broke through the clouds.

Gu Yi once again sat in a carriage.

Only after boarding did she hear that their first stop on the southern tour would be Fuzhou.

Fuzhou?

Was it the Fuzhou she knew?

Where was Fuzhou, where the Gu family was located?

Was the risk of being exposed right before her eyes?

Gu Yi was so surprised that her lips parted slightly, and she stood frozen in place. Meanwhile, Tao Jia continued smilingly, “Eunuch Gao also said that this honor of returning home to visit family is unprecedented. Concubine has been in the capital for quite some time, and being able to return home now is truly a great honor… I heard that swift horses have already been sent to Fuzhou to notify Magistrate Gu… Magistrate Gu and Madam Gu will surely be delighted to see Concubine… Does Concubine have other brothers and sisters at home? They must be extremely happy too!”

For this deadly question with no details in the book, Gu Yi didn’t dare answer carelessly.

She tried her best to maintain a series of expressions—shock, bewilderment, joy, and helplessness.

Tao Jia indeed said, “A Concubine must be extremely happy in her heart!”

Gu Yi laughed once, “Exactly!” Someone please save this child!

Fortunately, the journey to Fuzhou was not short, requiring about half a month of travel by carriage.

Before reaching Fuzhou, she must do her homework.

She thought about who in the entire southern tour entourage would know much about the Gu family, and it could only be Xiaoyan and Eunuch Gao.

But Xiaoyan was inherently suspicious, with countless concerns and deep schemes. She feared her efforts would backfire. The only one she could boldly try to extract information from was Eunuch Gao.

Thinking of this, Gu Yi’s heart settled a bit.

For this tour, the caravan was disguised as a merchant group. Xiaoyan called himself Young Master Huang, while she and Zhao Wan were Mrs. Yi and Mrs. Wan, respectively.

The caravan stopped at the first post station heading south for a brief reorganization.

After washing up, Gu Yi changed into a green padded jacket and purple skirt. Instead of elaborate palace hairstyles, she simply coiled her hair into a single bun.

She anxiously went to find Eunuch Gao first.

Eunuch Gao had also changed into a steward’s blue robe and had somehow found several small booklets. He sat in the room pretending to take inventory of the trunks, though this trivial task didn’t require his attention.

But Gu Yi felt that Eunuch Gao was dedicated to whatever task he undertook, fully investing himself—truly worthy of being the Great Mu Dynasty’s first eunuch!

She stood at the doorway, fake-coughed, and called out, “Steward Gao.”

Hearing her voice, Gao’s eyes brightened. Looking up at the visitor, his face broke into a full smile as he said, “Mrs. Yi.”

Gu Yi entered the room and sat down. “I’ve come to ask Steward Gao about the procedures after reaching Fuzhou and what arrangements have been made for the family hosting us.”

Gao looked at Gu Yi approvingly, thinking to himself, “As expected of Concubine Gu, already playing her role—truly talented!”

“Mrs. Yi, there’s no need to worry. Though the family hosting our young master in Fuzhou is poor, they understand proper etiquette. They wouldn’t dare neglect our young master.”

What nonsense! Working with their heads at stake, who would dare to be neglectful!

Gu Yi considered for a moment, then asked, “Our group, including servants and attendants, is quite numerous. Has the hosting family cleared enough space for us?”

Gao secretly laughed, thinking she was finding a way to inquire about her family. “This Fuzhou family’s residence can accommodate the young master and both ladies comfortably. The servants and attendants can be placed in a nearby courtyard. The household is headed by the master and his wife. The eldest daughter isn’t at home, and the young master is currently studying. There’s plenty of space to accommodate us…”

So there is indeed a younger brother…

Although she didn’t know what he was called, if she addressed him as “brother,” how could he not respond?

Gu Yi, fearing she might reveal herself, didn’t dare ask too many questions at once, planning to proceed slowly. So she said approvingly, “Steward Gao, you are indeed thorough.”

Gao chuckled.