Xia Ruqing fanned herself and sighed in relief.
The days inside the palace are becoming more and more interesting!
Xia Ruqing found that, after living in ancient times for so long, even her own thinking started to become feudal.
She thought of that man who always doted on her, yet went on to marry around ten other young wives.
Surprisingly, she wasn’t even heartbroken. Odd, isn’t it? Could it be she didn’t like it? How could that be? She had always been looking forward to the Emperor’s visits!
It would be so good if the Emperor came: enjoying his favor, indulging in delicious food, and spending her nights with a handsome man—life would be simply too enjoyable!
What if he didn’t come? It was fine if he didn’t come for one day, but if ten days passed without a visit, then there would be a problem. However, she was with child now, so it didn’t matter if he didn’t come; the Emperor would surely visit eventually!
Xia Ruqing got up and took another stroll. As the sun overhead grew fiercer, she held up her umbrella and returned.
"It’s getting hotter by the day!" she exclaimed.
Zi Yue, supporting her, remarked, "Next month is the start of the hottest season; how could it not be hot?"
Master and servants talked as they made their way into the house and headed towards the inner chamber.
As soon as they entered, they saw a basin of ice.
Xia Ruqing was a little surprised. It’s not even June yet!
Though she was indeed feeling hot, the palace had been practicing frugality these past few years. Ice was only provided during the hottest period in June, and not even the Empress was an exception.
Xiao Xizi smiled from the side. "Eunuch Li personally went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to give instructions. It must also be the Emperor’s will, fearing that you, my lady, would suffer from the heat!"
Xia Ruqing nodded. I see!
She then happily ran over to the ice basin and waved her fan vigorously.
Oh my, I’m so incredibly hot!
Pregnant women couldn’t stand the heat, and she really had been too hot to take a nap earlier. Now with the ice, she could finally cool down a bit.
Zi Yue quickly urged, "My lady, take it easy! Even with ice, it’s not meant to be used like this!"
Xia Ruqing was pulled away, a giggling smile on her face.
"Hurry, go call for a meal! I suddenly feel hungry; I’m starving!"
"Yes!" Xiao Xizi responded and went off with Xiao Zhu Zi.
Imperial Doctor Zhang would create a new menu every so often to change things up. The lady’s meals were mostly based on that menu, featuring the dishes she often preferred and selected herself. So, generally, there was no need for specific instructions.
At noon, Xia Ruqing had her lunch. She lay in the inner chamber with the ice, enjoying the cool breeze, covered by a thin silk quilt, and blissfully fell asleep.
「...」
In the afternoon, the new ladies began to move into their new palace chambers.
While the others were fine, Lady Shih felt extremely tormented.
To live in Yaoyue Palace with Consort Yun Pin? She had inquired early on and learned that Consort Yun Pin did not have an easy temperament to deal with. To encounter a consort with such authority upon entering the palace filled her with dread! But no matter how afraid she was, she still had to go, didn’t she?
Thus, Lady Shih, carrying her luggage and leading a Little Palace Maid and a Little Eunuch, braved the scorching sun on her way to Yaoyue Palace.
As soon as she entered, not daring to go to her quarters first, Lady Shih went straight to the main hall.
Consort Yun Pin had just woken up from a nap. She had been awoken by the heat and was sweating all over, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. Before she had a chance to take a bath, she heard that Lady Shih had arrived.
She felt irritable inside but still had to meet her. She had Cai Die comb her hair and put on simple attire before going out. With the irritation of having just woken up, her expression was less than pleasant.
Lady Shih only took one look and trembled as she knelt down.
"Your servant... Lady Shih of the Shih family, pays respects to Consort Yun Pin!"
Consort Yun Pin glanced down and said languidly, "So you are from the Shih family? Lift your head so that I can get a good look at you!"
Lady Shih became even more frightened but still slowly raised her head.
Consort Yun Pin scrutinized her carefully and then squinted with a smile. "Truly the Noble Consort’s cousin. You do somewhat resemble her, don’t you, Cai Die?"
Cai Die also laughed. "After all, you are from the same family! Oh no, I’ve heard you are not anymore!"
"Then... perhaps a hundred or eighty years ago, you shared an ancestor!" Consort Yun Pin said, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and giggling mockingly.
"You silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting? They were indeed related by blood! After all, she is the Empress Dowager’s niece!"
The mistress and her maid freely mocked from above. Down below, Lady Shih’s complexion grew increasingly pale.
She was of low birth, from a collateral branch of the Shih family that had already declined. Fortunately, her father had made something of himself, finally passing the graduate exam when he was just over thirty. With the help of the clan, he secured an official post at court. After many years, however, he was still only a Fourth Rank Director of Communications!