CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: RETURNED BY HER MAJESTY

"The Emperor has arrived—"

The next second, Xie Zhixing found himself back in Qiankun Palace from Xianfu Palace.

He had thought that the Yun Family was being wronged in Xianfu Palace and wanted to give her a chance to file a direct complaint. However, in her mind, seeing the Emperor was the same as being persecuted.

Xie Zhixing never expected that the reason Yun Jiao traveled back in time was simply because she didn’t like eating eggplant.

Coincidentally, the Imperial Manor had recently sent over a large batch of eggplants, increasing the chances of encountering eggplant dishes.

"Good, very good."

Xie Zhixing gripped the documents tightly, producing a creaking sound.

He instructed with a cold face, "Set out for Xianfu Palace!"

Upon the Emperor’s command, Ying Lu began preparing in an orderly manner.

Offspring of the harem were precious, and princes even more so. They were raised delicately by the Ladies. The late Emperor wasn’t particularly strict with his sons. The princes had a joyful childhood, making them as bold as the Third Prince, who wasn’t afraid of his elder brother annihilating him. Yet, Xie Zhixing was an outlier among his brothers, needing no external motivation to be diligent, and he was stubbornly so.

He would delve into any problem he couldn’t understand until he figured it out.

He worked tirelessly to master riding and archery.

Once he decided on something, he would overcome all difficulties to accomplish it.

"Ying Lu, place the unreviewed memorials into the box. I want to read them."

Xie Zhixing thought, going back in time not only allows for wasted effort but also for unlimited study and reviewing of memorials within limited time.

"Yes."

Ying Lu bowed his head, feeling moved again.

Reviewing memorials on a palanquin was somewhat unconventional, but of course, no one could stop the Emperor from doing it, earning him a reputation for diligence. But despite being so busy, instead of summoning Attendant Lady Xi to Qiankun Palace, His Majesty personally went to her, showcasing extraordinary favor and affection.

Thus, Xie Zhixing once again sat on the palanquin.

... and was once again returned.

He remembered a myth told by Greek envoys visiting Yan Chi—a sinner named Sisyphus was punished by the gods to push a huge stone to the top of the mountain, only for it to roll back down, an endless, futile cycle.

Xie Zhixing did not find this torturous or tormenting.

Once he finished reading the memorials, he’d switch to other books. The pursuit of knowledge is endless, and he hadn’t had much time for academic pursuits lately.

Throughout the repeated time travel, he seemed perpetually unable to step into the West Wing.

And this only made him more eager.

Eager to see what expression Yun Family would have when she could no longer avoid him and had to greet him.

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

On the tenth attempt, Yun Jiao couldn’t hold on anymore.

The number of time rewinds was unlimited, but the more it repeated, the more mentally exhausting it became. When she heard "The Emperor has arrived" once again, resentment filled her heart. The randomness of this game’s Emperor was too low! In previous games of "Deep Palace" when summoning for the Emperor, he would at least switch concubines after each visit!

"My lady, the Emperor actually came looking for you!"

Gong Mei was overjoyed, then quickly worried, "Xue Ya isn’t here. My hair braiding isn’t as good as hers... Oh no, there’s no time, we must hurry to greet him."

Yun Jiao sluggishly shuffled her short legs out to greet him.

"This concubine pays respect to the Emperor."

"This concubine is late to greet you, hoping for the Emperor’s pardon."

She bowed gracefully, her head lowered deeply.

The next moment, the Emperor lifted her by both arms, raising her up.

Yun Jiao: ???

What are you doing, Emperor???

"Haha, I’m not blaming you,"

Xie Zhixing laughed heartily, seeing Yun Family’s bewildered face under the sunlight, like a wary little cat finally caught by him, "I just suddenly decided to put down the documents and come to dine with you."

After ten time rewinds, he finally succeeded in entering Xianfu Palace.

There was nothing in this world that Xie Zhixing couldn’t accomplish!

"..."

"Your Majesty, may I be put down first?"

Yun Jiao asked, slightly embarrassed.

Her stature was small among the concubines, while the Emperor was nearly six foot three. Holding her by the arms, he lifted her off the ground, leaving her legs hanging and swinging helplessly.

Xie Zhixing appreciated her expression for a moment before letting her down.

The two walked into the room, and he surveyed the surroundings, "When I was here to shelter from the rain, I didn’t notice, but now, during the day, it seems rather small. Is it comfortable to live here?"

"This concubine finds it quite comfortable."

Yun Jiao responded dryly.

This was one of the reasons she had no interest in competing for favor—she could not master the charming allure others did.

Other time travelers had experienced modern love, easily handling ancient men.

Of course, she wasn’t entirely inexperienced in dealing with men.

It’s just that those men were two-dimensional characters.

"Indeed, with your small stature, you probably find it spacious," Xie Zhixing remarked with a scrutinizing gaze.

Yun Jiao said, "The Emperor is correct."

"However, I’m not sure if you’re truly comfortable here," Xie Zhixing softened his tone, "Is it that those serving you are inadequate?"

Not only did the Emperor’s confidants understand, but Gong Mei also grasped it.

The Emperor was subtly suggesting that Attendant Lady Xi make complaints, to voice any grievances she had. No matter who had wronged her before, they would now face accusations in front of the Emperor.

He used the servants as a pretext, knowing that apart from the two Chief Palace Maids, all the maids and eunuchs who could approach Yun Family had been bribed and were under other concubines’ influence. If there was anyone she disliked, this was an opportunity to send them away.

"No, everyone serves well."

Yun Jiao shook her head, looking unsure, "If there’s anything slightly uncomfortable..."

"Feel free to say it."

Xie Zhixing suppressed his excitement at her words.

He genuinely wanted to know what had happened to make her travel back in time twice.

"It’s just that recently, the dishes from the Kitchen always have eggplant, which this concubine dislikes."

Yun Jiao muttered softly.

"... Eggplant?"

Xie Zhixing almost couldn’t hold back his expression.

He cupped Yun Jiao’s head in his hands, lifting her face to see her expression was authentic, bringing a smile to his face, "Are you really so upset just because of eggplant? Never mind, it’s clearly upset you... Ying Lu, who prepared the meal for Attendant Lady Xi today?"

"Your Majesty!"

Yun Jiao called out, her expression flustered.

Xie Zhixing asked, "What now?"

"It’s my own pickiness; it’s not the fault of others."

Seeing her sincerely pleading, Xie Zhixing relented and simply said, "If the servants upset you, it’s because they didn’t serve well enough, so a little punishment is justified."

The Emperor’s motto—

Blame others more, reflect on oneself less.

"Alright, come here."

He lifted Yun Jiao onto his lap, holding her securely so she couldn’t slip away easily.

This time, Yun Jiao dared not speak.

Oh no, a three-dimensional man is so intimidating, while two-dimensional ones are much more appealing!

She thought about entering the palace and perhaps needing to accustom herself to occasional intimacy. Being constantly tense wasn’t good either, so she saved the scene, deciding to practice repeatedly.

After a while of holding her, with the imperial meal set, he was about to place her back in her seat.

But in the blink of an eye, the entire table of dishes disappeared, and Yun Family was back in his arms.

Xie Zhixing: ?