She picked out another hairpin for her.
"My lady, this gemstone fragment hairpin is lovely, and the color is so understated!"
Xia Ruqing was also very satisfied.
"Let’s go with this one..."
Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi were seated, having tea.
Not long after, Xia Ruqing finished preparing herself and came out.
The three were of equal rank, so there was no need for formalities, and they exchanged a few pleasantries.
"We’re practically neighbors now..." Honored Lady Xi said.
"To visit Elder Sister Xia, we no longer need to cross the Imperial Garden!"
Honored Lady Lan was quite happy as well, but she didn’t know quite what to say and just sat there smiling.
Xia Ruqing was very polite.
"If you like my place, you are welcome to come often..."
Though her words seemed inviting, upon closer examination, they carried a hint of distance.
Honored Lady Xi, seemingly oblivious to the subtext, remained enthusiastic.
"The two of us have our little places too..."
"When spring arrives next year... I also want to tidy up my place just like Elder Sister Xia..."
Lijing Pavilion, formerly Honored Lady Hu’s residence before she was sent to the Cold Palace, always felt a bit ominous if not properly cleaned. Zhaohua Pavilion, where Lady Xia had once stayed, was fine; it was just... too secluded. It was almost on the edge of the Cold Palace itself!
"Eldest Sister Lan? How about your place?" Honored Lady Xi asked.
Honored Lady Lan, caught off guard, was a bit flustered.
"Ah? Me?"
"My place... is good... The residence where Lady Xia stayed was well-kept..."
Honored Lady Xi gave her a gentle pat.
"Oh, Eldest Sister Lan... just because Elder Sister Xia liked it doesn’t mean you have to, right?"
"Since you’ll be living there, naturally, you should arrange it to your own liking."
Honored Lady Lan nodded absentmindedly.
"I... I think it’s quite nice already."
Honored Lady Xi decided not to press further and changed the subject.
"That bamboo grove in front of the window looks charming..."
"Elder Sister Xia, it must be very cool in the summer, right?"
Xia Ruqing sipped her tea.
"Eh... it’s alright..."
It wasn’t that she found them bothersome. However, a huge question mark loomed in her mind. Why do some people inexplicably like to cozy up to those who don’t reciprocate their warmth? They keep coming, yet I’ve never shown them any particular warmth! Could it be that they’ve misunderstood my expressions?
Sighing inwardly, Xia Ruqing knew she still had to muster her spirits and continue to deal with them.
...
By evening, the two ladies finally left.
Xia Ruqing was so tired she didn’t want to speak.
"I hope they come less often," she murmured, lying down on the recliner.
"My lady, you didn’t rest well at noon. Would you like to take a nap now?" Zi Yue suggested.
Xia Ruqing nodded and turned over.
After a while, she got up again.
"It’s cold out here; I need to go to bed!"
Zi Yue laughed.
"I was just about to say! Please, come over."
"This servant will go fill a hot-water bottle for your feet."
"Mm!"
Xia Ruqing removed her outerwear and changed into her most comfortable, fine cotton house clothes.
This outfit had been made by Zi Yue. She had chosen the softest, most breathable cotton fabric. It was plain off-white, with no embroidery, designed purely for comfort.
Wearing it, she snuggled into the warm bed, resting her feet on the cotton-wrapped hot-water bottle. Xia Ruqing felt as if every pore in her body was breathing, exhaling in relief.
"So comfortable!"
Xia Ruqing peeked her head out from the covers and sighed contentedly.
Zi Yue tucked her in properly, then sat on a small stool by the bed with her needlework basket.
"My lady, you sleep now. This servant will wake you later!"
Xia Ruqing hummed in agreement and closed her eyes.
「After one Shi Chen.」
When she woke up, she groggily became aware of a figure seated beside her.
"Zi Yue!"
She called out.
"Zi Yue... what time is it?"
Xia Ruqing, eyes still closed, clutched her quilt, turned over, and asked sleepily.
The person remained silent. Xia Ruqing sensed something was very wrong!
WHOOSH. She snapped her eyes open, her mind instantly clearing.
"Em... Emperor?"
Xia Ruqing was startled and shot bolt upright.
"This servant deserves death! Please forgive me, Emperor!"
Because of the recent incident with the Little Prince, the Emperor’s mood is probably not good. I dare not provoke him! Thinking this, Xia Ruqing lowered her head even more.
Zhao Junyao looked down at her and slowly spoke.
"Are you very afraid of Us?"
Xia Ruqing stiffened. Oh no, what if the Emperor is looking for an excuse to punish me?
While she hesitated, unsure how to respond, Zhao Junyao spoke again.
"Get up!"
As he said this, he seemed to realize his expression was a bit stiff. He relaxed it, and his tone softened considerably.
Xia Ruqing breathed a slight sigh of relief and quickly thanked him.
"Thank you, Emperor..."
She then stood up.
Zhao Junyao watched her with an indifferent expression, but his hand unconsciously reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.