CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 75: SHOWCASING TALENT IN THE IMPERIAL GARDEN

Fortunately, when the Emperor chooses her for the night, he doesn’t always insist on doing official duties.

Often, he just pulls her into his arms before blowing out the candle and going to sleep.

This makes Yun Jiao very puzzled.

If he wasn’t planning on indulging in passion, why summon her to Weiyang Palace? In romance novels, this usually means the Emperor has fallen for her soul and wants a pure romance, but aside from holding her while he sleeps, he hardly talks to her; the warm candlelight illuminates one side of his handsome face while the other side is hidden in darkness.

That night, she finally couldn’t help but whisper softly, "Emperor."

"I’m here."

"Why don’t you talk to me?"

"I’ve never been one to speak much with concubines," Xie Zhixing paused, "but if you have something to say, don’t hold it in, and certainly don’t avoid me."

If she wants to talk, she’d better summon a minister to accompany him.

Besides the most favored Lady, the one who speaks the most to the Emperor is ironically the bothersome Empress; palace chores and major sacrificial events cannot bypass the Central Palace.

He said this to give her the chance to make a complaint.

Although he doesn’t like listening to concubines speak, if she does say something, he would still pay attention.

"Thank you, Emperor."

Yun Jiao turned over in his arms.

Xie Zhixing waited for a long time, but did not hear anything further.

On matters of respecting others’ wishes, Yun Jiao readily takes advice! The Emperor says he doesn’t speak much with concubines, so she doesn’t speak much either, ready to drift into a beautiful sleep. Her sleepiness was brewing when an unhappy male voice sounded from above, "Don’t you have something you’d like to say to me?"

"..."

Emperor, do you really know what you’re saying?

Taking advantage of the extinguished lamp, Yun Jiao rolled her eyes in his arms.

But the Emperor didn’t let her go: "You just asked me why I don’t talk to you, surely you have something to say to me."

If Yun Jiao now says she was just joking, she wonders if the nine clans would end up beheaded?

She thought about the lives of her many relatives and earnestly explained, "How dare I trouble the Emperor with trivial matters that aren’t important? I just found it a bit strange that the Emperor has been summoning me, yet only going to sleep without saying anything."

"Trivial matters? Let’s hear them."

This seemed like the opening of a concubine’s complaint to put someone on the spot.

In the darkness, Xie Zhixing found the small patch of skin connecting her chin and neck, and caressed it like a kitten, making her alarm bells ring—apparently some cats’ cheeks grow larger from being rubbed, she wondered if she would end up with a double chin!

Yun Jiao: "Do you really want to hear? They’re just my recent thoughts."

Xie Zhixing made a sound of acknowledgment.

Yun Jiao: "The world changes, but dumpling skins are always larger than the filling."

Xie Zhixing sighed and covered her eyes:

"You shouldn’t think too much."

...

The next day, in the Imperial Garden.

In the Imperial Garden, a half-person-high round stage had been set up early. Those attendants and servant consorts who regretted not being high enough in rank to have a chance to perform let go of that idea upon seeing the setup — those who wanted to perform all had talents, but they were all daughters of the Official Family; there wasn’t any custom of performing talents for relatives during festivals, and none of them had experience performing publicly. When everyone’s eyes are focused on the stage, especially those of the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager...

Going up there would just make their legs shake like sieve, what performance could one still give.

Of course, even the consorts above Concubines had no experience in performing publicly, but these years of being accustomed to being masters, attending various important banquets, had increased their courage and insight compared to when they were in the boudoir.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived, the Empress has arrived."

The concubines took their seats, with the Empress and Concubine Jiang accompanying the Empress Dowager on either side.

As soon as the Empress Dowager was seated, she couldn’t wait to ask: "Where’s the Emperor?"

Soon, a little eunuch hurried to her side and whispered, "Empress Dowager, the Emperor is still at Qiankun Palace meeting Mr. Fu, he’ll be here later, you can proceed with the entertainment and don’t need to wait for him."

Concubines came to show off in front of the Emperor, but today’s event was officially about performing for the Empress Dowager, so it couldn’t be said that without the Emperor there, there wouldn’t be any performances.

But surely they all hoped to wait until the Emperor arrives before taking the stage.

Concubine Jiang originally wanted to take the lead, but seeing the situation, looked at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and then nodded to Concubine Feng to perform first.

Today, coming to the Imperial Garden, besides wanting to see what the currently popular Consort Xi was capable of, and to elevate Concubine Jiang a bit, the Empress Dowager also wanted those Consorts who normally don’t have a chance to be in the spotlight to make an impression in front of the Emperor, so that many blooms would be good and the harem would remain stable.

With reluctance, Concubine Feng took the stage and played a song, the music elegant and graceful, earning praise and rewards from the Empress Dowager.

When she returned to her seat, Concubine Wei laughed coldly, "If the Emperor doesn’t come today, it looks like Concubine Jiang won’t have to perform."

Indeed.

Concubine Jiang had held off until two more performances were finished, when the thrilling announcement of "The Emperor has arrived—" was called out with a raised voice, everyone saluted, and even the Empress Dowager rose to greet. Xie Zhixing helped her up a bit: "Son came late, sorry for keeping mother waiting."

"The principle of prioritizing state affairs is understood by the Empress Dowager; you being able to accompany me to pass the hour, I’m more than happy enough. Besides, there wasn’t much to it, it was just Concubine Jiang’s filial idea to organize such a performance with the concubines, all of whom are like beautiful flowers, it would be a pity if only I could appreciate them."

Once Xie Zhixing arrived, all the concubines visibly perked up.

Their visibly different spirit could be seen.

Unfortunately, his eyes did not fall on them but merely nodded toward the Empress Dowager: "Concubine Jiang was thoughtful, reward her."

Concubine Jiang suppressed her excitement and thanked him for the reward.

The others watched coldly.

Was the Emperor rewarding Concubine Jiang? He was just continuing the Empress Dowager’s words.

"Who did I miss while they performed?"

After Xie Zhixing sat, he inquired who he missed, and subsequently rewarded those three.

Originally thinking she’d be completely sidelined today, Concubine Feng, Consort Xu, and Consort You each showed signs of joy.

After offering thanks, Concubine Feng’s palace maid joyfully whispered, "The Emperor remembers Lady."

Remember her?

Perhaps he merely remembers a semblance of fairness.

Concubine Feng sighed inwardly, but still kept a smile on her lips; long accustomed to the palace’s habit of wearing a false mask, simply smiling broadly was not enough, she had to display a natural cheerful look, as if good things happened daily, carefree, so the Empress Dowager wouldn’t frown.

"The Emperor came just in time, any later and he’d miss Concubine Jiang’s dance."

The Empress Dowager directed the eunuch to take the performance list away.

The order on it had high fluidity, essentially, without the Emperor present, it wouldn’t be her niece’s turn to perform.

"I’ll go change and prepare now."

Concubine Jiang said with a shy smile.

Before long, wearing a cinnabar dance dress, Concubine Jiang returned within everyone’s line of sight. She had prepared for a long time for today, her water sleeve dance was very stunning on the stage, during which she sent secret glances towards the Emperor’s direction, making the concubines bite their teeth in jealousy.

Her heart raced, feeling her performance was above average.

Watching the Emperor, he gave her face by gently applauding.

After saluting off the stage, the eunuch announced, "Next, Consort Xi."

Concubine Jiang’s eyes had a flash.

She intentionally arranged for Consort Xi to perform after her, so the Emperor could see her dance and know what was good, and Consort Xi’s performance would certainly not meet his standards.