Little did Gu Yi know that she had already been classified in the “vixen” camp as she returned to Heluo Palace, originally thinking she could catch her breath.

But all afternoon, Heluo Palace received a steady stream of visitors.

Consort Wang had barely left when others arrived on her heels. Even Concubine Zhou and Concubine Chen, who rarely associated with her, came to Heluo Palace to exchange pleasantries with Gu Yi.

Gu Yi was exhausted but had to summon her energy to deal with them.

When the imperial consorts came to chat, their conversations circled the same topic—probing why Talent Zhao had unexpectedly been conferred the title of Talent by the Emperor at Wushan Villa.

Why was she in Heluo Palace? Had Consort Gong angered the Emperor, or had she angered the Emperor?

Or was Consort Gong using this maid to gain favor, only to benefit herself instead?

And other speculations of similar nature.

Gu Yi smiled and deflected, “Perhaps His Majesty has taken a liking to Talent Zhao. As for anything else, I don’t know. Why not ask His Majesty?”

Only after seeing off Concubine Chen did Gu Yi have a moment to rest.

“When will the pot for the evening meal be delivered?” she asked.

Tao Jia replied, “Someone has already been sent to the kitchen to fetch the meal. It should arrive momentarily.”

Gu Yi smiled, “Good. Has the ball manual sent by Noble Consort De been given to Talent Zhao?”

Tao Jia nodded, “It was delivered as soon as it arrived. This servant saw that you were speaking with the Consorts and Ladies, so I didn’t come to report. After Talent Zhao looked through the ball manual, she went to the Imperial Workshop and Craftsmen’s Office to find palace servants skilled in making chuwan balls and clubs.”

Gu Yi advised Tao Jia, “You’re familiar with the palace affairs, so help Talent Zhao prepare for the chuwan game these next few days.” Seeing Tao Jia about to protest, Gu Yi cut her off, “This is Noble Consort De’s task, and therefore Heluo Palace’s task. If there are any mistakes that others can seize upon, it won’t be good.” At that point, everyone would be taking the blame!

Tao Jia pouted, “This servant understands!”

“Lady Gu, are you just washing your hands of responsibility?”

It was Xiaoyan’s voice.

Gu Yi turned around to look—it was Xiaoyan.

She quickly glanced at the palace servants outside the hall, who were already kneeling on the ground. There had been no announcement, and she didn’t know how long Xiaoyan had been standing outside.

She curtseyed and said, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan raised his hand, indicating for her to rise, his gaze falling on the two cups of unfinished tea on the table.

Gu Yi explained, “Concubine Chen came to reminisce with this concubine and just left not long ago.”

Xiaoyan made an “oh” sound and sat down, adjusting his robes.

Gu Yi didn’t know why Xiaoyan had come at this hour. Was he going to see Zhao Wan and stop by to see her on the way?

Xiaoyan, seeing Gu Yi standing motionless, said, “Has Lady Gu been away from the palace so long that Heluo Palace is unwilling to serve even a cup of tea?”

Gu Yi came to her senses and looked at Tao Jia.

Tao Jia immediately curtseyed, “Forgive us, Your Majesty. This servant will immediately send for tea.”

“Your Majesty, please forgive us.” After Gu Yi spoke, she paused and tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, do you have instructions for this concubine today?”

Xiaoyan’s brows furrowed slightly, not understanding why her tone was so formal today. Feeling somewhat displeased, he said, “What’s this, Lady Gu? If I have no business, am I not allowed to come to Heluo Palace?”

Gu Yi backed down, giving a dry laugh, “Your Majesty, how can you say that? This concubine longs for Your Majesty’s visit every day!”

Xiaoyan’s expression eased slightly, “Smooth talk.” Looking up, he saw that she was still standing stiffly at the table, not having sat down.

He suddenly remembered admonishing her at Wushan Villa and said softly, “Sit down.”

After Gu Yi sat down, she respectfully said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to sit.”

Hearing this, Xiaoyan’s eyebrow twitched, and an inexplicable irritation washed over him. He looked up and said, “Gu Yi…”

Gu Yi waited quietly for him to continue, but he never did.

“Your Majesty?” *Finish what you were saying!*

But Xiaoyan asked instead, “Have you ordered your evening meal?”

Gu Yi nodded, “This concubine has ordered beef hotpot today.”

The two fell silent for a moment.

Gu Yi couldn’t tell if he was going to find the female protagonist, but Xiaoyan’s frowning, silent expression was somewhat frightening. She hesitantly asked, “Your Majesty, would you like to stay for the meal?”

Xiaoyan heard the reluctance in her voice, her cautious manner, and his displeasure grew.

*Gu Yi… how has your Emperor treated you normally?*

*Just because I reprimanded you once, you’re this afraid of me?*

*Besides, what I promised you wasn’t what you asked for?*

Xiaoyan said nothing, stood up, and left with a sweep of his sleeve.

Gu Yi was bewildered.

Tao Jia returned with the brewed tea, only to find the place empty. “My Lady, where is His Majesty?”

Gu Yi: “Hehe.”

A few days later, the Court of State Ceremonial sent the palace courtyard map for the chuwan game to Gu Yi.

Chuwan, striking a ball with a wooden club into pre-dug holes in the ground, was very similar to modern golf.

The map showed a corner of the Imperial Garden. Although it lacked the undulating mountain terrain described in the “Ball Manual,” it featured artificial hills, flowers, trees, and winding stone paths.

Five ball pits were built in the garden, with flags inserted beside them as markers. The map indicated the ball pits, flags, and the approximate positions for striking the balls with clubs.

Gu Yi examined it carefully several times, afraid of making any mistakes.

After reviewing it, she asked Tao Jia, “Have the invitations been sent to all the palaces? Has Talent Zhao had the craftsmen show the chuwan equipment to Noble Consort De for approval?”

Tao Jia nodded, “Talent Zhao sent all the equipment to Luoying Palace yesterday. Noble Consort De must have seen it by now.”

Gu Yi said, “Once the equipment is returned to the Court of State Ceremonial for use on the day of the chuwan game, quickly take people to inspect everything, especially the chuwan balls. Each wooden ball must be carefully weighed to ensure there are no problems.”

Tao Jia frowned, “My Lady, are you worried someone might tamper with them?”

Gu Yi nodded, “Exactly. Noble Consort De’s chuwan game is meant as autumn entertainment, a good thing. All the palaces will join in for fun, making plans to play ball, and the Emperor will also attend. We can’t rule out someone with ill intentions cheating to win, which would be bad.”

Tao Jia: “My Lady is wise! This servant will go tomorrow!”

Gu Yi felt relieved. Tao Jia’s capabilities were undeniable; though her temperament might be rough when dealing with others, she could manage the situation.

According to the plot in the book, at this autumn ball game, the female protagonist would dominate the field and win first place. But Noble Consort De would demand an inspection of the chuwan balls and discover that the ball used by the female protagonist was slightly heavier than the others, giving her an advantage on slopes and preventing the ball from being blown by the wind on flat ground. She would accuse her of being treacherous, cheating, and seeking favor. Since the female protagonist was responsible for preparing the ball game, she would be further accused of abusing her position for personal gain, making her crime even worse.

The female protagonist would be punished to kneel outside Luoying Palace for two hours, but it would coincidentally rain heavily, causing her to fall seriously ill.

Truly miserable.

Later, it would be revealed that this was all orchestrated by Noble Consort De herself.

Now, Gu Yi had become the person in charge of preparations and certainly didn’t want to be the scapegoat.

Besides, whether the female protagonist was humiliated this time… it shouldn’t affect the main plot… right?

Tao Jia, seeing Gu Yi deep in thought with furrowed brows, poured her a cup of tea and changed the subject, “My Lady… tomorrow is the day for selecting companions. Should this servant go find Eunuch Gao?”

Since the Wushan trip, Tao Jia could now speak directly with the respected Eunuch Gao, no longer needing Lu Chao as an intermediary.

Hearing this, Gu Yi couldn’t help but feel a headache. Since Xiaoyan’s abrupt departure last time, she was still bewildered, not understanding why.

Moreover, according to the plot, Xiaoyan would select the female protagonist’s tablet.

Gu Yi shook her head, “No need.” She hesitated, “Hang a red note instead.”

Tao Jia calculated the days, “But… isn’t it not yet time?”

Gu Yi waved her hand, “It’s almost time…”

Tao Jia could only follow her instructions.

In the Tianlu Pavilion, it was as silent as an abandoned grave.

The two palace servants standing in the pavilion both kept their heads lowered without a word, almost holding their breath.

Eunuch Gao walked slowly into the pavilion, placing a teacup on the sandalwood long table, “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

These tea-serving duties were usually handled by eunuchs responsible for tea, but yesterday the tea servant who had wet the tray had been dismissed from Tianlu Pavilion.

Normally, the Emperor was not harsh with servants; wetting the tray was a minor mistake he might not even notice.

Yesterday, however, he had dismissed the person.

Eunuch Gao could tell with his toes that the Emperor was in a bad mood.

The more silent he was, the worse his mood.

There had been progress with matters in the imperial court recently, so Eunuch Gao guessed the problem might be in the inner palace.

But thinking of the inner palace, at this moment, the only one who could trouble the Emperor was Lady Gu from Heluo Palace.

Eunuch Gao mentally gave Lady Gu a thumbs up.

Impressive!

Xiaoyan was still reviewing memorials and glanced at the teacup without touching it.

Some slight noise came from outside the pavilion, causing him to frown.

Eunuch Gao immediately said, “This servant will go see what the commotion is!”

Outside the door, Eunuch Gao saw Dong Cao, the maid from Noble Consort De’s palace.

Dong Cao curtseyed obediently, “Eunuch Gao, our Lady has sent this servant to deliver some snacks to His Majesty—freshly baked persimmon cakes. Please trouble Eunuch Gao to pass them on.”

Eunuch Gao was troubled. Here we go again!

These past few days, since the Emperor had returned to the palace, the imperial consorts had been sending things daily.

But couldn’t they see the Emperor was in a bad mood?

He smiled on the surface, “The Noble Consort is thoughtful. This servant will deliver this.”

Eunuch Gao took the tray and entered the pavilion.

He saw the Emperor look up at the tray in his hands, with what seemed like expectation on his face.

Eunuch Gao sighed inwardly again and smiled, “Noble Consort De has sent Your Majesty some snacks—freshly baked persimmon cakes. They’re perfectly sweet this time of year.”

The Emperor indeed lowered his eyes and said, “Put it there.”

Eunuch Gao gently placed the tray on a side table.

These past few days, silk handkerchiefs from Consort Wang, pastries from Consort Gong, writing brushes and ink from Lady Tian, and inkstones from Concubine Zhou had all piled up here.

Lady Gu had angered His Majesty, yet wasn’t coming to apologize.

Impressive!

But tomorrow was the day for selecting companions, and Eunuch Gao made a silent resolution—even if Heluo Palace didn’t send silver, he would still place Lady Gu’s tablet in a prominent position.

Who would have thought that the next day, the jade tablet of Lady Gu from Heluo Palace sent by the Department of Palace Affairs would prominently display a red note.

Good heavens!