When all the ceramic plates had been distributed, the Emperor raised his chopsticks, and everyone followed suit.
Gu Yi ate her first dumpling, which had thin skin, generous filling, and was full of soup. After chewing slowly, she found nothing special inside.
Undiscouraged, she picked up a second dumpling to taste. As soon as it entered her mouth, she bit into a small hard object.
Gu Yi’s heart leaped with joy. She wrapped it in her silk handkerchief and took it out—it was indeed a bamboo token.
Written on it were three small characters: “Gold Ingot”!
Her lips immediately curved into a smile, unable to contain her happiness.
She never expected that she, who always seemed to just miss out on wealth, would have such good luck today!
Xiaoyan sat alone on the high platform. With just a slight turn of his head, he could see Gu Yi standing by the pillar below. Seeing her smiling face as she placed the bamboo token on the table, he turned his gaze away.
One gold ingot was worth fifty taels.
Fifty taels of gold was no small sum.
Gu Yi felt light in body and spirit, elated and joyful.
But the biggest surprise was yet to come.
By the time Gu Yi ate her fifth and sixth dumplings, she had amazingly found two more bamboo tokens, both gold ingot tokens.
Gu Yi instinctively looked toward the noble Eunuch Gao standing on the high platform.
Eunuch Gao had good eyesight and immediately noticed Concubine Gu’s surprised and grateful gaze. He stretched his neck to look and saw three bamboo tokens neatly arranged on the table in front of her.
What was going on?
He had indeed remembered Concubine Gu’s service and instructed the kitchen to give her a dumpling with a bamboo token, but how did two more appear?
Was it too much?
Eunuch Gao looked uncertainly toward the Emperor sitting before him, only to meet the Emperor’s disapproving gaze as he turned around.
His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately looked at Concubine Gu, who seemed stunned for a moment before turning her gaze toward the Emperor.
Xiaoyan noticed that Gu Yi had first looked at Eunuch Gao, and only after a while did she turn her gaze toward him.
Gu Yi’s lips curved upward, and she finally smiled at him.
Xiaoyan lowered his eyes and examined the gold plate in front of him.
Alert palace servants were closely watching the bamboo tokens on each dining table, recording them one by one, to be rewarded the next day.
Overnight, Gu Yi’s wealth had increased by one hundred and fifty taels of gold. She felt as if she were walking on clouds, with a somewhat unreal feeling.
She examined the three bamboo tokens again.
“Concubine Gu, you have good luck today,” said a voice.
Gu Yi turned her head to see Zhao Wan smiling at her.
Looking closely, she saw that the female protagonist also had bamboo tokens on her table.
“Noble Lady Wan, I wish you a prosperous New Year as well.”
Zhao Wan’s bamboo token had “Ruyi” written on it, meaning she would receive a jade ruyi scepter.
The two had nothing more to say to each other.
At the third watch, firecrackers crackled loudly outside the hall.
The New Year had passed peacefully.
The Great Mu Dynasty’s New Year’s Court Assembly began at the Chen hour (7-9 AM). The Emperor received New Year’s greetings from civil and military officials in the main hall, while envoys from foreign states came to pay tribute.
The officials offered congratulations first, followed by the Emperor bestowing rewards.
Afternoon, the Emperor went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, dressed in robes of deep scarlet below and black above, to show respect to Heaven and Earth and to honor the ancestors.
Without an Empress in the palace, all the consorts wore ceremonial robes and kowtowed outside the temple.
At sunset, the Emperor hosted a banquet for all officials in the court.
When the first day of the year ended, Gu Yi felt dizzy and exhausted. She returned to Pingcui Palace, removed her headdress, changed her clothes, and fell into bed.
When she woke up, the Emperor had bestowed promotions throughout the Six Palaces. Except for the four consorts who remained at their current ranks, all other concubines were promoted.
Gu Yi became Noble Lady Gu.
Court servants delivered three gold ingots to Pingcui Palace.
She had finally survived one more day than the last time.
Standing at the new starting point of the plot, Gu Yi felt she could manage again.
*
Before Chen hour (7-9 AM), Gu Changtong was already on his way to the Wang mansion.
This New Year was his first time attending the New Year’s Court Assembly. As a fifth-rank prefect who wasn’t a capital official, by old custom, he shouldn’t have been among the officials at the assembly.
But the Emperor had made an exception by inviting him to attend the banquet. Gu Changtong understood clearly that this was a reward, an imperial favor, and also an expectation.
The Emperor wanted him to handle matters beautifully.
Gu Changtong dared not be negligent. He had waited in bitter obscurity for many years, waiting precisely for such an opportunity.
Therefore, he rose early with high spirits to meet with Wang Zibo, recently appointed by the Emperor as the Vice Minister of Revenue.
Wang Zibo had originally planned to depart for Fuzhou a month ago, but when he heard that Prefect Gu was coming to the capital, he delayed his journey south.
Upon meeting with Prefect Gu, he learned that the Emperor was planning a southern tour, which was perfect timing. He could accompany Prefect Gu to Qu City, where the Emperor would take a boat down the Luo River. Then he and Prefect Gu would continue to Fuzhou, while the Zhou family would remain in the capital for some time due to the “tea household” conscription.
Gu Changtong and Wang Zibo were busy finalizing their itinerary and strategy, staying at the Wang residence until late at night, finally drafting a memorial that satisfied them both.
After the Beginning of Spring, the Emperor announced the list of those who would accompany him on the southern tour.
Among the palace ladies, Concubine Wan from Jianjia Palace would accompany him.
Among the court officials, only Gu Changtong and Wang Zibo were selected.
And in recognition of Gu Changtong’s service in managing the tea taxation for the court, the Emperor also selected Noble Lady Gu from Pingcui Palace to accompany them.
Gu Yi received the imperial decree, and Pingcui Palace immediately began preparing luggage and trunks.
After a busy day, by nightfall, Gu Yi finally had some free time and sat at her dressing table.
She reached out to open the treasure box on the table. Inside, a pair of red jeweled ebony plum blossom hairpins lay quietly in a brocade box, the jewels on the pins giving off a soft light.
She looked at them for a good while, then closed the box again.
From outside the hall came a loud announcement: “His Majesty the Emperor arrives.”
Gu Yi closed the treasure box and rose to greet him at the hall entrance.
“Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Xiaoyan glanced around, seeing several trunks already prepared in the hall, and smiled. “Have you packed all your luggage?”
“Your subject heard that this journey is urgent with little time to prepare, so I thought to plan and have already organized my clothes.” Seeing Xiaoyan’s eyes full of smiles, Gu Yi continued, “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. I know the New Year bamboo tokens were specially bestowed upon me by Your Majesty. This time, my father’s return to Fuzhou and accompanying the imperial tour to Qu City is also Your Majesty’s grace.”
Xiaoyan gave an “mm” and nodded, “On this southern journey, you will be able to see the waters of Luo River, and can explore whether they match what is recorded in the Water Classic Commentary…”
Gu Yi was surprised he still remembered this and was momentarily stunned, “Your Majesty is wise. The Luo River connects north and south. I’ve heard that going south down the Luo River, the boat docks on both banks are prosperous, with singing and dancing everywhere, which must be interesting.”
She looked up to see Xiaoyan’s eyes shining with light as he gazed at her.
“Noble Lady Gu may be disappointed this time. South of the Luo River, Qingzhou has already been blockaded, with no boats allowed to pass. I’m afraid we won’t be able to listen to music across the river this year…” He suddenly reached out and removed a flower ornament from Gu Yi’s hair, “Perhaps next year on our southern journey, you may listen to the songs of Tu Alley again.”
Gu Yi watched as he played with her silver ornament in his hand, and reached up to touch her hair bun, relieved that it hadn’t come undone.
However, hearing his words, she realized the plot was indeed on track.
Yu Dai had probably already surrounded Qingzhou.
Seeing Gu Yi frowning in silence, Xiaoyan spoke to comfort her: “This southern tour will certainly not enter Qingzhou directly, and there will be guards accompanying the boat journey, so you need not worry.”
Gu Yi looked up at him and smiled, “With Your Majesty present, your subject naturally has no worries.”
The person who should be worried was the female protagonist, but with her protagonist’s halo, she certainly wouldn’t end up stabbed with a sword like her.
Xiaoyan gazed at Gu Yi’s smiling face and was momentarily lost in thought.
Her eyes reflected the warm candlelight, shining brightly, and also reflected his face.
He placed the flower ornament he had been playing with on the table, then reached out to lift her by the waist, turning to enter the bedchamber.
*
The day before the tour, Gu Yi summoned Tao Jia and Duo Luo, instructing them: “On this southern tour, it may be as long as several months or as short as one month. I’m truly concerned about all the matters in Pingcui Palace…” She smiled at Tao Jia, “I was thinking of entrusting all Pingcui Palace affairs to Tao Jia, and tomorrow when we depart south, I’ll take Duo Luo to serve me personally.”
As soon as she finished speaking, both of them knelt before her.
Tao Jia urgently said, “Noble Lady, please reconsider!”
Duo Luo happily said, “Thank you, Noble Lady!”
Tao Jia glared at Duo Luo beside her, “Duo Luo is still young and has never personally served the Noble Lady before. I cannot rest easy. Others besides me can be trusted with Pingcui Palace affairs, but I am the only one who has personally served the Noble Lady. The southern journey is long, and I really cannot feel at ease…”
Hearing this, Duo Luo immediately said, “Sister Tao Jia, I’m not young anymore. I’ve been in Pingcui Palace for some time now, and when Sister Tao Jia wasn’t around, I’ve also helped the Noble Lady with her hair and clothes. Please don’t worry, Sister Tao Jia!” She then turned to Gu Yi, “Noble Lady, please take me along. I promise I won’t leave your side for a moment!”
Gu Yi smiled gently, “This matter is settled. Duo Luo, go back and pack now. We’ll set out at Chen’s hour tomorrow morning.”
Duo Luo laughed, “Thank you, Noble Lady!” With that, as if fearing she might change her mind, she quickly got up and ran away.
Tao Jia remained kneeling on the ground, pleading, “Noble Lady, please reconsider…”
Seeing that the Noble Lady before her seemed unmoved, she bit her lip and looked directly at Gu Yi, “Is it that I haven’t performed my duties well? Would the Noble Lady please tell me?”
Gu Yi raised her hand, “Stand up and speak.”
Tao Jia shook her head, “I won’t stand up. Please, Noble Lady, tell me!”
Gu Yi sighed softly.
Caught in the maze of the plot, she was a variable, and those around her were also variables.
In the original story, Concubine Gu was long gone, and so was Tao Jia, who served her.
Gu Yi had thought about this over and over for many months. Besides Gu Changtong’s involvement, Tao Jia by her side was also a major variable.
Could Xiaoyan’s early assassination attempt be related to Gu Changtong and Fuzhou, and perhaps to Tao Jia as well?
As for Duo Luo… since Xiaoyan had placed her by her side, Duo Luo should be trustworthy.
Gu Yi sighed inwardly again and looked intently at Tao Jia, speaking slowly: “Tao Jia, though we are mistress and servant, I have always treated you sincerely… You are the closest person to me here…” She spoke, with a self-mocking smile, “But… Tao Jia… could you also be sincere with me for once, and tell me, why did you come to my side…”
Tao Jia trembled at these words, raising her head to stare into Gu Yi’s eyes.
Her eyes were glistening with tears, showing no anger, but only what seemed to be sadness.
Tao Jia’s nose suddenly stung with emotion, and she bowed her head deeply, “Noble Lady, please understand, Tao Jia has no ulterior motives, no intention whatsoever to harm the Noble Lady…”
Hearing her hoarse voice, Gu Yi felt increasingly bitter in her heart, “Though I may not kill Bo Ren, Bo Ren dies because of me… Tao Jia, have you considered that even if it’s not directly by my hand, the Emperor and I are… bound together in honor and disgrace… My wealth and life are tied to his.” She slowly exhaled, “Just as you are with your former master…”
Tao Jia fell silent, lying motionless on the ground. After a long while, she finally touched her forehead heavily to the ground and said, “This servant has absolutely no ill intentions toward the Noble Lady.”
Gu Yi looked at Tao Jia’s pitch-black head for a moment, then averted her eyes and said firmly, “You may go now. If there’s anything else to say, let’s wait until I return from the southern tour.”