CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 14 DOUBLE NINTH FESTIVAL 1

The master had instructed early that morning not to interfere; Noble Concubine Shih was holding in her anger and would inevitably need to vent it somewhere.

Xiao Xizi swiftly packed the food box and, carrying the meal, hurriedly left.

Rich chicken broth with tofu and meatballs, vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, pepper-salted lamb chops, clear-braised venison, cabbage stewed with small ribs, and glistening braised pork—it was all her favorite food.

She loved meat, loved it very much!

At sixteen, she was in her growing phase – the time to eat plenty.

"Don’t you all just stand there, sit down and eat!" Xia Ruqing commanded.

Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue hesitated.

"Oh, stop hesitating. There’s nobody around in this secluded place. We’re happy today, so let’s not be so formal!" Xia Ruqing said cheerfully.

With a backer secured, how could she not be happy? Eating alone was no fun; it was only enjoyable when everyone could be merry together.

Moreover, when employing people, trust without doubt; suspect not those you use. Only by combining grace with authority could one win hearts.

She wanted her subordinates to know that their master valued them, that there was kindness, and that good work would not go unrewarded.

Indeed, Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue gratefully knelt down. "Your servants thank the master for your grace!"

"Get up, quickly! No need to kneel at every turn," Xia Ruqing said with a laugh.

"Yes!"

She was good to them and occasionally laid down the law, so they felt both affection and reverence toward their master—the best possible state.

That evening, master and servants exceptionally sat at the same table.

Xia Ruqing ate joyfully. The Imperial Chef’s skills were indeed exquisite; every dish was delicious, especially the venison, which was tender and juicy.

She ladled several spoonfuls of soup onto the translucent rice and added a few pieces of venison, piling the delicate Ru Kiln Tricolor Bowl so high that it nearly overflowed.

Just one glance was enough to make her mouth water.

Tsk, if this were modern times, eating venison would be illegal. She finally felt that perhaps the heavens weren’t just toying with her.

After all, in ancient times, eating anything wasn’t against the law!

After eating her fill, Xia Ruqing rubbed her round belly and let out a satisfied sigh.

Zi Yue had a question in her mind. "Master, how did you know the Emperor wouldn’t be angry? Pretending to be sick is blatantly..." Deceiving the monarch!

"I didn’t trick him! I confessed everything honestly," Xia Ruqing said after a moment’s thought.

"With all the scheming and power struggles in the court, the Emperor already has enough headaches. Naturally, in the harem, he prefers simplicity and directness."

Xia Ruqing mused, This could be considered catering to his preferences.

First, she had feigned illness to refuse his favor. Then, she had pledged her loyalty to the Emperor, proactively telling him she had pretended to be sick—not to intentionally refuse his affections, but to survive. Seeing her candid admission, the Emperor wouldn’t be too hard on her.

Although this move was risky, it paid off handsomely, and Xia Ruqing was very pleased with the result.

"The master is truly thorough in her considerations!" Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi said, deeply impressed.

To survive in the harem, one absolutely had to gain the Emperor’s approval! Otherwise, a single word from him could make you disappear in an instant.

...

On the Double Ninth Festival, the weather was exceptionally fine, with clear and refreshing autumn skies.

The Empress Dowager, Emperor, Empress, and all the concubines of the harem gathered in the Imperial Garden, a joyous scene teeming with bright spirits and harmonious laughter.

Today, the Empress Dowager wore a jujube-red court dress embroidered with phoenixes in gold thread. She was adorned with her usual purple-gold Phoenix Crown, which was both elegant and regal. Thanks to proper care, despite being in her forties, she looked like a woman in her early thirties.

Flanked by the Emperor and the Empress, the Empress Dowager led everyone to climb Guanjing Mountain in the Imperial Garden and insert Zhuyu at its peak.

The group ascended the stone steps one by one up Guanjing Mountain, the highest point in the Imperial Garden, from where almost half of the Capital City could be seen.

"I’m old and useless now; I get tired after just a few steps!" the Empress Dowager said, holding the Emperor’s hand with a laugh, her face full of affection.

The Empress on the other side, however, felt somewhat awkward; she had been facing the back of the Empress Dowager’s head all morning.

Before the Empress could speak, Noble Concubine Shih hurriedly interjected.

"Mother is joking! You look no more than thirty-something, still so young!"

Zhao Junyao also smiled. "Noble Consort is right, Mother. You indeed look young!"

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily upon hearing this and looked at Noble Concubine Shih. "Your mouth must be coated with honey today, you’re so good at sweet-talking!"

"You two really know how to cheer me up!"

Subtly releasing the Empress’s supporting arm, the Empress Dowager turned and gently patted the Emperor’s shoulder.

"How would your son dare!" Zhao Junyao hurriedly supported her with both hands.

"Mother, I speak nothing but the truth!" Noble Concubine Shih said, half-coquettish, half-pouting.

"By the way, Mother, I heard you have some jars of chrysanthemum wine. I’d love to ask for a taste later..."

"Chrysanthemum wine?" Zhao Junyao’s interest was piqued.

Noble Consort Shih hurriedly said, "It’s Sister Qing’s craftsmanship. It’s been a long time since I had some; I wonder if it tastes the same as when I was a child?!"

"Indeed, it’s been a long time since I’ve had any!" Zhao Junyao nodded.

The three of them laughed and talked as they slowly walked up the hill. Noble Concubine Shih had already taken the Empress’s place, joining the Emperor in supporting the Empress Dowager.

The Empress, left to the side, didn’t dare to contend for the position and could only follow behind, harboring resentment.

The laughter and chatter from up ahead were like knives, repeatedly cutting into her heart.

’Mother’—is that a term for her, Noble Concubine Shih, to use? Calling her ’Mother’ over and over, as if she truly is the principal wife! Her ambition is as clear as Sima Zhao’s heart, known to every bystander!

The Empress lowered her gaze, hiding the icy chill in her eyes.

She gently touched her flat stomach, her eyes filled with yearning. A child—if only she could have a child, everything would be different.

"Your Majesty? Let’s go," Consort Hui Pin stepped forward to assist her.

"Don’t take it to heart, Your Majesty," Consort Hui Pin continued. "Even if her arrogance reaches the heavens, she’s still just like us!"

Consort Ning also hurried forward to curry favor, adding, "Exactly! She’s just a concubine, like the rest of us!"

These two were part of the Empress’s faction; during their time in the Eastern Palace, they had suffered plenty of humiliation from Noble Concubine Shih.

Now, Consort Ning had given birth to the Eldest Princess, and Consort Hui Pin to the Second Princess. These were the Emperor’s only two princesses.

Therefore, the Emperor also valued them quite highly, making special trips to see the princesses from time to time.

The marriage affairs of the princesses were always managed by the Empress, so Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin also made every effort to draw closer to the Central Palace.

"You two are so considerate!" The Empress said, somewhat tiredly, forcing a smile.

"Let’s hurry!"

"Yes!" The two of them supported the Empress and moved forward quickly.

The Empress Dowager was advanced in years, so the group proceeded slowly, with stops and starts. It took a full shi chen to reach the top. Everyone wore Zhuyu, enjoying the view and laughing together.

Noble Concubine Shih pointed to a place, her voice bright with reminiscence, almost forgetting the proper forms of address as she said, "Your Majesty, isn’t that Dongbing Pavilion’s study room? We used to study there together when we were young. That fellow Zhao Junqi always loved to bully me, and I was such a crybaby. It was always Your Majesty who protected me!"

The ruby Bu Yao she wore on her head swayed with her movements, and her phoenix eyes sparkled with childlike excitement.

Zhao Junyao did not respond. He merely smiled, took a few steps forward, clasped his hands behind his back, and raised his head to look into the distance.

Zhao Junqi, his cousin, the legitimate son of his ninth uncle, Prince Yan. They used to study together in their childhood. Now, they had long since gone to their fiefdoms, separated by a thousand miles...