The three shivered and hurriedly went out to meet the entourage.
In the blink of an eye, everyone knelt on the ground led by Concubine Li and Concubine Wei. Yun Jiao also bowed her head, thinking to herself—so many special events spawned, involving both the Wei-Xu duo seeking trouble and the Emperor visiting.
After waiting for a while, the Imperial Chariot arrived in the courtyard.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Hmm, you may all rise."
Even though he came to see Attendant Lady Xi, Xie Zhixing still first helped Concubine Li and Concubine Wei up: "I have no other intention today; I came to discuss the preparations for the autumn hunt with Attendant Lady Xi. Concubine Li, you’ve been there in previous years, help look after her since she lacks experience... Concubine Wei, why are you here to see Attendant Lady Xi?"
Concubine Wei was speechless.
More speechless than her was Consort Xu, but since she didn’t count for much in the Emperor’s eyes, she was not asked, escaping unscathed.
"Replying to the Emperor, I was just idle and came to chat with Attendant Lady Xi about women’s talk, like jewelry and clothing, fearing it might pollute the Emperor’s ears,"
said Concubine Wei, forcing herself to respond.
Her hand in her sleeve trembled, yet her voice remained steady: "I thought of having a meal here with Attendant Lady Xi; would the Emperor like to join?"
Upon hearing this, both Concubine Li and Attendant Lady Sun looked at her with newfound respect.
The Emperor clearly came to see Yun Jiao; logically, after greetings, they should disperse, but she spoke so sweetly, just to have a meal with the Emperor and seize the opportunity to win favor.
"Attendant Lady Xi can’t manage here, let’s go to the main hall for the meal, Concubine Li will join too."
Xie Zhixing nodded, agreeing not only with Concubine Wei’s invitation.
Seeing she wasn’t called, Attendant Lady Sun excused herself.
Last time, talking to the Emperor lasted an entire night, completely extinguishing her desire for favor.
Consort Xu didn’t want to leave, hinting at Concubine Wei with her eyes, blinking enough to tire them yet noticing her lady’s gaze glued onto the Emperor, sparing none for her. Thinking over, she actively followed Concubine Wei.
During the Empress’s meal, someone must always serve the dishes.
This task usually falls to the trusted palace maids of the concubines, as it’s a chance to show face before the Emperor. Many ladies avoid letting ambitious maids near, but at this moment, after a brief internal struggle, Consort Xu took up the task, her fair and delicate hands holding the soup ladle, attempting to subtly catch the Emperor’s attention.
She had deliberated whether to do this.
Firstly, Attendant Lady Xi, merely an attendant, sat for the meal, yet she, a dignified consort, stood serving, barely able to accept internally.
Secondly, this could be seen as vying for favor in front of her lady, the intent too obvious, fearing to anger Concubine Wei.
Yet shortly, Consort Xu realized she worried too much.
The two concubines were busy conversing and flattering the Emperor, too preoccupied to scowl at her.
Yun Jiao treated their voices as white noise, eating particularly well.
The imperial meal included a dish of fragrant rice, steamed with fresh seasonal osmanthus flowers to create flower dew, mixed with cooked rice grains. The harem concubines favored such floral-scented dishes.
Concubine Li gazed tenderly at the Emperor: "Speaking of the autumn hunt, I would love to see the Emperor’s gallant figure on horseback."
Yun Jiao was eating lychee meat.
Concubine Wei knew her looks were not as good as Concubine Li’s, played the loving mother card: "Concubine Li might have seen it in previous years, but this year it’s time for me to bring Ruyi—Ruyi misses her father. Concubine Li, never being a mother, perhaps wouldn’t understand."
Yun Jiao began eating wine-braised Jade Mushroom.
The two concubine masters were busy talking while trying to maintain elegant posture before the Emperor, barely using their chopsticks. The result was Yun Jiao alone keeping Consort Xu busy, asking for one dish after another, making her grind her molars.
Yun Jiao wasn’t doing it deliberately.
Wasn’t it Consort Xu vying for attention at the Imperial Court, driving away palace maids initially meant to serve? She couldn’t lift chopsticks herself.
Consort Xu didn’t see it that way; she felt Attendant Lady Xi was deliberately disgracing and humiliating her.
"I remember the Emperor loves lychee meat,"
Concubine Li had just placed some meat in front of the Emperor’s small bowl, Concubine Wei was quick to add fish: "Concubine Li didn’t know the bass is the Emperor’s real favorite."
Ying Lu, standing at attention nearby, watched the masters’ open and covert contests, feeling helpless.
The Emperor is also human; tastes may change.
Both spoke correctly: when Concubine Li was favored, the Emperor loved lychee meat; when Concubine Wei spent most nights with him, he appreciated the bass’s taste. But both people and dishes faded, leaving the Emperor’s timeless favorite—a simple dish of minced silverfish, an ordinary dish available year-round.
Xie Zhixing glanced at the bowl’s contents, looked up and asked: "And Attendant Lady Xi?"
They had also eaten together.
Not sure if Attendant Lady Xi had noticed which dish he preferred.
When the Emperor called upon Yun Jiao, she was wrestling a dish of pig knuckle.
Although dining with superiors, she hadn’t completely indulged forgetting her surroundings, keeping an ear out for their conversation—only proving to be right as the Emperor suddenly addressed her. Otherwise, she’d be caught off guard.
Yun Jiao confidently replied: "Responding to the Emperor, I enjoy steamed meat in rice powder."
The table fell silent momentarily.
Half for her answer, the other half for her confidence.
Concubine Wei recalled Yun Jiao saying the Emperor favored her for her looks... in reality, this might truly be the case, not hitting it off or having intriguing conversations.
"Ying Lu," Xie Zhixing raised his hand: "Remove this dish of steamed meat in rice powder."
"Yes, Emperor."
Yun Jiao: QAQ
Just when everyone thought Attendant Lady Xi had displeased the Emperor, Xie Zhixing continued: "Once you accompany me to the autumn hunt, then enjoy it to your heart’s content."
Directly facing the Emperor’s favor toward Attendant Lady Xi for the first time, the three’s pupils quaked.
Listen to this tone, the Emperor not only decided to bring Attendant Lady Xi, but was thoughtful enough to want her company.
"Emperor, will you take me to the autumn hunt?"
Yun Jiao couldn’t help asking.
This was her first chance to directly inquire why the Emperor intended her company for the autumn hunt.
"Yes, I want your company."
Xie Zhixing purposely used a firm tone, letting Yun Jiao know, regardless of the time, she couldn’t escape: "What, you don’t want to?"
Yun Jiao made a face, peeking at him.
Xie Zhixing, seeing her small expression, said: "Speak freely, you have my pardon."
At this, Concubine Li, Concubine Wei, and Consort Xu all felt Attendant Lady Xi should know when to stop.
Unexpectedly, Attendant Lady Xi brazenly pushed her luck hard here.
"Traveling to the hunting grounds involves long carriage rides, and the attendant’s carriage is cramped. Upon arrival, accommodations aren’t as good, not matching the comfort of living now in Xianfu Palace, Concubine Li is kind, I enjoy staying with her."
Yun Jiao, tactfully, praised her lady master.
"So that’s why you wish to remain in the palace with Concubine Li and not accompany me?"
Xie Zhixing’s light words instantly converted Yun Jiao’s tactful statement into a clumsy one.