Gu Yi’s heart trembled, and unease seized her body and mind. She could only bow her head and say, “This concubine understands. This concubine has no such intentions and does not compete with Imperial Concubine Gong.”

Xiaoyan saw her lower her eyelids and continued, “If the Gong family wishes to promote her palace maid, I will naturally oblige. And you, as an Imperial Concubine, should avoid confrontation rather than secretly scheming and plotting in the harem…”

Gu Yi suddenly felt a surge of bitter injustice in her heart. She took a deep breath, blinked her eyes, and said, “This concubine obeys.”

Xiaoyan tucked the handkerchief into his robe.

“You may sit down.”

Gu Yi bowed again: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.” Only then did she move to sit at the table.

After being reprimanded by Xiaoyan, Gu Yi felt truly dejected.

As a plot device character, she had to admit that she had been somewhat overconfident these past few days.

She thought she could use her recent interactions with Xiaoyan to persuade him to appoint Concubine Wan.

But she had forgotten Xiaoyan’s character design—he was a heartless emperor, unmoved by romantic sentiments.

The harem was merely another court.

Zhao Wan’s appointment or lack thereof, whether it was favor or reward, punishment or blessing, all depended on his whim.

Her frequent little maneuvers not only failed to preserve the plot but might even backfire…

What should she do? Would she not see tomorrow’s sun!

The night was deep, the second watch drum sounded, and the Hour of the Pig (9-11 PM) had passed.

Xiaoyan saw that after bathing, Gu Yi sat alone before the mirror, methodically combing her hair.

There was no smile on her face.

Was she displeased?

Had his words been too harsh?

But he had carefully explained his reasoning to her, and she was still unhappy.

Xiaoyan stood up, walked to the mirror, stood behind Gu Yi, and took the silver comb from her hand.

Gu Yi was startled, “Your Majesty?”

She saw Xiaoyan take the comb and begin combing her hair.

What was he doing?

Was this a bedroom pleasure?

Gu Yi said embarrassedly, “Let this concubine comb it herself.”

Xiaoyan saw her silky black hair hanging down, “Am I not combing well?”

Gu Yi smiled at the mirror, took back the comb, and said, “For such a small matter, how can I trouble Your Majesty? This concubine has already been combing for a long time and has finished.”

Xiaoyan watched her put the comb back in its box. “Your Majesty, please retire early.”

Xiaoyan’s brows furrowed slightly as he silently got into bed.

Gu Yi saw Xiaoyan lie down and reached out to lower the layered bamboo-green bed curtains.

The surroundings darkened, the candles in the hall had already been extinguished, and only the dim moonlight filtered into the bed.

The two lay on the same couch, sharing a silk quilt, shoulders nearly touching, close at hand, yet momentarily speechless.

The atmosphere was quite awkward.

Gu Yi gently turned over, facing inward toward the wall.

If things didn’t work out, she would start over on the fifteenth of June!

It wouldn’t be the first time she had to replay!

June 15th, another chance to be brave!

Xiaoyan saw her leaning against the corner, her back looking desolate, and couldn’t help but frown.

Her temper was this great today? None of her usual cordial words?

Just because he had admonished her earlier?

Was she truly so arrogant in her favor?

Xiaoyan turned his head to look at the pitch-black back of her head.

The moonlight was cool, shining into the bed curtains, falling on her shoulders, a patch of white brightness.

Looking closely, he saw that her shoulders were thin and trembling.

Xiaoyan’s heart sank.

Was she that upset?

He waited for a long time, but still Gu Yi did not turn around.

He sighed softly.

“If… if you truly wish to take that palace maid for your use… to use her as a chess piece in the harem to counter Imperial Concubine Gong…”

Hearing this, Gu Yi was greatly alarmed and was about to turn around and exclaim, “This concubine has no such intention!” But then she heard Xiaoyan continue, “Tomorrow I will appoint Zhao Wan as Talented Lady Zhao and grant her residence in the west side hall of Heluo Palace… From now on, she will be at your disposal, for your use.”

Gu Yi froze in place.

Talented Lady Zhao?

Not Beauty Wan?

Granted residence in the side hall of Heluo Palace?

This wasn’t the same as the agreed-upon plot!

And didn’t you just say you would never let me surpass the Gong family!

Gu Yi slowly turned over to face Xiaoyan and said in confusion, “Your Majesty, are you serious?”

Xiaoyan saw her brows slightly furrowed, a pitiful expression of disbelief, and said coldly, “I am certainly serious.”

Gu Yi’s lips moved, but for a long time, she couldn’t squeeze out words of gratitude.

Xiaoyan closed his eyes and said harshly, “Go to sleep.”

Early the next morning, Eunuch Gao came to Luoxia Palace to announce the imperial decree: Zhao Wan was appointed as Talented Lady Zhao.

Zhao Wan fell to her knees, touching her forehead to the ground, and accepted the decree with thanks, “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!”

Eunuch Gao smiled and said, “Talented Lady Zhao, please rise. From now on, when we return to the palace, the Talented Lady will follow Imperial Concubine Gu and reside in Heluo Palace. We will depart for the capital tomorrow, so the Talented Lady should pack up today and go to Xun Xue Palace.”

Zhao Wan rose and curtseyed again, “Thank you, Eunuch Gao.”

After Eunuch Gao left, Zhao Wan first went to see Imperial Concubine Gong in the sleeping chamber of Luoxia Palace.

Imperial Concubine Gong saw her visitor and laughed, “Imperial Concubine Gu has quite the skill. After borrowing you for just half a day, Wan’er has transformed into a Talented Lady.”

Zhao Wan curtseyed, “Wan’er’s current position is due to My Lady’s great kindness. Wan’er will never forget.”

Imperial Concubine Gong carefully observed her face. For the Emperor to appoint her as a Talented Lady, there must be some reason behind it.

But for Imperial Concubine Gu to place someone with such looks in Heluo Palace, her cleverness might backfire, and there would come a time when she would cry.

“I dare not speak of great kindness. I only hope that Talented Lady Zhao will have smooth sailing from now on. If one day you ascend to a high branch, remember our former mistress-servant relationship, and preserve some of our old friendship… Since you are to go to Xun Xue Palace, you should go now…”

Zhao Wan dared not say more, only curtseying once, “This concubine takes her leave.”

Zhao Wan walked slowly along the corridor towards the back of Luoxia Palace, still feeling as if in a dream.

Why had the Emperor appointed her as Talented Lady Zhao?

Last night when she met Xiaoyan, his words were icy, with no trace of affection in his eyes. Why would he appoint her as a Talented Lady?

Was it at Imperial Concubine Gu’s request?

And why?

Zhao Wan’s thoughts were in turmoil. The favor came so suddenly, yet she had been longing for it, naturally bringing joy to her heart. But within that joy was also wrapped uncertainty and anxiety.

Her luggage and bundle were still in the servants’ quarters. Just as she reached the door, she saw a red lacquered food box standing in the corridor outside the door.

Looking around, she saw the retreating figure of Qi Chuang walking away.

Zhao Wan hurried to chase after him, “Commander Qi.”

Qi Chuang turned around, saw who it was, and clasped his hands in greeting, “Greetings to the Talented Lady.”

Zhao Wan said softly, “Commander Qi, there’s no need for such formality.”

Qi Chuang: “Does the Talented Lady have any instructions?”

Zhao Wan had instinctively followed Qi Chuang upon seeing his back, and after thinking for a moment, she said, “Does Commander Qi like those osmanthus cakes?”

Qi Chuang frowned, “The Talented Lady has misspoken.”

Zhao Wan’s face heated up—a palace concubine should not speak in such a manner.

Her lips twitched, “Commander Qi has shown kindness to Wan’er. It was Wan’er who misspoke.”

Qi Chuang bowed again, “This subordinate takes his leave.”

Zhao Wan watched him stride away.

Were all members of the Qi family so cautious?

*

In Xun Xue Palace, when Tao Jia heard that Zhao Wan was coming, her face turned bright red, “My Lady! Why let that vixen come! We’re returning to the capital tomorrow, what harm would it do for her to stay in the servants’ quarters for one night?”

Gu Yi: “Since she’s been personally appointed as a Talented Lady by His Majesty, she must be treated well. From now on, don’t speak like this again!”

Hearing the rebuke in Gu Yi’s voice, Tao Jia’s heart sank further.

Although the Imperial Concubine shared the Emperor’s bed, it had been two days since she had been given the calming medicine.

Could it be that the Emperor hadn’t been intimate with her? Was it because of that Talented Lady Zhao?

Tao Jia said softly, “This servant has noted all of My Lady’s words, but when we return to Heluo Palace, My Lady still cannot give this person any opportunities!”

Gu Yi also felt that having the female protagonist assigned to her palace was somewhat troublesome. Although it would allow her to correct the plot up close, she still felt uneasy.

She had originally thought that when she woke up this morning, she would surely return to June fifteenth, since Talented Lady Zhao and Beauty Wan differed in rank.

But she had woken up just fine.

Perhaps the plot was suggesting that there was still a possibility of correcting the story…

But with their return to the capital imminent, she didn’t dare to make any more small moves in front of Xiaoyan these next two days…

Tao Jia saw Gu Yi’s gloomy expression and figured she must be feeling unwell inside. She tried to console her, “My Lady need not worry. From now on, Tao Jia will certainly be My Lady’s eyes and ears, watching her closely!”

Gu Yi absent-mindedly made a sound of acknowledgment.

From outside the hall came the voice of a palace attendant: “Talented Lady Zhao has arrived.”

Gu Yi rose and walked out of the sleeping chamber. “Let her enter.”

In Xun Xue Palace, Zhao Wan respectfully bowed, “Greetings to Imperial Concubine Gu.”

Gu Yi raised her hand, indicating for her to rise, then turned to ask a palace attendant standing nearby, “Has Talented Lady Zhao’s sleeping chamber been prepared?”

The palace attendant replied, “The sleeping chamber in the side hall has been prepared. This servant will take Talented Lady Zhao there now.”

Gu Yi nodded, and Zhao Wan bowed again, “Thank you, Imperial Concubine.”

Zhao Wan saw Gu Yi’s kind smile. “The Talented Lady need not be so formal.”

Arriving at the sleeping chamber in the side hall, the hall was heated with warm incense. There stood a pear wood clothes rack, a mother-of-pearl square cabinet, and on the bed frame were silk brocade quilts.

It was indeed thoroughly prepared.

Zhao Wan thanked the palace attendant, sat on the soft bed, and couldn’t help but fall into a daze.

She had originally thought Imperial Concubine Gu would give her a tough time, but this situation was already several times better than she had expected.

Imperial Concubine Gu… was somewhat hard to figure out.

After thinking for a while, Zhao Wan placed her luggage at the head of the bed and felt the sachet inside.

She took out the triangular sachet and removed the white jade inside.

She fondled it carefully between her fingertips.

Xiaoyan had given her this white rabbit jade pendant in their childhood.

She wondered if, upon seeing this jade pendant, he would remember her.

*

Afternoon.

Palace attendants came to set up the meal.

Gu Yi invited Zhao Wan to dine together.

Zhao Wan looked at the pair of white jade mandarin duck hairpins in Gu Yi’s hair, “The hairpins on My Lady’s head are as lustrous as water, truly beautiful.”

Gu Yi smiled, “The pearl flowers on the Talented Lady’s head are also beautiful.”

Then, they both fell into silence.

Gu Yi put down her chopsticks, and Zhao Wan followed suit.

Gu Yi: “The Talented Lady need not be so restrained. I’m going to the sleeping chamber for a midday rest. The Talented Lady may feel free to explore the hall.”

Zhao Wan: “The Imperial Concubine is kind-hearted.”

Gu Yi gave a dry laugh and left the table.

Awkward, simply awkward.

Even her previous interactions with Concubine Wang hadn’t been this awkward.

Perhaps because cross-story friendship was too difficult!

Gu Yi hurriedly returned to the sleeping chamber.

Tao Jia saw her remove her embroidered shoes and get onto the wooden couch.

She hesitated to speak.

The Imperial Concubine was too generous. What if Zhao Wan became presumptuous in the future?

But the Imperial Concubine had already reprimanded her earlier.

Tao Jia could only change the subject, “After My Lady wakes from her nap, would you like to send some refreshments to Xuanyu Pavilion?”

Gu Yi felt that she and Xiaoyan had ended on harmonious terms last night, and today was Zhao Wan’s first day as a Talented Lady.

She decided not to go seeking attention…

Gu Yi shook her head, “We’ll be departing for the capital tomorrow. His Majesty must have many matters to attend to, so I won’t bother him…”

*

In front of Xuanyu Pavilion, Eunuch Gao heard the report from the palace attendants, glanced at the luggage list, then turned and entered the hall to report to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, the large luggage has all been packed and boxed. The attendants from Luoxia Palace and Xun Xue Palace are also busy gathering their belongings… I expect that we can depart on schedule at the Hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM) tomorrow.”

Xiaoyan: “The task has been done well…” After a moment of silence, he asked, “Are the vinegar-pickled plums from the kitchen ready?”

Eunuch Gao smiled and said, “Your Majesty, they’ve been ready for some time. Three jars have already been placed in the carriage in advance.”

Xiaoyan made a sound of acknowledgment, picked up his brush, and lowered his eyes to look at the memorial again.

Eunuch Gao remembered the silver ingots received earlier that day and deliberated, “The refreshments sent from Luoxia Palace this morning, does Your Majesty wish to have them now? If so, this servant will go brew a fresh pot of tea?”

Xiaoyan paused his writing.

“What did Xun Xue Palace send?”

Eunuch Gao was speechless for a moment, “Perhaps they are too busy packing, but Xun Xue Palace has not sent anything today.”

Xiaoyan laughed coldly in his heart.

Last night the two had some friction. Despite allowing Gu Yi’s inappropriate behavior and arrogance in her favor, he had ultimately given in to her wishes. Today, she wouldn’t even come to bow her head and thank him…

Had he placed too much importance on her… and been too indulgent…

Eunuch Gao saw the Emperor pause for a moment before burying his head in the memorial again, and secretly let out a long breath.

Waiting until the Hour of the Rooster (5-7 PM).

In Xuanyu Pavilion, the lanterns were just being lit.

Eunuch Gao remembered the newly appointed Talented Lady.

He tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, do you wish to summon Talented Lady Zhao tonight?”

Xiaoyan: “Where is Talented Lady Zhao at present?”

Eunuch Gao: “Talented Lady Zhao moved to Xun Xue Palace before noon.”

Xiaoyan put down the vermilion brush in his hand, “Summon Talented Lady Zhao to Xuanyu Pavilion.”