Seeing Concubine Xu was here, Gu Yunyao looked surprised but still walked to her. The two curtsied to each other and so did their servants.

Then they took seat as Song Qin brought hot tea.

After Concubine Xu had the tea, Gu Yunyao asked.

"Why did you come here overnight, sister?"

Concubine Xu smiled and replied.

"I noticed you were coughing occasionally at Girl's Meeting. So, I have the sweet melon, snail, and fungus porridge made for you. It's the most nourishing for the lungs. Have a taste while it's hot."

Gu Yunxi stepped forward in time and silently handed the food box to Zhao An.

Zhao An uncovered the box and looked at the bowl of fragrant milky white porridge inside. Soon he was bewildered and startled.

Placing the bowl next to his master, Zhao An subconsciously turned his head to Yunxi.

Gu Yunxi noticed his scrutinizing gaze fixed on her.

Fortunately, she changed her face. As long as she stayed calm, Zhao An could not see anything peculiar although he was careful.

By her side, Concubine Xu's soft voice sounded.

"Sister, have it. How does this sweet porridge taste?"

Gu Yunyao thanked Concubine Xu after taking two sips. Then her eyes lit up.

"The porridge is sweet but not greasy. The snail meat is fresh, and the fungus is glutinous. It is indeed delicious."

"This porridge came from a new maid in Chuxiu Palace. She also made the ghee hill in the morning."

Concubine Xu smiled and turned her head.

"Muxue, introduce yourself to Zhaoyi Yu."

Gu Yunxi hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied to Gu Yunyao, her voice trembling with excitement.

"My name is Muxue. It's an honor to meet you, Zhaoyi Yu."

The moment Gu Yunxi stepped into Xiaoye Chamber, she experienced mixed feelings that were too complicated to describe.

Since entering the Palace, she had Concubine Xu's attention with her superb cooking and wits. Now she had become her maid in waiting. So, she had the opportunity to follow her to the palace where Gu Yunyao lived.

The two sisters were close physically. But one of them was too humble to meet Gu Yunyao's gentle eyes against the rules. She could only suppress her miseries and lower her tearing eyes.

Gu Yunyao thought she was behaving so because of her caution. Hence, she only gave her a quick glance and then returned to the bowl of sweet porridge. As if catching in a memory, she smiled heartedly but sadly.

"Muxue... You're clever and deft to make the delicious porridge..."

Before Gu Yunxi could open her mouth to thank her, Gu Yunyao covered her mouth with her hand and coughed again.

Song Qin came over to pat on her back, and Zhao An brought hot tea. Concubine Xu stood up in a hurry and asked with concern.

"You are ill. Why not summon the imperial doctor to check your pulse?"

Gu Yunyao drank the tea and smiled bitterly.

"Imperial Doctor Jiang from the Imperial Hospital used to visit frequently. But I've grown tired with so little improvement and so many decoctions. Let it go."

"How can you do that?"

Concubine Xu's expression changed after hearing her reply, and she frowned anxiously.

"If I may be blunt. I know not what troubles in your heart. But you should know that you can only rely on the Emperor after entering the Palace."

"As a concubine, you need to put all your thoughts on him, and the only person you can care about is him."

"It's said that there's little love but much sadness in the deep Palace. One day you are favored and the next you are not. I don't need to explain this to you, do I?"

Gu Yunyao nodded and smiled, her beautiful eyes mounting with tears.

"You're telling so for my sake. How can I not know? Yet, it's cold and lonely here. Before, I could always seek solace from my sister in my heart."

"Now she is missing. I have lost my hope, and my heart is empty. Not to mention serving His Majesty, I've lost all motivations."

Gu Yunxi stood behind Concubine Xu. Unknowingly, a lump came into her throat. Her beating heart seemed to be torn apart. And the choking pain made her want to cry.

She wanted to stand out and say to her darling sister that the person she was looking for was right before her.

However, she couldn't take risks until she had made her investigation.

"Of course, I understand..."

Concubine Xu's eyes were red too. She held Gu Yunyao's slightly cold hand and comforted her.

"You value love and righteousness. Therefore, you should also consider the loyal servants in Xiaoye Chamber."

"There are many snobs in the Palace who are standers-by and fence-sitters. You have been graced by His Majesty. Without his favor, people will make things difficult for your servants. When your sister returns someday, she will be heartbroken to see you like this!"

Gu Yunyao had burst into tears.

"You're right. It was silly of me. I've learned a lot from you. From now on, I will brace myself up and recover soon to serve the Emperor with all my heart."

"That's good..."

Concubine Xu grinned.

"I have another matter here tonight. I have studied calligraphy from my father since childhood. It won't be difficult for me to imitate your handwriting."

"Starting from this day, I'll come to Xiaoye Chamber every day to accompany you and copy 'Ling Bao Sutra' together."

Gu Yunyao was deeply touched by her words. Zhao An and Song Qin also looked at each other with joy.

Gu Yunyao ate up the sweet porridge swiftly. She washed her hands and mouth and then sat down with Concubine Xu before the desk to write together.

The night was tranquil. The warm candlelight enveloped the main hall, casting a pair of graceful shadows on the wall.

Gu Yunxi stood in the corner with her hands held together. She raised her eyes in silence, watching the two women burying their heads in the paperwork. Suddenly, the sadness in her heart disappeared.

Many believed that feelings were feigned in the cold Palace. To have a bosom friend in this cannibalistic place in companionship was a great blessing in life.

Right now, there was someone who could take care of Gu Yunyao in her place and lifted her up. Gu Yunxi felt relieved.

——

On the night of July 7th, Girl's Day, the capital was decorated with colorful lights and ribbons. The streets were crowded with travelers.

Lanxin could not wait longer. When it was time to leave the Palace, she bit into the sugar hawthorn made by Gu Yunxi and took her straight to the gate of divine prowess hand in hand.

Her love was already waiting at the gate.

The Honour Guards, whose surname was Fan, was less than twenty. He was handsome and gentle, a perfect match with carefree Lanxin.

Shortly after the three hung around, Gu Yunxi made up an excuse and left them alone.

She quietly followed them on the road. Seeing them holding hands and feeding each other sweet sugar hawthorns, Gu Yunxi felt very uncomfortable.

The intimate couple eclipsed her lone figure as she missed her Master hopelessly.

It was awkward to have a third wheel. It was better for her to read the atmosphere and leave.

Gu Yunxi followed the bustling crowd to the banks of the river.

The wide river was a tributary of the Golden River surrounding the Palace. Every year, people came here to set lanterns floating on the surface, especially on Girl's Day.

It was traditional for unmarried women to put a lantern on the river on the night of Girl's Day. The bolder ones would write their maiden names and ages on the lantern to drift along the water.

Young single men would guard the other side of the river to salvage the lanterns on the shore and check the names and ages.

If he was interested, he would find her home or send a matchmaker to propose marriage.

Gu Yunxi arrived on the west bank of the Silver River. The air was moist, and the evening breeze was refreshing and pleasant.

In the night, countless lanterns were floating on the shimmering river with twinkling candlelight.

Looking in the distance, numerous lanterns were shining like stars. The mighty and brilliant flow of light illuminated the entire Silver River, reaching the end of the world.

There were lantern vendors on the bank. The sellers could customize exquisite lanterns in various shapes according to the needs of buyers on the spot.

Gu Yunxi walked over and took out a coin. Instead of a lantern, she bought a piece of red paper and folded it into a boat.

Hence, the seller painted the bottom of the boat with melted wax, saying that it would protect the paper boat from being soaked by water.

Gu Yunxi thanked the vendor and then came to the shore with the paper boat in her hands. She put two sugar hawthorns in the boat before sending it floating on the river. Quietly, she witnessed the red paper boat drifting farther and farther on the glittering river.