CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: THE EMPEROR ARRIVES

Consort Ji’s well-intentioned advice was destined to be in vain.

That day when she mentioned the Qiu Lie event, Yun Jiao paid no heed, letting it go in one ear and out the other. However, Xue Ya and Gong Mei kept it in mind and became more diligent in their efforts to care for their master’s skin and hair, striving to make her even more beautiful and radiant.

At first, Yun Jiao didn’t notice, since as soon as it was time for skincare, she would close her eyes, so serene that the palace maids almost wanted to check if she was still breathing. Later, whenever she reached for a dish with chili oil, Xue Ya would advise, "Master, this lamb dish is sprinkled with pepper; eating it may cause bread to grow on the face."

Bread? What bread?

Yun Jiao looked up bewildered, taking a moment to understand Xue Ya’s meaning: "That word is pronounced like ’pustule.’"

Pustules, meaning acne, were a matter of great concern even to ancient people.

They believed that getting drunk and lying outside could also trigger pustules, presumably because of the large amount of dust outside. If you passed out drunk and did not wash your face, the dust would naturally clog the follicles.

Yun Jiao obediently changed to another dish.

Recently, she discovered that there was a cook in the kitchen who made excellent Sichuan cuisine, fresh and spicy. In this chilly weather, such dishes could dispel the cold and taste absolutely exquisite.

Just as she was about to start eating, Gong Mei came over with a cup of tea this time: "This Mapo tofu contains a lot of chili oil, Master. Allow me to pass it through water first."

Huh?

Yun Jiao was utterly shocked.

Anyone who has to rinse their Mapo tofu with water should just leave Yan Chi!

"Wait, why have you two suddenly become so strict?"

"Master, we’re already not that strict compared to the one in the main hall who has started eating only once a day and abstaining from meat! Presumably, she has also caught wind of the Emperor’s plans to draft a list for accompanying the Qiu Lie."

On hearing this, Yun Jiao said: "But I don’t want to go."

To accompany the Emperor during the Qiu Lie meant having more opportunities to spend time with him.

Seeing the two palace maids looking at her in confusion, both concerned for her sake, Yun Jiao sighed softly and started speaking whimsically again: "You two, it’s not that I don’t want to spend time with the Emperor, but as a little Attendant Lady, striving for this opportunity would require immense effort and exertion."

"Remember these two phrases; they will be the guiding principles for our West Wing of Xianfu Palace in the future."

Seeing their master being uncharacteristically serious, the two held their breath and listened carefully.

Yun Jiao spoke loudly:

"Effort doesn’t guarantee success, but without effort, one will be very comfortable."

"I’d rather do nothing than make mistakes!"

Xue Ya, Gong Mei, and the Hidden Guard: ...

Seeing their expressions, Yun Jiao first pointed at Xue Ya: "After hearing these words, what are your thoughts?"

"I don’t quite understand, but what the Master says definitely makes sense."

Xue Ya looked at her with sparkling eyes.

When it was Gong Mei’s turn, she said: "When the Master gives birth to a Prince, please remind me in advance next time she says something like this, so I can quickly cover Little Highness’s ears."

...

Seeing Yun Jiao angry, Xue Ya opened the snacks in advance and offered some sweets to her master.

What she didn’t say was that she was not only too lazy to make an effort but also didn’t want to attend the Qiu Lie.

In ancient times, traveling meant twice the physical exertion. With her current low status, she wouldn’t receive a very comfortable travel experience. Just the jolts from sitting in a carriage would take half her life away – better to stay in the palace. In the eyes of others, Yun Jiao, after her first night of serving the Emperor, had been granted a title with limitless potential, and she should take advantage of this freshness to climb higher, but she had no motivation.

Climbing higher is a never-ending path.

Exhausting oneself in conflicts with people, with the heavens, and with oneself.

Once vying for favor, breast hyperplasia and ovarian cysts aren’t far behind.

This was not a baseless assumption of hers.

Ever since the news about the Emperor preparing for the Qiu Lie started spreading widely, tension at the daily greetings in Jianzhang Palace had been so thick it could explode at any moment. This time, the Empress sat the most composedly, as according to Yan Chi’s rules, under normal circumstances, the Empress was expected to accompany the Qiu Lie, and for the past half-month, she had been watching the concubines below her with cold eyes pulling at each other’s hair ornaments, smugly telling the mama at least three times: "I am the Central Palace Empress, ultimately different from them."

Lady also uncharacteristically spoke more, yet no one dared to respond.

In the palace, she played the role of a tender cousin, waiting for some foolish person to offend her so that she could justifiably faint from anger and elicit the Emperor’s pity. Everyone was aware of this, so they naturally said yes yes yes and good good good to whatever Lady said.

Lady’s frustration at having no script to perform was thus more genuine.

At this time, the Empress deliberately provoked her: "Lady seems thinner recently. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, it might not be appropriate to endure the travel. You should stay in the palace and rest properly."

Lady stood up and curtsied to the Empress: "The Empress’s instruction is right; I am in poor health by nature, and whenever the season changes, I tend to cough. Fortunately, the Emperor has given me tonics to nourish me, and just yesterday, the Imperial Physician checked my Peaceful Pulse and said there’s nothing wrong with my health."

I have tonics from the Emperor cousin; do you?

The Emperor cousin cares about my health; are you mad?

The people in the harem stealthily glanced at the Empress’s expression, concluding — she was very angry.

"What is Lady doing again?" The Empress’s face cooled: "This palace shows concern for you, how has it become ’a lesson’? You rising to admit fault makes it seem like I’m making things difficult for you."

"I did not intend it that way, please understand, Lady."

Tears of grievance welled up in Lady’s eyes, her bright eyes shimmering.

Back in the Eastern Palace, the Empress and Lady had always been at odds, like needle’s point against wheat awn.

This tactic of Lady’s might not work on others, but it always managed to anger the Empress.

"Since Lady did not mean it, when you return to Yanxi Palace, do avoid fainting from tears, needing both an Imperial Physician and the Emperor..."

Before the Empress could finish her words, Lady clutched her forehead and fainted.

"Lady, Lady!"

Two trained palace maids quickly supported her, avoiding any bumps.

This made the Empress’s face as dark as the pot she carried.

The inquiry that was originally to end in half an hour stretched to one and a half hours due to Lady’s well-timed fainting, including the Empress gritting her teeth to order: "Examine Lady’s pulse well; I want to see what the problem is exactly!" and Lady’s touching farewell to the Emperor.

Yun Jiao felt like a bystander in a palace intrigue drama, savoring the unfolding events heartily.

It was truly thrilling and truly frightening.

Therefore, when the list of attendees for the Qiu Lie was announced, Yun Jiao opted to decline.

The second time, there were slight changes in the list, with Concubine Feng missing.

The third time, Concubine Li was included.

The fourth time, Consort Ji was also brought along.

Each time, Yun Jiao was on the main list, clinging like a plaster, impossible to remove.

She racked her brains but couldn’t fathom why the Emperor insisted on taking her!

...

Xie Zhixing also couldn’t figure it out.

He originally thought Yun Family did not want to accompany the troublesome Concubine Feng or that she felt secure with the main lady, or perhaps preferred the company of Consort Ji? All incorrect assumptions, none of which she wanted.

What exactly did Yun Family want?

This question lingered in the Emperor’s mind, unresolved for a long time.

...

On the fifth decline, Concubine Wei led the amiable Consort Xu in for a visit, first exchanging pleasantries in seemingly good spirits, then cutting to the chase, essentially asking how she charmed the Emperor to earn a title after only one night and dining with the Emperor subsequently. What were the Emperor’s recent likings?

The straightforward questions took Yun Jiao by surprise, suggesting the two were indeed anxious.

Not entirely, for Concubine Wei thought Attendant Lady Xi’s mind wasn’t particularly perceptive, and feared a too indirect inquiry would confuse her.

"I don’t know," Yun Jiao replied sincerely. "Perhaps because I’m beautiful?"

"There are no ugly sisters in the harem."

"Then because I’m exceptionally beautiful."

The appeal of an 800-point appearance was evident; her starting stats were not for nothing.

Concubine Wei kept staring at Yun Jiao’s face, unbelievably halfway convinced, while Consort Xu, more beautiful than Concubine Wei and a famous beauty in the official’s circle before entering the palace, felt discontented at this.

"If Attendant Lady Xi doesn’t want to say, so be it, why tease us? Who hasn’t been favored after entering the palace, and in the future, you might need my help."

Concubine Wei listened, her thoughts in turmoil.

Indeed, a noble concubine’s visit to an Attendant Lady was a branch of goodwill; yet the other party was so dismissive, not even attempting to engage smoothly, which instantly cold her demeanor: "Concubine Li doesn’t enforce rules strictly; if you were in this palace, you’d relearn them. In the past, Attendant Ladies have never retained face, but the lowest for accompanying Qiu Lie was a Consort. Upon return, the Emperor might hardly recall you."

Concubine Wei set down her teacup, her silver-clad fingers slightly raised.

Inside, Yun Jiao felt she had been wronged.

In "Deep Palace," facing other concubine’s goodwill and solicitation, one can choose to gladly accept, politely decline, or decisively refuse; only the latter decreases favorability... Yet, Yun Jiao lacked social skills, thinking her demeanor already quite polite when Concubine Wei thought it lacked thoroughness and respect for her.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside.

A eunuch’s loud voice announced:

"The Emperor has arrived!"