CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 213: WISDOM IN SIMPLICITY

Concubine Li’s emotions were like a roller coaster.

The high, was that Attendant Lady Xi unexpectedly spoke well of her in front of the Emperor.

The low, was that she spoke but it was better not to have spoken.

She held back, but couldn’t: "Emperor, I have something I want to say."

Seeing that she was about to burst, Xie Zhixing allowed her to speak.

"During the Qiu Lie, I don’t want to stay in the palace, I also want to accompany the entourage, Attendant Lady Xi..." Concubine Li wanted to say Attendant Lady Xi could stay wherever she wanted, it had nothing to do with her, the two had no connection nor grudges, but her emotional intelligence was higher than Yun Jiao’s, so after considering the Emperor’s mindset, she smiled brightly: "If I can go on the Qiu Lie together, I will definitely take good care of Attendant Lady Xi. Besides, I would quite like her company too!"

She had picked up on the fact that the Emperor very much wanted Attendant Lady Xi to accompany him, yet he was stubborn about pride—in most cases, there are no absolute enemies in the harem, although the "Emperor" is a unique resource, the "imperial favor" can be divided into many parts. As long as the Qiu Lie trip includes her, she and Attendant Lady Xi could immediately become like sisters.

Her implication was clear, she wanted to team up with Yun Jiao.

Concubine Wei’s expression changed immediately upon realization.

She resented Concubine Li for her adaptability, and envied her for having a reliable partner in the palace.

"It seems you get along well with Attendant Lady Xi," Xie Zhixing said.

"The Jade Bracelet Attendant Lady Xi wears was gifted by me, though it’s not top-quality."

Concubine Li’s claim of it not being top-notch was a show of modesty.

A gift from a Concubine could not be too shabby, even if it wasn’t the piece she wore most often, it was still a commendable jade accessory, not cheap at all.

Xie Zhixing looked over, and indeed Yun Jiao sported a jade bracelet on her wrist. He nodded: "The quality is a bit lacking, yet Attendant Lady Xi never parts with it, so it seems she has a good rapport with Concubine Li?"

Yun Jiao: "This is the best bracelet out of all the possessions I have."

I don’t quite understand your imperial children’s standards for assessing jewelry.

Xie Zhixing raised his eyebrow: "If you do well accompanying me, I shall reward you with a complete set of jade headpieces."

The Yan Chi had flourished ever since Empress Haotian and Emperor Ruiwu’s generation, laying a strong and prosperous foundation for their descendants, nurturing the new Emperor’s generous nature towards granting rewards to officials—you need to provide enough silver taels if you want something done, if you don’t, then the officials are more focused on earning money rather than getting things done, so what’s the point. People shouldn’t be afraid of desires, just that they can be fulfilled.

And so far, Xie Zhixing hadn’t figured out Yun Jiao’s desires.

He wouldn’t believe it was solely glutinous rice and pork.

Yun Jiao turned to Concubine Li, intending to express that she was content with the jade bracelet Concubine Li had given her, only to be met with Concubine Li’s plea-filled gaze, silently saying—please don’t drag me into this.

Seeing Attendant Lady Xi still hesitating, Concubine Wei and Consort Xu were grinding their molars to dust.

What’s she waiting for to agree?

Insolent behavior!

However, seeing the Emperor ask yet again, and while he pondered, he said: "If you’re worried about the inconvenience, you can stay in my carriage on the way there and back, and once we’re there, I’ll arrange a tent for you. Attendant Lady Xi, do you think that’s alright?"

Xie Zhixing thought, if Yun Jiao still didn’t agree, the fairy might truly dislike going out.

He didn’t expect Yun Jiao to agree so readily.

So readily that he began to doubt all his previous regressions in time were just a fluke.

Xie Zhixing observed once more.

Just then, after the meal, fruits were presented, and Consort Xu placed a large, round orange on a porcelain dish before Yun Jiao.

Yun Jiao politely declined: "Thank you, but I’m not very fond of oranges."

A while later, Xue Ya approached and peeled the orange.

Yun Jiao said in surprise: "Thank you, how did you know I liked oranges."

...

Suddenly, Xie Zhixing was unsure again.

Maybe, the fairy genuinely disliked the travel conditions?

Yet he didn’t know what the fairy had in mind after descending to the mortal realm, in many romances between scholars and spirit fairies, often once one side reveals the truth, the other would leave in sorrow. Xie Zhixing didn’t want to raise her suspicion nor invite criticism from the previous dynasty for promoting her status too fast.

While he pondered many things, others merely thought—

So, the Emperor actually likes this demeanor?

A bit surprising.

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

After the meal, Xie Zhixing didn’t linger long at the Xianfu Palace.

After coaxing the fairy to accompany him on the Qiu Lie, he had to return to the Qiankun Palace to review documents.

Concubine Wei was left in a daze, as having a princess under her care afforded her frequent opportunities to see the Emperor, even though he no longer favored her, she understood his character better... The late Emperor’s sons were all outstanding; Xie Zhixing excelled among them through extraordinary diligence compared to his brothers, thus among them he was the least indulgent in pleasures, neither lazy nor greedy for beauty. His care for compatible consorts was moderate, and he never doted excessively, the way he treated Attendant Lady Xi was unprecedented, hence Concubine Wei handled Attendant Lady Xi with additional caution.

"I wanted to serve the two Concubines, but Attendant Lady Xi commands me without any courtesy."

Consort Xu, who had experienced less, did not think deeply and when the Emperor left, remarked snidely to Yun Jiao.

Yun Jiao: "You blocked my palace maid."

"If you weren’t doing it on purpose, then are you just inconsiderate?"

Yun Jiao showed a troubled expression and gave Consort Xu an unexpected response:

"One cannot forsake meals for empathy, right!"

Consort Xu wanted to say more but was stopped cold by Concubine Wei’s "Let’s go," leaving while turning back several times with reluctance.

After watching the two depart from the Xianfu Palace, Concubine Li invited Yun Jiao to the main hall.

"Sister Concubine Li..."

"No, I should call you sister, I was really scared just now." Concubine Li said, still shaken.

Yun Jiao mentioned that wasn’t proper etiquette and it would spark gossip.

"Then we can each call the other sister, you call me sister, and I’ll call you sister."

Truth be told, Yun Jiao also couldn’t fathom where the Emperor’s attentiveness toward her came from. By all accounts, she had only spent the night once, demonstrating neither remarkable bedroom skills nor hearing any sweet nothings from him, so his constant caring for her was shrouded in mystery.

So she thought, and she shared these thoughts with Concubine Li.

Concubine Li couldn’t believe it!

"The Emperor treats you as if he’s bound to you for lifetimes, and I’ve heard the Emperor likes intelligent women, which you don’t quite embody."

In terms of beauty, with her title of "Li" suggesting exceptional looks, Concubine Li believed the Emperor wasn’t one to be bewitched by feminine charm.

Yun Jiao disagreed: "I’m just so subtly intelligent, wise yet seemingly simple-minded."

To which Concubine Li would rather believe she eclipses the whole harem with her beauty.

"Did you really never ask before?"

"I thought the Emperor would forget me the next day, it wasn’t a significant matter."

Having a healthy body in this lifetime was more than enough for Yun Jiao, and she didn’t plan to waste her time pondering the four great pointless questions in life—does he love me? how much? why does he love me? what exactly does he love about me?

If a man was good to her, she accepted it; if not, she avoided him.

Not resisting, not initiating, most importantly, not taking responsibility.

"Next time you see the Emperor, why not ask him? With how the Emperor treated you today, surely he would not be displeased if you asked directly."

In light of the jade bracelet Concubine Li gifted, Yun Jiao agreed.