Helped up by Zhao An, Gu Yunyao went to the bathroom in the side palace in a gown of red feathers, waiting for the maids to bathe her.
While she was having her hair dressed, Zhao An asked,
"Master, should we send someone to inform Concubine Xu? In her high status, you'll be able to watch each other's back in Yongning Palace if she wish to intervene."
Playing the jade and pearl hairpin in her hand, Gu Yunyao shook her head after consideration.
"No. It is because Xu is my friend that I shall not drag her with me. She might have offended the Imperial Noble Concubine for speaking for me. We should not trouble her anymore."
Seeing that Gu Yunyao had decided, Zhao An uttered no more. He only looked down sullenly and sighed.
Outside the palatial garden, Zhao An helped Gu Yunyao onto an elm
