After Tao Jia left, Lu Chao put one leg massager away in his quarters before adjusting his robe and going to the front hall to find Chief Eunuch Gao.

Chief Eunuch Gao was resting in the side hall of Tianlu Pavilion. Lu Chao entered and bowed, “Master!”

Gao noticed the object in his hand. “What is that thing in your hand?”

Lu Chao rolled up his sleeves, half-squatted, and gently tapped Gao’s calves. “How does it feel, Master? Isn’t this nice?”

Gao felt it for a moment. It seemed more comfortable than a jade pounder. “Hmm… It’s acceptable.”

Lu Chao smiled and said, “This is from Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian. She even gave one to this humble servant. She said she was concerned about how long you stand and thought this might help relax your legs.”

Gao raised an eyebrow. “Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian only gave this?” Just this club?

Lu Chao hurriedly took out the gold leaf from his pouch. “And this.”

Gao thought to himself, Concubine Gu might be beautiful, but she couldn’t keep His Majesty’s attention.

Lu Chao observed his expression and knew his master didn’t think highly of Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian, so he dared not say more.

Gao asked further, “Has the Palace Governance Department sent someone to Xiu Yidian for an investigation?”

Lu Chao didn’t dare conceal anything and told him everything: “I heard that Huai Hua, a second-class palace maid of Concubine Wang from Xiu Yidian, died after falling into a well. Concubine Wang reported this to the Palace Governance Department for investigation.”

Gao responded with an “Hmm.”

It seemed this Concubine Gu was anxiously seeking a patron.

“Alright, you may go.”

Lu Chao bowed deeply and retreated from the side hall of Tianlu Pavilion.

As he exited, he encountered Eunuch Wu carrying a tray. Lu Chao bowed, and Eunuch Wu exchanged pleasantries with a smile: “Here to see your master?”

Lu Chao smiled and replied, “Yes, just had a few words. I won’t disturb Eunuch Wu’s official business.”

Eunuch Wu nodded, lifted the tray, and walked to Tianlu Pavilion.

Chief Eunuch Gao came out first to look at the tray and moved Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian’s tablet to the first position in the third row.

“You may enter.”

Xiaoyan looked at the jade tray, his mind still on the recent promotion of officials. He had intended to casually select a newly entered concubine, but noticed that Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian’s tablet was placed in the first position.

He gave Gao a suspicious look.

Gao understood and carefully suggested, “Since Your Majesty suddenly went to Concubine Wang in the middle of the night last time, perhaps you should compensate Concubine Gu?”

Concubine Gu—when Xiaoyan thought of her, the first thing that came to mind was her unwavering gaze upon him.

Gao had placed her in the first position. Had she given Gao another golden peanut?

Last time she was in the second position, so this time she must have given something more valuable…

A daughter of the Prefect of Fuzhou being so generous?

His fingers lightly brushed over the jade tablet, turning it over.

Gao was startled. He hadn’t expected His Majesty to select Concubine Gu’s tablet.

According to His Majesty’s habits, he would spread his favor evenly, and there were still seven newly entered concubines he hadn’t met!

When Gu Yi saw the matron from the Department of Palace Rites again, despite being prepared, she couldn’t help feeling surprised.

She truly hadn’t expected the Emperor would select her tablet again.

Chief Eunuch Gao truly had incredible influence!

Tao Jia was elated, circling her. “Concubine, look at today’s new fragrant cream. It’s a different color from the previous one and makes the skin appear whiter! This indigo-colored robe is beautiful!”

Gu Yi allowed the female officials from the Department of Palace Rites to help her wash up, but in her mind, she was rehearsing what to say and do when meeting Xiaoyan. Since he had selected her tablet again, in others’ eyes, she would be a favored person. Perhaps now no one would dare step on her.

Just after the Hour of the Rooster, the dining service eunuch came to the western side hall of Xiu Yidian to announce that His Majesty would dine there.

The hall was immediately thrown into chaos. Fortunately, the menu had been set in advance. The dining service eunuch still symbolically asked Gu Yi, “Concubine, are there any dishes you would like to add?”

Gu Yi glanced at the list, which already had twenty-four dishes. She shook her head and said, “No need.”

Half an hour later, accompanied by a resounding announcement: “His Imperial Majesty arrives.”

Xiaoyan entered the western side hall. Today, he too wore an indigo-colored robe embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, with a jade belt around his waist.

Gu Yi lowered her head and looked at her robe.

It was a bit awkward—they were dressed in matching colors.

Gu Yi performed a deep curtsy.

Xiaoyan commanded, “Rise.”

Palace servants filed in, setting up small tables and dishes.

Gu Yi saw Xiaoyan lift his robe and sit down. According to palace rules, as a concubine, her rank was insufficient.

She could only stand to the side with a fake smile.

Xiaoyan raised his chopsticks and saw her standing woodenly to the side, her round eyes blinking, with a forced smile at the corners of her lips.

This Concubine Gu not only didn’t know how to compete for favor but also didn’t know how to serve. “You… sit down.”

Hearing this, Gu Yi looked at Xiaoyan in surprise and immediately curtsied. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”

Xiaoyan then watched as she sat down, picked up bamboo chopsticks, and upon meeting his gaze, placed a piece of crispy duck meat in his bowl. “Your Majesty, try this. It’s refreshing in summer.” After saying this, she also took a piece for herself.

Xiaoyan was completely baffled. This Concubine Gu had repeatedly sent gold and silver to Gao to compete for favor, and in the end, she was just this… unrefined…

Like trying to prop up a wall that keeps falling.

He inwardly laughed and ignored her.

Gu Yi ate a few bites, then looked up to see Xiaoyan raising his chopsticks and cup, every movement dignified.

She didn’t dare eat too much, but before Xiaoyan stopped using his chopsticks, she also didn’t dare to stop. So she picked at a small plate of green vegetables in front of her.

After the silent meal was over, palace servants removed the cups and dishes and retreated from the hall.

Having finally gotten the Emperor to come, this time Gu Yi took the initiative to dutifully help him change clothes, first removing the jade belt, then taking off his black-gauze winged cicada hat. She didn’t forget to flatter him, saying, “Your Majesty has a small face, so this winged cicada hat looks good on you. If your face were chubby, it wouldn’t look as nice!”

Xiaoyan: …

Palace servants had already prepared combs on the table. Gu Yi picked up a comb. “Your Majesty’s hair bun has come loose. Let this concubine help Your Majesty tie it.”

Xiaoyan was momentarily stunned. “No need. Just undo the hair bun and tie it with a silk ribbon.”

Gu Yi followed his instructions, combing and silently marveling at how beautiful Xiaoyan’s hair was—black, shiny, and soft, like a dog’s fur.

Xiaoyan closed his eyes to rest, aware of the gentle movements behind him.

Usually, it was eunuchs who served him closely. No consort in the imperial harem had combed his hair for him.

In his memory, it seemed only in his childhood had women combed his hair for him.

With this thought, Xiaoyan frowned and said coldly, “Stop.”

Gu Yi didn’t understand. “Did I hurt Your Majesty?” But she had already finished tying it anyway.

Xiaoyan didn’t reply and began looking through several memorials on the table.

Gu Yi understood. This was a sign that she could withdraw.

She moved behind the screen, leaving the desk to Xiaoyan, and played chess on a low couch behind the screen.

It was a Tycoon board game she had drawn when bored. One person could play two roles.

The dice Tao Jia had found for her were jade dice that rolled with a satisfying sound when thrown.

Xiaoyan read the memorials, occasionally hearing the rolling sound of dice.

He took a deep breath and rubbed his brow.

He stood up to see what this Concubine Gu was up to.

He walked around the screen and saw Gu Yi lying on the soft couch, chin in hand, throwing dice onto a piece of paper covered in strange drawings.

A pair of jade dice fell into a porcelain dish, making a rolling sound.

“What are you doing?”

Gu Yi turned her head to see Xiaoyan standing by the screen, his eyes slightly narrowed. She immediately sat up and gave a pleasing smile. “This is the Tycoon game. Would Your Majesty like to play?”

Tycoon?

Xiaoyan stepped closer and saw two flower tokens, one silver token, and one gold token on the paper. The paper had a circular pathway drawn on it, with different pavilions and buildings sketched every few spaces.

Beside her hand was a stack of cut square papers marked with “fifty,” “one hundred,” and so on.

“How do you play this Tycoon game?”

Gu Yi saw that he looked awkward, clearly wanting to play but maintaining an aloof, serious demeanor. She explained helpfully, “Your Majesty takes one token, and this concubine takes one token. We move according to the number on the dice. Passing through locations, we can purchase them. If later this concubine lands on a place Your Majesty has bought, I must pay rent. Whoever loses all their money first loses the game.”

A game of buying, selling, and renting. Xiaoyan sat on the couch. “Then I shall play a round with you.”

Gu Yi happily said, “Good! Your Majesty takes the gold token, and this concubine takes the silver one. We each start with five hundred taels.”

Xiaoyan threw the dice first and moved to a space that seemed to have an orange drawn on it.

Gu Yi explained, “This is a tavern. Your Majesty can buy it!”

Xiaoyan frowned. “Why is a tavern drawn as an orange?”

Gu Yi replied, “This concubine drew a cup…”

Xiaoyan: …

After moving a few more steps, Xiaoyan landed on a place with several vertical lines. “And what is this?”

Gu Yi hesitantly said, “Your Majesty, this is the prison, so Your Majesty loses this turn and cannot roll the dice. This concubine gets two turns.”

Indeed, Xiaoyan looked up coldly at her: “How bold! How could the Son of Heaven be imprisoned?”

Gu Yi swallowed. “Your Majesty, it’s just a game. Is Your Majesty trying to cheat?”

Xiaoyan snorted coldly, “Just continue your move!”

The two played until the Hour of the Pig.

Gu Yi won.

She felt both fearful and proud, but since she was slaughtering a newcomer, fear outweighed pride.

Indeed, she saw Xiaoyan roll up her Tycoon paper, seemingly confiscating it.

Gu Yi said, “Your Majesty…” Isn’t that being a sore loser? Though I could draw another one.

Xiaoyan coldly said, “Your drawing skills are truly concerning. I will have someone remake this Tycoon game properly.”

Gu Yi immediately said ingratiatingly, “Your Majesty is wise!”

Xiaoyan looked into her eyes. “Where did this Tycoon game come from?”

Gu Yi made up, “Country folk amusements.”

Xiaoyan smiled lightly, his gaze shifting. “All under heaven, nothing is not the king’s land; within the borders, none is not the king’s subject. How could merchants be called ‘tycoons’? This country folk amusement is truly interesting!”

Gu Yi’s scalp tingled as she listened. She didn’t want to get into a debate between feudalism and capitalism, so she laughed, “Ha-ha, Your Majesty is sage-like! Therefore, this is just nonsense, merely a game unworthy of a refined society!”

Xiaoyan’s expression eased slightly, but his thoughts drifted to today’s memorial on “calculating tax by area and collecting in silver, to be processed by officials”—land tax collection using silver as the medium.

Gu Yi, seeing him lost in thought, rose by herself to light the candles in the bedchamber.

The moonlight from outside entered the hall, illuminating the wooden couch with a bright white glow.

She wondered if Concubine Wang would send someone again tonight.

Just as she brightened the candle flame, Xiaoyan entered the bedchamber.

They gazed at each other. With the location change, the atmosphere suddenly became intimate.

Gu Yi felt nervous and took a deep breath, but she also understood that as the Emperor’s concubine, this day would come sooner or later.

In the flickering candlelight, Xiaoyan’s features appeared even more clear and handsome, his dark brown pupils gleaming brightly.

Without a single wasted word, Xiaoyan embraced her and took her to the bed.