CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 51: NEW CLOTHES (PART 2)

"Concubine Jiang sent an invitation for her birthday to me, and I was just worrying about finding a way to save money. I thought it best to give her calligraphy and painting I’d done myself, which costs nothing but some ink."

In this instance, Yun Jiao felt there was no need to hide from the Emperor.

"Are you short of silver? I recall giving you quite a lot."

Xie Zhixing knew the palace was hard to navigate without silver taels, and had privately and openly gifted her plenty, to prevent her from repeatedly dwelling on past troubles for a tael or two, which would only irritate him. Yun Jiao shook her head: "If I had to say I was lacking, I’d say no, but I’m not on good terms with Concubine Jiang; she always targets me. Last time she wanted to kill Red Rabbit for food, I just don’t want to gift her anything valuable!"

Being stingy is quite plain.

After saying this, Yun Jiao curiously observed the Emperor’s reaction.

In traditional palace intrigue novels, emperors are generally divided into two factions.

One faction finds her refreshing and unpretentious, appreciating her genuineness.

Another faction thinks she lacks tact and doesn’t understand when to keep peace, bothering him over trivial matters.

"Oh."

Xie Zhixing sat down, holding a cup of tea.

His expression was indifferent, revealing no thoughts on her words. Yun Jiao was really curious, so she voiced her question.

"Your opinion?"

Feeling the room was stuffy, Xie Zhixing pushed the window open a crack, letting strands of cold air seep in from outside: "I listened to you but didn’t quite understand."

Such a small matter’s dilemma was difficult for the Emperor to empathize with, leaving him without thoughts.

However, seeing Yun Jiao cared, he offered advice: "Just sending a cheap gift, is that your strategy?"

"Unless the Emperor has something better? She’s a Concubine, inviting me—a little Attendant Lady—to attend. I must crawl if I have to, or it would be disrespectful to her."

The dog Emperor stands speaking without his waist aching.

Still, the dog Emperor did have a better suggestion: "Concubine Jiang’s birthday banquet also invited me. On that day, if I don’t go and summon you to accompany me, then you needn’t go either."

Yun Jiao: "..."

This guy really knows how to irritate.

Otherwise, why would people call him the dog Emperor? Yun Jiao thought about the image—too beautiful to bear—on her birthday, it’s like floating a slap over, Concubine Jiang might faint in anger at her birthday banquet.

If Lady hadn’t killed Concubine Jiang’s horse, Yun Jiao might be tempted.

But she thought Concubine Jiang had already received her due punishment.

"No need for that. Emperor, wouldn’t this make enemies for me in the palace? Seeing Concubine Jiang treated this way on her birthday, other sisters might feel a sense of impending doom."

Xie Zhixing casually put down the teacup: "With me here, even if you become enemies with the entire harem, nobody can harm you."

"But why would I want to be enemies with the entire harem, Emperor?"

Yun Jiao was quite puzzled.

While she hadn’t said her relationships in the harem were strong, she was generally amiable with others.

Xie Zhixing leisurely said: "Because I’m here."

Wherever the Emperor’s favor lies, that person will be opposed by the entire harem.

Yun Jiao suddenly had a brilliant idea: "I really thought of a way the Emperor could help, but I’m just not sure if you’d be willing to cooperate."

"Feel free to say."

"My calligraphy and paintings aren’t great, presenting them as birthday gifts would be laughed at, others might think I’m disrespecting Concubine Jiang. But if the Emperor adds a few words or a seal to my work, then no one would dare say my paintings are bad!"

One inspiration comes from Emperor Qianlong.

The other is from a past life where Yun Jiao saw many people add thick, fancy watermarks to their QQ avatars. Some artwork had rough lines but once layered with watermarks, it appeared quite nice! When details were lacking, watermarks made up for it.

In times when imperial authority reigned supreme, with the Emperor’s signature stamp, Yun Jiao wanted to see who would dare say her paintings were bad!

Xie Zhixing listened and started to see her in a new light.

Opinions are indeed unfair, when someone known for simplicity presents an ingenious practical idea, it inevitably receives more praise. He didn’t expect ivory to emerge from a dog’s mouth and agreed: "But if my calligraphy is gifted to someone else, you won’t feel hurt or jealous?"

Thinking about the large amount of silver she’d save, Yun Jiao was happy and naturally agreed with the Emperor: "I feel so hurt, so jealous."

"If your mouth didn’t curve upwards, I might believe it. Once you finish the painting, send it to Qiankun Palace via a palace maid. I actually came to see you today for another matter."

Just then, Ying Lu entered with a rather unfamiliar eunuch following behind.

After introducing himself, Yun Jiao learned he was the Chief of the Clothing Bureau, and the tiger skin had been processed. He came to tailor a coat for her based on any requirements she might have.

"I don’t know much about clothing, so I won’t make too many requests and sound like an outsider."

The eunuch quickly expressed servile fear: "Any requirement from the small master will be fulfilled. Is this not the tiger skin personally hunted by the Emperor? How precious! The Emperor ordered it to be made to make sure the small master is satisfied, so feel free to make bold requests."

Yun Jiao thought for a bit: "I want the coat made with a hood style, and recreate tiger ears on the hood."

Initially, he didn’t understand, but Yun Jiao quickly sketched what the tiger ear hood would look like on nearby paper, and he immediately grasped it.

"Is this doable?"

"Absolutely doable, it must be doable. The small master’s idea is wonderfully ingenious, and once made, it will come alive!"

Hearing so much praise, Yun Jiao began anticipating: "Can it be done by the end of the month?"

The eunuch hesitated, looking troubled.

Understanding she wanted it before Concubine Jiang’s birthday, Xie Zhixing instructed: "Work quickly."

With the Emperor’s orders, even if it were impossible, it must be done.

"I understand, I must finish it before the end of the month," the eunuch acknowledged.

...

New happenings are rare in the palace, so Concubine Jiang’s birthday plans have become the talk of the town.

The Consorts and Attendant Ladies hesitate at the thought of themselves; Concubine Li and Concubine Wei among others do not plan to serve as decorations, ordering hidden pearls and headpieces, or commanding the Clothing Bureau to cut new clothes overnight. Unfortunately, no matter who rushed, the answer was always the same: "Sorry Lady, embroidery staff is tight, please don’t hurry, once the end of the month passes, we can rearrange."

The Chief Palace Maid sent to the Clothing Bureau, Liu Mei, raised her eyebrows: "Bold, what good are new clothes after the end of the month? This is Concubine Wei’s command, why not put others on hold? We need both Lady’s latest attire and the Princess’s; can you bear responsibility if Lady’s matters are delayed?"

But the Clothing Bureau remained unmoved, stating they really couldn’t free themselves.

The palace maid had no choice but to return to report to her master.

Upon hearing, Concubine Wei was furious, calming halfway: "Check if they’re busy making new clothes for Lady?"