Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 143 - 123:

"...No, try again."

The Emperor, who was always restrained and self-controlled, would one day desire to deceive her into kissing him more.

However, Yun Jiao never took the usual path.

She cupped his face in her hands, and amid his tender imaginings, showered him with a storm of kisses: "Muah muah muah muah muah muah muah muah muah muah!!!"

Under the Emperor’s astonished gaze, Yun Jiao held his face and fiercely kissed him.

Yun Jiao felt that she was not much different from the domineering male lead in forced-love novels.

Xie Zhixing was dazed by the kisses.

This was completely different from what he had imagined! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

...

Previously, the Six Palaces hoped that Concubine Xi would conceive, hoping they could share in the Emperor’s favor.

Two days after the news of Concubine Xi’s pregnancy, people realized it wasn’t quite like that; the Emperor didn’t turn to anyone else’s service, summoning Concubine Xi to accompany him during the day, and spending the night either alone in Weiyang Palace or at Xianfu Palace, which gradually led to murmurs.

Those without favor dared not speak out, so they went to Jianzhang Palace to gossip.

They had thought of a reason for the Empress, that serving her master while pregnant was inappropriate for both the emperor’s child and the Emperor, so the Empress summoned the eunuchs from the Jingshi Room: "Remove Concubine Xi’s plaque for now, and if Concubine Xi requests to see the Emperor without an urgent matter, block her. It’s nearly the end of the year, and the Emperor doesn’t have so much time for trivial matters. If you, as servants, indulge the master’s preferences, what will you do if something goes wrong within the Six Palaces?"

The Empress, holding the authority of the Central Palace, had the right to advise the Emperor.

"The servant understands, the Empress is also considerate of Concubine Xi’s health, and the Emperor will surely understand the Empress’s good intentions."

After the eunuch replied, the Empress remained silent for a long time.

One family dominating the harem is not proper; her position is stable only when the concubines restrain each other. The most important thing at this time is to divert the Emperor’s favor from Concubine Xi and make him forget her...but asking the Empress to dress other women beautifully and send them to the Emperor was uncomfortable for her!

After a while, she turned her face to look out the window, where new snow was swirling down.

"Take care, and let Yan Yun, a palace maid from Qiankun Palace, serve more in the Imperial Court," the Empress said softly.

Being the Empress has its benefits; even Lady Lady could only manage her Yanxi Palace. Wherever the Empress had jurisdiction was justified, even if it displeased the Emperor, there was nothing he could do about it.

The Emperor was not in the harem, so the concubines could only wait bitterly in their palaces. The status of palace maids was low, but if they didn’t move up, they were free to act. Those Imperial Palace Maids often caught the Emperor’s eye, and replacing them with a beautiful one could divert the Emperor’s attention. If he favored her, at most they would gain a Servant Consort...

Thinking about the Servant Consort status, the Empress shuddered.

Wasn’t Concubine Xi originally just a Servant Consort!

Now she’s even booked for the concubine position, judging the Emperor’s affection for her. If it weren’t for the constraints of etiquette, he might even consider replacing the Empress.

What if the Emperor favored Yan Yun, and granted her an official consort status.

There, Yan Yun was assigned to serve tea and manage ink in the Imperial Court. She hadn’t done such menial tasks before, and her delicate fingers appeared jade-like under the candlelight. She knew she carried the Empress’s order, but the Empress was not one to tolerate competition, having her placed before the Emperor did not guarantee favor, leaving her anxious and cautious.

Xie Zhixing was writing with his brush, and when that hand entered his line of sight, he looked up to see a strange face:

"Did Qiong Zhi take leave?"

"Reporting to the Emperor, this servant was just assigned to the Imperial Court today, and will take over for Miss Qiong Zhi."

Xie Zhixing raised a hand, signaling her not to continue.

This palace maid was considered outstanding in Qiankun Palace, yet those who served close were plain-faced, never beauties, as the Empress filtered out the beautiful ones. He used to laugh it off—did people really think everyone wanted to climb the dragon bed! Many palace maids contently performed their duties until they were of age to leave the palace; the dignified Empress always worried about such things.

He thought for a while: "Your hands are well-shaped, can you write?"

"This servant has learned, not as skilled as the concubines in the harem, but I know a bit."

Palace maids all came from good families, but being literate and talented, and looking this good, someone must have chosen her specifically to be presented to him. He asked which family she belonged to, keeping in mind her connection to the Wei Family...

"Did the Empress send you over?"

When Xie Zhixing asked, Yan Yun’s knees went weak.

Gathering her courage, she replied, "My lady mother and the Empress’s mother are full sisters. When I entered the palace, I paid respects in Jianzhang Palace, and the Empress said I was clever, but her place didn’t need more servants, so she sent me to Qiankun Palace. I’ve been serving there for over a year, only just being transferred to the Imperial Court today."

He listened quietly, thinking this one’s rhetoric surpasses the Empress’s, making her seem honest.

Then, she repeated her introduction again.

Xie Zhixing was taken aback, and she repeated it for the third time.

By the fourth time, he had memorized it—maybe Concubine Xi was indeed quite capable, and always found out when a pretty maid was around him and got jealous!

Yan Yun’s heart pounded like a drum, without the joy of being favored by the Emperor, only fear.

Finally, she risked a glance at the Emperor and discovered his visage was filled with joy.