The polo match officially began. To ensure nothing went wrong, Gu Yi had the palace maids weigh the polo ball once more before handing it to Zhao Wan.
The weight was correct.
She finally put her mind at ease and stood to the side, casually leaning on her walking stick to observe the match.
The first to take the field was Noble Consort De from Luoying Palace. True to her reputation as last year’s champion, she won five points in succession. Unfortunately, she missed on her sixth attempt at the slope shot and would have to wait for the next round.
The second to compete was Consort Shu, who seemed to be merely going through the motions and didn’t score a single point.
When it was Gu Yi’s turn, despite her careless strikes, she somehow managed to score three points.
Concubine Wang remarked, “Sister Gu is still so formidable even with her injury.”
Gu Yi humbly replied, “Just beginner’s luck.”
Xiaoyan secretly smiled, thinking she had some self-awareness at least. He had observed her striking technique—gripping the mallet with both hands, applying uneven force, one loose and one tight—it truly was luck that she scored at all.
Shortly after Gu Yi finished her turn, it was Xiaoyan’s turn to play.
She had assumed he would follow the script, saying something like “We shall merely observe the match,” but to her surprise, he not only came to watch but took to the field. He effortlessly scored ten points in succession, taking the lead.
Gu Yi: …
The book never mentioned Xiaoyan taking the field!
What was going on? Was he just showing off in front of the consorts because there were so many people today?
Noble Consort De exclaimed with delight, “Your Majesty is truly formidable! To take the lead so quickly!”
Gu Yi clung to her last shred of hope, thinking that Xiao Gouzi surely wouldn’t try to win the consorts’ stake money, but then heard him say, “I’m honored, everyone.”
Gu Yi’s dream of wealth teetered on the brink. Unwilling to give up, she asked, “Your Majesty is indeed impressive! But if one of the sisters who hasn’t yet played also scores ten points in one go, how will the prize money be divided?”
Xiaoyan smiled, “Naturally, it would be split equally.”
The only ones who hadn’t yet played were Concubine Gong and Lady Zhao.
Concubine Gong smiled, “Your Majesty, Sister Gu thinks too highly of me. I can score two points at most.”
Gu Yi thought she was just being modest, but she truly delivered on her words, scoring only two points.
The last to take the field was Zhao Wan.
Gu Yi leaned on her walking stick, holding her breath in anticipation.
It’s all up to you, female protagonist!
Xiaoyan noticed Gu Yi leaning on her wooden staff, her eyes fixed intently on Lady Zhao with a grave expression.
He couldn’t help but laugh, forgetting that she was a money-grubber.
But with all her needs provided for in the palace, what did she need so much silver for…
On the field, Zhao Wan quickly scored six points, matching Noble Consort De’s record.
She was preparing to strike for her seventh point.
All the consorts were shocked!
This Lady Zhao was truly skilled!
Noble Consort De clutched her handkerchief tightly, her teeth gently biting down. She turned to the Emperor standing nearby and smiled faintly, “Sister Zhao is truly impressive, isn’t she?”
Hearing this, the Emperor praised, “Indeed, she is.”
Noble Consort De felt increasingly displeased.
The others who heard this couldn’t help but look at Lady Zhao with renewed interest.
His Majesty would remember her now!
Meanwhile, Consort Shu, standing diagonally behind the Emperor, had been quietly observing him. She noticed that for most of the time, Xiaoyan hadn’t been watching Lady Zhao’s excellent performance on the field.
His gaze, intentionally or not, kept falling on Concubine Gu.
Yet in recent days, even though Concubine Gu had injured her leg, the Emperor hadn’t visited Heluo Palace since the day of her assault.
Was he truly unconcerned about Concubine Gu, or was he so concerned that he deliberately kept his distance?
Thinking about it this way, perhaps Xiao Lü’s man choosing Concubine Gu showed some insight after all…
Consort Shu looked more carefully at Concubine Gu, seeing her eyes follow the polo ball, completely ignoring the gazes of others.
Truly interesting.
An incense stick’s time passed, and Zhao Wan finally scored all ten points, taking the lead!
The plot truly didn’t lie!
Gu Yi suppressed her wildly upturned mouth and sighed, “Wan, amazing! A beautiful victory!”
Get rich overnight!
Zhao Wan’s face flushed slightly as she turned to Xiaoyan, saying softly, “I was merely lucky. Nothing like Your Majesty’s steady performance.” Her last few points had barely made it in.
Xiaoyan showed a kind smile, his eyebrows gently curved, his peach blossom eyes brilliant, “Lady Zhao, there’s no need to belittle yourself. Since you’ve shown superior skill, you deserve a reward.”
Zhao Wan’s face reddened further as she bowed gracefully, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Palace servants approached carrying trays piled with gleaming snow-white silver. Xiaoyan added, “Send half of the stake money to Heluo Palace.”
At this moment, Gu Yi finally shared in the female protagonist’s glory and quickly covered her too-obvious smile with a silk handkerchief.
She hurriedly bowed and said, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Xiaoyan was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, “Lady Zhao of Heluo Palace, with your exceptional beauty and grace, you are promoted to Concubine Zhao.”
Zhao Wan froze momentarily, her heart pounding like a drum. She knelt and performed a deep bow, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great favor.”
Gu Yi was also stunned.
The plot was truly following the book… Zhao Wan had become a Concubine… exactly matching her rank during the polo match in the book.
Everyone present was astonished.
This Lady Zhao had been promoted from palace maid to Lady just last month, and now she was promoted to Concubine.
Wasn’t it too fast…
Truly a magnificent imperial favor…
Xiaoyan instinctively glanced at Gu Yi’s expression, seeing her stunned for only a moment before her face showed understanding.
His heart suddenly felt somewhat displeased.
“Since we’ve all enjoyed the polo match, I shall take my leave.” He said to Eunuch Gao, “Move to Tianlu Pavilion.”
Eunuch Gao was puzzled—he had just promoted someone to Concubine, and now he wanted to leave?
The Emperor’s temperament had become increasingly difficult to predict recently. Still, he chanted, “The Emperor departs.”
After Xiaoyan left, the various consorts began to congratulate Zhao Wan, some sincerely, some not.
“Congratulations to Concubine Zhao for taking the lead and catching His Majesty’s eye!”
“I’m truly envious. Concubine Zhao accompanied His Majesty to Wu Mountain, and upon returning to the palace, you continued to enjoy his favor and was promoted.”
Noble Consort De’s smile was strained, barely maintained, “Sister Zhao caught me by surprise today. I didn’t expect you to be such an expert at polo.”
Zhao Wan lowered her head, “You flatter me, Noble Consort.”
Noble Consort De’s fists clenched inside her sleeves. It was this vixen! The Emperor hadn’t stayed at Luoying Palace since returning from Wu Mountain!
“Concubine Zhao is too modest. Since His Majesty praised your exceptional beauty and grace, your future surely looks bright.” After saying this, she turned away, “I’m tired as well. Let’s end today’s activities here.”
With Noble Consort De’s departure, the other consorts dispersed, each returning to their respective palaces.
Gu Yi leaned on her walking stick and headed toward her sedan chair, but Zhao Wan quickly caught up with her, “Concubine.”
Gu Yi turned her head to see her and smiled, “What is it?”
Zhao Wan, seeing that Gu Yi’s steps were still slow, showed concern, “Concubine has been standing for so long today, your leg must be uncomfortable. I’ll just say one thing and won’t bother you further.”
Gu Yi nodded, indicating for her to speak.
Zhao Wan lowered her head and bowed, “For today’s polo match, I relied heavily on Concubine’s help. I wish to offer all of Heluo Palace’s stake money to you.”
Gu Yi was shocked, “This… doesn’t seem right…” A thousand taels of gleaming silver—she wasn’t that greedy, an 80-20 split would be fine!
Zhao Wan bowed again, “It’s all my heartfelt wish. If Concubine refuses, I can only kneel outside Heluo Palace until you accept.”
Gu Yi opened and closed her mouth, believing the female protagonist would be just this stubborn.
So she stopped resisting, “Very well, since it’s your wish, I’ll accept it. Later, I’ll see what new novelties the Imperial Treasury has and send you something.” After all, wouldn’t the female protagonist eventually have everything in the world? A thousand taels of silver would be nothing to her, but for someone like Gu Yi, who wanted to leave the palace and become wealthy, this was precious seed money!
Seeing that she agreed, Zhao Wan curtsied and took her leave.
After Gu Yi sat in her soft sedan chair, she heard Tao Jia say softly from outside, “What does Concubine Zhao mean by this? Could she be trying to give you a reputation for bullying and mistreatment, so she can report you to His Majesty?”
Gu Yi replied, “No matter, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” What reputation? She didn’t care!
That evening, the Emperor awarded Concubine Zhao a complete set of jade-inlaid polo mallets, making her the talk of the palace.
Tao Jia watched as Gu Yi leisurely lay on her bed, reading a book, and anxiously said, “Concubine’s leg is injured, and the Department of Palace Affairs has even removed your jade tablet. Tomorrow, when His Majesty chooses a consort, what if he selects Concubine Zhao again?”
Gu Yi languidly turned the pages of her book, “When it rains, it pours. When mother wants to remarry, she will. Don’t worry about it!” He will choose Concubine Zhao!
The romantic storyline between the male and female protagonists was already accelerating.
Tao Jia was incredulous at Gu Yi’s calm demeanor, “Isn’t Concubine anxious? What if the Emperor truly fixates on Concubine Zhao and forgets about you? You and the Emperor were once so close, didn’t it hurt?”
Gu Yi put down her book and recited a line, “In the end, it was a misplaced affection…” Then she sighed, “The Emperor’s favor has never been something one can control. Tao Jia, since His Majesty has bestowed upon me the rank of Concubine, I should be content.” Thinking carefully, this rank was probably just Xiao Gouzi’s consolation prize.
Tao Jia’s brows furrowed tightly, “Concubine… you should focus on healing your injury. When you’re better, I’ll beg Eunuch Gao to see if your jade tablet can be hung back up…”
Gu Yi responded with a simple “Mm” and buried herself in her book again.
The next afternoon in Tianlu Pavilion, after Chief Physician Hu from the Imperial Medical Institute finished taking the Emperor’s pulse as usual, he bowed and was about to withdraw.
But the Emperor stopped him, “Chief Physician Hu, have you visited Heluo Palace today?”
Chief Physician Hu replied, “In response to Your Majesty, I checked Concubine Gu’s injured leg at the hour of Si.”
Seeing the Emperor’s silence, he continued, “Concubine Gu’s wound has scabbed over. After a few more days of rest, she should be able to move freely again.” After a moment’s thought, he added, “However…”
“However… what?”
Chief Physician Hu reported truthfully, “However, after Concubine Gu’s wound heals, it will likely leave a long scar…” Unsuitable for imperial presence, probably unable to serve in the future…
Xiaoyan made a sound of acknowledgment and said coldly, “I understand. You may withdraw.”
After the physician left, Xiaoyan lowered his head to read the memorials again.
Eunuch Gao promptly reminded him, “The manager of the Department of Palace Affairs is waiting outside. Does Your Majesty wish to summon him?”
Xiaoyan put down his brush and said, “Summon him.”
Eunuch Wu entered trembling, carrying the jade tray. Since the Emperor had overturned the jade tablets the last time, he hadn’t had an audience with him, so today he was especially careful, fearing that even breathing incorrectly might anger His Majesty.
Xiaoyan walked to the bottom of the jade steps and saw that indeed, Concubine Gu’s jade tablet from Heluo Palace had been removed from the tray.
Eunuch Wu didn’t dare breathe, and only heard a clear “ding” sound.
The Emperor had turned over a tablet.
He bowed his head and said, “This servant takes his leave.”
Holding his breath until he was outside the pavilion, he finally dared to look up and see.
It was Concubine Zhao’s tablet from Heluo Palace.
This Concubine Zhao, Eunuch Wu, had heard some mention of her lately.
It seemed she was truly rising rapidly…
But what puzzled him was that the last time His Majesty had turned over Concubine Zhao’s tablet, he had been in a great temper.
Ah, the imperial heart was truly unfathomable.