That night, Zhao Junyao didn’t go anywhere and just rested in Zhaochen Palace. It was the same for the second and third days. Not until the fourth day did he start flipping the tags. The Royal Family had rules. He was the Emperor, after all; not flipping the tags was simply not an option. Moreover, instability in the Harem brought nothing but harm. As a shrewd emperor adept at devising strategies, he naturally wouldn’t do such a foolish thing.
When Chief Steward Feng Anfu from the Respectful Affairs Office presented the silver tray before the Emperor, he was so quiet and cautious that he hardly dared to breathe. Zhao Junyao lowered his eyes and immediately noticed one tag, deliberately placed at the very front.
"Honored Lady Jiang!"
Who was Honored Lady Jiang? Zhao Junyao couldn’t recall. But just by virtue of her tag mysteriously appearing at the forefront, he didn’t want to flip it. He casually picked another and waved his hand dismissively. Feng Anfu respectfully withdrew and went to make preparations for attending to the Emperor that night.
「In Qingya Residence」
Xia Ruqing had finished her evening meal. After a walk outside, upon returning, she heard Xiao Xizi report, "Mistress, the Emperor has chosen Honored Lady Cheng’s tag today!"
Xia Ruqing sat on the kang bed, sipping tea and smiling. "What about it?" Was there anything wrong with that?
Even though she was favored, she had never thought of controlling the Harem, monopolizing the Emperor, and preventing him from sleeping with other concubines. If such a day truly came, forget the Harem women causing an uproar; even the old court censors would curse her as a nation-ruining vixen. Worse still, someone might pressure the Emperor to purge his court! She herself most likely wouldn’t live long. Ugh... Just the thought was terrifying! She had no desire to challenge the ancient feudal system with her life. So, it was better to just live well!
Xiao Xizi gave an awkward smile. "It’s nothing... nothing!"
Xia Ruqing took a sip of tea and then said with a smile, "Isn’t this quite normal?! In the future, don’t bother asking. Did you really think the Emperor would remain chaste just for me, your mistress?"
Xia Ruqing had long since thrown the notion of him ’remaining chaste’ to the winds. It was simply impossible, wasn’t it? Even if one tied oneself in knots over it, nothing would change. So, what was the point of overthinking things? Wasn’t it good enough just to be alive?
...
「In the blink of an eye, it was October.」
The Empress’s "illness" had also improved. The twelfth of October was the third birthday of the Second Princess Yi’an. Consort Hui Pin was graceful and generous, learned, and reasonable. The Second Princess was as exquisitely beautiful as a jade carving, raised by Consort Hui Pin to be well-behaved and endearing. Therefore, Zhao Junyao had always treated her and her mother well.
That day, the birthday banquet for the Second Princess was arranged in Consort Hui Pin’s Zhaoxiang Pavilion. Early in the morning, Consort Hui Pin was directing Palace Attendants back and forth, moving things around. This went here, that went there, as she meticulously arranged the place. A moderate-sized main hall was decorated by her to be fresh and elegant, with carefully arranged pink and white roses on the tables, looking very charming.
With the Emperor gracing the occasion, it naturally couldn’t be too shabby, Consort Hui Pin thought. So she took out her own Silver and went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to hire two troupes of actors. A modest stage was set up in the courtyard, along with several banquet tables. At a glance, the banquet really looked quite impressive.
After being busy for most of the day, Consort Hui Pin finally had a moment to rest her feet and have a drink of water. Three-year-old Yi An, holding a paper kite, ran until her cheeks were somewhat flushed.
"Mother Consort, Mother Consort!"
"Look! This is the kite Wetnurse Nanny made for Yi An. Isn’t it beautiful?"
Consort Hui Pin smiled and squatted down, hugging her daughter. "It’s beautiful! Since Yi An’s Wetnurse Sister made it, of course it’s beautiful!"
Yi An then jumped up happily. The little girl also noticed the arrangements in the courtyard and asked, "Mother Consort, what’s all this?"
Consort Hui Pin patiently explained, "It’s Yi An’s birthday. After today, Yi An will be exactly three years old!"
Yi An’s big, sparkling eyes fluttered, as if she didn’t quite grasp what a birthday meant. But when she heard her Mother Consort say the word ’three,’ she remembered what Wetnurse Sister had taught her. She immediately stretched out three chubby little fingers and began to count. "One, two, three..."
"Yi An is three years old now!"
Consort Hui Pin kissed her daughter’s cheek. "Yes... Yi An is three years old now!"
Princess Yi An then tilted her head and asked, "Will Father Emperor come?"
"Yi An is three years old now. Will Father Emperor come to see Yi An?"
Consort Hui Pin’s smile was full of confidence. "Father Emperor will come!"
Yi An immediately erupted into joyful cheers. "Yay! Father Emperor will come to see Yi An! Mother Consort said Father Emperor will come..." As she cheered, she wriggled out of Consort Hui Pin’s embrace. With her short little legs, she ran towards her Wetnurse Nanny. "Wetnurse Sister, Mother Consort said Father Emperor will come..."
Consort Hui Pin’s smile was radiant. Under the mild, warm autumn sun, she was like a gentle poem.
The Emperor is busy with state affairs, but he always values his children. So, no matter what, the Emperor will definitely come! This is very good. In the Harem, this is already very good! Consort Hui Pin felt content.