The crowd below was so scared that they immediately knelt down.
"Your Grace’s kindness is beyond measure, your servant is endlessly grateful!"
How could they possibly scorn such generosity? After all, Consort Xian was known throughout the palace for her magnanimity.
As for the others in the palace, without offspring or favor, they barely scraped by in their daily lives.
Even if she wanted to be generous, she couldn’t afford to be!
Xia Ruqing was very satisfied and waved for them to rise.
Zi Yue also timely distributed the rewards.
The Sisters in charge of the princes’ daily lives received eight taels of silver and a pair of Twisted Silver Bracelets.
Her own personal Palace Maids and the Chief Eunuch received five taels of silver and a pair of agate bracelets (Xiao Xizi got two Silver Tokens).
The Second Class palace maids, which were Zi Ning and Xiao Zhu Zi, as well as the newly promoted Qiu Ye, each got three taels of silver plus a Silver Hairpin or two Silver Tokens.
The rest of the newcomers received two taels of silver, but no additional rewards.
Even that was quite good, though.
In other palaces where the masters were not well-off, even first-class Palace Maids might not receive any rewards.
Two taels of silver was already more than their monthly salary; what more could they want?
"Your servants thank Your Grace for this blessing!"
The crowd knelt all over the room, each one satisfied and grateful.
Xia Ruqing nodded her head.
"All rise. If there’s nothing else, you may all disperse!"
"I’ll give you the afternoon off, until I return tonight, but... you must ensure that Qingya Residence is safe and sound!!"
"No mishaps are allowed on New Year’s Eve night!"
"Yes!"
The crowd grew even more excited.
Xia Ruqing simply waved her hand.
"You may all leave!"
"Yes!"
After the crowd had left, Xia Ruqing collapsed onto the soft couch.
"So tired! I need to sleep for a while. You all go and rest too. We still have to stay up late tonight!"
"Yes!"
"My lady, you should sleep on the bed for a while!"
Xia Ruqing nodded.
Zi Yue tucked her in properly, drew the mosquito curtains, and then went out.
「Over at Zhaochen Palace.」
Zhao Junyao did not return until Shen Hour in the afternoon.
He then summoned several members of the Royal Clan to discuss the ancestral worship scheduled for the next day.
By the time he had a moment to himself, it was already time for dinner. With only half a Shi Chen left before the Royal Family’s evening banquet, he couldn’t even change his clothes before heading out.
All along the way, he inquired with Li Shengan.
"I heard she got summoned by the Empress Dowager today. Is she alright now?"
Li Shengan didn’t know much, having only heard a few words from Little Zhuzi. He said, "Your Majesty can rest assured, Consort Xian has long since returned. It’s said that His Highness the Crown Prince went to rescue Her Grace!"
Zhao Junyao frowned.
"Chenchen?"
"Yes!" Li Shengan answered.
A flash of relief crossed Zhao Junyao’s stern face as he arrogantly thought, Chenchen, so young yet so astute, truly a credit to my own tutelage!
Excellent, truly worthy of instruction!
Li Shengan couldn’t guess what the Emperor was thinking and continued, "It’s also not heard that Consort Xian called for the Imperial Physician, so she should be fine!"
Zhao Junyao gave him a glare and said nothing.
But he thought, Qingqing isn’t foolish; calling for the Imperial Physician in such a situation would only bring trouble upon herself.
Feeling the chill of the silent rebuke, Li Shengan didn’t dare say anything more.
They arrived at Qingya Residence and found it quiet and peaceful.
「"The Emperor has arrived!"」
With that announcement, the Palace Attendants of Qingya Residence knelt down one after another in the courtyard to welcome him.
"Greeting Your Majesty!"
Without taking as much as a glance at them, Zhao Junyao strode into the main hall.
Finding it empty, he proceeded to the inner chamber.
Xia Ruqing was getting out of bed in a flurry with Zi Yue’s assistance.
Upon seeing the Emperor enter, Zi Yue approached, "This servant greets Your Majesty!"
"Qingqing!"
Zhao Junyao directly bypassed Zi Yue and strode energetically toward the bedside.
Xia Ruqing had not yet finished dressing when she saw Zhao Junyao had already reached her side.
"Emperor... COUGH, COUGH!"
"What’s wrong?"
Zhao Junyao was somewhat nervous and felt a bit of remorse in his heart.
Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head.
"It’s nothing serious, just a bit of a chill, COUGH, COUGH..."
Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled as well. She seemed fine before going to sleep, but upon waking up, her throat had become so itchy.
COUGH! COUGH!
"If you’re sick, we should call the Imperial Physician, Li Shengan..."
"No!" Xia Ruqing swiftly interrupted.
"Emperor, the Empress Dowager has only just started to let go of her anger. If she finds out I called for the Imperial Physician as soon as I returned, she will get angry again!"
"I’ve drunk a few bowls of ginger soup. Let’s wait until after the new year to call the Imperial Physician!"
Zhao Junyao immediately restrained his expression.
"Qingqing, why put yourself through this?"
"Even in front of the Empress Dowager, I am fully capable of protecting you!"
"You really don’t have to do this!"
Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head.
"But Emperor, you can’t always be by my side!"
"Watching over the Harem!"
"Just like today, I..."
Xia Ruqing bowed her head, quietly fiddling with her fingers.
Zhao Junyao felt a chill in his heart.