After all, the example of Lady Zhou was there for all to see.
The Noble Consort was still the Noble Consort; it was easy for her to kill them, so they didn’t even dare to cozy up to the Empress too much.
Of course, no one wanted to cozy up to her either.
The crowd fell silent, the lively atmosphere gone.
But Noble Concubine Shih didn’t care about those things.
What she cared about was that at this time last year, she was the one with a big belly.
How had it come to be someone else today?
If only her child were still...
Noble Concubine Shih touched her belly; this truly was a pain for a lifetime!
Thinking this, her gaze fell upon Xia Ruqing’s belly.
A few sharp glints burst forth in her eyes.
Well played, Xia Jieyu! Such a ’mild,’ ’uncompetitive,’ and ’unambitious’ Xia Jieyu!
She seemed uncompetitive and unambitious, but upon closer thought, she had everything.
Affection, progeny, status.
Was she sure she hadn’t fought for these?
Attending to the Emperor at night with such a large belly—her methods were truly unsightly.
Who would have thought that in the end, this woman would quietly rise and reap all the benefits?
Yet... the Empress still indulged her!
With Xia Jieyu so favored, did the Empress not feel a hint of crisis?
What if she gave birth to a son?
At this thought, the fire within her chest roared to burst forth.
She, too, had given birth to a son!
Her child...
Noble Concubine Shih’s gaze was fixed on Xia Ruqing’s belly.
Xia Ruqing seemed to sense something.
She calmly pulled her cloak over her belly and smiled faintly at Noble Concubine Shih.
That look, respectful with a hint of... scorn, yes, scorn.
Hmph! I just love that you can’t stand me but can’t do anything about it.
So what if she was Noble Concubine Shih?
How long had it been since the Emperor set foot in Xifu Palace? Didn’t she have the slightest clue?
Did she think that just because she got rid of Lady Zhou, I wouldn’t know she was out to harm me?
Or... that I was afraid of her?
What a joke. I’m not even afraid of death; what else is there to fear?
The Emperor valued rules and the law.
As long as her family didn’t get into trouble outside the palace, there wouldn’t be any repercussions for her.
Besides, even if there were repercussions, it wasn’t certain who would be affected.
So, Xia Ruqing had no worries at all.
As the saying goes, "The barefoot are not afraid of those with shoes," and so it was with her.
Before long, the Emperor and the Empress arrived.
This year... the Empress Dowager didn’t come.
Xia Ruqing thought, Is it out of embarrassment or fear of losing face? Perhaps... a bit of both.
The Emperor bade everyone rise, and the Empress, seated beside him, smiled even more brilliantly.
"Xia Jieyu and Honored Lady Shih are both with child. If the food gets cold, have someone quickly reheat it..."
"Furthermore..." The Empress looked at Yu Lan. "Xia Jieyu is heavy with child; sitting must be uncomfortable for her. Go fetch a lumbar support pillow!"
Yu Lan responded with a smile.
Xia Ruqing was taken aback.
She thought, Is she... trying to play the good person in front of the Emperor?
Without time for further thought, Xia Ruqing quickly rose to express her thanks.
The Empress hurriedly gestured with her hands.
"Sister Xia, please, there’s no need!"
Xia Ruqing was disgusted by this address of "Sister."
However, on the surface, she remained humble and obedient, her almond eyes filled with gratitude as she raised her gaze.
"Empress, Your Majesty’s immense kindness leaves me deeply grateful!"
She had definitely made an enemy of Noble Concubine Shih, so she couldn’t afford to seem ungrateful to the Empress.
She truly never again wanted to endure days where the two great powers, the Empress and Noble Concubine Shih, both sought to crush her.
At the very least, the Empress, even deprived of favor, was still the Empress.
As long as she didn’t act foolishly, Emperor Zhao Junyao would definitely grant her due respect.
So now, the Empress had become much smarter.
The Emperor likes Xia Jieyu? Very well, then I shall also be kind to her.
Indeed, the Emperor’s countenance brightened considerably.
Zhao Junyao sat to the side, casting a satisfied glance at the Empress.
He praised, "The Empress is wise and virtuous; my heart is greatly comforted!"
At the praise, tears sparkled in the Empress’s eyes.
She immediately rose from her seat, knelt gracefully, and said, "Your Majesty overpraises me. Taking good care of my sisters and alleviating Your Majesty’s worries is simply my duty!"
It was a grand declaration, as if to say, "For the Emperor, I am willing to sacrifice my all."
Zhao Junyao was momentarily speechless. He frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly, and waved his hand. "Rise."
Unaware of the Emperor’s expression, the Empress stood up contentedly.
She was immersed in the pleasure of her devotion and her own moving sentiments.
Regrettably, she only moved herself.
Zhao Junyao, as the Emperor, needed gentle, endearing young women. He needed women who could bring him joy beyond tedious state affairs, women who could cater to all his physical needs: eating well, drinking well, sleeping well, and so on.
Of course, if they could make him smile comfortably, that would be even better.
Thus, ambitious, self-assured women like the Empress were more like partners.
In the past, Zhao Junyao would frown and show disdain.