CHAPTER 659: CHAPTER 659: WON’T SHOW A BIT OF MERCY?

Zhao Junyao watched Xia Ruqing, who was jumping around lively after waking up, and the unease in his heart dissipated.

So, having dinner at Qingya Residence just followed naturally.

Little Bun was exceptionally excited, hopping around Zhao Junyao without staying still.

Zhao Junyao was thoroughly exasperated.

"Son, sit down! Otherwise, watch out for a spanking!"

Little Bun blinked his innocent, big eyes.

After receiving a glare from his mother, he hurriedly sat down obediently.

"Yes, Father Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao was very satisfied.

"Not bad, still very obedient. Quite teachable!"

Little Bun looked up and asked in his childish voice, "Father Emperor, what does ’quite teachable’ mean?"

Zhao Junyao good-naturedly explained to him, "’Ruzi’ refers to a child, which is you! ’Ruzi ke jiao,’ or ’quite teachable,’ means that you are very talented and can be educated to achieve greatness!"

Little Bun didn’t know if he understood, but he quickly nodded his head.

He muttered softly, "Am I ’ruzi’?"

Then he shook his head. "That’s not right. I’m Little Bun, not ’ruzi’!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

Xia Ruqing, hearing this, spurted out a mouthful of tea.

Wanting to laugh but not daring to, she could only hold it in until her face turned red.

"Emperor, your concubine is guilty!"

Zhao Junyao waved his hand, his expression dark. "Take him away from Us!"

He didn’t want this son anymore; whoever wanted him could quickly take him away!

As it happened, Little Bun had almost finished eating, and Sister Huang came in to take him away.

Little Bun initially didn’t want to leave.

"Father Emperor, Mother Consort..."

His big eyes looked so pitiful that Zhao Junyao was about to soften, but...

Just as his resolve was wavering, thinking of letting him stay a while longer—after all, it had been so long since he had spent time like this with his son, who was still so small—Sister Huang over yonder mentioned that Yellow Bean was gnawing on a bone while Da Bai and Little White were sleeping.

Little Bun immediately couldn’t sit still. Twisting his little body, he climbed off the bed and scampered over.

Sister Huang couldn’t even catch up with him.

Clearly, he had already forgotten all about his Father Emperor and Mother Consort.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

He truly wanted to smack someone. Even though Little Bun was just an infant not yet two years old—he still wanted to!

Xia Ruqing was giggling to herself at the side.

With a glance from Zhao Junyao, she quickly stopped laughing and coughed lightly, composing her expression.

Yet, she couldn’t hold it in.

PFFT!

Zhao Junyao tossed his chopsticks down and went off to wash up by himself. Xia Ruqing promptly went forward to serve him.

"Emperor, your concubine is guilty!"

Zhao Junyao glared at her and ignored her.

"Emperor, Little Bun... Yellow Bean grew up with him; their bond is deep!"

He ignored her.

"Emperor, he’s just a child not yet two years old!"

He still ignored her.

Zhao Junyao was truly angry.

So, after washing up, without waiting for Xia Ruqing to react, he scooped her up and threw her onto the bed.

He then pressed down upon her.

"Next month he will be two. Isn’t it time... to give him a little brother or sister!"

Little Bun thinks he’s so high and mighty? Fine, I’ll just make another little bun to dote on, HMPH!

Xia Ruqing felt helpless. This father and son duo.

"Ah!"

"Emperor..."

Zhao Junyao didn’t waste any words and went straight to business!

"Qingqing, bear more children for Us!"

With more children, he would have more confidence. Those censorious officials would also find it harder to keep pressuring him daily to take concubines and consorts, and to distribute his favor evenly.

Those nosy old men meddled in everything, big and small, without exception, to the extent that they even wanted to control the color of his underwear. It was truly detestable to the extreme!

Speaking of distributing favor evenly? In his heart, he was also resistant.

If his consorts each kept to their roles and lived honestly, he wouldn’t have been so repulsed.

It should have been easy enough to let them live well and raise children.

But no, those women, with their ceaseless ill intentions and petty cleverness, disgusted him enormously.

He didn’t even want to touch them, let alone have children with them.

He even felt somewhat depressed.

Why was it that during the selection, each and every one of them had appeared graceful and decorous, but once they entered the palace, they all turned into fools?

Is it really that hard to keep to one’s role?!

In truth, whether it was difficult or not simply depended on individual choices.

Those as wise as Consort Xian Pin, as dutiful as Consort Hui Pin, and as enduring as Consort Cheng Pin, all achieved favorable outcomes.

But those others just couldn’t see it, couldn’t understand it.

They deserved their miserable lives!

「The next day, long after the sun rose, Xia Ruqing finally woke up leisurely.」

Zhao Junyao had already left for court early.

She supported her nearly broken back, seeing stars before her eyes.

This man was too rough! Considering she was still recovering, couldn’t he be a little more tender?! How could he be so insatiable? He obviously has so many women, HMPH!

"Your Highness, it’s time to get up, or you’ll miss the morning greetings!"

Xia Ruqing looked at the sky and rubbed her sore back, then rose from the bed.

"Quickly help me with my makeup. I absolutely cannot miss it today!"

She was already regarded as a thorn in everyone’s side. If she acted spoiled on top of that, she would only incite more animosity.

It was better to be well-behaved and not give others a reason to find fault.

"Yes!"

Zi Yue had just responded when Zi Su and the others brought in water to attend to her washing and dressing.

Having slept the whole night, her complexion hadn’t suffered much, though it was slightly pale.

"It’s no matter. Just apply more rouge to cover it up!"

The rouge she used was a tribute from the Kingdom of Goryeo, with a fine color that moisturized the skin.

Applied evenly, it instantly brightened her complexion.

Xia Ruqing examined herself from side to side and was very satisfied.

She chose a white begonia-colored palace gown, paired with Mutton-fat Jade hairpins, a pink crystal Bu Yao, and Zhu Hua set with Southern Pearls.

Her entire appearance was exceptionally elegant and refined, yet without lacking in nobility.

"Alright, let’s go!"

There was no time for breakfast, so Xia Ruqing, accompanied by Zi Yue and Zi Su, left her residence.

When they arrived at Jiaofang Hall, Consort Ning was already there.

Seeing Xia Ruqing’s attire, she jeered mockingly, "Consort Xian Pin’s Yunjin dress is quite nice, and the hairpins too! They really suit your demeanor!"

As she spoke, she even adjusted the sapphire-studded pure gold Bu Yao atop her own head.

She looked like a proud peacock showing off her beautiful feathers.

But... Xia Ruqing’s eyes were nearly dazzled blind.

If she were as stunningly beautiful as the Noble Consort, flaunting her majestic splendor, Xia Ruqing wouldn’t have much to say.

But Consort Ning...

A plump matron, heavily made-up, with her head adorned with various colored gold, silver, and jeweled stones—it was quite an eyesore in itself.

Even more so as she struck coquettish poses, flaunting herself.

Ugh...

Xia Ruqing bowed her head and respectfully replied, "Your servant’s humble appearance is no match for Your Highness’s majestic splendor!"

As soon as these words came out, a few Honored Ladies sitting not far away covered their mouths and secretly giggled.

Consort Ning shot them a glare.

"What are you laughing at? All of you, be quiet!"

The Honored Ladies dared not laugh anymore.

Consort Ning turned back, about to scold Consort Xian Pin.

Unexpectedly, Xia Ruqing preempted her, an innocent look on her face.

"Your Highness, did your servant say something wrong? I truly do think that Your Highness is majestic and splendid!"