"Walk faster, tell the palace maids of Xianfu Palace not to disturb Concubine Xi, I want to see what she usually does."
With just one sentence from Xie Zhixing, Chief Su ran his legs off.
Though he looked frail, he was quite capable of running. In no time, he arrived at the gates of Xianfu Palace. The palace maids on duty were delighted to hear the Emperor was coming and promptly complied.
Ying Lu feared they might pay lip service and warned them, "The Emperor wants a ’disguised visit.’ This is a playful affair between the Emperor and Concubine Xi, not for outsiders, so don’t be smart and inform Concubine Xi in advance. If the Emperor finds out, he’ll be displeased, and you’d better watch your heads!"
Today’s maid on duty was one from Concubine Li’s quarters.
She nodded carefully, "Rest assured, Mr. Su! Concubine Xi’s schemes surely won’t escape the Emperor’s eye."
"That’s good then."
After speaking, Ying Lu paused, feeling something was amiss, and gave her a sidelong glance, "You as a gatekeeper sound quite disrespectful towards Concubine Xi."
"How could that be! Concubine Xi treats us very well, she just can’t hide things."
"In any case, you should be sensible later."
"I understand, my lord."
Because of this episode, when Xie Zhixing arrived at Xianfu Palace, the surroundings were particularly quiet, with many kneeling. The Chief Palace Maid came out and, bowing, said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xi is in the main hall with Lady Li."
Xie Zhixing grunted, and she retreated.
Xianfu Palace was quiet everywhere, except for the bursts of laughter coming from the main hall.
"If you’re playing chess, just play chess—stop touching!"
"Sister, if you lose again this round, you have to give me a kiss on the cheek."
"... Improper!"
"It’s not my fault for being improper; it’s sister’s beauty that’s too captivating."
"Let me warn you, I genuinely like men."
"I like men too, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting a pretty sister’s kiss!" Xie Zhixing stopped at the door, remembering the last time he asked her for a kiss, she shamelessly kissed him over and over.
Yet, she never proactively asked him for a kiss.
Lady Li is pretty, but is he not handsome? Does he not have charm?
Xie Zhixing recalled Lady Li’s appearance—indeed beautiful, crescent eyebrows, peach blossom eyes, cold when not smiling, radiant when she does. Even though she’s not particularly smart, she speaks little and sits quietly like a beautiful scenery, hence given the title "Li." He never thought one day he would compare her looks with his own.
She shouldn’t have been given the title "Li"!
If not for arousing gossip, Xie Zhixing almost wanted to change her title to "Virtuous" at that moment.
After some hesitation, Lady Li still refused her.
Smart move, he thought.
"Sister, are you afraid of losing to me? No way, right?"
Such a petty provocation, even the Eldest Prince wouldn’t fall for it, Xie Zhixing sneered.
"Ha, funny. Come on, let’s play another round, this time I’ll make sure you lose fair and square."
... Lady Li fell for it.
Xie Zhixing wasn’t in a rush to go in, just waited outside, eavesdropping and appreciating the scenery.
He watched Yun Jiao take two full minutes just to place the right piece, making the birds in the sky freeze in place for that long.
Two minutes, and she still couldn’t make the right move.
If this doesn’t work, let me go in and play.
"Lady Li, once you place the piece, there’s no taking it back."
"Be quiet, I’m thinking."
"I won’t, I love talking; if I don’t talk, I feel uncomfortable," Yun Jiao sighed leisurely, her tone rising, "Aren’t we just playing for fun? No need to frown, the stakes are just a kiss!"
... Not only cheating but also mocking the opponent.
Xie Zhixing was both amazed and perplexed as to why he liked such a woman.
Under Yun Jiao’s frequent undoings, Lady Li, who wasn’t particularly skilled at chess, was utterly defeated and was just about to forfeit by kissing her on the cheek when Xie Zhixing pushed the door open: "What are you two doing behind my back?"
"Your Majesty!"
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
Lady Li and Yun Jiao stood up and bowed.
"Please rise,"
Knowing the situation, Xie Zhixing went over to help Lady Li up, sincerely saying, "Lady Li, you played very well; it was her constant provocation that unsettled you."
"Your Majesty, that’s not it,"
Hearing him say so, Lady Li became embarrassed, "Concubine Xi is not good at much else, but she is excellent at chess."
Yun Jiao: "Wait, what do you mean not good at much else?"
She pursed her lips, and in the next moment, Xie Zhixing was outside the door again.
This time, it was just as Yun Jiao made her winning move.
Inside, she smiled lightly, "Let’s say Lady Li owes me this kiss; walls have ears, it’s not suitable to continue." Her smile held a mix of calmness, sarcasm, and pride, composing a complete and clear foolishness.
Xie Zhixing: ...
His toes curled up a bit.
Lady Li wondered, "Who? Why are you being mysterious?"
"Let me listen carefully," Yun Jiao closed her eyes, pretending to listen intently to the sounds of nature. Shortly, she stood up, "I figured it out."
She turned, gracefully bowed towards the door, "His Majesty is here; I apologize for not welcoming properly and seek your forgiveness."
The wooden door creaked open, and a bright yellow figure appeared before them.
Lady Li didn’t expect Yun Jiao to be serious this time and hurriedly bowed, "Greetings to Your Majesty!"
"...You may all rise."
This time, Xie Zhixing had nothing much to say. After routinely rewarding Lady Li with a bunch of things, he led Yun Jiao away, not forgetting to send an air kiss to Lady Li. She thought she was being discreet, but the moment she puckered her lips, a large pair of hands covered her eyes and pulled her back: "Wait, wait, wait! I’m going to fall!"
"If you fall, I’ll catch you."
"Your Majesty, it’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that I’m afraid you won’t react in time."
"Did you not say you could even recognize my footsteps? You’re skilled in martial arts, no need to fear."
Yun Jiao chuckled dryly; she knew her own abilities well enough!
Martial arts, she was out of breath after just a few more steps.
With her back facing forward, she was carried like a chick all the way to the west room: "Your Majesty, I’m carrying your child, dragging me like this isn’t very nice!"
Xie Zhixing paused his steps, stopping: "Did it hurt?"
He was clearly controlling his strength, ensuring not to hurt her.
He stopped too quickly, Yun Jiao hadn’t had time to switch to a pitiful expression, a grin still lingering on her little face, hesitating which expression to show. But it was too late to adjust: "I shouldn’t have believed you."
Yun Jiao was pinned to the couch with a whimper: "Your Majesty, be gentle, it might hurt the child."
He paused in his breath: "Do I look like such a beast!?"
"Of course you don’t, Your Majesty."
Seeing his expression, Yun Jiao figured he didn’t seem truly angry, so she opened her arms and hugged his waist: "Your Majesty, don’t be mad, Big Baby and Little Baby are both hugging you."
Experiencing pregnancy once was quite something, it felt like having a get-out-of-jail-free card.
He couldn’t resist the charm; his heart softened suddenly.
Then she murmured quietly, "Little Baby, kick him, get back at him for me."