Gu Yi saw Concubine Gong, dressed in the rainbow costume with her head covered by a blue veil, hurriedly return to the banquet.

As expected, she heard Concubine Wang saying: “Sister Gong, your dance was so graceful. I admire you greatly and must ask for your guidance another day!”

As she spoke, Concubine Wang raised her hand to lift the blue veil covering her face.

Concubine Gong stood still, allowing her to remove the veil.

With slightly raised eyebrows, she smiled faintly and said: “Why is Sister Wang in such a hurry? If you like the Celestial Dance, I can teach you another day!”

Bitch! Concubine Wang had suffered a verbal defeat and angrily returned to her seat.

Gu Yi held her teacup, watching as a mere spectator.

It seemed the plot was on track! The female protagonist had already exchanged the rainbow costume and head veil with Concubine Gong, and was now left alone behind the rockery in the garden. She would wait until the guests dispersed before returning to Zhifang Palace.

However, on her way back, she would coincidentally encounter the tipsy male protagonist.

Then they would pull and tug, whisper sweet nothings, and engage in sweet entanglements.

Gu Yi reassured herself and took another bite of mooncake.

The singing and dancing continued, with rulers and ministers enjoying themselves, drinking and toasting.

Soon after, a blue-robed eunuch from the imperial presence approached the seats of the concubines carrying a tray.

He announced loudly: “In recognition of Concubine Gong’s excellent dance skills, the Emperor specially bestows osmanthus lotus mooncakes to share with the Concubine.”

Concubine Gong curtseyed gracefully, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward.”

She was the first and only consort to whom Xiaoyan had awarded mooncakes that night.

Concubine Gong received the imperial mooncakes and immediately began to eat them in small bites.

Although Concubine Wang’s performance had received a “reward,” she had not been awarded any food.

She glanced obliquely at Concubine Gong: “Sister Gong has soared to great heights today, congratulations!”

Sitting nearby, Gu Yi could almost feel the resentment emanating from Concubine Wang.

Seeing that Concubine Gong merely smiled without responding to her, Concubine Wang turned to ask Gu Yi: “What do you think, Sister Gu?”

What? Bystander Gu Yi, suddenly addressed by name, instinctively glanced in Xiaoyan’s direction.

Xiaoyan’s reward to Concubine Gong was not merely for the Celestial Dance in rainbow costume, but also a display for the court officials below him—he was rewarding the daughter of Gong Zhenghai.

Gu Yi smiled sweetly, “Sister Wang, you spoke well! Sister Gong’s Celestial Dance is truly a divine skill. I am in awe!”

Concubine Gong finished the rewarded mooncake, looked up, and across Concubine Wang smiled at her: “Sister Gu, you flatter me.”

Concubine Wang’s face darkened further.

*

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), when the moon was perfectly round, the musicians played the final piece.

Gu Yi noticed from the corner of her eye that Concubine Qi had finally risen from her seat.

Excellent!

She immediately stood up from her table, circled behind the crowd, followed the garden’s stone path for dozens of steps, and finally saw Concubine Qi waiting under a tree.

Gu Yi hurried over, “Sister Qi!”

Concubine Qi frowned, “Concubine should no longer call me sister, just call me Qi Yun!”

“No, you will always be my sister!” My sponsor sister!

Concubine Qi smiled faintly and took out a thin book from her bosom.

By the hazy moonlight, Gu Yi could see the cover: “Xiao Xiao Sheng of the Capital, Immortal Love Connection.”

She exclaimed excitedly: “This… this is the published book?”

Concubine Qi nodded, “Keep it safe.”

Gu Yi immediately hid the book in her bosom.

Concubine Qi took out a gold ingot from her waist pouch and handed it to Gu Yi.

Gu Yi was delighted, “Many thanks, Sister!”

Concubine Qi shook her head, “You earned it.” Having said that, she turned and left.

Gu Yi stood still, carefully putting the ingot into the fragrance pouch at her waist.

“What are you doing here, sneaking around?”

A sudden voice startled Gu Yi. She turned around.

It was Xiaoyan, looking at her with furrowed brows.

She hastily curtseyed: “Your Majesty… greetings to Your Majesty!”

Xiaoyan had just escaped from the banquet, unable to bear being caught between the two Grand Secretaries and unwilling to continue evading the issue of promotions. He had happened to see from the shadows Gu Yi receiving the gold ingot from Concubine Qi.

Could she also have private connections with the Qi family? Was Fuzhou colluding with the Qi family?

At this thought, Xiaoyan’s expression darkened.

Gu Yi carefully observed his expression, seeing his pitch-black eyebrows and lashes, but rippling peach blossom eyes. She cautiously asked: “Your Majesty, are you drunk?”

Xiaoyan remained silent.

Gu Yi tentatively said: “Perhaps this humble consort should escort Your Majesty back to your seat?” Then you can return to the front hall yourself and encounter the female protagonist on the way.

Unexpectedly, Xiaoyan looked up at the moon in the sky and said leisurely: “Escort me to the Moon-Viewing Terrace…”

Gu Yi: …Please don’t add extra scenes for yourself.

Helpless, Gu Yi had no choice but to comply. She extended her arm, “This humble consort obeys.”

Xiaoyan was only slightly tipsy, yet he took hold of Gu Yi’s arm, half-leaning against her side.

Gu Yi trembled as she took two steps.

“Your Majesty’s steps are unsteady. Perhaps we shouldn’t go up to the Moon-Viewing Terrace…”

Xiaoyan glanced at her: “You were just… with Concubine Qi?”

Gu Yi replied matter-of-factly: “Yes. Concubine Qi lent me some silver for my expenses.”

Seeing how straightforward she was, Xiaoyan’s suspicions partly dissipated.

Is she that poor?

He straightened up, “If poor, one should cultivate oneself.” Don’t get entangled with the Qi family.

Gu Yi felt the weight beside her lighten. Hearing his words, she turned to look at Xiaoyan’s face, seeing his serious expression.

This… he must be drunk…

Xiaoyan shifted his gaze toward the pavilion and simply said: “Accompany me to the Moon-Viewing Terrace.”

The two ascended the steps.

Viewing the moon from the terrace was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.

Xiaoyan watched as Gu Yi gazed unwaveringly at the distant moon, her eyebrows and lashes slightly fluttering, her eyes reflecting the moonlight like scattered rippling light.

She… couldn’t be a honey-tongued, evil-hearted schemer…

Xiaoyan had drunk two cups at the banquet. Now the alcohol surged, causing his temples to throb slightly. He arranged his robes and sat down, leaning against the railing.

The moonlight in his eyes seemed even more ethereal.

The moon had risen to the center of the sky.

Gu Yi saw Xiaoyan sitting in the pavilion, his eyes lightly closed, seemingly in no hurry to leave. She had no choice but to single-handedly carry the plot forward!

“Your Majesty, the night grows late. We should return early.”

Xiaoyan didn’t respond.

Has… he fallen asleep?

Gu Yi bent slightly to look at his face and saw his closed eyes, though the corners were slightly reddened.

Has… he become drunk?

“Your Majesty, wake up!” You still have a plot to follow, wake up!

Gu Yi suddenly felt a breeze before her, and the back of her head was suddenly covered by a large hand, forcefully pressing her forward.

Caught off guard, she fell forward, her lips brushing against Xiaoyan’s cheek, which felt slightly hot.

Gu Yi’s face fell into the crook of his neck, instantly heating up. “Your Majesty!” Xiao Gouzi!

Xiaoyan’s voice was deep, “Don’t make noise…”

Gu Yi turned her head to look and saw that he appeared genuinely tired.

However, the plot must be preserved!

Gu Yi struggled to straighten up, “Your Majesty seems uncomfortable. Perhaps this humble consort should call someone to bring a sobering soup?” Having said that, she turned to go find the female protagonist by the rockery!

But Xiaoyan caught the hem of her skirt.

Xiaoyan opened his eyes and stared at Gu Yi.

His dark brown, glassy eyes showed a rare tenderness, with waves like water.

His thin lips parted slightly.

For the first time, Gu Yi read a bewildered expression on his tipsy face.

The usual Xiaoyan was a cold-faced, heartless emperor wrapped in layers, but tonight’s Xiaoyan under the moonlight seemed like… Xiao Gouzi!

Gu Yi couldn’t help but laugh, leaning forward to peer outside the pavilion.

The rockery in the eastern corner was faintly discernible.

Just then, a graceful figure slowly emerged.

The plot truly does not deceive me!

Gu Yi took a deep breath and called out loudly: “Palace maid, stop! Yes, you, the one coming out from behind the rockery! Go to the kitchen and bring a bowl of soothing soup.”

With her shout, Eunuch Gao below the pavilion naturally heard her voice.

Eunuch Gao looked closely and indeed saw a palace maid by the rockery.

At this moment, Zhao Wan was startled, looking up to see a figure standing on the pavilion.

Concubine Gu?

She didn’t know whether to advance or retreat, and suddenly saw a eunuch with a blue flying fish insignia walking toward her.

She immediately bowed, “Greetings to Eunuch Gao.”

Eunuch Gao saw she was wearing a first-class palace maid’s uniform and asked: “Did you hear Concubine Gu’s instructions? Quickly go to the front hall kitchen and fetch a bowl of soothing soup. Use a round bowl and don’t spill it in the wind!”

Zhao Wan hurried away, guessing who was in the pavilion.

A’Yan.

After shouting, Gu Yi saw that Zhao Wan had indeed accepted the command.

Her heart surged with excitement—I’ve managed to fix the plot again!

She happily said: “Your Majesty, when the sobering soup arrives, you’ll feel more comfortable after drinking it.”

Xiaoyan looked up at her flushed cheeks and suddenly laughed, “Qingqing, since you care so much for me, how should I reward you?”

Hearing the drunkenness in his voice, Gu Yi shook her head and said: “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Caring for Your Majesty is this humble consort’s duty.”

Xiaoyan reached out to gently stroke her cheek, his fingertips touching heated skin. “Then why are you blushing?”

Gu Yi froze, feeling utterly embarrassed.

I’ll kill Xiao Gouzi!

Xiaoyan saw her speechless discomposure and smiled broadly.

Eunuch Gao walked up the pavilion steps, heard the Emperor’s laughter, and immediately halted.

The palace servants behind him couldn’t stop in time and bumped into his back. “Eunuch Gao!”

Eunuch Gao turned and gestured for silence.

The Emperor hadn’t been drunk for a long time, nor had he laughed heartily.

After a short while, Zhao Wan arrived carrying the sobering soup.

She steadily ascended the pavilion, knelt, and raised the tray above her head. “Your Majesty, please drink.”

Eunuch Gao first tested it with a silver needle, then Xiaoyan took it and drank it in one gulp.

Gu Yi, seeing the male and female protagonists meet again, felt relieved.

At this moment, Xiaoyan was indeed drunk. Seeing this beautiful palace maid, he inevitably developed some interest.

Then, they could pull and tug, and engage in sweet entanglements.

After drinking the sobering soup, Xiaoyan noticed Gu Yi’s distracted expression. He said to Eunuch Gao: “Concubine Gu is tired. Proceed to Heluo Palace.”

Gu Yi: …That works too.

Tao Jia at Heluo Palace had received advance notice from the palace servants and prepared hot water in the hall.

Seeing Gu Yi return to the palace, the palace maids quickly attended to her bath.

After washing, Gu Yi entered the bedchamber. Xiaoyan had already changed clothes and was sitting on the couch.

His eyes were clear, with less drunkenness.

Gu Yi got on the bed, just wanting to recall the day’s stunning Celestial Dance to reinforce the plot, but was pounced upon by Xiaoyan.

*

At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), Eunuch Gao punctually reported the time.

“Your Majesty, it’s time.”

The Emperor merely replied with an “Mm.”

When the palace servants entered the hall, their noses could still detect a faint fragrance, but they dared not let their eyes wander.

After washing, Xiaoyan went to court in high spirits.

Gu Yi, with dark circles under her eyes, opened her eyes to see Tao Jia already standing outside the bed curtain.

“What time is it now?”

“It’s almost noon.”

Gu Yi got up, “Did His Majesty leave any calming medicinal soup?”

Tao Jia: “It’s warming on the stove. This servant will bring it immediately.”

Gu Yi put on her undergarments, took the medicine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

Tao Jia handed her some preserved fruits, “His Majesty cherishes the Concubine and always leaves calming medicinal soup.”

Gu Yi chewed the preserved fruit, the bitter taste in her mouth subsiding somewhat.

Calming medicinal soup, hehe.

But it’s also good.

“Prepare hot water, I want to take a bath.”

A moment later, the palace maids prepared hot water.

Gu Yi stood up, her legs genuinely sore.

I’ll kill Xiao Gouzi!