CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 57: THANKING XIE EN IN PERSON (PART 2)

After being promoted to Consort, what truly delighted Yun Jiao was that the Imperial Household sent over a crowd of twenty-six people, both men and women, for Consort Xi to choose at her leisure. If she was not satisfied with this batch, she could return them all until she found the ones she desired.

When she saw these twenty-six people, Yun Jiao thought that the threshold for applying to the harem was high, as none were ugly, all possessing a certain smartness.

What she didn’t know was that to be among these twenty-six people, apart from a few who were exceptionally outstanding, others had greased the wheels with enough Silver Tael and had the desire to maneuver. To the palace maids and eunuchs, Xianfu Palace was undoubtedly a hot spot now, especially since Consort Xi had only two Chief Palace Maids by her side for the time being. Joining now meant a bright future ahead.

After studying the Emperor’s intentions, Ying Lu felt that Consort Xi was someone the Emperor cherished deeply.

Thus, when choosing palace attendants for Consort Xi, he was meticulous, ensuring that even those wishing to use Silver Tael to pull strings had to be efficient and pleasant-looking. No defective goods were to be brought before Consort Xi.

The eunuchs’ thoughtful flattery truly was meticulous and thorough.

Unfortunately, Yun Jiao didn’t grasp the reasons behind it; she just found the selection process quite enjoyable, no wonder the Emperor held it every three years.

So many handsome men and beautiful women for her to choose from!

"Who do you think is best?"

After reviewing the sent individuals, Yun Jiao returned to the room and discussed with her two palace maids: "Since we’ll be working together in the future, I don’t want endless conflicts among my people... But if you’re vying for my favor, then that seems quite alright."

Once the idea came to Yun Jiao’s mind, she quickly basked in the joy of pretty maidens competing for her favor.

Xue Ya asked, "Which ones do you fancy, Mistress?"

Yun Jiao mentioned those she found pleasing, and Gong Mei frowned, "The ones Mistress picks are all too striking. Serving by your side with more chances to meet the Holy Face, I fear those restless hussies might develop ulterior motives."

Xue Ya countered, "What Mistress likes is most important, besides, they only seem average and can’t compare to Mistress’s beauty."

"Better safe than sorry."

"We’ll keep a close eye, and if anyone acts out of line, they can be sent back to the Imperial Household."

"A wise man keeps away from danger, better to choose some plain and honest workers."

"Mistress just likes good looks!"

The two stood firm in their opinions, while Yun Jiao cupped her cheeks with her hands.

She found both sides made valid points, and on top of that, watching beauties argue was also enjoyable.

Xue Ya turned her head and asked, "Mistress, do you find my argument valid, or is Gong Mei’s?"

Yun Jiao: "...I don’t know!"

Yun Jiao’s opinions usually depended on the last person who spoke to her.

Finally, after numerous deliberations, the three of them decided on the chosen ones.

Yun Jiao kept six of them back.

The two palace maids were renamed Spirit Grass and Naxi, while the four eunuchs weren’t given special names but were ordered according to Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. With eunuchs around, the two Chief Palace Maids could later hand over some of the strenuous and dirty tasks to them.

The six who stayed behind were waiting for the instructions from Consort Xi.

And thus, the scene from earlier unfolded.

Those who could make it to the front of Xianfu Palace, even if not top-class, were standout figures among the palace maids and eunuchs, having gone through significant intrigue and scheming—good spots were scarce, and only those who understood socializing would be remembered by the Chief during assignments.

Such a group of outstanding figures all bowed their heads to listen to Consort Xi’s instructions.

Even though they felt this Consort Xi looked delicate and somewhat immature, intuition would suggest she was a simple girl with no deep schemes. However, recalling her undefeated victories since entering the palace and the big trap set for Concubine Jiang, they dared not underestimate her, thinking she might just be feigning innocence as a strategy.

"The Mistress is kind and generous, we will not easily believe outside rumors."

"We have long heard of the Mistress’s benevolent heart. Being chosen by her is indeed our blessing."

...

Hearing them spouting flattery, Yun Jiao found it rather discordant.

She didn’t want to be a good woman. Good women go to heaven, but women like her dominate here and there.

At this moment, a figure dressed in vivid yellow stepped over the threshold, asking with a smile, "I did not know that the new Consort Xi I’ve conferred has been rumored outside to be a venomous woman?"

The newly arrived palace maids and eunuchs knelt to the ground, both shocked and pleased.

Shocked because it was their first time seeing the Emperor; pleased because they had not come to the wrong place—Consort Xi were indeed highly favored, a hot spot indeed.

"This concubine greets the Emperor."

Yun Jiao saluted and, after Xie Zhixing helped her to her feet, she whispered, "Why did the Emperor not announce your arrival? I did not come out to greet you from afar, how improper!"

"Consort Xi,"

Xie Zhixing feigned casualness and asked, "How come this time you didn’t detect my footsteps?"

"Uh..."

Seeing Yun Jiao’s expression like a cat whose tail was stepped on, Xie Zhixing felt somewhat amused. He didn’t rush her but patiently waited for her to come up with an excuse. To his surprise, the next moment, she blinked her eyes innocently and cupped her hands, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"What is there to congratulate?"

"This time I didn’t detect Your Majesty’s footsteps, indicating that your martial arts have made considerable progress without you realizing it. Quite a commendation!" Yun Jiao turned to the new palace maids and eunuchs and commanded, "Hurry and join me in congratulating the Emperor!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The crowd all chimed in congratulations.

Xie Zhixing: ...

His martial arts could only be described as not neglected; he genuinely didn’t have the time to train further.

Xie Zhixing quietly observed Yun Jiao for a moment. She, feeling a bit guilty under his gaze, threw herself into his arms, trying to cutely muddle through, "Your Majesty, I haven’t yet thanked you in person for promoting me. I’m truly so happy and so moved!"

At this moment, Yun Jiao deeply regretted her habit of fast-forwarding in games she played — besides the driving parts, she scarcely stopped to carefully view the interactions between players and the Emperor. In some palace intrigue game players’ strategy, the Emperor was merely a tool; wasn’t watching concubines fight and poison each other much more interesting than courting the Emperor?

If she had earnestly learned the storyline, she would have known the template for privately thanking the Emperor.

"Your vocabulary is so sparse it surprises me."

"Faced with sincerity, words fall so pale," Yun Jiao said.

Xie Zhixing was truly amazed.

Every time he spent time with Yun Jiao, he discovered new flaws in this fairy—today she added another one—she clearly knew she lacked captivating, elegant words, yet still wanted to argue with him. He could fully imagine her saying "I lost! But I haven’t truly lost" if she were to lose a chess match.

This was also why, despite Yun Jiao frequently stirring his emotions, Xie Zhixing was confident that he would not truly fall for her.

Who would fall in love with someone who reveals new shortcomings every day?

"Then what isn’t pale? Show me," he challenged.