In Weiyang Palace, Xie Zhixing was enveloped in a low-pressure aura so intense it could drip water.
The late Emperor once commented that his eldest son was intelligent, eager to learn, and naturally talented. He possessed a keen spirit of inquiry and perfectionism, and entrusted Xie Zhixing with any task, feeling reassured.
Only one thing: sometimes, it's unnecessary to be too stubborn when viewing matters—
And this was something Xie Zhixing had never managed to achieve.
"What exactly is the condition for the time reversal? Without understanding this, how can I, the Emperor, sleep peacefully."
Under his long, narrow phoenix eyes, there were faint shadows.
"The most frequent triggers of the time reversal happened when the concubines were brought into Weiyang Palace; the key must lie within."
Was it man-made, or fate?
Why was he, alone, able to retain memory?
Xie Zhixing raised his hand, sweeping his scattered hair to the back of his head. The flickering candlelight cast deeper shadows on his handsome face.
...
After a moment, Xie Zhixing stood up, deciding to take a walk outside.
Ying Lu, waiting outside the door, hurriedly draped an overcoat over the Emperor, listening to his instructions: "I'm just going for a short walk, you need not follow."
"But...the night dew is heavy; how could your Majesty's esteemed self endure it?"
Xie Zhixing's peripheral vision swept over Ying Lu.
Everyone immediately knelt, not daring to say more.
The Imperial Palace had palace maids and eunuchs on duty all twelve hours of the day. Growing up roaming the harem, Xie Zhixing was familiar with every brick and tile and couldn't find it eerie. As he walked, his lashes suddenly drooped; raindrops as large as beans fell densely, and in mere moments soaked his robes. Thinking for a while, he headed toward the nearest Xianfu Palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The night-duty palace maid saw Xie Zhixing approaching from afar and hurriedly performed a grand salute, regardless of the muddy ground.
Xie Zhixing gave a faint "hmm," then continued inside.
At this moment, a palace maid cried out a question in surprise that she regretted for half a month: "Is Your Majesty here to see Concubine Li?"
Upon the maid's question, Xie Zhixing remembered that Concubine Li wasn't Xianfu Palace's only resident; Attendant Lady Sun and also…
"Where is Yun living?"
Xie Zhixing recalled; her written test had scored full marks.
"Your Majesty's reply: Servant Consort Yun resides in the west side room."
As soon as the words were spoken, Xie Zhixing proceeded directly to the west wing.
...
All under Heaven is the Emperor's domain.
The harem is even more the Emperor's private garden, and Xie Zhixing could go wherever he wished.
Yet obviously, someone did not think so.
Upon hearing the Emperor was heading toward the west wing, Concubine Li lost her head, clutching onto the slim hope that the palace maid could divert the Emperor from Yun, who lacked stable footing and backing in the palace, and wouldn't dare to make a sound if robbed of favor. However, before the maid could approach, she was intercepted by Ying Lu, who, after hearing what she said, laughed angrily: "Where the Emperor wishes to stay, neither you nor your mistress has any say."
"You misunderstand, my lord," the maid forced a smile, knowing well it was disrespectful to attempt to control the Emperor; she reiterated Concubine Li's words: "My mistress is worried the west wing is too cramped and small, it might inconvenience Your Majesty, she invites Your Majesty to rest in the main hall instead…"
Up ahead, Xie Zhixing paused in his steps.
He had heard this, turned his head back.
Under the moonlight, his cold face was outlined with a faint golden hue, voice deep like a vesper bell: "Then prepare the main hall."
With that, he lifted his foot and carried on.
The maid barely had time for joy before Ying Lu kindly reminded her: "Indeed the west wing is too beneath His Majesty; if the Emperor bestows favor upon Servant Consort Yun, it better be in the main hall."
The maid froze.
Wha-what does it mean?
The Emperor intends to favor another in Concubine Li's room?
Wouldn't that mean forcing Concubine Li out?
Imagining Concubine Li's probable outrage, the maid turned pale.
"This, this has never happened before…"
"Normally not, but wasn't this suggested by Concubine Li herself? The Emperor is merely accepting the Lady's kindness; better report to your mistress quickly so preparations can begin!"
...
The summoned Yun Jiao was dumbfounded.
She hadn't readied herself to battle the Boss, and now the Boss sought her out instead?
Xue Ya and Gong Mei worked in tandem, their fingers flying in a blur, barely managing to dress her decently for an audience with the Emperor.
"My lady, go now!"
With an oiled paper umbrella thrust into her hand, Yun Jiao stumbled out.
In the haste, she tripped and fell.
Xie Zhixing: ...
He watched as Yun, dressed in pink, turned herself into a mud-covered mess.
What could be said—it was nothing like the clever demeanors he imagined.
Beside him, Ying Lu inwardly exclaimed, hesitating whether to drag away this ungraceful Servant Consort for her manner before the Court, when Yun stood up brushing her face while murmuring: "Ugh, what an embarrassment! Let's try again!"
The next moment, time rewinded ten seconds.
Xie Zhixing's eyes widened slightly; amid his hesitation, he saw Yun emerging once more, gracefully bowing to him:
"The Emperor greets the Concubine ... oops, misspoke!"
Time rewinded again by ten seconds.
This time, Xie Zhixing realized, the reason for the time reversal was due to this little Servant Consort!
He suddenly understood why he couldn't consort with others in the harem—it must be her way of jockeying for favor, preventing him from favoring others. He watched her with a stern gaze but feigned ignorance to avoid alarming the snake.
When Yun Jiao emerged slowly once more, she seemed to grow more intelligent yet naïve in Xie Zhixing's eyes.
Yun Jiao completed her bow properly.
Xie Zhixing: "Raise your head."
Let the Emperor see the face of the one who has troubled him so greatly these days.
Yun Jiao raised her face, thinking she could just rewind, looking bravely at the regal visage: "…Wow! Such a handsome portrait!" Realizing her blunder, she rewound again.
At the fourth meeting, Xie Zhixing coldly watched as this audacious Servant Consort looked up pitifully, murmuring: "How come after so many refreshes, Your Majesty is still here?"
In these rounds of time reversal, he discovered something else.
That Yun wasn't inclined to attend the bedchamber.
She believed as long as she went back, he would appear in either Concubine Li or Attendant Lady Sun's place.
"Ha."
Xie Zhixing sneered.
Want him gone? Not a chance.
After the 31st reset, Yun Jiao visibly showed fatigue, listlessly completing her bow, head down.
Xie Zhixing's lips quirked: "Enough, rise."
Beside him, Ying Lu was shocked to notice the Emperor's previously gloomy demeanor had lifted upon seeing Yun Jiao, even smiling for once... Something even Lady Shufei couldn't accomplish! Observing Yun, looking mundane with a worn expression, what could have captured the Emperor's distinguished interest? Regardless, this Servant Consort Yun seemed to have a great fortune awaiting, poised to ascend rapidly.
And yet, what came next was the most startling.
The Emperor grasped her chin:
"I'll go nowhere tonight, I shall stay here with you."
Ying Lu's pupils quaked.
This was a brand-new, charmingly demonic version of the Emperor he had never witnessed!