Such an environment makes it hard for her not to sleep well.
A good night’s sleep.
Xia Ruqing woke up the next day at Si Hour, or to be more precise, she was awakened by the sunlight.
Her bedroom window faced southeast.
Around Si Hour, the sunlight just happened to stream in.
The warm breeze outside gently moved the gauze curtain, lightly brushing against her face.
She naturally opened her eyes like this.
The air was filled with a faint fragrance of wildflowers and greenery, and outside, birds and insects were busy humming softly.
Xia Ruqing blissfully rolled over, yawned and exclaimed.
"Nature is truly beautiful!"
If it were modern times.
Such beautiful landscapes would probably be turned into tourist spots, and wanting to enter? You’d have to pay a ticket fee first!
Thinking this way, ancient times still have their charms.
Of course, it’s also that the person she married is formidable enough, hehe!
Zi Yue and Zi Su heard the movement and came in, one after the other.
One was carrying water, and the other brought clothes, hairpins, rings, and the dressing case.
After comfortably washing her face.
Xia Ruqing chose a lake blue long dress, adding a silver embroidered small shawl made of Heavenly Silkworm Silk on her shoulders.
This way, even if the wind was strong, it wouldn’t make her catch a cold.
The hairpins and rings on her head did not have overly complicated styles.
She took apart a set of emerald-colored adornments, picking only two pieces of elegantly designed long hairpins to secure her hair, and that was it.
On her ears.
Xia Ruqing was having trouble choosing anything that satisfied her.
"The styles are too complicated, they don’t match this beautiful landscape!"
Nature, after all, favors simplicity.
Zi Yue thought for a moment.
"Oh yes, madam, the Emperor previously rewarded us with a box of gem jewelry from foreign tributes. Would you like to choose from that?"
"Okay!"
Xia Ruqing replied cheerfully.
"You’re always so considerate!"
As they spoke, Zi Yue came in carrying a box of gems.
Xia Ruqing opened it and was instantly astonished.
"This is..."
Zi Yue handed over a list.
"Madam, please take a look!"
Xia Ruqing took it and, upon looking, her eyes widened.
"Sapphires from Persia, crystals from Duoluo Country, and amber from Sumatra..."
All were tributes from little countries at the border.
Just a few lines in, her little heart began to race.
Women’s love for jewelry never changes—from little girls to eighty-year-old grandmas.
If there is a woman who doesn’t love jewelry.
The reasons can only be either that the jewelry isn’t good enough or there isn’t enough jewelry.
Aside from these, there are no other reasons.
Xia Ruqing suppressed her excitement and chose a pair of crystal earrings.
Crystals the size of a pinky were shaped into water droplets, and at first glance, they really looked like two sparkling dewdrops.
Once worn.
Xia Ruqing looked left and right in the mirror, thoroughly satisfied.
"Not bad!"
"These earrings match perfectly"
Lake blue, emerald green, paired with transparent crystals.
Just right to complement this fresh and beautiful scenery, no matter how you look at it, it looks great.
"Madam, your outfit is refreshing and beautiful!"
Zi Su was entranced.
Xia Ruqing turned around with a smile.
"Of course!"
"I’ve always had an outstanding sense of style" she said proudly.
Zi Su pursed her lips, smiling.
"Madam, it’s time to eat!"
Xia Ruqing realized.
"What time is it?"
"It’s already Si Hour, another hour and it will be time for lunch!"
Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.
"Is it this late already?"
"Well! I got up a bit late today!"
Saying this, she headed outside.
The Palace Attendant had already set the breakfast outside.
Xia Ruqing glanced around and frowned.
"No spice? How can I eat without spice?"
Zi Yue was quite troubled, cautiously advising.
"Madam, let’s keep the breakfast light; there will be spicy dishes you like for lunch!"
Xia Ruqing was very reluctant.
"That won’t do!"
She looked at the crystal pan-fried dumplings she usually liked and frowned.
"Go get me a plate of chili oil and a jar of coarse salt, I want to dip it in!"
Her tone carried command, clearly showing dissatisfaction.
Zi Yue didn’t dare delay further, quickly fetching them.
Afterward, dipping them in fragrant vinegar and spicy sauce, Xia Ruqing finally felt a bit more satisfied.
Zi Yue and Zi Su kept their heads down, not saying a word throughout.
Finally, as the two cleared the table.
Zi Su commented.
"See, as I said, madam is pregnant, loves spice, and absolutely needs it!"
Zi Yue also felt a bit fearful.
"I was just thinking of madam’s well-being, I haven’t been pregnant, don’t understand the feeling, only thought eating too much spice isn’t good for the body!"
"Alright, alright!"
"Madam didn’t blame us, next time don’t act on your own accord."
"Madam likes eating certain things, as long as the Imperial Physician says it’s fine, we needn’t interfere!"