CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 50: TOP 10 FAMOUS SONGS OF TRANSMIGRATED WOMEN

It’s the concubines’ birthdays, and the Imperial Household and the Kitchen will send the appropriate auspicious items and banquet spreads.

As per protocol, a concubine’s banquet spread is only enough to feast on in her own palace.

Concubine Jiang took out her own silver, spending money to have the kitchen prepare more spreads in advance. She wanted to host a feast.

In the palace, whether you attend a banquet, and how much gift you prepare, all have their own etiquette.

Invitations from those lower in rank are to be attended based on one’s mood, with gifts given at random.

Invitations from those higher in rank must be attended if you’re able to walk, and the gift etiquette must be comprehensive, avoiding edible things and primarily offering fabrics and jewelry, occasionally paintings and calligraphy.

"Then I shall paint a Birthday Celebration Painting for Concubine Jiang."

Yun Jiao had a palace maid grind the ink, set out the four treasures of the study, and after dipping the brush in ink, she drew a little Q-version pig in the corner of the paper: "Xue Ya, look, Piggy Hero,"

"How can a hero be related to a pig?"

Xue Ya looked incredulous.

"Because it’s a pig that loves to do chivalrous deeds."

After a moment of sketching, Yun Jiao found herself quite gifted at drawing Q-versions!

She completely forgot her original purpose for bringing out the four treasures of the study, as she drew and hummed: "Smart, brave, and strong, I really admire myself..."

Yun Jiao was so absorbed in her drawing that she didn’t notice the surroundings had quietly calmed down.

A tall shadow loomed over the canvas.

"Why are you drawing a pig?"

The sudden male voice finally pulled Yun Jiao out of her thoughts. She raised her head and saw the Emperor standing behind her. He ignored her, lifted the painting she just made, and examined it. His silent intrusion into someone else’s room, with such composure as if he were the rightful owner, showed he was clearly a tough character.

The light from outside the window outlined him even more like a genteel nobleman.

How handsome was the Emperor? With Yun Jiao’s meager vocabulary to describe him, she could only say if he were a character in an ancient style otome game, his voice actor would definitely be Ajie, a top role.

"...Your Majesty, how come you walk without making a sound?"

Caught singing the theme of "Piggy Hero" by the handsome guy, Yun Jiao’s face turned bright red.

"I am a martial artist, able to control my breath and steps, seeing you completely absorbed in painting, I didn’t want you to interrupt your painting by getting up to greet me, but..." Xie Zhixing lightly flicked the paper: "Hmm, this pig somewhat resembles you, but of wisdom, courage, and strength, you only possess one."

The painting technique Attendant Lady Xi used was something he had never seen before.

"Although your artwork is rough, it is not without spirit."

Yet it was her dazed look when she looked up and saw him that was even more charming.

Xie Zhixing placed his hand on her shoulder, just about to say he could teach her painting.

From the moment he could hold a brush, he was taught by a famous teacher, the hard work he put in had long integrated into his bones and blood.

The next instant, he was outside Xianfu Palace again.

...

Resolutely returning the scene, Yun Jiao chuckled inwardly, thinking the Emperor was too naïve.

Because if a brush stroke went wrong on paper, it couldn’t be erased; Yun Jiao had saved progress before starting, acting like the real-world ctrl+z, but unexpectedly, her work was divinely inspired, not needing a single retraction.

This time, it was just perfect for that sneaky Emperor popping in!

Also, she must regain her lost face!

When Xie Zhixing stepped into Xianfu Palace again, instructing palace maids and eunuchs not to make a sound, and walked to the west room, the song he heard was no longer the theme song of "Piggy Hero," but instead...

"When will the moon be bright, I ask the blue sky with a cup of wine..."

We time-traveling women all sing the Wang Fei version of "When Will the Moon Be Bright"!

Yun Jiao’s repertoire of ancient-style songs wasn’t extensive, mainly because she couldn’t memorize the lyrics.

Among the ones she could sing right off the bat, aside from "When Will the Moon Be Bright," there were only Jay Chou’s "Blue and White Porcelain" and "Like Snow," and if pressed for more, in desperation she would have to sing "Love’s Offering"!

Xie Zhixing raised his eyebrows as he approached within five steps of Yun Jiao, and the song suddenly stopped.

"Breath steady, footsteps silent and forceful, not like a palace maid."

"Even the guards at Hanyang Hunting Ground don’t have such profound inner strength."

"Though you’ve tried your best to conceal your footsteps, it seems I still am one step ahead."

"I need not turn my head, and I already know it’s the Emperor."

Suppressing her urge to smile madly, Yun Jiao turned her head.

The sunlight streaming through the window cast a long shadow behind her. If the only imperfection in this act was that there were no swivel chairs in ancient times. "Concubine greets the Emperor."

She stood up and performed a graceful bow.

The Emperor, who witnessed the whole scene and retained his memory: "..."

It seemed his beloved concubine was playing a very new roleplay game, and he was just a part of it.

"Rise."

Xie Zhixing embraced her into his arms, noticing her eyes gleamed as she gazed at him.

If humans had tails, Yun Jiao’s would now be wagging like a fan blade — Wasn’t I just so ancient-styled, so awesome? Why are you just standing there? Why aren’t you praising me yet?

Just as he was spacing out, she clutched his arm tightly.

After all, if one showed off and received no praise, when the fevered head cooled down, it would be a toe-curling moment of embarrassment.

"Your Majesty?"

Yun Jiao looked at him with expectant eyes.

"Very impressive, I intentionally restrained my footsteps, yet you still noticed."

Seeing her adorably eager, Xie Zhixing decided to indulge her a bit.

Unexpectedly, Yun Jiao, who had looked both expectant and anxious, suddenly perked up: "Haha! I hear and see everything, the Emperor needs more practice!"

Xie Zhixing: "..."

He wished he could retract his previous praise for her.

"Yes, I need more practice."

He gritted his teeth.

Feeling pleased, Yun Jiao slyly hinted at the Emperor: "The song I just sang, Your Majesty heard it? Isn’t it especially cultured?"

"It is,"

Xie Zhixing curled his lips: "With poetry in your heart, I was also moved, though, I’m curious, did you compose those lyrics?"

"No, it was composed by an esteemed guest who visited my father’s residence when I was a child, but it’s been so long that it would be hard to trace."

In this world, there are no poems by Li Bai or Su Shi.

But Yun Jiao didn’t want to claim the credit of predecessors, so she made up an origin on the spot.

"It’s sung very beautifully,"

Xie Zhixing offered no further comment on the content, simply pinching her cheek: "You can read?"

"..."

Yun Jiao reminded: "Your Majesty, I scored full marks in the written exam at Chuxiu Palace."

"I’ve seen you so many times since you entered the palace that I forgot," Xie Zhixing paused, asking: "During the days I haven’t come, what’s made you think of bringing out paper and ink? Are you truly lonely in the Deep Palace, looking to express through poetry and paintings?"