The voices outside the hall gradually faded, the candles burned out, and the hall was plunged into darkness.
Gu Yi, having just gone through a heart-pounding ordeal, now found herself unable to sleep and lay with her eyes closed, feigning slumber.
Xiaoyan couldn’t sleep either. He turned over to face Gu Yi’s profile and noticed her eyelashes trembling slightly.
Gu Yi had planned to continue pretending to sleep, but his breath was so close that her ear itched!
“If you can’t sleep, just open your eyes,” Xiaoyan said impatiently.
Gu Yi opened her eyes, gave a dry laugh, and turned to look at him. “Your Majesty can’t sleep either.” She reached up to rub her itchy earlobe.
In the darkness, Xiaoyan saw her bright, round eyes and remembered how she had deliberately worn the Moonlight Skirt today. This reminded him of how Concubine Gong had also worn this skirt before and said it matched her maiden name. So he asked Gu Yi, “What is your maiden name?” Perhaps it also matched this skirt?
Who knows what Concubine Gu’s maiden name is! The book didn’t mention it!
Gu Yi weighed her options for a moment, then answered ambiguously, “Your Majesty can call me Xiao Yi.”
Xiaoyan: “Xiao Yi?” [Pronounced the same but using a different character]
Eh, nephew!
Gu Yi laughed inwardly.
Xiaoyan: “What are you laughing at? Which ‘yi’ character is it? Is it the ‘yi’ from ‘yiran’ [contented]?”
Gu Yi traced each stroke in the air: “The ‘yi’ in ‘lingyi lingse’ [elegant appearance]. Not the ‘yi’ in Xiu Yi Hall.”
Hearing this, Xiaoyan laughed softly. “Lingyi lingse… Did Gu Changtong place such high hopes on you…”
Gu Yi, feeling guilty, fell silent.
Xiaoyan thought she was being shy. After a moment, he heard her ask, “Your Majesty, since it’s not the ‘yi’ from Xiu Yi Hall, can this concubine no longer reside in Xiu Yi Hall?”
Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Why?”
In the moonlight streaming through the window, Gu Yi fixed her gaze on Xiaoyan, noticed his clear features showing no signs of anger, and boldly said, “This concubine somewhat fears Concubine Wang, afraid she’ll make me copy the palace rules again tomorrow.”
Although she wanted to live closer to Concubine Qi, she truly couldn’t handle Concubine Wang’s scheming mind anymore. If only she could have her separate residence!
Xiaoyan saw that she was indeed jealous on the surface, but still had some ambition.
She was implying that she didn’t want to remain subordinate in Concubine Wang’s hall.
“Then I… shall promote you to Noble Lady and assign you an empty palace hall?”
Really?
Gu Yi sat up. “Is Your Majesty serious?”
Xiaoyan: “The Emperor’s word is naturally to be taken seriously.”
Gu Yi happily kowtowed, but the bed was narrow, and her forehead knocked against Xiaoyan’s hard chest.
“Thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!” My monthly stipend will increase!
Xiaoyan pushed her head back onto the pillow.
“What title would you like? Gentle and excellent, virtuous and steadfast. Elegant appearance. Gentle? Excellent? Virtuous?”
Gu Yi hurriedly said, “How could a Noble Lady have a special title? Just call me Noble Lady Gu!” She needed him to immediately forget about Xiao Yi. If Gu family members came to the capital for official duties and the names didn’t match, she would be exposed!
Fortunately, Xiaoyan didn’t pursue the matter further.
Having just been verbally promoted, Gu Yi’s heart surged with excitement for a while. Then she turned her head to carefully examine Xiaoyan again.
Moonlight shone into the tent. His eyebrows and eyelashes were as dark as crow feathers, his temples sharp as if carved by a knife, and the only flaw in his jade-like appearance was a shallow scar lying across his forehead.
Better not talk about that—talk about something else.
Showing concern for the leader’s well-being was the safest approach.
Gu Yi: “This concubine notices that Your Majesty has dark circles under your eyes. Have state affairs been busy lately? You should pay attention to rest and get more sleep.”
Xiaoyan laughed coldly. “With officials protecting each other, how can I sleep peacefully?”
He was naturally referring to the matter of selecting officials and the turmoil between the new and old factions.
Gu Yi decided to offer him some encouragement: “Your Majesty handles countless affairs, diligently governs with vigor, employs thunderous methods, yet there are also times for gradual planning. Your Majesty is naturally intelligent and tireless. Given time, the court will be entirely in the Emperor’s hands. As Your Majesty says, all under heaven is the king’s land, all within the four seas are the king’s subjects…” Don’t worry, the book laid it out clearly. Though he’s the Heartless Emperor, he’s still an emperor of his generation!
Xiaoyan watched her talk incessantly, her lips opening and closing, white teeth behind red lips.
Gu Yi was still improvising when Xiaoyan suddenly reached out, his fingertip covering her mouth, and said in a deep voice, “Silence, you flatterer.”
Fine.
Gu Yi wanted to roll her eyes, but maintained her smile.
Later… they fell asleep without realizing it.
At the hour of Mao [5-7 AM], Xiaoyan rose to attend court.
Gu Yi woke up groggily for a moment, then turned over and went back to sleep.
When she finally awoke, Gu Yi had been officially promoted to Noble Lady Gu and specially granted the side hall of Heluo Hall. Since there was no one in the main hall, Noble Lady Gu was the only occupant of the entire Heluo Hall.
Pillow talk works, truly no deception!
Tao Jia happily led the palace servants to prepare for the move.
Move today, move immediately!
Gu Yi didn’t want to directly confront Concubine Wang, so she efficiently went to Heluo Hall first and instructed Tao Jia to inform Concubine Qi that she could come to Heluo Hall to find her anytime!
Concubine Gu had become Noble Lady Gu overnight.
When Concubine Gong at Zhaifang Hall heard the news from her maids, she laughed loudly: “Wang Xiu, ah, Wang Xiu, what goes around comes around! That day, you pretended to be ill to trick His Majesty into leaving Noble Lady Gu. Now, Noble Lady Gu claims a headache and lures His Majesty away from you. In the end, Noble Lady Gu is more formidable—in the blink of an eye, she’s become a Noble Lady and moved into the unoccupied Heluo Hall. What a fine play!”
Chun Ya: “This servant also heard that last night, the physician from the Imperial Medical Academy did go to the west side hall of Xiu Yi Hall to check Noble Lady Gu’s pulse. Perhaps Noble Lady Gu truly had a headache.”
Concubine Gong smiled faintly. “If that’s the case, I shall prepare some modest gifts and visit this newly appointed Noble Lady Gu at Heluo Hall.”
Meanwhile, in the main hall of Xiu Yi Hall, Concubine Wang laughed coldly repeatedly. “That little slut, let’s see how long she can prance about!”
According to Concubine Wang’s usual temperament, she should have stormed into Heluo Hall in a rage. Yet now she was sitting properly in Xiu Yi Hall. Huang Li asked in confusion: “Concubine, aren’t you going to Heluo Hall to confront her?”
Concubine Wang had already recommended Wang Zibai according to her family’s letter. With this major matter accomplished, she wasn’t particularly angry. Moreover, Gu Yi was only a Noble Lady, and the Gu family was in that backwater place of Fuzhou—what could they achieve? Being a Noble Lady was her limit! As for herself, after the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, she would be promoted to a higher rank, still above Gu Yi.
“A place like Heluo Hall? It’s not worthy of my presence!”
*
Heluo Hall had no master. Gu Yi’s sleeping quarters were in the east side hall, while the study and reception hall were set up in the main hall. Behind Heluo Hall was a small garden with lush flowers and trees. At the end of the vegetation was a round stone-built pond containing several golden carp.
Palace servants bustled in and out of the hall. Afraid of getting in their way, Gu Yi stood in the garden feeding the fish.
The golden carp were only the size of a palm. When fed, they all rushed forward together, quite ferocious.
After Gu Yi had enjoyed watching the fish for a while, Tao Jia came to report: “Noble Lady, Concubine Gong has come to Heluo Hall.”
Concubine Gong—perfect timing! She had been worrying about how to bring the plot back to the main storyline!
Concubine Gong hadn’t taken Zhao Wan as her maid, so many subsequent plot developments couldn’t happen.
Gu Yi thought for a moment, then asked: “Where is that pear blossom-shaped clothes rack? Has it been moved to the sleeping quarters yet?”
Tao Jia: “Not yet. It’s in the reception hall of the main hall.”
“Hmm, hang yesterday’s Moonlight Skirt on it. Then guide Concubine Gong to the reception hall for tea.”
Tao Jia went to carry out her orders.
Gu Yi stood in place for a short while before slowly making her way to the reception hall.
Upon entering the hall, she indeed saw Concubine Gong’s gaze fall on the pear blossom wooden rack.
Gu Yi smiled and said, “Elder Sister Gong has arrived. I’ve just moved to this hall today, and things are in disarray. Please excuse the mess.”
Concubine Gong smiled faintly. “It’s no matter. I heard Little Sister Gu was ill, so I came to see you.”
“Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister. Last night I suddenly developed a headache. Following the Imperial Physician’s prescription, I took medicine and am already feeling better.”
Concubine Gong nodded. “That’s good.”
Chun Ya, standing behind Concubine Gong, bowed and said: “Greetings to Noble Lady Gu.”
Gu Yi waved her hand. “Rise.”
After they sat down, she asked Concubine Gong, “Does Elder Sister like this flower tea?”
Concubine Gong put down her teacup. “The tea is good.” She then turned to look at the fragrance-colored Moonlight Skirt on the wooden rack. “But I find this skirt even better.”
Gu Yi smiled and said: “Elder Sister has excellent taste. His Majesty also praised this skirt! Because of his praise, I rewarded the Head Tailor from the Office of Imperial Attire today.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Concubine Gong turned her gaze back. “The Head Tailor of the Office of Imperial Attire has unique craftsmanship, truly rare.”
Gu Yi smiled again. “Elder Sister is right. I plan to summon her to Heluo Hall one day to exclusively handle clothing and needlework as a first-class personal maid. In terms of rank, compared to being Head Tailor, it’s not inferior.”
Concubine Gong nodded and changed the subject. The two chatted inconsequentially for a while longer before Concubine Gong hurriedly left with Chun Ya.
Tao Jia seemed about to speak but hesitated, looking reluctant. Gu Yi spoke up: “I hope that Concubine Gong will take Zhao Wan into Zhaifang Hall.”
Tao Jia: “Why?”
Gu Yi smiled. “Appreciation of talent.”
Concubine Gong left in a hurry, with Chun Ya closely following. “Concubine, are you going to the Office of Imperial Attire?”
Concubine Gong: “Just getting there first.”
Chun Ya frowned: “But this servant feels Noble Lady Gu was quite deliberate.”
Concubine Gong laughed. “Whether she was deliberate or unintentional, Zhao Wan is indeed a useful person.”
A few days later, news came that Zhao Wan had entered Zhaifang Hall as a first-class palace maid.
A great weight lifted from Gu Yi’s heart.
It was now afternoon. There had been a light rain the previous night, so it wasn’t too hot. A cool breeze brought relief, and Gu Yi wanted to feed the fish.
Before Tao Jia could bring the fish food, an announcement came from outside the hall: “His Majesty arrives.”
Seeing Xiaoyan enter the hall in his court robes, Gu Yi immediately bowed: “Your Majesty’s golden peace.”
“Rise.” Xiaoyan noticed she was wearing leather boots and asked, “Are you going out?”
Gu Yi answered honestly: “This concubine was going to the garden to enjoy watching the fish.”
After court, Xiaoyan had inexplicably found himself walking to Heluo Hall.
“Then I shall also take a look. I haven’t been to Heluo Hall before.”
Gu Yi immediately began to flatter him: “Your Majesty’s great kindness in granting Heluo Hall to this concubine—this hall is magnificent! It also has a garden and pond. I hear the grapes on the trellis will bear fruit next month. If they’re delicious, this concubine will certainly present them to Your Majesty.”
Seeing her beaming with joy, Xiaoyan made a sound of acknowledgment.
Indeed a flatterer.
Tao Jia returned with fish food, and a grand procession went to the garden to observe the fish.
Usually, one or two people around the pond were spacious enough. Now with Gu Yi, Xiaoyan, plus Tao Jia, Eunuch Gao, and four or five accompanying palace servants, the small garden became crowded.
Xiaoyan looked and saw that there were only a few golden carp in the pond. He was already showing some impatience, while beside him, Gu Yi was still enthusiastically feeding the fish.
Eunuch Gao’s skill at reading facial expressions was refined to perfection. Seeing the Emperor’s expression, he immediately suggested: “Your Majesty, why not go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy fish? I hear there are a hundred new cars. If Noble Lady enjoys watching fish, wouldn’t that be better? Moreover, the peach garden is also bearing fruit now, most delicious in summer. Enjoying the scenery would be interesting too!”
Xiaoyan saw Gu Yi pause and look at him. “That… would be fine.”
The palace servant announced: “Moving to the Imperial Garden.”