Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 121 - 110: Frustration

Seeing the Emperor without dismounting is a grave offense, enough to warrant the execution of one’s entire family.

Xie Zhixing noticed her legs clamped tightly around the horse, realizing she was still scared, merely pretending to be at ease. The young girl wanted to save face, and he wasn’t inclined to argue with her. Seeing her looking at him imploringly for help, he couldn’t help but feel a bit smug.

No matter how close she was to Concubine Li, could Concubine Li help her dismount?

Feeling proud, he suddenly grew apprehensive, considering how poor her equestrian skills were—on par with a beginner. Relying on her ability to turn back time recklessly was simply courting danger with her life! He could easily imagine her disastrous fall from the horse, sending a shiver down his spine.

Xie Zhixing’s mind flashed with numerous thoughts, ultimately deciding to lift her off the horse, but he didn’t intend to release her just yet.

Eunuch Lu laughed in his heart at the sight. It was fortunate that he had shown respect to Concubine Xi earlier; this grandaunt indeed held a special place in the Emperor’s heart.

Originally, he thought she would feel shy being held in front of so many people. Unexpectedly, her arms draped leisurely over his shoulders, surprisingly at ease without any intention of coming down. This made Xie Zhixing hesitate a bit before letting her go, saying, "Stand on your own; needing to be held all the time is inappropriate."

"Father!"

The Eldest Prince was helped off the horse by the eunuch and hurried to his father’s side, performing the customary salute.

"Hmm, arise. Did Jing’er ride a horse just now?"

"Yes, Father."

The Eldest Prince’s face was flushed—not only from the excitement of horse riding but also from nervousness about being reprimanded by his father.

But instead of harping on his unauthorized riding, his father scolded Yun Jiao, "Tengwu has always been spirited. You’re not skilled at riding, so when taking the Eldest Prince, you must be extraordinarily cautious. Have you considered the consequences if something happens? If it throws someone off and breaks their arm, that’s a mild injury. Hit their head in the afternoon, and they could be buried by night!"

Xie Zhixing’s gaze turned cold and fierce; anger welled up inside as he watched her shrink her neck and look at him timidly, and he said nothing.

"This concubine admits her mistake and won’t dare to do it again. Please don’t be angry, Your Majesty, it’s not worth it to upset the divine self."

He paused for a long time, remembering she held the most leverage and wouldn’t suffer the consequences. Instead, bystanders like him were sweating in fear and spun in circles by her antics. Why was he worrying for her? It’s like a dog minding mice, meddling where it shouldn’t. With this realization, Xie Zhixing felt deeply fatigued:

"Angry? I’m not angry."

He scowled at her, clearly fuming.

Yet the Immortal with a wooden head lightly took his hand and placed it on herself: "If Your Majesty is angry, please strike this concubine a couple of times to calm down."

Hit a woman? What would that make him? Though he wouldn’t hesitate to punish concubines or palace maids for mistakes, he never vented his anger through hitting. She spoke casually, likely unable to withstand even a slap from him.

Yun Jiao blinked her cat-like wide eyes at him, looking pathetically aggrieved:

"Your Majesty, say something."

"Would you listen if I did?"

He told her to be careful, yet she found her riding to lack a certain flair.

Yun Jiao wasn’t afraid of him, but knowing she was at fault, she didn’t argue and assured that she’d listen to whatever the Emperor said. In retrospect, taking a young lad to horse ride should indeed come with a heightened sense of safety awareness.

"Chengjing,"

Xie Zhixing was too lazy to deal with her; she was like a rolling blade, capable of handling any disaster. He called the Eldest Prince by name, and the latter straightened up with a jolt, "Father, your son is here."

"Since you’ve learned to ride, you should behave as a man. I have a task for you; do you have the confidence?"

"Your son is confident! Please feel free to order your son, Father."

Being entrusted with an important task by his father, the Eldest Prince was ecstatic, his eyes gleaming.

"You like associating with Concubine Xi, I won’t stop you. However, one thing: in the future, should Concubine Xi act recklessly involving matters of safety, you must fulfill your duty as a Prince, dissuade her, stop her. If she continues to be reckless, you are to send someone to notify me."

Xie Zhixing said sternly.

"Yes, your son accepts the order!"

The Eldest Prince responded loudly.

Yun Jiao became anxious: "Why leave it to a child to manage me, Your Majesty?"

Those present were moved to admiration.

Eunuch Lu initially thought Concubine Xi’s guilt lay in her negligence towards the Eldest Prince. Never did he expect the Emperor to allocate this responsibility to the His Highness.

"Child?" Xie Zhixing’s thin lips curled in a cold smile: "Even a three-year-old is more sensible than you. Having him watch over you seems just right."

"Lady Xi, I will watch over you in the future! Let’s not do dangerous things."

The Eldest Prince looked up at Yun Jiao, earnestly adopting a persuasive stance.

He was at the age of needing tasks to do. Being entrusted by the Emperor was not a bother; it brought him joy, making him feel purposeful while being tasked to protect the beloved Lady Xi in all of Yan Chi.

Unfortunately, Lady Xi didn’t appreciate the sentiment: "But I just enjoy treading on the edge of danger."

After saying that, Yun Jiao glanced at the Emperor’s face beside her.

Xie Zhixing gazed at her expressionlessly, his face resembling a layer of hard ice.

"That’s because," Yun Jiao pivoted: "With the all-capable Emperor watching over this concubine, this concubine dares to try."

She had a sharpness akin to a small animal, always saying sweet things to coax him when he felt dispirited.

"Father is very competent,"

The Eldest Prince nodded in agreement: "But Father is busy with state affairs and can’t constantly watch over Lady Xi. Lady Xi must take care of herself."

His advice, coming from a prince who once snuck in eunuch clothing and almost got himself killed meant to appear mature, lacked any real conviction.

Xie Zhixing abruptly realized that both the young and the grown provided no peace of mind.

"Escort Concubine Xi and the Eldest Prince back. Concubine Xi is to transcribe the ’Analects’ once, have a literate palace maid recite it to the Eldest Prince three times."

Xie Zhixing was about to sweep away, but took two steps before pausing:

"Make sure Concubine Xi writes it personally. If there is any deception, next time I’ll make you memorize it." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After the Emperor departed, Yun Jiao and the Eldest Prince looked at each other in bewilderment.

Yun Jiao fumed with injustice: "Why only punish me with copying, and not you?"

"Lady Xi, the characters in the Analects, I cannot write them yet."

The Eldest Prince scratched his cheek.

...

Compared to working through the night reviewing memorials, Yun Jiao made Xie Zhixing even more mentally exhausted.

Humans fear the unknown, yet are simultaneously driven by curiosity induced by a thirst for knowledge, not even the Emperor could escape this. What was Xie Zhixing’s original plan? He intended to keep the Immortal close, quietly elevating her status, gaining her favor, probing her background, testing her capabilities, and figuring ways to make her useful to him...

In the end, he found himself worrying about her safety.

A memorial landed with a slap on his face, covering the helpless and frustrated look in his eyes.