The two sat facing each other, silent for a moment, still awkwardly unfamiliar.
Gu Yi smiled and asked, “Talented Lady, now that you’ve moved to Heluo Palace, did you sleep well last night?”
Zhao Wan: “Thank you for your concern, Imperial Concubine. The side hall is fully equipped, and I slept extremely well.”
Gu Yi nodded, “That’s very good. If the Talented Lady needs anything else, just inform the palace maids. Heluo Palace doesn’t have such strict rules, and the Talented Lady need not come pay respects every day.”
Zhao Wan lowered her head: “I’ll follow Imperial Concubine’s instructions.”
Such a white lotus female protagonist, Gu Yi, couldn’t quite accept it!
She fake-coughed once, “If there’s nothing else, the Talented Lady may return. I…” Gu Yi was about to make up an excuse when an unfamiliar palace maid’s voice came from outside, “Greetings to Imperial Concubine Gu and Talented Lady Zhao. Imperial Consort De invites both mistresses to visit Luoying Palace, saying she hasn’t seen you in a long time and misses you greatly.”
Gu Yi couldn’t help but stand up, “Very well, hurry back to Imperial Consort De. We’ll be there shortly!”
Imperial Consort De was finally making her formal appearance.
In the original book, Imperial Consort De’s mistreatment of Zhao Wan began after she returned from Wushan Imperial Villa and was appointed as Beauty Wan. Now, Zhao Wan was Talented Lady Zhao, living in the side hall of Heluo Palace, which meant she too was invited to Luoying Palace for tea. Gu Yi immediately felt a headache coming on.
The palace maid left to deliver the response. Zhao Wan saw Gu Yi frown slightly and asked, “Imperial Concubine, have you not dealt with Imperial Consort De before? Are you worried?”
Gu Yi: “I have never met with Imperial Consort De privately before. Going to pay respects today is only natural.”
After Gu Yi slightly adjusted her appearance, she and Zhao Wan slowly walked toward Luoying Palace.
Luoying Palace was five rooms wide, with yellow glazed tiles on its xieshan-style roof, and a long corridor beneath the eaves.
Gu Yi and Zhao Wan arrived at the front door of the main hall and stood in the corridor, waiting to be called in.
Inside the main hall door stood a glazed screen door. In front of the screen was a red-carved peacock and peony patterned table, on which stood a blue-and-white eight-sided candle holder with branch flower patterns.
Compared to Heluo Palace and Xiuyi Palace, it was several times more luxurious.
As expected of Imperial Consort De, and also as expected of Liu Piaopiao’s father!
The weather was slightly cold now, with autumn winds sweeping the ground. Gu Yi tucked her hands into her wide sleeves as she stood outside the hall door.
After quite a while, there was still no summons.
Tao Jia whispered in her ear, “Had I known, this servant would have prepared a hand warmer for My Lady.”
Gu Yi shook her head, “The scenery here is beautiful. Look, the maple leaves in the front courtyard have turned red, isn’t that lovely?”
Zhao Wan, standing a step behind Gu Yi, couldn’t help but look at the maple tree standing in the front courtyard when she heard this.
The maple leaves were fiery red.
Late autumn had arrived.
A palace maid wearing a purplish-red floral upper garment came out of the hall door, curtseyed, and said, “Imperial Consort De invites both mistresses to enter the hall.”
Gu Yi smiled and said, “Thank you, please lead the way.”
Imperial Consort De sat on a rosewood round-backed armchair in the hall and heard Imperial Concubine Gu’s voice.
A gentle, beautiful voice.
Fox spirit!
She displeasedly fingered the golden vine-patterned finger covers on her hand.
Gu Yi and Zhao Wan entered the hall and bowed to Imperial Consort De at the head of the room, saying in unison, “Greetings to Imperial Consort De.”
Imperial Consort De, seeing their faces, was even more displeased.
She had seen Imperial Concubine Gu at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet—she was a beauty.
But she hadn’t expected that Talented Lady Zhao, who had been appointed at Wushan Imperial Villa, also had exceptionally good looks.
No wonder!
She straightened up, her willow brows slightly furrowed, then relaxed again, “My two sisters, you’re too formal. Why such a grand greeting? Rise, I’ve just invited you here to chat and drink tea.”
Imperial Consort De turned her head and instructed the palace attendants: “Offer seats and serve tea.”
The palace maids brought two low stools, and when seated, their heights were significantly lower.
Imperial Consort De looked down at Zhao Wan and smiled faintly, “So this is the newly appointed Talented Lady Zhao. Indeed, such good looks. Even I like what I see!”
It’s beginning, it’s beginning, the battle between female lead and female second lead is beginning!
Gu Yi held a cup of hot tea in her hands, motionless, trying her best to lower her presence to the minimum.
Zhao Wan kept her eyes lowered submissively, “Imperial Consort De is too kind with her praise.”
Imperial Consort De let out another tender laugh, “If not for that, I would find it even more curious. His Majesty has never before arbitrarily promoted palace maids. A servant is a servant, how could they become masters?”
Zhao Wan felt a pain in her heart, lightly biting her rouge-colored lips, unable to utter a single word.
Imperial Consort De was satisfied in her heart and looked toward Gu Yi, “Imperial Concubine Gu, what do you say?”
Imperial Concubine Gu didn’t want to say anything!
Gu Yi tried her best to smile obediently, “My Lady, you may not know, but Talented Lady Zhao was originally a female official, having served in the Imperial Textile Service as a textile master. She has exceptional craftsmanship; the Moonlight Skirt was her creation. She was never a servant. In this concubine’s view, My Lady is truly like jade and pearls, elegant and graceful. His Majesty, at Wushan Imperial Villa, was merely finding this concubine and the Talented Lady somewhat novel.”
Imperial Consort De laughed lightly, “Imperial Concubine Gu, your tongue is quite clever.”
Zhao Wan, however, turned her face in surprise to glance at Gu Yi.
Gu Yi smiled again: “It’s my honor to amuse My Lady.”
Imperial Consort De’s expression eased slightly, “I invited you here today because there’s another matter I wanted to discuss. The tenth month is approaching. Last year, I organized a polo game, which the entire palace enjoyed. This year, before the snow falls, I thought of organizing another one for entertainment. Last year, Concubine Wang and Concubine Gong advised me, but now both ladies have been promoted to Imperial Concubines, and I really can’t trouble them with such errands. Concubine Tian is always sickly, so I’m assigning this task to the two ladies of Heluo Palace…”
In the book, Imperial Consort De gave Beauty Wan an important task, of course, to make her fail and be humiliated before the Emperor. But now she included herself—was she to be a scapegoat?
Gu Yi was just about to refuse when she heard a long announcement from outside the hall: “His Majesty arrives.”
Imperial Consort De immediately rose with joy to welcome him: “His Majesty has come!”
Gu Yi and Zhao Wan also stood up, moving to the side.
The confrontation scene, though late, had arrived.
The emotional whirlpool of the second female lead, the male lead, and the female lead.
And she, the plot device, happened to be here as well…
Imperial Consort De bowed: “Greetings to Your Majesty. Your Majesty went to Wushan Imperial Villa, and we haven’t seen each other for a long time. This concubine has been thinking of you constantly.”
Xiaoyan helped her up: “Rise. Today, after court, seeing that it was still early, I came to see you.”
Imperial Consort De was overjoyed at these words, “Your Majesty’s great favor. This concubine has specially prepared the bamboo leaf tea that Your Majesty loves. Please taste it.”
Xiaoyan smiled mildly: “My beloved Consort is thoughtful.”
But his gaze fell on Gu Yi, who stood with her head bowed behind Imperial Consort De.
Seeing her standing there with her eyes downcast, like a fool.
Imperial Consort De looked back, “This concubine almost forgot, the two sisters are also in the hall today. We were just discussing this year’s polo game.”
Xiaoyan sat down directly and raised an eyebrow, “Oh, tell me about it.”
Imperial Consort De sat beside him, her left hand with the golden finger covers lightly resting on his right arm, smiling like a flower, “This concubine was thinking that since Imperial Concubine Gong and Imperial Concubine Wang have been promoted, they need not be troubled with such small matters. This year, this concubine plans to entrust the preparations for the polo game to Imperial Concubine Gu and Talented Lady Zhao of Heluo Palace.”
Xiaoyan smiled and said, “A very good idea.”
Seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, Imperial Consort De smiled again, “In the past, sisters would gather to play polo for fun, but for the polo game in the tenth month, Your Majesty must come to support this concubine.”
Xiaoyan: “I will certainly come to support you.” His gaze swept over the two still standing to the side.
Imperial Consort De noticed this and asked, “Talented Lady Zhao, since His Majesty approves, this year’s polo game must be well-planned, and there must not be the slightest mistake.”
The plot is online!
Gu Yi glanced at Zhao Wan and saw her say with great seriousness, “Wan’er will certainly do her utmost.”
Xiaoyan smiled and said, “Then I look forward to it.”
Zhao Wan’s heart leaped with joy, but she controlled the smile at the corners of her lips, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s auspicious words.”
Xiaoyan saw Gu Yi’s eyes look at Talented Lady Zhao, glance at Imperial Consort De, but never land on himself, “Imperial Concubine Gu, what do you say?”
Gu Yi had just raised her eyes to look at Xiaoyan, saw him wearing a jade crown, his peach blossom eyes fixed on her without blinking, so she lowered her eyes and said, “This concubine will also do her utmost.”
Imperial Consort De turned her head to look carefully at the Emperor and saw him staring intently at Imperial Concubine Gu.
She reached out to pull at his sleeve, “Your Majesty, since Your Majesty has come to accompany this concubine, and the two sisters have had tea in Luoying Palace, this concubine will let them return to Heluo Palace.”
Hearing this, Gu Yi secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Xiaoyan saw Gu Yi’s shoulders sink slightly—she was relieved… so eager to leave?
“You may withdraw.”
Gu Yi curtseyed: “This concubine takes her leave.”
Zhao Wan, half a beat slower, said: “This concubine takes her leave.”
Walking out of Luoying Palace, Zhao Wan hesitantly asked Gu Yi, “Imperial Concubine, do you have any ideas for preparing the polo game?”
Gu Yi recalled the content from the book, “I don’t have any, but I know you certainly do. When Imperial Consort De sends the ‘Polo Classic,’ you can prepare according to the instructions. At the end, we’ll discuss together.” How to throw off all the blame while ensuring the main plot stays on track, throw it off!
Zhao Wan knelt on one knee, “Grateful for Imperial Concubine’s trust, Wan’er is endlessly thankful.”
Gu Yi helped her up, “No need for such formality, I trust you!” According to the plot, after receiving the Emperor’s favor, there will be a small hurdle, and then you’ll quickly rise! Entering the face-slapping mode!
*
“Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?” Imperial Consort De personally brewed bamboo leaf tea and passed it to Xiaoyan. She saw him resting his hand on the armrest of the huanghuali wood chair, seemingly… in a daze?
Imperial Consort De saw Xiaoyan’s eyes turn toward her, and he said with a faint smile, “I was just wondering… why Prime Minister Liu is again claiming illness and not attending court?”
Imperial Consort De’s heart sank, but she smiled and said, “My father is old now. Whenever the frost and cold weather come, his leg ailment acts up. Your Majesty, please don’t mind.”
Xiaoyan: “The officials newly promoted to the Six Ministries, Prime Minister Liu is a pillar of the state. I hope he takes good care of himself and returns to court soon.”
Imperial Consort De’s smile was forced, “This concubine will certainly convey Your Majesty’s words to my mother.”
Though Liu Fang was dissatisfied with the new official appointments, he dared not repeatedly remonstrate like Qi Rutang, only claiming illness to avoid court.
Xiaoyan came today merely to warn the Liu family not to be like the Qi family, thinking too highly of themselves.
He tasted the tea, “My beloved Consort’s tea art has improved again.”
Imperial Consort De: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise.”
After drinking one cup, Xiaoyan stood up and said, “I must return to Tianlu Pavilion, so I won’t stay.”
Imperial Consort De hurriedly stood up, “Your Majesty, staying only for the time it takes to drink one cup of tea, you’re already leaving?”
Xiaoyan: “Court affairs are complex. I will come to see you another day.” With that, he truly walked toward the hall door.
Imperial Consort De felt that the Emperor was different today, but she couldn’t pinpoint how.
She bit her lip and embraced Xiaoyan from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Xiaoyan stopped in his tracks and smiled, “What’s this about?”
Imperial Consort De’s face turned bright red, “This concubine has lost her composure. It’s just that this concubine hasn’t seen Your Majesty for a long time. Today… although it’s not the day for summoning… this concubine hopes Your Majesty would stay… to cherish this concubine…”
After saying this, she saw that the Emperor in front of her did not respond.
After waiting for a moment, Imperial Consort De felt increasingly unsure and couldn’t help but loosen her arms, looking up and saying, “Your Majesty…”
Xiaoyan turned around, a slight smile on his face.
Imperial Consort De’s smile had not yet reached her eyes when she heard him say, “I am too busy today. I’ll come see you another day.”
Imperial Consort De could only curtsey and say, “Then this concubine will wait for Your Majesty. Respectfully seeing Your Majesty off.”
After the Emperor left, Imperial Consort De slowly walked into the sleeping chamber. The red history from Wushan Imperial Villa, sent by the Ceremonial Department, was at the head of her bed, with just a few lines, but they were glaringly red.
Imperial Consort De grabbed the jade ruyi scepter from the bedhead and smashed it violently to the ground. The fine green jade instantly shattered into powder.
“All those fox spirits!”
Today, she had cast aside her dignity but still failed to keep the Emperor. She felt angry, anxious, and extremely wronged!