After Xiang Lin left.
Consort Hui leaned casually on the chair, pressing her temples with a tired expression.
Xiang Tan quickly stepped forward to help massage.
She whispered and consoled.
"Madam, Xiang Lin is also upset for you. She knows she was wrong, so don’t be angry!"
Consort Hui slightly shook her head.
"I’m not angry, just a bit tired!"
Xiang Tan thought for a moment and then advised.
"Madam, you... have suffered grievances!"
Consort Hui felt a bit helpless hearing this, and reprimanded in a low voice.
"What grievances? You’re just confused!"
"If those words get out, what good would it do to me?!"
Not to mention spreading them, they shouldn’t be said at all.
Even this mindset is wrong.
Speaking of grievances.
The Emperor selects beauties every three years, with three thousand beauties in the harem. Who among them is not aggrieved?
Even the Noble Consort, can everything go her way?
She is as esteemed as a Second Rank Consort, has given birth to a princess, and is never treated coldly by the Emperor.
If she is still aggrieved, how would others live?
Instead of seeking trouble, it’s better to do more and say less.
"In the future, don’t let me hear such words again!"
"Handle any gossips within the palace without reporting them to me!"
"Although I can’t handle all matters outside, it must be kept clean here!"
Consort Hui spoke firmly.
Xiang Tan bit her lip.
"Yes, madam!"
Consort Hui waved her hand.
"You may leave, I will look for a while longer!"
Xiang Tan hesitated but didn’t dare to advise further, agreed, and left.
Consort Hui stared at the candlelight, pondering for a while, before lowering her head again to review the accounts.
After living in the harem for these years.
Her heart has long been clear and open.
No one knows better than her how to live comfortably.
Favor is wonderful, but it cannot be forced.
Three thousand beauties, only one Noble Consort Xian is favored.
If not Noble Consort Xian, there will be others.
How likely is it to fall on oneself?
Is it worth causing chaos for such a small chance?
Sometimes, retreating to advance is even better, isn’t it?
...
Time passed quickly.
In a blink of an eye, it was Mid-Autumn.
Xia Ruqing’s belly was already six months along.
Actually, it’s not too big.
But she has become slightly thinner than before.
With skinny arms and legs, her belly appeared much bigger.
This year’s Mid-Autumn banquet was held at Ningshou Palace.
Not only consorts of Sixth Rank and above needed to attend.
The Empress Dowager, Imperial Noble Consorts, royal relatives, and outside nobles would also come.
After having lunch, Xia Ruqing took another nap before getting up to wash and dress.
She felt somewhat unenthusiastic about today’s banquet.
"The food is bad, the air smells foul, so crowded and annoying, yet you can’t avoid going!"
Zi Yue smiled and consoled her.
"Madam, rest assured, you are heavy, even if you sit briefly and return, no one would say anything!"
Xia Ruqing thought for a moment.
"That’s true!"
"Find me some clothes!"
As soon as she spoke, she saw Zi Su entering with a pile of several sets of clothes.
Entering the door, she smiled.
"Madam, come and choose, these are the autumn outfits just sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs!"
"It’s said that the embroideresses worked overnight to make them!"
Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow faintly.
"Rushed?"
"Indeed?" Zi Su looked proud.
"Madam, you are heavy, you can’t wear last year’s clothes, so you certainly can’t wear old clothes!"
"That’s indeed true!"
Xia Ruqing smiled faintly.
She stepped forward, and flipped through the clothes roughly, occasionally seeing a dark green Yunjin palace attire.
Feeling a bright shine before her eyes.
"Wow! This color is so beautiful! And it’s Yunjin!"
For a moment, she felt that it’s a waste to use such luxurious fabric to make maternity clothes.
However...
Her storehouse seemed to be filled with fine materials.
Even if not Yunjin, they were other valuable fabrics, none were cheap.
But Xia Ruqing soon came to terms.
As a noble consort of the country, it is impossible to wear cheap fabrics. Even if maternity clothes might only be worn once.
They are also precious, with good fabrics as valuable as gold.
Indeed.
Such days are quite exceptional, aren’t they?
Xia Ruqing smiled contentedly.
She changed into the dark green Yunjin palace attire.
Arranged her hair high in a cloud bun, chose a set of silver-studded emerald hairpieces.
Applied a delicate makeup, and decorated with a delicate peach blossom pattern.
Wearing a snow-white brocade fur vest outside, and adorned with a Shu Brocade cloak with floral and jade embellishments.
This whole outfit highlighted her noble temperament, serene and elegant.
With her high-raised belly, rosy complexion, and appropriately lazy demeanor.
It made her appear even more dignified and sacred.
Zi Yue and Zi Su were left staring.
"Madam, the maids barely recognize you!"
"Indeed, madam, your aura is both cold and noble now, seeing you makes us want to kneel!"