Li Shengan had no choice but to recount the events truthfully.
Zhao Junyao furrowed his brows. "Ill? Has an Imperial Physician been called? What did they say?"
"I didn’t hear Lady Xia summon an Imperial Physician!" Li Shengan replied, feeling extremely anxious.
To fall ill so peculiarly... it couldn’t be a real sickness, could it? Lady Xia truly is audacious. She got away with feigning illness the first time because the Emperor wasn’t angry; that was her luck. And now she’s still being so thoughtless! Feigning illness to reject favor, isn’t this seeking death? Having served the Emperor for so long, how could I not know His Majesty’s temperament? As the sovereign of the nation, His Majesty’s mind is occupied with matters of state. How much patience can he have for the ladies in the Harem? Initially, I thought Lady Xia was intelligent and fortunate, but now, after receiving favor a few times, she’s started behaving like this. The machinations of this palace, even I, a eunuch, truly can’t comprehend!
Zhao Junyao toyed with his teacup, his expression growing darker. After a moment, he abruptly stood up. "Proceed to Zhaohua Pavilion!"
As for Lady Xia playing tricks, I’m somewhat incredulous. As the sovereign of a nation, if I don’t even have this bit of ability to judge people, then my reign as Emperor would be woefully incompetent. She’s either truly ill, or else she feels aggrieved again and is throwing a tantrum. Well, I’d better go see for myself.
「Zhaohua Pavilion」
Xia Ruqing lay on the bed, her complexion somewhat pale, not wanting to do anything. These past few days, it was as if all her strength had been suddenly sapped away; her previous fighting spirit had vanished entirely. Her entire being felt like an empty shell.
Zi Yue advised anxiously while arranging the meal, "My Lady, please eat a little at least. You hardly ate anything for lunch. If you skip dinner too, how will you manage!"
Xia Ruqing gazed somewhat vacantly at Zi Yue’s face. She moved her dry, cracked lips and suddenly asked, "Zi Yue, does your face still hurt?"
The swelling on Zi Yue’s face had already gone down, and the broken skin had scabbed over. She smiled, "My Lady, don’t worry, it stopped hurting long ago!"
Xia Ruqing smiled faintly, then continued staring blankly at the canopy above.
This was the scene Zhao Junyao encountered when he entered.
Zi Yue was just about to kneel, but Zhao Junyao waved his hand. "There’s no need," he said, approaching the bedside.
Xia Ruqing also scrambled up. It was too late to get off the bed, so she knelt on it. "This servant pays respects to Your Majesty!"
Zhao Junyao looked at her pale face. A hint of displeasure rose in his heart, and his expression darkened several shades. After dismissing the servants, he sat on a stool by the bed, took a sip of tea, and asked, "What’s the matter? Tell me, what are you upset about?"
It’s normal for a young lady to throw a tantrum when something upsets her. As long as it’s not excessive, I’m willing to coddle her a bit. But if it’s baseless complaints... then she shouldn’t expect any leniency.
Xia Ruqing bit her lip and said nothing.
Zhao Junyao, not annoyed, patiently asked again, "What happened to your maid’s face?"
Li Shengan would know about altercations among the Harem women, but he couldn’t possibly tell the Emperor. Thus, Zhao Junyao was completely unaware of the incident.
Upon hearing Zhao Junyao’s question, Xia Ruqing felt as if her grievances had found an outlet. Her almond-shaped eyes instantly misted over, her expression so aggrieved it looked as if tears could be wrung from it.
Zhao Junyao saw this, and his lips curled slightly. It seems I guessed correctly. This little one must have been bullied.
Xia Ruqing wasn’t overthinking it. I just feel wronged, utterly wronged. When one has grievances, one must speak out. He is the Emperor; if I speak out, he can seek justice for me.
So, with her head bowed, she said, "Your Majesty, a Palace Maid of Hu Liyi beat Zi Yue."
After a moment of thought, she added, "The Empress has already ruled to send the Palace Maid who hit her to the Laundry Bureau, but I still feel aggrieved!"
"Oh?" Zhao Junyao raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips.
She wasn’t being unreasonable or acting spoiled; she truly felt wronged. In that case, I don’t mind at all. A young lady is prone to the occasional fit of temper. It’ll be fine once she’s coddled a bit; it’s nothing to fuss about.
"Come here!" He reached out to her.
Xia Ruqing bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then threw herself into his arms. "Your Majesty!"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, refusing to look up, her eyes brimming with aggrieved tears.
Zhao Junyao was somewhat taken aback. This... was rather sudden. After all, no one had dared to do this before. But holding this fragrant and soft little girl in my arms feels surprisingly nice.
"Sit up straight!" He carried Xia Ruqing from the chair to the edge of the bed. Patting her back, he had her sit properly in his embrace.