It was dark with shining stars.

Tonight the moon was also bright, illuminating the surface of Jinli Lake like a mirror.

The octagonal cornice pavilion in the east of the lake was hung with colorful lanterns. The tassel landscape flags were hung in three directions, which separated the evening breeze and the wetness of the lake for the stone pavilion.

With the acoustic resonance of orchestral instruments outside the pavilion, there were songs and dances in the middle.

In the pavilion, Emperor Huanan Xin wore a bright yellow brocade robe, on which the five-colored dragon with the sun and moon pattern was majestic and imbued with a spirit that could conquer mountains and rivers.

With a yarn crown of two dragons playing with a pearl on his head, he sat down in front of the imperial table. He looked solemn and calm and raised his eyebrows slightly.

The first ten seats on the left were the envoy General Yuancang, the Ninth Prince Huanan He, the major chef Sakata Aki, the interpreter of Ying State, Ritual Minister of Da Yi, and several accompanying officials.

It was Yuancang himself who offered to sit with Huanan He. The confrontation in the official station made the arrogant and rude man with the mustache admire the silver-haired man's talents.

Huanan Xin responded to the envoy's request, but he was extremely unhappy.

Gu Yunxi accompanied Mrs. Yuancang to sit in the first position on the right, which was the first time the second-ranked concubine received the female relatives of the envoy in Da Yi. This treatment directly overpowered Noble Concubine Hui.

After sitting down, she looked around. She saw that Huanan He on the opposite table was holding a white jade wine glass and was quietly paying attention to this side.

He saw Gu Yunxi, and a spark of pleasure lit up in his dark eyes. He smiled softly with obvious hints.

He felt sweet in his heart, but Gu Yunxi ignored him. She picked up a piece of candied fruit, opened her cherry lips, and used the tip of her tongue to roll it into her mouth slightly.

The silver-encrusted gold-dotted jade nail stall on her little finger shone a little brightly because of this seductive little movement. It was enchanting and exquisite, and more and more highlighted her plain hand that was white and flawless.

The colorful lights on her head were moving, reflecting the crimson waves under her eyebrows. She was beautiful like an elf, charming like a fairy. In a school of flowers and beautiful scenery of its own world, she was incomprehensibly pretty.

Huanan He couldn't get enough of it. His skin tightened, and his clear and prominent Adam’s apple rolled endlessly. His body was like being burned by fire.

He must wait a moment and had sex with her when they were alone.

The eight seats on the lower right were Shi Yuanqing, Noble Concubine Hui, several other senior concubines, and Commandery Princess Jingle.

Noble Concubine Hui was wearing a full-length coat with two big red phoenixes and a yarn pleated skirt with glorious golden hairpins and flower corals on her head. She was really enchanting.

On the side, Gu Yunxi, with a formal makeup and delicate posture, was gently introducing a table full of precious delicacies to Mrs. Yuancang.

Beside them, Wang Can was interpreting for them eagerly.

Swallowing a cup of fruit wine sadly, Noble Concubine Hui was downhearted and had mixed feelings.

Sitting in a high position in the imperial harem, even if she was dressed in a fancy dress, she had no skills and had to condescend to others.

Commandery Princess Jingle was not impatient like before. Tonight, she didn't say a word and just ate a table of delicious food. From time to time, she was vigilant against the movements of her Ninth Uncle and Concubine Yun.

Now that the couple met each other again, something was bound to happen.

Sakata Aki didn't eat much at the party. His pair of cold and deep eyes fixed on Gu Yunxi with a bit of exploration and ridicule.

Such a delicate woman, petite and exquisite, did not lose to men in terms of disposition. It was also interesting.

"This Sika Deer Tendon is simmered with fresh apple and radish to remove the strong fishy smell."

"The broth is stewed with pigeons, pheasants, and pork bones for a mellow taste."

"The deer tendons have a better texture, which can strengthen muscles and bones and dispel wind-damp. The dish is nourishing in early autumn."

"To make the Fried Chicken Breast, the membrane of the chicken breast should be removed. The garlic is mashed and mixed with sauce. The taste is sweet, sour, fresh, tender, smooth, and refreshing."

"This is called 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with Eight Ingredients'. The main ingredients..." Gu Yunxi didn’t finish talking.

"The main ingredients are abalone, shark fin, sea cucumber, fish gelatin, crab roe, lake shrimp, and dried scallops..." Sakata Aki interrupted her.

Gu Yunxi, who was introducing these dishes happily, was interrupted. She raised her head to look at Sakata Aki, who was already standing in front of the table.

They looked at each other and Sakata Aki sneered.

"Your Grace, do I make a mistake in my introduction?"

Gu Yunxi smiled politely and shook her head gently, "No."

With a moment of silence, the light in the man's deep eyes flickered. He gave her a rare affirmation.

"You're very good. You have a unique insight and introduce these dishes in detail."

Gu Yunxi was neither humble nor pushy and she asked sincerely.

"Then, I am qualified to be your opponent, right?"

Sakata Aki nodded his head deeply. He suddenly spread his arms as if he had been hugging.

"Well, since you're in a hurry to die, just come."

Mrs. Yuancang, with a severe countenance, gave him a stern reprimand in Ying language.

Sakata Aki laughed and did not care about this. He stared at Gu Yunxi's stunned but thrillingly beautiful little face.

"Sorry, I'm drunk tonight, so I'll go down and rest."

Then, he left the pavilion with a warrior. His strong figure gradually faded into the night.

Mrs. Yuancang hurriedly asked Minister Wang to interpret her words, saying that Sakata Aki relied on their Emperor's favor and had always done his way. She hoped that Concubine Yun wouldn't mind.

Gu Yunxi came to her sense and smiled.

"It doesn't matter. I've met the arrogant and proud man with talents."

After three rounds of wine, the auspicious time arrived.

The golden bell chimed and the song and dance stopped.

Immediately after that, a sharp sound like the elongated syllables of a whistle came in the dark sky. Several white lights on the opposite side of the lakeshore rose straight up, bursting brilliantly in the endless night and releasing huge fireworks of various colors.

The Palace was illuminated as bright as day by the golden glow, and even the moonlight seemed eclipsed.

Songs, dances, and string music mixed with people's applause, and the hustle and bustle highlighted the night.

The Emperor got up and bypassed the imperial table. He took Gu Yunxi's hands and led the crowd out of the pavilion to watch the fireworks.

Huanan He followed the crowd. He was sullen and unhappy.

At the end of the first round of fireworks, the atmosphere of the dinner became much freer.

The participants could leave the table to rest by the lake, or they could return to their palace to change their clothes and refine their makeup.

The moment when Gu Yunxi looked around lightly, she saw that Concubine Liang Su Mao and Concubine Xian had said a few words and then hurriedly got up and left the table as if they had been returning to the palaces to change their clothes.

Gu Yunxi knew what was going on and held up a wine cup to sip the fragrant fruit wine.

Looking up, she found that Huanan He was staring at her. With a tipsy feeling, the scarlet at the bottom of his eyes was shining.

Soon, just after a round of Hu Dance, Huanan He bowed to General Yuancang and slowly walked out of the pavilion.

It seemed that he went to Book Hall first.

Gu Yunxi secretly counted the time, holding a calm and composed attitude on her face. She talked and laughed with Mrs. Yuancang.

In the dark night, Huanan He walked quickly on the silent and deserted palace road and stopped in front of a rockery.

Looking around and finding no one else, Huanan He turned to the back of the rockery.

"My brother, you're here."

In the shadow of the mountain stones, Gu Di's cold and handsome face appeared.

Huanan He raised a fist salute to him, "The rest is up to you, my brother."

Gu Di blinked.

"Go ahead. Remember to clarify the misunderstanding."

…

In the pavilion by Jinli Lake, the time was just right.

Gu Yunxi put down the chopsticks and smiled apologetically to Mrs. Yuancang. She then summoned Liang Zhen, asking him to deliver a message to the Emperor that she wanted to go back to her palace to refine her makeup and would come back soon.

Later, she took Zhiqi to leave Imperial Garden.

"Your Grace, Commandery Princess Jingle, Her Highness, is really following us."

Pretending to crouch down and put on her shoes, Zhiqi looked back. Then she started to catch up with Gu Yunxi and whispered to her.

Gu Yunxi looked indifferent like ice.

"I know that her previous thoughts had not succeeded, so she refused to give up. This time, I will borrow her to remove the scourge of the imperial harem, Su Mao. It's also a warning to her."

"Now if there is an incident, His Majesty cannot spare Su Mao, and naturally, he will be annoyed with Jingle."

Zhiqi bit her lips.

"For a while, I will leave you in the front. You must be careful. When you get there, someone sent by Lord Le will pick you up."

Gu Yunxi squinted and nodded.

"You should also be careful. Go around and go to Book Hall to meet me."