His hair was slightly disheveled, his face stern, his gaze piercing and spirited. As he rode, his robes billowed freely in the wind, like a horse in full gallop.
"Qingqing..."
As he spoke, he flipped over and landed atop the carriage. Parting the curtain to enter, he sat down beside her.
He looked at her with an extremely complex expression, his gaze soft yet profound, filled with an emotion she couldn’t comprehend.
Xia Ruqing felt a cold sweat on her back. She only dared to look up for a moment before quickly lowering her head, not daring to meet his distinctive gaze.
"Qingqing, your ideas are very insightful!"
His deep, resonant voice suddenly sounded above her head.
Xia Ruqing trembled with fright.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I... I was just rambling nonsense. Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation, a grandmaster of strategy, capable of securing victory from a thousand miles away... This servant is utterly insignificant compared to Your Majesty!"
As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer until, in the end, it was as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz.
Zhao Junyao watched her timid demeanor. All his discomfort from feeling ’inferior even to women’ vanished.
He patted her head and laughed cheerfully. "Qingqing, you’re doing very well!"
Xia Ruqing was somewhat bewildered by the praise. She raised her face, a confused expression upon it.
"Your Majesty, do you think that I, as a woman, should concern myself with knowing so much?"
Rather than endlessly guessing, it was better to ask directly. After all, her abilities were no match for the Emperor’s cunning. So, honesty was the best policy.
Zhao Junyao, seeing her frankness, found it both exasperating and amusing.
This girl, can’t she hide even a sliver of her thoughts? Or at least try to fathom his intentions like others do?
Before he could respond, she spoke again.
"Your Majesty, do you also believe that ’a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent’?"
She looked at him, her eyes shining, eagerly awaiting his answer.
Seeing her earnestness, Zhao Junyao pondered for a moment before speaking.
"I believe," he said, "that whether man or woman, it is necessary to be literate and rational. Or, to put it another way, I dislike those who, after reading a few sentimental poems about the sadness of spring and sorrow of autumn, consider themselves exceptionally talented and act arrogantly!"
Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully.
So, he doesn’t dislike it. That’s good, that’s very good.
「...」
The Emperor’s southern tour concluded, and he returned to the capital in mid-July of the third year of Jiayuan.
That day, the Empress led the assembled concubines to welcome him at Dexuan Gate.
Concubines of the Sixth Rank and above knelt in orderly rows behind the Empress according to their rank.
Consort Yun, Xia Ruqing, and others had switched to sedans at the palace gate and proceeded directly to the Harem. Now, they were kneeling in their designated positions.
The Emperor was in the front, meeting with the ministers who had come to welcome him. It was over an hour before he finally arrived.
The Empress led everyone in a deep kowtow.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
They performed the full ceremonial bow.
Zhao Junyao glanced at the Noble Consort, who stood to the side performing a curtsy, and frowned slightly.
"All of you, rise."
The Noble Consort was already a full seven months pregnant; the child, if born now, would be viable.
He walked over to the Noble Consort and personally helped her up.
"You are inconvenienced by your condition. Why did you come out?"
Noble Concubine Shih, not having seen the Emperor for half a year, felt a sense of unfamiliarity upon suddenly seeing him. She paused for a moment before speaking.
"Your Majesty, you have finally returned..."
Realizing the situation, she was overcome with surprise and joy. Disregarding all decorum, she spoke as if no one else were present.
"Your Majesty, our child is already seven months along! He... he can already move..."
Zhao Junyao looked at her prominent belly and a faint smile touched his lips.
"You have endured much hardship."
After saying this, he turned to look at the Empress, who stood nearby with an awkward expression. He exchanged a few perfunctory words of greeting with her.
Then, he led the entire retinue towards Ningshou Palace.
Xia Ruqing followed leisurely behind the main group.
The Emperor truly is... a man who seems to thrive on stirring up trouble. Back in the palace and already causing a scene! For the past few months, watching Noble Concubine Shih’s belly grow larger by the day must have made the Empress sick with frustration. And now, upon his return to the palace, he orchestrates another spectacle... It’s simply... like roasting the Empress’s heart over an open fire. I even began to doubt whether the Emperor genuinely wanted Noble Concubine Shih to bear a child. Otherwise... why would he constantly provoke the Empress? But whether his intentions are genuine or not, it’s none of my concern. After all, I’m just an Honored Lady! Sigh, if this were the 21st century, he would be quite a catch. One might even consider dating him. Unfortunately, these are ancient times! According to the customs of this era, my goal is to become his Favored Consort. As for anything else, it’s pointless to even think about it; better not to think at all!
They proceeded to Ningshou Palace. After everyone paid their respects, the Empress Dowager dismissed them.