Five days later, the gates of Yang City were broken.

Qi Wei beheaded Zheng Sui at Luo River, and Yu Dai led troops to occupy Qingzhou Prefecture.

The army executed rebels who refused to surrender, while many others submitted.

Gu Yi moved into the residence of the Qingzhou government office.

During these days, officials and generals came and went as Xiao Yan handled state affairs within this provincial compound.

From the highest prefect and deputy prefect to the inspectors and jailers, all officials in Qingzhou Prefecture were replaced.

Those who had accepted titles and ministerial positions in the false regime were all held accountable for their crimes.

Memorials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue arrived continuously from the capital, discussing strategies for reclaiming Qingzhou Prefecture.

Gu Yi had anxiously waited for a full five days without experiencing the familiar headache or flash of white light.

Her suspended heart finally settled back into place.

Though Xiao Lü hadn’t died, the main storyline remained intact with the capture of Yang City and reclamation of Qingzhou.

Xiao Yan’s imperial career path was on track.

She had received no warning about plot deviation.

In high spirits, Gu Yi sat in the courtyard enjoying the spring scenery, finding the green willows and red flowers particularly enchanting.

Duo Luo, now constantly by her side, suddenly announced: “Concubine, Prince Shen has arrived.”

Gu Yi looked up and indeed saw Xiao Lü leisurely walking out from the pavilion in the front courtyard.

During the past few days, when they had stayed temporarily with the army, Xiao Lü had worn a veiled hat every day, concealing his true appearance.

Now that they were in the residence, away from outsiders, he was finally able to remove the hat and change into a dark blue-green robe, approaching with elegance.

Seeing Gu Yi sitting on a stone bench, he snorted lightly but still walked over.

Gu Yi watched him sit down and smiled gently. “You’re up? Have you bathed? Have you tried the new apricot preserves from the kitchen?”

Over the past few days, Xiao Lü had thrown several tantrums, sometimes complaining that Gu Yi had deceived him, other times lamenting the hardships of life.

Until yesterday, when they entered Yang City with the army, Xiao Yan finally lost patience, his face darkening as he spoke one-on-one with Xiao Lü for half the night.

Xiao Lü’s temper seemed somewhat contained afterward, though his face still showed traces of resentment.

He replied ungraciously: “I ate them, but they were sour, not sweet.”

Gu Yi smiled and said: “Well, when we return to the capital, after a while, the apricots should be sweet. Then we can eat fresh ones!”

Xiao Lü glanced at Gu Yi sideways. “Did he tell you? About my return to the capital?”

Gu Yi nodded but asked: “Isn’t returning to the capital a good thing? You’ll be able to see the Consort Dowager… If a Prince Shen residence is established, and Consort Liu is brought there to live out her years in comfort, wouldn’t that be better…”

Though Prince Shen, who had proclaimed himself emperor, was not sentenced to death, from now on, he would have to live under the Emperor’s watchful eye.

However, given Xiao Lü’s personality, such an arrangement might be beneficial for him.

Xiao Lü let out another cold snort.

Last night, Xiao Yan again used his mother’s living arrangements to pressure him.

He had just begun to think Xiao Yan might have improved somewhat, but that dog couldn’t change…

Bah!

Gu Yi observed Xiao Lü closely. Though his face showed reluctance, his entire demeanor had relaxed as he leaned lazily against the side of the stone table.

What a stubborn brother…

She sat with him for a while longer, exchanging pleasantries and offering words of comfort, until sunset, when an attendant came to report.

“Inquiring after Concubine’s well-being, His Majesty has sent this servant to invite Concubine to dinner in the flower hall.”

Gu Yi rose, straightened her skirt, and said to Xiao Lü: “I’ll go first then. You should also eat soon…”

Xiao Lü waved his hand and turned his face away.

In the flower hall, the square table was already set with food.

Xiao Yan had been very busy these past few days, and only today did he have time to dine with Gu Yi.

As soon as Gu Yi entered, she saw Xiao Yan sitting in the hall wearing a black robe with a tall black hat, smiling at her.

“This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise and come sit down.”

After Gu Yi sat down, she noticed a braised pork knuckle placed on the table.

Her eyes brightened. Seeing Xiao Yan pick up his chopsticks, she also took hers, picked up some of the pork knuckle, hesitated for a moment, then placed it in Xiao Yan’s dish. “Your Majesty, please try it first.”

Xiao Yan looked at her with amusement. “No need to serve me. Please eat.”

Gu Yi happily took a bite of the pork knuckle—it was still the familiar taste.

Xiao Yan never spoke much during meals.

After they finished and the palace servants had cleared away the dishes and cups, he asked: “Did you see Xiao Lü today?”

Gu Yi responded with an “Mm,” then said: “Prince Shen seemed to be in a much better mood today…”

Xiao Yan said with displeasure: “You need not concern yourself with him anymore… He’s been like this since childhood. The more attention he gets, the more affected he becomes…”

Gu Yi: …Alright then.

Xiao Yan saw Gu Yi slightly nod, her eyelashes lowering to cast a small shadow beneath her eyes.

She must be tired from the marching and traveling these past days.

Xiao Yan stood up and said: “Let’s prepare for washing up.”

Gu Yi looked up in surprise—it was just past half of the hour of You.

Though she was indeed somewhat tired. She stood up and followed Xiao Yan step by step toward the east wing of the residence.

The bedchamber in the government office was not large. Attendants had prepared water behind two screens. After Gu Yi bathed and came out from behind the screen, she saw Xiao Yan already seated leisurely at the table.

His hair was loosely tied at the back of his head, the weariness on his face somewhat dispersed. There seemed to be lingering moisture between his brows and lashes, and his peach blossom eyes burned intensely, focused particularly on her.

She stared at him for a moment, realizing she had almost forgotten how radiantly brilliant Xiao Yan was.

No matter how beautiful Xiao Lü might be, she could appreciate his beauty without distraction. But the Xiao Yan before her could make one bow with just a single glance.

Gu Yi inexplicably grew nervous.

Under his undeniable gaze, she slowly walked to the dressing table and sat down, uncertain whether her steps had been natural or awkward.

Gu Yi gently shook her head and reached up to undo the bun in her hair.

Xiao Yan suddenly rose and walked behind her, placing his hand over hers. “Let me help you…”

Gu Yi’s back straightened nervously. “Thank you, Your Majesty…”

She dared not turn around, only daring to glimpse his face in the bronze mirror. She saw him lowering his head, his long fingers meticulously undoing her bun, then taking up the wooden comb from the dressing table to gently brush her hair.

The room was completely silent.

Xiao Yan, standing behind her, emanated a fragrance, perhaps the floral scent from bathing, or perhaps the cool scent of pine and cypress.

But he stood very close, warm and just within reach. Gu Yi could only hear her heartbeat quickening, wondering if Xiao Yan could hear it too.

“Your Majesty, this concubine… is tired… there’s no… no need to comb my hair…” she said.

Xiao Yan gave a low “Mm” and put the wooden comb back on the table, turning toward the wooden couch.

Gu Yi secretly let out a sigh of relief and stood to follow him.

This residence was merely the Qingzhou government office and not built to palace specifications. Though the east wing room was elegant, the wooden couch was not as spacious as those in ordinary palace bedchambers. After Xiao Yan lay down, the remaining space could only accommodate one Gu Yi.

As soon as Gu Yi reclined, the two were pressed shoulder to shoulder. She felt as if a hot stove was beside her.

She immediately feared that her heartbeat would be detected through their touching arms.

Gu Yi shifted slightly when she heard Xiao Yan ask slowly: “That day, why… did you lie to Xiao Lü, saying you were… with child?”

Gu Yi was startled by his words.

So it was time for the reckoning…

She hesitantly replied: “Please forgive this concubine, Your Majesty… That day, this concubine was somewhat hasty… This concubine wanted to persuade Prince Shen to escape, and had no choice but to resort to this measure… Moreover…”

She turned to check Xiao Yan’s expression, only to find that he was also looking at her.

Their eyes met.

Gu Yi felt a lightness at her waist as Xiao Yan pulled her to the inner side of the couch, and she suddenly found herself lying on top of him.

Gu Yi’s face reddened as Xiao Yan asked: “Moreover… what?”

She took a deep breath and continued: “Moreover, that day in the courtyard, this concubine encountered Zheng Sui. Zheng Sui wanted to place this concubine in the general’s mansion. This concubine feared Prince Shen would eventually agree to him, so… so falsely claimed to be with child…”

After she spoke, she felt Xiao Yan’s right arm suddenly tighten around her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she added: “This concubine knew Prince Shen was naive at heart. Indeed, he did not send this concubine to the general’s mansion. This concubine persuaded Prince Shen again, and he took this concubine and fled that night…”

Xiao Yan gently stroked her back. “Prince Shen told me…”

Gu Yi immediately raised her head to see his relaxed features as he slowly asked: “Why were you so certain that I didn’t want to kill him…”

Gu Yi buried her face back in the hollow of his shoulder and mumbled: “This concubine… this concubine thinks Your Majesty is a gentle person…” She laughed softly. “After hearing Prince Shen’s childhood stories about him and Your Majesty, this concubine thought… Your Majesty must surely cherish Prince Shen in your heart…”

Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment before saying: “Nonsense…”

Gu Yi chuckled, hearing Xiao Yan’s heartbeat, which seemed to have quickened.

“How… did you… know… it was the Crown Prince who killed Father Emperor…”

Gu Yi involuntarily clutched his sleeve and slowly answered: “This concubine guessed… This concubine…”

She hesitated for a moment. “The Zhao family members that this concubine saw on the boat, aren’t they evidence? The mysterious death of Scholar Zhao Jie—there are mysteries there that this concubine cannot explain clearly, but the Crown Prince’s teacher and the Crown Prince… must have some connection, right…”

Xiao Yan laughed softly.

Lying on top of him, Gu Yi felt his chest vibrate slightly. She shifted to the right, her hand inadvertently touching his right arm, clearly feeling a layer of white gauze beneath his sleeve.

She immediately half-rose, no longer daring to press on his right arm. “Your Majesty is wounded?”

Seeing her anxious face, Xiao Yan softly replied with an “Mm.”

Gu Yi’s expression changed as she asked: “Is it serious? This concubine didn’t mean to just now. Does Your Majesty’s arm hurt?”

It didn’t hurt.

However, Xiao Yan, seeing the compassion in Gu Yi’s eyes, nodded: “It hurts…”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yi sat up straight and anxiously moved further inside the couch. “Perhaps this concubine should move to the outer side, to avoid touching Your Majesty’s right arm…”

Xiao Yan smiled wryly. “What use is saying this now? Why not look at it for me, to see if medicine needs to be applied…”

Gu Yi nodded, watching as Xiao Yan methodically half-removed his moon-white inner garment, revealing his sharply defined collarbone and right arm wrapped in white gauze.

He was injured…

Gu Yi couldn’t help feeling guilty. “If Your Majesty truly feels pain, perhaps we should unwrap the gauze and check carefully to see if it’s bleeding again?”

Seeing her expression, Xiao Yan smiled softly and raised his hand to gently touch her face. “It doesn’t hurt. I was deceiving you…”

Gu Yi let out an “Ah,” then felt her waist tighten as Xiao Yan pulled her back into his embrace.

She struggled a bit, then lay on Xiao Yan’s left arm.

Xiao Yan sighed deeply: “Gu Yi…” his voice full of resignation.

Gu Yi lay still, waiting for what would follow.

Xiao Yan stroked her hair, lingering for a long while before slowly saying, “I… I… these past days… truly feared you were dead…”

Gu Yi’s eyes inexplicably stung. Her throat moved slightly, and after a long pause, she said, “This concubine will certainly not die… This concubine will surely live to be a hundred…”

Xiao Yan heard her words and looked down to see that, somehow, tears were hanging on her face.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, both sighing and resigned.

Gu Yi sobbed: “This concubine is… crying from joy…”

Crying from joy…

Xiao Yan reached out to wipe her tears, but she continued to cry.

“Stop crying…” he softened his voice to comfort her and patted her back.

Gu Yi felt a fullness of sorrow in her heart, with nowhere to place her grief.

I hate the plot! I hate heaven!

The plot is unfair to me!

Heaven is unfair to me!

Xiao Yan did not know why Gu Yi was suddenly crying so pitifully. In his confusion, he said: “Don’t cry, I’ll… I’ll tell you a joke…”

Gu Yi froze, forcibly stopping her tears. “What… what joke…”

Seeing that she had truly stopped crying, Xiao Yan had no choice but to say: “It’s a joke I heard…”

Gu Yi looked up at him, and he began: “There was once a prisoner of war who contracted a strange disease. His left hand developed sores, so it had to be cut off. The prisoner said he missed his homeland and wanted to send his left hand back home. The military camp granted this request and sent his left hand back. But before long, his right hand also developed sores…”

Gu Yi, in his arms, stirred and asked: “Then what happened…” She had stopped crying.

Xiao Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued: “Then his right hand was also cut off, and he similarly said that because he missed his homeland, he wanted to send his right hand back… So the camp allowed this again…” Seeing Gu Yi listening attentively, he smiled slightly and said, “A few days later, his right leg also developed sores, but this time the people in the camp didn’t cut it off. They only said to the prisoner, ‘This is your plan to escape, isn’t it…'”

Hmm? That’s it?

Gu Yi looked at Xiao Yan in bewilderment, seeing that he had truly stopped speaking.

What kind of joke is this?

Is this even a joke?

This is a ghost story, right?

Gu Yi said in astonishment: “Your Majesty is finished?”

Xiao Yan nodded. “It’s finished. Did my lady find it amusing?”

Gu Yi laughed twice. “Very funny!” Funny my foot!

Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed as he reached out to gently stroke her reddened earlobe, then lowered his head to kiss her.