The haze, like the splendor of the streamer made of jewels, densely packed, intricately shooting into the window lattice.

Gu Di stood in the courtyard, looking at the flying bird who was chaotically entering the cloud. He returned to the room with his hands behind.

Huanan He heard the sound and looked out from the inner room.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Huanan He asked.

He noticed that his twin brother's face was gloomy.

Gu Di casually picked up a green bonsai leaf on a tripod and pinched it until the leaves were torn and juicy, spreading all over his fingers.

Gu Di sat down in a trance, poured a cup of warm tea, but picked up the cup without drinking tea. He shook his head frequently and said.

"It's weird. My right eyelid twitched all day. Maybe something will happen."

He turned around and saw his brother walking out and wearing dark red eunuch clothes. He asked in surprise.

"Are you going to the Palace?"

Huanan He smiled.

"I want to see Yunxi, and we have been separated for many days."

Gu Di's eyes flashed, and he persuaded politely.

"Come back early. Don't delay too long. I just received news from Xuanji. He will secretly return to Jing City to join us in the future."

"In this troubled time, we have to be more careful in everything."

"Is Xiu coming back? Great!"

The look of joy remained on Huanan He's face for a long time.

"I will bring the news to Yunxi, and she will be very happy, too."

In the block opposite the Ninth Prince's Mansion, two men wearing black armor and covering their heads with a black scarf with only one slit left were hiding in the dark alley and whispering.

"How's it going? Did you hear that?"

"Yes, and I heard it very clearly."

One person wore black gloves on his hands and pulled the leaves between his fingers away from his ears. With a flick of his hand, the leaves turned into clear smoke with the wind.

The man went on to say to his companion.

"It is indeed two brothers who spoke, which proves that the Nine Prince and his brother are in the Nine Prince's Mansion."

The companion said.

"Okay, let's go back to the embassy and bring the news to Mr. Sakata."

―

It was in Jingyang Palace.

The heavy hairpin of the coral jade inlaid beaded crested hairpin was placed on the dressing table, making a slight noise.

Gu Yunxi frowned and her expression was dull.

"Heck, I only slept for a while after the competition in the morning, and I have to participate in the Blossom Garden Party. This headgear made me exhausted."

Zhiqi looked around and didn’t find anyone. Then she softly persuaded.

"Your Grace, you are now a concubine in the Palace. No matter what dynasty it is, attending a palace banquet is also the duty of a concubine in the imperial harem. If your makeup and clothing are not suitable, you will always end up being laughed at, so please bear with it."

The embroidered curtain was lifted, and a tall eunuch came in.

Zhiqi looked at him and nodded instantly with a smile.

"My greetings, Your Highness. Chat with Her Grace. I'll go outside."

Gu Yunxi stood up with a smile and put her arms behind his neck.

"Darling, why did you come here at this time?"

Huanan He smiled.

"I miss you at all times, right? I missed you, so I hurried over here."

His face darkened. He picked up the robe of the eunuch's uniform and sat down, becoming unhappy.

"Huanan Xin is also abominable. He didn't let me into the Palace to watch the two competitions between you and Ying State. He still won't let me into the Palace for tonight's Blossom Garden Party!"

Gu Yunxi said.

"You don't have to be angry. Huanan Xin has always been narrow-minded. General Yuancang invited you to the reception banquet. Although Huanan Xin looks calm, he has some scruples about you in his heart, so he doesn't let you easily enter the Palace in the next few times."

Huanan He raised his head slightly, and the bottom of his eyes was full of brilliance.

"I'm here to tell you the good news. Jiang Huaian has already contacted Wang Xingzhi. Also, Xiu will be in Jing City soon."

Gu Yunxi was happy and surprised.

"It's great. My brother is finally coming back. Wang Can is a talented person who can be entrusted with important tasks in the cabinet. But..."

Huanan He looked at her beautiful face and was addicted to it. He embraced her delicate body with orchid fragrance into his arms, inserted his big hand into the hem of the woven golden dress with hibiscus and begonia, caressed her gently, and asked solemnly.

"What do you want to say?"

"Since ancient times, people who are erudite and upright are influenced by Confucianism, and they must have the backbone of loyal ministers who do not serve the two Emperors."

"I hope you have some preparations for this. You must not be too abrupt when you finally reveal your identity. Otherwise, it will only be self-defeating... Uh!"

Gu Yunxi was suddenly at a loss for words, and her concentration was completely defeated by the sudden touch.

Her cheeks blushed. Her body twisted a few times, and she slapped her hand on the crawling big hand under the brocade clothes.

"Yunxi, darling, I remember all your words..."

Huanan He whispered in a warm voice, unwilling to let it go.

Gu Yunxi finally escaped with a blushing face and turned her head to quench him.

"Stop now. I just combed my hair. Don't mess it up."

"Hey, Your Grace, I'm leaving."

Huanan He raised his eyebrows helplessly and bowed to Gu Yunxi.

Gu Yunxi smiled helplessly and rubbed the tip of her nose with his.

"You remember to come in later. I took a large pot of sea crabs from Ying State. Those imperial chefs were too timid to take them, so I put them all in crushed ice and put them in my palace."

"I'll make half of them steamed and half of them into tangerine stuffing later, and eating them with wine is a reward for you."

Only then did Huanan He smile and whisper to her.

"No wine. Half the crabs are steamed and half are stuffed with oranges. It's better to eat in front of you."

...

The banquet was held in the Baohe Palace, and the envoys from allied countries and neighboring countries who were the judges of the cooking competition were invited, accompanied by key members of Da Yi's cabinet and Ritual Minister Wang Can.

General Yuancang was extremely conceited. Sakata Aki lost in the morning, which made the General lose face.

Therefore, he did not show up at this dinner on the excuse of being sick, and he only sent Sakata Aki and his assistants to accompany his wife into the Palace.

In the hall, there was a continuous stream of music and singing, and the scent of golden lamps and candles was dense.

After singing and dancing happily, the Emperor invited the envoys to visit the garden to enjoy the night flowers.

There were artists from the royal academy in various places in the Imperial Garden, who sang songs and operas in the gardens along the way to liven up the atmosphere.

Along the way, the red silk palace lanterns could be seen moving in the wind, and the soft lights were poured gently on the flat golden stone road under the feet.

The large and luxurious garden shrouded in the night was surrounded by colorful silks and curtains, which were splendid.

Several clumps of epiphyllum were covered with frost and dew, and they were full of charm.

Ruiji was dressed in a gorgeous dress tonight, as beautiful as a crystal clear pear flower. She accompanied the Emperor by his side, and she was comparable to all night flowers.

Gu Yunxi glanced at the two people who were inseparable, and there was no sadness or joy in her heart, but she felt a lot more relaxed.

She followed the garden tour team, admiring the flowers and the scenery with a sullen expression, just waiting for the moment to go back to Jingyang Palace to have a tryst with her love.

"Your Grace, why do you look listless tonight?"

When Gu Yunxi heard the sound, she turned her head and bumped into Sakata Aki's pair of deep and blurred pupils.

She immediately held a dignified smile, bowed her head, covered half of her face, and said.

"Thank you for your concern, sir. I just drank two more glasses of wine, and I feel a little uncomfortable right now."

She looked around and saw that Mrs. Yuancang and the other people from Ying State had already walked a long way. She expected that the major chef of Dachui Kitchen beside her wanted to slow down and wait for her. He should have something to say to her.

Sakata Aki's bright eyes stared at Gu Yunxi's face, and Gu Yunxi couldn’t distinguish his emotions from the smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Grace, please take care of your health. Three days later, it will be the time for you and me to decide whether to win or lose. Now I know some news about the competition. Please come with me, Your Grace. I want to talk to you alone."

Gu Yunxi was silent for a moment, chuckling and keeping vigilance. She said gently.

"Sir, you and I are opponents in the competition. What do you want to tell me?"

"Your Grace, I admire your cooking skills. Although you and I are opponents on the field, I still hope to exchange cooking skills with you in private."

"You said that food knows no borders, so your communication with me shouldn't be bound by borders, right?"

He was really a smooth talker.

Gu Yunxi pondered, feeling that what the major chef said was right.

He humbly came to ask for advice and exchange cooking skills. If she insisted on refusing to do so, she would be too stingy.

She thought of the defeat of Ying State in the morning, and Sakata Aki was slapped in the face for this. Out of sympathy, Gu Yunxi accepted his request,

"Okay, you go first."

Sakata Aki raised his mouth and didn't move. He glanced at Zhiqi coldly.

"Your Grace, the next thing I'm going to tell you... It's a matter of confidentiality."

"Zhiqi, you are waiting for me here." Gu Yunxi was very cooperative.

Zhiqi nodded in agreement and glanced sideways at her master who followed the man through the maple forest.

It was not that she didn't worry about her master, but there were still others in the Imperial Garden now, and it was expected that the man would not dare to do anything extravagant.

Besides, her master was not a little white rabbit who could be bullied by anyone.

Behind the maple forest was a lake with white jade railings. The evening wind blew the maple forest rustling, like the sound of waves.

Gu Yunxi held the cold stone carving beast on the fence and looked at the sparkling water that reflected the stars and moonlight like a mirror.

"Sir, what news do you know? Why did you take me here to tell me?"

Sakata Aki narrowed his eyes, staring at the picture of the peony and Albizia flowers embroidered with gold and silver threads on the sky blue wide-sleeved dress that Gu Yunxi was wearing. The gold and silver threads on the skirt shone like stars in the night, making people intoxicated.

His lips arched slightly.

"Your Grace, how did you feel when you saw that the Emperor was accompanied by beauties all night?"

Gu Yunxi frowned imperceptibly. Although she was displeased with Sakata Aki's rashness, she didn't want her words or deeds to be inappropriate. She just looked at the lake with a gentle smile.

"Three thousand beauties in the imperial harem are all sisters who serve His Majesty. Whoever accompanies His Majesty will do her duty as a concubine."

Sakata Aki's black eyes turned coldly, and his eyes rolled over Gu Yunxi's body evilly.

"Yes, Your Grace, you are different from those ordinary concubines. You are loved by the Ninth Prince. How can you still care about the favor of the Emperor alone?"

"What are you talking about?"

Gu Yunxi suddenly raised her head and looked into his eyes.

"Sir, you lied to me to come here and made up such unwarranted things. Is it to deliberately humiliate me?"

"On the night of the reception, in the Book Hall."

Sakata Aki was greedy. His dark eyes were deep, and he simply said a few words and promptly stopped Gu Yunxi's pace of running away.

Her hands clenched a little bit between her sleeves, holding back her fear and anger and pretending to be fearless.

"Sir, you are probably drunk. I don't understand what you are saying! At that time, I did leave the banquet to return to the palace, but so many people at the banquet could see clearly that the Ninth Prince was accompanying the General in the pavilion."

"It's not a small crime to slander the concubine and the royal family member for no reason. I'm afraid that you can't afford it!"

"I knew everything about you and the Ninth Prince that night, and it was I who witnessed the Ninth Prince and you two leaving the attic one after the other."

"The 'Ninth Prince' at the banquet is basically his twin brother Huanan Xian."

The roar in the brain suddenly came, and her head spun dizzily. Every nerve behind her ears was tense.

Gu Yunxi held the jade fence with her hands in a daze. Her heart was ups and downs, and she said with cold sweat all over her body.

"You are talking nonsense."

"Humph, the Five Elements Ninjutsu of Ying State is quite powerful. They can mobilize any material of gold, wood, water, fire, and soil at will, and they can spy out the information we want from thousands of miles away."

"Our ninjas also know that Huanan He sneaked into the Palace in the evening. Your Grace, am I right?"

His evil smile was full of contempt, and he crossed his arms to Gu Yunxi's side, pursing his lips proudly. He watched Gu Yunxi's face turn pale inch by inch in silence, which was clear and eye-catching under the ink-stained night. His eyes couldn’t help but squint.

"You are Emperor Renxian's favorite concubine, and you are the hottest figure in the Palace. Why would you take the Emperor's favor as nothing and dare to fornicate with his uncle?"