Chapter 84 - 69: Tears
She saw it, but since her boss didn’t say anything, Jiang Xian wouldn’t either.
Superiors are hard to please.
The Emperor had summoned her to keep him company and grind his ink while he drafted a decree promoting her father. He must have intended for her to see it. However, the Emperor was a suspicious man. If she were to thank him rashly, he might be pleased in the moment, but upon reflection, he might suspect her of peeking at the imperial decree—an act of defiance.
If a boss suspects you, the worst you’ll get is some petty grief.
If the Emperor suspects you, you’re just waiting for a round of Nine-Kin Annihilation.
Clearing up his suspicions was impossible. He would only use every method at his disposal to confirm what he already suspected.
For an Emperor with limitless power, suspicion was a conviction.
"A sovereign does not jest. When have I ever deceived you?" The Emperor took her hand and played with it, feeling a pang of tenderness for her devotion to him. He decided to be direct. "Come and see the decree I just drafted."
Only after the Emperor had spoken did Jiang Xian turn to properly look at the bright yellow imperial decree.
While pretending to turn her head casually, she summoned all the acting talent she possessed. Her expression shifted from nonchalance to a stunned stillness, then to a slight frown, and finally, she whipped her head back in disbelief. "Your Majesty...!"
The Emperor smiled knowingly and grunted in response.
’Surprised, aren’t you? Moved, aren’t you?’
’Sigh, I truly treat my beloved concubine well.’
Jiang Xian rose from his embrace, curtsied, and expressed her gratitude. "My father is not skilled in the art of political maneuvering and has languished for years in the post of County Magistrate, unable to advance. For him to be so fortunate as to receive Your Majesty’s favor today... I am not only grateful, but also feel utterly humbled to think that Your Majesty would remember such a matter amidst your countless duties."
In the Emperor’s eyes, the position of a county magistrate was truly nothing.
For years, Jiang Ke had served as a County Magistrate, accumulating minor merits without any major faults. By seniority, he was due for a promotion. But he was too honest and incorruptible. Others didn’t bother to push him down simply because it wasn’t worth the effort, but they rarely associated with him either. As a result, good opportunities never came his way. He had spent the better part of his life as a second-in-command, never expecting that in his middle age, he would finally catch the Emperor’s eye because of his daughter.
Seeing how moved his beloved concubine was, the Emperor felt it was all worthwhile. "You performed a great service by presenting the loose-leaf notebook, but you were just recently promoted. Another promotion so soon would attract unwanted attention." Promoting her father was equivalent to promoting her. "Meize County is very far from the capital. Life in the Imperial Palace may be good, but parents always worry when their children are far from home. When the New Year comes, I will send someone to bring your mother to the palace to see you."
Having lived two lives, Jiang Xian was used to fending for herself and didn’t feel homesick.
But before she could react, a sharp pain pierced her heart, and her eyes reddened.
The original owner of this body had long since passed on, but her residual emotions would sometimes affect Jiang Xian at critical moments. However, the original owner was a true maiden from a sheltered upbringing who didn’t have many troubles weighing on her heart, so this influence was usually negligible. Only this once did an intense wave of sorrow and homesickness surge through her, bringing tears to her eyes.
She couldn’t help but clutch her chest and say silently to herself:
’Rest assured, I will look after our family and be a filial daughter to our parents in your place.’
The piercing pain quickly subsided.
"What’s wrong, Xian’er? Where does it hurt?" Seeing her cry, the Emperor quickly rose to his feet and told Liang Yuyin to summon an Imperial Physician. Before he could finish, Jiang Xian stopped him. "There is no need, Your Majesty. I was just thinking of my family... I was so moved by Your Majesty’s care that I became sentimental."
’It was customary for the female elders of concubines to be granted entry to the palace during holidays. Even a concubine of a low rank could see her family. Xian’er was showered with his favor; could she really be moved by such a small kindness?’
’Of course not!’
’So why is she crying?’
’It must be because I issued a special decree to bring her mother to the capital. She’s moved by my thoughtfulness and attention to detail.’
The Emperor certainly knew how to flatter himself.
"From now on, the Imperial Palace is your home, Xian’er," the Emperor said, wiping away her tears and comforting her in a gentle voice.
Hearing this, Jiang Xian’s tears flowed even more fiercely.
This time, it wasn’t the original owner’s influence. It was her own PTSD* flaring up.
The last time she heard "from now on, think of the company as your home," the boss who said it ended up skipping out on a month of her salary, scamming her for two bubble tea deliveries, and disappearing without a trace. She’d learned her lesson since then: the more a boss emphasized that "the company is your family" and "we’re all one big happy family," the more certain it was a minefield. Not a single one of them was innocent!
Her tears came at the perfect moment. The Emperor was now genuinely distressed. "I meant to comfort you, but somehow I’ve made you cry even harder! Fine, fine, it’s all my fault. I’ll stay and keep you company all day. Please, stop crying."
Liang Yuyin, who had been making himself invisible off to the side, was deeply impressed.
’As expected of Noble Lady Gu.’
’This ability to cry on cue, and so convincingly at that, is not a skill everyone possesses.’
「At the same time, in Jianzhang Palace.」
"Is Noble Lady Gu still attending to the Emperor in Qiankun Palace?" the Empress asked.
Fu Jin lowered her head. "The Emperor has called for his meal. It seems he will not be choosing anyone else’s plaque tonight."
Noble Lady Gu was skilled at pleasing the Emperor. Now that she was already with him, there was no way she would give up her prize. Seeing the Empress’s face pale at this answer, Fu Jin’s heart ached for her, and she tried to offer some comfort. "Your Majesty need not be saddened. It is only because you dislike asking. If Your Majesty were to send someone to invite him, the Emperor would certainly come to Jianzhang Palace. That is a privilege no one else has."
This was the honest truth.
If the Empress sent for him, the Emperor would certainly grant her that much respect.
But the Empress never used this privilege, nor did she ever try to intercept the Emperor’s favor.
’If Her Majesty is truly upset,’ Fu Jin thought, ’she could always go to Qiankun Palace herself!’
"Me, summon the Emperor? What would I summon him for?" The Empress looked baffled, then added mournfully, "Noble Lady Gu has been kept there, so she certainly won’t be able to come to Jianzhang Palace today. My accounts... Ah, well. I suppose I’ll just wait until tomorrow!"
’Sob, the Emperor stole my god-tier secretary. This is so hard.’