Before the Hour of You (5-7 pm), the warm winter sun had already set in the west.

At the Zhou family’s tea house outside the city, lanterns were being lit as night fell. The cold wind blew, gently swaying the lanterns at the four corners of the wooden building.

Zhou Long seized this opportunity to speak, “If you all don’t mind, let’s dine here in this wooden pavilion of the tea garden. The New Year’s provisions have already been prepared. Since we rarely have visitors, today the kitchen can roast a lamb…”

Gu Changtong glanced at Xiaoyan, and seeing him nod, smiled and said, “In that case, we respectfully accept.”

In the wooden pavilion, the Zhou family servants laid out dishes one by one on the table.

Bamboo baskets with fire were set up in front of the pavilion, and two burly cooks began slowly turning the iron wheel, suspending the lamb.

Before long, one could hear the crackling sound of bursting fat.

The aroma gradually rose.

Zhou Long laughed heartily, “How can we eat roast lamb without wine? Bring the wine!”

Several jars of aged wine were opened, their red covers removed, and placed on the table, releasing a strong alcoholic fragrance.

Zhou Long boldly drank a bowl first, “Zhou drinks first to Minister Wang, Minister Gu, and Minister Huang!”

After he drank, Zhou Tinghe also raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

Though the aged wine was fiery in his throat, Zhou Tinghe, like Zhou Long, remained expressionless.

Xiaoyan remarked with surprise, “Young Master Zhou appears scholarly, yet he’s a good drinker.” As he spoke, he also raised his cup and drank it all.

After several rounds of drinking among the guests, the roasted lamb was finally brought to the table.

Zhou Long divided the lamb and pushed the first plate toward Xiaoyan, “Brother Huang is new to Fuzhou, try this Fuzhou yellow lamb.”

Xiaoyan noticed that he had skipped Gu Changtong and Wang Zibo to offer the lamb to himself, but his face revealed nothing.

Zhou Long had been in business for many years; if he didn’t have this level of discernment, how could he operate smoothly across several states?

Xiaoyan accepted the silver plate, “Thank you, Manager Zhou.”

Zhou Long guessed in his heart that this man must be Wang Zibo’s superior, likely someone like an Assistant Minister of Revenue.

He smiled and said, “Young Master Huang is too polite.”

Everyone ate meat and drank wine, conversing happily.

Zhou Long was widely experienced and spoke of the twists and turns of the business world, explaining everything in a particularly interesting way.

Xiaoyan glanced at Zhou Tinghe, who sat stiffly beside him, drinking one cup after another, still silent with a pale face.

He asked, “Young Master Zhou, have you been to Qingzhou?”

Zhou Tinghe met his dark brown pupils and saw what seemed to be a smile in his eyes, though his brows were sharp, with a shallow scar at his temple.

His heart sank again, and he answered slowly, “This humble one… went to Qingzhou earlier this year…”

Xiaoyan chuckled softly, “Oh? How did Young Master Zhou find Qingzhou?”

Zhou Tinghe pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, “Qingzhou Prefecture was originally a place of beautiful mountains and waters, but now strongmen are rising everywhere. Prince Shen is recruiting soldiers and buying horses, creating an atmosphere of chaos and corruption.”

With these words, the room suddenly fell silent. Gu Changtong and Wang Zibo both put down their cups.

Xiaoyan laughed loudly, changing the subject, “Has Young Master Zhou ever taken the imperial examinations? Do you have any desire to serve as an official?”

Zhou Tinghe slowly shook his head, “Tinghe knows he is shallow in talent and learning, not good with the brush. I’m still… more comfortable being a merchant…”

Xiaoyan smiled silently. Zhou Long stood up and refilled everyone’s cups, “Come, more wine! Tonight we must drink to our heart’s content!”

The Hour of Hai (9-11 pm) arrived.

Amid the drinking revelry, Zhou Long patted Gu Changtong’s shoulder beside him, putting his arm around him and saying, “Minister Gu, it’s been a long time, we’ve grown distant. Our two families haven’t had dealings for half a year… It’s all my fault… all the fault of me, Zhou…”

Although Gu Changtong was somewhat dazed from drinking, his mind still retained a trace of clarity.

Hearing this, alarm bells immediately rang in his mind. He hurriedly changed the subject, “Manager Zhou, your words are too heavy. Officials and citizens are of one heart. In the future, Fuzhou’s tax reform will still rely on Manager Zhou to set an example for the prefectural office…” He then rambled on with the diplomatic talk from earlier in the day.

Zhou Long had drunk too much and wanted to speak words of deep affection. He waved his hand, “What Minister Gu entrusts, Zhou will certainly help with all his might!” As he spoke, he stood up with his wine bowl and suddenly bowed deeply to Gu Changtong, “For past matters, the Zhou family has given much offense, and I hope Minister Gu will be magnanimous…”

Gu Changtong’s heart began to race, and he also stood up, reaching out to support Zhou Long, “Manager Zhou… this is very…”

Before he could finish, Zhou Long urgently bowed and said, “Minister Gu! It is… it is all the Zhou family’s fault! It is Tinghe’s poor fortune… he was not worthy of the Gu family’s daughter! He let down Minister Gu’s intention to elevate him, and also let down… the Gu family daughter’s feelings, her letter expressing her emotions… Zhou apologizes to Minister Gu on his behalf…”

Before he could finish, “Uncle!” Zhou Tinghe sternly interrupted him!

Zhou Tinghe immediately stood up, supporting Zhou Long’s swaying body, and bowed deeply, “Minister Gu, honored ministers, please don’t blame him, my uncle is drunk!”

Gu Changtong had sobered up quite a bit from the shock, with a layer of fine sweat appearing on his forehead. Xiaoyan was sitting just beside him, but he didn’t even dare to turn his head to look at him.

He swallowed and laughed dryly a few times, “Manager Zhou is drunk… It’s best to return home to rest early…”

Wang Zibo glanced at Xiaoyan’s expression and saw that his face remained as before, with a kind smile, but upon closer observation, it seemed like a thin mask, with no joy in his eyes.

Wang Zibo dared not look anymore, but he heard Xiaoyan chuckle again and unhurriedly ask, “Is Young Master Zhou an old acquaintance of the Gu family’s daughter?”

Zhou Tinghe knew that at this moment he could neither lie nor evade. He nodded, “Yes. I had the fortune of meeting her several times in the past.”

Xiaoyan laughed again, supporting his chin with one hand, gently rubbing his jaw with his index finger, staring at him and asking with a smile, “Was Manager Zhou’s mention of a letter expressing feelings true?”

Zhou Tinghe slowly closed his eyes, having already guessed seven or eight parts of the man’s identity, and for a moment didn’t know how to answer.

Xiaoyan put away his smile and turned to ask Zhou Long, “Manager Zhou, what do you say?”

Even in his drunken state, Zhou Long sensed the strange atmosphere of the moment.

He shook his head, downplaying the matter, “These were just youthful jests… Young Master need not take them to heart…”

“Jests?” Xiaoyan looked toward Zhou Tinghe, “Does Young Master Zhou still remember those jests?”

Zhou Tinghe’s fists clenched tightly inside his sleeves.

Remember, of course, he remembered.

The reeds are dark green, the white dew turns to frost.

The one I love is on the other shore, the way back is long and hard.

Gu Yi’s feelings conveyed through “The Reeds,” her past affections, he had never forgotten.

Xiaoyan saw his silence and observed what seemed like nostalgia, like reminiscence on his face, and became furious in his heart.

Gu Yi had feelings for this man and had once sent him a letter expressing her emotions.

But alas, the flower had intent, yet the flowing water was indifferent.

Gu Yi… had only just entered the palace…

The anger at being fooled, the ridiculousness of his misplaced feelings, and the boundless jealousy that arose after seeing Zhou Tinghe’s hesitation all churned within Xiaoyan’s chest.

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, remained silent for a moment, and finally said coldly, “Let’s end the night here.” With that, he rose and left.

He had already formed a killing intent in his heart, fearing that if he stayed any longer, he might inadvertently kill Zhou Tinghe.

But the Zhou family members could not be killed at this moment.

Gu Changtong felt as if he had been granted a great amnesty and immediately rose to follow.

The group hurriedly returned to the Gu residence.

On the way, Xiaoyan was silent, his emotions inscrutable.

Gu Changtong wished his soul could leave his body and fly ahead to the Gu residence to warn Gu Yi.

There was silence in the carriage. He wanted to say a few words of consolation, to ease the situation, but didn’t dare.

He boldly raised his eyes to observe the Emperor’s expression and saw anger, but not great rage.

Over these few days, he had observed that the Emperor had a humble temperament and treated people with measured generosity.

Gu Changtong repeatedly comforted himself in his heart; it was merely a youthful, hazy affection, and now Gu Yi was already a palace consort. The Emperor should not care too much…

The moon rose to the middle of the sky.

Gu Yi looked out the window at the silent world, unable to tell if it was already past the Hour of Zi (11 pm-1 am).

Gu Changtong had sent a minor official back in the evening to relay that they would be dining out, so there was no need to wait.

But Gu Yi had spent half the afternoon making apricot blossom shortbread, finally producing a plate that looked and smelled delicious, and she was unwilling to let it go to waste.

Still, wait a little longer…

On the silver plate were stacked four snow-white flaky apricot blossom pastries, topped with five thin red flower petals the size of fingernails, made from red bean paste.

Gu Yi had practiced dozens of times, and these four pastries were the roundest and most attractive ones.

The silver plate was placed above a charcoal brazier, and the copper stove that Gu Zhao had given her hung from a candle stand, gently warming the apricot blossom shortbread.

Gu Yi lightly touched them with her index finger; they were still warm.

Out of boredom, she fidgeted with the copper stove, causing the silver chain to sway and make a soft jingling sound.

Finally, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Gu Yi rose with delight and quickly went to open the door.

Two servants holding white lanterns led the way, and behind them, she saw, were Gu Changtong and Xiaoyan.

Both wore leather boots and dark cloaks.

Gu Changtong’s cheeks were flushed, as if he had been drinking, but Xiaoyan’s face was pale.

Gu Yi curtsied and said, “The young master has returned…”

But Xiaoyan didn’t respond.

Gu Changtong laughed dryly a couple of times, “The journey today was long, and the night is deep. Young master should retire early.”

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed directly on Gu Yi.

However, Gu Yi was completely oblivious, focusing only on Xiaoyan, and didn’t notice Gu Changtong’s urgency, thus failing to understand his meaningful look.

She stepped aside slightly to welcome Xiaoyan inside.

He had come from the cold night, and his cloak was covered with frost.

As they brushed past each other, it felt like a cool breeze.

Seeing him enter, Gu Yi closed the door, turned around with a smile, and said, “Young master, are you tired today? This concubine made apricot blossom shortbread this afternoon and saved a few. They’re still warm from the copper stove. Would the young master like to try them?”

Xiaoyan turned to look and indeed saw pastries on the silver plate.

But he had no appetite, nor any interest.

He just reached out to remove his cloak, casually throwing it on the couch.

Even though Gu Yi was slow to react, seeing his continued silence, she now sensed something unusual.

She gave a placating smile and asked softly, “Your Majesty, what’s the matter?” In her nervousness, she momentarily forgot to change her form of address, and then speculated, “Did something troublesome happen today?”

That was the only explanation!

Last night, Xiaoyan had been fine!

Seeing her cautious expression, Xiaoyan suddenly laughed loudly, “Today, I went to a tea garden outside the city. Drinking with the garden owner and the tea garden’s young master, I heard an interesting story.”