CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 24 OVEREATING LEADS TO INSOMNIA

As she spoke, Xia Ruqing scooped up a spoonful of fragrant, golden-brown fried mushroom and beef cubes, mixing them into the rice.

"Would Your Majesty like to try?"

Xia Ruqing was very confident. This aroma is irresistible to any normal person! The Emperor is human too!

Zhao Junyao’s expression became even more peculiar. He had never seen this way of eating before, but he still took a bite out of politeness.

"Hmm..." Zhao Junyao chewed slowly and thoughtfully.

Xia Ruqing admired him greatly. Such a delicacy, and yet he can still eat so elegantly—truly a gentleman!

However, what followed left her stunned, and then...

"Your Majesty, this is already your third bowl!"

Zhao Junyao reluctantly set down the bowl. Perhaps eating this way isn’t too bad after all, he suddenly thought. At least, it’s more pleasing to the eye than those women who pretentiously eat only a few bites!

...

The Emperor ate too much tonight.

Eating too much meant he couldn’t sleep, and not being able to sleep meant he needed to find something to do!

Xia Ruqing deeply understood. So this is what they call ’shooting oneself in the foot’!

「Midnight.」

"Your Majesty, I really am a bit..." I can’t take it anymore!

Xia Ruqing was on the verge of crying! Yet, in her heart, she cursed, Is this guy even human!

「At the fourth hour of the night.」

"Your Majesty... I... I can’t... go on..." Before she could finish her sentence, she fainted into sleep.

Zhao Junyao felt a twinge of guilt. Did I go... a bit too far?

If Xia Ruqing heard that, she would definitely roll her eyes. A bit?! It was way too much, okay?!

Holding her soft and yielding body in his arms, he instinctively pulled the blanket closer, tucking them in securely. Zhao Junyao then prepared to sleep.

Suddenly, he felt something was off!

When did I develop this bad habit of sleeping with a woman in my arms? he wondered. On second thought, I don’t think I ever had this habit before! He breathed a sigh of relief.

He moved them slightly apart before drifting off to a shallow sleep.

Xia Ruqing slept restlessly, snuggling against his arm and rubbing back and forth, occasionally giggling in her dreams!

Zhao Junyao instinctively frowned. Yet, he found that he didn’t seem to dislike it!

Remembering how Noble Concubine Shih had lain rigidly awake all night, he thought, This is much cuter!

...

The next morning, Xia Ruqing went to greet the Empress with a pale face.

The Empress was indifferent, as usual, and gifted her a few things.

Noble Concubine Shih couldn’t even be bothered to glance at her. Just a sickly person, unworthy of attention, she thought dismissively.

Consort Yun, on the other hand, gave her several looks that made her feel uneasy.

After performing the greeting rituals, she sat in the back. She felt utterly exhausted—sleepy, thirsty, hungry, and tired. Her face became even paler, and her head was spinning.

The Empress was chatting and laughing with Consort Ning and never once looked in her direction from beginning to end!

Xia Ruqing felt as though each second was an eternity. I just want this to end quickly so I can go back and catch up on sleep!

However, it seemed as if the Empress was doing it on purpose. After chatting with Consort Ning, she moved on to Consort Hui Pin, her interest clearly piqued.

Goodness knows how long it passed. Just when Xia Ruqing felt herself about to drift into a daze, Zi Yue softly reminded her.

"My Lady! Time to kowtow and bid farewell."

Xia Ruqing immediately became slightly more alert, stood up a beat too late, and followed everyone in kowtowing their farewells.

"Sisters, you may leave."

After the Empress spoke, she walked away contentedly, supported by Yu Lan’s arm.

Xia Ruqing rushed back to Zhaohua Pavilion at top speed, ate and drank her fill, and went straight to catch up on her sleep!

Over at the Empress’s residence, Yu Lan brought over a tonic soup.

"Your Majesty... please drink it while it’s hot!"

The Empress frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, but still held her nose and gulped it down.

It was so bitter that she frowned deeply, her brow tightly furrowed.

Yu Lan hurriedly brought her tea to rinse her mouth and then fetched a plate of candied fruit.

After eating one, the Empress finally felt a little better.

I’ve been taking this medicine for so long, yet it doesn’t seem to be working...

"It must be that fate has not yet arrived, Your Majesty. You are still young, and the Emperor does visit, so there’s no need to rush!" Yu Lan advised with a smile. Besides, being anxious is useless!

"Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin are truly fortunate..." A hint of sourness crept into the Empress’s heart. The Emperor had too few children. Although princesses were also precious, if only I had even one son or daughter, she lamented internally, I wouldn’t be so suppressed by Noble Concubine Shih at every turn.

"In the end, they are only princesses; a dowry will be all they take with them. Your Majesty just needs to cherish them, and the Emperor will know of your kindness!"

The Emperor detested jealousy and strife in the harem and could not tolerate any consorts scheming against the children. So, aside from being magnanimous, what else can I do? she thought.

With a smile tinged with bitterness, she said, "They call me Mother Empress too; how could I not dote on them?"

One was three years old, the other just one; both were toddlers, at that adorable, heart-stealing age!

Consort Ning is a quiet sort, and Consort Hui Pin leads a secluded life; both are easy to manage! the Empress thought, picking another piece of candied fruit.

"This servant observes that Lady Xia seems quite fortunate..." Yu Lan remarked. "It’s been over half a month, and the Emperor still thinks of her."

The Empress’s brow furrowed. Fortunate? So what? Look at her frail body, her face as pale as a ghost—anyone can tell she’ll have difficulty bearing children! I don’t care anymore. After all, she’s just an Honored Lady!

Even if she enjoys great favor, what difference would it make? I can’t let others mock me again for cozying up to whoever gains favor!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

...

Among the prominent figures in the harem:

The Empress and Noble Concubine Shih, of course, stood apart—one was mistress of the Central Palace, the other enjoyed unfailing Imperial favor.

Below them were Consort Ning and Consort Yun:

Consort Ning, a reticent sort with an unendearing temperament, had nevertheless birthed The Eldest Princess, whom the Emperor visited every few days.

Consort Yun, lively and beautiful, also enjoyed continuous favor and lived comfortably.

Further down were Consort Hui Pin and Consort Zheng Pin:

Consort Hui Pin had given birth to the Second Princess, who had just turned one. She received double the rewards and festival gifts, her days spent in delight alongside her daughter!

By this count, among the consorts of higher rank, Consort Zheng Pin had the most difficult life.

Her personality couldn’t compare to Consort Yun’s, let alone her looks, which were merely above average. The Emperor did not favor her, visiting only once every two months and never sharing her bed.

My life is utterly hopeless!

"What’s so great about that Lady Xia? Sickly and as thin as paper! And yet, the Emperor likes her!" Consort Zheng Pin fumed.

Senior Palace Maid Hong Yun stood by, not daring to interject. Her Majesty is having such a hard time, her heart heavy with frustration, she thought. It’s been more than half a month since the Start of Winter, and the charcoal still hasn’t been delivered.

They had urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who promised it would be sent, but to this moment, not a soul had appeared!

"These damn blind servants, daring to curry favor and slight others even in my presence!" Consort Zheng Pin seethed.

"Your Majesty, please have a cup of tea to soothe your anger!" Hong Yun quickly offered tea.

Consort Zheng Pin suppressed the turmoil in her heart and managed a bitter smile.

"Speaking of which, among the old retainers from the Eastern Palace, I’m the one faring the worst!"

"Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin both have daughters; even if the Emperor doesn’t think of them, he thinks of the princesses."

"Noble Concubine Shih and Consort Yun are favored! And me? No favor, no children. Now I’m worse off than even an Honored Lady!" As Consort Zheng Pin spoke, her eyes reddened. Lady Xia, at least, has favor. What do I have?

"Your Majesty, why don’t we try to visit the Empress more often?" Hong Yun tentatively suggested. The Empress controls the Six Palaces. If we get closer to her, life might become more bearable!

"With Noble Concubine Shih residing just ahead and Consort Yun next door, you want me to get close to the Empress?"

Though Consort Zheng Pin was not the brightest, she was not foolish either. Scheme right under Noble Concubine Shih’s nose? Am I tired of living?