CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 65: PALACE AUTHORITY

This classic hero-saves-beauty scene should be quite moving.

Even though Xie Zhixing, having turned back time many times, was feeling a bit annoyed, upon seeing Yun Jiao kneeling on the ground, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of pity—based on his impression of her and understanding of the Empress’s temperament, it was almost certain that the Empress was causing trouble because she found out he had summoned the Imperial Physician for Consort Xi in the middle of the night.

What fault could Consort Xi have?

She was summoned to attend his night, how could she disobey an imperial decree? Besides, he had always respected the Empress and never allowed the concubines’ food, clothing, and expenses to surpass those of the Queen. To put it bluntly, Consort Xi could summon the Imperial Physician at midnight, but if the Empress had a headache at night, the entire Imperial Hospital would be on standby at Jianzhang Palace!

This is the difference in treatment between the Empress and the concubines.

Since Consort Xi was innocent, naturally Xie Zhixing felt sorry for her.

However, just as Yun Jiao finished saying "Your Majesty, you came just in time," her face fell: "Why can’t I cry? Let’s start over."

Xie Zhixing: ...

The second time around.

The third time around.

The fourth time, when Yun Jiao looked up and saw his face, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. The more she tried to remind herself not to laugh and to put on a pitiful, tragic atmosphere, the harder it was to hold back!

Xie Zhixing didn’t understand what was so funny, but he could only wait in place until she was satisfied with her rewind.

Finally, on the seventh try, Yun Jiao successfully forced out tears, her misty eyes filled with stubbornness: "Your Majesty, is this a dream? Nanny said you left the palace and would never come to save me..."

She closed her eyes, as if fainting from exhaustion.

But before she hit the ground, the "unconscious" Consort Xi protected her head with both hands: "Oh, Your Majesty, didn’t you react? So dull, so slow."

Xie Zhixing, being called dull and slow: ...

How to put it?

The annoyance from infinite rewinds was long gone.

He was now filled with helplessness, thinking Consort Xi should hurry up with her antics, so he could fulfill her performance desires and bring this to a close.

To prevent a repeat, the second time Yun Jiao sang "Your Majesty, Your Majesty...", Xie Zhixing timely caught her before she fell, carrying her horizontally. And as Yun Jiao "fainted from exhaustion", she discreetly adjusted her position in his arms to lie more comfortably. She thought her adjustment was skillful and concealed, unaware that Xie Zhixing observed it all, sighing inwardly.

At this moment, the Empress came out, kneeling with a worried face to welcome him.

Upon seeing her, Xie Zhixing truly felt annoyed.

When his mother was choosing a main wife for him, his only request was for someone virtuous and sensible, with a decent background. He didn’t expect any assistance for his path to power—someone like Prince Kang’s wife, whose family was truly formidable in court, even caught the late Emperor’s eye. Marrying into the Royal Family was different from an ordinary marriage, and Xie Zhixing didn’t understand her madness.

Throughout history, there were indeed examples of Empresses without favor leading miserable lives, but not in this dynasty, or even the three before it. Even if the Empress wasn’t favored, she was respected and the best-treated woman in the harem after the Empress Dowager.

As long as the Empress didn’t publicly insult the Emperor and Empress Dowager, her position was stable. The Empress didn’t have to fight for a little affection. No matter how well Xie Zhixing treated Lady, as long as the Empress managed the harem, he had never sought to move the palace’s authority.

Why?

The Emperor couldn’t understand.

But he was deeply disappointed in the Empress.

"Last night Consort Xi disturbed Your Majesty’s rest during her service, and today she offended me in Jianzhang Palace. Your Majesty may not know, but Consort Xi lacks discipline. During the last Qiu Lie, I had asked Nanny Mao to teach her, but she never listened. I have no other way to deal with her defiance, so today I punished her, hoping a minor punishment would set an example, and Your Majesty would see clearly."

Xie Zhixing interrupted her, frowning: "Empress, do you think when at Hanyang Hunting Ground, when you withdrew Consort Xi’s right to attend, keeping her daily learning protocols, that I did not summon her because I believe she was at fault?"

Mentioning the Hanyang Hunting Ground incident, the Empress was shocked:

"Your Majesty, I merely asked Nanny Mao to teach her discipline, not punish her."

"I did not summon her, not because she was wrong,"

Xie Zhixing looked at the unrepentant Empress and spoke bluntly: "The reason was, as Queen, regardless of the reason, even if it was just temporary displeasure, when revoking her rights in front of the Royal Family, I had to give you that face. The one I defer to without differentiating right or wrong is not Consort Xi, but you!"

What he respected was the title of Empress.

The Emperor manages the court, the Empress oversees the harem. It was the best arrangement. He wouldn’t trouble the Empress just because of a personal liking, causing the concubines to refuse her guidance. Yet, faced with his concession, the Empress repeatedly challenged his boundaries.

"Your Majesty..."

Breaking down at this point, the Empress couldn’t hold back her tears.

"Your actions make me believe you are jealous of Consort Xi."

"But what about her warrants the Empress’s jealousy?"

"Had the same things been done by Consort Xi, she would have long been sent to the Cold Palace," the Emperor’s voice was calm even in anger, but every word struck the listener’s heart: "Yet, you are still my most respected Empress, receiving the kneeling of the Six Palaces and noblewomen."

Isn’t that enough? Should he hand her the throne?

In front of civil and military officials, he had never unjustly punished anyone for his own sake! Otherwise, Prince Kang would have died a long time ago, with grass eight meters high on his grave!

"Proclaim my decree: the Empress is unwell and should rest quietly in Jianzhang Palace. The palace authority will temporarily be managed by Lady, Princess Consort Jing, Concubine Jiang, and Concubine Wei, with Lady in charge."

"Your Majesty, I only punished one Consort! She offended me, must I endure it?!"

Hearing this, the Empress looked up in disbelief.

"Whether she was disrespectful to you, I am clear in my heart. Perhaps to you, a concubine being summoned to attend is already an act of disrespect."

Yun Jiao was certainly not unconscious.

At such a critical moment, she buried her face in the Emperor’s chest, thoroughly enjoying the drama unfolding.

She did not study well when called by Nanny Mao to learn protocols, but she always showed respect when paying respects to the Empress. It was the Empress who sought to punish her without reason; she wasn’t even sure how she offended her! She was certain there was no prior instance; why would she offend the great Boss for no reason? Lighting a lamp in the toilet?

But now...

Yun Jiao subtly shifted in his embrace, silently making a face at the Empress Dowager.

Bleh!