CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 102 ALIVE

Time and again, it was because of Lady Xia that I fell out of favor. Originally, you were just a sick weakling, and I didn’t want to make things difficult for you. Who knew you wouldn’t appreciate kindness and would be so ungrateful? In that case, there’s no need for you to live any longer! After spending a month in Zhaochen Palace, this incident made it clear to me that Lady Xia was nothing but a stumbling block. In the palace, anyone who offends me must die! It’s just a matter of sooner or later. No rush, I’ll take it slow. No matter what, my cousin can only dote on me and me alone!

Xia Ruqing’s gaze became sharp instantly upon hearing this.

"Noble Consort, aren’t you afraid that I’ll tell the Emperor if you talk like that?"

Noble Concubine Shih, after hearing this, laughed unrestrainedly.

"HAHAHA... Lady Xia, you really are amusing!"

As she said this, she slowly circled Xia Ruqing, uttering each word with a cold laugh.

"If I dared to say it, I am not afraid of you tattling! Besides, without evidence, do you have the courage? Do you think that just because my cousin dotes on you, he would do something to me for your sake? You are far too naive then."

Noble Concubine Shih was brimming with confidence. Clutching her belly of more than five months, her laughter grew even more proud!

Xia Ruqing’s face remained calm, yet she sneered in her heart. Indeed. No matter what, the Emperor wouldn’t take issue with a pregnant woman carrying his child!

Thinking this, she then said, "Noble Consort, with your illustrious family background, the Emperor naturally won’t treat you harshly. But I, a mere servant, will not allow myself to be pushed around!"

She spoke each word with rightful indignation. Putting survival first, fear was no longer her concern.

"Oh? We shall see about that. I want to see what capabilities you have to escape from the palm of my hand!" Noble Concubine Shih said leisurely.

She was not in a hurry; she had all the time and means to deal with her!

Xia Ruqing’s gaze was sharp.

"Since the Noble Consort insists on taking my life, then I will not be polite any longer!"

"Good!" The Noble Consort clapped her hands. "I like your spirit. It’s just a pity that you are going to die!"

"Not necessarily!" Xia Ruqing gritted her teeth.

She had grown up in hardship and cherished everything she had acquired. She treasured her life and greatly feared death. Back when her grandmother died and no one cared for her, she had almost frozen or starved to death by the roadside during her poorest days. But a stubborn fire burned within her heart! She was determined to survive, because only by staying alive was there hope. As long as one was alive, everything could get better!

"HAHAHA! Lady Xia, you are indeed full of confidence. However... if you truly do not wish to die, I might consider sparing your life... Provided that you drink a bowl of Sterile Soup and serve me from then on, I will let you go. How about it?"

Xia Ruqing smiled coldly. "I thank you for your kind offer, Noble Consort, but the Sterile Soup is too bitter. I do not wish to drink it!"

Having said that, she respectfully performed a curtsy. "If there’s nothing else, Noble Consort, this servant takes her leave!"

After finishing, she did not wait for Noble Concubine Shih’s response and simply withdrew.

Noble Concubine Shih was not annoyed. She stood there calmly, watching Xia Ruqing’s retreating figure, her gaze intense.

No wonder my cousin dotes on her. She indeed has a tough spirit. If she could serve me, she would be a sharp sword!

Well, if she cannot serve me, then she absolutely must not be allowed to live!

Thinking this, Noble Concubine Shih let out a light snort. Getting onto her palanquin, she departed in a leisurely manner.

...

By the time she returned to Qingya Residence, it was already dark.

Xiao Xizi had already brought back the meal.

Zi Yue set up the meal and then said, "My lady, please have your meal!"

Before she could finish, she unintentionally dropped a dish. With a CRASH, it shattered all over the floor.

Zi Yue turned pale and knelt down quickly. "Please forgive me, my lady! I deserve to die!"

Xia Ruqing watched her steadily and then smiled after a moment. "You may stand up first..."

"Thank you, my lady!"

...

The dinner was sumptuous, but Xia Ruqing found it as tasteless as chewing wax. Zi Yue was also distracted. Only Xiao Xizi looked bewildered, somewhat unable to make heads or tails of the situation. Not daring to ask, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Xia Ruqing really couldn’t eat anymore and waved her hand. "I’ve lost my appetite. Clear it away!"

"Yes!"

As the dishes were being cleared, Zi Yue accidentally knocked over another plate, spilling all its contents on the floor.

Xia Ruqing froze again. She glanced at the mess but said nothing and entered the inner chamber.

Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi exchanged a look and hurriedly followed her in.

"My lady!" Both knelt down.

Xia Ruqing turned around, her gaze sharp. "I said from the beginning, following me isn’t only about good days!"

Zi Yue understood clearly, while Xiao Xizi was a bit muddled. "My lady, has something happened?"

"The Noble Consort is after my life. If I die, you won’t fare well either. It’s not too late to decide whether to stay or go!" Xia Ruqing was direct, without a word of superfluous talk.

It’s easy to add flowers to brocade, but how hard is it to send coal in the snow? This was about life and death; she did not want to coerce them.

Having said that, she continued, "You don’t have to answer right now. I’ll give you three days to consider. If you stay, we’ll weather the storms together. If you go, these hundred taels of silver are to see you off!"

True to her word, she took out two purses.

Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi knelt there, not budging. They were internally conflicted, but Xia Ruqing didn’t hurry them. She turned to start removing her makeup at the vanity table.

Consideration? That was right. A cautious decision often comes from careful reflection. If they had rushed forward to declare their loyalty, she would have found it hard to trust them!

Time ticked by, second by second. She didn’t know how much time had passed.

She felt someone brushing her hair from behind. Turning around, it was Zi Yue, smiling as she always did while brushing her hair. However, her words were somewhat alarming.

"It’s just a life. I may not be literate or educated, but I understand that a servant cannot serve two masters!"

Xiao Xizi came over too. "My lady, I am a servant with no roots. My family sold me into the palace, so I have no attachments left!"

Xia Ruqing listened, and it would be a lie to say she wasn’t pleased, but she also felt an added weight of responsibility.

"Good. Now I carry the weight of three lives on my shoulders!" she said, then joked, "It seems these two hundred taels of silver cannot be spent now..."

Xiao Xizi quickly said, "During the Dragon Boat Festival, I didn’t get enough sticky rice dumplings. My lady, please give me some silver to buy more sticky rice dumplings!"

Zi Yue added, "I would like to eat sticky rice dumplings too, and I want to make another set of clothes!"

Xia Ruqing relented with a helpless smile, "Alright, alright, I’ll give it to you, I’ll give it to you!"

The two cheered happily and scrambled for the purses, enlivening the atmosphere.

After washing up and lying in bed, Zi Yue drew the bed curtains, took the lamp, and left.

Xia Ruqing closed her eyes but couldn’t sleep.

Life in the palace is difficult, and this is just the beginning.

But no matter what, she resolved to stay alive. Being alive meant there was hope.

If I die, then I’ll have nothing left. If I die, it’s like handing everything over to others! No, that’s absolutely not my style! You want my life? Well, I simply won’t give it to you! I will live, and live well!

Thinking this, Xia Ruqing turned over, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.