Ying Qiu flattered with a few more words, then asked again.
"Madam, what should we do next? Will the selection of Fine Ladies in the palace threaten you?"
Noble Concubine Shih sneered.
"How is that possible!"
"Have you forgotten how the Emperor agreed to the selection?"
"I guess they’ll choose one or two just for show, anyway, the road ahead is long, we’ll take it slow!"
Perhaps life felt more fulfilling.
Noble Concubine Shih was not as impatient as before!
"Madam, you are wise!"
"As they say, good things take time, as long as we can endure, there’s nothing to fear!"
Noble Concubine Shih smiled contentedly, her smile full of ambition.
Duanning Palace
As May arrived, Xia Ruqing’s days grew leisurely.
The weather was getting hotter and the place was spacious, the flowers and trees under the care of Xiao Zhu Zi and others.
Grew more lush and pleasing.
Watching the flowers and plants and the birds, Xia Ruqing found it all so beautiful she was reluctant to go indoors.
Every day, she would walk around the courtyard with the cats and dogs, or sit by the lotus pond in the backyard.
The lotus leaves in the pond had grown to the size of dishes.
Lotus flowers also sprouted tender buds, soon to bloom.
Xia Ruqing felt happy.
"When the lotus flowers wither, we can pick the seed pods to eat!"
Zi Yue helplessly shook her head.
"Master, oh Master, at such a time you’re still thinking about these?"
Xia Ruqing was somewhat puzzled.
"What time?"
Zi Yue and Zi Su exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.
"The selection of Fine Ladies, of course!"
They thought to themselves: Aren’t you at all worried?
Xia Ruqing indeed shook her head.
"What does that have to do with me, I’m not the one marrying a concubine!"
Zi Yue: "..."
Master, you have a big heart!
Xia Ruqing thought to herself as well.
If I don’t have a big heart, what can I do? Even the Emperor can’t oppose this, can I stop it?
Casually deposing the Harem, easily possessing both dominion and beauties.
Such things only happen in plays.
In reality?
I’ve read plenty of history books, sorry, not a single instance.
Even for a King with supreme power in the world.
He can’t do as he pleases.
Of course, rogue kings are a different matter, wrecking the system might be gratifying at the moment.
Until the people rise in rebellion, learn about fallen kings?!
Aside from that, as long as the Emperor doesn’t seek to ruin the nation.
He must diligently rule the court, balance officials, expand the Harem.
Isn’t it about having heirs?!
Thinking it over, Xia Ruqing concluded, it’s pointless to waste any thoughts on it!
Thus, she continued to admire her lotus flowers.
In another two days, it’s the Dragon Boat Festival.
At noon, she suddenly had a craving for dumplings.
Zi Su laughed and said.
"Master, it’s not yet the Dragon Boat Festival!"
"But if you want to eat, we have them here anytime!"
Xia Ruqing thought for a moment.
"Tell those two kitchen maids to make the most famous dumplings from their hometowns to try!"
"If they’re tasty, I’ll learn and personally make some for the Emperor on the festival!"
Zi Su felt the suggestion was reasonable, at least the Master showed ambition.
She immediately agreed with a smile and went to inform the kitchen.
Meanwhile, over at Xifu Palace, there was also planning for the Dragon Boat Festival.
After all the preparation.
Noble Concubine Shih finally felt this was a great opportunity, some matters... were about to succeed.
Ying Qiu was still worried.
"Madam, can this really succeed?"
"If we aren’t careful, it could offend both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor!"
Noble Concubine Shih coldly smiled.
"I don’t know if I can be certain of victory!"
"But with the trust the Empress Dowager has in me now, I’m 80% sure!"
The Empress Dowager is indeed an old fox, but now there’s a change in the Fine Ladies’ list.
The few girls she favored hadn’t even passed the second selection before being removed by the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager now likely values me even more.
Truly a rare opportunity of the times.
Trust from both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, how perfect!
With this in mind, Noble Concubine Shih felt more determined and commanded.
"Don’t change anything, start the planning!"
"Yes!"
Ying Qiu obediently acknowledged.
...
On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Shih Wanxin knelt by the Empress Dowager’s inner chamber bed.
The Empress Dowager looked at her with a solemn expression.
"You must think it through, once discovered by the Emperor, all you have worked hard to build will be reduced to ashes!"
Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes were resolute.
"That’s right! Mother, I’m ready!"
"I’ve arranged for inquiries outside the palace, that wine, after drinking, only causes mild hallucinations!"