Zhao An returned to the Palace, but he didn’t see Gu Yunyao. While he was puzzled, Tu Muxue entered the main hall in a pink gown.

"Hey, Lord Zhao. Why aren't you resting after your night duty?"

The girl smiled sweetly while shaking water off her hands.

Her small hands are delicate and extremely fair after soaking in water.

Zhao An stared at her in shock, his face being a little tense but still calm.

Zhao An just met with Squire of the Eastern Depot, so he knew in his heart that the girl was not Gu Yunxi.

No wonder he had had a strange feeling of alienation the first time he saw her. But he did feel the warmth of family every time he was with Squire Tu.

Today's teahouse meeting finally solved the puzzle buried in Zhao An's heart for a long time!

"Lord Zhao, your eyes are swollen. Have you been crying?"

The girl suddenly came forward. Her bright eyes changed as she stared at Zhao An and searched for an answer.

She had sharp eyes!

After meeting the real Yunxi, the kind man must shed tears for the past sorrows.

"Oh, nothing. I've been too anxious these days for my master and had this symptom of sensitive and tearful eyes. It'll be fine when I take some medicine in my free time."

Zhao An wiped the corner of his eyes, dodging her questioning look.

The girl blinked and lowered her head to hide her expression.

Yunxi had instructed him at the teahouse not to reveal the identity of the fake Yunxi for the sake of Gu Yunyao. He mustn’t mention it to her lest she backfired and devastated her. What was worse, the fake Yunxi who was scheming might notice it.

What Zhao An had to do now was to watch every move of the fake Yunxi for Leng Qingtang and the Eastern Depot.

Being aware of the awkward atmosphere, the girl pursed her lips and smiled,

"Well then, go rest in your room now. The master has gone to Imperial Garden for a short walk."

Zhao An nodded and lowered his eyes, which were shining coldly. But his voice was rather gentle and warm,

“Xier, you have fulfilled my master's wish by coming here. You know she loves you more than the other sister in the Garden since childhood.”

“Do you remember that when you were nine, you went to play alone at Lantern Festival and burned half of the kitchen?”

“My master feared that you would be punished and thus took all the blame. Nanny Gu gave her a good beating in the end.”

The girl listened attentively. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty. Her face froze for a second but soon relaxed, and then she gurgled,

"Lord Zhao, don't worry. I bear that in my mind. I know sister's goodness to me and I won't forget it till the day of death. In the future, I will spend my life to guard my sister and repay her kindness."

Zhao's eyes widened as he stared at her. The faint smile remained on his friendly face with no change,

"That's good. Go on with your work."

"Sure."

The girl answered cheerfully and left with a light gait.

Zhao An turned icy cold the very next minute. He gritted his teeth so hard that muscles on his face protruded.

The story he just told was made up, yet she had gladly taken it.

This "Gu Yunxi" was really a fake!

…

Emperor Jingxiao and Empress Qian rushed to the north of Imperial Garden and saw a crowd of people under a cypress tree before they were near Diying Pavilion.

Lord Zhang shook the horsetail whisk with his hand and yelled,

"His Majesty and Her Grace are here!"

After a moment of chaos, all people stood in two neat lines, bowing and saluting in one voice.

"Long live Your Majesty and Your Grace!"

Keeping his hands behind, Emperor Jingxiao strode to the tree, followed by the honor guards. On his way, he scrutinized people on both sides.

The cypress tree was great in age. The trunk was so thick that it took three people to circle it hand in hand. The branches were dense, but the leaves were few as summer was not to come yet.

The strong roots arched one inch above the ground. And the view where the roots met the soil was spectacular.

Tens of thousands of ants were pushing against each other, forming a bizarre pattern.

Seeing at a certain distance, the moving pattern did look like eight black characters.

"Concubine Yu is destined to have a son."

Emperor was completely shocked. His widened eyes were fixed on the wriggling words on the ground. His head was empty.

Concubine Yu's miscarriage had damaged her womb. The Imperial Hospital had declared that she was no longer fertile.

Was the information formed with ants an omen?

Empress Qian stood by Emperor, feeling embarrassed. Her fists clenched in her sleeves and her eyes shone coldly.

And then a eunuch behind them announced,

"Your Majesty, Concubine Yu has arrived."

The jade sedan was put down under the crowd's eyes. The frightened and concerned woman emerged gracefully and curtsied to Emperor and Empress,

"Your Majesty. Your Grace."

"Yaoer, rise quickly. It is gloomy outside. Why do you come out of Jingyang Palace? How can you put me at ease with such capriciousness?"

Emperor held the woman's elbow in his soft palm to help her up. Frowning, he complained.

Gu Yunyao's eyes were wet. She covered her face with aggression,

"I have heard that there is a miracle regarding me in Imperial Garden. It's in troubled times in the harem. I was afraid to be implicated again so I came to have a look. Words are but wind, but seeing is believing."

"That is extremely true," Emperor nodded in agreement and stepped aside.

"Come and see."

Frowning, Gu Yunyao stepped forward. With a single look, she turned around and screamed. Stumbling into Emperor's chest, she cried with a shivering voice,

"Your Majesty, why is this so? Could it be that gods want to condemn me because I can no longer continue the bloodline of the Huanan family? I am so scared!"

"No, that's not true..."

Emperor took pity on her. He harbored her tiny body in his arms and patiently coaxed,

"Please don’t be afraid, my sweet. I will send you back first and inquire High Priest for an explanation."

The rumble of thunder came just in time. The damp and cold wind wetted people's faces.

Emperor said to Empress Qian,

"Dismiss the people. I will go to Jingyang Palace first."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Empress Qian nodded obediently.

After Emperor went far, the woman raised her scarlet eyes which were fraught with horrifying hatred.

Sandalwood incense curled upward in the Sixiang Hut. The handsome and aloof man applied fresh medicine to his bare chest and then put on the fiery robe with a disdainful smile,

"Fools. There are no celestial wonders but planned sceneries!"

The boy servant stood with his hands down, feeling puzzled,

"If it were not for the will of gods, why would countless ants form into words?"

Thunder roared outside, followed by scattered raindrops.

Yu Xuanji gave him a cold smile.

"During the Chu-Han Contention, Liu Bang won, and Xiang Yu was defeated. When Xiang Yu fled to Wujiang River, he saw four characters formed by ants, 'Xiang Yu Will Die'. He thought that it was the will of gods and cut his own throat by the river.”

“Yet he didn't know that it was a lethal trick of Zhang Liang, Liu Bang's military advisor. He knew that Xiang Yu would go to Wujiang River in defeat, so he had sent men to write the words with honey.”

“The gathering ants were just attracted by the sugar.”

“You see, now with the rain, no trace will be left."

Enlightened, the boy asked humbly after a moment,

"What will Your Eminence tell Emperor now that His Majesty has sent people to ask about the words in Imperial Garden?"

The man raised his brow and smiled,

"The miscarriage has finally taught Concubine Yu to take the initiative. Fine, one shall gain for what's lost. She only wants to take the Seventh Prince from Empress. I'll grant her wish. It does us no harm. Xuyue, brush and ink."

...

Once Emperor Jingxiao and Gu Yunyao reached Jingyang Palace on a sedan, it began to rain.

A pink-skirted maid came running, holding an oil umbrella in her hand.

"My lady, you're finally back. Let me hold the umbrella for you! You can't get wet in the rain."

Her clear and sweet voice stopped abruptly when she saw the middle-aged man in bright yellow beside the woman.

Lord Zhang waved the horsetail whisk to hold her back while scolding,

"How dare..."

The girl retreated in fear and dropped the umbrella, which rolled on the cobblestone street.

Shocked, Gu Yunyao hastily explained,

"Your Majesty, Xier is just worried about me. She meant no offence."

"Xier? Is that... the Xier from Yongning Palace?"

Emperor Jingxiao observed the comely girl, whose fair kin had a heavenly glow in the misty rain.

"Your Majesty, forgive me. I didn’t mean to..."

Looking down, the girl murmured and shivered. Her starry eyes shone with fear, or perhaps mischievousness.

"I don't blame you..."

Emperor stared at her with inexplicable thoughts.

The pink dress looked great on the young girl. Only this color fit her aura of vulnerability and tenderness.

Tranced for a moment, Emperor woke up and opened the umbrella for Concubine Yu. He turned his eyes to the girl and said,

"You may leave, a kind girl."

"Yes."

The girl smiled tenderly and flew away like a cheerful little swallow. Her skirt fluttered like a lotus blossom.

At the gentle prompting of Lord Zhang, Emperor withdrew his eyes and walked into the main hall with Gu Yunyao.

By the corner door, Zhao An savored what had just happened. His handsome changed with thoughts.

While enjoying lunch at Jingyang Palace, a boy Taoist came to send the High Priest's letter to Emperor.

Emperor Jingxiao read it carefully and then he put down the bowl and chopsticks in relief.

"Beloved, you have always been decent and gentle in your two years in the harem. I intend to leave Lin'er in your care. Are you willing?"

Gu Yunyao looked stunned for a moment and then she kneeled, saying her thanks softly,

"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. But I am already guilty of failing to bring an heir. How can I be qualified to take on this important task?"

Emperor pondered for a while and then helped her to sit back in the chair.

"I don't blame you for that. Your father Min Rui has spent half his life guarding Wei Sea to protect Da Yi, but I've failed to take care of his daughter. It is the Huainan family who has failed the Min family.”

“I have already asked High Priest about it and it is clearly written in the letter that you are the most compatible with the boy. I can only be relieved to let you raise him."

Gu Yunyao's long, thick eyelashes covered all the sharpness in her eyes. She lowered her eyes and whispered with a smile,

"Then I shall respectfully obey. Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."