Concealed by the heavy rain, An Jiu easily approached Gushe Palace. Unfortunately, the Emperor was currently in residence, surrounded by numerous hidden guards, making it difficult to get close to Gao Dazhuang. She decided to wait for an opportunity in a pavilion behind the hall in the garden.

Water dripped steadily from An Jiu’s body. She had anticipated this situation and chosen a windward roof edge. Rain swept in with the wind, leaving the ground covered in water. Without careful observation, it would be hard to notice anything amiss.

Darkness fell early, and by late afternoon, lanterns were already lit along the corridors. As the rain intensified, An Jiu estimated the Emperor might spend the night at Gushe Palace.

The Emperor, meticulous about his health, followed a strict routine. After dinner, he took a short walk to aid digestion, returned to the hall for half an hour of breathing exercises, and then spent another half hour reviewing memorials before retiring with his consort.

An Jiu waited outside all night. While it was still pitch black, the eunuchs and maids of Gushe Palace had already risen, quietly cleaning. The personal attendants responsible for close service were neatly lined up outside the bedroom with washing utensils, ready to serve.

Eunuchs from the front court had arrived, lining up along the covered walkway. Several basins of hot water for face-washing had been changed. The lead eunuch in charge of service watched the sky, wishing he could press his ear against the door.

After about an hour, coughing was heard from inside, followed by the night attendant opening the door. The lead eunuch waved his hand, and a group filed in silently, only the soft rustle of clothing audible.

A quarter-hour later, breakfast was brought in. It took another full hour before the Emperor, dressed in court robes, slowly emerged. The waiting eunuchs hurried forward to receive him, while the guards dispersed.

The atmosphere throughout Gushe Palace relaxed noticeably.

Gao Dazhuang had not yet managed to serve inside and was still a menial worker sweeping the courtyard. He had been ordered to pick up fallen leaves in the front courtyard before dawn and had now moved to the area behind the hall.

An Jiu sensed the moment had come. Seeing Gao Dazhuang diligently sweeping nearby, she imitated insect sounds.

Others couldn’t distinguish the imitation, but Gao Dazhuang immediately recognized it as human-made.

He continued sweeping earnestly, inconspicuously scanning the surroundings with his peripheral vision. Noticing two others nearby, he didn’t rush over.

“Time to eat!” someone called from afar.

Seeing many leaves still on the ground, the nearby eunuchs grew anxious and swept faster.

Gao Dazhuang said, “Brothers, you go ahead. I’ll finish sweeping here.”

The two young eunuchs exchanged glances, their faces brightening. “Good little brother, you keep sweeping. We’ll save some food for you!”

Gao Dazhuang didn’t take their words seriously. Palace rules dictated that servants’ meals wait for no one, and others weren’t allowed to collect food on their behalf. Even if the two eunuchs tried to save him something, it would likely be no more than half a steamed bun.

With no one around, Gao Dazhuang edged closer to the pavilion.

An Jiu hung upside down from the beam, “Lord Gao.”

“Mei Fourteen?” Gao Dazhuang frowned, clearly displeased to see her. “With your spiritual power, leaving the palace should be effortless. Don’t bother this old man without good reason!”

According to the original “script,” Gao Dazhuang was supposed to become the disciple of the Emperor’s personal head eunuch. But how could a menial sweeper achieve such a position? To make the process believable, Gao Dazhuang now had to risk his life to build reputation and goodwill.

“Time is precious, so I’ll be brief,” An Jiu said. “I’ve heard that all Dragon Guard members must take poison, but we haven’t. I want to know if you’ve kept those pills. If so, please give me one. It’s urgent.”

An Jiu’s direct inquiry stemmed from intuition and a hint of trust in his character.

Gao Dazhuang seemed lost in thought. After a moment of silence, he asked, “What for?”

“Forgive me, I can’t say,” An Jiu replied. “But I assure you, it’s not for any harmful purpose.”

Gao Dazhuang said, “I’d like to help, but this wasn’t my doing.”

Judging by his earlier reaction, that was hardly believable!

“A life hangs in the balance,” An Jiu pleaded. “If Lord Gao helps me, I’ll surely repay the favor in the future!”

“In the balance? Whose life is so important?” Gao Dazhuang scoffed, then impatiently added, “I said it wasn’t me! Stop pestering me!”

He resumed sweeping.

An Jiu decided not to force the issue yet. After all, Gao Dazhuang wasn’t an enemy. If she could achieve her goal without conflict, that would be best.

For the rest of the day, An Jiu followed Gao Dazhuang wherever he went. Whenever they were alone, she would softly call out, “Lord Gao…”

By evening, Gao Dazhuang noticed An Jiu had finally left and sighed in relief. However, she had only gone to the imperial kitchen to steal some pastries.

An Jiu had used a bewitching incense in the room, which Gao Dazhuang narrowly avoided due to his prior alertness.

“Lord Gao.” An Jiu perched on a chair opposite the sleeping platform, stuffing pastries into her mouth. “Have you reconsidered?”

As a martial artist, Gao Dazhuang’s daytime meals were far from satisfying. By now, he was famished. Watching An Jiu eat with a relish made his mouth water, but he remained stubborn. “I said I don’t have it! Why are you haunting me like a restless ghost?!”

“I can make my judgments,” An Jiu said, her cheeks bulging with food. “Think carefully, my lord. If it truly had nothing to do with you, I’d feel confident enough to report this to the Commander.”