At one end of the stone path, Duo Luo held the horse whip in her hands. She saw Noble Consort Duan’s carriage disappear into the distance, but Concubine Rou remained standing in place, not turning back.

She waited for a short while before walking up along the stone path. “Your Highness, you’ve sweated from riding. It’s better to return to the palace to change your clothes before you catch a cold.” As she approached Concubine Rou’s side, she looked closely and noticed that she was in a daze with reddened eyes. Alarmed, she asked, “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Have you been crying?”

Gu Yi came back to her senses and smiled at Duo Luo, “I’m not crying, just tired. Let’s go back.”

Duo Luo dared not ask further and hurriedly followed her steps.

As they walked through the Imperial Garden, they encountered a group of female officials from the Bureau of Imperial Insignia and the Bureau of Palace Decorations. Upon seeing Gu Yi, they all curtsied, “Greetings to Concubine Rou.”

Gu Yi raised her hand, “You may rise.” She glanced at the trays in the female officials’ hands—five red lacquer jewelry boxes that appeared to contain hairpins and jewels.

She didn’t linger and continued walking.

Duo Luo, however, looked back several times and saw the female officials heading toward Jianxia Palace.

Consort Zhao was truly enjoying great favor these days.

After the case of Zhao Jie, some court officials thought they had figured out the Emperor’s mind and suggested adding Consort Zhao to the list of potential Empress candidates. This immediately provoked fierce opposition from Liu Fang, Palace Steward Hai, and others. While the various factions were at an impasse in their arguments, officials who had come to the capital for their performance evaluations arrived. The matter of establishing an Empress was once again put aside by the Emperor to be discussed later.

Gu Yi had heard about this from Madam Gu.

On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, Madam Gu finally received a palace pass to visit Concubine Rou.

Madam Gu rose at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM) and, after washing up, carefully dressed herself in front of the mirror. She changed into a new fifth-rank ceremonial robe with cloud and mandarin duck patterns on the vest, a long skirt embroidered with intertwining flower patterns, and gold-plated silver mandarin duck hairpins in her hair.

Gu Changtong had already risen and was waiting at the table. As she was about to leave, he stepped forward to remind her: “When you see Her Highness, don’t forget the proper etiquette. The palace rules are complicated, so don’t put Her Highness in a difficult position.”

Madam Gu gave him a reproachful look, “You’ve said this so many times, I know what to do.” With that, she left.

After waiting so long, she could finally see her little Yi.

“Mother.”

Just as she stepped onto the long corridor, she saw Gu Zhao walking quickly from the other end of the inn, neatly dressed. “Mother, when you go see Sister, could you take something to her for me?”

Madam Gu hesitated, “They inspect everything before entering the palace. What do you want to give your sister?”

Gu Zhao took out a stone carving of a flying eagle from his bosom. It was only palm-sized, painted in five colors, and not particularly refined—clearly something he had recently made. “It’s a stone carving I made in my spare time, for Sister to enjoy.”

Madam Gu hesitated for a moment but still accepted it. “The palace rules are strict. If they don’t allow it inside, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Zhao nodded happily, “I understand.”

When they left the inn, the sky was just beginning to brighten, but the palace carriage sent to pick her up had already arrived.

Madam Gu was startled for a moment when she saw a fair-skinned attendant in palace garments standing by the carriage. She apologetically said, “Sorry to keep you waiting. May I ask how to address you, sir?”

“Madam Gu is too polite. I just arrived as well. You may call me Lu Chao.”

Madam Gu smiled, “Thank you, Eunuch Lu.” She then stepped onto the small stool in front of the carriage and boarded.

The carriage moved steadily without much jolting until it reached the outside of the Vermilion Bird Gate. By then, the sun had fully risen in the east.

After the carriage stopped, Madam Gu lifted the curtain and saw two female officials in green robes bowing before the carriage. “Please forgive us, Madam, but we must inspect your belongings as per protocol.”

Madam Gu remained still as the two female officials entered the carriage.

After a full quarter of an hour, the two female officials finally exited the carriage. “Madam Gu, you may alight now.”

Madam Gu had managed to keep the stone carving Gu Zhao had made. She adjusted her clothes, made sure her appearance was proper, and then descended from the carriage. Following the female officials’ lead, she entered through the Vermilion Bird Gate, with high red walls and spotless blue tiles on either side that inspired awe without reason.

Walking along the narrow pathway and turning through an arched doorway, the three of them followed the stone path into the Imperial Garden.

One of the female officials turned back with a smile, “Concubine Rou resides in Heluo Palace, not far from the Imperial Garden. Madam will reach it in about half a quarter of an hour.”

Madam Gu nodded, “Thank you for guiding me,” but she didn’t dare to let her eyes wander.

In the early summer Imperial Garden, the fragrance was rich. Morning dew still clung to the leaves and grasses. Small sparrows occasionally landed to peck at the dew before happily fluttering away. Madam Gu walked for half a quarter of an hour, and her heart gradually became calmer.

When she arrived outside Heluo Palace, she was still awestruck by the majestic palace buildings before her—layered eaves and soaring corners, with palace attendants moving in an orderly fashion among them. Though it was early morning, fallen flowers and leaves from the previous night had already been cleared from the front courtyard. The lotus buds in several water jars were just beginning to show, full of vitality.

Madam Gu was led to the entrance of Heluo Palace, where she saw a young palace maid in blue garments hurrying out to meet her with a smiling face. Greetings to Madam Gu. Her Highness knew you were coming today and got up early especially. Has Madam had breakfast? Her Highness hasn’t eaten yet, she’s waiting for you! Please follow me quickly.”

Madam Gu was surprised but answered, “I haven’t eaten yet. Please lead the way.”

Gu Yi was sitting in the flower hall and immediately stood up when she saw the visitor. Madam Gu respectfully performed a deep bow, “This humble subject greets Concubine Rou and inquires after Your Highness’s health.”

“Rise, please rise!” Gu Yi was startled—the last time they met, perhaps because it was outside the palace, Madam Gu hadn’t performed such a formal greeting.

She then carefully examined Madam Gu before her. She looked just as Gu Yi remembered, only a bit more restrained.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” After rising, Madam Gu also carefully looked at Gu Yi.

Having not seen her for over a year, she noticed that Gu Yi had grown up, her complexion was fresh and radiant, with added charm.

Little Yi was doing well.

Gu Yi came forward and led Madam Gu to sit at the table. Only after two or three invitations did Madam Gu agree to sit down.

After they had quietly finished breakfast, Madam Gu finally relaxed and started chatting, first mentioning that Gu Changtong had received a good evaluation and been promoted to fifth-rank Vice Minister of Personnel.

Gu Yi nodded with a smile. Moving from fifth rank to fifth rank wasn’t much of a promotion, but Gu Changtong had been transferred from Fuzhou to an official position in the capital. Such transfers to the capital usually involved staying at the same rank or being demoted one level, both considered promotions. Gu Changtong’s promotion without demotion was exceptional.

As Madam Gu spoke, her eyes grew increasingly bright. “Now that my husband will establish a residence in the capital, I can come to pay my respects to Your Highness every year.”

Gu Yi smiled faintly without speaking, and Madam Gu went on to mention that the Emperor had temporarily postponed the matter of establishing an Empress.

Seeing that there was no one else in the hall, she showed a look of regret and sighed softly, “His Majesty’s heart is truly difficult to fathom; it seems no one can predict it.” She raised her eyes to gaze at Gu Yi for a moment. “Your Highness must not be anxious. Though serving the Emperor is not like an ordinary marriage, His Majesty is young, and there’s no rush to establish an Empress or an heir.” She gently patted the back of Gu Yi’s hand. “Your Highness has a long road ahead. The favor earned from daily companionship is not a matter of a moment. It’s the accumulation over years that creates deep affection and strong emotions, which prevents love from fading as beauty wanes.”

“Madam speaks truly,” Gu Yi smiled.

According to the original plot, after Zhao Jie’s case was overturned, Xiaoyan would have dismissed the imperial harem and proposed establishing Zhao Wan as Empress, facing opposition from court officials.

Yet, here she was, still sitting properly in the palace, which meant the six palaces hadn’t been dismissed.

The romance storyline had deviated slightly, as she had expected.

Madam Gu noticed that while Gu Yi was smiling, there was little joy in her eyes. Realizing she might have touched on a painful subject, she quickly changed the topic and took out the flying eagle stone carving from her bosom, presenting it to Gu Yi. “This flying eagle was made by Zhao in his spare time, specially for Your Highness’s enjoyment.”

Gu Yi took it with delight and examined it closely. “Zhao made this?” A masterpiece from the scholar!

The stone carving felt light in her hand. Its colors were bright, with the eagle’s feathers painted in gradual color changes, making the flying eagle appear majestic and powerful.

Seeing this, Madam Gu happily said, “I’m glad Your Highness likes it.”

After playing with it for a while, Gu Yi turned and handed Madam Gu a book that she had prepared on the long table. “I also have something for Zhao. This is the Annotated Water Classic with Maps from the Great Mu Dynasty. The palace has only one original copy, but I found it interesting and thought Zhao would like it too, so I had another copy transcribed. Please take it back to Zhao.”

Madam Gu didn’t dare accept it. “This book is too valuable…”

Gu Yi insisted, “Since Zhao is studying, browsing this book will be beneficial to him. I’ve also added some brief annotations in the book; perhaps he’ll find them interesting too.”

Only then did Madam Gu reach out with both hands to accept it. “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness.”

Gu Yi sighed in relief. “I hope Zhao will read it carefully.”

By noon, it was time for Madam Gu to leave. Gu Yi escorted her to the entrance of the palace hall for a reluctant farewell.

Upon returning to the hall, Duo Luo came forward and said, “Your Highness rose early today and spent the whole morning talking with Madam. Why not take a rest now to avoid getting tired?”

Gu Yi indeed felt tired, so she readily went to take a nap.

By the time she woke up, Duo Luo was already standing outside the bed curtains. “Your Highness, Physician-in-Chief Hu from the Imperial Medical Academy has come to take your pulse…”

What’s happening? Had she slept for that long?

Gu Yi got up and asked, “What time is it now, and why has the Physician-in-Chief come today? Isn’t it usually the medical officer who takes the pulse?”

Duo Luo’s face reddened, and she stammered, “Your Highness’s monthly period is late, so I reported it to the Imperial Medical Academy.”

Gu Yi was completely stunned. Thinking carefully, it was indeed the case. She looked at Duo Luo in surprise, truly not expecting that, despite her young age, Duo Luo had been so attentive to this matter.

Duo Luo felt embarrassed under her gaze and turned away. “I’ll go invite Physician-in-Chief Hu into the hall now.”

Gu Yi was still immersed in great shock, her mind completely blank, and she only managed to respond with an incoherent sound.

Soon after, Physician-in-Chief Hu entered the hall with a bow. Seeing Concubine Rou reclining on the couch, he dared not look too much.

The silk bed curtains had been held back by golden hooks on both sides. Gu Yi placed her wrist on the edge of the couch. Physician Hu meticulously took a silk cloth from his medicine box and placed it over her wrist before extending four fingers to feel her pulse.

Gu Yi saw that Physician Hu kept his eyes lowered, appearing as composed as an old monk in meditation, with little expression on his face.

Her heart was in turmoil, and she anxiously looked at him several times, but Physician Hu remained motionless, not even raising his eyes to look at her once.

It seemed like two thousand years had passed before Physician Hu finally moved his hand away, methodically folded the silk cloth, and placed it back in his medicine box. Only then did he rise, step back to the edge of the couch, and bow deeply. “To report to Your Highness, your pulse is calm, but perhaps due to excessive worry, your blood and energy are not flowing smoothly. This humble official will prescribe warming and nourishing medicine. Your Highness should feel better after taking it for a few doses.”

Gu Yi felt her heart sink, her gaze becoming blank. After a moment, she realized that her chest felt empty—she was disappointed, very disappointed.

Perhaps she had been too optimistic.

This kind of thing, whether the plot interfered or not, was not something that happened easily.

She had originally thought that even if she never overcame the plot in the end, she could at least leave something behind to accompany Xiaoyan.

She might have been thinking too beautifully.