Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 128 - 114: Faking an Accident (2)

Xue Ya went early, fearing she wouldn’t get any.

But Die’er jumped the queue and took all the remaining two plates of sweet melon.

"Everything is supposed to be done in order of arrival. Is there really no regard for rules here?"

Xue Ya was furious.

Thinking that her master liked sweet melons, she had come early to the South Fruit Room to wait. She didn’t mind being pushed aside a couple of times, as long as she didn’t let her master’s expectations fall short.

Die’er glanced at her from the corner of her eye, the disdain in her eyes was evident, though her mouth still answered her: "I know you came early, girl. I also wanted to line up early, but I had to accompany my Lady to prepare for the Emperor’s arrival. Please be understanding. It’s no big deal if we skip a bite. What matters is to not miss welcoming the Emperor. Besides, Xianfu Palace hasn’t seen the Emperor in some time. Just make do with something else!"

Actually, Xue Ya wasn’t one to argue. The palace wasn’t a place for squabbling over trifles. She was usually accommodating and only spoke up because it concerned her master. As a result, she was left speechless. After all, why would the Emperor lack a plate of sweet melon? It was merely a means for her to flaunt the emperor’s favor.

Seeing her speechless, Die’er strutted off proudly.

The eunuch in the South Fruit Room didn’t want to offend Xianfu Palace and grudgingly offered a plate of tangerines: "These are for Concubine Xi from the servant, to sweeten Princess Consort Xi’s mood."

Die’er had jumped the queue right in front of him, and he failed to fulfill his duty to stop and supervise—it was his fault.

Yet he dared not stop Concubine Lan, who was currently favored.

So he chose to accept the loss himself.

"Thank you, Your Honor."

Xue Ya forced a smile.

She changed her wording upon her return: "It’s my fault for being late and missing the sweet melon. I was sighing that my master might blame me, and then Your Honor kindly gave a plate of tangerines for my master to taste."

The tangerines were peeled, and the fruit inside was very small; Yun Jiao ate half in one bite.

After devouring the whole plate of tangerines, she asked, "Tell me about what happened in the South Fruit Room."

"Lady..."

Xue Ya was anxious.

"Speak."

Yun Jiao finished the tangerines and reached for some pastries.

Thinking that she’d surely have to restore a save point soon, all the food she was eating felt like zero calories and zero heat. So she ate to her heart’s content.

Seeing that her master had already seen through everything, Xue Ya had no choice but to reveal everything that had happened in the South Fruit Room. After speaking, she kneeled to admit her fault: "I shouldn’t have hidden anything from you, Lady; I was just afraid you might feel bad."

After hearing this, Yun Jiao furrowed her brows.

Let the plate of sweet melon go.

She was displeased that Xue Ya was bullied outside.

"I understand."

Yun Jiao lifted her up, embraced her, and restored the timeline.

Time returned to just after paying respects when they were back at Xianfu Palace.

Xue Ya helped her remove the hair ornaments and said with a smile, "I’ve heard that Hot Spring Villa sent over some sweet melons. I’ll go fetch them for you later."

"Today, I want to go myself. By the way, lend me your clothes."

Yun Jiao held her hand.

"My clothes aren’t worthy of you, Lady!"

In the palace, there are rules for dressing. One can’t dress above their rank or deliberately dress poorly, disgracing the Royal Family. However, Xue Ya was the Chief Palace Maid by her side. The material of her usual clothing wasn’t bad, better than what several Servant Consorts and Attendant Ladies wore. If Yun Jiao wore them, it would barely suffice, but it would make her look very poor.

Poverty doesn’t matter; Yun Jiao wasn’t afraid of being laughed at.

"I just want to wear them. Do up my hair in the style you use most often."

"Lady, do you wish to dress as me?"

Seeing that her master was in a playful mood, Xue Ya naturally played along: "Lady, you’re beautiful no matter what. Even in coarse cloth, you’re breathtaking. I’ll go find you a new set, but let me handle the task of fetching the sweet melon. It’s not right for you to go, especially since I’m afraid it might be too late, and I’d have to queue early. It’s quite a hardship in this weather."

Yet Yun Jiao refused all offers, insisting on going herself.

Xue Ya had no choice but to agree: "It’s fine if you want to go, but I must accompany you. You can’t go without someone to support you."

"That’s fine. But you have to listen to me. Listen closely..."

Yun Jiao motioned her closer and whispered some instructions.

After finishing her attire, Yun Jiao calculated the hour and went to the South Fruit Room to queue. Upon seeing Concubine Xi arrive, the other palace maids quickly greeted her with respect, allowing her to go first. Yun Jiao sternly told them not to make a fuss: "I want to experience the fun of lining up for sweet melon myself; no one must say anything."

The words of the Concubine carried weight, and everyone fell silent.

When Die’er arrived, she once again ignored the long queue and headed straight to the eunuch’s position in the South Fruit Room, pushing aside the palace maid at the front of the line: "My master..."

But before Die’er could finish, the palace maid she just jostled took the chance to fall to the ground, letting out a piercing scream.