Chapter 0233

Chapter 233: Simply Unreasonable

Should the entire harem grovel before He Xiao Yi, who amounts to nothing?

Emperor, it's your business to look after her, but my disdain is my own.

Respect for the Empress is due to her title, not as a personal homage to Empress Xie, but to the Empress.

No one else merits that.

When Emperor He Jingxi visited Yu Zhi Palace that night, he naturally noticed the out-of-place vase on the table, adorned with a blooming lotus flower.

Emperor He Jingxi frowned: "This Mei vase doesn't suit such flowers; have it changed."

Hong Chou and others naturally complied.

"Your Majesty is right. I just thought, since it was a gift from Sister Qiong, I placed it there," He Xiao Yi spoke, seeing no objection from the emperor, she continued: "This morning, Sister Qiong mentioned her reluctance to reward me, perhaps I've unknowingly offended her. Later, Sister Qiong had this sent over. Thinking it was a fine item, I displayed it. It seems I was mistaken..."

Watching He Xiao Yi's complaint, Emperor He Jingxi felt an odd sensation stirring within.

He waved his hand: "Alright, let's have the meal. I understand."

He Xiao Yi still wanted to speak but dared not.

It wasn't until the next morning on the way to the court that Meng Chang relayed the events of the previous day.

Emperor He Jingxi paused in his stride, ultimately saying nothing and gestured to proceed to the court.

During the morning greetings, Yun Li noticed He Xiao Yi glancing at her, seemingly smug.

Yun Li paid her no mind.

The focus today was on the illness of the Third Princess; early in the morning, Xu Cairen did not attend, having sent a notice of absence.

The Empress naturally sent someone to check.

"It's not a big deal; the child just had some diarrhea," the Empress said. "The Imperial Physician has seen her and prescribed some medicine pills."

"That's good, children are fragile and can't handle much stress," Consort Jin said.

The crowd didn't dwell much on the topic and dispersed.

Yun Li didn't see Emperor He Jingxi until three days later.

At that time, she was admiring the lotuses in the Imperial Garden, where the first blooms of the year were exceptionally beautiful.

Pink and white, each flower standing out, Yun Li had not arranged to meet anyone and sat alone in the pavilion.

Despite the heat, it was quite pleasant here, with breezes blowing over the lake, occasionally bringing butterflies that danced together before fluttering away.

Lingering atop the pistil.

Of course, diligent little fellows like bees were not to be missed.

They buzzed around the flowers, occasionally bumping into petals, causing the entire bloom to sway.

After watching for a while, Yun Li said, "Go bring my guqin."

Soon, Bai Lu fetched Yun Li's guqin.

Setting up the guqin table, Yun Li smiled: "Today, I'll play for these little ones."

She gestured towards the flowerbed below, where butterflies and bees continued their tasks.

Zhi Fu covered her mouth with a laugh: "Then this servant will benefit from the pleasure."

Bai Lu also laughed.

Yun Li thought for a moment, then began to play "Butterfly Lovers."

The sound of the guqin was melodious and pleasant, carrying far on this summer morning.

"Butterfly Lovers" is not a difficult piece, and its melody is straightforward.

Just as she was about to finish, He Jingxi arrived with He Xiao Yi and Zhao Xiao Yi.

Zhi Fu and Bai Lu had already knelt down, but Yun Li simply smiled at He Jingxi and continued playing, showing no intention of stopping.

He Jingxi sat on the railing where she had just been sitting, watching Yun Li play the guqin with a smile.

When Yun Li finished one piece, she flipped her hand and began another.

This piece is titled "Seeking."

It was composed by her guqin teacher in her previous life, a piece brimming with childlike wonder.

Inspired by Yang Wanli's poem, it evokes an image of children chasing butterflies into a garden, only to find them gone.

The final note falls like a mischievous child finally sighing and turning away.

Yun Li stops the strings and, turning to He Jingxi with a smile, rises: "Greetings to Your Majesty, may you be eternally well."

After her greeting, Zhao Xiao Yi and He Xiao Yi also hurriedly rise to greet her.

"I've never heard this piece before, quite nice. Why was Yun'er hiding away playing the guqin?" He Jingxi asks with a smile.

"That's because His Majesty has new favorites now and has forgotten about me, leaving me to be alone," Yun Li says.

"Nonsense," He Jingxi laughs, shaking his head.

"Your Majesty's guqin playing is truly beautiful. It's a pity I don't play; afraid after hearing it, I'd forget the taste of meat for three days?" Zhao Xiao Yi jokes with a smile.

"That won't do, especially since you've just had a child. You need your nutrition; meat is necessary," Yun Li plays along.

"Then I shall eat more meat," says Zhao Xiao Yi.

"Lady Yun Li's guqin playing is indeed marvelous, totally engrossed. You didn't even notice His Majesty's arrival," He Xiao Yi laughs behind her hand.

"What, He Xiao Yi thinks I didn't see His Majesty? I deliberately chose not to rise. I was playing for the butterflies and bees in the flowers. They are guests from afar, and His Majesty is one of our own. How could I neglect our guests just because a familiar face arrived?" Yun Li explains.

Yun Li to He Jingxi: "You're not angry, are you?"

"Yun'er plays the guqin well, of course, I'm not angry," He Jingxi smiles, glancing at He Xiao Yi.

He Xiao Yi quickly adds, "It's all my fault, I'm not good at jokes. Please don't be upset, Lady Yun Li."

"You should see the imperial physician. Seriously, it's not just your eyesight that's poor, you seem to have other issues too. Who are you to joke with me? Are we close? Can't you see your so-called 'joke' was meant for His Majesty to see, implying I'm ill-mannered? That I should greet His Majesty the moment he arrives?"

"But let me whisper something to you, His Majesty dotes on me, so he wasn't angry. Are you upset?"

Yun Li blinks, a playful smile on her lips.

He Xiao Yi pauses: "No, I didn't... Your Highness misunderstands..."

"Your Majesty~~" Yun Li instantly cuddles into He Jingxi's embrace: "I don't want to see her. It doesn't matter, His Majesty came on his own, and since I've caught him, he's mine. You can't leave."

She clings to He Jingxi's neck, a pleading look in her eyes hidden from others.

With the warmth and softness in his arms, truth be told, if He Jingxi isn't blind, he could easily see the difference.

Of course, he prefers spending time with the interesting and beautiful Yun Li.

"So unreasonable," He Jingxi chuckles, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Yun Li pouts.

Zhao Xiao Yi is the first to speak up: "I've been out for a while, should return to check on the Fifth Princess. It's hot, and she doesn't drink enough water."

"Alright, go back then. Take good care of her," He Jingxi says.

"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. I shall take my leave," Zhao Xiao Yi glances at He Xiao Yi.

On the verge of fury, He Xiao Yi realizes making a scene now would only embarrass her further.

Thus, she finds an excuse and leaves with Zhao Xiao Yi.

[Some may not like a cunning female protagonist, no hard feelings, let's part on good terms, please no negative reviews, I can't bear them.]