Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 165 - 139: Fireworks in the Palace

Taking advantage of Yun Jiao’s daze, Xie Zhixing leaned in to kiss her.

Amidst the thousands of beautiful scenes around them, his eyes could only see her.

"Eh?"

Just at that moment that ruined the mood, Yun Jiao heard that there was snow on her face, hurriedly raised her hand to wipe it, and wiped quite hard. As a result, she accidentally slapped the Emperor in the face with the back of her hand. She awkwardly said, "I didn’t mean to."

She was anxious to wipe her face and used quite a bit of force. Even though the Emperor didn’t blame her, she still felt a bit guilty.

Xie Zhixing took the opportunity to burrow his face into her hand, his lips brushing across her palm, sparking a tingling itch: "Do you like the arrangement in the West Garden?"

"Arrangement... do you mean these lanterns?"

He saw confusion fill those doe-like eyes and knew she hadn’t made any connection to herself at all.

Xie Zhixing hummed in agreement: "Originally, there were no ice and snow sculptures here. I ordered them to be made to please you."

Even when he saw the beautiful scenery, there wasn’t a flicker of emotion in his heart.

After sitting on the throne for so long, the part of him that belonged to a living person seemed to have been consumed by power. Before, he would notice the beautiful concubines and reward officials who presented rare treasures, but now he looked at it all indifferently. Having everything, nothing seemed precious.

"I’m so embarrassed."

Yun Jiao sat up straight and looked at the ice sculptures again.

Being treated with such attentiveness is always delightful. She originally thought these lantern-like decorations for the Lantern Festival were already here. Even before, when Consort Ji mentioned "the Emperor’s thoughtful intentions for Concubine Xi," it didn’t dawn on her. She was still happily admiring the lanterns. Who could have thought this ice and snow wonderland was arranged for her: "I didn’t expect I had such influence."

"In the palace, other than the Empress Dowager, no one is more dignified than you."

Xie Zhixing sighed: "I’m not good at pleasing women... nor at pleasing men, really. The late Emperor wasn’t particularly fond of me, but I was capable. No matter how difficult the tasks he assigned, I could accomplish them. I will strive to fulfill all of your desires."

He was single-minded in getting things done, overcoming every difficulty to achieve his goals.

He didn’t know that what he said had a touching element.

Yun Jiao held her face; she had always held a hand warmer so that even amidst the snow, her hands were warm. But now, when pressed to her face, her cheeks were actually hotter than her hands. She felt a bit shy and at a loss for words, so she pretended to be an ostrich.

After a while, having had enough sliding on the snowy surface, Yun Jiao finally said she wanted to go back to watch the fireworks.

"The fireworks are set off in the Imperial Palace, but you can see them from here."

Xie Zhixing let her decide where to watch them.

She still wanted to go back to watch.

"What if you get scared?"

Yun Jiao said, "You’re underestimating me. I’m not that timid."

In front of Fengtian Hall, a huge base was set up, and the eunuchs were busily working in an orderly manner. When they saw the Emperor arrive, they spared someone to introduce the setup to Concubine Xi. There was "Six Harmonies Welcoming Spring," "Harmony in the Seas and Rivers," and "Mandarin Ducks Bring Auspiciousness," each sounding like a joyful omen.

Every year in the palace, it was the same. Xie Zhixing didn’t find it novel.

However, Yun Jiao was very excited: "Can I light the fire?"

"This..."

Lighting the incense to set off the fireworks was theoretically safe, but the eunuch hesitated.

"I will accompany you."

He knew she also had a spirit of overcoming all obstacles when it came to having fun.

The eunuch chose the smallest and least dangerous one and presented it to Concubine Xi. She lifted her palace dress, squatted down, and lit the fuse of the firework. The firelight rushed to the base, and with a loud bang, the fireworks shot into the sky, almost lighting up the night. At the moment the gunpowder was igniting, a pair of warm big hands covered her ears, blocking out the booming sound.

Colorful lights burst over the palace.

Prepared for more than half a month, there were naturally more than just this one.

One after another, the fireworks exploded in the sky. Yun Jiao looked up, her neck raised, not feeling tired. It was a pity that the fireworks prepared by the Imperial Household for so long were not glanced at by the master of the palace.

Xie Zhixing’s gaze was always fixed on her.

Under the dazzling firelight, Yun Jiao’s face glowed as she jumped with excitement, even trying to reach for the fireworks in the sky: "I can’t touch them." She said, annoyed.

"If you could touch them, they’d burn you."

"I just want to touch it; it’s so beautiful."

Xie Zhixing said, "Every year after the fireworks are set off, there’s about an inch of residue. The Commander of the Infantry leads soldiers to pour water and extinguish them. If you like, I can have someone sweep a bag of it for you to touch, but you’ll have to wait for it to cool."

Yun Jiao replied, "I think we’re talking about different things to touch."

"Weren’t you going to touch the fireworks? The fireworks that fall are those residues."

"Sigh..."

Yun Jiao sighed deeply.

Fortunately, he had wealth, power, and good looks, or he might have remained single forever.

Even the most beautiful fireworks must come to an end.

But Yun Jiao wasn’t tired of watching, so they weren’t allowed to end.

During the third viewing of the same fireworks, Xie Zhixing asked her, "Are they that beautiful?"

"They make a boom that almost makes my heart tremble with them," Yun Jiao pressed her hand to her chest, the strong heartbeat transmitting through the fabric: "But my heart says it’s completely fine! Go harder, another shake!"

This was something she didn’t even dare imagine in her past life.

She was so happy, like a mouse that had fallen into a jar of rice, unaware of hunger or satiety. The firelight illuminated her eyes again and again, and the Emperor stood by her side. She hadn’t had her fill of the fireworks, nor he of her.

In the years since crossing over, Yun Jiao’s New Year’s celebrations consisted of eating dumplings with her parents at home.

She lived right under the city’s walls, and she could see the palace’s fireworks every year. But they were always ancient fireworks and very far away. She always wanted to see how the fireworks were set off, and now she finally got her wish. This year, although she was without her parents, she expanded her ’harem’ map and lived a different life.

After watching the fourth fireworks display, she reluctantly withdrew her gaze, rubbing her eyes like a kitten washing its face: "Ugh, my eyes are dazzled."

"Then close them for a bit."

When she closed her eyes, she heard the Emperor’s low voice. In the darkness, she groped for his neck, and he lifted her onto the Nine Dragon Carriage: "It’s cold outside. I’ll take you back to Xianfu Palace."

Yun Jiao enjoyed being carried everywhere like this. Her restless hand found his ear and grabbed a hold.

The mischievous brat couldn’t handle delicate flirting. Xie Zhixing felt like his ear was going to be torn off, so he had to lower his head.

Soft lips brushed his ear, and she giggled: "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year," he paused: "I love you."

"Saying that during New Year’s is not appropriate, right?"

She rarely had a moment of being stirring, and Xie Zhixing selectively acted like he hadn’t heard her reply.

He wasn’t in a hurry with her; the Emperor had all the patience of spring rain nourishing everything quietly.

Because Yun Jiao rested her chin on his shoulder, he didn’t see her little face all blushing.