Zhao An was exhausted and sweating profusely when he rushed to Kunning Palace. Even the back of the dark red inside officer's suit was stained. The chill of the cold clothes clinging to his spine made him get gooseflesh all over outside Kunning Palace. Contracting his neck, he looked very uncomfortable.

The gatekeeper of Kunning Palace was young, and he was stunned when he saw Zhao An.

"Well, is that Lord Zhao from Xiaoye Chamber? Why are you here alone? Where is your master?"

Today was the day when the concubines in the imperial harem greeted Empress Qian. Several concubines had arrived consecutively in the morning. From Xiaoye Chamber now only came the Chief Eunuch, which was rather bizarre.

Zhao An patted his sweated forehead, quickly fathomed for an answer, and then said,

"Don't mention it. My master can't come!"

"What?"

The little eunuch looked astonished.

"Why is that?"

Zhao An nodded towards inside the gate and asked him,

"I hazard to ask if Concubine Xu of Chuxiu Palace is there?"

The young eunuch nodded blankly.

"Right! Arrived two hours ago."

Zhao An was somewhat relaxed and bowed to him.

"Well, I'm sent by Zhaoyi Yu specifically to see Concubine Xu. My master is eager to find her. Please announce my arrival."

Zhao An deliberately took a detour here. It was his own plan to seek Concubine Xu instead of Empress Qian in Her Grace's palace.

Wan Yuyao had breached etiquette by faking her illness to waive her presence at Kunning Palace. Although it was of more importance, he would be out of a servant's place to discuss with the Empress about the Imperial Noble Concubine's behavior. It would even be suspected that he was sowing discord between the masters.

Now he asked the eunuch to pass on his request for an audience. The Empress would be displeased when she learned about it. So, Zhao An could take the opportunity to explain everything to her when he was summoned.

As he expected, the eunuch looked bewildered after hearing it. And his eyes kept turning up and down to scan Zhao An's face.

Could it be that Lord Zhao had lost his senses? Why was he speaking nonsense?

His master was disrespecting the ancestral rules by not greeting the Empress in her palace after the big festival. How could he, the chief eunuch, be so insensible?

Zhao An saw the little eunuch was standing still, so he stomped his feet and urged.

"Hurry up! You and I can't afford to commit a mistake!"

The little eunuch was too young to remain composed. After hearing this, he quickly dashed into the inner courtyard.

The fragrance of tea overflowed in the Main Hall of Kunning Palace, where Empress Qian was having a good chat with a few concubines.

Half an hour ago, Concubine Shu, Concubine Xu, Meiren Li, and two ladies-in-waiting went to her palace. They relished the tea and the conversation.

A maid pulled back the curtain and entered the hall to report to Empress Qian,

"Your Grace, Xiaoye Chamber has sent someone to look for Concubine Xu."

Frowning, Empress Qian's face sank but she managed a smile. It appeared she was annoyed.

The concubines sitting on both sides exchanged glances at a loss.

The chief maid Sulian read the air. Her eyebrows immediately rose as she spoke down to the maid harshly.

"Silly things. Why would Zhaoyi Yu send for Concubine Xu in our palace?"

The maid blushed. She looked down aggrievedly and said,

"Sorry, Madam. But I'm telling the truth..."

Sulian raised her eyebrows and asked suddenly,

"Tell me that how many people has Xiaoye Chamber sent?"

"Madam, only the chief eunuch Lord Zhao is here. The gatekeeper, Dian, said that he was waiting outside anxiously for Concubine Xu."

Sulian looked surprised and stopped speaking. She turned to Empress Qian and awaited her order.

Empress Qian became angrier and grunted.

"She just regained her favor, so she dares to offend me!"

Concubine Xu was seated on the right side of the Empress. She had heard the matter clearly, and she looked solemn with a hint of anxiety in her heart.

Concubine Xu cast her worried eyes to Empress Qian and softly said,

"Your Grace, Zhaoyi Yu has always been prudent and won't act so abruptly. It might be that something has happened in Xiaoye Chamber."

Empress Qian contemplated for a moment, and then raised her head to order.

"Bring the man from Xiaoye Chamber to me."

...

In Yongning Palace—

Concubine Ye squinted when she spotted the hickeys on Gu Yunyao's neck.

The two red marks were not big, but they were dazzling on her fair skin. One could imagine how crazy the Emperor had been during the last night.

Her limpid eyes soon became turbid, darkened like the gloomy sky on the eve of heavy rain.

She deliberately raised her voice so that everyone in the room could hear it clearly.

After that, Concubine Ye turned around and glanced at Wan Yuyao sitting at the head with her glamourous eyes. The Imperial Noble Concubine’s refined face was dark, and her beautiful eyes were now glaring coldly.

Having her neck exposed in public, Gu Yunyao, seated at the foot, blushed. Embarrassedly turning her head sideways, she nervously tidied her clothes with trembling fingers.

"Concubine Ye, please don't..."

"Dear, we are all women here. Why are you embarrassed?"

Concubine Ye teased with a wicked smile on her mouth.

At this moment, Maiden Yang, who was sitting across her, chuckled. Playing the teacup in her hands, she mocked.

"Zhaoyi Yu is not new in the imperial harem. Have you forgotten how to serve His Majesty after a long time on the sickbed? If you feel uncomfortable, I have some ointment for ladies in my palace. I can send one box to you if you want."

Zhaoyi Chen, who was next to her, smirked when she heard it. She turned her head and glanced at Maiden Yang with cold eyes.

"You have not yet shared your bed with His Majesty. What can you know? Can't you see Zhaoyi Yu's rosy complexion and healthy radiance today? How can you say that she is uncomfortable? You might as well save the stuff for your own use if you have the opportunity!"

Gu Yunjin sat quietly on the other side. She looked indifferent and did not participate in the discussion. But her delicate red lips arched and showed a sinister smile.

Gu Yunjin knew that the Imperial Noble Concubine had her plan summoning them. So, she silently waited for Her Grace's order for action.

At the head seat, Wan Yuyao fixed her chilling eyes on Gu Yunyao's profile.

The d*mn woman was charming enough by her profile. No wonder she had seduced the Emperor and had all his favor.

She figured Zhaoyi Yu intended to stand out after regaining the favor. Surely, she would inflict sufferings on her today before that could happen—

Footsteps were heard from outside. Then the chief eunuch Baiquan came in. He waved the horsetail whisk and bowed to inform.

"Your Grace. The Shenle Marquis wishes to see you."

"He?"

Wan Yuyao widened her eyes in surprise and twitched her mouth. She didn't expect that her brother would visit her now.

Just when Wan Yuyao was about to speak, the curtain was pulled back, and the Shenle Marquis Wan Li walked in leisurely with his hands behind. He was dressed in an azurite gown embroidered with eight flowers, under which was a red shirt with two-color butterfly and tight sleeves. On his feet, he wore blue boots with thin pink soles.

The concubines all got up and curtsied. Wan Li energetically bowed to his elder sister Wan Yuyao, and then greeted the concubines smilingly.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up when he met Gu Yunjin. He was attracted by her charming features.

Her complexion was rosy, and her cheeks were fair as snow. Her facial features were delicate. She had feather-like thick and long eyelashes, and her starry eyes fluttered with enchantment. Even her slender body moved with charisma.

He exclaimed secretly that Jieyu Jin had grown increasingly beautiful. The Emperor was indeed fortunate in love affairs.

Gu Yunjin instinctively felt that his blazing gaze from the opposite side and subconsciously raised her eyes only to meet Wan Li's greedy smile. She stepped back in panic and took her seat slowly.

Even though she was panicking, she did not feel uncomfortable at all under the young man's gaze. Instead, her heart rippled for his admiration.

The moment Wan Li entered the hall, Gu Yunjin had already noticed him. He had ink-black brows and a handsome face. His body expanded freely under the luxurious brocade, showing his confidence and audacity. He must be a man of valor and vigor.

When it was Wan Li's turn to greet Gu Yunyao, he turned around coldly without paying any attention.

Wan Li had heard about Zhaoyi Yu from Ming Lan more than once. The woman trained by Leng Qingtang must be on the side of the Eastern Depot.

Whoever spoke for the Eastern Depot, men and women, were the Wans' enemies. He couldn't understand why his sister would invite her to Yongning Palace.

Wan Yuyao shook her head helplessly.

It was shocking that he broke in without waiting for the call. Fortunately, the Emperor was not here. Otherwise, it would be so awkward with all the concubines present.

Wan Yuyao was displeased but did not snap at Wan Li.

Her younger brother had been spoiled by the family in his childhood. Domineering and disrespectful, he was a devil on earth.

Thanks to his strength, he followed his father to garrison the frontier at a young age and did not waste his talent after the rigid training in the barracks.

There were two eunuchs following Wan Li into the hall, who carried a wooden chest together.

"Why do you not rest in Nanyuan and come to the Palace?"

Wan Yuyao's delicate face was clouded with disapproval as she asked.

Since he failed to offer treasures at the High Priest's Sixiang Hut and got scolded by the Emperor, he had not dared to show up in the Palace again.

Although angry, Wan Yuyao remembered that he was her own brother after all. Now that he came to see her, she could not push him out in public.

Wan Li grinned as if he had already thrown away the past that he was scolded by the Emperor a long time ago.

Pointed at the chest, Wan Li proudly replied.

"I don't have much business in Nanyuan today, so I come to visit you. I have prepared this chest of gifts to honor you. See if you like it. Come on. Open it."

The eunuchs flipped the wooden cover, and instantly colors and lights flew out. The dazzling glamour almost blinded the people present.

The chest was full of exquisite jewelry that had awed the concubines around.

Gu Yunyao was the only one who did not move. With a single glimpse over the chest, she had had a clear idea.

Wan Yuyao's delicate eyes flicked coldly, and her resentment towards Wan Li accumulated in her heart.

Needless to ask, she knew that her brother had made some more transactions in the dark. But he shouldn't have entered the palace at this time and displayed these treasures in public.

Now she had an important matter to handle, and she could not dismiss the concubines.

Standing tall with his hands behind his back, Wan Li triumphantly bathed in the concubines' expressions of impression and admiration.

His thoughts were much simpler than his sister's, believing that the jaw-dropping looks before him were merely the result of envy for the Wans' wealth and nothing else.

Wan Yuyao raised her eyebrows and looked at them, saying casually,

"You are too kind, brother. But I have those, too. So, they won't be of much use to me. Why not share with the ladies?"

Concubine Ye's eyes lit up. Suppressing the joy in her heart, she remained her composure.

"Dear, you're too generous. They are the Marquis' gifts for Your Grace after all."

Wan Li waved his hand and laughed freely.

"Concubine Ye still doesn't understand the nature of my sister. She only rewards you if she sees you as her own people. Just take it."

"Well, in that case, I thank Your Grace and Your Highness!"

Concubine Ye couldn't wait to surround the chest with other women to pick the jewelry as soon as she finished speaking.

Wan Li slowly walked to Gu Yunjin's side and sniffed the sweet fragrance of her body. His soft-soled boots made no sound at all.

Gu Yunjin was dazzled by the chest of jewelry. Picking and choosing, she could not make up her mind due to her sparse knowledge.

She sighed and suddenly found a large fair hand beside her hand.

Gu Yunjin's eyes flashed in surprise, and she withdrew her little hand hastily.

Straightening her back to look around, she saw Wan Li picking up a jade bracelet from the chest and handing it to her with a smile.

"Jieyu Jin, this bracelet suits you the best. Poets have long praised a lady's fair wrist under her sleeve adorn by a bracelet. Your fair wrist will be more beautiful with it. Why not let me help you?"

Pinching the bracelet, he walked closer to her teasingly with raised eyebrows and glimmering eyes.

Gu Yunjin was a little at a loss. Even though she enjoyed Wan Li's flattery, she didn't dare to reach out for the bracelet in public. Flushed, she turned her glittering eyes away, giving a subtle invitation rather than a bashful refusal.

"Your Highness is making fun of me..."

"Hahaha... Your Grace, the bracelet is for you."

Wan Li said in a captivating voice and stuffed the jade bracelet into Gu Yunjin's hands. His wicked eyes lingered on her face even after.

Wan Yuyao frowned again at the scene.

Her brother, her disappointing brother!

How could he flirt regardless of occasions and identities!

The domineering playboy was ready to take anyone as he pleased—