Gu Yunxi followed Leng Qingtang to the Palace in the morning. He went to Qinming Hall while she was heading to Chuxiu Palace.

So far, the Master had not explained to her why he had taken the risk of using a corpse in place of the masked man. It seemed that he meant to let that man off. But then why had he instructed her to impair his key points of internal strength and catch him alive in the Western Depot jail?

She had many puzzles, but for now, she had to put them aside. The top priority was to go to Concubine Xu's palace.

The two Depots had made a lot of noise to interfere with the enemies. Ming Lan had taken people of the Western Depot to search Chuxiu Palace. How could an innocent and solitary figure like Concubine Xu stand such a blow?

Gu Yunxi was very anxious and walked quickly to the outer court of Chuxiu Palace, only to be stopped by Chief Eunuch Yan Gui.

"Well, isn't this Madam Muxue? Did you come from the Eastern Depot or the Imperial Ceremony Office? It seems that you are in the wrong place!"

With a foppish smirk on his face, Yan Gui blocked Gu Yunxi's way with the snow-white horsetail whisk, stopping her from taking another step.

It was unwise for Gu Yunxi to argue with him now, so she had to beg him,

"Lord Yan, please let me in. I have a lot to tell my lady."

"Your lady? Who is your lady?"

Yan Gui sneered and rolled his eyes. The corners of his mouth were pulled down with sarcasm, "Our lady does not have that honor. Go back to where you should be if you know better. Don't make Her Grace sullen again!"

His piercing voice attracted a huddle of young maids at the side door, standing at the front of whom was Lanxin. Her beautiful little face showed great worries.

Gu Yunxi didn’t waste her words on Yan Gui anymore. She knelt and shouted in an obedient manner, "Your Grace, I, Tu Muxue, the maid of Chuxiu Palace, have returned late. I know I'm guilty. All I want is to see Your Grace. I'm willing to take any punishment and make no complaint."

And then she kowtowed heavily on the ground.

Yan Gui was taken aback a bit. Yet he soon squared back up and impatiently tried to turn her away.

"Leave now. You can't stay in Chuxiu Palace."

Gu Yunxi's move was effective. Soon the maids by the side door dispersed when hearing the footsteps of Jinzhu.

Gu Yunxi looked up and could tell from her dignified face that things would not be easy.

Concubine Xu had always been aloof. Her idle conversations with Jinzhu and Gu Yunxi always showed contempt for the powerful eunuchs in the court. Now to her astonishment, her favorite maid turned out to be the servant of Leng Qingtang, the head of the Imperial Ceremony Office and the Eastern Depot. For proud Concubine Xu, it was like a slap in the face.

She was not to blame. Whoever in her shoes would be angry.

Jinzhu quickly glanced at Gu Yunxi and then turned to Yan Gui, whispering, "Her Grace wishes to see her."

Surprised, Yan Gui took back the horsetail whisk and barred the way no longer. He told Gu Yunxi with impatience, "Fine, get up. You may enter."

Gu Yunxi kowtowed again, "Thank you, Madam Jinzhu."

Jinzhu's lips moved on her gloomy face, but she said nothing and walked ahead.

Gu Yunxi put her hands in her sleeves and cautiously followed.

The familiar courtyard had gone through the harsh winter. Now the plants were all bald and withered for the blooming season had not arrived yet.

As they stepped into the palace hall, the heavy atmosphere made Gu Yunxi's heart palpitate so fast that she could hardly speak.

Concubine Xu sat upright in the middle. She was wearing a dark gown with patterns of green plum flowers and white snow. Her neck was warmed by plum red fox fur that was graceful and beautiful.

Sitting by her side was Gu Yunyao in a wide-sleeved brocade dress and a silver jacket.

Gu Yunyao's gloomy eyes lit up when she saw Madam Mu. She quickly suppressed her emotion before it could show on her face.

Speechless, Concubine Xu smiled with anger. Her cold eyes fixed on Gu Yunxi's sedate face as she pursed her red lips.

Three days ago, the Western Depot guards were ordered to search the side room where Tu Muxue lived. They just rummaged around but took nothing away.

However, the scene feasted the eyes of everyone in the harem.

Concubine Xu had been furious. She would never allow her favored maidservant to be framed. Hence, she had ridden straight to Qinming Hall to accuse the Western Depot Master of his rudeness. But she had been reprimanded by Emperor Jingxiao.

On the way back to Chuxiu Palace, she had felt ashamed while showering under the eyes of indifference, ridicule, and scorn.

Fortunately, Concubine Yu had come to Chuxiu Palace with Concubine Xu for company from time to time. Her words of solace had relieved Concubine Xu's anguish.

And then the Palace had been purged. A total of 57 people, including Hu Shun and other servants, had been arrested. In the meantime, there had been rumors that Tu Muxue had been rescued from execution and helped the Eastern Depot Master to annihilate the rebellion. It had been said that Concubine Xu had been planning for her son, Huanan Lin, since his birth. She had managed to work with the Eastern Depot and secretly taken Tu Muxue, an agent of the Eastern Depot, as a maid in Chuxiu Palace so that she could gather information on the rebels. In the end, even Minister Xu, Concubine Xu's father, had been forced to confront his daughter in person.

Concubine Xu had been defenseless. She had even thought of death.

She blamed herself for being too slow. Tu Muxue was agile, ingenious, and skilled in martial arts. Concubine Xu had believed that the god had favored her with such an outstanding character. She had never expected her to be Leng Qingtang's spy.

She feared that it might be just as what her father had guessed. The court was connected to the harem. He was at odds with the eunuch in the court, so the latter panted a spy in Chuxiu Palace to help the Eastern Depot's investigation. She could also monitor his daughter’s every move, waiting for opportunities to stir things up.

In any case, Tu Muxue must not stay in Chuxiu Palace anymore!

"It's my pleasure to see Your Grace and Concubine Yu. Wish you all happiness."

Gu Yunxi said her greetings on her knees, kowtowed, and then kept her head buried on the ground.

She could feel the sharp glare like a blade piercing into her back and her heart twitched.

Concubine Xu remained silent for a while and the solemn atmosphere could not become more intense anymore.

Gu Yunyao in the guest's seat was worried. Frowning, she looked first at Concubine Xu and then at Gu Yunxi, squeezing a smile, "Nothing is better than your safe return..."

Concubine Xu remained silent. Gu Yunyao's smile froze awkwardly.

She began to resent Leng Qingtang again. His tricks really hurt Concubine Xu this time.

Gu Yunxi bowed her head and felt uneasy in her heart. Suddenly, a limpid voice spoke up, "Arise. I remember that I've told you on the first day you came to Chuxiu Palace that I don't like seeing people kneel for a long time. You used to serve me. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."

Gu Yunxi got up numbly in panic and aggrievance.

"Put me to death if Your Grace wish. Please don't say those sarcastic words. Your Grace have been very kind to me and I always respect Your Grace. How can I betray you?"

"How dare I kill you?"

Concubine Xu's long-suppressed anger burst from the bottom of her heart. Glaring with rage, she slammed the tabletop and scolded,

"What a good servant and actress! When you came to Chuxiu Palace, you put on a pathetic show with your Master to lure out the rebels in the Palace. You fooled me. I went to the Imperial Ceremony Office personally to save you. I thought you were an honest and prudent person. Yet you turned out to be the most resourceful master of disguise!"

The harsh reprimand made Gu Yunxi feel guilty. She never thought that one day she would break with Concubine Xu in this way. Instantly, tears sprang to her eyes.

"I will never forget Your Grace's kindness. I only ask for Your Grace's forgiveness. I am willing to be the most hard-working one among the servants to repay Your Grace."

"That's not necessary." Concubine Xu smirked and turned her head.

"You serve Lord Leng. And I can't keep you here!"

Gu Yunxi was stunned on the spot.

"Please rethink about this, my dear."

Concubine Yu, Gu Yunyao, was also shocked. Hearing that Concubine Xu wanted to expel Yunxi, she had to intercede.

Emotionlessly, Concubine Xu raised her hand to stop Gu Yunyao.

"Say no more. If I keep her, I will bear the guilt of coveting power and colluding with the eunuch."

Gu Yunyao glanced at Gu Yunxi who was in a humble posture. She felt sorry for her, so she said to Concubine Xu with a smile, "A clean hand wants no washing. Why bother about those rumors in the harem. The Master of the Eastern Depot is not so capable as you imagine. You'll be biting the bait to expel Madam Mu on a whim. Who knows what they will be gossiping about? Why don't you keep her for a while? Wait until..."

"Humph..."

Concubine Xu suddenly sneered, "We've both been fooled by her!"

She gave a harsh glance and a maid immediately brought a brocade box before Gu Yunxi's eyes.

Concubine Xu smiled coldly, "Look at it. Surely, you will recognize it, right?"