When Gu Yi woke up in the morning, daylight was already bright.
She turned her head and saw that Xiaoyan was still on the bed.
His eyebrows and eyelashes were tightly closed, seemingly in deep sleep.
It was somewhat peculiar.
Gu Yi stared at him in a daze for a while.
Xiaoyan opened his eyes to see Gu Yi with a bitter smile on her face.
“Imperial Concubine Gu, what are you contemplating?”
First thing in the morning, and you’re already mocking me. Who was that pitiful creature with tears in her eyes last night?
Gu Yi revealed a smile, “This concubine was merely thinking about Your Majesty. Admiring Your Majesty’s sleeping face.”
Xiaoyan: …
Xiaoyan turned over and got off the bed.
The palace attendants heard movement and entered in succession.
Gu Yi rose, watching Xiaoyan change clothes, and hesitantly asked, “Your Majesty, how long do you plan to stay at the Wushan Imperial Villa?”
“We will depart for the capital in three days.”
Three more days.
The plot involving Concubine Wan must be realized within these three days.
Xiaoyan noticed the silence behind him and turned his head to look at her.
He saw her lowering her head, brows knitted in silence.
“If you like Wushan, we can come again next summer.”
Gu Yi looked up, made a sound of acknowledgment, and also got off the bed, allowing the palace attendants to help her change.
What should she do? After last night, would Xiaoyan still go to that hot spring pool?
If he doesn’t go? Would Zhao Wan still be appointed?
What to do!
Xiaoyan and Gu Yi changed into their clothes, with no trace of joy on their faces.
Did she really like Wushan Imperial Villa that much? Or had she grown tired of playing outside and didn’t want to return to the palace?
Xiaoyan pondered for a moment, “West of the capital, there is also a garden built against a mountain. Admiring the snow in winter is also beautiful. After the Six Ministries are reorganized, it would not be inappropriate to stay in the garden for some time during winter.”
Hearing this, Gu Yi’s heart stirred slightly. Xiaoyan thought she was tired of the palace, but… this was truly cross-server chat.
Our joys and sorrows, under the banner of the plot, cannot be shared.
Gu Yi forced a smile, “This concubine thanks Your Majesty in advance.” I’ll talk about staying alive first!
After the morning meal, Gu Yi returned to Xun Xue Palace and began to plan her matter of life and death!
She called for Tao Jia, “Go to Luoxia Palace and ask if I could borrow a capable person to help me with embroidering a handkerchief. Choose Wan’er!”
Tao Jia was puzzled, “This servant can help you, My Lady! Why seek someone from Luoxia Palace?”
Gu Yi: “Zhao Wan comes from the Imperial Textile Service and is particularly skilled in needlework. I wish to embroider a handkerchief for His Majesty, and it cannot be carelessly done.”
Tao Jia nodded, saying reluctantly: “This servant will go now…” She turned and left quickly.
Gu Yi was left alone in the hall, pacing back and forth.
In the original story, Zhao Wan received the Emperor’s favor in the hot spring pool. Although there was a setup with their first and second meetings, it felt like Xiaoyan was simply aroused by her beauty and acted on impulse.
But the Xiaoyan before her eyes, Gu Yi felt, wasn’t like what was described in the book.
He wasn’t fond of romance; the imperial harem’s favor was related to court politics, with both thunder and rain being calculations.
With imperial concubines already by his side at the villa, he had no reason to be interested in a palace maid.
And this palace maid belonged to the Imperial Concubine’s retinue.
What to do!
She fingered the sachet at her waist, pondering fruitlessly.
*
Inside Luoxia Palace, Imperial Concubine Gong was very anxious. After staying at the villa for several days, the Emperor had only visited her palace once, drank a cup of tea, and never returned, nor had he summoned her to Xuanyu Pavilion.
She had originally thought that accompanying the Emperor to Wushan would allow her to stand out among the concubines, but it wasn’t the case at all.
They would return to the capital in three days.
There would never be such an opportunity again!
The Emperor was known to be sparing with his favors. Establishing oneself in the harem was like competing at court, ambitious and protective of one’s faction. Without useful allies, one could only end up being used by others.
Imperial Consorts De and Shu were from the old faction; she couldn’t and shouldn’t affiliate with them.
Imperial Consorts Duan and Jing were mere decorations.
Concubine Wang, though from the new faction, was incompetent.
As for the remaining beauties and talented ladies, the Emperor probably hadn’t even glanced at them once.
And Imperial Concubine Gu, though only the daughter of a local official, had the Emperor’s favor. The Emperor now clearly intended to employ Magistrate Gu. If the Gu family were to enter the capital in the future, Imperial Concubine Gu would be more than just a concubine.
What she could grasp at this moment were those who had no support but might have prospects.
Imperial Concubine Gong’s gaze inadvertently fell upon Zhao Wan, seeing her standing by the window with the graceful posture of a spring willow.
Chunya hurriedly entered the palace and said, “Imperial Concubine Gu has sent someone to ask for Wan’er to go to Xun Xue Palace to help her examine an embroidery pattern. My Lady, what should we do?”
Imperial Concubine Gong frowned slightly.
Could Imperial Concubine Gu have had the same thought as her?
Her mind turned several times, and she said to Zhao Wan, “Wan’er, since Imperial Concubine Gu has made a request, you should go, but… return quickly.”
Zhao Wan answered “Yes,” about to leave, when Imperial Concubine Gong called her back, “However… Wan’er… remember who your real mistress is.”
Zhao Wan’s heart sank, “Yes, My Lady.”
*
Gu Yi held the embroidered handkerchief, examining it closely. She had been embroidering it for two or three days, ever since Xiaoyan accused her of being negligent.
With her rough drawing skills and needlework, she had managed to embroider a flower—a red flower with green leaves, in a very minimalist style.
She wondered if the female protagonist could salvage it.
Zhao Wan entered the palace and saw Gu Yi reclining on a rosewood chair, wearing a yamabuki-colored outer robe with an inner celadon-colored dress, her face lightly powdered, a pair of bright and captivating apricot eyes. Seeing her, Gu Yi’s eyebrows curved, “Wan’er has come just in time!”
Zhao Wan avoided her gaze, curtseying, “Greetings to Imperial Concubine Gu.”
Gu Yi: “Rise, quickly, come closer, and look at my embroidered handkerchief.”
Zhao Wan couldn’t figure out Imperial Concubine Gu’s intentions. It was she who had encouraged her to enter Xiuyi Palace’s side hall that day, and it was also she who had reprimanded her in the peach garden.
Now she was asking her to embroider a handkerchief. Was she seeking favor like Imperial Concubine Gong? Or was she merely… humiliating her?
Or perhaps, in the eyes of the favored Imperial Concubine Gu, she was just a somewhat useful palace maid…
Gu Yi saw Zhao Wan’s downcast eyelashes and walked up to her, taking the handkerchief from her hand, her expression seemingly stiffening.
Zhao Wan asked softly, “What pattern does My Lady wish to embroider?”
Gu Yi pointed to the blank space above the green leaves and red flower, “Embroider two butterflies right here…”
Zhao Wan: “What color butterflies does My Lady wish to embroider?”
Gu Yi: “Do as you see fit. Embroider it here in Xun Xue Palace, and give it to me later today.”
Zhao Wan dared not refuse and had to stay.
*
As the sun set in the west, Gu Yi calculated the time and sent Tao Jia to Xuanyu Pavilion to find Eunuch Gao.
“Tell him to invite His Majesty to dine and play chess.”
Tao Jia accepted the order and ran off quickly.
Eunuch Gao heard Tao Jia’s message and said, “Wait here for a moment.” He then entered the hall.
After a short while, he came out with a smile all over his face, saying, “His Majesty says the concubine is thoughtful and will visit Xun Xue Palace at the Hour of the Dog (7-9 PM).”
Tao Jia smiled, “Many thanks, Eunuch Gao.”
The palace attendants in Xun Xue Palace immediately became busy, carrying candle stands through the hall with silent but joyful steps.
Lights blazed, and the fragrance of osmanthus wafted out from the sandalwood incense burner.
Zhao Wan held the finished embroidered handkerchief, hesitating in her heart. Was the Emperor coming…
Should she continue to stay in the hall…
Gu Yi walked into the flower hall and saw Zhao Wan sitting on a stool, lost in thought.
She asked, “Is the handkerchief finished?”
Zhao Wan came to her senses, quickly stood up and curtseyed, saying, “Yes, My Lady, it’s finished.”
Gu Yi said happily, “Let me see!”
Zhao Wan handed over the handkerchief. Gu Yi took it and saw delicate yellow and green butterflies flying vividly, making the red flower and green leaves look even stiffer.
“Excellent!” She praised, tucking the handkerchief into her robe.
Zhao Wan stammered, “Then… may this servant take her leave…”
Gu Yi nodded with a smile, “You’ve been away half a day, Imperial Concubine Gong must be anxious.”
She couldn’t be too hasty.
Zhao Wan left the brightly lit Xun Xue Palace, the cold autumn night wind blowing against her face.
It was getting colder.
She turned back to look at Xun Xue Palace, with its warm, bright lights occasionally punctuated by the laughter of palace attendants, as different from the dark, cold, silent night as heaven and earth.
She wrapped her purple cotton vest tightly over her palace uniform and quickened her pace.
After walking for a while, she met eight palace attendants carrying lanterns.
The lights dazzled her, making her squint slightly.
Eunuch Gao’s voice rose, “Who goes there?”
Zhao Wan opened her eyes wide, stopped in her tracks, and bowed, “Greetings to Your Majesty. This servant is a palace maid from Imperial Concubine Gong’s palace.”
Xiaoyan approached, wearing a bamboo-green cloak, tall and dignified, recognizing her lowered face.
This palace maid again.
He couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you coming from Xun Xue Palace?”
Zhao Wan exhaled lightly, “Imperial Concubine Gu ordered this servant to go to Xun Xue Palace today to embroider a handkerchief, which is why this servant was just leaving Xun Xue Palace… Unexpectedly, I have offended Your Majesty…”
Hearing this, Xiaoyan’s expression darkened slightly.
It’s this Wan’er again, it’s her again.
Imperial Concubine Gu ordering Imperial Concubine Gong’s maid to embroider for her…
Is this jealousy… or deliberate…
Promoting this palace maid three times, Xiaoyan felt he could no longer use the word “jealousy” to guess Gu Yi’s intentions.
Relying on favor to become arrogant… scheming like Imperial Concubine Gong, wanting to use this maid to gain favor and power in the harem?
With this thought, Xiaoyan’s gaze fell on Zhao Wan’s face, seeing her eyelids slightly fluttering, her downcast eyes flashing with light.
He laughed coldly in his heart.
Thinking this way, was his encounter with this palace maid by the hot spring pool that night a coincidence?
Could it be that Imperial Concubine Gu, like Imperial Concubine Gong, thought he would be enchanted by this maid’s appearance…
Xiaoyan’s face grew colder as he walked toward Xun Xue Palace.
Gu Yi heard the palace attendants announcing and went to meet him at the entrance, curtseying, “Greetings to Your Majesty!”
Xiaoyan’s gaze fell on the pair of white jade mandarin duck hairpins in her hair, and he said in a deep voice, “Rise.”
Gu Yi said with a smile, “The hall is heated with warm incense. Let this concubine remove Your Majesty’s cloak.”
But she saw Xiaoyan looking at her with an ambiguous smile.
Gu Yi touched her face, “Does this concubine have something on her face?”
Xiaoyan untied the black satin ribbon at his neck, handing the removed cloak to the ever-present Eunuch Gao behind him.
Gu Yi’s outstretched hands were left empty.
Is Xiaoyan not himself today?
Gu Yi withdrew her hands, giving a dry laugh, “This concubine has prepared shortbread, would Your Majesty like to try some?”
Xiaoyan went straight to the square table, lifting his robe to sit down, and poured himself a cup of wine.
It seems he really isn’t himself…
Gu Yi turned back, her inquiring gaze looking toward Eunuch Gao, but the eunuch gave her a “you’re on your own” expression and lowered his eyes.
What… have I done wrong…
I clearly… haven’t done anything yet…
Gu Yi smiled, showing her teeth, and slowly walked to the rosewood square table to sit down.
“Did the Emperor give you permission to sit?” Xiaoyan’s cold voice echoed through Xun Xue Palace, and all the palace attendants standing around stiffened.
Imperial Concubine Gu has angered His Majesty!
A chill ran down Gu Yi’s neck, and she immediately stood up, curtseying, “This concubine acknowledges her mistake. May Your Majesty forgive the offense!”
What exactly did I do wrong?
The hall was as silent as a desolate grave, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Eunuch Gao gave a signal with his eyes, and the palace attendants filed out, leaving without a sound.
Tao Jia looked worriedly at Gu Yi before reluctantly withdrawing from the hall.
Gu Yi maintained her half-squatting position, her legs beginning to grow numb.
Xiaoyan looked up and saw that she had only been squatting for a short moment, yet her upper body was already swaying slightly.
This was due to not squatting enough, not knowing her place, not valuing the Emperor’s favor, and learning some underhanded power-grabbing techniques from the harem…
Gu Yi said miserably, daring to look up at Xiaoyan, “Your Majesty, this concubine’s feet are numb!”
Relying on favor to become arrogant.
Xiaoyan said expressionlessly, “You may rise.”
Gu Yi straightened up, her index finger uncertainly touching her cheek, “This concubine is foolish and doesn’t know where she has erred. Please enlighten this concubine, and she will certainly reform herself and reflect on her mistakes!”
Xiaoyan saw the confusion in her eyes as she looked at him pitifully, yet he didn’t know how much of her words were true and how much were false.
He said in a deep voice, “Why did you summon Imperial Concubine Gong’s maid… Were you trying to learn from Imperial Concubine Gong to gain favor…” He stared intently at Gu Yi, “What kind of person do you think I am?”
Gu Yi was shocked, not expecting that he had already met Zhao Wan.
Indeed, the protagonist’s halo allows them to meet anywhere!
She truly didn’t intend for them to have a chance encounter tonight!
“This concubine does not have such intentions!” Gu Yi’s tone was firm, “This concubine merely saw that the palace maid came from the Imperial Textile Service and is skilled in needlework, so she specifically ordered her to embroider a handkerchief…” Gu Yi looked up to see Xiaoyan still expressionless, and said softly, “This concubine embroidered a handkerchief for Your Majesty, working on it for two or three days, but… the pattern…”
Xiaoyan: “What about the pattern?”
Gu Yi gritted her teeth, “The pattern… is truly unsightly. This concubine wanted to find a maid with proper embroidery skills to help make it presentable…”
Xiaoyan: “Where is the handkerchief you embroidered?”
Gu Yi took out the handkerchief from her robe and presented it with both hands.
Xiaoyan received it and saw a pair of colorful butterflies dancing vividly on the handkerchief.
Is she deceiving him?
He was about to reprimand her when his hand moved, and he noticed that beneath the colorful butterflies was embroidered… a flower?
Red flower… green leaves…
Truly unsightly.
Xiaoyan’s expression eased slightly, “I have never seen such an ugly embroidery pattern… Gu Yi, how did you get selected to enter the palace as a candidate?”
Gu Yi didn’t know how the original owner had been selected, but at this point, she decided to be shameless, “This concubine guesses she was selected based on her appearance.”
Xiaoyan: …
The inexplicable anger in his chest dissipated somewhat, but still weighed heavily on his heart.
The night wind lightly tapped against the window lattice, making a tapping sound.
The lattice window had been blown open a crack.
Cold wind rushed in, adding to the chill.
Xiaoyan gazed at Gu Yi’s slightly alarmed face and said slowly, “You… must not rely on favor to become arrogant.”
Gu Yi was about to prove her innocence when she saw Xiaoyan drink another cup of wine alone, and heard his almost emotionless voice.
“Gong Zhenghai, Right Censor and Imperial Inspector, Rank Four, leader of the new faction, with a promising official future ahead… I… will never let you surpass the Gong family…”
His dark brown glass-like eyes reflected the windblown candlelight as he said word by word, “Gu Yi, you are too presumptuous… What I dislike most is people scheming against me.”