Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 167 - 141

Back in the day, during the imperial exams, Yun Yuan was ranked exactly three hundredth among those accepted.

He felt quite confident at the time and started looking from the top of the list.

As he went down the list from the first to the last name, he finally saw his name. The ranking was poor, but at least he passed, unlike most of his classmates who didn’t. Later, his palace examination performance was mediocre, earning him only a tong jinshi status, which typically meant starting as a low-ranking local officer. However, for some reason, he was given a position at the Imperial College... At the time, there happened to be a vacancy, Yun Yuan did not expect it to be given to him, yet somehow it was.

He felt this was the good fortune brought by his newly born daughter, which made him cherish Jiaojiao even more.

Over the years, Yun Yuan also understood one thing: his own scholarship was just mediocre, his ability to handle matters was not outstanding, but he had a particularly decent looking face that gave off the impression of a well-read scholar. Whenever there was a need to appear in public without seeking merit, the task often fell to him; because once he stood in the crowd, he looked like he was well-versed in literature.

"What should I do, what should I do, what if my poetry embarrasses my daughter?"

Yun Yuan paced back and forth anxiously.

Lady Yun held him steady: "Don’t worry."

"Does madam have any high insights?"

"Not really, but if you’re sure it will be embarrassing, then there’s nothing to worry about."

Yun Yuan sat down dejectedly: "Jiaojiao is so successful in the palace. As a father, not only can I not help, but I might also cause her to be laughed at for having an unlearned father."

Thinking about how favored Concubine Xi was in the palace, surely she must have put in unrecognized efforts that he was unaware of to win the Emperor’s favor. Compared to his daughter, he seemed much more mediocre.

And at that time, Concubine Xi was lying leisurely in Xianfu Palace.

Thinking about not having to submit homework to Lady Wei made her very happy.

The only less happy thing was that Xie Zhixing had heard that people believe a fetus is influenced by the mother’s state. For instance, if the mother is often angry and crying during pregnancy, the child might become a pushover. Conversely, if exposed to books and culture during pregnancy, wouldn’t the child win at the starting line?

With this slight possibility, Xie Zhixing had Yun Jiao read more books.

Yun Jiao dismissed it: "I read, but didn’t understand."

So whenever Xie Zhixing was free, he would read to Yun Jiao and explain the meanings, sometimes even summoning her to Qiankun Palace. When there were examples of teaching children through stories, he would share with her.

Yun Jiao had three reactions.

First was to listen to it as a story.

Second was zzzZZZ.

Third was...

"Please stop, Your Majesty," she said, stroking her stomach, "If I hear one more Analects quote, I’ll really vomit from pregnancy."

Oddly, her most severe pregnancy reactions softened significantly after the Emperor began reading and explaining to her. As long as there were books to listen to and snacks to eat, she could handle oily and meaty dishes. The Emperor was often busy, frequently needing to meet with ministers and review memorials, so he couldn’t always have her accompany him. He explained: "It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, but I truly can’t find time." He gave her some memorials about disaster reports to read and explained the underlying tensions between the Wei Family and the Ji Family.

"You go about your business, Your Majesty; don’t worry about me."

"How can I not worry about you?"

"You can’t possibly hire a tutor for me, can you? I am, after all, your woman!"

It was only at times like these that Yun Jiao would use her status as a concubine to shield herself as a protective charm.

There was still a way. After pondering, Xie Zhixing once again invited Princess Wei.

Princess Wei was quite pleased when summoned, but her face nearly fell when she saw Yun Jiao. Only after her arm was gently nudged by her palace maid did she maintain a polite smile and greet her. When Yun Jiao saw her, a slight alarm went off in her mind, thinking it couldn’t be what she thought, could it?

And it turned out it was.

Xie Zhixing spoke kindly: "A princess of mine must have a perfect blend of talent and virtue. Princess Wei’s talents not inferior to a man’s should mentor Ruyi more often. It’s just right for Concubine Xi to listen in and catch a whiff of scholarly aroma. Concubine Xi might be lacking a bit in innate talent, but what’s commendable is her willingness to learn, and the teacher-student bond she shares with you."

Princess Wei’s mind went blank.

Concubine Xi has a willingness to learn?

She and Concubine Xi had known each other for some time; how come she never noticed?

She glanced at Concubine Xi’s clear, naive smile beside her. If anything, she’d say Concubine Xi had a knack for confidentiality, as anything serious uttered by her mouth would never be heard elsewhere, likely forgotten immediately.

Princess Wei grimly smiled: "With a pregnant body, it’s not good to tax her mind."

"She can’t strain herself, but listening in a bit is all right."

Once the Emperor decided something, there was no room for maneuver.

Princess Wei, with a face full of reluctance, led the equally unenthusiastic Concubine Xi back to Yikun Palace. She had the nanny wake up the sleeping Princess Ruyi so that the two could sit side by side to listen to her lessons.

Princess Ruyi pouted: "Every time I see Lady Xi, I end up having to read and write again."

"It’s not something I want either."

Yun Jiao said listlessly.

Little Ruyi quickly cheered up, "But with Lady Xi here, mother won’t call me dumb. Lady Xi, Ruyi likes you."

"... Well, thank you very much, Ruyi."

Princess Wei selected suitable books for preschool education for them. Seeing the two whispering, she became angry: "No talking when studying."

The two, one big and one small, shrunk their shoulders in unison.

Considering that the two concubines didn’t have a deep relationship and caused her this trouble repeatedly, Yun Jiao felt a bit guilty and explained: "The Emperor believes that if I listen and learn more, the child in my belly will become more intelligent and studious. Sorry to trouble Lady Wei."

There are many around the world who love tiger parenting, striving to ensure prenatal education so their children can start ahead on their paths.

Yun Jiao adhered to scientific spirit.

She believed that an embryo with a brain yet to develop couldn’t possibly learn anything!

"Trouble is nothing; I was going to teach Ruyi anyway," Princess Wei, seeing her good attitude, grumbled internally: "Just one thing, I hope Concubine Xi can assure me of."

"Go ahead, Lady."

"When you’re outside, please don’t say your essays are taught by me."

...

During the New Year’s Baohe Palace tea banquet, every time it was Yun Yuan’s turn to compose poetry, his works were always mediocre.

The rhyme and format were correct; if tasked to chant about snow, he wouldn’t chant about plum blossoms. He didn’t attempt to express feelings or satirize issues through poetry, just completed it properly. The Emperor originally wanted to give him some praise for face’s sake, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Wei Qingchen sneered: "Two fools in one family, even these can attend the tea banquet. The Emperor truly has a spot soft in his heart for that particular one."

Ji Yanyu didn’t think the same.

He felt maybe Concubine Xi’s father was purposely concealing his talents, aware that his daughter was in a precarious position in the palace and intentionally showed weakness.

If not deliberate, how could one compose such lousy poetry?

Ji Yanyu, after considering, approached Yun Yuan with the intention of establishing friendly relations and subtly praised his wisdom in hiding his talents.

Mr. Ji’s words were so subtle that Yun Yuan didn’t grasp them initially.

On his way back home, he kept mulling over the words, and when he finally understood, he felt deeply hurt.

Because not only did he not hide his talents, he had rushed to cram intensively for a fortnight beforehand.