CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 43: IF ONLY I COULD START OVER

We can’t just keep Attendant Lady Xi confined here without doing anything.

Nanny Mao knew well that she wouldn’t learn, but she had to teach her anyway. This wasn’t a big deal; it was a task entrusted by the master. Regardless of its usefulness, doing it was enough. But dealing with Attendant Lady Xi was another matter; she was too infuriating.

"I’ve taught all kinds of masters throughout my many years in the palace, but someone as stubborn as Attendant Lady Xi, this is the first time!"

Nanny Mao said.

Yun Jiao instantly translated it in her mind—

"You are the worst I’ve ever taught!"

It didn’t hurt or itch, and even had a touch of familiarity. Although she often missed school due to health reasons, she was not unfamiliar with this infamous phrase from teachers.

"Don’t bother thanking me for this insight."

"Doesn’t your heart feel guilty for learning the rules so poorly?"

"Nanny, you really underestimate me. Actually, I can do even worse,"

Yun Jiao placed her legs on the table.

The design of the palace clothing always prioritized aesthetics over convenience. Under its constraints, the Concubines found it difficult to make bold and open movements. Even if they could, the postures wouldn’t be graceful. Yun Jiao didn’t care about that; graceful postures were to serve others’ visual experiences, while being carefree was the beginning of rewarding herself: "However, you standing there with that wicked stepmother face is quite frightening, and my mental state isn’t very relaxed."

"Little lord, this isn’t what relaxation looks like. If you were truly relaxed, you’d end up sleeping in the Empress’s bed."

"Really? Can I?"

Yun Jiao perked up upon hearing that: "The Empress is so kind, I couldn’t possibly decline."

Heavens!

How vexing when she doesn’t move, how frightening when she does!

Nanny Mao quickly pressed her back into her seat, panting: "Little lord, it’s better to sit and learn, don’t wander around."

Yun Jiao’s pretty little face showed a trace of regret.

The first round of interaction, Nanny Mao slightly lost.

The second round began, and Nanny Mao didn’t give up on irritating her. While teaching her the rules, she subtly brought up past stories: "In my many years in the palace, I’ve seen many favored masters; the arrogant ones never end well. Receiving a moment of the Emperor’s favor makes them think they are different, and their grievances will always be redressed. Justice lies in people’s hearts... until the new becomes favored, only to realize they are nothing!"

As exalted as the Emperor is, a true dragon in the sky, even he can’t deal with affairs as decisively as stories suggest. Right or wrong, black or white — they’re not always clear. Even he is sometimes forced to endure grievances from Prince Kang.

If he’s like this himself, he won’t care who in the harem is aggrieved.

As long as major matters aren’t mistaken, everything is left to the Empress to handle.

The only ones who can achieve justice are those the Emperor treasures in his heart.

"Nanny Mao."

Seeing Yun Jiao look over, Nanny Mao, thinking she had affected her, was secretly pleased: "What is it, little lord?"

"Of all the masters you’ve seen, does that include the Empress?"

Yun Jiao perked her little ears with curiosity.

The deadly question suddenly landed on Nanny Mao’s face.

Nanny Mao blushed, cutting her off: "The Empress is the leader of the harem. How can ordinary Concubines be compared to her? If it were rumored, Attendant Lady Xi would be guilty of disrespecting the Empress!" But since it was she who started it, she dared not report.

No gossip to enjoy, Yun Jiao looked away disappointed.

"The Empress does not punish you; it’s her benevolence."

Nanny Mao said coolly: "Today, the Emperor had Ying Lu deliver a set of Red Gold Treasure Headpiece, a gift from Prince Kesha, to the Empress. During the days Attendant Lady Xi was learning the rules, did the Emperor inquire about you?"

She stared fixedly at Yun Jiao, trying to find traces of shaking, to break her mental defenses.

Would it be disappointment?

Uneasiness?

Or felt offended?

But Yun Jiao brought two fingers together, gestured over her forehead: "Don’t inquire about the Emperor’s matters."

Dog-head holding rose. JPG

Nanny Mao: "..."

This old servant, who’s been in the palace for half a lifetime, wanted to hit someone for the first time.

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

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hunting ground, the Emperor was having a headache.

This Qiu Lie brought not just one tribe; Kesha presented a beauty that stole the limelight, making another Tushetu Tribe prince displeased. He proposed a martial contest between their strongmen and Emperor Yan Chi’s guards to engage in friendly competition. The sons of the various princes also started joining in.

These nomadic tribes are all fierce fighters, and many noble princes were eager to have a go.

But they naturally wouldn’t duel with guards, which would lower their status, so they turned their sights to the princes seated on stage.

When the first prince intended to challenge Emperor Yan Chi’s princes, Xie Zhixing’s first reaction was to have Old Third take the hit.

"Where’s Prince Kang?"

Xie Zhixing scanned below but found Old Third’s seat empty.

Ying Lu whispered: "Your Majesty, Prince Kang, feeling unwell from the drink, has retired to the tent to rest."

...

He knew it!

Just like at the Imperial Study, whenever he rounded up the mischievous brothers, before getting caught, he was already long gone, out of sight!

"Third Brother has a weak constitution; even if he’s not in the tent, he’s probably not fit for company."

"Yes, Brother should consider Third Brother’s health more."

The other princes left on site didn’t even realize they had been sold, which made Xie Zhixing feel sour — every single one of them made excuses for Old Third, yet when it came to him, he was deemed unkind and too harsh! Could they not see that Third Brother was just a fair-weather friend selling out others?

These noble princes, with their ample martial virtue, regularly duel, and in such diplomatic settings, they mustn’t falter or lose face.

Xie Zhixing fiddled with his thumb ring, ready to pick the most irksome of these unlucky brothers to take a beating, when Prince Duan stepped forth: "Since Bater is so gracious with his invitation, this prince will spar with you."

The prairie winds whistled, accentuating his extraordinary disposition.

Seated at the head, Xie Zhixing, who was initially relaxed, now couldn’t sit still.

Second Brother’s martial arts were good, but how could he match these barbarians?

"Hardly a lesson, just a bit of sparring!"

Bater laughed heartily.

Under the blazing sun, Prince Duan turned back, throwing a reassuring smile at his Brother.

Xie Zhixing: No, I feel not assured at all.

But as the two had already begun, he could only keep a stern face and watch closely, ready to call a halt at any moment.

Yet, the brave and resolute Prince Duan wasn’t without a plan. Anticipating such occasions with the Qiu Lie approaching, he had resumed practicing horsemanship and martial arts, fearing his brother’s moment of need would go unanswered.

After a heated exchange, he surprisingly held his own against Bater.

Sadly, with less dueling experience, he missed a flaw and suffered a regretful defeat.

After respectfully saluting, he returned to his seat with an undeniable sense of loss. Even without speaking, Xie Zhixing could guess what he was thinking — he believed the gap between them wasn’t that large and that he’d have a chance if he could do it over.

If only he could try again...

Xie Zhixing’s heart stirred, and he called for Ying Lu: "Prepare a snack stuffed with cilantro and deliver it to Attendant Lady Xi; she must eat it all."