CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 17 THE IMPERIAL MEALS ARE NOT DELICIOUS

On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, the Empress suffered a great loss of face because of Noble Concubine Shih.

First, she and the Empress Dowager squeezed her out at every turn, and then there was hardly a conversation where they didn’t bring up childhood stories, as if they wished to let the whole world know about her and the Emperor’s childhood.

Finally, during the banquet, they mocked Lady Xia, whom she chose to divide the Emperor’s favor, for being ineffective and called her a sickly person!

The Empress was so angered she almost suffered internal damage.

She forced herself to accompany the Emperor in escorting the Empress Dowager back to Ningshou Palace, hastily asked about her well-being, and then rushed back eagerly.

She went to bed livid without even eating her evening meal, and no one could persuade her otherwise.

From then on, no one dared to mention the matter of Lady Xia in her presence again.

She is merely a minor Honored Lady, after all, with a background that speaks for itself. Her favor is limited, especially when she’s such a sickly person. Let her be!

As long as she doesn’t court death, she won’t be able to stir up any trouble. It’s not worth currying favor with her!

Thus, Xia Ruqing utterly became a discarded piece on the Empress’s chessboard!

「As for Noble Concubine Shih.」

Returning that evening, Noble Concubine Shih was in extremely high spirits.

She even had Ying Yue call to the Imperial Kitchen for a whole table of exquisite dishes, which she did not eat herself but instead rewarded to Ying Yue and the others.

"Today is a festival, everyone enjoy yourselves!"

With bellies full of food and drink, Noble Concubine Shih contentedly sipped on her bird’s nest tonic.

"What do you say, can this be considered shooting oneself in the foot?" Ying Yue smiled behind her hand.

"Of course it is! I haven’t even made a move yet, and she has already fallen! She even withdrew the plaque..."

"That has nothing to do with me!" Noble Concubine Shih said, her face full of triumph.

"Fortunately for us, you haven’t made a move, milady. Otherwise, they would have thrown this dirty water our way!" Ying Yue glanced in the direction of Jiaofang Hall, expressing relief.

Noble Concubine Shih inwardly agreed.

The mistress and servant joked and laughed for a while longer, then Noble Concubine Shih said,

"Enough about that, let’s not talk about that sickly person anymore. I don’t think she can stir up any trouble either! Let’s leave her be!"

"Your wisdom shines, milady! The Emperor is just indulging in a novelty, not worth us spending any effort on!" Ying Yue smiled.

"What you need to do now, milady, is to hurry up and give birth to a Little Prince! By then, even they... will have to give us some respect!"

"You are right, I must quickly recuperate. I aim to bear a son in one fell swoop and give birth to the Crown Prince!" Noble Concubine Shih eagerly drank another spoonful of bird’s nest soup.

「Half a month later.」

Xia Ruqing’s "illness" only abated somewhat. Her green head plaque was hung up once more, but it was never turned over again. The Emperor seemed to have forgotten her existence.

The Emperor stayed with the Empress for two nights, and with Noble Concubine Shih for two nights. He also visited Consort Ning to check on The Eldest Princess. He called for others on the subsequent few days.

Later, he went to see Consort Hui Pin and the Second Princess.

Half a month flew by, and there was no news from Lady Xia, a situation all too familiar to the women of the harem.

That is to say... she had fallen out of favor!!

After a flurry of ridicule from everyone in the harem, no one mentioned her again, and Noble Concubine Shih also stopped causing trouble.

As for the Empress... she stated, "Who is Lady Xia?"

Of course, all these matters came later and need not be mentioned for now.

「」

She spent that night at Zhaochen Palace, and the next day, she woke up naturally and shared breakfast with the Emperor.

In the morning, the Emperor reviewed petitions and met with ministers to discuss state affairs.

She stayed in the little compartment, the same low-key yet lavishly appointed room where she had served the Emperor during her first few visits, writing and reading.

Staying there during the day, she couldn’t just leave. Being seen by people would stir up a new round of controversy.

The Emperor’s quarters had so many books, yet they were somewhat difficult for her to understand.

After trying to read for a while, she realized she couldn’t understand any of them and obediently continued to pore over "Records of the Chu Dynasty’s Territories" instead.

Since she had to struggle either way, she might as well struggle with something useful.

At noon, she accompanied the Emperor for the midday meal.

When she had served the Emperor before, it had always been the evening meal, which was much simpler in comparison.

It was time for lunch, and the Emperor’s meal was not something to be taken lightly.

Even though it didn’t match the grandeur of a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, it was enough to leave her, a poor soul in two lifetimes, utterly dumbfounded.

The table was almost entirely filled with major dishes, substantial and hearty ones at that.

In the center of the room, the large table was crammed full.

Zhao Junyao glanced at her, who was staring intently at the table full of dishes.

A moment later, another glance, and she was still in a daze.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

This girl really wears her heart on her sleeve, not hiding a single thought. Can’t she be a bit more sophisticated?

Can’t she be more subtle?

It made him feel as if he couldn’t even provide for a concubine, as if he had never given her a full meal.

"COUGH, COUGH..." Zhao Junyao deliberately coughed twice.

Xia Ruqing snapped back to reality and quickly spoke with embarrassment.

"Your Majesty, let this servant assist you with your meal!"

"No need, just sit down and join me!"

Serve me? Forget it. With her gluttonous kitten-like disposition, she’d probably drool straight into my bowl.

Xia Ruqing was delighted and laughed heartily, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Without any refusal, she promptly, and very consciously, took a seat on a small stool beside Zhao Junyao.

Hmm... although it’s a bit short, it doesn’t hinder eating! With delicious food, I can make do for a bit!

Time to eat!

There’s a saying: the greater the expectation, the bigger the disappointment.

After trying a few dishes, Xia Ruqing frowned: The Emperor’s meal looked good, but the taste... It was very ordinary!

Take this little bok choy, for example. In order to look appealing and keep its shape, it was raw!

Or those bright red shrimp that were boiled just in water to maintain their vivid color and then served.

These grand dishes were all for show, looking luxurious and grand, but! Not tasty.

The only thing that could demonstrate the true level of the Imperial Kitchen was a few side dishes.

And the Emperor, he couldn’t just eat side dishes. He was the sovereign ruler, whose fine upbringing from the Royal Family required his every gesture to be graceful and impeccable.

Tell me, would a mighty monarch devour his food like a food-craving cat? Obviously not!

Xia Ruqing sighed: Being the Emperor is really tough! Even the food isn’t tasty!

Zhao Junyao didn’t find anything amiss. He kept his composure, his movements elegant. After eating his fill to about eighty percent, he put down his chopsticks, rinsed his mouth, and washed his hands.

The entire process was smooth and completed in one go.

As for Xia Ruqing, she sadly did not eat her fill.

"Why aren’t you eating? Is it not tasty?"

"Mm," she said pitifully.

"Your Majesty, these dishes, they could surely be better..."

"Oh!"

"I don’t really mind, and I don’t have the time to care about these things!" Zhao Junyao spoke indifferently.

A sovereign ruler can’t obsess over what to eat every day. He doesn’t have that kind of leisure time.

The Imperial meals are all made according to the rules. There’s nothing to pick at, nor anything to be dissatisfied with.

"If you’re still hungry, should I have someone make you some pastries?"

After all, she was my woman. It wouldn’t look good if she seemed unfed, which would reflect poorly on me!

"It’s raining outside, I want to eat noodles! Add some pickled long beans and chili sauce, and don’t skimp on the rice vinegar!" Xia Ruqing demanded without any hesitation.

Zhao Junyao was taken aback for a moment, pondering seriously: Is there a connection between rainy days and eating noodles?

He then shook his head helplessly. Women, as a species, are probably all this incomprehensible!