CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 28 CONSORT YUN LODGES A COMPLAINT 1

"Lady Xia! Just you wait and see!"

Consort Yun stormed off in a fury!

Xia Ruqing also lost her interest and, with a heavy heart, instructed Xiao Xizi to clean up the mess on the ground before heading back to Zhaohua Pavilion.

Zi Yue looked somewhat worried.

"My lady, by angering Consort Yun, could it be that we will..."

"When have I ever angered her!" retorted Xia Ruqing with a pout.

She felt so wronged!

What had she done wrong? The flowers she had carefully picked had been smashed to the ground by someone!

Don’t even mention that nonsense about ’taking a step back for a boundless future.’

In the palace, a step back is a cliff.

When others are already defecating and urinating on your head, and you’re still retreating, when will enough be enough?

"That may be true, but when all is said and done, we’re still the ones at a loss!"

"Even if Consort Yun can’t do anything to us for now, she will certainly not let the matter rest!"

Xia Ruqing wasn’t that worried, however.

The Emperor wasn’t feebleminded, and the Empress was in charge of the Harem. There was no way a Consort could have the final say over everything!

After thinking it over, she waved her hand dismissively.

"Forget it, forget it! I’m not going to think about it!"

Thinking too much was useless! At most, they’d make things difficult for her, but there wasn’t much they could do.

"I want to drink some lamb soup for lunch. I got all worked up; I might as well warm up my stomach!"

Zi Yue: "..."

Xiao Xizi: "..."

For their mistress to still have the appetite to eat at such a time was quite a feat!

Seeing that it was no use to argue, both of them went about their own business.

The midday meal was served, consisting of scallion pancakes, lamb soup, a steamed bass, a charcoal-grilled pig’s trotter, and two kinds of vegetarian dishes.

It was a proper balance of meat and vegetables.

However, Xia Ruqing was one who couldn’t be happy without meat and was somewhat indifferent to vegetables.

She had her reasoning: I’m too thin; I need to fatten up to look good!

Of course, to gain weight, one must eat more meat.

Zi Yue agreed with this point entirely; being too thin really wasn’t attractive. But she also advised,

"My lady, you should also eat some vegetables. Too much meat can cause heat in the body!"

Actually, Xia Ruqing knew that a meat and vegetable combination was better; after all, vitamins and such were indispensable!

So, although somewhat reluctantly, she did eat some in the end!

As the afternoon arrived, the sky turned overcast.

"It looks like it’s going to snow again tonight!" said Zi Yue.

"With such weather, the best thing to do is sleep," Xia Ruqing stretched and yawned.

Full and satisfied, it was easy to feel sleepy!

She then ordered Zi Yue to make the bed and dove into the covers to sleep!

No need to worry about rent, no fear of being fired by a boss, no concerns about being late for work!

Life was simply... too awesome!

「...」

Consort Yun returned to her quarters from the Imperial Garden, fuming, and unleashed a great tirade.

Cups, bowls, and dishes were shattered aplenty!

"Since I entered the palace, when have I ever been subjected to such humiliation!" exclaimed Consort Yun, still fuming.

"Your Highness! She’s just a mere Honored Lady! Why let yourself be so angered by her!" Cai Die hurriedly consoled her.

"A mere Honored Lady, and yet she dares to disrespect not only me but even the Noble Consort! Where’s the justice in that?"

Cai Die felt somewhat helpless. But she really didn’t do much; it was you who insulted her first!

Of course, these words she would never dare to voice out loud.

For the moment, all she could do was continue to try to console her, "Your Highness, just look at Lady Xia. I’m afraid she’d fall over even before you lay a hand on her!"

She was so thin and brittle; it seemed a strong gust of wind could blow her away.

"The Lunar New Year is almost upon us; let’s not dabble with such misfortune!"

"That won’t do!"

Swallowing her pride was something she simply couldn’t tolerate!

If I don’t teach that shameless Lady Xia a lesson, how am I to command respect in front of the Servants!

"But, Your Highness, what can we do?" Cai Die was somewhat worried. Her Highness mustn’t do anything foolish!

Wasn’t the Noble Consort’s own example a sufficient warning?

Consort Yun was also at a loss for words.

"To punish the Palace Consorts! It’s a right that only the Empress possesses, and she certainly won’t stand up for me!"

"So then..." Consort Yun mused aloud. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she hurriedly ordered Cai Die!

"Go order the Imperial Kitchen to stew a bowl of Ginseng chicken soup!"

Cai Die repeated, puzzled, "Ginseng chicken soup?" What is Her Highness planning to do?

"Go quickly!"

"Yes!"

Cai Die dared not ask further and had to leave!

「...」

Zhao Junyao had finished his lunch and taken a short rest!

Just as he was about to start working on memorials, he heard some commotion outside.

It was Consort Yun!

She had changed into a light blue embroidered palace attire. Two cloisonné hairpins, adorned with twisted silk and intricate floral designs, were in her hair, and a pair of icy blue Cat’s Eye Stone earrings dangled from her ears.

Her makeup was freshly and meticulously applied.

At that moment, she stood outside the Imperial Study Room, leading a Palace Maid.

"The weather is cold, and I have personally stewed a bowl of Ginseng soup for the Emperor. Please let Eunuch Li announce my presence!"

Li Shengan was guarding the door, bowed slightly, a troubled expression on his face.

"Consort Yun, the Emperor is reviewing memorials. Perhaps you could... perhaps give the soup to this servant, and I will surely relay it!"

Consort Yun was slightly annoyed, but remembering this was the Imperial Study Room, she dared not make a scene and said with patience,

"I personally stewed this chicken soup! It contains nourishing herbs and is excellent for the health. I must personally deliver it to the Emperor!"

As long as I see the Emperor, I’ll cry a little, make a fuss, and perhaps act playfully.

The Emperor will surely take my side!

A mere Honored Lady dares to defy me?

I will make sure that woman clearly understands her place and remembers this lesson!

Li Shengan found the situation even more awkward. He appeared respectful on the surface, but inside, he was somewhat contemptuous.

What is a proper imperial consort doing here? The Imperial Study Room is no place for a woman!

Even the Empress, without a summons, absolutely cannot come here!

Consort Yun is perhaps... acting quite improperly!

"Eunuch Li, please go in and announce my presence!" Consort Yun was growing impatient.

The eunuchs in the Emperor’s presence are still just eunuchs, after all!

Li Shengan was worried about how to dissuade her when Zhao Junyao spoke from inside.

"Let her in!"

Consort Yun glanced triumphantly at Li Shengan and led the Palace Maid inside.

"Greetings to the Emperor!"

Consort Yun curtsied softly and gently.

"Rise!"

Zhao Junyao’s voice was very calm, devoid of any emotion. He was holding a memorial, without even lifting his eyelids.

"Your Majesty, I have stewed a bowl of Ginseng chicken soup for you. The weather has turned cold, and you should nourish your body!"

Saying this, Consort Yun quickly had Cai Die bring over the food container.

She took out an exquisitely crafted white porcelain soup bowl and presented it to Zhao Junyao.

"Your Majesty, I stewed this myself! Won’t you try it?"

Zhao Junyao’s lips curled up slightly as he finally looked up.

"Oh? Since when did my consort begin to cook!"

She had nearly burned down the small kitchen in Zhaochen Palace once; that incident was still vivid in his mind!

Consort Yun was somewhat embarrassed, coyly saying, "Naturally, the head chef from the Imperial Kitchen taught me. If it’s not good, you must not tease me."

Many of the women in the palace came from official families, their delicate hands untouched by worldly chores.

The task of cooking was something they could hardly do; naturally, it was delegated to the Imperial Kitchen.

But it wouldn’t sound good to admit it! So... they had all reached a tacit understanding!

Whatever they personally ordered, they claimed as their own handiwork!

And so they all lied, their faces not blushing, their hearts not pounding!