It was still light outside. Duo Luo returned with the meal and, peeking in to see the Emperor in the bedchamber, quietly instructed the palace servants to leave the food boxes and withdraw. Eunuch Gao had taught them that whenever the Lady and the Emperor were together, the palace servants should stay as far away as possible.

Gu Yi sat motionless in the straight-backed chair, allowing Xiaoyan to dry her hair without uttering a word.

She didn’t know where he had come from, but his body radiated warmth while his demeanor was cold as frost.

Truly an interweaving of ice and fire.

Gu Yi’s thoughts raced, still unable to understand if she had somehow offended him.

When her hair was nearly dry, Xiaoyan stopped.

Gu Yi turned her head at the right moment, smiling brightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Xiaoyan lowered his eyes, giving her only a faint glance before tossing the brocade towel onto the dressing table and silently turning to go to the flower hall.

Gu Yi immediately followed. Seeing that the table was already set with food, she said cheerfully: “Would Your Majesty join me for a meal?” She paused briefly, then added, “A day apart feels like three autumns. I’ve missed Your Majesty greatly!”

Xiaoyan finally turned to look at her. Though he didn’t smile, the cold light in his eyes seemed to soften slightly.

Gu Yi thought to herself: There’s hope!

Although she didn’t know why Xiao Gouzi was acting so strangely today, if he could be coaxed, it couldn’t be anything serious!

Xiaoyan lifted his robe and sat down on his own, still not speaking to her. Gu Yi suddenly felt that this temperamental behavior was exactly like Xiao Lü’s from a while ago—truly a case of shared bloodline.

She sat down beside him and suddenly leaned closer. Seeing Xiaoyan’s eyes flash with surprise but not retreat, Gu Yi daringly move even closer and kissed him on the right cheek.

Xiaoyan tensed slightly, turning his head to look at her in astonishment, but the cold aura that had enveloped him instantly disappeared.

“Your Majesty, are you angry with me?” Gu Yi seized the opportunity to hold his right hand. “I’m too dull to know what I’ve done wrong, but I certainly never meant to upset Your Majesty…”

Xiaoyan made a sound of acknowledgment. “Let’s eat.” He didn’t release Gu Yi’s hand.

This temper came quickly and left just as fast, like a paper tiger.

It seemed Xiao Gouzi’s fur had been smoothed.

Gu Yi happily moved closer to him. “Will Your Majesty give me a kiss too?”

“Nonsense,” Xiaoyan said coldly.

Fine then.

Gu Yi had no choice but to turn her face away.

Just as she moved, she was pulled back, and suddenly felt warmth on her lips.

Xiaoyan kissed her lips. “That’s enough. Let’s eat.”

After the meal, Xiaoyan went to bathe. When he finished washing up, Gu Yi saw that his mood had improved. She intended to investigate the cause of today’s anger, but Xiaoyan didn’t give her the opportunity.

*

Before 5 a.m., Eunuch Gao was already waiting outside the bedchamber of Heluo Palace.

Xiaoyan rose, turning his head to look at the still-sleeping Gu Yi. He gently caressed her cheek before lifting the gauze curtain and getting out of bed.

Eunuch Gao brought the imperial court robes and quietly helped the Emperor change. In the faint candlelight, he couldn’t resist stealing a glance at his expression.

Yesterday, the Emperor had been very angry. Though he didn’t know why, the Emperor had spent the entire afternoon not reviewing memorials but practicing swordplay, then left him behind to come to Heluo Palace alone.

Ah, this was the Emperor’s temperament—keeping everything bottled up inside.

He had thought the Emperor would surely take out his frustration on Concubine Rou, but one look at the current situation showed otherwise.

Truly worthy of being Concubine Rou!

Xiaoyan finished changing into his court robes, his gaze passing over the red lacquered gold-painted floral treasure box on the dressing table, lingering for a moment.

There might be a hundred methods to make someone submit, but what good would it be if they weren’t willing?

Gu Yi.

You really must not disappoint me.

*

The weather at the end of spring gradually grew warmer, and the birds outside the window became noisier, chirping incessantly.

Gu Yi was awakened by the noise. Duo Luo heard movement and hurried into the hall.

“My Lady is awake.” After lifting the gauze curtain, Duo Luo saw Gu Yi’s flushed face. “It is indeed getting warmer today. If My Lady fears the heat, your servant will fetch some ice right away.”

Gu Yi touched her face and indeed felt a thin layer of sweat on her back. “It’s still a bit early in the season to use ice. Just open the windows.”

Duo Luo turned to partially open the latticed windows.

A cool breeze blew into the room, making Gu Yi feel more comfortable. She yawned and sat up.

Duo Luo quickly brought over a warmed medicinal drink. “My Lady, please take this calming tonic.”

Gu Yi took it and drank it down in one gulp before beginning her toilette.

After finishing her morning meal, she instructed: “Keep your ears open today. When you go out to fetch meals, try to find out if anything significant is happening in the palace.”

Xiao Gouzi had been in such a bad mood—it couldn’t have come from nowhere.

She still felt uneasy.

Duo Luo agreed, then asked: “Will My Lady go riding again later?”

Gu Yi nodded.

After she left the palace, the servants began their routine cleaning, meticulously attending to every corner of the palace and courtyard.

Two maidservants entered the bedchamber, first carefully wiping the dressing table and wooden frames with silk cloths, then replacing the incense in the burner.

The two had just finished tidying up and were about to leave when they suddenly heard two clear bird calls, seemingly coming from nowhere yet close to their ears. Looking back, they saw a bright blue bird fly through the half-open latticed window into the bedchamber. It landed on top of the treasure box on the dressing table, its blue feathers shimmering brilliantly, captivating their gaze.

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful bird before,” one maidservant said in a hushed voice.

The other maidservant’s eyes brightened. “If we catch it, we could show it to the Lady!” Perhaps they might even receive a reward!

The two tiptoed a few steps closer, planning to surround the bird from both sides.

The bird perched on the treasure box seemed completely unaware, still preening its feathers. The two women exchanged glances and lunged for the bird together.

The bird chirped and fluttered its wings, taking flight. One maidservant raised her hand to catch it, but tripped on the dressing table. She fell forward, accidentally knocking the treasure box to the floor.

A dull thud startled both of them, and they no longer cared about the bird.

One maidservant was the first to recover, crouching down to examine the treasure box. After careful inspection, she patted her chest in relief. “Fortunately, it’s not broken…”

The two hurriedly picked up the scattered pearl ornaments and a fallen white porcelain bottle, from which several pills had rolled out.

The maidservant hastily returned the scattered pills to the porcelain bottle.

After placing the treasure box back in position, the two exchanged knowing looks—today’s mishap had never happened.

The afternoon sun grew more intense. Gu Yi had ridden several rounds and could no longer persist. She dismounted from her horse, and the imperial groom who came to take the horse sincerely praised her: “My Lady’s riding skills have improved greatly!”

This pleased Gu Yi, and she responded with several compliments about the official’s excellent instruction. After resting in the shade for a short while, she led Duo Luo out of the racetrack.

Spring was in full bloom in the Imperial Garden. She stopped to gaze at the green lotus leaves floating on the lake surface when she saw Concubine Duan approaching along the lakeside with a string of palace maids.

“Greetings to Concubine Duan.”

Concubine Duan gestured for her to rise and looked over her riding outfit. “So Concubine Rou has been riding again. I heard earlier that Concubine Rou loves horseback riding, and it seems to be true.”

“I’m not skilled at riding, which is why I wanted to practice to pass the time.”

“Concubine Rou is dedicated. Galloping across the hunting grounds in spring is most exhilarating. Once Concubine Rou masters riding, all of us sisters can ride together and play polo…” After speaking, Concubine Duan smiled again. “Now that Concubine Su has left the palace, who knows how much longer the rest of us sisters will remain together?”

Gu Yi smiled, her gaze sweeping over the palace maids behind Concubine Duan. “Spring is indeed beautiful, but I’m all sweaty from riding and need to hurry back to change. I won’t disturb Your Ladyship’s spring appreciation.”

Concubine Duan nodded. As Gu Yi turned to leave, she heard Concubine Duan add, “Concubine Zhao’s shoulder wound hasn’t healed. If Concubine Rou has time, perhaps go visit her.”

Gu Yi’s steps faltered slightly before she continued toward Heluo Palace.

Back in her chambers, she removed her complex riding outfit and went to bathe first.

As she relaxed, Gu Yi couldn’t help thinking about the plot countless times.

The female protagonist’s unhealed shoulder wound truly gave Gu Yi a hint of worry.

In the book, although the female protagonist was injured, she recovered after returning to the capital.

Could there be a problem with the protagonist’s aura? Or had something else happened that she didn’t know about, causing the shoulder wound to remain unhealed?

The protagonist wouldn’t die, would she?

Gu Yi suddenly felt a headache. When would this all end?

The main plot line—what exactly was the main plot line?

At the end of the novel, Xiaoyan embarked on his imperial enterprise, and Zhao Wan naturally became the Empress.

The first half of the ending seemed fine, but to be honest, it wasn’t that she lacked confidence, but could Zhao Wan become Empress?

Gu Yi shrank in the bathtub. The ultimate question she had been deliberately avoiding became increasingly clear as time drew near.

What would happen if the time came but the story couldn’t reach its conclusion? What would happen to her? What would happen to Xiaoyan?

Would the plot simply reset and start over?

She took a deep breath, half her face submerged in the bathtub, blowing several bubbles in succession.

Time was running out…

What if… what if Xiaoyan made Zhao Wan his Empress…

Gu Yi gently shook her head.

*

Darkness enveloped the imperial city as the first night watch drum had just sounded.

Eunuch Gao carried a lantern, following the Emperor step by step along the corridor. They were heading toward Heluo Palace.

Looking again, he saw no joy on the Emperor’s face—rather, he appeared somewhat terrifying.

Eunuch Gao wondered if they had quarreled last night and hadn’t reconciled. But that didn’t make sense—if they hadn’t made up, why would he go there again tonight…

He really couldn’t figure it out.

The lantern light drew closer, and Heluo Palace was still brightly lit with candles.

Xiaoyan had been waiting anxiously all day, and at this moment, could no longer contain himself.

He glanced to the side—the latticed windows of the bedchamber emitted several streaks of warm orange light.

Gu Yi was probably about to retire.

He stopped at the palace door, waving to prevent the servants from announcing him. He walked through the long corridor and entered the bedchamber to find Gu Yi sitting before the mirror, combing her hair.

She turned to see him and smiled. “Your Majesty has arrived.”

Xiaoyan walked behind her and helped her undo her hair bun. After a moment of silence, he said: “Brew some tea… It’s been a long time since I’ve had tea made by your hands.”

Gu Yi stood up with a smile. “Your Majesty, please wait. I’ll be right back.”

When her footsteps faded, Xiaoyan slowly opened the treasure box on the dressing table and found the white porcelain bottle he was looking for in the bottom layer.

After hesitating for several moments, he took out the porcelain bottle and poured all the pills into his palm.

Exactly ten pills.

Xiaoyan laughed to himself.

He had never begged anyone, but he had begged Gu Yi, only to be denied in the end.

Perhaps, as others had said over the years, his bloodline wasn’t worth continuing.

Gu Yi returned to the bedchamber carrying a tea tray. She saw Xiaoyan standing motionless before the mirror. Hearing her approach, he turned to look at her.

His expression was wooden, his eyes devoid of any light, like a faded statue.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” She put down the tea tray and quickly walked to him.

Xiaoyan suddenly reached out, slowly caressing her cheek. “It’s late today. You should rest first.”

Gu Yi frowned. “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Xiaoyan about to leave, Gu Yi instinctively grabbed his sleeve. “Wait!”

Just then, a blue-robed palace attendant rushed to the outside of the bedchamber and kowtowed. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, forgive me, Concubine Rou. Jianjia Palace has sent word that Concubine Zhao’s shoulder wound has burst open and is bleeding profusely. She begs for Your Majesty’s mercy and requests your immediate presence at Jianjia Palace.”

Gu Yi was startled and unconsciously released her grip.

Xiaoyan’s brow twitched, and he turned to look at her.

Their gazes met, and all the words of comfort Gu Yi wanted to say refused to come out.

Xiaoyan asked coldly: “Does Concubine Rou have something to say?”

Don’t go. Don’t leave.

Gu Yi opened her mouth but couldn’t speak.

Xiaoyan’s expression grew colder.

He should have known that Gu Yi never showed jealousy or envy, while he couldn’t help but feel a fishbone in his throat whenever he thought of Zhou Tinghe, wanting nothing more than to kill him immediately.

“Gu Yi…” he laughed aloud. “Do you even have a heart?”