Zhao Wan’s heart was filled with uncertainty as she looked at Gu Yi with astonishment.

How… did she know…

Was it the Production Control Department servants who told her…

Concubine Gong anxiously said, “Your Majesty, the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet was months ago. How could this concubine remember?”

Concubine Wang couldn’t miss such a great opportunity. With a delicate laugh, she immediately asked, “Concubine Zhao, do you remember?”

Zhao Wan prostrated herself in a deep bow and slowly said, “This concubine remembers…”

Earlier, she had seen the Emperor’s cold expression and dared not speak, fearing she would only displease him. But now, with the arrow on the bowstring, she had no choice but to speak.

Concubine Gong was filled with shame and anger, her fists clenched behind her skirt.

Bitch!

Consort Su laughed softly and turned to look at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, this Flying Dance was even more spectacular than the one at the Mid-Autumn banquet. What does Your Majesty think?”

Xiaoyan did not answer. His gaze swept lightly over Concubine Gong and then toward the prostrated Zhao Wan.

“Bring paper and brush to Concubine Gong and Concubine Zhao. Let both write down the patterns of the copper flower imprints on the plum blossom stakes from that day.” He then ordered, “Eunuch Gao, go personally to the Production Control Department and inquire about the servants who handled the plum blossom stakes during the Mid-Autumn feast. Bring back the diagram quickly.”

Eunuch Gao responded and left immediately.

With him handling the matter, even if the two wanted to use tricks, they couldn’t!

The plot was back on track.

Gu Yi tried hard to lower her presence to a minimum, deliberately ignoring the vengeful gaze Concubine Gong cast her way.

The protagonist’s halo cannot be defeated.

She picked up the half-eaten tangerine again but heard Xiaoyan say slowly, “Concubine Gu, you observe the slightest details and know everything, even the small plum blossom stakes. Is there anything in the palace that can escape Concubine Gu’s eyes?”

Sarcastic again!

Concubine Gu bowed her head toward Xiaoyan’s seat of honor. “This concubine merely heard it by coincidence. Your Majesty, you flatter me!”

Xiaoyan turned away, feeling irritated.

He disliked that Gu Yi had learned the scheming ways of the inner palace.

He also disliked that Gu Yi always favored Concubine Zhao.

It was as if she were always intentionally pushing Zhao Wan toward a higher position.

He could do this, but Gu Yi could not.

Concubine Zhao and Concubine Gong finished writing, and the palace servants presented the papers to the high platform. Xiaoyan glanced at them.

Just then, the swift-footed Eunuch Gao returned to Baohua Hall.

The Production Control Department wasn’t far, and although the plum blossom stakes had long been repurposed, the original sketches were still kept.

In less than a moment, the palace servants had found them.

Eunuch Gao held the scroll in his hands and hurried forward.

Everyone’s eyes in the hall closely followed Eunuch Gao.

Xiaoyan took the scroll and slowly unrolled it.

With a cold laugh, he said, “How dare you, Gong!”

Concubine Gong immediately knelt from her chair, her forehead touching the ground.

At this point, she had no defense left and could only beg, “May Your Majesty forgive me!”

Baohua Hall fell silent, with only the occasional crackle from the candles.

Xiaoyan’s expression beneath the beaded crown showed little emotion as he spoke casually, “Gong’s heart is not righteous. She shall be fined three months’ salary and demoted to Noble Lady.”

This punishment was indeed severe.

Concubine Gong’s body swayed slightly, and she could only bow again, saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan then turned to Zhao Wan, who was kneeling in the hall, and said deliberately, “Concubine Zhao has suffered. Your Flying Dance was stunning that day, and it is so today as well… My heart is greatly pleased. Today, I promote Zhao to Noble Lady.”

In an instant, both Zhao and Gong became Noble Ladies, equal in rank.

Those present couldn’t help but be shocked.

It must be known that Zhao Wan had been promoted from Talented Lady to Beauty just half a month ago during the polo match.

This favor came too quickly—truly imperial grace was vast.

Zhao Wan’s heart pounded like a drum as she bowed again, saying, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness.”

Noble Lady Gong knelt on the ground, her heart bitter with hatred as she tightly gripped her silk handkerchief.

After the promotion and demotion, the musicians resumed playing.

For a time, songs and dances flourished, as if the earlier drama had left no trace, like geese flying overhead.

Concubine Wang smiled and raised her cup to Gu Yi. “Come, Sister Gu, let your elder sister toast you.”

Gu Yi didn’t want to drink this cup of wine, but could only raise her cup to clink with hers and give a dry laugh.

Trying to be a good person was so difficult!

Consort Su’s eyelashes lowered as she heard Consort De beside her say blandly, “Sister Qi, how strange today, insisting on helping Zhao shine!”

Despite Qi Huo being punished with confinement, Consort Su still showed no signs of defeat.

Consort Su smiled slightly, “What spotlight? It was merely justice.”

Consort De secretly hated her. She had originally wanted to deal with Zhao Wan, but Consort Su had intervened.

Consort De had lived in Consort Su’s shadow since childhood.

Qi Shu, a famous beauty of the capital, had been talented since young. After coming of age, she had been a hot candidate for the Crown Prince’s consort.

The Liu family was as renowned as the Qi family. The two women were of similar age and background, yet people always preferred to compare her with Qi Shu.

They said she wasn’t as beautiful as Qi Shu, not as talented as Qi Shu.

Nothing compared to Qi Shu.

But once Crown Prince Heng died, what of Qi Shu then?

In the end, weren’t they equal in rank?

Who was above whom now!

And His Majesty didn’t like her!

Thinking of this, Consort De’s expression relaxed slightly as she turned to look at Xiaoyan.

But she saw his gaze lingering on Zhao Wan.

Vixen!

Xiaoyan had sent people to investigate Zhao Wan’s background and had received some unexpected findings.

The province and prefecture she had reported when entering the palace as a servant could not be verified.

It was truly… interesting.

A palace maid from the Laundry Bureau—who had protected her, allowing her to enter the palace under a false identity?

He moved his gaze, and his eyes unconsciously fell on Gu Yi.

He saw that her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her almond eyes glistened.

Meanwhile, Concubine Wang drank another cup with her…

Xiaoyan’s long eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly.

Ridiculous.

At the hour of Hai, snow was flying in the sky.

As the final tune finished in Baohua Hall, the banquet ended.

Tao Jia saw Gu Yi’s eyes looking confused and quickly draped a thick golden-yellow cape around her, hanging the silk strap of a hand warmer around her neck.

“Concubine, wrap the cape tightly and hold the hand warmer. It’s snowing outside and very cold. This servant will support you as we walk back slowly.”

Gu Yi held the warm hand warmer, her body wrapped in the fine velvet of the cape, and sighed, “Tao Jia, you’re the best to me! I’ll take you out of the palace!” And we’ll be rich ladies together!

Tao Jia was startled, “Leave the palace? Concubine is drunk. This servant won’t leave the palace. This servant will take Concubine back to Heluo Palace.”

Tao Jia supported Gu Yi out of Baohua Hall’s front corridor, around the moon gate, toward Heluo Palace.

High vermilion walls stood on both sides of the passageway, and a fine layer of snow covered the blue bricks on the ground.

Gu Yi stepped on the snow and stamped her feet, feeling cold.

She stopped in her tracks and looked up at the sky. Pure white snowflakes fell gently all around, softly landing on her eyelashes and forehead, forming crystal-clear small droplets.

She couldn’t help but sigh, “How beautiful…” She laughed softly, “But… not as beautiful as the snow on West Mountain…”

“Is that so?” It was Xiaoyan’s voice from behind.

Gu Yi turned around and saw Xiaoyan in a dark dragon robe, walking through the snow, his eyebrows seemingly carrying a smile.

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

Xiaoyan saw her swaying unsteadily and reached out to steady her. Looking down, he noticed her brocade boots were already stained with snow.

Gu Yi felt herself lighten as Xiaoyan picked her up horizontally and carried her toward Heluo Palace.

Gu Yi’s head was dizzy. Only after returning to Heluo Palace did she say dazedly, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan turned and saw that Eunuch Gao and Tao Jia were still standing in the hall. He waved his hand, indicating they should withdraw, and carried Gu Yi directly into the sleeping chamber.

Gu Yi sat on the couch and saw Xiaoyan reach out to remove her boots, even feeling her ice-cold feet.

She blinked in surprise and said, “Your Majesty, you even know how to serve people?”

Xiaoyan saw her eyes rippling like water, her cheeks with light powder, and even her neck slightly reddened. She was indeed quite drunk.

He removed his crown and sat beside Gu Yi, taking off the hand warmer hanging around her neck. He also helped her take off her cape and saw her habitually stretch her feet, wrapped in snow-white gauze socks, onto the openwork purple-gold copper stove cover.

He laughed, “Isn’t it hot?”

Gu Yi quickly shook her head, “Not hot.”

After becoming drunk, my senses seemed to become duller.

Xiaoyan moved her feet down from the stove cover and scolded lightly, “That’s improper.”

Unexpectedly, Gu Yi let out a cold snort, “Your Majesty, what are you doing here? Haven’t you removed this concubine’s jade token?”

Xiaoyan saw how bold her words and actions were and found it even more amusing. “I am the sovereign. Naturally, I can do whatever I want and go wherever I wish.”

Gu Yi blinked, thought for a moment, and asked again, “Then can this concubine still drink the calming soup in the future? Without the token, does that mean I can’t have it anymore?”

Xiaoyan was startled by her words and asked, “Do you want to drink that calming soup?”

Gu Yi nodded without hesitation, “I want to drink it…” She mumbled softly, “This concubine is afraid…”

Xiaoyan frowned, “Afraid of what?”

Gu Yi tilted her head and thought for a while, then smiled, “This concubine fears… being unable to calm her spirit…”

Xiaoyan: …

Why was he seriously conversing with a drunk person…

Gu Yi sat by the copper stove for a short while and felt her body heating up. She began to undo the ties on her chest, wanting to take off her padded jacket.

Xiaoyan’s eyes darkened slightly as he reached out to help her undo them, quickly removing her padded jacket.

But Gu Yi suddenly stopped her movements and pulled the collar of her inner garment tight. “What is Your Majesty doing… This concubine cannot dance!”

Xiaoyan laughed softly, put his arm around her waist, and made her sit on his lap.

As soon as Gu Yi sat down, she jumped up as if scalded.

Xiaoyan firmly pressed down on her waist and whispered in her ear, “My dear doesn’t know how to dance… I will teach you…”

Gu Yi: …

*

Before the hour of Mao.

As Gu Yi dozed in a daze, she felt a breeze by her ear.

She half-opened her eyes and saw Xiaoyan already dressed neatly. “I’m leaving…”

She looked up at the carved wooden window and saw that it was still pitch black outside.

So she closed her eyes again.

By the time Gu Yi woke up, Tao Jia was standing by the bed curtain and asked, “Is Concubine awake? Shall this servant have them bring the warmed medicinal soup?”

Gu Yi had been drunk last night and still had a slight headache. Her voice was hoarse as she said, “Mm, bring it in.”

Taking the medicine bowl, Gu Yi drank it with gulps. Tao Jia said happily, “His Majesty hasn’t forgotten Concubine. That’s wonderful!”

After Gu Yi finished the medicine, Tao Jia took the empty bowl from her hands and added, “This servant passed by the Accounting Department’s gate at the hour of Chen and saw several eunuchs who serve in the imperial presence. They seemed to be collecting travel implements, similar to the preparations for the previous visit to Wushan Villa. This servant guesses, could His Majesty be going out again?”

Xiaoyan is leaving the palace?

Gu Yi recalled the plot line and thought of the spring southern tour. But it was still winter. Perhaps preparations for the spring southern tour had already begun?

“Don’t inquire about matters of the imperial presence. If there’s truly a journey planned, we’ll know when the time comes.”

Tao Jia nodded, “This servant understands…” After a pause, she said, “By the way, while Concubine was still sleeping soundly earlier, Noble Lady Zhao came to pay her respects. She said she would come back to thank you when Concubine woke up. Would Concubine like to summon her now?”

After the birthday banquet, the plot had been corrected again, and the female protagonist’s upgrade storyline was on track.

From Talented Lady to Beauty, and now Noble Lady. After the spring southern tour, she would leap two more ranks to become Consort Wan. Although so far, the title “Wan” had not been bestowed, who knew if it would be corrected and restored by then.

Gu Yi thought for a while and simply decided, “Let me wash up first, then call her at noon.”

Tao Jia was stunned and hesitantly said, “But, Concubine, it’s already the hour of Wei…”

Gu Yi: …

She coughed falsely, “Prepare for my bath then.”