CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 25 "FALLING OUT OF FAVOR

Consort Zheng Pin dared not curry favor with the Empress, and Noble Concubine Shih looked down on her. Her situation was rather awkward. Though her rank was high, her days were difficult. Therefore, she felt somewhat displeased when looking at Xia Ruqing.

None of us have any backing, so why does she get to live so well...

"In this palace, flowers do not bloom for a hundred days. My Lady, it’s best not to dwell on it!" Hong Yun advised, then went to arrange the meal.

"It’s cold at night. My Lady, you should have your meal early and also rest early!"

At these words, Consort Zheng Pin’s expression soured further. Xifu Palace had already started using charcoal fires... Yet there wasn’t even a hint of them in her own chambers.

Hong Yun quickly said, "This servant will urge them again tomorrow. My Lady, please have your meal first..." No matter how desolate her mistress felt, as a servant, it wasn’t easy to offer consolation. Isn’t that just how things are in the palace?!

In fact, Lady Xia was not considered particularly favored. Being attended to just once a month—could that be called favor? Then what would that make Noble Concubine Shih! So, her mistress was being somewhat irrational. One has to live regardless of the circumstances, so why bother with such thoughts?

This year’s winter arrived early. After November began, it snowed twice, and it took more than half a month for the skies to clear.

As the year’s end approached, state affairs became busier, and Emperor Zhao Junyao paid less attention to the Harem. He only chose Zhaohua Pavilion’s nameplate once and didn’t summon her again after that. In other words, she received neither overt nor covert favor.

Zi Yue was quite worried, but Xia Ruqing behaved as if nothing was amiss. Every day, she read books, practiced calligraphy, and indulged in food and drinks, completely unconcerned.

One day, Zi Yue finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

"My Lady, aren’t you worried?"

Xia Ruqing asked in confusion, "What would I be worried about?"

"Well... Honored Lady Hu’s confinement has been lifted. Aren’t you worried she might try to climb over our heads, My Lady?"

After all, Zi Yue really didn’t want to utter the ominous words ’fallen out of favor.’

"Oh..." Xia Ruqing put down her brush, seemingly lost in thought.

"We’re all of equal standing, so what do I have to worry about!"

Besides, worrying is useless! If she wants to trample on you, can worrying stop her?

Zi Yue grew even more anxious.

"But..."

"No ’buts’!" Xia Ruqing exclaimed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "I know what you’re trying to say! You’re worried I’ll fall out of favor?"

Zi Yue lowered her head, somewhat awkwardly.

"I’m just an Honored Lady. Are you really expecting us to become the most favored in the Six Palaces?"

Not being favored is a good thing! The shot always hits the bird that sticks its head out... A small boat carrying too much weight is more likely to capsize!

"It is this servant who was impatient!" Zi Yue said with a nod after a moment’s thought.

"Alright! Let’s not talk about this anymore. For lunch, I want stir-fried pork with wood ear mushrooms. That sweet osmanthus sticky rice with lotus root from last time was delicious too, so let’s order another serving!" Xia Ruqing instructed cheerfully.

Why worry about all those troublesome things when one can enjoy the good days! Life still has a long way to go, doesn’t it?

Xia Ruqing had just mentally prepared herself for the possibility of falling out of favor.

Unexpectedly, that night, Little Zhuzi arrived.

"The Emperor has sent this servant to fetch the Honored Lady! The warm sedan chair is waiting outside!"

"Now... It’s already Hai Hour! Isn’t the Emperor asleep yet?" Xia Ruqing, drowsy with sleep, was pulled up by Zi Yue.

"This servant doesn’t know. It seems the Emperor has been drinking tonight! Honored Lady, please get ready and go quickly!"

Drinking? Xia Ruqing dared not delay. She quickly dressed and boarded the warm sedan chair.

The palace gates were already locked, ensuring no onlookers. Xia Ruqing’s warm sedan chair passed through unimpeded, ultimately entering Zhaochen Palace through a side door.

Zhao Junyao was playing Go, his face slightly flushed, a faint scent of alcohol about him.

When Xia Ruqing entered, she curtsied and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Come here!" He tossed aside a Go stone and gestured her over.

"Do you know how to play Go?" Zhao Junyao asked, his gaze somewhat hazy.

Xia Ruqing sat beside him and, hearing the question, quickly looked at the Go board.

"Go?"

The grid lines were so fine, and the black and white stones were packed so densely—just looking at it made her feel dizzy...

"This servant does not know how!" Xia Ruqing replied bluntly.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

"No matter. Then we won’t play Go. Let’s do something more interesting!"

Outside, the wind howled, but inside, the Ground Dragon was lit, making it warm and toasty, brimming with the essence of spring. Zhao Junyao didn’t want to waste any more words and got straight to business.

Much, much later, Xia Ruqing had been worn out until she was exhausted and weak. Zhao Junyao, however, was still full of energy. Xia Ruqing, nestled in his embrace, pondered for a moment before asking, "Your Majesty, did something especially happy happen?"

"Naturally!"

"This heavy snowfall came at the right time. There’s a strong chance—eight or nine out of ten—that next year will be a bountiful one!" The north had suffered from drought for years. This year, it finally received auspicious snowfall, so naturally, he was delighted.

"Oh..."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Xia Ruqing said, her expression perfectly demure.

In her heart, there was only one principle: Hold tight to this ultimate BOSS, and not only would her life be secure, but her days would also be delightful!

Zhao Junyao, his body and mind greatly satisfied, patted her.

"Sleep now. I’ll have you sent back at the fifth watch."

"Mm!" Xia Ruqing obediently closed her eyes.

As an emperor, Zhao Junyao had meticulously followed rules since youth, and even more so in adulthood. Now, this sudden clandestine affair felt novel and exciting to him.

To apply Xia Ruqing’s philosophy: men are all like that! A woman could be completely undressed and waiting for him in bed, and he might not even spare her a glance. Instead, they prefer this sort of clandestine rendezvous! Heh... Just one word for it: ’shameless’!

Zhao Junyao had a perfectly good reason for this.

He quietly thought: The little seductress has a low status. If she becomes too favored, others might bully her. It’s better to keep things clandestine; that way, everyone is happy!

Xia Ruqing: "..."

As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.

During the morning greetings the next day, Xia Ruqing didn’t look too well. After being tossed about for most of the night, it would be a miracle if she felt fine.

The Empress, as usual, led everyone in conversation.

Consort Zheng Pin, seeing Xia Ruqing’s poor complexion, asked, "Little Sister Xia, why do you look so pale? Could it be... you’re ill again?"

Her words immediately drew everyone’s attention.

"Indeed. Little Sister Xia, if you’re not feeling well, remember to call for the Imperial Physician!"

A flicker of schadenfreude crossed Honored Lady Hu’s eyes. She caused me to be confined! How could I possibly endure this humiliation!

Xia Ruqing felt a bit of a headache but still roused her spirits. "Thank you for your concern, dear sisters. It’s just that the wind was rather strong last night, so I didn’t sleep well. There’s no need to trouble the Imperial Physician."

"Your complexion truly is poor. It’s best to have an Imperial Physician take a look," the Empress said with a smile. "Even if you’re not ill, having a Peaceful Pulse reading is a good idea. The weather is getting colder, so everyone should be careful not to catch a chill and fall ill. That would be unfortunate."

"Thank you for your concern, Empress!" everyone rose and said in unison.

Only Noble Concubine Shih was reluctant. The Empress always put on such airs as the Family Matriarch, which she couldn’t stand.

On the way back, Honored Lady Hu came to stir up trouble again.

"Little Sister, you truly are delicate and precious; no wonder the Emperor dotes on you! Unlike me, alas..." Whenever Honored Lady Hu thought about the rouge incident, she seethed with anger.

Xia Ruqing gave a cold smile. She’s probably being sarcastic about me ’falling out of favor’ recently!

She turned her head and replied calmly, "The Emperor naturally dotes on me. This rouge from the Kingdom of Goryeo truly lives up to its reputation!"