CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: WAVES ON THE DOUBLE BED WITH A RED QUILT

The Emperor summoned Attendant Lady Xi right in front of Lady.

The imperial carriage was noticeably different from others; despite the horses galloping, those seated inside hardly felt any bumps. It featured not only a large bed accommodating two but also a low table and a stove for the Emperor to play chess and enjoy tea. Lady gently stirred the bird’s nest soup in a small cup with a spoon, maintaining a peaceful and serene demeanor, her lips curled into a faint smile, as if unconcerned about the Emperor summoning another concubine for company.

She indeed was not angry.

In the harem existed many jealous women, their fates and emotions tightly tethered to the Emperor’s whims, inevitably fostering jealousy in them. Among those Lady knew, the most prone to jealousy was the Empress, whose desire to monopolize the Emperor tortured her into a somber and awkward disposition. Although Lady adored her cousin greatly, she never envisioned exclusive favor, content as long as her cousin remembered her.

Monopoly meant bearing all childbirth risks alone.

Having one prince was great, two was a miraculous blessing, three was a glorious legacy... If there was no one else, continuously giving birth, occupying the queen’s position for five or six years, and the eldest son just learning to read, it would soon be time to think of a title for his mother empress.

"This concubine pays respects to the Emperor."

Xie Zhixing nodded, "Take a seat."

Having witnessed Lady command a eunuch to push Consort Ji into the water, Yun Jiao dared not truly sit. After standing up, she formally greeted Lady, yet before her body could bend, a pair of fragrant hands supported her, "The Emperor bids you sit, so sit; no need for extra courtesies."

Yun Jiao expressed her gratitude again and then sat down.

She sat below Lady, discovering that the Emperor and the concuby were also not conversing much. The Emperor was engrossed in reading documents, and the anticipated alluring scene of two women serving one man did not occur.

Yet, Lady was quite accustomed to this situation.

The Emperor, diligent over state affairs, governed the court with a strong sense of control, attending personally to matters big and small. Despite living in peaceful times, he never dropped his guard. Even the poorest and most remote county magistrate often received reprimands from the Emperor, "Why so long without presenting matters to me? Living in Taoyuan Village, are you? Or are you simply apathetic, never considering improving the people’s living standards?"

In the distant past, local officials couldn’t directly submit memorials to the Emperor.

Memorials had to be scrutinized and approved by either a governor before submission.

Yet, this frequently led to incidents of deceit and concealment; during Empress Haotian and Emperor Ruiwu’s reigns, the system was optimized to the current one. However, it was akin to a simulation game—the more details could be controlled, the more time and energy players (or in this case, the Emperor) had to invest, indirectly significantly increasing the Emperor’s workload.

Previously, when Lady accompanied the Emperor, it was often like this.

While the Emperor reviewed memorials, she was there beside him like a serene and beautiful ornament.

Now with another person around, Lady had no intention of making things difficult for Yun Jiao, simply seeing no need to converse with her, sitting at the opposite ends. Lady’s grace was impeccable, maintaining her position firmly.

However...

Yun Jiao could not manage!

She thought with two concubines summoned, surely, they’d be seated on either side, deftly feeding grapes to the majesty with silver forks! Yet, doing nothing, just sitting there—Lady could actually endure it.

Yun Jiao sat for a while, feeling as if ants were scrambling all over her body.

"Attendant Lady Xi, is it uncomfortable for you to sit in My carriage?"

Xie Zhixing, noticing her restless appearance, asked.

Yet, while asking, he already had a negative answer in mind—how could anyone be uncomfortable in My carriage, far superior in quality compared to others’?

"Would the Emperor permit this concubine to speak truthfully?"

Yun Jiao poised herself to save face, in case of imperial pettiness, readying to offer a commercial reply.

"Speak."

"No matter how grand, this is, after all, the Emperor’s carriage, not a place of this concubine. Seated, I fear breaching etiquette; standing, I fear incurring imperial displeasure, and even wishing to recline is unthinkable."

Lady listened, a gleam flashing in her eyes.

So this was Attendant Lady Xi’s way of currying favor in the Emperor’s presence, exhibiting a maiden’s charming frailty. If she dared a bit more, perhaps she’d strike a slumbering beauty’s pose on the couch, enticing the Emperor. Such myriad charms were beyond ordinary aristocrats’ daughters.

Undeniably, she was more capable than her cousin.

While Lady pondered, Xie Zhixing spoke, "Until we reach the hunting grounds, treat this space as your carriage; you need not adhere to ceremonial restraint, I’ll absolve you." His tone was light, yet what he said held indulgent leniency.

Actually, while Yun Jiao believed she disguised her feelings well, in the Emperor’s eyes, she was like a kitten incessantly waving its tail and licking its paws. The tighter she held herself, the more conspicuous she became, better to let her follow her instincts: "Lady has a good temperament, she surely will not countenance you."

The gracefully-tempered Lady could only smile.

She also wished to see Attendant Lady Xi’s tactics in vying for favor.

"Truly?"

Yun Jiao’s eyes brightened.

"Indeed, I speak no falsehoods."

As soon as these words left His lips, Yun Jiao lay on the couch.

Lady’s eyes darkened, Xie Zhixing paused with the document in his hands, softly asking, "No mischief, I lack time to entertain you now."

"No worries, Emperor, this concubine merely wishes to lie down. With only one bed here, if the Emperor wishes to lie down, I’d have to move aside, you see."

Yun Jiao laughed heartily.

Beside, Ying Lu, standing with bowed head, could barely hold back—Little Lady, that bed’s for the Emperor to enjoy concubines along the journey!

At this, Lady softly remarked, "The bed is quite large, enough for two with space to spare."

"Would you care to join me, Lady?"

said Yun Jiao, patting the empty spot beside her, warmly inviting.

Lady: "That won’t be necessary."

She merely wished to see what bewitching poses Attendant Lady Xi might assume to seduce her cousin, to learn a bit herself...

The next moment, Lady witnessed Attendant Lady Xi rolling back and forth on the couch.

Rolling from one side, to the other.

Roll, roll.

"..."

Lady was at a loss for comprehension, utterly astounded.

If witnessing her tumbling to the forest ground last time was akin to fluff rolling, this was a round slice of rolling meat.

Soon, Yun Jiao tired from rolling; with no palace maid by her side, she felt a tad bored: "Emperor, this concubine is hungry."

Xie Zhixing: "Whatever you wish to eat, tell Ying Lu."

Only then did Yun Jiao notice a eunuch standing in the corner.

Given the journey, prepared meals requiring cooking weren’t readily available; Yun Jiao requested some cold dishes and fruits, lying sideways as she ate, watching the Emperor review documents.

How delightful to lie down watching the boss work overtime.

Noticing her gaze clinging to him, Xie Zhixing frowned: "Do you wish Me to accompany you?"

Yun Jiao shook her head quickly.

Lady softly suggested: "If Attendant Lady Xi feels bored, perhaps a game of chess?"

Such intellectual activities didn’t usually interest Yun Jiao, but then again, lacking entertainment options on the carriage, she agreed, stating she’d join after lying down a bit longer.

Xie Zhixing sensed an ominous premonition rising within him.