The sound of hoofbeats fell like rain as they traveled through the city’s long streets. The carriage stopped outside the Vermilion Bird Palace Gate.

Zhou Tinghe descended from the carriage and slowly walked along the narrow pathway, lifting his head to see the sun just rising in the east.

The red sun illuminated layer upon layer of green tiles and vermilion eaves, extending as far as the eye could see.

This was a place Gu Yi had never wanted to come to.

When she had been selected to enter the palace years ago, Gu Yi had not wished to travel north.

Yesterday, during that brief glimpse outside Tianlu Pavilion, he had seen Gu Yi with her palace hairpin and decorations, standing in the wind outside the pavilion. Though her features were the same as before, her brow revealed no joy.

Even when suddenly encountering Gu Changtong, her eyes had shown only hidden worry.

Gu Yi probably wasn’t living happily in the palace.

If not for him, Gu Yi would never have entered the palace.

As this thought crossed Zhou Tinghe’s mind, his fists clenched tightly within his sleeves.

If Gu Yi hadn’t entered the palace… if only…

The blue-robed eunuch leading the way looked back, seeing Zhou Tinghe walking slowly with his head down, and promptly reminded him, “Young Master Zhou, the front hall is just a short walk ahead. It’s time now, His Majesty has just finished the morning court session. The officials will all be leaving through this path. Young Master Zhou, please quicken your pace. His Majesty is waiting at Tianlu Pavilion…”

Zhou Tinghe came to his senses at these words, “Thank you, sir,” and hastened his steps.

Eunuch Gao stood outside Tianlu Pavilion and, seeing Zhou Tinghe step onto the crimson steps, couldn’t help but give him a second look.

Indeed, he was a handsome, fair-faced scholar.

Tsk.

With a smile plastered on his face, he said, “Young Master Zhou, please wait a moment while this servant goes to announce you.”

Zhou Tinghe bowed, “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Gao.”

Eunuch Gao smiled and turned to enter Tianlu Pavilion. The Emperor was sitting in the hall, still wearing his bright yellow court robes, with the five-clawed golden dragon on his chest, its eyes wide open.

At this moment, he was neither reading nor writing, just sitting there, calmly waiting for Zhou Tinghe.

Eunuch Gao was about to speak when the Emperor asked, “Has Zhou Tinghe arrived?”

Eunuch Gao gave a small laugh, “Yes, Your Majesty,” and took his position by the red-lacquered pillar in the hall.

Inwardly, he sighed, thinking how he was about to witness some drama!

“Bring him in,” the Emperor said.

Eunuch Gao turned sideways, about to announce loudly, when the Emperor said, “You may leave.”

Eunuch Gao was disappointed but bowed and retreated outside, telling Zhou Tinghe, “Young Master Zhou, you may enter.”

Zhou Tinghe straightened his sleeves, lowered his head, and entered the hall.

The two hall doors closed behind him with a “creak.”

He knelt and bowed, “This commoner Zhou Tinghe pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan gazed at the person before the steps. He hadn’t looked closely yesterday, but now he saw that Zhou Tinghe was slender, with a dignified bearing.

Zhou Tinghe.

Like a crane’s bones and pine’s posture…

Zhou Tinghe remained kneeling on the ground, hearing no response.

After waiting for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he finally heard the Emperor speak slowly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Zhou Tinghe rose, looking up slightly to see the Emperor gazing down at him. “You are from Fuzhou?”

“This commoner… was originally born in Qingzhou. My family moved to Fuzhou in my childhood, and I have lived there for more than ten years, so I am considered a Fuzhou resident.”

“Why have you not entered official service? Have you ever taken the examinations?”

Zhou Tinghe didn’t know why the Emperor asked this, and after thinking for a moment, replied, “Though merchants are considered the lowest class, this commoner finds commerce more liberating.”

Liberating…

Xiaoyan’s expression darkened. So Gu Yi had originally liked him for his freedom…

“Are you… married?”

Zhou Tinghe was momentarily stunned, unease growing within him, but he answered truthfully, “This commoner is not yet married…”

“Then have you ever been betrothed?” the Emperor slowly asked again.

Zhou Tinghe closed his eyes briefly, understanding in his heart.

The Emperor knew about his past with Gu Yi.

Had Gu Yi told him?

Seeing Zhou Tinghe’s silence now, the suppressed anger in Xiaoyan’s chest suddenly rose.

So that was it.

Gu Yi had spoken so openly, so lightly about it, and he shouldn’t have questioned further.

But… he just wanted to see Zhou Tinghe again, to hear about what Gu Yi had called “young and ignorant,”

What kind of… feelings were they?

The great hall was completely silent. The longer the silence stretched, the more Zhou Tinghe felt the oppressive atmosphere, like a mountain storm about to break.

He bowed deeply again, “This commoner has no betrothal. Though this commoner and Beauty Gu are indeed old acquaintances, we never discussed marriage. It was my lack of fortune…”

Xiaoyan observed him with his head lowered and obedient, his face bloodless. “I’ve heard that Gu Yi once sent you letters. Are… those letters still in your possession?”

Zhou Tinghe could only bow again, without answering.

Xiaoyan’s anger grew stronger, “If you don’t speak, you’re deceiving your sovereign.”

Zhou Tinghe’s back stiffened. After standing silently for a moment, he said, “They still exist.”

Xiaoyan’s temple throbbed, and a completely unfamiliar fierce emotion tightly wrapped around him.

Jealousy.

The jealousy that permeated the palace, which he had always detested most.

He heard his voice, cold and distant, asking, “Do you remember what was written in those letters?”

Remember? Of course, he remembered.

Gu Yi’s heartfelt feelings expressed through “Reeds,” her past affection for him, he had never forgotten.

Zhou Tinghe heard a few light footsteps; the Emperor had stepped down from the dais.

The bright yellow hem of his robe was now before his eyes.

He bowed deeply and remained down.

The Emperor stood over him, asking word by word, “Tell me what was written in those letters.”

Upon hearing his tone, Zhou Tinghe felt a chill run down his spine.

His lips moved, and after a long pause, he recited word by word: “Reeds so green, white dew turns to frost… Going upstream to seek her, the way is blocked and long…”

After he finished, he heard the Emperor laugh loudly, “Reeds…”

Reeds.

Xiaoyan only felt bitterness spreading in his throat.

This song of reeds.

He had thought Gu Yi was not good with words, and so her letters would be something like an ode to autumn chestnuts.

Little did he know, she wasn’t incapable of expression; she just didn’t want to share such words with him, only perfunctorily engaging with him.

What fine “young and ignorant” sentiments.

What fine “reeds so green.”

Zhou Tinghe stood in place, glancing up to see the Emperor’s face as cold as frost. He even sensed a sudden murderous intent emanating from the Emperor.

He immediately lowered his head, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”

Zhou Tinghe waited anxiously, bowing for a long time, but the Emperor suddenly swept his sleeves and left, leaving him alone in Tianlu Pavilion.

Another half-moment passed, and the hall door behind him creaked open. Eunuch Gao walked to his side, “Young Master Zhou, you may leave for today.”

Zhou Tinghe took a deep breath and straightened up, his back already unbearably stiff.

Eunuch Gao smiled, “The young master is sweating, wipe it off.”

Zhou Tinghe reached up to touch his neck and indeed found it covered in cold sweat.

*

Just past noon, Tao Jia had gone to the kitchen to collect the midday meal and quickly returned to Pingcui Palace, where she found Beauty Gu feeding fish in the flower hall.

After the weather had turned cold, Beauty Gu had moved the few small fish from the courtyard water tank into the room, keeping them in a shallow white porcelain basin.

Though it was smaller, the fish weren’t large either, so they swam comfortably.

As soon as Gu Yi saw Tao Jia enter, she asked, “Is there still no lamb in the kitchen today?”

Tao Jia shook her head, “The kitchen master said the food steward has already reported that there won’t be any until after the New Year.”

Gu Yi made an “Mm” sound, quickly finished feeding the fish, gently wiped her hands with a silk handkerchief, and asked Tao Jia, “The royal garden stable you mentioned last time, is it still available these days? I have nothing to do and would like to practice horseback riding…”

Tao Jia put down the food box, exclaiming in surprise, “The Beauty wants to go horseback riding? The weather is cold now, and riding would be quite uncomfortable.”

Gu Yi laughed, “The track in the royal garden isn’t large, running a few laps won’t take long. If I practice now, by spring, I can ride freely on the slopes. Wouldn’t that be wonderful…”

Tao Jia could only agree, “Then this servant will inquire at the stables tomorrow, select a gentle mare for the Beauty to practice with, and also obtain new riding clothes from the Office of Apparel…”

Gu Yi nodded, watching as Tao Jia took out several dishes from the food box. She reached out to touch the round soup pot, which had already grown somewhat cool.

Seeing this, Tao Jia looked troubled, “The Western Garden is truly quite remote, far from the kitchen. And in winter, the soup has cooled a bit. Please wait, Beauty, this servant will warm it on the charcoal rack first.”

Gu Yi picked up the soup pot and placed it on the charcoal rack, “It’s cold now, but it will be better when spring comes…”

Tao Jia hesitated, then said, “Since the Beauty has regained her rank, why not ask His Majesty to move you out of the Western Garden?”

Of course, it was because the Western Garden was remote, far from disputes.

Gu Yi didn’t want to be drawn into pointless palace struggles.

“Isn’t Pingcui Palace quite nice? The loquat tree will bear fruit this year, and the cherries over the wall next door can be reached with just a bamboo pole. It’s quite delightful.”

Tao Jia sighed, “Today this servant heard that His Majesty awarded the newly enfeoffed Noble Lady Wan the Reed Palace. The Reed Palace has been unoccupied for a long time, and with Noble Lady Wan moving in, she becomes the mistress of her palace, which is also very close to the front hall…”

Gu Yi wasn’t surprised at all, as it was all part of the plot.

Tao Jia, seeing no ripple on her face, said with amazement, “The Beauty may not know, but Reed Palace was originally the former palace of the late Grand Empress Dowager. Noble Lady Wan’s receiving this palace has sparked rumors throughout the palace, all saying this is a great honor and imperial favor. In the future…” Tao Jia bit her lip and asked, “Don’t… don’t you care at all, Beauty?”

Gu Yi stood by the charcoal basin, using iron tongs to turn over a nearly extinguished piece of silver-threaded charcoal, “Each person has their fate. Some things cannot be forced.”

After saying this, she looked at Tao Jia with a smile, “Has Tao Jia ever been to Reed Palace? Is the main hall large?”

Tao Jia was startled, but then smiled, “This servant indeed had the fortune to visit once. Reed Palace is bright and spacious, much more so than Luoying Palace…”

“Very good…” Gu Yi laughed, wrapping the now-warmed soup pot in brocade cloth and picking it up. “Let’s eat.”

Noble Lady Wan of Reed Palace was now the most prominent figure in the six palaces.

At the third quarter of the hour of the dog, Reed Palace was brightly lit.

The eight newly hung six-sided palace lanterns at the front of the hall swayed gently in the wind.

Su Xue, having finished checking the last box of clothing with the palace maids, turned to enter the hall and presented Noble Lady Wan with a list of gifts sent by various palaces.

Zhao Wan, dressed in a newly made pale green jacket and skirt, sat in the vast main hall of Reed Palace, her mind unsettled.

Bestowed with imperial favor, even though it was what she had sought, she truly felt… restless.

Yesterday, the Emperor’s edict had granted her the rank of Noble Lady, but when she went to express her gratitude today, she did not see his face.

Today, after the third hour, another edict awarded her Reed Palace.

A Noble Lady becoming the mistress of her palace, though there was precedent with Noble Lady Wang, in everyone’s eyes, she was just a maid from the laundry bureau. How could she be compared to Lady Wang?

The more Zhao Wan thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

After Su Xue entered the hall, she curtseyed and said, “Congratulations on your new residence, Noble Lady. All the palace ladies have prepared gifts.” She then handed over the gift list.

Zhao Wan took it and looked. The four consorts—Respectful, Virtuous, Moral, and Chaste—had all sent gifts, followed by Noble Ladies and Beauties.

She looked through it once but didn’t see Gu Yi’s name. “How is Beauty Gu of Pingcui Palace lately?”

Su Xue replied with a smile, “The Western Garden is quite remote. Perhaps Beauty Gu doesn’t know about your new residence yet…”

Zhao Wan frowned in thought for a moment, then said, “Tomorrow, go to Pingcui Palace and invite Beauty Gu. Tell her I wish to catch up on old times…”