In less than half a quarter-hour, the entire palace knew. The Emperor had not set foot in the rear palace for a long time, yet today he had selected the jade tablet of Concubine Wang from Xiu Yi Hall.

At Zhai Fang Hall, Concubine Gong had waited patiently for many days. Upon hearing the news, she immediately grabbed the jade ruyi scepter beside her and smashed it to pieces. “That whore!”

Chun Ya repeatedly tried to console her: “Concubine, please calm your anger! Don’t harm your health!” She continued, “The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet next month is what truly matters. Didn’t you say whether one could be promoted to a higher rank would be decided at Mid-Autumn?”

Concubine Gong laughed coldly, “Let’s see how long she can keep jumping around!”

At the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, she would be the winner!

Meanwhile, the main hall of Xiu Yi Hall instantly became bustling with activity. Gu Yi looked out the window, saw palace servants streaming in, and immediately understood.

Worthy of Concubine Wang… her father!

With new officials being promoted, her father must have accurately gauged Xiaoyan’s intentions!

So what should she do? It was said that Gu Yi’s father was serving as a local official in Fuzhou. In this former dynasty’s promotions, he couldn’t even get close to the gate of opportunity!

She couldn’t rely on her father!

Tao Jia returned carrying the Moonlight Skirt, just in time to witness the grand scene at Xiu Yi Hall’s main hall. She consoled Gu Yi, saying: “Concubine, let’s wait quietly for five days before making plans!”

Gu Yi smiled bitterly, not knowing if she could survive another five days…

If not, Tao Jia, let us meet again on the fifteenth of the sixth month!

Seeing her bitter smile, Tao Jia cleverly changed the subject and handed the Moonlight Skirt to Gu Yi like a treasured object. “Concubine, try on this skirt. It will look beautiful on you!”

Gu Yi examined it carefully. The pleats at the hem gradually changed colors, and when it swayed, it truly shimmered with flowing light.

Having nothing else to do, she tried it on.

Although the bronze mirror did not reflect clearly, the light and shadow of the Moonlight Skirt were discernible.

Gu Yi took a few steps, and Tao Jia exclaimed in admiration: “Concubine looks extremely beautiful!” If only His Majesty could see!

Tao Jia’s eyes lit up. “Later, this servant will go gather information. When His Majesty arrives, perhaps Concubine could arrange a chance encounter?”

Gu Yi thought for a moment, then shook her head: “There are distinctions between ranks. If I go rashly, Concubine Wang will find ways to punish us. We… had better wait another five days.”

The summer heat was at its peak. The ice mountain in the hall brought whispers of coolness. Concubine Wang, after being enthusiastically dressed by palace servants, sat motionless in the hall.

She was full of confidence, mentally rehearsing the important words she would say later.

She sat until the third quarter of the hour of Xu [7-9 PM], when the Emperor finally arrived.

“His Majesty arrives.” The announcement came through the window.

Gu Yi stood by the window and saw Xiaoyan’s shadow.

Her head immediately began to ache.

Tao Jia noticed Gu Yi’s worsening expression and, thinking she was sad, tried to cheer her up: “Concubine, shall this servant play Monopoly with you? Or would you like to practice calligraphy? This servant can grind the ink for you?”

Gu Yi pressed her throbbing temples and gasped.

“I’ll lie down on the couch! Bring me a pot of hot tea.”

Lying on the couch, the pain seemed to lessen somewhat, yet perhaps it hadn’t.

When Gu Yi closed her eyes, that all-too-familiar white light afterimage flashed, frightening her into opening her eyes wide.

Tao Jia supported her neck and helped her drink a sip of tea. Seeing her increasingly pale face, she anxiously said: “Concubine, are you unwell? Shall this servant summon the Imperial Physician?”

Gu Yi shook her head, “Let me recover first.” If the plot truly reset to zero, even Hua Tuo reborn couldn’t save her!

Gu Yi lay on the couch and began deep breathing to relax.

Tao Jia stood anxiously by the couch.

*

Concubine Wang had originally wanted to help the Emperor undress, but seeing that he had already removed his crown upon entering the hall and sat at the desk in the study to read memorials, she could only ask softly: “Is Your Majesty thirsty? This concubine has new bamboo leaf tea that tastes quite good. Would you like to try some?”

Xiaoyan read the memorials, ten lines at a glance, and merely made a sound of acknowledgment.

Concubine Wang personally brewed the tea and brought it to his side.

“Your Majesty, please drink.”

Through the misty tea vapor, Concubine Wang’s eyes revealed eagerness.

Xiaoyan asked: “Is your uncle’s son now serving in office?”

Concubine Wang hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so direct. She hurriedly recounted the contents of her father’s letter: “My cousin Zibai has not yet taken office. Although he once passed the ritual examination, due to the late Emperor’s passing, he didn’t participate in the court examination.”

Xiaoyan asked again: “Why didn’t Wang Zibai take the examination this March?”

Concubine Wang had never met Wang Zibai and relied on her memory of the letters, answering: “Cousin Zibai is physically weak. Last winter, he fell seriously ill and spent much time seeking medical treatment, which is why he missed this year’s March court examination… However, cousin Zibai has always been known for his talent. If Your Majesty is interested, you can order Zibai to personally present his policy recommendations at court for review…” After finishing, Concubine Wang felt she had covered all the key points from the letter and instantly felt relieved.

Xiaoyan made a sound of acknowledgment, took a sip of tea, and smiled slightly, which was rare. “Good tea.” Then he returned to reading the scroll in his hand.

Concubine Wang was delighted. “If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, this concubine can play the zither by your side to accompany Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan turned to look at the zither stand in the study. “You may play in the main hall as well.”

The palace servants then moved the zither stand to the main hall outside the study, where Concubine Wang played.

After incense was lit, Concubine Wang’s fingertips lightly caressed the zither strings.

The zither music was melodious, and from a distance, it wasn’t disruptive.

Xiaoyan held a vermilion brush to annotate memorials. This batch of new officials was all of the fifth rank, junior ministers of the Six Ministries.

He didn’t want to solely employ those from the Hanlin Academy. Over the years, from academicians to imperial scholars in the Hanlin Academy, surnames Qi, Liu, and Wu predominated. If not these three surnames, they had intricate relationships with these three clans.

Such jinshi, fellow jinshi, could be used, but not all used.

Concubine Wang played several pieces on the zither until her fingers ached.

Yet the Emperor still showed no sign of putting down his brush.

The time-keeping eunuch whispered to Eunuch Gao: “Eunuch Gao, it’s past half of the hour of Hai [9-11 PM].”

Eunuch Gao nodded, gesturing for the palace servants in the hall to leave, and closed the hall doors.

Concubine Wang had just risen from the zither stand and was about to say, “Your Majesty should retire for the night.”

But from outside the hall came rapid footsteps, followed by a “thud” and several heavy knocks on the door.

“I beg Your Majesty to see our Concubine, Concubine Gu… she’s unwell… wuwu…” Towards the end, it sounded as if a hand covered the speaker’s mouth.

Concubine Wang’s eyebrows immediately shot up in anger. That little bitch!

Just as she was about to go out and teach this presumptuous little bitch a lesson, she saw the Emperor emerge from the study.

She hurriedly curtsied, “Your Majesty, it’s this concubine’s fault for not properly instructing the people in the hall, disturbing Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan, as if not hearing, opened the hall doors.

Seeing the Emperor, Tao Jia had tears in her eyes. “I beg Your Majesty to see our Concubine. Our Concubine has suddenly developed a severe headache. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!” After speaking, she kowtowed three times resoundingly.

Could it be that Concubine Gu was truly unwell?

Xiaoyan, seeing her distressed expression, strode towards the west side hall where Concubine Gu was located.

Eunuch Gao followed closely, not forgetting to give an approving glance at Tao Jia. What talent!

She acted so convincingly!

Gu Yi’s head was splitting with pain. Even without closing her eyes, she felt that white light was right before her.

She was in such pain that she tightly clutched the silk streamers hanging from the bed curtain, the blue veins on the back of her hand fully visible. The pain made her wish she could die on the spot and restart!

As footsteps approached, light and quick, her headache seemed to miraculously ease somewhat as the person drew nearer.

Only then did Gu Yi have the strength to turn her head to see who it was.

Xiaoyan frowned slightly, noticing her face was much paler than when he last saw her. He asked dubiously: “You truly have a headache?”

Gu Yi lay on the couch, weakly performing a symbolic bow. “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan sat on the wooden couch and reached out to touch her forehead, feeling a layer of cold sweat. “Summon the Imperial Physician.”

Eunuch Gao immediately turned to send someone to do so.

Was this Concubine Gu truly ill? Or… was she truly a formidable character?

As her body drew closer to Xiaoyan, Gu Yi’s headache seemed to ease further.

A flash of inspiration struck her, and she spoke haltingly: “Your Majesty… coming to see this concubine, this concubine is truly delighted… but to be seen by Your Majesty in such a sickly state, this concubine is truly ashamed… Fortunately, my attire is still presentable.” She grasped one of Xiaoyan’s hands, which was slightly cool.

Xiaoyan stiffened, seeming about to withdraw his hand, but she held it tightly, softening her voice: “Fortunately, today this concubine is newly dressed. Your Majesty, look, this Moonlight Skirt on this concubine, does Your Majesty like it?”

As Gu Yi spoke, she watched Xiaoyan intently.

Xiaoyan saw that her gaze was like water, full of expectation, yet also timid.

He glanced at the skirt. “Very good.”

Gu Yi pressed on: “Your Majesty likes it! This concubine is truly delighted! Tomorrow… if this concubine’s headache improves, this concubine must reward that Head Tailor Zhao Wan from the Office of Imperial Attire. It was she who specially made this Moonlight Skirt for this concubine!”

Zhao Wan—Xiaoyan had never heard this name before.

If she wanted to reward her, so be it.

Suddenly, Gu Yi’s mind lightened, and her headache vanished.

Oh my god!

Gu Yi’s shoulders relaxed, and she fell back onto the wooden couch, exhaling a long breath. Intense!

Xiaoyan saw her reveal a knowing smile. Was this genuine delight?

Gu Yi grasped Xiaoyan’s hand and shook it, like a victory handshake.

Thank you, the plot didn’t kill me!

Was this coquetry?

Her demeanor in illness seemed somewhat different from usual. Xiaoyan comforted her in a low voice: “The Imperial Physician will arrive soon.”

Just as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man in gray robes carrying a medicine box entered the west side hall. “This humble minister pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan rose, yielding his place beside the couch. “Concubine Gu has suddenly developed a headache. I do not know the cause.”

The Imperial Physician bowed his head, covered Gu Yi’s wrist with a silk handkerchief, and carefully took her pulse.

Gu Yi felt somewhat guilty.

After a long while, the Imperial Physician turned to Xiaoyan and said: “Concubine Gu is suffering from qi and blood deficiency, which has caused this sudden headache. I can prescribe a formula to calm the spirit and replenish qi and blood. Given time, it will certainly nourish her qi and blood.”

Xiaoyan nodded.

The Imperial Physician then picked up his brush and quickly wrote out the prescription.

Gu Yi: Fine.

After the Imperial Physician left, Eunuch Gao led the palace servants outside the hall.

Xiaoyan, seeing that Gu Yi’s complexion seemed to have improved considerably, asked: “Does your head still ache?”

Gu Yi shook her head. “Only slightly. It’s bearable.” It didn’t hurt anymore.

Xiaoyan sighed. “Rest now.”

Gu Yi saw him remove his bright yellow regular clothes and hesitantly asked: “Your Majesty… won’t you return to Concubine Wang?”

Xiaoyan smiled. “Are you jealous?”

Gu Yi quickly shook her head. “This concubine wouldn’t dare. It’s just that this concubine’s headache…” She was afraid her stamina wouldn’t keep up.

Xiaoyan: “I am also tired.”