The vast pool in the Imperial Garden was still fresh in Gu Yi’s memory.

Eunuch Gao led her to a pavilion by the lake to watch the fish.

Gu Yi scattered a handful of fish food into the wind and leaned forward to watch hundreds of carp in the great lake rushing forward.

With little food and many fish, the scene was somewhat frightening.

After emptying a palmful of fish food, she dusted off her hands. “Your Majesty, let’s go tour the peach garden instead.”

The peach garden in the Imperial Garden was, naturally, another place where the male and female protagonists would encounter each other in the book.

The fruit trees in the garden were all bearing fruit, pink mingling with red. Gu Yi excitedly took the bamboo basket handed to her by a palace servant and began picking peaches.

Xiaoyan, wearing his court robes, found it somewhat inconvenient but followed Gu Yi deeper into the grove.

He watched as she stood on tiptoe to pick peaches, her wide sleeves sliding down to reveal a slender, fair wrist.

Unfortunately, the sweet peaches hung from the top branches, beyond her reach.

If it were any other beauty in the palace, she would maintain perfect decorum and propriety. If unable to reach the peaches on the branch, she would likely turn back and cast a pitiful glance at him.

Xiaoyan waited for her coquettish display, but Gu Yi didn’t look back at him. Instead, like a spring onion being pulled from dry land, she vigorously shook the peach tree, making the branches and leaves rustle loudly as the peaches from the higher branches came tumbling down.

She exclaimed “Ah!” with delight and used her bamboo basket to catch them.

Only then did she seem to remember to turn back and look at him, showing off by holding the basket forward. “Your Majesty, look!”

Xiaoyan: …

Eunuch Gao laughed dryly. “Noble Lady certainly enjoys picking peaches, heh.”

The group proceeded forward for a moment, when they heard a clear, bright singing voice coming through the peach grove:

“The garden has peaches, their fruit is like a delicacy. My heart is troubled, I sing and chant. Those who don’t know me say I am an arrogant scholar…”

She was singing “The Garden Has Peaches,” a subtle melody with lingering, flowing song—a woman’s voice.

Xiaoyan halted his steps and looked toward Gu Yi’s back, only to see her peach-picking motion freeze.

She’s here, she’s here, the female protagonist has indeed arrived!

Gu Yi stood in place. What should she do? Should she walk forward or wait for the female protagonist to approach?

Eunuch Gao saw the Emperor frown involuntarily and thought, how inauspicious! Coming out to enjoy the garden with the Noble Lady, and now this blind fool has appeared, trying to climb the social ladder!

Eunuch Gao immediately sent two palace servants forward and bowed to the Emperor. “This servant will send people to drive her away.”

Hearing this, Gu Yi immediately walked forward.

The male and female protagonists must meet in this peach garden!

Unexpectedly, after she had taken just a few steps, Xiaoyan’s voice came from behind: “Gu Yi, come back.”

Gu Yi’s body tensed. Wasn’t he supposed to call her Xiao Yi?

Xiao Yi.

Xiaoyan couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Gu Yi was just fine.

The singing stopped abruptly. Zhao Wan heard voices and emerged from the grove.

She carried a bamboo basket, her cheeks lightly powdered, perfectly matching her light pink upper garment. A Moonlight Skirt swayed around her figure in the sunlight.

She found herself face to face with Gu Yi, who was walking toward her, and anxiously bowed: “Greetings to Noble Lady.”

They’ve met!

Gu Yi smiled, while Xiaoyan strode forward and stopped nearby, face to face with Zhao Wan.

Zhao Wan lowered her head, catching sight of the bright yellow hem of the imperial court robes. Her heart pounded like a drum as she bowed again: “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Gu Yi’s heart leaped with joy.

The male and female protagonists of the book had encountered each other again in the imperial peach garden.

Next, the male protagonist should ask the female protagonist why she was singing “The Garden Has Peaches.” The female protagonist would then explain that she was singing to match the scenery, not out of concern for the times, and so on. Then she would slowly raise her head, revealing a beauty as stunning as a heavenly maiden! The male protagonist would be unable to forget her for a long time!

Xiaoyan stood beside her, looking at Gu Yi with her slightly upturned lips, and spoke: “I called you back, why did you pretend not to hear?”

Gu Yi was dumbfounded.

Can we please follow the plot? I’m begging you!

“Your Majesty, forgive me. This concubine was merely attracted by the singing and couldn’t help but want to see who the singer was.”

Xiaoyan glanced at the singing girl kneeling on the ground. She was an unfamiliar palace maid.

Disappointing.

He turned to Gu Yi and said, “Since you’ve picked peaches, let’s return to the hall now. I also need to return to Tianluge.”

Just… like… that?

Gu Yi saw Xiaoyan turn, truly intending to leave. Without much thought, she reached out and grabbed his wide sleeve. “Your Majesty, please wait.”

Xiaoyan looked at her five fingers gripping his robe, eager to detain him, and raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Gu Yi steeled herself to add her scene, speaking sternly to Zhao Wan: “Why are you singing ‘The Garden Has Peaches’ in the palace? Don’t you know this is a song lamenting the times?”

Xiaoyan, seeing Gu Yi’s solemn expression, found it quite interesting and decided to stop, watching to see what tricks she would play next.

Zhao Wan’s heart pounded like a drum. She kowtowed again: “This servant had no other intention. It’s just that the peach garden is bearing fruit, so this servant… was merely singing to match the scenery… not with any intention of lamenting the times…”

Gu Yi glimpsed Xiaoyan’s mocking expression from the corner of her eye and sighed inwardly. No matter how awkward, she had to complete the plot!

“Raise your head. Let me see what bold person dares to sing ‘The Garden Has Peaches’ in the palace!”

Zhao Wan took a deep breath and slowly raised her head. Her gaze couldn’t help but turn toward the Emperor.

A’Yan.

She didn’t know whether she was hoping he would recognize her or hoping he would never remember.

Everything around them suddenly quieted.

A beautiful forehead, moth-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and vermilion lips.

Eunuch Gao sighed inwardly. She truly was a porcelain beauty, but her fate was poor. If His Majesty had been touring the garden alone today and met her, perhaps he might have taken notice.

What a pity.

Gu Yi immediately turned to look at Xiaoyan. There was no look of amazement, but she saw his dark brown, glassy eyes looking at her with an ambiguous smile.

She smiled and raised her eyebrows. “Your Majesty, this concubine knows this palace maid. She was originally the Head Tailor from the Office of Imperial Attire and is now a palace maid in Zhaifang Hall.” She gave a dry laugh. “It seems to be a misunderstanding. This concubine was mistaken.”

Let it be like this. She had tried her best!

Xiaoyan laughed coldly, no longer looking at Gu Yi, and addressed the kneeling Zhao Wan: “Since Noble Lady Gu has misunderstood you, you may go… but this peach garden, you must never come here again.”

A’Yan hadn’t recognized her.

Zhao Wan’s heart filled with bitterness. She only said softly: “This servant obeys the imperial decree.”

Gu Yi witnessed all this.

Heartbreaking! It felt like the plot had been advanced, but it didn’t seem quite right!

How bitter!

Xiaoyan led the palace servants away.

Eunuch Gao fell half a step behind, seeming to have something to say.

Gu Yi quickly stepped forward. “Eunuch Gao.”

Eunuch Gao lowered his voice and said in her ear: “This servant understands Noble Lady’s intentions. In this servant’s opinion, that palace maid will never amount to anything! Noble Lady need not worry!”

Gu Yi: The world misunderstands me too deeply!

“Mm, Eunuch, walk carefully.”

*

Zhao Wan didn’t know how she made her way back to Zhaifang Hall. Her mind was in chaos, her limbs trembling. She clenched her hands, trying her utmost to calm herself.

A’Yan despised her now, forbidding her to set foot in the peach garden again.

Noble Lady Gu… had she done this deliberately today?

She had originally thought that coming to Zhaifang Hall would give her opportunities to see A’Yan, but now he despised her. The joy she had felt upon first seeing him was completely gone. In the future, if she were to see A’Yan again, how could she face him?

“A’Wan, you’re back?” Chun Ya’s voice came through a door curtain.

Zhao Wan wiped the corners of her eyes and responded: “I’m back.”

Chun Ya lifted the curtain and entered the reception hall. Seeing the sweet peaches in the bamboo basket, she said happily, “So the peaches are ripe. Go wash a few for the Concubine to help relieve the summer heat.”

Zhao Wan turned to leave but was called back by Chun Ya. “Has the rainbow dance costume been sewn on schedule?”

Zhao Wan nodded. “Working day and night, it will certainly be ready before the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.”

“Good, you may go.”

After dismissing Zhao Wan, Chun Ya went to the study to report to Concubine Gong.

Seeing her arrival, Concubine Gong asked: “Have all the errands been taken care of?”

Chun Ya nodded. “The plum blossom stakes have all been set up according to Concubine’s wishes. These days, A’Wan has also been sewing the Concubine’s rainbow dance dress day and night. Concubine’s Apsara dance will surely dazzle everyone at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet!”

Concubine Gong smiled and asked: “Have you inquired about what the others are doing?”

Chun Ya listed in detail: “The four Consorts are coordinating the palace banquet, each with their duties, so they generally won’t perform talents. Concubine Wang is still doing the old routine of playing the zither, Noble Lady Tian will present calligraphy, Concubine Zhou and Concubine Chen are also said to be presenting dances…”

Concubine Gong: “What about Noble Lady Gu?”

Chun Ya: “Strangely enough, there has been no activity at Heluo Hall recently, as if she has no talent to present to His Majesty…”

Concubine Gong frowned slightly. “Keep a closer watch. Noble Lady Gu always seems to be unpredictable.”

*

Meanwhile, the Noble Lady who had been described as “unpredictable” was holding a gold-stamped red letter paper, asking with confusion: “For the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, not every palace resident has to present a talent, right?”

Tao Jia nodded. “Although that’s true, Noble Ladies and Concubines below the rank of Consort all look to the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet to seek favor. Noble Lady is new to the palace and may not know that after each year’s Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, according to custom, the ranks of favored consorts are raised…”

Gu Yi interrupted: “But I’ve just been promoted to Noble Lady. Surely my rank won’t be raised again?”

Tao Jia: “Though that’s true, His Majesty would certainly hope that Noble Lady presents a talent.”

Gu Yi shook her head. According to the plot, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet would be the time for the female protagonist to shine. She didn’t want to join in the commotion. “It’s probably not necessary. I have no talent either. It’s better for me to watch the sisters perform and feast my eyes.”

Tao Jia stood dumbfounded, thinking for a moment. “Could it be that Noble Lady is taking the opposite approach? Not competing is a form of competing?”

Whatever makes you happy.

Gu Yi nodded to Tao Jia quite profoundly.

Tao Jia didn’t persist and changed the subject. “Mid-Autumn is approaching. The rear palace can send letters home. Does Noble Lady want to send a letter to Lord Gu to express autumn thoughts?”

Writing a letter home—isn’t that a bit risky?

What if Gu Changtong noticed the different handwriting?

But wouldn’t it also be strange not to send anything?

Gu Yi thought for a moment. “Good idea! Does the palace have pre-made Mid-Autumn letter papers? I’ll choose one and send it back to Fuzhou.”

Tao Jia: “This servant will go inquire right away!”

In the end, Gu Yi selected a letter paper featuring a jade rabbit reporting the moon, with small calligraphy impressions of “full moon and mid-autumn.” She merely pressed the small seal of “Noble Lady Gu of Heluo Hall” on it.

Tao Jia: “Won’t Noble Lady write a few lines?”

Gu Yi sighed. “No, I fear it would only evoke sorrow.”