CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 68: A CONCUBINE WANTS TO BE CONCUBINE XI

"Imperial Physician, could you think again?"

Yun Jiao hinted.

Doctor Zhang stroked his chin, "The young lady’s foundation is likely severely damaged. I believe it’s better to avoid certain foods for a half month to be safe."

Concubines in the harem having their trusted imperial physicians is commonplace.

After all, it’s a position that risks losing one’s head—if something goes wrong, having a favored lady speak well of you might just save your life. Doctor Zhang originally had good relations with Princess Consort Jing’s family, but after she was injured and bore the Eldest Prince who suffers from a chronic illness, she harbors resentment against the Imperial Hospital. Although she hasn’t openly expressed anger, it’s unlikely she’d help plea on his behalf now.

Doctor Zhang has quite a few thoughts regarding Consort Xi, who doesn’t have deep connections in the harem.

That’s why he went along with her words, exaggerating the severity of the sickness.

"I, I..."

Yun Jiao clutched her chest.

At this moment, she wished she could learn from the novels’ foolish emperor and roar—

Scoundrel, if you can’t save her spicy hotpot and boiled fish, the entire Imperial Hospital will be buried with it!

"The young lady may have blood clots and stagnant qi, in which case even more dietary restrictions are needed."

Yun Jiao was exasperated, "Doctor Zhang, don’t always talk about restrictions; talk about what can be supplemented."

Doctor Zhang wasn’t entirely clear about Consort Xi’s intent, but since she said so, he followed up with mentioning some safe food options—no large fish or meat, and any meat dishes need to be cooked lightly.

Before the palace intrigue reaches the Empress Dowager’s position, one’s diet should match hers.

Yun Jiao pressed her forehead, "Emperor, I feel rather tired and just want to speak truthfully with you..."

"Send a sensible palace maid to ask Doctor Zhang how to brew the medicine."

Xie Zhixing instructed.

Soon, only the two remained in the room.

"Alright, now whatever you want to say to me, just say it directly, don’t beat around the bush, I dislike that."

Having recounted so many times, Xie Zhixing was indeed a bit weary. But his weariness only showed in his leaning against the wall, his brows reflecting some frustration. This frustration wasn’t directed at Yun Jiao; he still didn’t understand what the Empress was thinking.

Could it be simply because I’m so handsome?

He knew he had a decent appearance, but lingering between beautiful women and the position of emperor—hesitating at all showed disrespect for the latter.

Enough.

Xie Zhixing closed his eyes, giving Yun Jiao a chance to complain, to hear her grievances.

Yun Jiao: "Will the Emperor not get angry if I speak?"

Xie Zhixing gave a light sound, "A monarch’s word is not in jest."

Even if she spoke ill of the Empress, he wouldn’t prosecute her for disrespect.

After all, he himself was quite willing to say it.

Yun Jiao: "Then I don’t want bland food; my knees really hurt, and only a hotpot will cure it."

"I understand your... Wait, what did you say you wanted?"

Xie Zhixing opened his eyes, looking at her incredulously, "I let you speak freely, and all you ask for is a hotpot?"

Yun Jiao paused, realizing that it seemed like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; she thought of a palace intrigue game she played where the heroine’s singular craving led the emperor to find her pure and unaffected compared to other vain concubines, and it seemed to insult her intelligence: "Then I want to become Concubine Xi."

If promoted to a concubine position, what delicacies could she not have?

Xie Zhixing: "Hmm, that isn’t possible."

Yun Jiao: "Didn’t the Emperor let me speak freely?"

"Yes, hence I didn’t say you spoke poorly, but whether I permit it is another matter."

Reasonable and convincing.

Yun Jiao was momentarily speechless, but she had a carefree attitude—asking without hesitation and not taking it to heart when rejected, only pouting lightly: "Why not, the Emperor thinks I’m not worthy."

"Currently, among the four concubines in the harem, Concubine Wei bore a princess, Concubine Jiang dutifully attends to the Empress Dowager on my behalf—she’s favored, so her rank shouldn’t be too low; the fathers of Concubine Feng and Concubine Li have made distinguished contributions to the court, building up their credentials, so..."

Xie Zhixing held her hand and comforted, "If we discuss worthiness, it’s your father’s lack of effort, not your fault."

Far away in the Hanlin Academy, Father Yun sneezed.

He rubbed his nose, suspicious that some treacherous person was bad-mouthing him behind his back.

"I only mentioned it casually; if today the Emperor forcibly took me from Jianzhang Palace and then promoted me, it would surely cause many in both the harem and the previous dynasty to criticize the Emperor—I’m unwilling for that to happen."

The first half sounded reasonable, but the latter half started sounding insincere.

Xie Zhixing let her say whatever else she wanted quickly.

Yun Jiao thought more: "I truly didn’t defy the Empress; I challenged Lady Jiang instead. When I go to pay respects, they bully me. It’s fine if others misunderstand, but I don’t want the Emperor to think I’m a troublesome troublemaker—but indeed, I don’t enjoy enduring it; enduring being bullied would make one sick."

She pressed her hand over her chest.

Xie Zhixing felt stirred, surprised by her poetic depiction.

In truth, Yun Jiao’s idea of sickness was quite specific—

Enduring too much leads to breast hyperplasia—that she didn’t want.

"I understand everything; I won’t have you endure it. Such matters like today, send someone to find me next time..." He recalled the palace maids confined by the Empress in Jianzhang Palace: "Enough, with your low status, even palace maids can’t escape, I’ll go tell Concubine Li later, next time such a matter arises, send someone to fetch me."

Don’t make him guess anymore.

Xie Zhixing: "Though I doubt it will happen again."

He still had a favorable impression of Lady.

Yun Jiao nodded, resting her head against his chest. Facing the Emperor’s affection and tolerance, she couldn’t help but marvel at the allure of the one who resembled her, the bright moonlight, effortlessly captivating the supreme ruler: "Also, I want to order some food."

Ultimately still longing for that taste.

"...Then go ahead and order."

...

The concubines in the harem, especially those ranked above Concubine, realized the merits of Consort Xi.

Originally, Consort Xi was their greatest threat.

The Empress only sat back, watching the tigers fight, yet she went against Consort Xi, absurdly failing and losing palace authority. Not only that, being confined to Jianzhang Palace, she completely lost face, inadvertently benefiting those few concubines.

In fact, from the Emperor’s decision to divide palace authority, it was evident that though he was greatly displeased with the Empress, he didn’t intend to trouble her further in managing the harem.

Dividing palace authority into four mutually restraining parts made it difficult to form any significant influence.

Among them, Concubine Wei and Concubine Jiang have always had a strained relationship, eliminating the immediate worry of them joining forces to stir trouble in the harem.

"It’s a pity the Empress is confined; otherwise, I wanted to see her expression."

Concubine Wei expressed regret, yet delight: "Alas, it’s unfortunate that Concubine Jiang received a portion of palace authority; otherwise, I’d be the only one of concubine rank. Clearly, the Emperor has long tired of her... Having the Empress Dowager as a backer is good; fortunately, I still have Ruyi."

She hugged the little princess, "Ruyi must stand by mother’s side too."

Contrary to Concubine Wei’s thoughts, upon hearing the news, Concubine Jiang was not particularly pleased.

"I couldn’t have imagined the Emperor would come back to save Consort Xi; if the Empress recalls and blames me for instructing her to punish Consort Xi, but I benefit instead... it’d put me in a difficult position!"

She was having tea with Concubine Feng.

Their relationship wasn’t particularly good, occasionally sitting together to pass the time, Concubine Feng glanced at her: "Why not express your apprehension to the Empress Dowager and transfer it to me?"

"Ah, speaking of that..."

The protagonist behind the Empress’s confinement actually closed doors instead.

Yun Jiao spent three days recovering, healing her knees to a pristine state, where Ying Lu happily visited, asking her: "The Emperor instructed that the young lady practice calligraphy and painting, surely you haven’t forgotten? The Emperor only sent me to remind, and I’m being extra by saying this."