Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 899: Chapter 810: Unwilling to Be a Slave 30

When the Emperor arrived, he was indeed very pleased upon seeing Gao Jieyu’s attire. Holding her hand, he laughed and said, ”Beloved concubine, your outfit today is refreshing and elegant, truly beautiful. No matter how you adorn yourself, you are always lovely.”

Gao Jieyu blushed, lowering her powdered neck, and said, ”The Emperor’s praise leaves me at a loss. There are many beautiful women in the harem, and my appearance is merely passable. It is only your enduring affection that makes you still find beauty in my face, which is nearing old age and fading.”

The Emperor laughed heartily, ”My beloved concubine, you truly have a way with words. If you are aging and fading, then where would we find any vibrant beauty in the harem?”

The two chatted and laughed as they entered the room. Nangong Shuangshuang, as usual, retreated without serving closely. Gao Jieyu understood Nangong Shuangshuang’s thoughts and was very satisfied with her decision not to approach the Emperor, thus trusting her even more.

During meals with the Empress, there was always a quiet adherence to protocol, mainly because the Empress observed guidelines in all matters. Of course, she wasn’t rigidly bound to rules; privately she enjoyed a pleasant atmosphere and would tease the Emperor. Her adherence demonstrated her virtue.

The Emperor was willing to follow some rules with the Empress, but when with his concubines, he was less particular. Hence, during meals with Gao Jieyu, he would engage in casual conversation.

For instance, regarding the recent donation matter, the Emperor was particularly curious about how Gao Jieyu knew about it. During the meal, he asked, ”Beloved concubine, how did you think to remind the Empress not to have the concubines donate their jewelry again and instead offer gold and silver?”

Gao Jieyu set down her chopsticks, lightly dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, and smiled, ”I have always been in the harem, how would I understand these matters? To speak frankly, and not fear your ridicule, I have also been one to complicate matters before.

I thought by donating my jewelry, which is more valuable than gold or silver, I could show my resolve to share your burdens. Who knew I was actually troubling you, thinking back now, it makes me quite ashamed.”

Upon hearing this, noting the rosy blush of embarrassment on Gao Jieyu’s face, the Emperor laughed heartily, ”My beloved, you are straightforward, revealing your thoughts so openly, it shows your candidness.”

Currently, the Emperor had a favorable impression of Gao Jieyu and enjoyed listening to whatever she said. ”But how did you later realize the mistake?” he continued to ask after laughing.

”I used to have a small hobby of walking to the secluded corners of the Imperial Garden because those places were quiet and cool. By chance, I saw an aunt from the Violence Room guiding a palace maid to pick mugwort.

I noticed the young palace maid, who seemed very clever, didn’t resemble a palace servant who had made a mistake and relegated to the Violence Room, so I inquired. As suspected, she wasn’t a palace maid who made a mistake but a relative of a convicted official.

Poor thing, being young, yet serving in the Violence Room while caring for her frail mother. That girl knew some medicine, able to identify common herbs among weeds to treat others, which pleased the aunt, easing her mother’s burden in the Violence Room.

You know, Your Majesty, I lost my mother young, so my heart ached for them and I transferred the maid and her mother to serve as servant maids in my palace. I didn’t intend to treat them particularly well, only thought it better than their days in the Violence Room.

Unexpectedly, in the peach forest, as I discussed the recent calamities outside the palace and planned to donate jewelry to share your burden, the little palace maid overheard.

To my surprise, she advised me that outside, items bearing the internal seal are prohibited from circulation and being caught with them is a serious crime.

It was then that I realized how much trouble I was inadvertently causing the Emperor over the years, owing to my ignorance, never realizing this. So, I hurriedly reported the matter to the Empress, and unexpectedly, the Emperor rewarded me for it, which makes me feel truly underserving.”

After saying this, Gao Jieyu stood and knelt before the Emperor, ”I have committed a crime. Relatives of convicted officials are punished by being sent to the Violence Room, yet I, out of a moment’s pity, brought them away, please, grant me your punishment.” She deeply bowed after speaking.

Gao Jieyu’s words were ninety percent true and ten percent false because she knew the harem appears under the Empress’s rule but is actually under the Emperor’s control, nothing is unknown except what the Emperor chooses not to know. If she lied today and the Emperor investigated, her lie would be immediately exposed.

If so, all her favor in the Emperor’s eyes would vanish and might even provoke his dislike. By saying nine parts truth and one part lie, she ensures safety, unafraid of investigation, and preemptively reported Nangong Shuangshuang and her mother Luo Yueying to the Emperor as a potential threat.

Based on her current favor with the Emperor, he would surely overlook this incident and might even be pleased enough to pardon Nangong Shuangshuang and Luo Yueying, achieving two goals: eliminating a future threat and granting favor to Nangong Shuangshuang.

Indeed, rather than being angry, the Emperor laughed as he helped her up and said, ”Where is your fault, beloved concubine? You showed compassion to a mother and daughter, nothing more.

Though convicted officials’ families are sentenced to the Violence Room, it is the men of the house who committed crimes. Even if the families knew, how much could they have intervened? My severe punishment serves to warn officials not to implicate their families through their errors.

Since you showed compassion, and the palace maid listens and knows gratitude, it’s good to have her by your side. I pardon this mother and daughter’s crimes. Henceforth, they shall serve you in Yingyue Palace.”

Gao Jieyu immediately knelt again, ”I thank the Emperor for his mercy on their behalf, and thank you for pardoning their crimes. I shall have them come tomorrow to express their gratitude for your clemency.”

The Emperor waved his hand and lifted her up, ”No need to bother. Let them thank you tomorrow for your kindness. Were it not for your compassion, I would not have pardoned them. If they should thank anyone, it should be you, not me.”

Early the next morning, Nangong Shuangshuang learned of the good news from Gao Jieyu. Accompanying the news was the decree promoting her to First-class Palace Maid and her mother to Steward Aunt of Yingyue Palace.

When Nangong Shuangshuang went to express her gratitude, Gao Jieyu had already summoned people from the Clothing Bureau to prepare new clothing for her and her mother. The materials for first-class maids and steward aunts were superb, something previously unattainable for Nangong Shuangshuang and Luo Yueying, but now rightfully theirs to wear.