The night in Hanxiang Residence was sensual.

The Emperor originally meant to stay the night with Jieyu Jin. But then he changed his route and went to Jieyu Sun's palace as a result of the unexpected fire.

The news spread quickly in the imperial harem, stirring up jealousy and mockeries.

Empress Qian nodded pleasantly after learning about it, praising Sun Shengsheng for being resourceful.

The night of Zhanxing Tower's fire seemed longer than usual, while people with different minds mentioned nothing about what happened.

Gu Yunxi returned to Chuxiu Palace to report back to Concubine Xu but mentioned nothing about Yu Xuanji.

Then she stood on the side room porch, studying the cold night for a long time.

The chilly autumn wind swung the palace lanterns. In the cold night, the dim yellow light was like fireflies, weak and sad.

By now Gu Yunjin should have been carried back to Weiyan Chamber intactly. She had been to the dragon bed in Tailuan Palace without consummation. She wondered how Yunjin might feel when removed from the bed wrapped in quilts.

Sun Shengsheng was a difficult rival. Filled with hatred, she would surely seek revenge for the smallest grievance once in power.

After sharing the Emperor's bed tonight, she would become the target of the whole imperial harem.

Concubine Xu had been keeping a low profile. When she took the move, she hit her target right and hard by using one foe against another.

The Palace was indeed fraught with chaos and sinister things.

Gu Yunxi ruminated on the ups and downs she had gone through since entering the Palace. Her emotionless eyes shone coldly under the moonlight.

The night was deep, and the horizon was lit by some dazzling silver stars.

They reminded Gu Yunxi of Leng Qingtang. The chilly starlight resembled the eyes of the Master, who would always guide her heart when she was the most troubled and confused.

Her heart suddenly felt a bit of warmth.

The next day was refreshing and crisp. The autumn sky was clear and blue where the sun was shining brightly.

Today was the day for Duke Min to visit the court. It was said that Emperor Jingxiao would personally accompany the Duke and his spouse, Lady Xing, to tour Jinli Lake. After breakfast, all concubines got busy and dressed up to meet the Emperor. They spared no efforts to win one look from him.

Concubine Xu was dressed by Jinzhu with a pink cross-breasted gown. She asked quietly,

"Is the matter settled?"

Jinzhu had fastened the two rows of peony flower buttons. She replied obediently,

"Don't worry. The man has already returned. The news is out. Gu Yunjin is not unlikely to show up, even for the sake of the Imperial Noble Concubine."

"Good." Concubine Xu calmly looked around.

"Where is Muxue?"

"She went out during breakfast. It's time for her to come back now."

Frowning, Concubine Xu said, "No matter. She always gets the job done... You come with me to Jinli Lake first."

Gu Yunxi rushed to the Imperial Ceremony Office after running errands for Chuxiu Palace. There was nothing important, except that the Master had saved her again at Zhanxing Tower last night. She was touched and wanted to visit him in person.

She ran into Bingbi Liu as soon as she entered the main hall of the Imperial Ceremony Office. The elder eunuch saw Gu Yunxi, and his narrow eyes suddenly lit up.

Knowing that she was favored by his Master, Bingbi Liu was more than enthusiastic. His thick purplish mouth opened wide like a bowl. Hiding his hands in his sleeves, he greeted her respectfully.

Gu Yunxi whispered her wish to meet Master Leng as she bashfully glanced across the red sandalwood dragon chair in the middle.

This little action did not escape from Bingbi Liu's watchful eyes. He smiled and bowed to inform her of the bad timing. The Master had gone to the Eastern Depot this morning and would not return to the Palace today.

Gu Yunxi felt a sense of loss. Concealing her emotion, she curtsied and left.

She was restless on her way back.

If Yu Xuanji hadn’t told the truth last night, Gu Yunxi would never have known how the Master had saved her life from Wan Yuyao.

Now, the previous efforts to defeat the Wans were wasted and the Master might have put himself in danger.

In the end, he really cared about her. She should no longer doubt his love.

Tasked with her duty, Gu Yunxi quickened her steps to Jinli Lake. Concubine Xu was still waiting there. She could not be late.

The cold autumn breeze swept up the fallen leaves and kissed Gu Yunxi's face. Jinli Lake was right before her eyes.

Gu Yunxi looked far away against the wind and saw the beautiful women in the pavilion.

Gu Yunxi kept walking and carefully searching for her master's honor guards.

Suddenly, she heard a high-pitched voice of ridicule.

"Look, isn't this Magician Jin? You were chosen yesterday but your magic seemed to have sent His Majesty to someone else's palace. How can you still be in the mood for the lake tour?"

By the lotus pond, Gu Yunjin, who was just on her way back from collecting lotus leaf dew, was stopped by the lady-in-waiting Jiang wearing a pink chiffon dress and a short purple blouse.

With a sneer on her face, Jiang surveyed Gu Yunjin from her swollen red eyes to her trim waist.

Gu Yunjin didn't want to come to Jinli Lake today.

Last night, the Emperor had rendered her a complete disgrace by his sudden change of mind. She had been carried out of the royal bedroom by the eunuchs, making such a scene.

She knew that people would make fun of her this morning. Yet the news that the Imperial Noble Concubine was coming to Jinli Lake reminded her of the fact that she had long been relying on the Wans. How could she muster enough courage to not show up?

Thus, after having her breakfast in a hurry, she dressed up and left Weiyan Chamber with a fake smile.

Now that she had lost face in public, Gu Yunjin narrowed her glaring eyes and rolled her shoulders in anger.

"Enjoy your success while you can! I know that I was set up by someone. Zhanxing Tower was set on fire deliberately to steal my night!"

As soon as Gu Yunjin spoke up, she immediately attracted a few young concubines whose eyes showed contempt, sympathy, and indifference.

"Are you insinuating that I have stolen His Majesty from you?"

A cold voice traveled across the air. The crowd turned their heads and then split to form a path.

Accompanied by two maids, Sun Shengsheng walked slowly to Gu Yunjin.

Graced by the Emperor last night, she became a different person today.

She was wearing a plum-colored wide-sleeved gown with dark flowers and flowing clouds. Adorn with multiple hairpins, her hair was worn in a high bun. Her lustrous eyes shone with arrogance as she folded her hands over her thin waist.

Her cold eyes swept across Gu Yunjin's rage-distorted face and then moved to the side. Sun Shengsheng laughed.

"Last night when Zhanxing Tower was on fire, I was blessed to run into His Majesty by chance. You might as well speak your defiance to the gods!"

"You…"

Gritting her teeth with hatred, Gu Yunjin squinted and spat on the ground. She pointed her finger at Sun Shengsheng.

"We all know that you are jealous of me stealing your thunder on the autumn festival banquet. Last night, His Majesty chose me to share his bed. Yet it so happened that Zhanxing Tower was on fire. It is clear that you are behind the scenes!"

"You are lying! How dare a bastard like you slander my name?"

Sun Shengsheng stared at Gu Yunjin with her wide-open eyes.

In the past, she had been walked over and eclipsed at the family banquet. Sun Shengsheng resented Gu Yunjin and the Imperial Noble Concubine more for that. Now that she had won back the Emperor's favor, she would take revenge today.

Sun Shengsheng stepped forward and raised her palm to slap Gu Yunjin's face. Before she could, her arm was grabbed by Maiden Yang.

"What are you doing?" Sun Shengsheng shouted angrily.

Maiden Yang replied indignantly,

"What? Aren't you a big deal now with His Majesty's favor? How could you strike a concubine?"

While speaking, Maiden Yang pushed Sun Shengsheng hard.

Gu Yunxi arrived in time and yelled to stop them.

"Your Graces, I, Tu Muxue, the maidservant of Chuxiu Palace, send greetings to you."

Sun Shengsheng gave her a cold glimpse and restrained her arrogance.

Gu Yunxi raised her eyes quietly at angry Gu Yunjin and curtsied respectfully.

"The two concubines have both served the Emperor before. As seniors in the Palace, you should set an example for the new concubines. Yet your behaviors just now did not match your status."

Sun Shengsheng lifted her eyebrows and uttered no more.

Suddenly, Gu Yunjin suddenly raised her arm and landed a firm slap on Gu Yunxi's cheek.

Just as she expected.

Covering her cheek, Gu Yunxi staggered back and stumbled on a cobblestone. Then, she lost control of her body and fell over the jade fence into the Jinli pond.

Sun Shengsheng, along with other concubines, turned pale and screamed.

"Help! Chuxiu Palace's maid fell into water!"

"Help! Help!"

The lakeside was in chaos.

In the tree shade not far away, a figure in fluttering yellow clothes appeared. Emperor Jingxiao had arrived at Jinli Lake with the honor guards.

Today, Duke Min returned to the court with his wife and was warmly welcomed by Emperor Jingxiao at Qinming Hall. Before lunch, the Emperor invited Empress Qian, the Duke, and Duchess to enjoy the autumn scenery by Jinli Lake.

Duke Min joined the army when he was sixteen. He fought his way from an ordinary frontier sergeant to a general, and now to the Duke of Dongqing who commanded a navy of 800,000 soldiers.

Not long ago, Duke Min's Dongqing Fleet had won the battle against the notorious female pirate Ji Yaoguang in the Wei Sea area. The Emperor was overjoyed when the news reached the capital.

They were halfway through the lake trip before hearing the screams for life from the lotus pond. Looking at the water, they found two arms waving nonstop.

"Help! Help... I can't swim..."

Terrified, Emperor Jingxiao walked quickly to the jade fence by the pond. The crowd knelt when catching his sight.

Several eunuchs who could swim dived into water and dragged half-drowned Gu Yunxi onto the shore.

Encountering this scene the first time he led an important minister to tour the lake, Emperor Jingxiao was too embarrassed to say anything as a deep frown cut into his puffy yellow face.

"Muxue, what happened?"

Concubine Xu parted the crowd. She scowled at anxious Gu Yunjin and then bowed to check Gu Yunxi.

"Muxue... Muxue... Can you hear me?"

Gu Yunyao was very close to Gu Yunxi. Concerned, she squatted close to the soaked maid and kept talking to her.

Gu Yunxi opened her mouth and turned her head to the side to spit out water. Her eyes were dull and blank.

When she saw the Emperor approaching the pavilion just now, she deliberately provoked Gu Yunjin to strike her so she could fall into the lake.

Although she was good at martial arts, she had no clue about swimming. Fed up with water from the bottomless Jinli Lake, she lay on the bank, dizzy and weak with tingling ears.

Unconscious, she waved her clammy hands uncontrollably in the air and grabbed something soft and smooth.

By her ears, Song Qin let out a flustered shout.

"Oh, watch out, my master—"

Next to Gu Yunyao, Song Qin spotted that Gu Yunxi had unconsciously pulled open Gu Yunyao's snowy collar. The cloud-shaped jade pendant dropped down, hanging loosely by the gold necklace before Gu Yunyao's chest.

Song Qin's expression changed in shock. She hurriedly hid the pendant for her master and straightened out her clothes.

Duchess Min caught everything in her eyes.

Immediately, her face turned pale. Her half-parted lips trembled, and her eyes teared up.