As she spoke, Honored Lady Hu kowtowed and was about to withdraw.
However, the Empress suddenly called out to her.
"Wait a moment!"
Honored Lady Hu’s face lit up with surprise, and she knelt down once again.
"Empress?"
Dismissing the attendants to her left and right, the Empress looked at her for a while before speaking.
"Why don’t you approach the Noble Consort? The Noble Consort is now like the sun at high noon. Even I have to avoid her sharp edge!"
Honored Lady Hu gave a cold laugh.
"No matter how distinguished the Noble Consort may be, she is but a consort, whereas you, Your Majesty, are the rightful Empress."
The words were chosen to flatter.
In reality, it was because she couldn’t reach the heights of the Noble Consort and had no choice but to seek out the Empress instead.
In the harem, everyone had their own powerful patrons. Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi seemed to have fed Consort Yun some bewitching potion, making her guard them closely.
There was no need to mention Lady Xia; with the Emperor’s favor, she feared neither heaven nor earth!
Only she, only she lived at the very bottom, enduring abuse for nothing!
The Empress gave a faint laugh. "You do understand!"
Continuing, she said, "Well then, you may go. Since you have sought refuge with me, there is no reason to send you away empty-handed. Yu Lan..."
"Your servant is here..."
"Fetch some nice things for Honored Lady Hu. We can’t have her living too poorly!"
"Yes!"
Yu Lan withdrew and soon returned.
On the tray she carried was a package of silver and a set of head ornaments.
"These trifles are not worth mentioning. Consider them a welcome gift from me. I hope... you won’t disappoint me in the future!" said the Empress with a smile.
Honored Lady Hu, overjoyed, hurriedly accepted the items and expressed her gratitude.
The Empress then instructed Yu Lan, "Go tell the Imperial Kitchen that from now on, anyone who dares to slight Honored Lady Hu’s meals will be punished themselves!"
"Yes, your servant will go at once!"
Honored Lady Hu left jubilantly.
At the next meal, the dishes on her table changed completely.
Her palace maids said it was like the difference between heaven and earth.
There was a roasted goose, several delicate seasonal dishes, and a bowl of cow’s milk bird’s nest soup—all exquisite fare.
Honored Lady Hu took up her chopsticks, tore off a goose leg, and leisurely took a bite.
"Hmph! Since you won’t make life easy for me, from now on, we’ll just see!"
She couldn’t understand why, after failing to curry favor with the Empress before, she suddenly could now. But after all, she had now boarded the Empress’s ship, had she not? Life had taken a turn for the better, so she would strive to excel and rise above it all. She was determined to show them all!
「In Jiaofang Hall」
After Honored Lady Hu had left, Sister Ji appeared somewhat puzzled.
"Your Majesty, this Honored Lady Hu... I’m afraid she might be a bit foolish."
This kind of knife wasn’t easy to wield. If not careful, it could harm the user instead of others.
Yet the Empress smiled brilliantly. "The more foolish they are, the easier they are to control. I wouldn’t dare to use someone too clever."
With a sigh, she added, "If I weren’t short on people at the moment, I wouldn’t bother with her! Even if it’s a blunt knife, as long as it can kill, it’s a good knife!"
As she spoke, a fierce light shone in her eyes, looking quite terrifying!
After musing for a moment, Sister Ji said, "That’s true..."
She then brought over a bowl of ginger tea. "Empress, drink this while it’s still warm. Ginger tea is excellent for women. It will help you recuperate quickly and, hopefully, conceive a Prince soon!"
The Empress looked at it, took it, and drank without hesitation.
Now, if it meant she could conceive, she would dare to drink even poison.
After taking the bowl, Sister Ji spoke again. "Now in the palace, the most favored are Lady Xia, Honored Lady Lan, and Honored Lady Xi!"
"Hmph, just a few Honored Ladies, they are not worth fearing for now!" she quickly added. "However, these three are all quite capable. Lady Xia, in particular, has only been in the palace for two years and has already gained such favor. It’s clear she’s no simple woman. Sister Ji, have someone keep a close watch on her for me!"
"Yes..."
After the Empress finished speaking, she leaned on the couch to rest.
「Half of May had passed」
The rain kept pouring down heavier, making everything damp.
That day, when Xia Ruqing got up, she felt something was off.
"Zi Yue, have you noticed? There’s a strange smell in the air!"
"What strange smell?"
"The smell of wood!"
Zi Yue teased her. "Wood doesn’t have a smell unless it’s freshly sawn!"
Xia Ruqing thought about it and agreed, so she didn’t pay it any more attention.
After paying respects to the Empress at Jiaofang Hall, Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi dragged her to Yaoyue Palace to see the rabbits.
She wondered how those little rascals were doing, and since she had nothing else to do back in her own quarters, she decided to go take a look.
Along the way, Honored Lady Xi chattered nonstop. "I gave the Imperial Kitchen ten pieces of silver to buy carrots especially for my rabbits. In just two months, it’s all gone—they really can eat!"
Honored Lady Lan laughed. "Indeed! Those little rabbits have grown so much. My attendant said one of them is even pregnant now!"