Zi Yue hesitated and didn’t dare to continue speaking.
But Xia Ruqing’s face changed drastically.
"Is there really such a rumor in the palace?"
"Do you know where it’s coming from?"
Zi Yue and Zi Su both shook their heads.
After a moment, Zi Yue continued.
"Master, it doesn’t look like someone deliberately spread it."
"It seems more like..."
Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled.
"Like what?"
Zi Yue lowered her head, hesitated, and couldn’t say a word for a long time.
Zi Su, nearby, was so anxious she couldn’t stand it, she hurriedly stepped forward.
"Ah, Sister Zi Yue, why are you..."
She turned mid-sentence.
"Master, you don’t need to deliberately spread this, it’s obvious to anyone!"
"I also think you have the most hope of becoming the new Empress for the Emperor!"
As the words fell, Xia Ruqing was directly stunned.
The room fell into silence.
It took a while for her to react.
She looked around and then at them, testingly asked.
"Zi Yue, do you think so too?"
Zi Yue glanced at Zi Su and then nodded.
"Yes!"
Xia Ruqing was silent for a moment again, exhaled, and slowly stood up, standing under the window looking out.
"I don’t care what you all think!"
"From now on, keep this idea to yourselves!"
"Never mind how others spread and say things, just act as if you’re deaf and blind, see nothing, hear nothing!"
"Restrain everyone in Duanning Palace!"
"If anyone dares to spread rumors, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, the glimmer in her eyes was sharp, and her tone was as frosty as snow, causing fear upon hearing it.
Zi Yue and Zi Su were terrified, hurriedly knelt down, and admitted their mistakes.
They repeatedly assured they would properly restrain the servants and never speak recklessly again.
Only then did Xia Ruqing breathe deeply, turned around, and said lightly.
"Stand up!"
"Thank you, Empress!"
The two crawled up from the ground, trembling.
Xia Ruqing returned to the soft couch again.
She sighed lightly.
"Don’t blame me for being strict with you!"
"The Duanning Palace is too conspicuous!"
"In the harem, there are inevitably jealous ones, those who look at us unfavorably."
"Think, if you jump up yourself, aren’t you handing others the handle directly?"
Zi Yue and Zi Su nodded repeatedly, speaking in unison.
"It’s our oversight, please punish us!"
Xia Ruqing smiled bitterly and shook her head.
"What good would it do to punish you?"
"It’s not entirely your fault, with the rumors so wild, who would believe there’s no one pushing it behind the scenes?"
Zi Su looked shocked.
"Empress, what should we do then?!"
Xia Ruqing slightly curled her lips.
"What can we do? Pretend to be deaf and blind, remain unchanged in response to change, I just don’t believe it!"
"With three Princes under me, can she use rumors against me!"
"This is what they call... Using calmness to manage!"
She said the last four words with confidence, her eyes shining.
Zi Yue and Zi Su were full of admiration.
It turns out the master appears carefree, but inside she’s already crystal clear.
What’s that saying?
Ah, yes! Wisdom in simplicity!
"Alright, alright, don’t admire me!"
"Go set up the meal quickly, are you trying to starve me?"
Xia Ruqing stood up and gazed outside.
Zi Yue also reacted, quickly said.
"Empress, please wait, the servant will go now!"
Finished speaking, she hurriedly withdrew, Zi Su also rushed to help.
Xia Ruqing watched the backs of the two young girls with a sense of satisfaction!
’These ancient girls are really interesting’
After all, I’ve lived two lifetimes, some tricks apply both ancient and modern times, right?!
Thinking this made her feel fortunate.
Fortunately, I lived another lifetime.
...
Lunch was served.
As she requested, it was all meat dishes.
"This is beef stew, this is fish head tofu stew, this is yam and rib stew!"
"Master, there are also sixteen other dishes!"
"There are charcoal grilled lamb chops, crispy roast duck, steamed fish, spicy chicken, braised pork..."
Zi Yue and Zi Su talked on and on, filling a large table completely.
Xia Ruqing felt such delight looking at it.
"How long has it been since I had meat dishes?"
"Six months, six months indeed!"
These dishes, each looked, both familiar and strange.
She felt a bit like an old friend meeting with teary eyes.
"Master, please eat quickly, it won’t taste good if it gets cold!"
"Yes, yes!" Xia Ruqing nodded heavily, picked up her chopsticks.
Just when she was about to contend with the array of dishes.
A report came from outside.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Xia Ruqing: "..."
Alas! Someone’s coming to freeload!
While thinking, a bright yellow figure already entered.
He stepped in quickly, bringing a gust of wind.
"Greetings to the Emperor!"