She added, "Sister Shih has been attending to the Emperor for far too long. It’s about time someone shared some of her burdens!" Having said that, she scooped up a spoonful of milk custard and savored it in her mouth, relishing its sweet taste.
"Yes! This servant will go at once!"
「...」
In Ningshou Palace, Noble Concubine Shih was indignant. "My niece is foolish and doesn’t dare compete with the Empress, but now I’m considered even inferior to a mere Lady Xia!" Never before had she been summoned to the Emperor’s bed in succession.
Empress Dowager Shih felt helpless. "A trivial Lady, and you’re so bothered by it, when you yourself are a Noble Consort! In the harem, aside from the Empress, it’s you who ranks highest!"
"But..."
"No buts!"
The Empress Dowager again advised her earnestly, "The Emperor has always been perfectly discreet, showing no favoritism in the harem. Despite that, he still treats you most generously! Even the Empress can’t compare. This is due to the special bond between you two. You mustn’t fail to appreciate that!"
"Yes!" Noble Concubine Shih dared not say more, bowing her head and meekly acknowledging the reprimand.
「...」
After receiving the Empress’s gift, Xia Ruqing personally went to Jiaofang Hall after her noon meal to express her gratitude.
The rain continued to fall. Even though Xia Ruqing wore a cloak, she still felt a distinct chill. Having also knelt on damp ground that morning, the combination of these things caused her to develop a fever as night fell.
"My Lady, this is serious! We must call for the Imperial Physician to have a look!"
"Yes, My Lady, we mustn’t delay!"
Qiu Hong and Qiu Tong were frantic, while Xia Ruqing was so aggravated she felt faint.
Calling for the Imperial Physician at this time would surely cause a stir throughout the harem.
She had just been punished by Noble Concubine Shih that morning. If she fell ill in the evening, what would happen? What would Noble Concubine Shih think? And what about the rest of the harem? In such a circumstance, she would rather die than call for the Imperial Physician!
Xia Ruqing clenched her teeth and ordered, "Both of you, get out!"
The two of them exchanged a glance, then promptly clamped their mouths shut and withdrew resentfully.
Xia Ruqing called Xiao Xizi in and asked, "Is there any of last year’s charcoal left?"
"There’s still a bit left. Shall this servant light it for you?"
Xia Ruqing nodded, then ordered, "Go make me some strong ginger tea, and add some brown sugar."
Xiao Xizi complied and swiftly set off to prepare it.
She huddled over the charcoal brazier, drank a large bowl of steaming ginger tea, and then lay under the covers to sweat out the illness.
Since she was excused from paying morning respects, she slept until well past sunrise the next day. When she awoke, her inner garments were soaked through.
After a hot bath and a change of clothes, Xia Ruqing felt significantly more refreshed.
Xiao Xizi came in grinning, carrying a food carrier.
"My Lady, we have fish soup for breakfast this morning!"
"Little Weizi from the Imperial Kitchen said this fish was freshly caught and simmered all night. The soup is still piping hot, so please enjoy it while it’s warm!"
As he spoke, Xiao Xizi began to lay out the meal.
Breakfast consisted of crystal buns, fried dumplings, fish soup, and fresh fruit—enough to cover nearly half the table.
In the past, forget fish soup; even a simple vegetable broth would have been a sign of considerable esteem! This deep palace indeed...
After eating, Xia Ruqing went back to sleep; it couldn’t be helped. Medical knowledge in ancient times was limited, and a chill was no small matter.
As for those two palace maids, I need to find an opportunity to send them away for good. Previously, I only thought them foolish, but now it seems likely someone is manipulating them. If they were truly that inept, they wouldn’t have survived this long.
「...」
Xia Ruqing was indeed feeling better, but still, the matter didn’t stay contained.
When the Empress heard of it, she chuckled. "She really is clever!"
"If this matter were to get out, her grudge with Noble Concubine Shih would be set in stone!"
"If that’s the case, does Your Highness intend to...?" Yu Lan asked.
"Of course! How could such a darling little sister be allowed to suffer like this?" the Empress said, smiling. Who posed a greater threat to her, a favored Lady or a favored Noble Concubine? It went without saying.
A few days later, while the Emperor was having dinner at Jiaofang Hall, the Empress subtly brought the matter up.
As expected, Zhao Junyao frowned upon hearing this. The Empress hastily offered a placating smile.
"It was I, Your Concubine, who spoke out of turn!"
Zhao Junyao was silent for a moment before saying, "Since she’s sick, have an Imperial Physician check on her."
He added, "Lady Xia is sensible; promote her in rank."
Upon hearing this, the Empress laughed. "Your Concubine had the same idea!"
She was very pleased. The Emperor’s frown wasn’t because she had overstepped, but rather because of Noble Concubine Shih. The Emperor calling for an Imperial Physician and promoting her—wasn’t this a direct slap in the face for Noble Concubine Shih? As long as Noble Concubine Shih was unhappy, she was delighted!
「...」
After a few days of rain, the weather finally cleared, and Xia Ruqing’s cold was almost better.
On this crisp autumn day, Xia Ruqing took Xiao Xizi for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
Upon her return, she saw several eunuchs and an Old Imperial Doctor with a medicine chest standing in the courtyard of Zhaohua Pavilion.