CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: NUWA: KING ZHOU IS TRULY A MEDIOCRE MAN

Outside Qiankun Palace.

A young eunuch with unremarkable features hurried through the corridor, as fine rain draped the scene, making his face even more indistinct through the mist. The palace attendants serving at the Imperial Court rushed past, not one noticing him; he was like a drop of water blending into the sea.

He pulled out a token, and Ying Lu let him in.

"Greetings, Emperor."

"Rise."

The eunuch was assisting Xie Zhixing in removing his hair crown, but dissatisfied with his slowness, Xie waved him off, allowing the young eunuch, who seemed adept and practiced, to step up: "Today, after Attendant Lady Xi went to Jianzhang Palace to pay respects, she encountered Concubine Feng on her way back to Xianfu Palace. After greeting Concubine Feng loudly, and briefly conversing with Consort Xu, she returned to Xianfu Palace, now being watched by Qing Zhou."

Since identifying the Yun Family as the holders of the ability to reverse time, Xie Zhixing had dispatched two hidden guards to keep watch day and night.

Qing Zhou and Chen Zhou were the most skilled in intelligence gathering among his hidden guards.

They both bore plain faces, and since they could not gain official rank, they would not seek Imperial favor, but blindly and faithfully executed their tasks, extending the Emperor’s authority.

Xie Zhixing slightly raised his chin to facilitate undoing his belt, "What did they talk about?"

While meticulously arranging his attire, Chen Zhou reported in detail the content of their conversation.

After listening, Xie Zhixing responded with a hmm: "Continue to keep watch, and do not take any unnecessary action."

"Yes, this servant takes his leave."

Chen Zhou performed a deep bow before exiting the palace.

This was the advantage of hidden guards—they would not overthink, and would not ask unnecessary questions.

On the first day of sending hidden guards to monitor the Yun Family, Xie Zhixing considered whether to also issue an assassination order, but this thought was extinguished in an instant—a power to overturn heaven and earth, and to reverse time, these were abilities only Immortals could possess.

The Emperor, mandated by Heaven, claims divine right, is head of all beings.

Though "pragmatism" as a philosophy had yet to arise in this era, Xie Zhixing embodied it, pondering first whether people, objects, or events could benefit him, utilizing that which was beneficial, discarding that which was not like worn-out shoes, always mindful of risks and costs. His brothers, led by Prince Kang, often felt during literary gatherings that their older brother was unromantic, seeing only money and power. Yet, it was precisely this mindset that had placed him far ahead of his brothers, making him the late Emperor’s prime candidate for succession.

He treated the Yun Family in much the same way.

The Yun Family possessed unknown Immortal skills yet unrevealed; how could mortal means kill an Immortal?

Emperor Wu Yi acted slowly and met his death, incurring Heaven’s wrath, an inescapable fate.

Should he provoke an Immortal, the consequences would be unbearable for a mere mortal. With time reversal, even if he could retain his wisdom and memory, the Yun Family could endlessly reverse time, rendering him immobile, perceived as a mad king by others.

At least, for now, the Yun Family was not his enemy.

He had set a strategy to engage slowly with her, to observe and see if there was any profit to gain...

Xie Zhixing paced to the desk.

"Emperor, this servant seeks an audience." Outside, the voice of Ying Lu brought him back: "Enter."

Ying Lu entered with bowed head, offering several books in his hands.

The Emperor was not fond of casual reading, yet recently he ordered Ying Lu to gather stories from among the people about romances between mortals and fairies or mountain spirits, featuring old emperors, written with the most beautiful language yet containing profound content. If it were modern times, titles would be something like "The Forbidden Secrets of the Wushan Goddess and Chu Huai King," "When Shuyu Fairy Fell in Love with the Southern Tang Lord Li Jing," "The Tale of King Mu of Zhou and The Queen Mother of the West’s Thousand Mile Quest for a Wife," and "Nuwa: The Disillusionment with King Zhou."

The content within made even the eunuch blush!

Who could have thought the Emperor had such a wild side.

"Set it aside, I’ll read it later."

"At once."

Xie Zhixing was about to sit and delve into reading when a request for an audience from Prince Duan arrived from outside.

Hearing it was Prince Duan, Xie Zhixing’s cold face finally broke into a bit of a smile.

Among the Eldest Prince and his siblings, he was not particularly close to any, except for a strong bond with his second brother, who always supported him. Xie Zhixing beckoned for the Prince to enter, not bothering to hide the books.

As a result, Prince Duan was blinded by the suggestive titles on the desk as he entered.

After being granted a seat post-ceremonial greetings, he inquired, "Brother, may I dare request to read one?"

"Go ahead."

Prince Duan still held out hope.

His elder brother should be using these lascivious books as a cover for secrets within, and allowing him to read showed genuine trust and brotherly affection. However, upon opening one and finding the contents even more indescribable than the title, he slammed it shut, blushing furiously: "Reading such texts in daylight... not something I expected Brother to do! Brother, if you must read, perhaps keep it discreet! If rumor spreads, the ministers will gossip."

Hearing his brother’s sincere advice, Xie Zhixing was pleased: "Naturally for others, but there’s no need to hide from you."

A single phrase moved Prince Duan to tears.

Curiosity got the better of him: "Brother, with beauties in your harem as numerous as the clouds, why seek pleasure in books?"

"I am merely curious about the dual cultivation methods between the Nine Heavens Profound Lady and mortals."

Prince Duan: ...

Every emperor was bound to seek immortality as a study, but his brother broached the subject unusually early!

"I only ever heard of our third brother’s interest in immortality, never expecting yours," Prince Duan joked, "Brother hasn’t set foot in the harem for nearly a month, with an empty list of consorts, and the Empress Dowager summoned me, concerned for this reason. So, Brother is awaiting a fairy?"

"I’m merely not overly passionate."

Even with comments on his private life, Xie Zhixing remained indifferent.

After all, no issue concerning the Emperor was minor; his wellbeing was the nation’s concern, with even staffed positions capable of commenting on his harem visits: "Only through dual cultivation with a fairy can one find the path to eternal life."

Prince Duan nodded with a smile.

However, as Yan Chi’s foremost supporter, he could only think of one thing:

Has Brother lost his mind from overworking imperial decrees?

But seeing Xie Zhixing speak so seriously, Prince Duan could only counsel: "Brother should keep such matters between us, best not mentioning to the Empress Dowager either."

Otherwise, the Empress Dowager might truly break down.

Though she devoted herself to Buddhism, her prayers were for the Emperor’s prosperity and children; a fairy, unless delivering octuplets with all sons, would be ineffective. How could she procure a Heavenly Immortal for the Emperor?

"Of course."

Having received his brother’s promise, Prince Duan felt relieved to switch topics.

-------------------------------------

Meanwhile, the fairy saved her progress, preparing to wander outside.

For the West Wing’s modest rooms lacked entertainment, and staying inside grew tiresome.

No wonder the Ladies engaged in intrigues.

The palace was truly dull; to stay idle was to invite trouble. The head Ladies might schedule performances for amusement, but Attendant Ladies could only wait.

Gong Mei suggested: "Mistress, the weather outside has turned chilly, better to wear an extra layer."

Yun Jiao, sensitive to cold, obediently bundled herself up.

Xue Ya, worry written across her face: "Now we won’t fear catching cold, but should we chance upon the Emperor..." might not look as appealing.

The motivational saying "don’t live for men" has no place in the harem, so Yun Jiao deftly played: "Aren’t there fewer concubines wearing layers despite snow for a slim, graceful figure? The Emperor’s weary of that by now. I’ll do the opposite, becoming a fluffy ball the Emperor’s never seen."

"What’s more, are there not those who wish me ill?"

"In this outfit, should someone push me down the stairs, I’d roll to the ground unscathed."

"In this outfit, should someone attempt to tarnish my name, and the guard arrives, they’d have only torn off the outer layer!"

Reasonable and convincing.

Xue Ya admired her: "Mistress is so clever!"

One bold in speech, the other daring to believe.

As Yun Jiao passed through the main hall, Concubine Li, sitting on her swing in her small garden, caught sight of their group and rubbed her eyes in disbelief: "Am I seeing things, is that a ball of fluff walking out?"

"In response to Lady, that seems to be Attendant Lady Xi."

So the Emperor now favored this style?

She didn’t understand, it was a revelation.

But the Emperor’s preferences dictated the harem’s fashion trends, prompting Concubine Li to quickly prepare her winter attire.