After Gu Yi finished her breakfast, Concubine Qi sent a palace maid to find her, saying that her family had sent her some things and invited her to come select some items.

Concubine Qi shared the side hall of Xiu Yidian with her, and they looked after each other daily.

Gu Yi tidied her attire and went to the eastern side hall.

When Concubine Qi saw Gu Yi approaching with a smile on her face, she felt puzzled. Having heard that last night the Emperor had abandoned her to see Concubine Wang, she had originally wanted to offer some comforting words.

But seeing her current appearance, it seemed she didn’t need consolation.

Concubine Qi was naturally reticent, and at this moment, she didn’t know what to say. She simply laid out the items one by one on the long table. “Take your pick. They’re all inexpensive trinkets.”

Qi’s father was a court official, the Right Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, a third-rank official, and had the highest family status among the newly appointed concubines.

He had connections to send some items into the palace.

The table indeed held playthings like jade pendants and round fans.

The weather had been hot these days, so Gu Yi reached out to take a round fan.

Unexpectedly, beneath the fan lay a thin book with three large characters that read “Jin Ping Ji.”

She had just made a sound of surprise when Concubine Qi, quick-eyed and quick-handed, took away the thin book.

What was this Jin Ping Ji? Could it be an erotic book?

Gu Yi watched as Concubine Qi fumbled about, her cheeks flushed red.

Since Concubine Qi was half a year older than the original Concubine Gu, Gu Yi smiled with curved eyes and brows. “Sister Qi, what is Jin Ping Ji?”

Concubine Qi hid the book behind her, looking embarrassed. “Nothing, just a storybook bought from the market.”

Gu Yi said, “Let me see it too. I love reading storybooks. I even write them myself!”

Concubine Qi exclaimed in surprise, “You write storybooks?”

Gu Yi nodded. “Of course!” During her first three days after arriving, she had naively thought she could pass time in the imperial harem by writing storybooks and making friends.

Who would have thought she had transmigrated into a cannon fodder character? How frustrating.

Concubine Qi said, “If you let me see the storybooks you’ve written, I’ll lend you Jin Ping Ji.”

Gu Yi had Tao Jia go back to fetch her manuscripts.

When Concubine Qi saw the stack of manuscripts, her eyes lit up. After they exchanged books, they each sat in a corner and began reading quietly.

Jin Ping Ji was a mundane story about a young lady in her chamber who had a dream. In the dream, she met a scholar. Later, when she awoke and encountered this scholar, she deliberately dropped her handkerchief and eventually married him.

Gu Yi regretted giving her storybook to Concubine Qi.

After flipping through the storybook in her hands, Concubine Qi raised her head and stared blankly at Gu Yi, her face somewhat pale.

Perhaps the impact on her worldview had been too great…

Gu Yi tried to recover, “Sister Qi, actually… this is just a first draft… it can still be…”

Concubine Qi interrupted her, urgently asking, “What about the continuation? Did Immortal Master Murong fall in love with that what’s-her-name Miss Liu? Then… what about Yiyi?”

She had become a fan of the female protagonist.

Liu Yiyi, the female protagonist of the storybook, had sealed her spiritual roots for her master Immortal Master Murong and sacrificed her purity to resolve the love curse on his body. Unexpectedly, Immortal Master Murong turned his back on her and became entangled with Miss Liu.

A melodramatic, torturous romance.

Gu Yi said, “I haven’t finished writing it yet. These past few days have been too hectic.”

Concubine Qi anxiously said, “Sister Gu, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me. This immortal romance must continue!”

Having gained a book fan, Gu Yi bid farewell to Concubine Qi.

Writing storybooks was originally just a way to pass the time.

A concubine’s monthly allowance wasn’t much, and after tipping the servants above and below, it was all spent.

The only golden peanut had also been given away to save her life.

Could she earn some money by writing storybooks?

While thinking about this, Gu Yi unconsciously reached for her waist pouch and felt the rabbit-shaped jade pendant.

That’s right, the female protagonist’s jade pendant was still in her possession.

As an important prop for advancing the plot, she should return the pendant at the appropriate time.

Thinking of this, to avoid complications, Gu Yi immediately sent Tao Jia to the laundry bureau to summon Zhao Wan without delay.

Zhao Wan quickly came to the western side hall of Xiu Yidian, though she appeared even more haggard than the night before. She curtsied and said, “Greetings to the Concubine.”

Gu Yi handed the rabbit jade pendant to her. “I’ve admired it enough and now return it to you.”

Zhao Wan looked surprised. She had originally thought she wouldn’t get the jade pendant back. Yesterday, when Concubine Gu had summoned her to the hall, she hadn’t given her the pendant, so she assumed it was lost. But today she returned it. Was she summoned to the hall yesterday just to be humiliated? But why had she been given new clothes?

Zhao Wan hesitantly said, “Thank you, Concubine… but this servant doesn’t understand why the Concubine summoned this servant to the hall last night.”

Well, it was all to save my life.

Gu Yi said, “I saw that you have an extraordinary appearance and are loyal, so I took the opportunity to help you along.”

Zhao Wan kowtowed and said, “Thank you, Concubine. If the Concubine doesn’t mind, this servant is willing to serve the Concubine at Xiu Yidian.”

At these words, Gu Yi was stunned for a moment before slowly saying, “This is not a good place to be. Last night, His Majesty abandoned me and left, so he probably won’t come again. You should focus on preparing for the Department of Imperial Manufacturing’s selection at the end of the month.”

In the book, Zhao Wan had made a surprising showing in the selection, being chosen as Manufacturing Supervisor, beginning her path of promotion in the imperial harem. She shouldn’t be mixing with a minor character who died in the third chapter.

Zhao Wan felt even more surprised. How did Concubine Gu know she was participating in the Department of Imperial Manufacturing’s selection? Was she already so well-connected in the imperial harem? What was this Concubine Gu’s background?

Gu Yi further urged, “A pearl hidden in mud will eventually shine; in the sifting of the great waves, gold will still glitter! I believe you are destined for greater things!” Sister, drink this bowl of chicken soup. Whether I can leave the palace one day to be a happy, wealthy woman depends entirely on you!

Zhao Wan was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to do. Since this Concubine Gu didn’t want to keep her, she could only bow and say, “Then… this servant will take her leave…”

Gu Yi gave Zhao Wan one more encouraging look. “You may go.”

After Zhao Wan left, Tao Jia’s face flushed with anger. “Fortunately, my lady didn’t accept such a social climber. Just look at her—she wanted to use my lady to seduce His Majesty!”

Gu Yi comforted her, “That’s why I didn’t keep her…” As she spoke, she reclined on the cushion. “Besides, His Majesty left last night. If she wanted to climb the social ladder, wouldn’t it be better to find a place with a Concubine of a higher rank?”

Tao Jia said with difficulty, “Although His Majesty left last night, couldn’t my lady wait for the next selection? This servant could use some silver to arrange matters?”

Gu Yi sighed and spread her hands. “We have no silver left.”

The mistress and servant looked at each other in silence for a moment.

Tao Jia tried to convince herself, “Perhaps my lady is mistaken. What if His Majesty left my lady last night but is thinking of compensating my lady and comes again? Or perhaps we might encounter him in the Imperial Garden.”

Gu Yi appreciated Tao Jia’s optimism. Unwilling to shatter the heartless plot, she changed the subject, “Mm, you’re right. There’s no need to overthink now. It’s so hot, and the ice in the hall is almost used up. Today, go to the Department of Imperial Accounting and get some more ice.”

Tao Jia agreed and took two small palace maids with her to the Department of Imperial Accounting.

On the way, they happened to meet Bi Zhu, a palace maid sent by Concubine Tian.

Tao Jia stepped back to let Bi Zhu go first.

The Accounting Supervisor at the Department of Imperial Accounting dispensed ice to Bi Zhu according to the concubine’s regulations.

When it was Tao Jia’s turn, the supervisor said, “You’ve come at a bad time. Today’s ice has just been distributed. Come back another day.”

Tao Jia was not new to the imperial palace. She knew very well whether there was ice, when it was available, and when it wasn’t. Tao Jia was not to be trifled with. “Does the Department of Imperial Accounting now treat people differently? Why can they get ice, but our Concubine can’t?”

The Accounting Supervisor, who was an eighth-rank official, had some bureaucratic air. “Is this how Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian teaches her servants? No wonder, no wonder…” As she spoke, she shook her head slightly.

Although her words were not fully spoken, Tao Jia understood the implication.

She was suggesting that this was why the Concubine couldn’t keep His Majesty.

This was too much to bear.

Since Tao Jia served Concubine Gu, her loyalty lay with Concubine Gu.

She slammed the table and went to pull at the Accounting Supervisor’s hairpiece.

The supervisor had never encountered such a situation and retreated.

Tao Jia lunged forward.

The two became entangled.

Female officials from the Department of Imperial Accounting ran out and separated them.

Tao Jia was still kicking. “Don’t stop me! I entered the palace at eight years old, and I’ve never lost a fight until now!”

Accounting Supervisor: …

Other female officials who knew Tao Jia advised, “Sister Tao Jia, don’t make a fuss. If the Chief Accountant hears about this, this matter won’t end well!”

Upon hearing this, the supervisor immediately turned and went inside to report to the Chief Accountant.

The Chief Accountant was a middle-aged woman who didn’t joke around. After being released from the palace at twenty-five, she had re-entered to become the Chief Accountant.

When Tao Jia saw who had arrived, she immediately put on a woeful face. “Matron Hu, the Accounting Supervisor, is withholding from our Concubine!”

The Chief Accountant knew Tao Jia. When she had entered the palace at eight years old, she had followed behind her as a small palace maid sweeping in the Imperial Garden.

The Accounting Supervisor looked at this and thought, This is not good.

The Chief Accountant asked, “Why didn’t the Accounting Supervisor distribute ice to Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian?”

The supervisor stammered and couldn’t answer.

The Chief Accountant said, “Go get ice for Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian. The Accounting Supervisor will forfeit one month’s food allowance.”

Tao Jia smiled sweetly, “Matron Hu.”

But then she heard the Chief Accountant continue, “Tao Jia fought within the palace, fined three months’ salary, and inform Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian for additional punishment.”

Tao Jia cried again.

The Chief Accountant was not joking. She led Tao Jia and the palace maid carrying ice back to the western side hall of Xiu Yidian.

Gu Yi, seeing an extra person appear out of nowhere, looked surprised.

The Chief Accountant curtsied and said, “Greetings to the Concubine. This servant is Hu Xian, Chief Accountant of the Department of Imperial Accounting.”

Gu Yi immediately helped her up. “Chief Accountant Hu, please rise. What brings you to the hall?”

Chief Accountant Hu then explained the matter of Tao Jia’s fight.

Who would have thought…

Gu Yi looked at Tao Jia in shock, while Tao Jia could only lower her head.

Chief Accountant Hu lightly coughed. “Although this servant has fined Tao Jia’s salary, may I request the Concubine to supervise Tao Jia in hand-copying the palace rules, to review and learn anew.”

Gu Yi quickly nodded. “The Chief Accountant speaks wisely.”

Chief Accountant Hu straightened her sleeves. “Then this servant will take her leave, but there is one more heartfelt word I boldly wish to say to the Concubine.”

Gu Yi said, “Please speak, Chief Accountant.”

Chief Accountant Hu said, “Tao Jia protects her mistress, which shows loyalty. But the fact that she could act wildly in the Department of Imperial Accounting was simply because she was relying on this servant to make an example. Concubine Gu of Xiu Yidian is not someone to be bullied, but in the palace, the Department of Imperial Accounting is not the only place with sycophants who flatter the powerful and bully the weak. Moreover, with so many concubines and consorts in the palace, the Concubine must also have times when she needs to bow her head. To live more comfortably, most in the imperial harem rely on the word ‘favor.’ May the Concubine not blame this servant for speaking so bluntly.”

Gu Yi smiled and said, “I understand the Chief Accountant’s sincere words.”

Chief Accountant Hu smiled faintly, glared at Tao Jia once more, and then turned to leave the hall.

Tao Jia fell to her knees with a thud. “Please forgive me, Concubine.”

Gu Yi was deeply moved but still spoke earnestly, “Your loyalty is commendable, but there must not be a next time. If you offend elsewhere, Chief Accountant Hu won’t be able to protect you, and neither will I! Quick, get up and go hand-copy the palace rules.”

Tao Jia looked up and said miserably, “Do I have to copy them?”

Gu Yi nodded. “Yes.”

Tao Jia sobbed a couple of times, stood up, and went to copy the palace rules.

Gu Yi silently sighed.

What to do? It seemed that being a salted fish wasn’t going to work either.

No matter what, she had to endure until the male and female protagonists had their happy ending before she could leave the palace!

For now, she still needed to maintain a middle course to live comfortably.

First, she needed to address the urgent problem of money shortage.