Xiao Yan opened his eyes and saw the Tianlu Pavilion.

He was dreaming again.

Or so he thought.

The blue bricks on the floor of the Tianlu Pavilion before him were old and faded.

He spotted a somewhat hunched figure standing in front of the vermilion pillars, still wearing a blue robe with flying fish insignia.

When had Eunuch Gao grown so old?

Before Xiao Yan could examine his features closely, he heard an announcement from outside the pavilion: “Prime Minister Gu requests an audience.”

He looked toward the sound and saw a somewhat familiar face.

After a moment of recognition, he identified him as Gu Changtong.

Gu Changtong had a head of white hair and wore a tall official hat. He entered carrying a ceremonial tablet, but was not dressed in official robes, wearing only a plain-colored long robe instead.

Eunuch Gao spoke slowly: “Prime Minister Gu, please wait a moment. His Majesty is changing his clothes and will be here shortly. Perhaps the Prime Minister would like to sit in the side hall first. The weather is cold, and I fear the Prime Minister’s leg ailment must be uncomfortable…”

Xiao Yan realized this dream was quite absurd.

Why was Gu Changtong a Prime Minister? When had he been appointed?

Xiao Yan moved closer and saw that Gu Changtong’s face revealed only a slight smile, with his robes faintly smelling of incense.

Gu Changtong said: “Yesterday was the New Year’s Court Assembly, so His Majesty must have been busy. This old minister doesn’t mind waiting an hour or so. Today might also be this old minister’s last visit to the Tianlu Pavilion.”

Eunuch Gao sighed, “The Prime Minister has submitted a memorial to retire, and His Majesty is truly reluctant to part with you…”

Gu Changtong smiled lightly and shook his head. “This old minister will not leave the capital after retiring. Ah Zhao is still in the cabinet…” He lowered his eyes and sighed. “Imperial Noble Consort Roujia is also buried in the imperial tomb. This old minister will never leave the capital. If His Majesty wishes to see this old minister someday, he can still summon me…”

Imperial Noble Consort Roujia…

Where did an Imperial Noble Consort come from…

Xiao Yan’s chest tightened, and he inexplicably felt a sense of fear.

Eunuch Gao sighed softly, “Every New Year is difficult to get through…”

As his words were falling, Xiao Yan saw a figure emerge from the back of the pavilion, not wearing the imperial yellow dragon robe, but a plain white long robe.

He stared in astonishment at his face—though in his prime, his temples had already turned slightly white, and his features were filled with coldness.

The strangeness in his heart grew.

Gu Changtong bowed: “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

“Rise.”

Xiao Yan watched him sit down and slowly said: “Prime Minister Gu’s retirement, I have granted it.”

Gu Changtong bowed again deeply. “Your Majesty’s great kindness…”

The emperor seated on the throne did not speak further, only staring intently at Gu Changtong’s face with his dark brown eyes.

Gu Changtong raised his head to meet his gaze, took a deep breath, and then said: “This old minister has heard that Your Majesty has been unwell recently. This old minister dares to advise that though state affairs are complex, Your Majesty should take care of yourself and not worry too much…” His voice lowered somewhat. “If the Consort’s spirit in heaven is aware… she would certainly wish for Your Majesty to cherish yourself…”

Xiao Yan saw him laugh briefly. “Prime Minister Gu… you may withdraw.”

Gu Changtong’s face stiffened, and he could only bow slowly again before retreating from the Tianlu Pavilion.

The palace doors opened and closed, allowing the winter wind to bring in frost and snow.

Even in the dream, Xiao Yan felt the bone-chilling cold that surged in.

He stared unblinkingly at the emperor on the jade steps, moving closer, and saw his eyes gradually dim. He heard a soft murmur, seemingly directed at Eunuch Gao standing beside him, yet also a self-query.

“If Gu Yi’s spirit is in heaven… why… does she never enter my dreams…”

Gu Yi was dead.

Xiao Yan suddenly awoke, breathing rapidly, his back covered in cold sweat.

Seeing the green gauze bed curtains moving slightly, he slowly exhaled, then gradually turned to look at the person beside him.

Gu Yi lay perfectly fine next to him, her breathing deep and steady, her long eyelashes fluttering like small fans, sleeping soundly.

He urgently reached out to touch her cheek. Warm, soft cheek.

He traced along her jawline and down to feel her pulse. Strong, steady pulse.

It was just a nightmare…

But his heart contracted painfully. What he had seen and felt in the dream came like a flood, as if it all were real, as if he had personally experienced it.

As Gu Yi slept, she suddenly felt her neck itching. She reached up to scratch it and felt soft hair.

She drowsily opened her eyes to see Xiao Yan’s head against her forehead, his palm resting on her left chest.

She couldn’t help but freeze in surprise.

Brother, isn’t your stamina too good… aren’t you tired…

“Your Majesty…” she resisted the urge to yawn. “We must rise early tomorrow, let’s sleep earlier…”

Xiao Yan, seeing that Gu Yi had awakened, gazed at her somewhat resignedly with eyes still bearing traces of sleep.

He embraced her waist and pulled her into his arms. “Mm… go back to sleep…”

Gu Yi responded with a sound, adjusted her sleeping position, and rested her head on his shoulder. Though she felt Xiao Yan was acting somewhat strangely, she was truly too tired, so she fell asleep again.

Early the next morning, the space beside Gu Yi was still warm.

She opened her eyes to find Xiao Yan still on the couch, smiling at her.

She rubbed her eyes and saw that the room was already bright. “What time is it now?”

“Just past the hour of Chen.”

Gu Yi turned and got up. “Didn’t Your Majesty say yesterday that you would leave at the hour of Chen?”

Xiao Yan rose just then. “Going in the afternoon will be fine.”

Hearing movement in the room, the attendants waiting outside to help with washing entered.

After Gu Yi finished washing up, she was surprised to find Xiao Yan still in the room.

Today’s Xiao Yan was indeed quite strange.

Seeing her confusion, Xiao Yan said, “I will accompany you around Yang City today. Tomorrow we will begin our journey back to the capital…”

Gu Yi nodded, unable to suppress a smile.

Yang City needed reconstruction. Shortly after the city fell, residents saw that military discipline was strict with no looting, so they ventured out cautiously.

Food supplies were still normal, though everyone’s face still showed caution and restraint.

Gu Yi wore a veiled hat and went out with Xiao Yan. Along the way, she always felt Xiao Yan’s subtle gaze falling on her repeatedly.

She found it increasingly odd.

Only at sunset did the two return to the residence.

Xiao Yan had truly accompanied her for an entire day.

Gu Yi smiled and said: “This concubine knows Your Majesty is busy with many affairs. To accompany this concubine for a whole day, this concubine is overwhelmed by the favor…”

Xiao Yan laughed, arranged his robe as he sat down, and slowly said: “When we return to the capital, we’ll take the land route, which is slower than the water route. After returning to the capital…” He paused for a moment. “I will promote you to Concubine Rou…”

Concubine Rou…

Gu Yi didn’t react immediately.

Thinking about it carefully, this was skipping two ranks…

Her lips parted slightly, and after a while, she curtsied. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Xiao Yan raised his hand. “Sit down…”

Gu Yi was surprised in her heart, and though she knew it might spoil the mood, she had to ask: “What about Concubine Wan? Will Your Majesty also reward Concubine Wan?”

Zhao Wan had taken a knife for him, and according to the plot, she too was due for promotion.

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, looking at Gu Yi. “Zhao Wan is Zhao Jie’s daughter. The case of Zhao Jie is connected to Xiao Heng, so I must reward her. She saved my life, so she deserves a reward. I… will elevate her to Consort Zhao…”

Gu Yi was taken aback, not expecting Xiao Yan to explain so thoroughly.

Zhao Wan was already a Concubine Jieyu, and skipping two ranks would indeed place her at the consort level.

If she were only promoted to concubine rank, Gu Yi’s double-rank promotion would seem out of place.

Gu Yi remained silent for a short while before finally smiling and saying: “Your Majesty speaks wisely. This concubine understands.”

Xiao Yan suddenly felt a surge of depression—Gu Yi was so nonchalant, which displeased him.

Although he had explained all the reasons, she seemed truly unconcerned.

Xiao Yan calmed his emotions for a moment before smiling at her again: “The provincial examination is approaching. If Gu Changtong comes to the capital and you are promoted to concubine rank, you may also invite Madam Gu into the palace for a meeting…”

Gu Yi’s thoughts stirred. “Thank you, Your Majesty…”

Then she heard Xiao Yan ask: “Do you have any brothers or sisters at home?”

I know this one!

Gu Yi answered confidently: “This concubine has a younger brother at home, called Ah Zhao, Gu Zhao…”

Ah Zhao.

Xiao Yan clenched his right fist inside his sleeve.

There truly was… a Gu Zhao.

Gu Yi saw Xiao Yan’s face darken inexplicably.

She called softly: “Your Majesty…”

Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows, his dark brown crystal eyes flashing, but he smiled and said: “That’s a good name.”

Is it?

Gu Yi, not understanding, replied: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise…”

*

The day they departed from Yang City was a sunny day.

For over a month, Gu Yi spent her days in carriages and post stations.

The official road northward was often rugged, but the closer they got to the capital, the smoother the roads became, with trees on both sides more orderly.

Gu Yi curiously lifted the carriage curtain to look outside and couldn’t help but sigh: “The roads these days are much easier to travel.”

Xiao Yan followed her gaze to look outside the carriage. “Traveling south from the capital, many officials have been negligent. Some provinces and counties have broken roads awaiting repair. Low-lying areas of the roads collect rainwater—all due to careless governance and lack of inspection and supervision… There are too many incompetent people among the noble families in recent years…”

Gu Yi lowered the carriage curtain and turned to smile.

With the false regime eliminated, the struggle between new and old court factions would only intensify.

The weather outside the carriage was gradually warming up, while inside, warm incense was lit.

Gu Yi picked up a round fan from the carriage and gently fanned herself, then fanned Xiao Yan.

She smiled with pursed lips. “Your Majesty is wise and will surely select capable and virtuous officials with discerning eyes.”

Xiao Yan saw her smiling brightly, and his expression relaxed somewhat.

But throughout the journey, a layer of hidden worry still weighed heavily in his heart.

He had never believed in supernatural forces; if it were an ordinary nightmare, he wouldn’t have given it any thought.

But the dream that night had been too vivid. Recalling it still made his heart tremble.

In his dream, Gu Yi… had died…

How she died, when she died…

Was it because of this reason that in his previous strange dreams, he rarely saw Gu Yi…

Xiao Yan’s throat moved slightly as he looked at Gu Yi in the carriage, seeing her bright face appreciating the spring scenery beyond the curtain.

“Gu… Yi…”

Gu Yi turned her head and saw Xiao Yan with an expression as if he wanted to say something but didn’t continue.

“Your Majesty… what is it?”

Xiao Yan had been truly peculiar lately.

She waited for a while, only to see him smile faintly without saying anything.

Fine then.

*

On the day they returned to the imperial palace, the carriage passed through the Vermilion Bird Gate at the hour of Hai.

A crescent moon like a bow hung in the sky, and the palace was completely silent.

Gu Yi, exhausted in body and mind, returned to the Pingcui Palace. Just as she entered the palace gates, Tao Jia hurriedly came out to meet her, her face full of caution, with what seemed like tears glistening in her eyes.

The two looked at each other wordlessly for a moment.

Gu Yi sighed softly. “I’m tired. Please prepare water for bathing first…”