Helped up by Zhao An, Gu Yunyao went to the bathroom in the side palace in a gown of red feathers, waiting for the maids to bathe her.

While she was having her hair dressed, Zhao An asked,

"Master, should we send someone to inform Concubine Xu? In her high status, you'll be able to watch each other's back in Yongning Palace if she wish to intervene."

Playing the jade and pearl hairpin in her hand, Gu Yunyao shook her head after consideration.

"No. It is because Xu is my friend that I shall not drag her with me. She might have offended the Imperial Noble Concubine for speaking for me. We should not trouble her anymore."

Seeing that Gu Yunyao had decided, Zhao An uttered no more. He only looked down sullenly and sighed.

Outside the palatial garden, Zhao An helped Gu Yunyao onto an elm sedan and watched the Honor Guards escort her to Yongning Palace.

Usually, the concubines would only take their chief maids with them to a gathering and leave the chief eunuchs to guard the palatial gardens.

Zhao An pondered alone in the empty road for a moment and then walked fast in the opposite direction with a frown.

In Chuxiu Palace—

Concubine Xu woke up early in the morning rather dizzy. She knew she had drunk too much sweet chrysanthemum wine last night, so she lay lazily on the couch after half a bowl of porridge for breakfast.

It was customary for the concubines to visit Kunning Palace on the next day of the Double Ninth Festival.

The same went for Yongning Palace as well.

Early in the morning, Concubine Xu had been notified that Noble Concubine Wan of Yongning Palace would turn down all visitors due to illness, which relieved her greatly.

After taking a break, she changed clothes to visit Empress Qian in Kunning Palace and sent Gu Yunxi with fresh fruits and condolences to Yongning Palace.

Stepping out of the gate of Chuxiu Palace, Gu Yunxi led ahead with two maids who had a gold fruit basket and a delicate pastry box in their hands respectively.

With her mind occupied by Leng Qingtang, Gu Yunxi didn't sleep well last night.

He had rescued her from the hunt of Honour Guards only to be harshly turned down by her.

The shock and distress on that handsome and flawless face in the dark night lingered before her eyes and was deeply imprinted on her mind.

Gu Yunxi didn't intend to torture the Master with cruel words. He must be unaware that he was not the only one whose heart broke with the aggressive utterance.

Gu Yunxi looked tired with dark circles under her eye after a long night of bad sleep. Now she had to buck up energy to finish her master's task.

Turning around the red wall, she met Zhao An head-on.

Walking in a hurry, he seemed lost in a reverie and almost bumped into Gu Yunxi.

"Lord Zhao?"

Gu Yunxi looked at the sweat on his forehead, her eyes opening wide.

The moment he saw Gu Yunxi, Zhao An's eyes lit up. But soon he looked embarrassed again.

"Madam Mu, forgive my rudeness."

He held up the white horsetail whisk and bowed to apologize to Gu Yunxi.

Gu Yunxi smiled tolerantly.

"You walk in such a hurry. Has anything happened?"

"Madam Mu, is Concubine Xu in Chuxiu Palace now?"

Anxious, Zhao An stepped forward and asked nervously.

Gu Yunxi shook her head in confusion and replied,

"Her Grace just went to Kunning Palace. Today is the time to greet the East and West Palace. But the Imperial Noble Concubine is ill and has refused all guests. So, Her Grace has told me to send some fruits instead."

Zhao An's face sank after hearing about it. Frustrated, he slammed a fist into his palm.

Gu Yunxi was perplexed.

"Lord Zhao, what happened?"

When Zhao An raised his head again, his eyes were red, and he said anxiously,

"The Imperial Noble Concubine is not ill. She just sent for my master. I'm afraid she will harm her!"

"What?!"

Gu Yunxi's complexion changed instantly. Eyes glittering, she looked down and muttered to herself,

"Zhaoyi Yu just regained His Majesty's favor last night and now is summoned to Yongning Palace. We all know the Imperial Noble Concubine is jealous..."

Zhao An became more irritable. Pacing around, he spoke with a shaking voice,

"I wanted to turn to Concubine Xu for help, but my master did not allow me and went to Yongning Palace alone. I'm at loose ends and fear that my master will be hurt by herself. Hence, I came here without authorization. But Concubine Xu has left, too. What should I do?"

Gu Yunxi's eyes turned sharp. Grinding her teeth, she said decisively,

"Lord Zhao, don't worry. Explain the matter to the Empress in Kunning Palace. And I will go to Yongning Palace and protect Zhaoyi Yu however I can."

"The Empress? But..."

Zhao An knitted his eyebrows, figuring it was improper to bother the Empress.

Gu Yunxi said, "The matter is too urgent to hesitate. Please do as I say."

"But you..."

For a while, Zhao An opened his eyes wide, impressed by Gu Yunxi.

The girl before him was only sixteen or seventeen years old. In the sunlight, her eyes were as black as ink, and her face was quiet and calm. Yet, she was breathtakingly cold, like a devil from hell that none would dare to look straight at.

From the first day he met her, Zhao An had a certain inexplicable feeling that the girl was not ordinary. More than that, her words and deeds much reassembled those of Gu Yunxi, the missing sister of Gu Yunyao.

Soon, Zhao An became worried about her.

No matter what, she was a mere rank-fifth maid. Although she was a female official, she was still humble compared to the concubines in the imperial harem.

It was not easy to protect herself in the harsh and cruel Palace. How could she protect Zhaoyi Yu?

Gu Yunxi and Zhao An thought differently. The person plotted against was her elder sister. Growing up together, they shared a stronger bond than blood sisters.

And she had been taken care of by her elder sister for ten years. How could she allow her to be framed by others now?

Unable to be scrupulous, she was willing to sacrifice everything to protect her sister from any more harm.

Clenching her fists in the sleeves, Gu Yunxi stayed composed with cold eyes.

Seeing Zhao An's worried expression, Gu Yunxi consoled him.

"Lord Zhao, go quickly to Kunning Palace. I will bring people to Yongning Palace."

Zhao An bowed and saluted her with bright eyes.

"Madam Mu, I can't thank you enough."

Gu Yunxi reached to stop him and said, "You don't need to. Now let's split up."

Bidding farewell to Zhao An, Gu Yunxi hurried to Yongning Palace.

——

When Gu Yunxi and Zhao An met, Gu Yunyao had arrived outside Yongning Palace.

After the sedan was lowered, Gu Yunyao stood before the red gate, agitated. As cold autumn wind blew, her thin body shuddered.

Song Qin stepped forward and knocked on the heavy iron-clad door, which then creaked open.

A slender eunuch squeezed out of the crack, saluted Gu Yunyao, and then took them into Yongning Palace.

"Well, you are finally here."

Before Gu Yunyao entered the Main Hall, she was pulled over by Concubine Ye whose black silk gown with patterns of flowers and moon shone gracefully under the sunlight.

After exchanging curtsies, Concubine Ye wore a smirk on her delicate face, hiding her cold resentment.

Gu Yunyao frowned faintly and smiled. She curtsied to Concubine Ye and said quietly,

"How are you, Your Grace? I've missed you so much after many days away from you."

Concubine Ye was in Wan Yuyao's faction and did not have much intercourse with Xu Yuanjiao and Gu Yunyao.

Now in Wan's Palace, she was so kind to Gu Yunyao, which served as an alarming sign.

Smiling, Concubine Ye grabbed Gu Yunyao's wrist again and said,

"I'm the same. You've been sick for a long time, and I've missed you dearly. Today the Imperial Noble Concubine wants to talk with us. We're waiting for you. Come with me to meet Her Grace."

Under the corridor, a maid lifted the curtain to let the two concubines into the Main Hall hand in hand.

Accompanied by an exhalation of pleasing perfumes, the palace was luxuriously decorated with carved beams and painted rafters. On the golden high-back chair carved with a phoenix was seated the mistress of Yongning Palace, the Imperial Noble Concubine Wan Yuyao.

She wore a crimson chiffon gown embroidered with peony flowers and phoenix, on which was a red sleeveless over-dress of gold. On her bun, there was a stunning phoenix crown.

Sitting on both sides of the hall were Zhaoyi Chen, Gu Yunjin, Meiren Dong, and newly-arriving Maiden Yang. All of them were dressed beautifully and looked gorgeous.

As soon as Gu Yunyao entered, they all fixed their eyes on her. Seeing that she was wearing light makeup and elegant clothes, they failed to find fault.

Mindful, Gu Yunyao knew that her visit to Yongning Palace was dangerous. So, she deliberately dressed plainly to deny the jealous women any opportunity to attack her.

As she expected, some people present raised their eyebrows disappointedly.

Watched by so many unfriendly eyes, Gu Yunyao's back tightened. Daring not to be impolite, she stepped forward to curtsy before the Imperial Noble Concubine.

"It's my honor to meet Your Grace. Best regards to you."

Holding a white jade teacup in her hands, Wan Yuyao drank slowly and opened her eyes lazily.

Immediately, her eyes flickered with coldness, which was concealed by the vapor rising from the cup.

"Zhaoyi Yu, please rise. It's tiring to serve His Majesty last night. Please take a seat."

"I appreciate it, Your Grace."

Gu Yunyao stood up steadily and then sat down on the chair carved with roses.

Wan Yuyao put down the teacup and then looked sideways at Gu Yunyao. She saw that she was wearing a plain satin dress, but her face shone with elegance and a healthy glow. Imagining her subservience under the Emperor last night, she was depressed as her pupils suddenly contracted.

The vile woman regained the Emperor's favor after all.

Suppressing her anger, Wan Yuyao maintained the gentle look and gestured a maid to her side.

The maid bowed and walked into the cabinet.

Wan Yuyao squeezed out a smile and said to Gu Yunyao,

"It's so hard for you to regain His Majesty's favor since you fell ill that year. I have prepared a gift for you to congratulate you. Hope we'll be of one heart and one mind and that you'll bear a child soon to continue the royal blood lineage."

Frightened, Gu Yunyao stood up and bowed down her head. She anxiously whispered,

"How can I be worthy of Your Grace's gift?"

The gift from Wan Yuyao was not easy to accept.

Concubine Ye found her uneasiness and covered her smirk with her handkerchief.

"You must accept Her Grace's affection. Even I have never been so appreciated by Her Grace since I entered the Palace."

Wan Yuyao gently pressed her lips into a faint smile and silently glanced at grinning Concubine Ye.

In the meanwhile, a maid walked out of the cabinet and brought a yellow brocade box in front of Gu Yunyao.

Gu Yunyao looked into it. On the red silk interlining set a spun gold phoenix hairpin. Judging by the colorful gemstones and precious blue feathers, it was of high value.

With her eyes widening in shock, Gu Yunyao stood up from the seat and curtsied to Wan.

"Thank Your Grace for your kindness, but I'm only a Zhaoyi. I can't use gold phoenix jewelry."

The imperial harem was hierarchical. What the concubines could use and wear was under strict limits.

Gold phoenix ornaments were only available to the Empress and the Noble Concubine. It would be arrogant of her to use it as a Zhaoyi.

Gu Yunyao's lowered head was gradually covered with cold sweat. She clenched her hands under the sleeves as her heart pounded increasingly fast.

The visit to Yongning Palace was truly dangerous. She should be extremely careful. If she let her guard down a bit, she would give a hold to others.

Disdain flashed across Wan Yuyao's eyes. With a faint sneer on her red lips, she shook her head triumphantly while the beady tassels rustled in her hair.

"You are too modest. If I say you deserve it, you do. Just take it."

As she spoke, her eyes turned slightly to Concubine Ye.

Immediately catching the hint, she stood up, walked over, and picked up the phoenix hairpin smilingly.

"Well. Why are you so reluctant? This hairpin is only gilded, and the phoenix is not complete. It's not impolite of you to accept it. Come, let me help you put it on. Don't turn down Her Grace's good intention."

Pressing Gu Yunyao back onto the seat, Concubine Ye glimpsed at her hair and found a suitable spot to insert the hairpin.

Taking a step back, Concubine Ye studied her with a leer and then said to Wan Yuyao,

"Your Grace does have a good taste. This hairpin suited Yu the best."

Flustered, Gu Yunyao stood up again to curtsy.

"I thank Your Grace for your kindness."

"Good. Please sit."

Wan Yuyao's eyes flickered maliciously. She looked at the humble woman below coldly and replied with a smile.

Before Gu Yunyao could sit down, Concubine Ye suddenly leaned forward and pulled back her collar with a wicked smirk.

"My dear, why are there so many hickeys on your neck? You have just recovered. His Majesty should have been tenderer with you..."