Xia Ruqing saw Zhao Junyao had an ’I have wronged you’ look on his face. She knew he must have misunderstood. But... what a beautiful misunderstanding; Xia Ruqing didn’t want to explain. If the Empress Dowager could come and try to disgust her, why couldn’t she disgust the Empress Dowager in return? Besides, no one knew about this except for the Emperor.
Xia Ruqing quickly went along with it. "Copying Buddhist scriptures is good, too. This concubine can practice her calligraphy; besides, there’s nothing else to do!"
Seeing her so understanding and obedient, without a hint of reluctance, Zhao Junyao felt even more guilty.
He believed she was only feigning acceptance to ’spare him from being upset.’ At this thought, Zhao Junyao felt even more emotional. In the Harem, everyone fawned charmingly before him, just to glean some benefit. Only she, to prevent him from feeling upset, would suffer grievances and not want him to know...
"Qingqing..." Zhao Junyao was deeply moved.
Xia Ruqing was a bit baffled. "Emperor, what’s wrong?"
His gaze was so intense; the fire within seemed as if it wanted to burn her alive. She found it a bit overwhelming.
But Zhao Junyao himself did not realize it. When he looked at her, his gaze was like a fiercely burning flame. He only wanted to do something for her.
After thinking for a long time, he finally managed to force out a sentence. "Qingqing, how about I take you out of the palace?"
Xia Ruqing was even more confused. "Leave the palace?"
Had the imperial examinations ended? Could she go out now?
"But... Emperor, didn’t you say... you wouldn’t take female family members on the hunt?"
Xia Ruqing hadn’t dared to bring this up. No matter how favored she was, she couldn’t break the rules.
Zhao Junyao pulled her into his embrace, whispering in her ear, "They can’t go, but you can!"
Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up. "Really?"
Zhao Junyao looked at her gem-like, shining eyes and, resisting the urge to kiss her, said, "Of course, it’s true! I am the sovereign of this nation; would I deceive you?!"
Xia Ruqing’s heart immediately soared. "Thank you, Emperor!"
Zhao Junyao seemed somewhat dissatisfied. "Is that the only way you’ll thank me?"
Xia Ruqing looked at his approaching face, her cheeks turning slightly red as she leaned in and gave him a kiss. "Emperor..."
Zhao Junyao was very pleased. "That’s more like it!"
On this day, Zhao Junyao spent the entire day at Qingya Residence, only leaving the next day.
What surprised the Harem was that the Emperor emerged with a dark expression. Moreover, the Palace Maids and eunuchs on duty nearby all reported hearing the sound of porcelain shattering.
That afternoon, an edict arrived from Zhaochen Palace: ’Consort Xian Pin has offended the Emperor! She is confined for one month. No one is to visit her without My command!’
As soon as the order was issued, everyone in the Harem felt greatly satisfied.
’Consort Xian Pin has finally met with misfortune!’
’Ah, what a pity. She did bear the Crown Prince, after all. To lose face so completely, truly...’
’Hmph, she deserved it! When the Emperor visits, one must attend to him well. There’s no excuse for letting the Emperor leave with a dark face!’
"That’s true! Then she got what she deserved!"
The Harem buzzed with discussions.
「Meanwhile, in Qingya Residence」
They were busily preparing for an outing.
"We’re leaving tonight, sneaking out. Little Bun will be left with Wetnurse Nanny!" Xia Ruqing instructed. "The rooms will be entrusted to Xiao Zhu Zi and Xiao Xizi to guard! You all must work hard. Wait for my return!"
Zi Yue was very worried. "How many days will you be gone, Mistress?"
Xia Ruqing thought for a moment. "I definitely can’t return with the Emperor. His Majesty’s hunt lasts half a month; I estimate I’ll be back in three to five days!"
Only then was Zi Yue at ease.
During their conversation, ten or so large bundles were prepared.
"These are all essentials for leaving the palace, Mistress. You must be sure to bring them!"
This time, she would be in plain clothes and could only bring one Maid, as Qingya Residence could not be short-staffed. Xia Ruqing had no choice but to take Zi Ning with her, because Zi Su and Zi Yue had to stay behind to look after Little Bun.
Zi Ning was kind and meticulous; it would be good to have her along!
「Three days later」
Once everything was packed, they left in the afternoon.
The Emperor led his men out of the palace for the hunt. He brought no female companions, only a few trusted members of the Imperial Forest Army and a group of Civil and Military Officials, riding out of the palace on horseback. The Civil Officials who couldn’t ride traveled in carriages. The Military Generals, each mounted on a tall and imposing horse, cut an impressive figure on the Capital City’s streets, drawing crowds of commoners eager to watch the spectacle. They were all used to it, so it was nothing unusual.
「The location for this hunt was even more distant.」
It was in another direction from the Capital City, over three hundred li away. Without female companions, their journey was quicker, yet it still took a full day and night to arrive.
Xia Ruqing was disguised as a Little Eunuch, posing as Li Shengan’s apprentice and staying close to Zhao Junyao. Li Shengan, of course, didn’t dare to truly order her around. When they walked together, Li Shengan felt particularly awkward. But faced with someone appearing as a Little Eunuch, he truly couldn’t bring himself to perform the full courtesies. Yet, this person was Consort Xian Pin herself!