The next day, just after the third hour, someone came from Reed Palace to summon Gu Yi to meet Noble Lady Wan.

Reed Palace was five rooms wide, situated in front of Luoying Palace, separated from the front hall only by a narrow passageway and one palace gate. Walking there would take no more than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.

Because of the heavy snow that had fallen overnight, Gu Yi wore a thick sandalwood-colored cloak and carried a hand warmer as she walked to Reed Palace.

Before her, the magnificent pavilion rose. Looking up, she saw fresh snow covering the blue tiles, layer upon layer of white and blue. The topmost layer of snow foam, illuminated by the morning sun, had begun to melt, flowing down along the flying eaves. Halfway down, it froze into several icicles, each crystal clear, like cold swords suspended upside down.

Gu Yi had only stood outside the hall for a brief moment before being invited into the main hall of Reed Palace.

The blue bricks beneath her feet were polished to a shine; looking down carefully, she could almost see her reflection.

Zhao Wan sat in a carved purple sandalwood chair at the head of the room and smiled at her.

Gu Yi curtseyed, “Greetings to Noble Lady Wan.”

Zhao Wan smiled and said, “Beauty Gu, no need for such formality. Come and sit down.”

Gu Yi rose and sat down in the square-backed chair beside her as instructed.

As soon as she sat down, she smelled the fragrance of tea mixed with fruit.

Su Xue stood behind her and poured her a cup of tea, “Beauty Gu, please try this. It’s a fruit tea that our Noble Lady blended herself. It’s most warming during winter days.”

Gu Yi took it and had a sip, tasting the aroma of oranges. She couldn’t help but smile, “Indeed, it’s excellent tea.”

Seeing Gu Yi’s shoulders slightly relaxed, Zhao Wan said, “I invited Beauty Gu here today simply to catch up. Since our chance encounter by the lake that day, you and I haven’t had a proper conversation…”

Gu Yi put down her cup and asked with a smile, “It’s been several months since then. Does Noble Lady Wan have something to ask?”

Zhao Wan waved her hand lightly, and Su Xue obediently withdrew from the hall.

Only the two of them remained in the hall.

Zhao Wan slowly took a sip of tea, examining Gu Yi. After a while, she asked, “That day, Beauty Gu deliberately threw the jade? What was that for?”

She still remembered that night when Gu Yi had wished her a bright future before leaving.

It had seemed like a jest, but now it appeared to have come true.

Gu Yi looked at Zhao Wan and laughed lightly, “Why does Noble Lady Wan ask this today? That night, I already said that Noble Lady had received what she sought. Since you had the opportunity to see His Majesty, why not take it?”

Zhao Wan, seeing Gu Yi’s clear, bright eyes and composed demeanor, asked, “You… knew all along that I was Zhao Jie’s descendant?”

Gu Yi nodded, “Indeed…” She once again brought up the excuse she had made up when trying to win over Zhao Wan, “The first time I saw you outside the laundry bureau, I felt that you resembled someone I once knew…”

She looked up to see Zhao Wan’s surprised expression and continued, “In my childhood, I once traveled to Jizhou with my father. Being young and frail, I recuperated at a lodge in Cang County of Jizhou, disguised as a boy, and attended school where I met Teacher Zhao Jie. I admired his spirit and was deeply impressed. Little did I expect that the Zhao family would suddenly face great calamity. I… had thought all his descendants were scattered…”

Zhao Wan’s lips parted slightly, “You helped me… because of this?”

Gu Yi nodded, speaking earnestly, “Teacher Zhao Jie was open-hearted and upright. He should not have died in such an unclear manner…”

Hearing this, Zhao Wan suddenly raised her head, staring at her intently, “Do you know how Teacher Zhao Jie… how he…”

Of course I know, but I can’t give spoilers.

Gu Yi slowly shook her head, “I don’t know the details, but I guess perhaps Noble Lady wanted to find out, which is why you entered the palace… Noble Lady, please be at ease. What I seek is the same as what you seek, nothing more than…” She paused for a moment, then continued slowly, “Seeking justice… seeking clarity.”

Zhao Wan was secretly startled again. She examined Gu Yi’s expression for a long time before finally taking a deep breath.

Her voice gradually lowered, “But the former Crown Prince’s people, the officials who once served in the Eastern Palace, are now scattered far and wide. Since entering the palace, I have achieved nothing…”

Gu Yi lowered her eyelashes, blinking slowly, “How can you say you’ve achieved nothing? Hasn’t His Majesty granted you the title of Noble Lady? Throughout the realm, if anyone can truly help you, wouldn’t it be His Majesty? Isn’t what Noble Lady Wan has been seeking all along simply the Emperor’s favor?”

Zhao Wan’s face flushed, and she suddenly felt somewhat guilty, “But… His Majesty’s heart is difficult to fathom. I… am truly anxious…” After speaking, she fell silent, looking at Gu Yi.

For a moment, Gu Yi couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to speak.

In the book, Xiaoyan’s interest in Zhao Wan seemed to begin with curiosity about her appearance, followed by testing her, and after realizing they had met in childhood, he valued her more. After Zhao Jie’s case was redressed, he treated her with true sincerity.

But the Xiaoyan before her was certainly not someone moved by appearances. Now that he already knew Zhao Wan was Zhao Jie’s descendant, what he wanted… probably… was Zhao Wan’s sincerity.

Zhao Jie had been deeply respected among scholars, adored by readers throughout the realm. Two years into Xiaoyan’s reign, as his power grew, when peace was established, what he sought was the allegiance of scholars throughout the land and imperial reputation.

Gu Yi raised her cup and took a sip of the fruit tea.

The orange tea had cooled and had become somewhat bitter.

She smiled, “Noble Lady Wan, rather than worrying about how difficult it is to gauge His Majesty’s heart, constantly trying to guess, why not consider whether your own heart is true? Put yourself in his position. If you treat someone with a true heart, why fear not receiving a true heart in return…”

Zhao Wan was momentarily stunned. She watched as Gu Yi gently put down her teacup, smiling gracefully, “It snowed heavily last night, and there are still many matters to attend to at Pingcui Palace. I won’t take up more of your time.” As she spoke, she rose and curtseyed, “Noble Lady Wan, this concubine takes her leave.”

Seeing her demeanor, Zhao Wan said, “Yes, Beauty Gu may go.”

Gu Yi had walked a few steps when she heard Zhao Wan say softly from behind, “Thank you.”

She continued walking without stopping, exiting Reed Palace. Standing in the corridor, she saw snowflakes beginning to drift down from the sky once more.

Gu Yi put on the fur-lined hood of her cloak, hugged her warm hand warmer, and walked out of the hall.

When she reached the passageway alone, she let out a long sigh.

Xiaoyan spotted a figure coming out of Reed Palace not far ahead.

From the silhouette alone, he recognized Gu Yi.

He couldn’t help but pause his steps.

Separated by about ten paces, he heard Gu Yi’s long sigh as she quickly exited Reed Palace and stopped in the passageway.

The oppression in his heart suddenly dissipated somewhat.

But he saw that Gu Yi didn’t stand for long before hurriedly returning toward the Western Garden.

Xiaoyan turned his head to glance at Eunuch Gao behind him.

Eunuch Gao, startled by the look, called out loudly, “Make way for His Imperial Majesty!”

Gu Yi was badly startled by this sudden shout and immediately stopped, retreating to stand by the wall.

After waiting for a moment, she heard footsteps approaching.

She lowered her head and curtseyed, glimpsing the hem of bright yellow robes.

Eunuch Gao’s voice sounded beside her ear, “Isn’t this Beauty Gu from Pingcui Palace?”

Gu Yi thought it strange that Eunuch Gao’s tone was not usually so affected.

She dared to lift her head slightly and saw that Xiaoyan had indeed come before her.

“This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan saw that although she was holding a hand warmer, her face was pale. He frowned with displeasure, “Where is your attendant? With snow falling today, how is it that no one is holding an umbrella for you?”

Gu Yi smiled lightly, “This concubine came especially to pay respects to Noble Lady Wan. On the way here, I did not see snow falling, and thinking I would not stay long, I did not bring anyone with me.”

She hadn’t brought Tao Jia out with her today precisely because she had anticipated Zhao Wan would have suspicions. She didn’t want to bring Tao Jia along.

Xiaoyan saw that the fur trim of her hood was blocking the falling snow, so he averted his gaze.

His eyes fell on the palace to one side, where the characters “Reed Palace” were embossed in gold on a red plaque hanging above the gate.

His throat moved slightly as he asked softly, “You went to Reed Palace today. What do you think of this palace…?”

Gu Yi found this question even stranger. After thinking for a moment, she only answered, “Reed Palace is truly magnificent, adjacent to the front hall and close to the royal garden. Naturally, it is a rare and excellent palace.”

Xiaoyan saw that her face was serene, her words measured and calm.

This displeased him further.

Just now… what were you sighing about…

After suppressing his feelings for a long time, Xiaoyan finally could not contain himself. His voice grew colder, “This palace is named ‘Reed.’ What do you think of that…”

Gu Yi heard him remain silent for half a day, only to ask such a strange question. She thought today’s Xiaoyan was truly peculiar.

Aren’t all palace names rather poetic? Names like “Reed,” “Falling Petals,” “Plucking Fragrance”…

Looking up, she saw Xiaoyan gazing at her expressionlessly. She chose her words carefully, “The character ‘Reed’ is certainly good. Love and longing, entangled emotions—using such deep feelings from poetry as a palace name also has an elegant charm…”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiaoyan’s sword-like eyebrows contracted sharply. His eyes, cold as stars, were intimidating as they fixed on her, pressing aggressively.

Gu Yi’s heart skipped a beat.

“Your Maj—”

Before she could finish, Xiaoyan turned and left, striding directly through the vermilion-lacquered doors of Reed Palace.

Gu Yi was speechless, only able to glance at Eunuch Gao, who was several steps behind him. Eunuch Gao gave her a look that seemed to express both anger at her failure to understand and pity for her misfortune.

What was wrong with Xiao Gouzi today?

Gu Yi watched in bewilderment as the two figures entered Reed Palace.

*

Just as Zhao Wan was feeling restless, a loud announcement came from outside the hall: “His Majesty arrives.” She immediately stood up, startled.

The Emperor walked so quickly that he was inside the hall in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Wan curtseyed, “This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Xiaoyan saw tea cups still on the wooden table in front of the hall. He adjusted his robe and sat down at the head seat.

“Rise.”

Zhao Wan raised her head, about to observe his expression, when she saw his gaze sweep over her. Her heart skipped a beat, “Your Majesty’s great kindness, bestowing this palace upon this concubine, makes me feel unworthy.”

Xiaoyan fixed his gaze on Zhao Wan for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Noble Lady Wan has been promoted to Noble Lady and should no longer be subordinate to Noble Lady Wang of Xiuyi Palace. This palace has been vacant for a long time. It’s good if Noble Lady Wan likes it.”

Zhao Wan lowered her head and bowed again, “This concubine is naturally delighted, but this palace’s former status far exceeds this concubine’s rank. This concubine feels anxious, fearing it might be presumptuous.”

Xiaoyan laughed again, “In the entire palace, apart from the Western Garden, there are only two vacant halls, one is Reed Palace, and the other is Heluo Palace…”

“Heluo Palace…” Xiaoyan suddenly felt a buzzing in his ears, and his headache flared up.

The pain made him close his eyes slightly, and he had to support his forehead with his hand.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Zhao Wan asked anxiously. “Your Majesty, is it a headache?”

Seeing this, Eunuch Gao immediately stepped forward, picked up the teapot from the table, poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him, “Your Majesty, have some tea to ease the pain.”

Xiaoyan drank the tea, but that startling pain did not diminish at all.

Eunuch Gao noticed what seemed to be a fine layer of sweat on his temple and couldn’t help but worry, “Is Your Majesty’s headache severe today?” He looked around and saw a low couch in the corner of the hall, covered with fur, suitable for sitting or lying down. “Why doesn’t Your Majesty lie down on that couch for a while? This servant will summon someone from the Imperial Medical Academy right away. If the pain is intense, perhaps some calming draught might provide some relief…”

Xiaoyan, enduring the headache, walked quickly to the low couch. It felt as if needles were pricking his brain, sometimes intensely, sometimes less so. He lay down on the couch and closed his eyes to rest.

Eunuch Gao went to call someone to quickly fetch someone from the Imperial Medical Academy.

Zhao Wan stood in place and ordered Su Xue to bring fresh tea, but seeing that the Emperor had already closed his eyes and fallen silent, she suddenly didn’t know what to do.