The night watchman’s drum had struck three times, dong-dong-dong.

In the western wing of Xiu Yidian, Concubine Gu felt anxious as she gazed at the blue gauze bed curtains embroidered with flowers, unable to sleep.

The original Concubine Gu had long since vanished, and Gu Yi had become Concubine Gu for three days now.

If one were to speak of strange coincidences, they happened to share the same surname Gu, as if bound by a thousand miles of destined threads.

Gu Yi had awakened to find herself in Xiu Yidian.

Concubine Gu, a minor supporting character whose specific name wasn’t even known, had been transmigrated into for three days. During this time, Gu Yi had spent her days learning palace rules until she heard the name Jueqing Diwang Xiaoyan and The Great Mu. Only then did she suddenly realize that she had transmigrated into a novel.

According to the palace intrigue novel’s timeline, she was going to die in Chapter 3.

Having read “The Heartless Emperor Falls in Love with Me,” Gu Yi counted on her fingers and calculated that she had three days left.

Concubine Gu would die on the sixth day after moving into Xiu Yidian, meaning she had three more days to live.

With only thirty-six hours between life and death, Gu Yi couldn’t sleep and felt somewhat panicked.

Gu Yi racked her brain for a long time before finally remembering how Concubine Gu had died.

She had been sentenced to death by the heartless Emperor Xiaoyan.

Concubine Gu was a beauty who had just begun to stand out in the current selection of palace ladies. Though her rank wasn’t high, she had emerged from numerous candidates, and with her fair skin and beautiful appearance, she should have had a bright future.

Unfortunately, she had been given a minor supporting character’s script, and in Chapter 3, she forcibly provoked the female protagonist and was sentenced to death by the heartless Emperor.

Gu Yi tossed and turned, thinking that as long as she didn’t provoke the female protagonist, she should be able to avoid death.

As for the palace struggles, she didn’t even need to think carefully about which faction to join; everything was arranged in the book.

Thinking of this, Gu Yi gradually became less anxious.

At the third quarter of the Mao hour (around 6:45 AM), the palace servants in Xiu Yidian were busy attending to washing and preparing breakfast.

The main hall of Xiu Yidian was occupied by Concubine Wang. Although she was only a Concubine, her ability to preside over an entire hall was entirely due to her family members, who were all pillars of the court. Moreover, the Great Mu Dynasty currently had no Empress, though there were four Consorts, with the rest being merely Concubines, Talented Ladies, and Beauties.

Thus, Concubine Wang had secured her position in Xiu Yidian, but what annoyed her was that among last month’s newly appointed palace ladies, two had moved into her Xiu Yidian: one Concubine Gu and one Concubine Qi.

When they first moved in, both beauties had paid their respects to Concubine Wang.

Concubine Qi was as thin as a bamboo pole, tall and skinny, clearly not the type to receive favor, and her family background wasn’t prominent either, so she posed no threat.

Concubine Gu, however, was truly beautiful, with good looks and a pleasant voice, speaking gently and softly.

How vexing.

After Concubine Wang had finished washing and dressing, she said to the palace servants, “Invite both Beauties to come for breakfast. Don’t let others say that I treated them harshly.”

Her maid Huang Li went out and sent a young servant girl to summon people from the side halls.

After Huang Li returned, she curtseyed before Concubine Wang and asked, “Concubine, it’s time. How much shall we give to Eunuch Gao today?”

Concubine Wang looked at the golden ornamental hairpin in the bronze mirror, casually replying, “It’s time to turn the jade tablet again? Give him one gold leaf as usual.”

Huang Li: “New people have entered the palace, aren’t you afraid those vixens will vie to give generous gifts, raising the stakes?”

Concubine Wang snorted, “In total, only eight Beauties were appointed, and they’re all from small households, looking quite poor.”

Huang Li smiled, “Concubine is right. They probably don’t even know who Eunuch Gao is.”

Eunuch Gao was the Emperor’s most favored servant. Every time the tablet-turning day came, all the palace ladies would express their appreciation. When it came time to select, Eunuch Gao would speak eloquently before the Emperor, making adjustments. Although he couldn’t ensure selection every time, there would usually be one success among several attempts.

For those who didn’t show appreciation, the number of times they were selected was zero.

On Gu Yi’s side, she had just finished washing up when her maid Tao Jia said, “My lady, today is the fifteenth of the sixth month, the day for turning the tablet. Would my lady like to offer some gifts?”

Gu Yi immediately understood, “You mean gifts for Eunuch Gao?”

Eunuch Gao, the chief eunuch by the heartless Emperor’s side, the Great Mu Dynasty’s primary villainous eunuch, extorting the wealth of the people in the imperial harem during every festival.

Tao Jia nodded, “My lady is so perceptive, that’s right!”

Gu Yi shook her head, “There’s no need.”

Not to mention that the heartless Emperor, as the male protagonist, already had an official match, so there was no need to pursue him. Moreover, the reason the Emperor was heartless was that when he encountered troublesome people and matters, he had only one solution: kill.

He killed corrupt officials, killed treacherous ministers, killed rebels, killed palace servants, and even killed his consorts.

Gu Yi just wanted to stay alive; she was terrified of him.

Besides, Concubine Gu herself was very poor.

Over the past three days, Gu Yi had found Concubine Gu’s hidden sachet and had thoroughly searched it, only finding a single gold-plated peanut in the lining.

She was truly poor.

After hearing this, Tao Jia was disappointed but dared not show it on her face.

This Concubine Gu was too poor; she had indeed backed the wrong person.

Tao Jia had been assigned to serve Concubine Gu a few days ago, but unlike other beauties, Concubine Gu hadn’t given any rewards.

She was too poor, with no money to offer gifts to Eunuch Gao.

Tao Jia could only sigh silently in her heart. When she turned around, she saw a palace maid sent by Concubine Wang arriving at the side hall entrance.

“Concubine Wang invites both Beauties to the main hall for breakfast.”

Gu Yi immediately stood up energetically, reaching out to adjust the copper hairpin in her hair.

“Thank the Concubine for her kindness. I’ll go right away.” After all, living under someone else’s roof, one must first maintain a proper attitude.

Besides, Concubine Wang’s father was an important minister in the court. In the Great Mu Dynasty, where court officials either died, fell ill, or were exiled, he had managed to survive until the novel’s end. A daughter from such a family was worth allying with.

In Xiu Yidian, Concubine Qi had already arrived.

Seeing her, Concubine Qi nodded and said, “You’ve come.” Then she fell silent.

After three days of interaction, Gu Yi understood that Concubine Qi was simply a taciturn person by nature.

She smiled, greeting her colleague with a smile, “Concubine Qi’s lip color today looks like peach blossoms, it’s beautiful!”

Concubine Qi smiled shyly.

The two sat down at the table set up in the hall and waited for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Finally, Concubine Wang arrived.

The two Beauties rose, curtseyed, and said, “We pay our respects to the Concubine.”

Concubine Wang made an “Mm” sound and said, “Sit down, all of you.”

The palace servants began to set out the meal.

Only after Concubine Wang had taken her first bite did Tao Jia dare to place food in Gu Yi’s bowl, and she only dared to pick from the dishes placed directly in front of them.

They were all flatbreads with different fillings: red bean paste, meat, and sesame.

Gu Yi followed the example of others, eating restrained small bites, one after another.

To be honest, while it was filling, it was a bit dry.

She looked up, intending to signal Tao Jia with her eyes to bring her a cup of tea, but her gaze met Concubine Wang’s in mid-air.

Concubine Wang looked at Gu Yi, noticing her water-colored blue clothes, and paused her bamboo chopsticks to say, “Concubine Gu’s clothing fabric is worn out. I happen to have fabric of the same color. Why don’t I reward Concubine Gu with it? Wearing it would surely be becoming.”

Gu Yi put down her bamboo chopsticks and offered praise to her superior, “Thank you for your kindness, Concubine. You truly live up to your noble family background, being generous and considerate. I am unworthy to accept.”

Concubine Wang frowned slightly. When had this Concubine Gu become so glib?

“It’s merely a bolt of fabric. Why should Concubine Gu decline?” She turned to look at Huang Li, “Go, have someone fetch it.”

Half a moment later, a palace maid immediately brought a bolt of fabric, a water-blue silk of decent quality.

Gu Yi recalled the plot from the book, her heart skipping a beat, but she continued to maintain a polite workplace smile.

Concubine Wang looked at the silk and exclaimed, “This fabric hasn’t been cared for in a while and has gathered dust.” Concubine Wang gave a light laugh, revealing a shallow dimple on her plump face, “I’ll have to trouble Concubine Gu to take a trip and send it to Huan Yi Ju.”

For a Palace Beauty to go to Huan Yi Ju, where lower-ranked palace maids worked, was truly humiliating.

In the book, Concubine Gu had followed the order but was deeply resentful.

However, Gu Yi didn’t think this way. Wasn’t it normal for a superior to ask you to run errands?

She smiled sweetly, “Thank you for the reward, Concubine. I’ll go right away.”

Having said that, she truly took the bolt of silk, curtseyed, and left.

This Concubine Gu was so adaptable?

Concubine Wang was puzzled. She turned to look at Concubine Qi, only to see her sitting as straight as a pole on the stool, looking even more like a bamboo stick.

Concubine Wang suddenly felt bored and waved her hand, “I’m tired. Everyone may disperse.”

Gu Yi walked quickly toward Huan Yi Ju. Tao Jia, being short with short legs, jogged behind her.

“My lady, please slow down! Let me carry the silk!”

Gu Yi continued to walk quickly. If not for the wooden clogs on her feet causing her to stumble slightly, she would have been running, “No need. I’ll quickly go, leave the silk, and return.”

She needed to avoid the female protagonist! She had to be quick and efficient. The plot was developing, and she needed to ensure nothing went wrong; she couldn’t meet the female protagonist.

In the original book, Concubine Gu had been resentful, dejected, and unwilling for quite some time before reluctantly going to Huan Yi Ju, where she met the female protagonist.

But she had to race against time, perfectly avoiding the timeline where she would meet the female protagonist.

Gu Yi walked even faster. The palace courtyards had many winding corridors, and Huan Yi Ju was in a western corner.

Walking swiftly the entire way, she arrived at the entrance of Huan Yi Ju with sweat on her back.

She randomly pointed to a young palace maid, “Please wash this silk. After it’s clean, send it to the side hall of Xiu Yidian.”

The young palace maid recognized her rank from her hairpin and curtseyed, “The Beauty flatters this slave. How could this be trouble? After I wash it, I’ll send it to Xiu Yidian for you.”

Gu Yi noticed her delicate features and cautiously asked, “What’s your name?”

The young palace maid answered, “This slave is Chu Tong.”

Not the female protagonist.

Gu Yi smiled, “Good, Chu Tong. I’ll entrust this matter to you. Afterward, bring it to Xiu Yidian for me.”

Chu Tong curtseyed and took the silk, “Yes, Beauty.”

Gu Yi felt greatly relieved, wasting no more time, she turned and left.

Along the way, she didn’t encounter any other outstanding young palace maids.

She was safe.

Gu Yi had successfully avoided meeting the female protagonist.

That night, she slept soundly.

After another day had passed, the young palace maid from Huan Yi Ju finally brought the water-blue silk.

Her anxious heart had finally settled.

After tonight, the sixth day since moving into Xiu Yidian would have passed safely.

Deviating from the plot, she was completely safe and wouldn’t die.

Gu Yi ordered a late dinner as a snack, planning to stay up all night until dawn the next day to welcome her new life.

Perhaps having seen her eat flatbread before, the kitchen sent flatbread again for her midnight snack.

Each was just the right size for one bite. Gu Yi tried one first, finding the sesame flavor rich and delicious.

So she ate a second one.

Outside the window, rain began to fall gently.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside the hall: “His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”

Gu Yi was so startled that she trembled, and the flatbread got stuck in her throat as she swallowed.

No matter how she tried to swallow, it wouldn’t go down. When she rushed to drink water, the teapot was also empty.

At this moment, there wasn’t a single person in the room!

She coughed violently several times, but the flatbread remained stuck in her throat, neither able to go up nor down.

She felt her breathing becoming increasingly difficult. She opened her mouth to try to vomit, but a flash of white light appeared before her eyes, and she lost consciousness.

When Gu Yi woke up, she was still lying on the wooden couch in the western side hall of Xiu Yidian.

She touched her throat, and strangely, it didn’t hurt.

Tao Jia lifted the bed curtain, “Has the Beauty awakened?”

She nodded, allowing Tao Jia to help her wash up.

Had the Emperor come to Xiu Yidian yesterday? Had he chosen Concubine Wang’s tablet?

Where was he now? Was he still in Xiu Yidian? Should she find a way to avoid going to Xiu Yidian for breakfast?

However, if the Emperor were there, Concubine Wang probably wouldn’t summon them for breakfast…

While Gu Yi was lost in thought, she felt a tightness on her scalp as Tao Jia inserted a copper hairpin into her neatly arranged hair.

Tao Jia smiled and asked, “My lady, today is the fifteenth of the sixth month, the day for turning the tablet. Would my lady like to offer some gifts?”