That night, fast horses carrying letters traveled south from the Vermilion Bird Gate, changing riders and horses every few postal stations along the way.

By the time they reached Fuzhou, more than eight days had passed.

The fast horse arrived at the prefecture office, and the courier with a document bag on his back tumbled down from the horse. His lips were dry and cracked, his speech slightly trembling as he said, “Prefect Gu,” and handed the sealed letter to Gu Changtong.

Gu Changtong accepted it with both hands, bowed once, and then turned to instruct a minor official, “Quickly, bring hot tea for the courier.”

The official hurried forward with a bowl of tea.

“Thank you.” The courier had ridden through Qucheng in one stretch, traveling day and night, and was extremely tired. He took the bowl and drank it all at once. “This humble official has delivered the letter and now takes his leave.”

Gu Changtong nodded and, holding the letter, returned to his office. He went directly to his study, where no one else was present, before opening it to read.

He unconsciously held his breath, reading the letter word by word.

After finishing, he let out a long sigh.

In the letter, the Emperor was summoning him to the capital to report on his duties, and also commanded that Zhou be brought along, ostensibly to discuss tea taxation strategies with the court.

As it turned out, his guess had been correct.

That woman was indeed Talented Prince’s birth mother, Imperial Consort Liu.

Gu Changtong carefully folded the letter and placed it in a brocade box in his study.

After deliberating for a short while, he picked up his brush and wrote another letter.

Having finished writing hastily, he walked out of the room and called for a minor official, “Go quickly to the Zhou household and deliver this letter to Zhou Tinghe. Do not give it to anyone else.”

Imperial Consort Liu was currently staying at the Zhou family’s Lishan tea garden.

She needed to be carefully watched.

Half a month ago, he had coincidentally encountered Zhou Tinghe, who had returned from Qingzhou, in the city.

Zhou Tinghe had stopped his carriage specifically to pay his respects to him.

Initially, he hadn’t noticed, but a woman who remained in the carriage had lifted the curtain to look outside.

With just that one glance, Gu Changtong had recognized her.

Zhou Tinghe claimed that the woman was from Luochuan in Qingzhou Prefecture and had traveled to Qucheng by tea boat.

But it was her first time traveling far from home, and after arriving in Qucheng, her money had been stolen by thieves. With nowhere to turn, Zhou Tinghe had taken her in, reasoning that it was just one more mouth to feed, and she could help dry tea leaves in the garden.

Gu Changtong had been off duty that day and was wearing casual clothes. He had listened without changing his expression, merely praising Zhou Tinghe a few times.

But when he returned home and thought carefully, that night he sent an urgent letter to the Emperor.

Although years had passed and the woman no longer looked the same as before,

Gu Changtong still recognized her.

When he had worked in the Household Records Office of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital, he had had the fortune of seeing the Late Emperor touring the city, and had caught a glimpse of Consort Liu’s true face in the imperial carriage.

In those days, Consort Liu had given birth to the Emperor’s third son, Xiao Lü, and was the most favored in the six palaces. Everyone in the city was curious and wanted to catch a glimpse of her.

Gu Changtong had seen her.

Imperial Consort Liu was a matter of great importance.

Her absence from the capital was already suspicious.

Leaving Xiao Lü in Qingzhou and traveling north to Qucheng was even more extraordinary.

While waiting for Zhou Tinghe to arrive, Gu Changtong had sent people to deliver a message to the Gu residence, preparing for the journey to the capital.

By the time he and Zhou Tinghe had made all the arrangements and set out on their journey, another two days had passed.

On the first day of the eleventh month, the capital was suddenly blanketed with snow—the first snowfall of winter.

Gu Yi stood by the window watching the snow, which fell in flurries upon the red walls and yellow tiles.

She gazed into the distance; to the west were still the layered palace walls, flying eaves, and dougong brackets of the imperial court.

Tao Jia, seeing that she had been standing by the window for a while, said, “The Imperial Kitchen sent someone to say that the black sand for roasting chestnuts that Concubine asked about has been properly ‘cultivated,’ and they’re asking if Concubine would like to try it?”

Gu Yi turned around, “It’s ready already?” The newly picked chestnuts probably couldn’t wait any longer.

Tao Jia nodded, “The other day, Eunuch Gao also mentioned that the Emperor’s birthday celebration is approaching, and all the palaces are bustling with preparations. Does Concubine have any plans?”

The Emperor’s birthday…

Right, it was already the eleventh month.

Gu Yi had been rather dejected ever since painfully losing the thousand taels.

It seemed that without her noticing, it had already become the eleventh month.

In another two months, it would be the new year…

She couldn’t help but clench her fist lightly.

“Let’s go, we’ll take a look at the kitchen.”

The outer room of the kitchen was specially set aside for nobles who might occasionally be in the mood to try their hand at cooking.

Gu Yi had been here before to make apricot blossom shortbread, so it was not unfamiliar to her.

Lifting the curtain to enter, she was met with a wave of warm air that immediately dispelled the frosty chill from outside.

Seeing an iron wok set up by the wall, Gu Yi removed her dark blue cloak and handed it to Tao Jia before walking over.

A kitchen attendant had already come forward to greet her, “Concubine Gu has arrived. The ‘sand’ has been cultivated for many days. Would Concubine like to try it? Shall this servant bring the peeled chestnuts?”

Gu Yi nodded, “Thank you for your trouble, sir.”

The attendant brought over a bamboo basket of chestnuts.

Gu Yi took a handful and, following the attendant’s instructions, began roasting them.

After several attempts, they looked passable.

She shook her slightly sore arms.

The attendant immediately smiled and said, “If Concubine is tired, please rest. There’s no need for Concubine to do this herself. This servant can do it for you!”

Gu Yi had the Emperor’s birthday on her mind. This year, she didn’t want to write another Book of True Words.

Since she had already given it to Xiao Gouzi, it was done.

This year, she would just give him sugar-roasted chestnuts.

Gu Yi said, “Would you trouble yourself to demonstrate once more? I… will practice for a few more days, and perhaps I’ll learn it…”

The attendant agreed and immediately began to demonstrate.

*

In the western side hall of Xiu Yidian, Zhao Wan was sewing a fragrance pouch.

She had chosen an embroidery pattern of butterflies flying in pairs.

Su Xue watched for a while and couldn’t help but praise, “Concubine’s skills are exquisite. Looking at it, those butterflies seem to be truly flying!”

Zhao Wan laughed softly, “The Emperor’s birthday is approaching. I wish to present this fragrance pouch to His Majesty.”

Su Xue smiled, “His Majesty will surely like it and will carry it with him always. Everyone in the palace says that His Majesty holds Concubine in his heart, often bestowing rewards. During the polo match that day, His Majesty couldn’t bear to see Concubine falsely accused… and outside Luoying Palace, he showed mercy to Concubine…”

As Zhao Wan listened, she became slightly distracted. Her hand momentarily careless, the silver needle suddenly pierced her index finger, and a drop of blood immediately welled up.

She quickly put down the embroidery, fearful of staining it with blood.

Su Xue cried out in alarm and hastily handed her a silk handkerchief, “Concubine!”

Zhao Wan smiled, “No need to make a fuss.”

It was only a minor puncture, and after a moment, the bleeding stopped.

She picked up the embroidery and continued sewing, but her heart grew increasingly uneasy.

The Emperor’s thoughts, she could not fathom.

*

On the eve of the Emperor’s birthday, using his birthday as a reason, the Emperor suspended court for five days and ordered Qi Huo to cease his official duties and reflect on his disloyalty behind closed doors.

After court, Xiaoyan went to Tianlu Pavilion to change out of his court robes. Eunuch Gao presented him with the scroll for the birthday banquet for his review.

Seeing that Xiaoyan quickly looked it over and set it aside, Eunuch Gao smiled and said, “The gift lists from all the palaces have arrived, and many presents have been delivered to the pavilion. Would Your Majesty like to see them first?”

Hearing this, Xiaoyan’s expression softened slightly, and he responded with an “Mm” before saying, “What gifts are there? Bring them here.”

Eunuch Gao clapped his hands several times, and palace attendants entered carrying trays.

Xiaoyan stepped down from the dais and looked over everything according to the gift list.

Silk handkerchiefs, books, writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, fragrance pouches, and a food box…

Seeing the Emperor’s puzzled expression, an attendant explained, “These are sugar-roasted chestnuts from Concubine Gu of Pingcui Palace. Concubine Gu made them personally today.”

Xiaoyan lifted the lid to look and saw indeed a small plate of chestnuts, emitting wisps of steam, with several drops of water condensed on the rim of the lid.

He reached out to take the food box and waved his hand, “You may withdraw.”

*

At early evening, Gu Yi wrapped herself in a cloak and stepped into Baohua Hall.

Her seat was still arranged in a corner.

She had just sat down when a figure stopped in front of her.

Gu Yi had to stand up again and curtsy, “Greetings to Consort Duan.”

Consort Duan laughed, “Sister Gu has been promoted to Concubine. I haven’t yet congratulated you.”

Gu Yi curtseyed again, “This concubine will never forget Consort Duan’s great kindness.”

“Sister speaks too seriously. It’s what you deserved.”

Gu Yi felt even more strange in her heart and couldn’t help but look up at Consort Duan. After seeing her smile, Consort Duan went toward the seat of honor.

Gu Yi stood for a moment, then sat down again and poured herself a cup of hot tea.

Since they were both concubines, Concubine Qi entered the hall and sat beside her.

Gu Yi said happily, “Sister Qi, I haven’t seen you in many days.”

Concubine Qi also smiled, “I was just thinking of finding time to see you. The new book you gave me last time—I’ve already sent someone to print it, and I’ll give you the silver later.”

Gu Yi was moved to tears, “Sister Qi, your great kindness!”

Concubine Qi peeled a tangerine, immediately releasing its fragrance. She lowered her voice and said, “However, these days, correspondence with home has been somewhat inconvenient. Although my family is not close to the Right Vice Minister of Personnel, we are still of the same clan. In a while, if my sister has new books, I’ll find a way again…”

Her book fan is in trouble; how could she burden her more?

Gu Yi nodded repeatedly, “Sister Qi’s great kindness! I understand your difficulties! Don’t worry, I haven’t written any new books lately…”

Hearing this, Concubine Qi turned her head to look at her, her brows furrowed tightly, “Sister should still write more when you have nothing to do! Even if you just send them to me to read, to alleviate boredom, that would be fine.”

“All… right…”

The drums and music sounded, and tonight’s performance began.

After the blue gauze dancers had whirled away, the drum beats slowed, and the qin music rose gently.

Gu Yi watched the plum blossom stakes on the high platform with unwavering attention.

In her heart, she thought, long time no see, Celestial Maiden Dance.

Palace Lady Gong entered through the vermilion main door of Baohua Hall in a water-colored gauze dress.

She lightly touched her toes to the ground and leaped onto the wooden stakes.

This was the first time Gu Yi had watched Palace Lady Gong’s version of the Celestial Maiden Dance.

Not bad.

Nimble, ethereal.

The props also added to the effect.

Worthy of being the original dancer.

Concubine Wang sat nearby, her face reddening with anger as she tightly gripped her embroidered handkerchief, still in disbelief.

Unable to perform at the Mid-Autumn Festival, she still wasn’t giving up on the Emperor’s birthday.

The others present watched the dance in the arena with rapt attention.

Several breaths after the music stopped, Xiaoyan finally clapped his hands lightly and said, “Palace Lady Gong’s dance skills are superb. A reward.”

Palace Lady Gong’s face showed a coquettish smile as she knelt and said, “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

Eunuch Gao had someone bring a tray and present it to Palace Lady Gong.

Gu Yi curiously craned her neck to look and saw what appeared to be some kind of jeweled flower.

She immediately turned her eyes away.

But she heard Xiaoyan ask, “These plum blossom stakes are beautifully crafted. Who made them?”

Palace Lady Gong felt surprised but answered, “Several palace craftsmen worked for more than ten days to create these plum blossom stakes.”

Xiaoyan laughed, “The craftsmen are skilled artisans and should also be rewarded.” He turned slightly, the beaded pendants on his forehead swaying gently, and said to Eunuch Gao, “Go quickly to the Craftsmen’s Office and invite someone to come, so that I may see them.”