At five forty-five in the evening, the sun sank below the horizon, and the last golden shimmer on the eaves of Wu Mountain Villa had completely faded.

Chief Eunuch Gao stood in Xuan Yu Pavilion, following the Emperor’s instructions to first select the memorials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel.

The Emperor sat at the table, holding a brush to write notes by lamplight.

During this period, though the Emperor claimed to be resting at Wu Mountain, he had been occupied with numerous affairs—purging Crown Prince Heng’s former associates, tracing Consort Dowager Liu’s whereabouts. Now, with the false court stirring up trouble, coupled with the empty treasury and declining conscription, all problems left behind by the late Emperor.

Looking at the piles of accumulated memorials almost forming a mountain, Chief Eunuch Gao sighed inwardly.

They had been at Wu Mountain Villa for more than half a month, yet it seemed the Emperor hadn’t had a single night of peaceful sleep.

Ah.

Chief Eunuch Gao glanced sidelong at the Emperor with drooping eyelids, seeing him circle several red marks on the memorials from the Ministry of Revenue.

Dengzhou Prefecture, Wu Prefecture, and Fuzhou Prefecture offices.

All were local government offices requesting to collect silver based on acreage and implement tax reforms.

Chief Eunuch Gao had a thought and spoke up, “Your Majesty, you’ve already spent half the day reading memorials. Perhaps this servant should summon the evening meal now, so Your Majesty can rest a while?”

Xiaoyan glanced at the sky outside the pavilion, put down his vermilion brush, and readily agreed, “Summon the meal.”

Chief Eunuch Gao smiled, “This old servant will go at once. While waiting for the meal, would Your Majesty like to look at the letters sent from the palace? All the consorts have sent some.” He specifically added, “Beauty Wan from Xiu Yi Palace and Talented Lady Gu from Ping Cui Palace have also sent letters.”

Xiaoyan gave him an amused look. “Bring them to me.”

In just a moment, Chief Eunuch Gao brought a tray of letters, along with several lacquered boxes.

Chief Eunuch Gao first picked out the most eye-catching tassel pendant. “This is a tassel personally made by Beauty Wan. The craftsmanship is exquisite, rarely seen even in the palace.”

Xiaoyan glanced at the aqua-colored tassel but only made a sound of acknowledgment.

He casually opened several letters.

They were all lengthy treatises filled with classical citations, making his eyes blur after having read memorials for half the day.

Xiaoyan’s eyebrows drew together slightly, and he was about to ask Chief Eunuch Gao to take the tray away when he noticed a thin envelope at the bottom corner, stamped with the seal of Ping Cui Palace.

Gu Yi.

Xiaoyan’s thoughts stirred, and he reached out to take it, opening it to read.

“Ode to Autumn Chestnuts.”

The corner of his lips lifted slightly as he continued reading.

But this letter was only two pages long, and the second page was all fluff. It took him less than a moment to finish reading.

He couldn’t help giving a cold laugh. “Is Talented Lady Gu always this perfunctory?”

Chief Eunuch Gao’s heart sank, blaming Lu Chao for not providing better guidance.

He laughed dryly. “Perhaps Your Majesty could write back to Talented Lady Gu, asking her to be more attentive next time?”

Xiaoyan put down the letter. “No need.”

Chief Eunuch Gao now clearly saw the three large characters “Ode to Autumn Chestnuts” written on the letter and had a sudden inspiration. “This old servant notices that there are autumn chestnuts still hanging on the chestnut trees in the mountains. Though not as tender as in late summer, autumn chestnuts are plump and delicious. Since Talented Lady Gu likes chestnuts, this old servant will have the villa staff gather a basket of good ones. Tomorrow’s express rider can deliver them to Talented Lady Gu at Ping Cui Palace.”

Xiaoyan didn’t refuse.

Chief Eunuch Gao understood and immediately went to arrange it.

*

The next day, shortly after three in the afternoon while the sky was still bright, Gu Yi received a basket of chestnuts hurriedly delivered by Eunuch Lu Chao.

The bamboo basket placed on the ground reached up to her knees, filled with no less than a hundred autumn chestnuts.

The chestnuts were not small, brown, and shiny. Some had been picked recently, still wrapped in their prickly brownish-green hulls, making them somewhat thorny to handle.

Lu Chao explained with a smile, “These are mountain autumn chestnuts specially gathered for the Talented Lady by His Majesty’s order, sent by express rider from Wu Mountain. The Talented Lady can taste their freshness.”

But… these chestnuts are raw…

Gu Yi was about to order someone to take them to the kitchen when Lu Chao added, “After reading the Talented Lady’s letter, His Majesty said the recipe the Talented Lady wrote was excellent. Why doesn’t the Talented Lady try it herself, and when His Majesty returns to the palace, she can also offer some for His Majesty to taste?”

Gu Yi was bewildered.

Did he want her to roast chestnuts herself, to practice iron palm skills?

Or was she supposed to learn how to retrieve chestnuts from fire?

She tried her best to put on a smile, curtseying, “This concubine is overwhelmed with gratitude for His Majesty’s great favor.”

Eunuch Lu Chao, feeling he had done a good job, spoke honeyed words, “This servant will certainly convey the Talented Lady’s message. These autumn chestnuts are an honor bestowed exclusively on Ping Cui Palace—no other palace has received them.”

Gu Yi: “Hehe…” After a pause, she asked, “Didn’t Beauty Wan from Xiu Yi Palace receive any reward?”

Lu Chao’s heart skipped a beat, not expecting Talented Lady Gu to be so perceptive, yet he had to answer honestly, “Beauty Wan’s tassel was indeed excellent. His Majesty rewarded her with silver ingots…”

Gu Yi was too exhausted to even comment.

Before leaving, Lu Chao reminded her again with a smile, “Tomorrow there will be another express rider. This servant will come before noon to collect your letter?”

Gu Yi nodded with a smile.

Remembering his master’s instructions, Lu Chao made sure to add, “This time, the Talented Lady might want to write a bit more. My master said His Majesty enjoys reading the Talented Lady’s letters, only they’re a bit short.”

The smile on Gu Yi’s face was becoming difficult to maintain.

“Yes… Eunuch Lu, travel safely.”

Tao Jia circled the bamboo basket, exclaiming with delight, “This shows His Majesty is thinking of the Talented Lady. Though chestnuts are common, in this servant’s opinion, the sentiment behind them surpasses vulgar things like silver. His Majesty truly thinks of the Talented Lady to send chestnuts.” She glanced at Gu Yi. “Talented Lady, have you decided what to write to His Majesty tomorrow?”

Gu Yi sat on a pear blossom chair, leaning forward to pick up a chestnut, feeling troubled.

Being rewarded with silver would feel a bit better.

But…

After pondering for a moment, Gu Yi instructed Tao Jia, “Go to the Kitchen Department and ask if they have well-seasoned black sand for roasting chestnuts. If not now, will they have some in a few days? Also, go to the Records Department and get some thick, sized Xuan paper…”

Tao Jia, seeing that she had an idea, replied, “Yes!” and immediately left with a smile.

Gu Yi moved to the long wooden table in the bedchamber and began grinding ink, pulling out a sheet of paper to draft her ideas.

Writing letters was too tiring; two pages was already her limit.

Why not draw instead?

She could create a single-line comic book, easily filling up pages.

Gu Yi rubbed her hands together, picked up her brush, and drew a chestnut on the Xuan paper—a triangle with lines at the top to indicate the texture, showing it was a chestnut. She then added thin, long limbs to the chestnut.

Her drawing skills, in Xiaoyan’s view, were probably at the level of drawing an orange when trying to depict a cup. She couldn’t draw anything too difficult.

Her single-line comic book would be called “Chestnut’s Night Journey.”

After Tao Jia returned with the Xuan paper, Gu Yi bent her head over her work, her brush flying rapidly until late into the night.

Nine forty-five at night.

Xuan Yu Pavilion was still brightly lit.

Chief Eunuch Gao boldly tried to persuade the Emperor once more, “Your Majesty, it’s late. You should retire to sleep earlier…”

Xiaoyan raised his eyes, his dark brown, glassy eyes looking at him. “I can’t sleep. I might as well finish reading these memorials. When I’m tired enough, I’ll be able to sleep.”

Seeing no one else in the pavilion, Chief Eunuch Gao said, “Your Majesty, is it that headache again? Should this servant find a court physician to prepare a soothing medicinal decoction?”

Xiaoyan shook his head, laughing coldly. “Soothing decoctions have been prepared several times, but none have worked. Don’t bother.”

Chief Eunuch Gao lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before advising, “Your Majesty, there is a hot spring pool behind this villa. Perhaps if Your Majesty bathed there, it might relax your muscles and meridians, helping you sleep better. Moreover, Your Majesty has been at Wu Mountain for so long but hasn’t used the pool yet. In a few days, you’ll return to the capital—wouldn’t it be a pity to miss it?”

Seeing his earnest expression after persuading for so long, Xiaoyan said, “Very well, I’ll take a look.”

Chief Eunuch Gao felt relieved and immediately ordered someone to prepare lanterns and clothing.

Xiaoyan removed his crown, dressed in blue robes with a cloak over them, and headed toward the hot spring pool.

Two servants carrying white lanterns led the way. As they passed through Wu Mountain Villa and approached the pool, they saw misty white vapor rising from the hot spring.

By the faint light of the lanterns, he seemed to see a figure in the mist.

With a single topknot, facing away from him.

Revealing a section of snow-white neck.

It was a woman.

Xiaoyan felt his heart suddenly race, though his voice grew colder, “Who’s there?”

Chief Eunuch Gao was startled by his words and peered ahead, also seeing the figure in the hot spring.

Which ignorant palace maid was so inconsiderate, taking advantage of the late hour to bathe here?

The figure suddenly trembled and turned around, revealing the face of an unfamiliar woman.

No.

Not this person.

Xiaoyan felt a pain in his mind, vaguely recalling the strange dreams he had been having at Wu Mountain Villa.

In the dream, there was also such a hot spring pool, and there seemed to be such a person in the pool.

But amid the swirling white mist, he could never see that figure.

His head suddenly felt as if it would split open.

Chief Eunuch Gao, seeing his expression change dramatically, anxiously followed, not forgetting to scold, “Make that palace maid get out! What an impropriety! She should be punished according to the rules!”

Xiaoyan said nothing and turned back.

*

Before noon, Eunuch Lu Chao again visited Ping Cui Palace.

It had been raining lightly for some time that day. He put away his oil-paper umbrella and stood in the corridor, seeing Talented Lady Gu come out to meet him.

Though her face was lightly made up, the trace of dark circles under her eyes was visible.

She must have stayed up late.

She held a book in her hand, about half a palm thick and a palm in length and width. The book was bound on one side with fine hemp rope, allowing it to be easily flipped through in the palm of one’s hand.

Lu Chao curiously asked, “What is the Talented Lady holding? Is it a book for His Majesty?”

“Yes, it is.” Gu Yi stepped closer to demonstrate, “This book is called ‘Chestnut’s Night Journey.’ Hold it and flip through it quickly from the beginning.”

Lu Chao’s eyes widened as he exclaimed, “Ah!” seeing the chestnut come to life on the paper.

Gu Yi smiled, “See, this chestnut is journeying through the night.”

Gu Yi handed the book to him, watching as he wrapped it in cloth and carefully tucked it into his robe.

The light rain gradually became heavier, falling more urgently.

The express rider, originally scheduled to depart at noon, had to wait an additional hour.

By the time the galloping horse reached Wu Mountain Villa, it was already deep into the night.

Chief Eunuch Gao first selected the urgent memorials to send to Xuan Yu Pavilion, casually placing the consorts’ letters on a small table beside the bed in the bedchamber.

At the third watch, after practicing swordsmanship and washing up, Xiaoyan lay down on the bed.

If he practiced swordsmanship, he could sleep more soundly.

But he had that strange dream again.

Through the swirling mist, he tried to penetrate the cloud-like barrier, walking closer and closer still.

Wanting to see the person in the water.

But she still had her back to him.

He opened his mouth to call out, the dream version of himself seeming to already know who that person was.

But he could neither hear her voice nor make a sound himself. Yet he saw the figure sway slightly, as if finally about to turn around.

Xiaoyan held his breath in anticipation, when suddenly a loud noise came to his ears.

Bang.

He abruptly opened his eyes.

The window lattice had been blown open by the night wind, rain slanting into the hall.

Chief Eunuch Gao, standing guard outside the door, also heard the noise and immediately entered with a candelabra, bowing as he closed the window and secured the wooden latch. “Forgive me for disturbing Your Majesty’s rest…”

Turning around, Chief Eunuch Gao saw the Emperor already half-sitting up on the wooden bed, staring at the carved window with a dazed expression.

“Is Your Majesty thirsty? There is tea on the table. If you prefer hot tea, this old servant will bring it shortly…”

Xiaoyan was now fully awake and shook his head. “No need. Just leave the candelabra.”

Chief Eunuch Gao left the candelabra on the small table as instructed and withdrew from the bedchamber.

Xiaoyan noticed a stack of letters on the tray, one of which was about half a palm thick.

He pulled it out and saw it bore the small seal of Ping Cui Palace.

He opened it to find a book with “Chestnut’s Night Journey” written on the cover.

Xiaoyan’s face rarely displayed such an expression of bemused exasperation.

How pretentious.

He opened the first page to see a triangular object drawn on the clean Xuan paper, with a thin line on each side and two undulating thin lines below.

A crescent moon was drawn in the upper eastern side of the page.

Had the title not given him a hint, he might not have recognized the triangle as a chestnut.

He patiently turned to the second page, still seeing the chestnut and a few thin lines, though the positions of the lines seemed slightly different, and the crescent moon’s position also appeared to have changed.

Xiaoyan laughed softly, understanding now.

He closed the book and rapidly flipped through it from beginning to end.

With his movements, the pages rustled softly, and the crescent moon gradually shifted from east to west, while the chestnut with its arms and legs seemed to truly journey across the paper in the night.

Childish.

Extremely so.

Xiaoyan closed the book and lay back on the bed.

A moment later, Xiaoyan picked up the book again and, by the faint candlelight, watched “Chestnut’s Night Journey” once more.

After viewing it several times, he finally fell into a drowsy sleep.

The rest of the night passed without dreams.