Zhao Junyao felt he was falling apart, with just a tiny bit of guilt in his heart.
But eventually, after eating and drinking his fill, as he lay in bed ready for a nap, he comfortably let out a sigh.
’Actually, living this genuine life isn’t so bad!’
’Eat whatever you want to eat, drink whatever you want to drink!’
’Say what you want, how great!’
If all the women in the harem lived as clearly as she did, there would be so much less drama.
Xia Ruqing didn’t think that much.
Once she had eaten and drunk her fill, she fell asleep as soon as she lay down in bed.
Zhao Junyao was somewhat amused.
Her mind was indeed carefree, but... he liked it.
He changed position and hugged her, closing his eyes as well.
The court had many issues.
Zhao Junyao slept for half a Shi Chen and then left.
When he left, Xia Ruqing was still playing chess with Duke of Zhou.
When she finally woke fully rested, it was already Shen Hour.
Her hand wasn’t as painful, Zi Yue had changed her medicine and re-bandaged it.
Xia Ruqing then went out the door to the side hall to see her sons.
The two Little Buns were seven months old, could crawl, and recognized people.
After moving to Duanning Palace, the children along with the nearby Sister and the Wetnurse Nanny were arranged all together in the side hall.
Finally, they didn’t have to crowd together, and it was close by, just a turn outside the door to get there, very convenient.
Seeing her arrive, the two little ones clapped their hands in excitement, drooling everywhere.
With a face full of disdain, Xia Ruqing wiped them with a handkerchief.
"You two little messy ghosts, just look at this drool!"
Sister Jiang and Sister Liang laughed.
"Little Prince is teething now! Noble Consort, don’t worry, they’ll be fine once their teeth come in!"
Xia Ruqing nodded and smiled as she teased her sons.
"Once you all grow your teeth, mom will take you to eat delicious food, okay?!"
The two Little Buns couldn’t understand, flailing their little hands and feet in mid-air.
Occasionally shouting in excitement.
Hearing them made the Sister laugh, and they all bent down to tease them.
Xia Ruqing poked their little feet and then leaned down to kiss them on their faces before standing up.
She looked around and found everything in the inner room was neatly and orderly arranged.
The floor, bedding, table, utensils, everything was clean.
Even the children’s dirty clothes, which had yet to be washed, were folded neatly.
Xia Ruqing smiled with satisfaction.
"Not bad, everyone will get rewarded!"
Sister Liang and Sister Jiang appeared terrified as they kneeled down.
"Thank you for your grace, we are deeply grateful, but it’s just our duty! We wouldn’t dare let Noble Consort spend extravagantly!"
Xia Ruqing hurriedly pulled them up herself.
"Hurry and get up!"
"I have always been clear with rewards and punishments, if it’s done well naturally you get rewarded, no need to refuse!"
She didn’t like talking sentimentally, creating deep bonds or anything like that.
People come to the palace to work, naturally for a living.
Silver can’t buy true hearts but it can buy loyalty.
Give it generously, what can’t be achieved?!
Sister Jiang and Sister Liang lowered their heads, no longer refusing.
"Thank you, Noble Consort!"
"Hurry and get up!"
Xia Ruqing happily pulled them up!
Coming out from the side hall, she saw Xiao Zhu Zi running over breathlessly.
"Master!"
"Noble... Noble..."
Xia Ruqing laughed.
"Why are you in such a hurry, slow down when speaking!"
Xiao Zhu Zi wiped the sweat off his forehead, took a few breaths, and then quickly said.
"Noble Consort requests to see you, she’s waiting outside the palace gate!"
"Oh?"
Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.
"What wind blew her here!"
"Perhaps she has something to discuss with you, she wouldn’t come without a reason!" Zi Yue said.
Xia Ruqing didn’t respond.
After returning to the main hall, she ordered someone to invite Noble Concubine Shih in.
Noble Concubine Shih was as usual in a bright rose-red palace gown today, paired with pomegranate red pure gold gemstone accessories, full of grandeur, brightly attractive.
In contrast, Xia Ruqing was very plain.
Wearing a lotus-colored casual suit, without anything special besides a few ordinary jade hairpins.
However...
Her outfit’s fabric was Luoxue Fabric, newly tributed from Jiangnan during the holidays, soft, silky, warming to the touch.
This fabric is extremely precious, only three rolls a year, one stayed at Zhaochen Palace, one went to the Empress Dowager, and the remaining one, Zhao Junyao gave to Xia Ruqing.
Actually, Zhao Junyao didn’t care about the distribution of these little needlework tributes.
He would just wave his hand, directly ordering Li Shengan to move here.
Repeatedly instructing to pick the best to move!
Li Shengan had been by the Emperor’s side for many years, his skill in gauging imperial intent was top-notch.
When the Emperor asked him to choose the best, he did as told.