Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time! Chapter 79 - 74: Good News—Yun Jiao Can Dance (Dragon Boat F

Concubine Li was especially disappointed.

"I initially thought you would play the qin while I danced, and our dual performance at Xianfu Palace would amaze everyone. I didn’t expect your playing to be like this."

"No wonder you didn’t register. As for soone forcing you to participate, it might be because the Empress Dowager is curious about you, or Concubine Jiang is intentionally causing trouble."

Concubine Li explained again to Yun Jiao about the relationship between Concubine Jiang and the Empress Dowager.

This wasn’t a secret in the harem, and Yun Jiao had heard of it before, so she was aware of it.

Unable to sit still, and with no place to lie down nearby, Yun Jiao leaned over the qin and spoke: "My pitch is a bit off, but I think it sounds good."

Her playing could only entertain herself; to others, it was disastrous.

When her father hired a female tutor for her, he never intended for her to make a living by entertaining others with the qin, only hoping to cultivate her temperant. Every ti he wrote a tribute to a mother bird feeding its young in the yard, his daughter would climb the tree and clean out the bird’s nest, exterminating the entire family.

After pondering for a while, Yun Jiao looked up: "Why not try a different approach? Can Concubine Li play the qin?"

She had been leaning over the instrunt for too long, leaving marks on her cheeks.

"What are you saying, Consort Xi? Playing the qin, singing, and dancing are all the Concubine Li’s specialties."

The palace maid from the main hall couldn’t help but comnt.

She had been favored for a while and received the title "Li," indicating her high skill level in entertaining.

Concubine Li nodded gracefully:

"I excel in lively tunes, but I struggle with Buddhist music or more lancholic pieces. I play the zheng better than the qin."

"That’s perfect. I have two pieces of music I want to transcribe for you to review."

The palace maid brought out writing materials.

Having not attended much formal schooling left Yun Jiao with ample free ti, during which she learned a variety of things while surfing the internet on hospital wifi, frequently watching various video platforms, including Ruistation. Thus, drawing from her mories of ancient zither scores and combining them with her ancient studies, she transcribed two pieces --

"Pure Land of Bliss" and "Thousand Cherry Blossoms."

Good news: Yun Jiao can dance.

Bad news: It’s otaku dance.

There is so technical skill involved, but not much, certainly incomparable to traditional dances from the East or West. If possible, she’d love to showcase the modern artistic essence to dazzle everyone, but her previous life’s physical condition only supported her in doing cute otaku dances, so of which are too intense for her, leaving her needing intensive care afterward.

Concubine Li beca intrigued after reviewing the music: "It’s rare to see this type of piece."

Yan Chi Palace also distinguished between elegant and popular music, but there was no explicit ban on performing popular music in the palace. This was courtesy of Emperor Ruiwu, who, to amuse Empress Haotian, embraced and promoted popular music, freeing it from the heavy burdens of harmonizing heaven and earth and edifying the populace, making it welco in the harem.

That said, aristocratic families preferred stability, and few genuinely attempted such change.

Moreover, altering established impressions of elegant versus popular music isn’t a short-term task.

Had it been Concubine Jiang or Concubine Wei, they surely wouldn’t be willing to engage in such antics with Consort Xi, but Concubine Li carried a lighter burden in this regard. Though from an aristocratic family herself, whenever she encountered pleasing music, she didn’t want to miss it.

"What do you think, Sister Concubine Li?"

"I think we should give it a try."

...

When Yun Jiao decided to practice dancing, the Emperor’s troubles began.

Afraid that four days wouldn’t be sufficient, every ti she practiced with Concubine Li in the main hall, she’d save her progress and relive the sa ti thrice.

Diligence makes up for lack of talent, granting her more ti than others.

The first ti, Concubine Li frowned: "Consort Xi, just moving your limbs isn’t dancing."

The second ti, she still frowned: "Consort Xi, it’s like you and my music have separate agendas."

By the third ti, Concubine Li’s brow finally relaxed: "Your movents lack a bit of strength, but I didn’t expect you to have so talent for dance."

"I can’t help it; I seem to have a bit of talent within ."

Praised, Yun Jiao almost bounced on the spot with glee.

Speaking of genius, she truly witnessed Concubine Li’s talent in music and dance. The music piece reached proficiency with just two days of practice. Similarly, with just one demonstration, Concubine Li could correct and instruct her on the necessary rhythm adjustnts.

As for Yun Jiao, having traversed ti didn’t make her a prodigy.

Even with a healthy body, she still occasionally synchronized hand and foot movents, tripping over the rhythm, knowing the steps but missing the beat; she’d sotis rush and trip herself with one foot over another, saved from an ungraceful fall by Gong i.

Nonetheless, to Concubine Li, this dance wasn’t overly impressive.

It’s just...

Every ti she watched Consort Xi dance, her heart couldn’t help but tug a little.

How can she be so lovable!

Such simple movents, and she looks so proud upon completion, seeking praise — what’s that all about?

If she had a daughter, she’d surely be as adorable as Consort Xi...

As Concubine Li savored her fondness, Yun Jiao suddenly spoke: "Could you repeat the praises you just gave ?"

They sounded lovely, appreciated, and she wanted more.

Concubine Li: ?

Concubine Li: "You misheard; I didn’t say anything."

...

However, if Yun Jiao practiced three tis, it ant the Emperor relived the day three tis over.

The first ti, Xie Zhixing was calm.

The second ti, Xie Zhixing remained calm.

The third ti, Xie Zhixing summoned a Hidden Guard: "Have Chen Zhou report back on Consort Xi’s activities and recent events involving her."

Fifteen minutes passed, and Xie Zhixing learned of Yun Jiao and Concubine Li’s plan to perform before the Empress Dowager in the Imperial Garden four days later.

Would this routine persist for three more days?

This ti reversal followed a pattern, he realized he’d return to the past at roughly the sa intervals, thrice daily.

Understanding the cause and pattern, Xie Zhixing cald himself once more.

In this loop, anything he did would be overwritten.

The eunuchs and palace maids attending the Imperial Court were astonished to find their workaholic Emperor calling for a blanket in broad daylight to nap on his couch, listening to music, and upon waking leisurely requesting als and indulging in ti-consuming Western chanical toys.

"What’s beco of the Emperor?"

"As servants, how could we know? But truly, the Emperor’s worn himself out recently; it’s good he’s taking a break."

"The Emperor doesn’t care for incense; perhaps place so fragrant fruits in the room later."

...

With each ti reversal, his physical state was reset.

However, his mind had genuinely been relaxed; in the first two rounds he lay down, the third he reviewed docunts with improved effectiveness.

This contrast made Xie Zhixing recognize that, though a Son of Heaven, he too needed rest.

Often satisfied with a nap, he listened to the Hidden Guard’s reports on Consort Xi’s progress, observing her growing adept with each dance attempt, barely restraining himself from visiting Xianfu Palace to watch. A dance pursued with such earnestness deserved to be seen once perfected.

Fully invigorated, the pleased Emperor saw a eunuch entering with a pile of Jade Tokens, picking up the cool one marked with Consort Xi’s na: "Summon Consort Xi."

This ti reversal loop happened consecutively for three days.

Each evening after dancing practice, she would inevitably be embraced for sleep by the botherso Emperor, which irked her enough to reset the tiline; yet he still accurately targeted her Jade Token every ti.

It seed like her chance of attending to the night shift had infinitely locked at 100% with every reset.

Yun Jiao couldn’t fathom what had gotten into him.