Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 102 - 96

Yun Jiao was dragged all the way back to the west rooms from the main hall.

Ever since she expressed her unwillingness to move out of Xianfu Palace, Attendant Lady Sun had moved out of the east side, connecting the back of the main hall of Xianfu Palace, allowing Yun Jiao to have both sides to herself. The backyard was also hers, with an area not less than Concubine Li’s main hall. The only downside was that with two people living together, the seniority meant she had to listen to Concubine Li and let her take charge.

Yun "Hands-Off Boss" Jiao couldn’t have asked for more.

She didn’t want to deal with trivial matters; if something went wrong, she could just reset.

The palace maids and eunuchs along the way knelt on the ground, bowing their heads deeply, not daring to look at their master being dragged back like a chick.

Yun Jiao found amusement in this.

Not having to walk herself was pretty good!

"What are you thinking?"

Xie Zhixing asked sinisterly.

"I’m thinking about having the Manufacturing Office make a big basket, so I can sit in it and let the Emperor carry me."

With Yun Jiao’s wild description, a rather odd image appeared in Xie Zhixing’s mind.

"My Concubine Xi is not some fresh cabbage to be taken to the market."

Seeing Yun Jiao lost in thought, Xie Zhixing put her down: "What, unhappy to be compared to cabbage?"

"How could that be!" Yun Jiao said truthfully: "Likewise being carried, I thought of manure, while the Emperor thought of fresh cabbage, so crisp and fresh!"

This person spoke without any filter between meat and vegetarian.

Just as she finished, her mouth got covered. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Unfortunately, merely covering her mouth was of no use. Yun Jiao had eyes that could speak, and since her mouth couldn’t talk, her eyes just looked at people brightly, very telling—why is the Emperor covering my mouth? If she was the cabbage, then wouldn’t the Emperor be the pig rooting for cabbage?

Due to his background and education, Xie Zhixing couldn’t imagine what Yun Jiao might say.

But he could roughly guess that she wouldn’t speak anything proper.

"The Empress Dowager is unwell. I should not favor concubines and am bearing it not seeing you, yet worried that you miss me too," he smiled: "Seems like I worried in vain. You and Concubine Li get along well, I heard you’re even bathing together? I had no idea my dear consort had such interests."

Xie Zhixing’s face, when expressionless, carried an aura of natural authority. Unfortunately, he was too good-looking, so good-looking that it was distracting. Knowing he held the power over everyone’s lives, yet when looking at his face, half the heart listened to him, while the other half recklessly admired his beauty.

Just like now, Yun Jiao knew he was in a bad mood, yet she blurted out: "How could you not know? The Emperor and I bathed in the open air on the grassland. Why be jealous of Concubine Li? I learned it from the Emperor after all."

Concubines learning tricks from the Emperor to use on other concubines, does that make sense?

But to say he was jealous of Concubine Li?

Would he bother?

Xie Zhixing’s emotions came and went quickly. He sat down to ponder. Xie Zhixing had a habit; he liked to detach himself into the third person, examining himself as a historical figure. An emperor’s life could be like an indistinct account, and he was in a daze because his self-positioning as a "calm and ruthless diligent emperor" didn’t fit when he looked back at the behavior of "Xie Zhixing" and noticed his personality breaking.

There is always a gap between a person and their imagined self.

"Emperor?"

Yun Jiao cautiously moved over, finding his conflicted expression quite interesting.

"I’m thinking."

"What’s the Emperor thinking about?"

"Wait, I’m almost there."

In that case, she stayed quiet for a while.

After a while, Xie Zhixing’s tightly furrowed brows finally smoothed out.

Good news: He figured it out.

Bad news: At that moment, he was genuinely jealous of Concubine Li.

Turning his head to look at the person beside him, Yun Jiao had her hands on her knees, trying to appear obedient and dignified, but her sparkly eyes were restlessly looking at his face, the expression easy to read—what is the Emperor thinking! Hurry up and finish! So curious to know!

Xie Zhixing felt a surge of annoyance, raising an eyebrow at her: "Guess what I’m thinking?"

"Wanting to bathe with me?"

"Trying to flatter yourself."

He sneered.

Yun Jiao rested her chin in her hand, looking at him.

In the world of the Deep Palace, there were several male characters who could be wooed, including the Imperial Physician. Unfortunately, since she entered the palace, every Imperial Physician she met was old enough to be her father or uncle. As one of the woo-able male characters, the Emperor was truly a tough one.

"What are you looking at me thinking?"

"I’m thinking about the Emperor."

Yun Jiao said perfunctorily.

What she was really thinking—

Damn, I hate posers the most.

-----------------

Always mindful that the Empress Dowager was unwell, Xie Zhixing did not stay overnight at Xianfu Palace, nor did he get to have the bathing he wanted. He only sat down to hold her by her ears, telling her to manage her interactions with the concubines and not always being so tactile, that it was inappropriate.

They’re all girls, why can’t they be embraced?

Despite the Emperor’s numerous hints, Yun Jiao didn’t grasp the imperial intention of "If you want a hug, come and hug me," leading to her growing displeasure with the Emperor.

For the sake of her entire clan, she didn’t voice her feelings.

The next day, although it was supposed to be someone else tending to the illness, Yun Jiao eagerly volunteered.

The Empress Dowager was slightly surprised, yet allowed her to enter and offered her a seat.

"I am worried about your health, Your Highness. Since I did a decent job of serving yesterday, I thought I might lend a hand again today. Please don’t dislike me."

The Emperor often saw Yun Jiao’s true nature, realizing that this mischievous child was skilled at irking people, and that the sweet words from her mouth were not to be easily trusted. The Empress Dowager, lacking such experience, found Concubine Xi pleasant. Though the Jiang Family criticized her as unlearned, she was meticulous when attending to the sick, indicating she had taken pains to study and empathize with the patients. Even if she aimed to ingratiate, it came from genuine emotion.

Clearly, she was a disciplined and obedient junior.

"Why would I dislike you? Come here."

The Empress Dowager patted the seat beside her.

"I made some food and brought it along. I consulted the Imperial Physician, and if Your Highness doesn’t find it unpalatable, could you give me the honor of trying it?"

The palace maid beside Yun Jiao held the food box for her.

She didn’t bring any novel delicacies from future generations, just chose delectable foods suitable for the sick from common palace fare. This was beyond what the Changle Palace staff could execute,

because they couldn’t persuade the Empress Dowager.

Elders overly concerned with dignity and status had a unique logic of conduct.

Finding enjoyment was deemed shameful, with interpretations of "curbing desires" pushed to extremes, transforming oneself into something sacred, which marked the onset of unhappiness. Yet those in high places were human too, desiring food, drink, and beautiful companions. What then? They had to be coaxed into it by others.

Some emperors had a fondness for beauty but dreaded being labeled as lustful, thus promotions were orchestrated by the Empress Dowager. Under the guise of complying with a maternal decree, it wasn’t perceived as his own volition, but as filial piety to a mother’s decision.

The Empress Dowager would self-discipline through devout fasting, prompting requests from her son and daughter-in-law for good food and drink, only relenting under collective persuasion.

The Shengping Bureau had handsome eunuchs as performers. When the Empress Dowager wished for entertainment, the Empress and concubines would orchestrate a "surprise," inviting her over. She’d feign disapproval upon arrival but would sit down to enjoy once coaxed.

Now, Yun Jiao played the role of such a sycophant.

"Such things, only children enjoy eating."

The Empress Dowager glanced at the food box, which contained simple ingredients in savory and sweet combinations, gentle on the stomach.

"Ah, even the Emperor says the same about me. When preparing food, I focused on presenting my favorites to the Empress Dowager, overlooking this aspect—a lapse in judgment, but I still wish Your Highness to try it."

With something to ask for today, Yun Jiao was especially attentive.

Isn’t it all about coaxing old children after all!

Sure enough, after her series of pleas, the Empress Dowager reluctantly agreed to try a bite.

Just then, Consort Xu, who came to nurse the illness, said: "The Empress Dowager should stick to porridge. This isn’t what Her Highness enjoys. You’ve been careless, Concubine Xi."

The Empress Dowager fell silent, developing an aversion to Consort Xu.

It wasn’t because she favored Concubine Xi, but anyone would be displeased when their dulled palate was told to drink plain porridge instead.

Internally, Yun Bei rolled her eyes, once more performing sugary talk for the Empress Dowager: "It’s my oversight, but I truly wish Your Highness would try my cooking."

"Indeed, Concubine Xi is somewhat careless but clearly devoted to me, her filial piety is commendable," the Empress Dowager’s sharp gaze fell on her: "Your behavior towards Concubine Xi is disrespectful. How could you not know the rules? Go back and copy the Palace Rules ten times, remembering to always respect the hierarchy."

Consort Xu knelt in fear to accept her punishment.

Having eaten well, the Empress Dowager felt much more comfortable physically, her mood brightened. Looking at Yun Jiao, she found her increasingly pleasing, treating her with a motherly affection, leaving Consort Xu and Consort Ji on the sidelines. Seeing Yun Jiao flourish in Changle Palace relieved Consort Ji significantly.

Catching this favorable mood, Yun Jiao put on a display of teary eyes, confiding to the Empress Dowager about her longing for family since entering the palace.

"The Empress Dowager praised my filial piety. I don’t fear ridicule from my two sisters; I’ve truly served Her Highness as I would a family elder, as a token of my yearning."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager was moved.

Consort Xu was shocked; how could someone flatter so naturally and sincerely? What did she plan? Did the Empress Dowager intend to elevate her to concubine rank?

Very soon, Consort Xu learned her intentions.

"I have a request to make of the Empress Dowager."

"You asked for a small kitchen before; what is it this time?" The Empress Dowager smiled at her, confident she wouldn’t ask for anything unreasonable. Given the Emperor’s current favor, whatever she desired could be sought directly from him, so why humble herself at Changle Palace?

"I miss my family elders dearly. In Your Highness, I have found that warmth and affection," Yun Jiao sniffled, pretending to be a neglected, pitiable figure: "I long to ask the Empress Dowager for a warm embrace."

Though surprised, the Empress Dowager found it somewhat inappropriate.

Emotional expressions among the Yan Chi were subdued, except with young children, and few embraced without due cause.

Yet she believed Concubine Xi’s earnestness to be commendable.

"Very well, I shall grant you this once."

With permission granted, Yun Jiao wiped away nonexistent tears, hugged the Empress Dowager, feeling exceptionally pleased.

Haha!

Dog Emperor, not letting her hug Concubine Li, she embraced his mother!