In the imperial palace, news traveled quickly.

Even though the Emperor was far away at the Wushan retreat palace, he had still bestowed special rewards upon Concubine Wan of Xiu Yidian.

First came the silk handkerchief with silver, then the tassels with more silver.

This stirred up the winds among the six palaces, and some people couldn’t sit still any longer. In the past, everyone had lived as if in cold palaces, silently competing with each other, comparing nothing more than their ranks. There were different factions and established hierarchies that couldn’t be overturned. But now, a mysterious Concubine Wan had suddenly appeared and captured the Emperor’s heart.

Times were certainly changing.

Early in the morning, Noble Consort De from Luoying Palace summoned Concubine Wan for an audience.

Zhao Wan waited in the wind outside Luoying Palace for a full hour before Noble Consort De finally called her into the main hall.

Passing through the glazed screen doors, Zhao Wan bowed to Noble Consort De, who sat in the place of honor. “Greetings to Noble Consort De.”

Noble Consort De examined her face carefully. “Younger Sister Wan is too polite.” Yet she did not ask her to rise.

Zhao Wan remained in a half-crouching position as Noble Consort De laughed softly, “I hear that Younger Sister Wan is exceptionally skilled in needlework, so much that His Majesty has rewarded you several times…”

“Your Highness flatters me.”

Noble Consort De laughed again, her tone light, “I imagine that when Younger Sister Wan worked as a servant in the Imperial Laundry Service, she became quite proficient in this art…”

Zhao Wan bit her crimson lip lightly, unable to say a word.

Seeing this, Noble Consort De’s expression softened slightly. “You may rise. Between sisters, there’s no need for excessive formality.”

Zhao Wan bowed with her head lowered, “Thank you for your kindness, Noble Consort De.”

Noble Consort De got to the point, “The reason I’ve invited you here today is to discuss something with you. Last year, I organized a polo match that entertained the entire palace. Now that the tenth month is approaching, before the snow falls, I thought of organizing another one to alleviate our boredom. Last year, Concubine Wang and Concubine Gong helped me plan it, but since you’ve newly received your title, I thought I would entrust the preparations to you… What do you think, Younger Sister Wan?”

Zhao Wan had no choice but to comply. “I will follow Your Highness’s instructions.”

At mid-afternoon.

In Shengwu Palace, a palace maid with delicate features entered and curtseyed, “Greetings to Consort Jing and Consort Duan.”

Consort Duan tilted her head slightly, causing the gold ornaments in her hair to sway gently. “Chu Tong has returned. Did you discover when His Majesty will return?”

Consort Jing, who was sitting nearby, gently blew on her tea and also looked toward Chu Tong.

“In reply to Your Highness, I heard from the imperial attendants that His Majesty will return to the capital in two days.”

Consort Duan raised her hand to signal her to rise, then turned to Consort Jing: “It’s almost the tenth month now, so the Emperor should return soon.”

Consort Jing gently stroked her golden finger guards. “His Majesty hasn’t been in the palace for over a month, and Imperial Consort Liu has also gone to the Taoist temple. The palace has been too quiet… truly dull…”

Consort Duan smiled faintly, “Has sister not heard about the recent entertainment in the palace? Concubine Wan from Xiu Yidian is gaining momentum. Even the one in Luoying Palace couldn’t restrain herself and summoned her this morning. Let’s just wait and watch the show.”

Consort Jing sighed softly, “The Liu family has a decent background, but the person is somewhat foolish. If she can’t see through the Emperor’s thoughts, how can she win his favor?”

“Sister speaks truly,” Consort Duan smiled.

Given the Emperor’s nature, this Concubine Wan, surnamed Zhao, was nothing more than a target displayed before others.

Like herself and Consort Jing, they had both been secondary wives given to Xiaoyan by the Late Empress Dowager in earlier years. Their families weren’t distinguished, and they were several years older than Xiaoyan at the time. The Late Empress Dowager had intended to humiliate him.

Since they were bestowed by the Late Empress Dowager, he had to accept them.

Yet Xiaoyan treated them with distance but courtesy. To outsiders, it seemed they enjoyed great honor. In earlier years, they often received rewards of fine silks and jewelry.

After ascending the throne, he claimed to be grateful for the Late Empress Dowager’s kindness and even elevated them to the rank of Consort.

Who doesn’t know how to maintain appearances?

Seeing Consort Duan fall silent, Consort Jing finished her tea and asked, “Has sister ever seen Talented Lady Gu who lives in the Western Garden?”

Consort Duan wasn’t surprised by the question and recalled, “At the Mid-Autumn banquet, I caught a glimpse from afar, but couldn’t see her. Since Talented Lady Gu was demoted, she has been living in the Western Garden and never interacts with the other palaces, so she’s rarely seen.”

After listening, Consort Jing merely responded with a soft “Hmm.”

*

Two days later, the Emperor’s carriage indeed returned to the capital, and Gu Yi once again received an invitation to the tenth month polo match.

One minute on stage requires ten years of practice offstage.

Gu Yi had diligently practiced polo for several months, and finally, the crucial day had arrived.

Whether she could achieve financial freedom depended on this moment.

Gu Yi dared not be negligent.

She needed to maintain her best condition before the competition!

Therefore, she rose at the early morning hour, washed up, had breakfast, and quickly changed into embroidered boots and a knee-length padded skirt before going to the courtyard in front of the hall to practice polo.

To practice slope shots, Gu Yi had specially built a ramp with wooden boards.

Afternoon, even though the weather had turned cool, a thin layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.

She wiped the sweat with her sleeve, then crouched down and carefully placed the polo ball at the marked base position by the door.

Holding the mallet with both hands, she struck upward.

The ball slowly rolled up the slope, but only made it halfway before falling back down due to gravity, naturally missing the goal.

“Ah!” Gu Yi couldn’t help but sigh.

“If you could score holding the mallet like that, it would be mere luck.”

The sudden voice startled Gu Yi. She turned around to see Xiaoyan standing at the doorway, not knowing how long he had been there.

He wore imperial yellow court robes with a black hat, perhaps having just come from court.

At that moment, he was silently mocking her with a half-smiling expression.

Gu Yi’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately lowered her head and curtseyed, “This concubine greets Your Majesty and wishes Your Majesty good health.”

Xiaoyan raised his hand to signal her to rise. He had been standing at the doorway observing her strike the ball for quite some time.

He noticed that although she practiced diligently, she had not grasped the essentials, her two hands gripping the mallet with uneven force, one loose and one tight.

Gu Yi smiled and made small talk, “Did Your Majesty return to the palace last night? Was the journey back smooth?”

Xiaoyan’s gaze fell on her face. Seeing her cheeks flushed from practicing polo, he immediately turned his gaze away and merely grunted an affirmative.

Seeing his cool, unwilling-to-chat attitude, Gu Yi felt as if she was pressing her warm face against a cold posterior. She decided not to say more, just lifting her mallet slightly, imagining she was smashing the head of this ungrateful wretch.

After a moment of silence between them, Eunuch Gao stepped forward and timely interjected, “Your Majesty has read the books and letters sent by the Talented Lady several times and enjoyed them very much. Today he has come specifically to see the Talented Lady.”

Gu Yi’s mood improved a bit. “Is that so?”

Eunuch Gao nodded, “Indeed!”

Gu Yi looked up at Xiaoyan again, only to see him suddenly bend down to pick up the polo ball, saying, “I will demonstrate for you how to properly hold the mallet and strike the ball.”

Gu Yi hadn’t expected Xiao Gouzi would condescend to teach her, but knowing he was an expert, she immediately played along, “I will humbly follow Your Majesty’s instruction!”

Xiaoyan positioned the ball and seemingly effortlessly struck it into the goal on the slope.

To be honest, she hadn’t seen it.

Gu Yi held the mallet and casually imitated his swing in the air.

“You’re still holding the mallet incorrectly,” Xiaoyan said coldly.

Gu Yi choked up, asking humbly, “How is it incorrect?”

Xiaoyan stepped toward her but stopped behind her.

Gu Yi was confused until she felt his hands grasp hers from behind, as he methodically explained, “Your force must be equal. Avoid having one hand loose and one tight, otherwise your power will be uneven, and you won’t be able to control the ball’s path…”

Gu Yi’s back pressed against his chest, warm and hot.

It was an embracing posture.

They were close together, within arm’s reach.

She could smell the familiar cold pine scent on Xiaoyan.

Gu Yi’s body stiffened slightly.

When he spoke, her ears tingled.

The all-too-familiar posture made her mind wander.

Images of past days occasionally flashed in her mind.

Gu Yi shook her head vigorously, composed her expression, and concentrated on listening to Xiaoyan’s key polo instructions.

However…

Her palms began to sweat imperceptibly, making the mallet slippery and difficult to hold.

But she could feel the warmth of the large palm covering the back of her hand, and the sensation of the calluses on his fingertips.

Xiaoyan had been talking about the ball, but as he spoke, he noticed Gu Yi’s ears turning red, and the mallet in her hands seemed to be slipping.

He paused momentarily, suddenly aware of the soft fragrance of the person in his arms, like apricot blossoms in spring rain.

Seeing his sudden pause, Gu Yi immediately broke free from his embrace, jumping three steps away.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. This concubine has learned her lesson.”

Xiaoyan frowned slightly, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart. “Hmm, try hitting another ball.”

Gu Yi couldn’t help but take a deep breath, calming herself before striking another ball.

She hit it in.

She couldn’t help but smile, “Your Majesty is indeed wise!”

Xiaoyan laughed lightly: “Just luck.”

Gu Yi: …

*

Five days later, on the day of the polo match.

It was another sunny day.

A corner of the Imperial Garden was in perfect order.

As expected of the female protagonist.

Gu Yi looked around and saw Zhao Wan standing in front of a long platform, dressed in a turquoise skirt.

She walked over to receive her mallet.

Since she was only a Talented Lady, she had only four types of mallets to choose from.

Zhao Wan had not seen Talented Lady Gu for a long time. Upon seeing her now, she felt that Gu hadn’t changed much—her eyes were still bright, not at all like someone who had been demoted.

Gu Yi’s gaze met hers, and she smiled, “Greetings to Concubine Wan.”

Zhao Wan’s lips curved slightly, watching her take a mallet from the palace attendant’s hands. “Though you have fewer mallets, Talented Lady Gu need not be discouraged. You still have a chance of winning.”

Gu Yi smiled, “I’ll take your kind words as good fortune, and I also wish you victory.”

Amidst the beating of drums, the polo match officially began.

Noble Consort De was the first to strike the ball, and indeed only scored six points.

The plot was on track.

Gu Yi watched several more rounds, and the results were identical to the previous timeline.

The only difference was that this time, Xiaoyan respected the original story and did not participate.

He stood at the sidelines, merely observing.

Perfect.

One fewer competitor meant more to share.

Gu Yi was eager to try, finally waiting for her turn.

Months of sweating could not be in vain.

Gu Yi focused on hitting the ball.

The first four shots were simple, straight balls.

Gu Yi easily made them all.

The fifth shot had flowers and trees blocking the way, but Gu Yi had practiced this path using a water jar as an obstacle.

Therefore, she hit the polo ball in an arc, and it went in.

The previously noisy corner of the Imperial Garden fell silent.

If Talented Lady Gu scored one more goal, she would tie with Noble Consort De, who had also scored six points.

Xiaoyan’s gaze swept over Gu Yi’s back, and he smiled imperceptibly.

Noble Consort De stood beside Xiaoyan and tentatively said, “I didn’t expect Talented Lady Gu to be so skilled!”

But Xiaoyan replied, “It’s just luck.”

Noble Consort De laughed coquettishly, feeling somewhat relieved.

Gu Yi focused intently on the slope shot before her.

I can do this!

She gripped the mallet firmly and struck the ball.

The ball rolled up the slope and fell into the goal.

Six points!

Gu Yi’s heart began to race.

The seventh, eighth, and ninth shots were all slope shots from different angles.

Gu Yi had mastered the ball paths, as if she had unblocked her energy meridians, quickly completing these three shots.

Noble Consort De’s face had already frozen.

The other consorts and concubines also stopped what they were doing to watch Gu Yi.

Xiaoyan stood with his hands behind his back, his right hand hidden in his sleeve, gripping slightly.

At this moment, Gu Yi truly became nervous.

Although she had prepared for a long time and practiced for months.

But subconsciously, she didn’t believe she could achieve ten points.

She had no protagonist’s aura; she relied only on a bit of plot knowledge, working hard like a slow bird that flies early, practicing diligently.

Ten points, even without bonus points, meant one thousand taels.

If the female protagonist also scored ten points, they would split it fifty-fifty, and she would still get five hundred taels.

Getting rich overnight… it seemed possible again.

Gu Yi took a long breath and studied the path for the final ball.

This shot required the ball to jump over a small pond and land in the goal on the other side.

She had practiced this and knew how to make the ball leap off the ground and then fall.

Her hands inadvertently loosened and tightened again.

Here we go.

The attending palace servant saw her nod, immediately understood, placed the polo ball at the base position, and then retreated.

Gu Yi turned sideways and struck the ball.

The force was neither too slow nor too fast.

The polo ball flew over the small pond, rolled onto the grass, and continued for several more steps.

With a splash.

It fell into the tenth goal marked with colorful flags.