CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 58: CONCUBINE’S LIFE IS YOURS

This was no obstacle for Yun Jiao.

"Emperor,"

she took Xie Zhixing’s hand and placed it on her neck.

He was momentarily stunned.

Xie Zhixing rarely touched other people’s necks; his life was always as efficient as a meticulously crafted machine, even in his visits to the concubines. Only with Yun Jiao did he attempt to please and comfort her because she felt a bit of pain during their first time together, which made him try to break out of a cycle and ensure she felt no pain.

The neck was not meant for flirting.

But when Yun Jiao happily took his hand and placed it there, he instinctively curled his fingers slightly, feeling the delicate and tender flesh in his palm. He could feel the movement of her throat as she swallowed. He realized how thin, how fragile a young lady’s neck was, and his hand almost covered the entire thing, leaving a beautiful little face seemingly without a neck, just a head.

It was supposed to be a sultry gesture.

But it was Yun Jiao after all!

When his hand tightened slightly, she went limp, looked up at him, and laughed with crescent eyes: "Emperor, my life is yours."

She had read a few domineering CEO novels after all.

"Is that so?" Xie Zhixing habitually pinched her cheek, "Not just your life, but the lives of your entire clan belong to me."

"..."

Darn, the domineering CEO novels were no match for the Emperor!

Yun Jiao’s anger rose, boldness grew: "Then does the Emperor want to bring my entire clan into the palace? My great-grandfather is seventy-six this year; I’m afraid he can’t endure the Emperor’s toying."

She quickly saved her progress before she said this.

Being reckless is fine, as long as you remember to save in time.

This one sentence was astonishing, as people have seen entire clans perish by a single phrase, but not enter the palace.

"What kind of person do you take me for? Even concubines entering the palace have standards."

Xie Zhixing found it both frustrating and hilarious.

Especially her great-grandfather, what is going on inside the fairy’s head!

"So the Emperor thinks my great-grandfather is no longer pure."

"You’d better stop talking,"

Frustrated but amused, Xie Zhixing covered her mouth, leaving only a pair of bright, clear eyes visible, "We can talk inside."

He led her into the room, where tea and snacks were already prepared, and asked, "Have you chosen a suitable Palace Attendant? If not enough, I can assign two more."

"It’s enough, thank you, Emperor. Even if I were paralyzed, I doubt I’d need eight people bustling around."

Xie Zhixing glanced around:

"Your current residence is small, but you will need them in the future. You can’t handle everything personally. You might not even see the palace maids and eunuchs doing the rough work once a year."

Xianfu Palace, being newly renovated, looked fresh and bright, even if it was just the west wing. In the Emperor’s eyes, it was a completely small house. However, Yun Jiao was quite content; not only did she have her own little courtyard, but after getting along well with Concubine Li, she could visit the main hall’s front yard and play on the big swing.

But since the Emperor said so, Yun Jiao did not object.

If others treat her well, she accepts it happily and straightforwardly.

"The ink and pigments I sent you?"

Yun Jiao said they were all stored in the storeroom.

"I sent them for you to use,"

Xie Zhixing frowned slightly, "Last time, because of the time crunch, I didn’t mention that you indeed lack skills in painting. You need to practice more."

When that Birthday Celebration Painting was spread open, Xie Zhixing was pinching his nose in dismay.

No matter from which angle he placed his seal, it seemed to taint his reputation—although he didn’t have a strong affection for books and paintings, nor did he, like the late Emperor, enjoy stamping rare authentic works. But since he promised Yun Jiao, he eventually stamped it in a less conspicuous corner.

"Practice a piece of calligraphy every day, and submit a painting to me each month."

"...Ah?"

Yun Jiao was dumbfounded.

She cautiously reverted to a previous save point.

Emperor: "Practice two pieces of calligraphy each day, and submit two paintings to me each month."

Yun Jiao: !!!

Why did it double all of a sudden!

This wasn’t how she imagined it!

Yun Jiao panicked, grabbing his hand: "Emperor, since my paintings aren’t good, why not spare your eyes from the offense."

The Emperor’s command is greater than the heavens.

Though anxious, she somewhat resigned herself to fate.

Thinking in romance novels, the Emperor would mostly say he didn’t mind, that no matter how poorly she painted, it was the best in his heart.

"You speak reason," Xie Zhixing pondered, "Among the harem, Concubine Wei is the best at painting. You can have her review your work. As for the calligraphy, I’ll let Minister Xu see it; I’ll just listen to their critiques, no need to present it to hurt my eyes."

Yun Jiao: ...

No, she humbly positioned her work low, so why didn’t the Emperor refute it, but instead agreed directly?

Yun Jiao felt a bit hurt.

She lamented as though spread like a pancake dried under the sun, half on the table and half dangling below: "Emperor, my paintings aren’t that bad, you’ve only seen the best since birth and haven’t viewed my kind of mediocrity; it’s you who lacks broad knowledge."

Ying Lu, who was standing aside serving, had a slight tremble at the fingertips.

Xie Zhixing’s eyes were calm, "So you’re saying Consort Xi should broaden my understanding; should I reward you for that?"

"Concubine thanks the Emperor."

"I haven’t said I’d reward you."

"Emperor didn’t say so, but I think the Emperor wouldn’t leave me unrewarded."

Xie Zhixing had never seen someone so shameless! Yun Pancake was still spread there, gazing up at him with huge doe-like eyes, thinking about having to complete assignments and getting no reward, life was unbearable! She was so clearly aggrieved that he found a certain satisfaction in it.

After all, without Yun Jiao knowing, she had made him run in circles many times.

Adding a little workload for her, and she straightforwardly showed reluctance.

"If there’s significant progress, I’ll consider rewarding you."

He savored enough of her pitiful demeanor, Xie Zhixing’s lips curled, speaking lightly.

An Emperor’s promise carries great weight.

Xie Zhixing found the Yun Family woman hard to fathom; she wasn’t intrigued by rank promotions. Even when given to her, she wouldn’t pretentiously refuse. It seemed he hadn’t seen her actively and diligently trying to accomplish anything... thus he promised her that as long as she put in the effort, she would receive what she deserved.

In Yun Jiao’s eyes, however, it was just the dog emperor painting her a beautiful picture.

Same old, efforts may not guarantee success, but without effort, comfort is assured.

Of course, she didn’t voice her thoughts.

"Uh-huh, Concubine thanks the Emperor."

Yun Jiao looked at him expectantly, thinking he should have left by now after sitting for a while, only for him to say: "I shall stay with you today."

"Concubine thanks the Emperor, you’re very kind."

Seeing her half-hearted expression, Xie Zhixing patted her head and instructed Xue Ya: "Bring over the palace attendants chosen to stay today."

Living together daily, the clever filter for Consort Xi would sooner or later fall apart.

Counting on her to set rules was merely fantasy.

As they knelt in a row, trembling, Xie Zhixing said: "From now on, serve Consort Xi carefully. Those who do the usual is careless will be sent back to the Imperial Household by the master. But if you can’t even stay with Consort Xi, then off to the Imprisonment Department you go."