Sister Ji looked on anxiously.
"Empress, it was just once! You really can’t be like this!"
"You know the Emperor has always been extremely good to the children!"
"The Third Princess is naturally frail and sickly. Now that it’s summer, they say she is constantly falling ill!"
"Even if the Emperor dislikes her mother, how could he not care even a little for the princess?"
"Just the other day, Xifu Palace was frequently calling for the Imperial Physician!"
Sister Ji meant that the Emperor went to Noble Concubine Shih’s palace to see the princess.
But the Empress wouldn’t listen at all.
If it were really about the princess, there are plenty of times to visit during the day. Why specifically wait until night? And why stay overnight, especially on the night of the first? It just doesn’t make sense!
The Empress picked up a handkerchief and wiped her tears.
"If I had children of my own, I would not be in such a passive situation as I am now!"
"When Shih Jieyu first gave birth, it was to a feeble princess, and I was actually happy for a while!" Now, it’s like slapping my own face!
Sister Ji tried to console her again.
"Your Majesty, you are overthinking things again!"
"It’s just a princess. The Emperor is just fond of her; it doesn’t mean much!"
"Besides, compared to Consort Xian Pin at Qingya Residence, can Noble Concubine Shih even be considered favored?"
"With Consort Xian Pin keeping her in check, you don’t need to worry too much!"
"She has a Prince, after all!"
Thinking of Consort Xian Pin, the Empress took a deep breath, and her expression suddenly relaxed.
"Right." I somehow forgot there is still Consort Xian Pin! She always knows her place and has a Prince by her side! That experience from a few years ago, when I first entered the palace, surely won’t happen again. For Noble Concubine Shih to want to surpass Consort Xian Pin and continue to dominate the Harem, it would likely be difficult!
The Empress sighed. "In the end, having children is best!"
Sister Ji replied, "Your Majesty, you will have children sooner or later. The pressing matter now is to serve the Emperor well!"
"The Emperor values propriety. On the first and fifteenth of each month, as long as the Emperor is willing to come, there is always a chance!"
"Besides, Honored Lady Jiang is also attending to the Emperor at night!"
The Empress released a long sigh and nodded, finally persuaded.
Although the current situation is not favorable, now that I understand the Emperor’s temperament, I dare not play foul. The only way out is to serve the Emperor well! O Emperor!
「...」
With the Emperor busy with state affairs, when the Dragon Boat Festival came around, it was indeed a simple affair. Apart from zongzi, realgar wine, mugwort, and sachets—items customarily included from the old traditions—all else was dismissed. In previous years, there would be a feast with two troupes of actors to celebrate the festival merrily. This year, there was none.
Only on the night of the Dragon Boat Festival, a simple meal was served in Jiaofang Hall. Truth be told, calling it a simple meal was an understatement. There were too many people, with about a dozen Honored Ladies alone. Each had a small table, and these tables filled the entire hall.
The Emperor’s expression was indifferent throughout, as he was obviously preoccupied. Therefore, none of the Concubines dared to curry favor. Those who were usually daring enough to flirt now quietly ate their meals.
Xia Ruqing was sitting up front, face to face with Consort Ning. Seeing that everyone around was quiet, she too bowed her head and ate silently, without making a sound.
Zhao Junyao looked at her several times; her head was always bowed, just eat, eat, eating!
He was a bit displeased. While everyone else was stealthily glancing at him, why was she so earnestly focused on her food? He recalled that Mid-Autumn Festival from a year ago when she sat at the very back. As all others vied for favor like a flock of chattering birds, only she ate, drank, and played merrily, not a care in the world. The young Emperor felt neglected again. And so tonight... COUGH, COUGH! Qingqing, just you wait!
The banquet ended in less than a Shi Chen, with Zhao Junyao being the first to leave.
Once the Emperor left, the atmosphere soured, so no one wanted to stay any longer.
The Empress smiled with decorum and grace. "Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and everyone has had a tiring day. Go back early and rest up!" she said. "We have zongzi with all sorts of fillings, and someone will deliver your favorites to you! If there’s anything else you want, just go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get it!"
The crowd rose with a general murmur. "Many thanks to Your Majesty, the Empress!"
The Empress smiled and nodded, then, leaning on a Palace Maid’s arm, left first.
Behind her, Noble Concubine Shih rolled her eyes, huffed in dissatisfaction, and also left.
Xia Ruqing leisurely followed the crowd and departed. Once the high-ranking members had left, the rest dispersed as well.
「...」
On the way, Xia Ruqing quickened her pace more and more.
Zi Yue could hardly keep up. "My Lady, what’s the hurry?" she asked.
"I’m eager to get back and eat zongzi!"
She disliked eating the meals at banquets most of all; her stomach was still growling. What kind of food was that? It looked appetizing but tasted as bland as chewing wax. With such fine ingredients, why must they be so recklessly wasted? Couldn’t they make it properly? SIGH!