The following day, at the hour of Si.

Two imperial edicts were delivered separately to Jianjia Palace and Pingcui Palace.

With Qingzhou recaptured, the Emperor’s heart was filled with joy.

Wan, who had been a Jieyu, and Noble Lady Gu, who had accompanied the Emperor on his southern tour, were promoted to Consort Zhao and Concubine Rou, respectively.

Since Pingcui Palace was too small and no longer suitable for the rank of a concubine, Concubine Rou was granted residence in the long-vacant Heluo Palace.

The six palaces became busy with this news, with palace servants coming and going constantly. The former Consort De had been demoted to Concubine Liu before the new year. Since Consort Zhao had no honorary title, she ranked only after the three consorts Duan, Jing, and Shu. Among the concubines, Concubine Rou with her honorary title ranked above Concubine Liu, who had none.

Along with the promotion came congratulatory gifts from various palaces. Gu Yi had transformed herself, rising to a new height in her career.

The palace maids all changed their form of address to “Niangniang” (Your Highness). Surrounded by attendants, Gu Yi returned to the long-missed Heluo Palace.

Before the main hall, various chests and congratulatory gifts from other palaces were already piled up.

Duo Luo happily approached, curtseying as she said, “Congratulations, Concubine Rou!” She presented several gift registries with both hands.

Gu Yi excitedly flipped through the registries, noting many precious items like vases, lacquer boxes, and inkstones, but no actual gold or silver.

Ah.

She closed the registries again.

Duo Luo spoke excitedly, “This servant was just organizing the items moved from Pingcui Palace and looked around the hall. This Heluo Palace is so spacious! There’s even a small fish pond in the courtyard behind. Would Your Highness like to take a look?”

Although Gu Yi was returning to familiar grounds, she had not yet seen Heluo Palace in late spring. “Let’s take a look…” She took a few steps, then asked, “Have you inquired with the Gardens Office about planting loquat and cherry trees in this palace?”

Duo Luo nodded, “This servant went early this morning. The Gardens Office said they will find good saplings and attend to them in a few days.”

Saplings… that would do, though she had wanted more mature fruit trees to enjoy the fruits sooner.

Nevertheless, it would have to do.

Gu Yi walked to the back of the palace and saw the courtyard lush with greenery, even the grape trellis adorned with light green shoots and leaves.

She walked to the edge of the pond and saw a pool of colorful small fish eagerly swimming toward her, giving her a momentary feeling of being in another world.

After watching the fish for a while, she asked Duo Luo, “Have gifts been sent to Jianjia Palace today?”

“Following Your Highness’s instructions, this servant sent someone early this morning with a jade ruyi scepter…” Duo Luo cautiously asked, “Does Your Highness still wish to visit Jianjia Palace to pay respects to Consort Zhao?”

Gu Yi shook her head, “There’s much to do in the palace today. I’ll go tomorrow…”

With Zhao Wan’s promotion to consort, she outranked Gu Yi, so by protocol, Gu Yi should indeed visit her.

But she didn’t want to go.

Just then, a palace maid hurriedly entered the courtyard and reported, “Your Highness, Lady Wang from Xiuyi Palace is outside requesting an audience, saying she’s come to congratulate Your Highness on your new residence…”

Lady Wang…

Sure enough, after moving out of the Western Garden, she would have to deal with visitors again.

Gu Yi sighed inwardly, “Lead Lady Wang to the flower hall, serve a pot of tea first, and I’ll be there shortly…”

After speaking, she went to her bedchamber and changed into a dark blue padded gown with an inner apricot-colored dress, then sat at her dressing table.

Duo Luo stood behind her, holding a comb, somewhat troubled as she said, “This servant’s hands are clumsy. Perhaps I should call Sister Tao Jia into the hall to arrange Your Highness’s hair…”

Gu Yi shook her head, “Just arrange a simple bun, that will do.”

Duo Luo complied. Fortunately, a simple bun wasn’t difficult.

After carefully combing her hair, Duo Luo looked front and back and asked, “Your Highness, shall we use wooden hairpins today?”

As she spoke, Duo Luo was about to take a brocade box containing a pair of red jeweled plum blossom ebony hairpins, but Gu Yi stopped her with her hand.

“No need. I won’t be going out today, just use some floral hairpins.”

Duo Luo then took eight floral hairpins from a jewel box and adorned her hair.

Lady Wang had just finished half a cup of tea when she saw Gu Yi slowly enter the flower hall.

Though they hadn’t seen each other for several months, and Gu Yi appeared somewhat thinner, her complexion had the delicate pink of peach blossoms.

Lady Wang rose and bowed with lowered head, “Greetings to Concubine Rou.”

Gu Yi raised her hand, “No need for such formality, Lady Wang.”

Only after Gu Yi was seated did Lady Wang take her seat.

Gu Yi found the situation rather novel and observed Lady Wang for a moment, noting the rare pleasantness on her face.

“Your Highness has returned from a distant journey, not only promoted to the rank of concubine but also moved to this new palace. I offer my congratulations to Concubine Rou.”

Gu Yi smiled faintly, “Thank you, Lady Wang.”

Lady Wang had never expected that the former Beauty Gu, who had once been in her side palace, then demoted to the Western Garden for offending the Emperor, could now enjoy such imperial favor.

Though she felt some resentment, she was more astonished, and couldn’t help saying, “Your Highness has truly made people see you in a new light today…”

Gu Yi took a sip of tea and slowly said, “As His Majesty has recaptured Qingzhou, his heart is naturally filled with joy. I merely happened to accompany him on the southern tour and was fortunate enough to benefit from it…”

Lady Wang didn’t believe this in her heart, but then heard Gu Yi continue, “Lady Wang surely knows that the three-year assessment is approaching. The tax reforms implemented in Fuzhou are starting to show results. I imagine His Majesty’s promotion has several reasons behind it…”

Wang Zibo had been in Fuzhou for quite some time.

Lady Wang nodded, understanding, “Your Highness speaks truly…”

Gu Yi put down her teacup as Lady Wang gave a coquettish laugh and continued, “Earlier today, I also paid a visit to Consort Zhao at Jianjia Palace. I noticed her complexion wasn’t good, perhaps because her shoulder injury hadn’t healed. Even I felt sympathy seeing her. I wonder how much the Emperor must pain for her…”

As Lady Wang spoke, she stared intently at Gu Yi, who merely smiled faintly in response, “Consort Zhao earned merit by saving the Emperor’s life. His Majesty’s reward is also a commendation…”

“Your Highness is right. I heard that although Consort Zhao’s shoulder is scarred, His Majesty hasn’t had the Jingshi Department remove her jade tablet. It seems indeed that… she enjoys such imperial favor…”

Gu Yi poured more tea into her cup from the white porcelain teapot and slowly asked, “What is Lady Wang’s intention in telling me this?”

Lady Wang saw a flash of severity in Gu Yi’s expression, and her face stiffened. She softened her voice, “Concubine Rou accompanied His Majesty on the southern tour and witnessed everything. I just wanted to ask Your Highness, did Consort Zhao truly win the Emperor’s heart by saving his life? If so, will life in the palace become even more difficult from now on?”

Gu Yi gave a soft laugh, “Lady Wang jests. How dare I presume to guess at His Majesty’s favor or affection? Lady Wang should ease her mind… Now that Consort Zhao holds the rank of consort, she outranks both of us, so it’s not appropriate for us to discuss her behind her back…”

Lady Wang forced a couple of laughs, “Your Highness speaks truly…” but in her heart, she secretly resented how impenetrable Gu Yi was!

Half a cup of tea later, Lady Wang took her leave.

Gu Yi felt exhausted, and before she could catch her breath, a palace maid came to report, “Lady Gong from Zhaifang Palace requests an audience, saying she’s come to congratulate Your Highness on your move…”

She blinked her eyes and resignedly said, “Brew a fresh pot of tea and invite Lady Gong into the hall.”

Those coming to congratulate her today all had ulterior motives of probing for information.

This… must be the price of promotion…

Lady Gong entered the flower hall and saw Gu Yi sitting at the table, smiling at her.

“This humble one pays respects to Concubine Rou…”

“Lady Gong, please be seated…”

Lady Gong, thinking that she had never dealt with this newly-minted Concubine Rou before and that this was her first visit, began with small talk, “Upon seeing Your Highness today, I realize what others say is true—Your Highness is indeed graceful and elegant.”

Gu Yi immediately replied, “Lady Gong is equally captivating…” completing a round of mutual flattery.

Lady Gong smiled charmingly, “Your Highness has returned from the southern tour and received such imperial favor. I congratulate Your Highness…” After a moment’s pause, she continued, “I just visited Jianjia Palace to pay respects to Consort Zhao. Consort Zhao also spoke highly of Concubine Rou…”

Gu Yi naturally didn’t believe the latter half of this statement, still categorizing it as commercial flattery. She merely nodded lightly, “Consort Zhao is too kind…”

Lady Gong raised her eyes to look at Gu Yi, “Due to her shoulder injury, Consort Zhao returned to the capital half a month earlier… I heard that accompanying her was an old servant of the Zhao family… named Zhao Jiu… I wonder if Your Highness has heard of him?”

Lady Gong’s father, Gong Zhenghai, was the Right Chief Supervising Censor of the Censorate, investigating the old case of the Zhao family.

She knew of Zhao Jiu, but Gu Yi wasn’t surprised. She just smiled and said, “I haven’t heard much about this… If Lady Gong is curious, perhaps she should ask Consort Zhao…”

Lady Gong laughed, “I was just asking casually. Consort Zhao saving the Emperor’s life at Luochuan is a beautiful story. I can’t help but be curious about it. Please forgive my intrusion, Your Highness…”

It seemed the entire palace knew about Zhao Wan saving the Emperor.

Gu Yi remained silent for a moment, then decided to go along, “Consort Zhao risked her life that day, taking a knife meant for His Majesty. It was truly loyal and brave…”

Hearing this, Lady Gong found herself unable to gauge the temperament of the Concubine before her. She seemed like a wooden beauty, apparently unmoved by Consort Zhao’s imperial favor, and not spoiled as others had speculated.

After pondering for a moment, she smiled again, “Speaking of which, now that the false regime has been eliminated, everyone is delighted that the foundation of the state is secure. I’ve heard that voices at court calling for the establishment of an empress are stronger than before. Has Your Highness heard about this?”

Gu Yi smiled in response but shook her head firmly, “I don’t hear much about court matters…”

Lady Gong felt she had hit a neither soft nor hard nail, and out of face, didn’t pursue the topic further.

The two fell silent. Gu Yi glanced sideways and saw the sun’s shadow slanting westward through the latticed window. She smiled faintly, “Having just moved to Heluo Palace today, there are many matters to attend to, so I won’t keep Lady Gong any longer…”

Lady Gong tactfully took her leave.

After she left, Gu Yi couldn’t help but heave a long sigh.

So exhausting…

Indeed… everyone has grown somewhat anxious…

Now that the false regime has been destroyed, the succession has become the most pressing matter.

As long as Xiaoyan doesn’t establish an empress or name an heir, the new and old factions will be like fish attracted to bait, rushing forward, fighting endlessly, only to retreat defeated in the end.

The emperor’s art of balance and control.

In the book, Xiaoyan finally chose an empress who had family status and a virtuous reputation but no actual backing.

Thinking carefully, there was a sudden sense of desolation.

Gu Yi sighed quietly again, looking up to see Duo Luo tiptoeing into the flower hall, asking, “Would Your Highness like more tea? Or should we call for a meal?”

Gu Yi reached out to touch the round-bellied teapot on the table—it had grown half-cold.

She turned her head to look at the sky again, “Call for a meal…”

Duo Luo nodded and was about to leave when she stopped and looked back at Gu Yi.

Gu Yi asked puzzledly, “What’s wrong?”

Duo Luo nervously touched her cheek and hesitantly asked, “Your Highness… are you not allowing Sister Tao Jia to serve you closely anymore? Since moving to Heluo Palace today, Sister Tao Jia has been checking the chests and trunks in the outer room… Your Highness…” Her voice grew softer and softer until she dared not continue.

Gu Yi gave a light laugh, “Go and have someone call for a meal…”

Duo Luo quickly nodded and turned to leave.

Gu Yi rose and walked to the window, seeing that the palace lanterns in the front courtyard had somehow already been lit.

Tao Jia stood under the palace lantern at the hall entrance, holding a register, checking the remaining chests and trunks.

She hadn’t decided how to face Tao Jia… how to arrange for Tao Jia…