Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 168 - 142:

During the morning greetings at Jianzhang Palace, someone made fun of Yun Jiao about the tea banquet.

"Yesterday’s tea banquet was lively. I’ve never tasted the Three Pure Ones Tea either, I wonder if it tastes good. Drinking it must inspire a flood of literary thoughts... except I heard there was a poem that didn’t match up."

Concubine Feng’s words were laced with sarcasm.

The Three Pure Ones Tea is brewed with snow water and sipped with plum blossoms, Buddha’s hand, and pine seeds.

Each year, the Emperor selects poems composed during the tea banquet, and orders them written on tea bowls; one set is used the following year, and another set is given to attending ministers, called "Three Pure Ones Tea Set." Concubine Feng’s implication was that someone couldn’t compose a poem even after drinking the Emperor’s bestowed tea, indicating a lack of talent.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Concubine Xi, wanting to see her reaction.

Even a clay figure has three parts anger, let alone when it involves one’s parents; no one can remain indifferent.

The Yun Family’s concern was also about this; Yun Yuan knew it was his lack of talent. However, one shouldn’t mock those who are less talented; being laughed at is about the other person’s poor character. He doesn’t care, but fears his daughter might defend him, leading to conflict, as their innocent and naive girl couldn’t handle the cunning women of the harem.

"Oh, is that so? Has Concubine Xi heard about it?"

Consort Jiang feigned curiosity, joining the conversation.

In such matters, the best strategy is to point out that the tea banquet is for external ministers and concubines shouldn’t discuss it, questioning where the other person heard the news.

The worst strategy is turning hostile and criticizing, leaving no way out for others, but lowering oneself in the process.

Yun Jiao was eating snowflake crisps at the time.

She swallowed the last bite of her snowflake crisp, and blankly said:

"What? What matter? Huh? No one told me anything."

There was a brief silence around.

Yun Jiao retorted: "Since you’re asking me, Concubine Feng, why don’t you tell me what’s going on?"

"Just about yesterday’s tea banquet..."

Not expecting to be questioned directly, Concubine Feng answered a bit short of breath: "I thought it was Concubine Xi who got the Emperor to add Mr. Yun to the list."

Compared to the high-ranking officials present, Yun Yuan’s only asset was his accomplished daughter.

Everyone naturally speculated that Concubine Xi sought this honor from the Emperor.

Yun Jiao, however, denied. "I never talk about previous dynasty affairs with the Emperor. His memorials are piled higher than mountains, I don’t want to bother him with such matters." There was a half-sentence left unsaid—he better not bother her either, she is in a good mood every day.

Lady agreed with this.

She had long noticed that the Emperor doesn’t actually have very high expectations of the women in the harem. He naturally likes beautiful and intelligent women, but intelligence isn’t about sharing his burdens, it’s about being sensible and not causing trouble. Granting some privileges in the harem is easy, but in the previous dynasty, it easily leads to trouble.

Lady sat up straight, the gold-inlaid bead and jade tassel earrings on her fair earlobes swayed gently.

"So, it wasn’t Concubine Xi who instructed it then?"

"As if I could arrange the tea banquet’s list, you’re giving me too much credit."

Yun Jiao thought she was being modest, but others didn’t think so.

Without her saying, the Emperor had arranged it for her. The Emperor favors her; what can anyone do about it? The Empress and the former Consort Jiang and Consort Lan have all tried to deal with her, to no avail; this woman is not simple.

However, after some speculation, Yun Jiao roughly guessed what had happened today.

A poem at the tea banquet didn’t match, and it mentioned her and her father. Considering her father’s academic prowess, that lackluster student was likely her father without a doubt. Like father, like daughter! It’s hereditary poor studying skills!

"What can I say? Although my father’s academic prowess isn’t evident, he’s someone who gets things done. The Emperor appreciates him and granted him a spot at the tea banquet. That’s how I learned about it — I don’t have as much news as you sisters. You’ve been talking about the tea banquet all this time, and I only found out. Is it so funny that a poem didn’t match? If it’s so funny, I’ll let the Emperor have a laugh too later."

She said indignantly.

Yun Jiao originally wanted to defend her father, but unfortunately, when she’s angry, she loses focus and ends up mentioning the Emperor, who likes her.

Before she finished speaking, the eunuch at the main door announced, "The Emperor has arrived!"

The room of ladies rose to greet the Emperor.

They lowered their heads, seeing only jewels adorning each hair, while only Yun Jiao dared to sneak a glance at him before greeting. Xie Zhixing found this amusing but was pleased to see her showing signs of being emboldened by favor. He’s willing to pamper her as she bears it well, not being bullied by other concubines to tears even when having him to rely on.

He was glad to back her up, expecting her to stand tall, knowing to retort when mocked, regardless of reason, at least staying on equal footing.

"Everyone, rise and sit."

The concubines stood to thank him with their most beautiful sides to him. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Eyes twinkling, graceful figures.

Yet Yun Jiao rose the slowest, holding her waist, she coyly said: "Your Majesty, my waist hurts, I can’t stand."

A ploy!

Xie Zhixing knew she was playing coy, feeling quite pleased.

To the concubines, this act appeared so pretentious it made their teeth ache.

It’s said that during the New Year, Concubine Xi skated at the West Garden with the Emperor, her waist didn’t hurt then. Now, just to pay respects, her waist conveniently hurts, hurting at the perfect time. The Emperor, wise and heroic all his life, is blind here, helping her up: "Since you’re pregnant, there’s no need to bow when meeting me in the future."

The Empress nearly couldn’t catch her breath!

Although the Emperor didn’t say she was exempt from bowing to others, if she didn’t have to kneel to him, would anyone dare make her kneel? Certainly not! The last bit of superiority and dignity over Concubine Xi that she held, the Emperor took it away!

Xie Zhixing didn’t think that deeply, nor considered the Empress’s feelings further.

He used to think too much for the Central Palace’s dignity, now he is the freest man, no one could rope him in with rules, he is the rule itself.

Yun Jiao leaned into him as he supported her, smiling up at him when thanking him.

Xie Zhixing had a hard time restraining himself from pinching her doughy cheeks.

With the Emperor’s arrival, the Empress ceded the most elevated seat for him and sat slightly below.

"What matter do you want to enjoy with me?"

Xie Zhixing asked directly.

Afraid that if he spoke subtly, the little one wouldn’t realize he was here to support her.

Yun Jiao hesitated: "...My father couldn’t match a poem at the tea banquet."

Consort Ji listened with growing concern.

That’s not how you say it, Concubine Xi!

Concubine Xi, you’re supposed to say that they, as concubines, are aware of and comment on external minister affairs at the tea banquet! No matter Mr. Yun’s academic ability, he’s always an external man, an Emperor’s subject. Concubines mocking an external minister, even if aimed at Concubine Xi, is against decorum.

"And then?" Xie Zhixing patiently guided.

Yun Jiao pursed her lips, "They mocked me."

Consort Ji pressed her forehead, feeling dizzy.