The Noble Consort snorted coldly. "You just go. I’ll visit Mother later and say... she’s hosting the event. Won’t that be sufficient?"
Ying Yue pondered for a moment. Having advised all she could, she ultimately had no choice but to comply.
「...」
In Ningshou Palace, the Noble Consort indeed arrived. She claimed she wanted to watch a play; she was tired of the palace performances and craved something new from outside.
The Empress Dowager felt somewhat helpless. "Spending a fortune on such fleeting excitement for no good reason... Be careful your cousin doesn’t get displeased again!" The Empress Dowager earnestly advised.
She mused: her own daughter had been molded into such a spoiled creature by her brother’s upbringing. It wasn’t so bad when she was childless. But now that she was pregnant, her temper seemed uncontrollable, and she indulged her every whim.
"Auntie..." Noble Concubine Shih acted coquettishly.
The Empress Dowager felt somewhat helpless. "You know your cousin’s temperament full well. You’ve been far too reckless these days..."
Regardless, the Empress must still be given some face. The incident in the Imperial Garden a few days ago had spread throughout the palace, making it impossible for the Empress Dowager to remain unaware.
Upon hearing this, Noble Concubine Shih pouted. "Mother, haven’t you seen what the Empress has been doing?"
After speaking, she snorted coldly again. "I merely punished two Ladies, that’s all. Yet the Empress went to complain about me to my cousin... I was beneath her before, and that was bad enough. But now, I’m the one who’s pregnant! I have to assert myself; otherwise, she’ll think I’m scared of her!"
The Empress Dowager was shaken by these words, and her countenance turned grave at once. "Such nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
She hadn’t realized the Noble Consort was still so unrestrained; she had actually thought she’d improved!
"Let’s pretend I didn’t hear what you just said. If you speak like this again, I will wash my hands of you!"
The Empress Dowager scoffed inwardly: She’d like to see what would become of her without her full support! Weren’t there an abundance of suitable girls in the family? To support her maternal family—did it really have to be her? Humph! She truly thought too highly of herself.
Seeing the Empress Dowager speak in such a manner, Noble Concubine Shih truly softened. "Auntie, Wanxin was wrong. Please don’t be angry..."
After a barrage of placating words, the Empress Dowager finally calmed down, and her spirits lifted.
In the end, unable to resist Noble Concubine Shih’s persistent entreaties, she decided to agree to her request this one time.
The Empress Dowager declared, "Just this once. This is not to be taken as a precedent!"
Noble Concubine Shih then giggled. "Mother, please rest assured. Just this once. Wanxin won’t act recklessly again. I’ll focus on my health and nurturing the baby..."
This one time would be enough to score a point against the Empress; that was sufficient!
The Empress Dowager then laughed. "If you truly act this way, I’ll have nothing to worry about. Even your cousin will be pleased to see it..."
She paused for a moment, then added, "Consider it as... an advance reward for your contribution to birthing an imperial heir!"
"Thank you, Mother!" Noble Concubine Shih was genuinely delighted.
"Alright then, are you satisfied now?"
"Mhm!"
Noble Concubine Shih was rarely this happy. That day, she spent a long time chatting and laughing with the Empress Dowager.
At luncheon, the Empress Dowager was in high spirits, her appetite robust; she ate much more than usual. She even specifically ordered some delicacies for Noble Concubine Shih.
The aunt and niece chatted and laughed, thoroughly enjoying their meal together.
During the afternoon rest, upon returning to Xifu Palace, Noble Concubine Shih’s face was drawn.
Ying Yue thought she was simply tired and chuckled. "Your Highness must be weary after such a long day. Please rest well..."
Noble Concubine Shih snorted. Without another word, she removed her makeup and lay down on the bed.
As Ying Yue attended to her, she said with a smile, "The Empress Dowager truly treats Your Highness well, always granting your requests."
Noble Concubine Shih suddenly let out a light snort. She only cares about this belly of mine... I’m merely a pawn she uses to control the Shih Family. With me in the palace, Father has to defer to the Empress Dowager. And I, in turn, use the Empress Dowager’s influence to try and climb higher in the palace. So it seems, though we are aunt and niece, we’re merely using each other. Does she really think I’m that naive?
Ying Yue didn’t dare interject and wisely kept her mouth shut.
「...」
Before the evening meal, Xiao Xizi went to fetch their food.
Xia Ruqing was busy cutting fabric when Zi Yue, who had stepped out briefly, returned with an invitation card in her hand.
"Master..." As she spoke, she handed over the card.
Without even glancing at it, Xia Ruqing asked who it was from.
Zi Yue looked at it but had to admit, "Your servant is illiterate..."
Xia Ruqing said, "Never mind, I’ll look at it myself." Saying so, she set aside the work in her hands.
After reading it, she helplessly put the invitation down, her expression tinged with concern.
"Master, what’s wrong?" Zi Yue was startled.
Xia Ruqing replied, "It’s an invitation from Xifu Palace, summoning everyone in the palace to Xifu Palace tomorrow to watch a play."
"A play?"