Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 140 - 122: Accompaniment

Xianfu Palace.

Yun Jiao tugged at Concubine Li: "Sister, come with me."

"No, no, talking with Lady Shufei is too exhausting."

Concubine Li waved her handkerchief at her: "You can go in peace; I’ll watch the house."

Yun Jiao looked back at every step with a sense of going into a dragon’s lair, setting off.

...

Lady Shufei sat in the pavilion enjoying the view; she particularly liked glass. In Yanxi Palace, there was even an entire glass wall. Other palaces had fish tanks made of stone or ceramics, placed tall and big in the courtyard, which Lady Shufei didn’t like, thinking they were too solid, looking heavy, affecting the palace’s Feng Shui. Her fish tanks were also glass-made, offered by the Western Regions to Yan Chi, then bestowed upon her by the Emperor.

A frame crafted from white porcelain, embedded with four glass sides, shimmering and translucent.

The only drawback was that it easily caused the fish to die.

Fortunately, Lady Shufei wasn’t picky about this, frequently changing water and fish, keeping things constantly fresh.

"Lady Shufei, this Hainan rosewood screen was specially chosen from the tributes by the Emperor, to have the servants move it to Yanxi Palace. No other palace has it."

In Yanxi Palace, glass was everywhere; the stone paths reflected like mirrors. An eunuch from Zichen Palace came, bowed, and said flatteringly: "Where does Lady want it placed?"

"Since it’s the Emperor’s wish, place it in the most conspicuous spot."

Lady Shufei smiled lightly.

Just after the Jianzhang Palace gathering dispersed, the Emperor sent over a screen.

A screen so large that eight strong eunuchs moved it in, indicating its notable origin. Over six meters long, though big, the craftsmanship wasn’t coarse; each panel was engraved with dragon patterns, surrounded with circular motifs as decoration...the eunuch went on for a while about how the wood for the screen emerged from thousands of acres of forest: "Please trouble Sir to convey a message to the Emperor for this palace; this screen I adore greatly. Thank the Emperor for remembering when I said a good screen was lacking in the room."

Most importantly, this screen should have been sent to Jianzhang Palace.

The Empress would choose first before the concubines even got a turn.

Since she didn’t cherish it, thinking it was rightfully hers, she gave it away.

"The servant understands, will definitely convey the message."

"Noted."

With just a glance from Lady Shufei, a generous reward was handed to the eunuch.

The eunuch thanked repeatedly, just as two beauties in palace attire gracefully arrived.

Consort Ji and Yun Jiao jointly bowed to Lady Shufei.

"Rise, thank you for coming all the way."

Lady Shufei addressed Consort Ji, still treating her like a palace maid, while she habitually expressed gratitude for the reward.

"Concubine Xi, sit down quickly; how can someone with child stand for long?"

Her lips curved into a slight smile, appearing harmonious.

"Thank you, Lady, for granting a seat."

Yun Jiao didn’t sit fully, only half sat.

The advantage of lower status means fewer chances of getting hemorrhoids; sitting isn’t frequent, so when awarded a seat, one doesn’t sit fully, akin to practicing pelvic exercises.

"Concubine Xi looks well; I won’t send you supplements then; there’s the Empress Dowager and Emperor to worry about those."

As Lady Shufei spoke, the Chief Palace Maid by her side presented a silk box.

The palace maid opened it, revealing a splendid Swallow Finch silk and a red embroidered dragon silk, vividly colored and stunning: "I don’t favor wearing vibrant colors; you’re young, with fair skin, such colors suit you. Send someone to the tailoring room with the note that the cloth is from my reward, they will surely make it with care. I’ve heard the Emperor allowed your mother into the palace to accompany you? Good, pick another piece for Lady Yun to share in the Emperor’s and your joy."

"I haven’t done anything to earn such favor..."

"What I reward you with, you shall take. Yanxi Palace lacks no fine materials; you won’t either in the future. However, give your mother a piece, letting her know you are looked after in the palace, not without backing, assuring her peace of mind and giving her face outside the palace."

Having said this, it’s not good to refuse.

Yun Jiao listened, thinking she could write it down; Lady Shufei truly had all arranged for her, the highly favored concubine overseeing things with chilling detail. While Lady Shufei’s smile seemed warm, Yun Jiao’s mind kept picturing Lady Shufei preparing to push Consort Ji into the water, warm and smiling, meticulously considering every detail.

"So, I shall go along with this, and I do like such bright colors."

Yun Jiao agreed, and Lady Shufei said: "Later, send the fabric to the Imperial Hospital, let the Imperial Physician take a look. After all, for a person with child, one should be careful."

"What Lady sends, I have no worry over!"

"This consideration is for my own safeguard too, not letting others use my hand to harm."

Lady Shufei turned to look outside, sunlight shone through the glass, casting luminous colors.

"Others think hard about gifting precious things for the Longevity Festival; I intend to present a dance for the Emperor. Would Concubine Xi accompany me in music?"

Lady Shufei sighed softly, her voice tinged with jest: "Consort Ji can jump through fire rings, perform swallowing long swords, or breaking stones on her chest!"

Consort Ji lowered her eyes: "Lady, I cannot; blood at the Longevity Festival would be unsightly."

"Bright red is quite festive." Lady Shufei said.

Yun Jiao grew more uneasy.

She somewhat felt she was just part of this sisterly act.

"What do you say, Concubine Xi?"

Lady Shufei turned to her.

Yun Jiao spoke honestly: "I hadn’t planned on gifting anything; if I say accompanying Lady Shufei in music, my heart is willing, just my skills aren’t refined, unworthy of the Lady’s dance. My embarrassment is a small matter, letting Lady suffer ridicule would be major."

"Ridicule?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Lady Shufei repeated the word, her lips curling slightly: "I don’t mind, so it’s decided."

Since she didn’t mind, Yun Jiao agreed readily, just saving the cost of gifting the Emperor!

Gifting to the richest person on earth feels uncomfortable.

Yun Jiao was curious: "What about Consort Ji?"

"I’m willing to play alongside the Lady."

"Don’t bring out your little skills to make a fool; practice your juggling over the next few days; I’m looking forward to it."

After being repeatedly dismissed, Consort Ji finally showed embarrassment.

Lady Shufei was satisfied to drop the matter.

Despite the matter being swiftly decided, Lady Shufei still kept them for a meal before allowing them to leave, ultimately letting Consort Ji accompany Yun Jiao out. Consort Ji was used to this treatment, but Yun Jiao was quite curious: "What instrument will you use?"

"I have a bit of experience with each."

"Then use the flute; I can only play the zither."

Just arriving at Xianfu Palace, Yun Jiao fetched the flute from the study to give her, wanting to hear her play.

Consort Ji accepted it, playing a melodious tune.

Yun Jiao was stunned: "If this is called making a fool, then mine is tantamount to assassination?"

She immediately grew anxious; those three pieces of fabric weren’t given in vain; they were her performance fee.

Consort Ji couldn’t bear seeing her like this, comforting her: "Lady Shufei doesn’t truly want you to perform superbly... she likely wants you to be the foil, and also, she never goes against the Emperor’s wishes. She aims to show the Emperor during the Longevity Festival how well she gets along with you; merely standing there suffices."

Yun Jiao understood.

She served as waste flow, used to attract the Emperor for fanfare.

...