Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 123 - 112: Fallen from Favor

After the first frost, the days grew colder, one by one.

The nights stretched long; Yun Jiao often sat for a while in the rocking chair, and before she knew it, everything around her turned pitch black, except for a touch of blue lingering at the horizon. Fluffy snow poured down, silent and majestic. The snow-covered Imperial Palace lost its usual grandeur and gained a touch of soft and romantic poetry.

Yet the chill was like a wandering thread, struggling to seep into one’s bones.

The Feng Shui of the Imperial Palace only nourished those in favor; everything inside was costly. The same Silver Tael that could buy charcoal outside could only earn a eunuch’s smile inside, as they curiously asked whether you lived such a difficult life, even more meager than theirs.

When the lights of Xianfu Palace lit up, Gong Mei softly reminded, "Lady, don’t sit outside anymore, be careful not to catch a cold."

Yun Jiao lay on the rocking chair, cradling a hand warmer.

Although there were many delicately crafted hand warmers in the room, she still favored it, gently swaying it to feel the water inside surging back and forth: "I possess Innate Strong, unafraid of catching a cold. Is the charcoal inside enough? If not, go to the Imperial Household early to get some. If they’re unwilling to give it, then buy it with Silver Tael."

Indeed, since being punished to copy the Analects that day, the Emperor had not turned her tile again.

The good news of Concubine Xi’s fall from favor spread throughout the harem like wings.

The warmth of Spring Rivers Duck immediately shifted attitudes within both the Imperial Household and the Kitchen. Fortunately, Yun Jiao held the position of Concubine, her status ensured they dared not withhold too much from her, though privileges were gone, and the additional voluntary tributes were no longer seen; she truly became an unattended cold stove.

"Then I’ll go buy some. Shall I have Xue Ya peel some oranges for you?"

Gong Mei deliberately changed the topic, fearing the master would be disheartened.

The Emperor’s graces were unpredictable; both thunder and rain were gifts from him, far beyond what they could presume.

Yun Jiao’s attention was indeed captured: "Alright, I want to eat that."

In truth, her maids worried too much; she was not actually sad.

For anyone at the status of a Concubine or higher, as long as they were neither pretentious nor affected, life shouldn’t be troublesome.

After entering the palace, she economized and saved up a small treasury, buying charcoal if needed, and having her own small kitchen meant she could cook whatever she wished. The only difficulty was listening to cold remarks during morning greetings at Jianzhang Palace, sometimes ignoring them, sometimes taking it as immersive palace intrigue.

Just like this morning, Concubine Wei caught her intending to tease her for looking haggard after falling out of favor, only to find her complexion was excellent, even plumper, her cheeks rounded: "Is Concubine Xi perhaps expecting good news, looking fuller?"

Previously, there were rumors that Concubine Xi sought children but was unsuccessful.

Now, everyone was uncertain.

Yun Jiao consumed all the tea snacks prepared by the Empress.

"Gaining weight for the winter."

"Sister Concubine Wei really jokes well; how long has it been since the Emperor turned Concubine Xi’s tile? Such good news would indeed be unsettling." Consort Xu echoed the taunt towards Yun Jiao.

They flattered up and belittled down, loving to make sarcastic comments, not truly due to jealousy.

The affections both received were ordinary, following protocol to attend to the Emperor, wrapped in a thick quilt and lifted onto the dragon bed, meeting a man not more than ten times a year, how deep could the affection grow? It wasn’t anything else; life was plain and dull, just wanting to compete. If the Emperor could truly give them love, coaxing them gently, they wouldn’t be so petty and contentious.

They linked it to clandestine affairs, laughing in unison.

"If only things could be accomplished alone," Yun Jiao spoke with a sense of feeling: "Matrimony should be of equal status, but with the royal nobility, anyone matched would be beneath status; it’s better to conceive by oneself."

Everyone froze, then panicked:

"This, this, this... Man... How could it be?"

"It really cannot! But in my heart, there’s nothing unattainable."

In theory, extolling the Emperor’s capability was the safest topic. For the true dragon Emperor, no amount of praise was overstepping bounds, and if accusation arose, one could claim it was too much admiration for the Emperor that led to misspeak.

The Emperor cannot accomplish the impossible, isn’t it right? Absolutely right!

Yet he couldn’t really conceive and bear children.

If he truly could, it would be even more terrifying.

Concubine Xi’s statement roped the Six Palaces into a long period of silence until the Empress announced the meeting adjourned.

Yun Jiao stood to leave, but Concubine Lan stopped her: "The Emperor wants me to accompany him after this, so let’s hurry, Sister, could you step aside?"

If there was truly urgency, they could’ve been halfway there during this conversation.

Concubine Lan was obviously trying to compete, in the palace, the order of retreat held significance. Previously, with Yun Jiao in great favor and seniority over Concubine Lan in the palace, she walked behind her. Now Yun Jiao fell out of favor, although Concubine Lan hadn’t attended a single night, she’d seen the Emperor twice more, suddenly becoming assertive.

Hearing the rivalry, the other concubines suddenly weren’t in a rush to leave.

A showdown would be excellent.

Unfortunately, Yun Jiao didn’t care about who went first or last: "Oh, then go ahead."

She paused, allowing Concubine Lan to go first.

Yun Jiao’s ease left Concubine Lan stunned, so in that moment, Consort Ji behind everyone caught up, asking with a faint smile, "Is Concubine Lan not moving, do you expect others to stop and give way?"

Princess Consort Jing pleaded illness for a leave, only Lady Shufei was ahead.

Hearing her half-sister’s voice, Lady Shufei stopped, turning to meet Concubine Lan’s eyes.

Lady Shufei was a woman whom Concubine Lan used to look down on the most; her beauty was undeniable, but she exuded a cold, proud demeanor, appearing bland. She couldn’t recognize this as grace, nor see the inner charm, merely thinking men would not fancy such a woman.

But when she turned around, her phoenix eyes looked over with a piercing clarity, causing Concubine Lan’s heart to skip a beat.

"Come here."

Lady Shufei said.

Concubine Lan: "Lady Shufei..."

"I wasn’t calling you," Lady Shufei lifted her chin slowly, looking at Consort Ji behind Concubine Lan: "Come here."

Her command felt like calling a lapdog.

Yet there were so many in the palace who served as maids, servants, dogs; being Lady Shufei’s loyal follower wasn’t a bad job, nor was it humiliating, sometimes it even held benefits with her protection.

"Sister, I’ll be right there."

Consort Ji replied compliantly, walking over.

Lady Shufei called Consort Ji over; others could only watch. Concubine Lan’s grandeur earlier, intending to compete with Concubine Xi and walk before her, was overshadowed by Consort Ji’s overtaking, Lady Shufei clearly intending to disgrace her.

Concubine Lan’s face turned livid, feeling slightly unable to extricate herself.

The scene was fascinating; the others watched with keen interest.

Regrettably, Yun Jiao hadn’t caught the subtle confrontation, seeing Concubine Lan still standing there, she asked: "Are you going or not? If you’re not going, then I’ll leave."

"Does Concubine Xi think she should walk ahead of me?"

Concubine Lan snapped back to reality, glaring at her, gritting her teeth.

What a person, making so much fuss over walking.

"Suit yourself."

Yun Jiao lifted her foot and walked briskly, not giving Concubine Lan any chance. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Her quick pace left Concubine Lan embarrassed behind her.

Suffering such humiliation from Concubine Xi, she was determined to complain to the Emperor later!