After lunch, Xia Ruqing, leaning on Zi Yue, went outside to aid digestion.
They wandered around the back garden.
Xiao Zhu Zi was truly diligent and put one’s mind at ease.
The vegetables grown in the back garden were even more plentiful than in previous years.
Xiao Xizi had somehow managed to cultivate seeds from some wild vegetables.
In this season, when everywhere else was bleak, the small courtyard still remained lush and green.
Spinach and carrots were all ready to eat, looking incredibly fresh—much tastier than the dried vegetables supplied by the Imperial Kitchen.
Looking around, her mood improved considerably.
"Let’s go back, it’s quite cold. We should return!"
"Yes!" Zi Yue said, laughing.
They had scarcely returned inside and were about to lie down when Zhao Junyao arrived.
Upon entering the inner chamber, taking off his cloak, and dismissing the Servants, Zhao Junyao embraced Xia Ruqing and lay with her on the bed.
Feeling the chill from his body that hadn’t yet dissipated, Xia Ruqing involuntarily shrank back slightly, moving a little distance away.
"Why have you come, Emperor?"
Her cheeks were still flushed from the cold. A layer of mist covered her almond eyes, which made Zhao Junyao’s heart ache.
"I was tired, so I came to rest!"
"Mm!"
Xia Ruqing didn’t ask further and obediently lay down. Zhao Junyao also didn’t say much, just held her.
The two of them were silent, looking at each other.
He was the Emperor; he faced too many constraints, and Xia Ruqing truly couldn’t say anything. She was one of his Concubines, bound by many rules, so he couldn’t do much either. Thus, it was better not to speak.
However, Zhao Junyao naturally had a competitive nature. If anyone challenged him, he would never admit defeat, even at the risk of his life.
So... this time, even if not for Qingqing’s sake, I will thoroughly clean up the Harem. Qingqing, just wait and see!
Zhao Junyao pressed her forehead into his chest. The arm that held her tightened with extra strength.
After an unknown period, just as Xia Ruqing was about to fall asleep, Zhao Junyao suddenly spoke.
"Qingqing, do you believe me?"
He used ’I,’ not the imperial ’I.’
Xia Ruqing woke with a start. She looked at him, dazed for a moment, then nodded.
"I believe!"
Very firm, without hesitation.
Zhao Junyao then laughed. He gently kissed her forehead and coaxed her to sleep.
She slept until evening. By the time she awoke, Zhao Junyao had long since left.
Zi Yue was very happy. While tending to Xia Ruqing as she washed her face, Zi Yue prattled endlessly.
"My lady, the Emperor’s visit is good news!"
Xia Ruqing smiled faintly. "Yes! It is good news!" She clenched her fist lightly.
Zhao Junyao had told her to trust him, and so she would. One day, I will escape this dilemma, won’t I? I just need to wait a bit longer. Once my status is a little higher, things will be fine!
「...」
In the afternoon, Zhao Junyao returned to the Imperial Study Room from the Harem.
The first thing he did was order Xia Tingfeng imprisoned. Xia Tingfeng, as if he had expected it, entered the prison cell very calmly. Zhao Junyao then dispatched people to watch him without cease.
After completing all this, Zhao Junyao sat at the imperial desk to review documents, as usual. On the surface, the progress of the case was enough to secure a conviction. But Zhao Junyao was waiting. He was waiting for a certain fact to emerge.
"Emperor, the Empress Dowager has arrived!" Li Shengan entered to report.
Zhao Junyao’s eyes flashed, and the corners of his mouth curled into a slight arc. She has come.
"Please let her in quickly!"
The Empress Dowager, wearing a jujube-red Phoenix Robe with subtle patterns, entered slowly from outside, leaning on Sister Qing’s hand.
"My Imperial Son!" Her voice trembled as if weathered by the vicissitudes of life.
"Mother, why have you come?" Zhao Junyao stood up to greet her.
After exchanging formalities, the Empress Dowager sat down on a nearby seat.
After the Servants were dismissed, the Empress Dowager began to dab at her tears. She first expressed her heartbreak that her son had been assassinated, then spoke about how terrified she had been. Finally, the Empress Dowager emphasized again, "My Imperial Son, this matter is of great importance; the criminal must not be shown leniency! Otherwise, the Imperial family’s dignity will be completely eroded!"
Zhao Junyao nodded in agreement. "Mother, rest assured, your son is not seriously harmed! The mastermind is still under investigation. Once the culprit is caught, I will ensure they are punished according to the law!"
Punishment according to the law, in this case, meant the execution of the entire clan.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes flickered as she thought of Consort Xian Pin.
"I heard... that this assassin is the brother of Consort Xian Pin?"
"No!" Zhao Junyao explained. "Consort Xian Pin’s brother is the Imperial Guards Commander, one of my most trusted men. The criminal is one of his subordinates! However, Mother, rest assured, I have had them all detained!"
The Empress Dowager, looking utterly shaken, nodded. "Truly, appearances do deceive! How can such a person be hiding in the palace? You must punish them severely, My Imperial Son!" The Empress Dowager continued to stress.
"Yes!" Zhao Junyao continued to beat around the bush at a leisurely pace.
The Empress Dowager said more afterward, but no matter how Zhao Junyao tried to change the subject, she always managed to bring it back, insisting that the assassin must be severely punished.