"I’m still reluctant!"
Zhao Junyao just smiled.
"Alright!"
"If you don’t want to go, then we won’t go. In fact, I’m also reluctant!"
Xia Ruqing chuckled.
"Alright, Your Majesty, you’re tricking me!"
Why didn’t you just say we wouldn’t go in the first place?
Why take such a detour to make me say it?
Zhao Junyao slightly raised his eyebrow.
"You only say it willingly if you say it yourself!"
Xia Ruqing was a bit annoyed and was about to kick him.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Junyao embraced her first.
"Alright Qingqing, when the child is a bit older, I will definitely take you out every year!"
"I’ll take you to travel through mountains and rivers, to visit famous mountains and great rivers!"
"Are you sure?" Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up again.
She really wanted to go out.
"A gentleman’s word is his bond!" Zhao Junyao’s tone was firm.
He was the Emperor, his words could be trusted.
Xia Ruqing giggled.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"No need to be polite, my beloved consort!"
...
A ’false year’ thus passed.
After finishing her confinement, Xia Ruqing’s body gradually recovered.
Come February and March, when the weather warmed up.
She was also gradually able to go out.
Mid-March.
The Little Princess’s hundred-day banquet was held in the Imperial Garden.
Zhao Junyao issued an order early in the morning.
The princess’s hundred-day banquet was to be held with the specifications of a Legitimate Princess.
Consort Hui received the order and was dumbfounded.
"Legitimate Princess? Could it be that His Majesty is going to...?" Establish an Empress?
After a moment of contemplation, Consort Hui was not too surprised.
It was already expected.
The position of Empress has been vacant for too long, which is not conducive to the stability of the Harem.
Finding someone suitable from outside the palace is impossible.
Only Noble Consort Xian, who has borne three sons and has just given the Emperor a new princess.
Regarding qualifications, status, and offspring, she’s the perfect choice.
So it’s not strange for the Emperor to have this intention.
"Madam, what do we do? What should we do?"
Xiang Tan and Xiang Lin were still shocked.
If the Emperor wants to establish an Empress, would their Madam’s palace power be gone?
Would they still have good days ahead?
Consort Hui’s face turned stern.
"What do you mean what to do?"
"Just as it should be!"
"Don’t listen if you shouldn’t, don’t intervene if you shouldn’t!"
"Have you all forgotten the rules of the palace?!"
"Hurry and do your duties!"
"Yes, Madam!"
Xiang Lin and the others bowed and retreated respectfully!
Consort Hui took several deep breaths while looking at the scenery outside the window to adjust her mood.
However, there was always a hint of sadness hidden in her eyes.
Indeed.
Back then, when the other was just a Lady, she was already Consort Hui Pin.
Now, the other is about to become the Empress, making headlines.
And she has only taken a step forward.
When it comes to fortune, it’s something that can’t be envied, even if one tries!
After enduring for so many years, it would be abnormal not to feel a bit of disappointment.
Here she only felt letdown.
The others in the palace... they just felt bitterness.
Especially like Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin, who hadn’t advanced at all, even regressing.
The two huddled together, lamenting over unfulfilled desires.
But, unfortunately, there’s nothing to be done.
They didn’t even dare to say a bad word.
As they prepared to live facing others’ moods, they’re not foolish.
But they weren’t the ones who had it the hardest.
The one having it worst was Consort Shih Pin, and Honored Lady Dou wasn’t faring any better.
In the Precious Stream Pavilion.
When the news reached, Consort Shih Pin was teaching the Third Princess how to write.
Upon hearing the news, her expression changed immediately.
The Wetnurse Nanny quickly took the princess away from the scene.
Consort Shih Pin could no longer contain herself and flew into a rage, smashing everything that could be smashed in the room.
Looking at the fragments scattered on the floor, she wept bitterly.
"Empress? Cousin, you’re establishing a new Empress?"
Back then, they were childhood sweethearts, he always vowed to marry her, and she believed him.
Later, the former Emperor decreed their marriage.
He couldn’t resist, but still promised her the position of Noble Consort.
He said he would treat her well all his life, and she believed him.
Now, the Crown Princess Consort who was bestowed in marriage, the former Empress, has passed away, and there are no more obstacles between them.
But by his side, there’s already a new love.
"What on earth is so special about that wretched Lady Xia?!"
"I truly regret it! I truly regret it!"
"When she was just a young Lady, why didn’t I eliminate her!"
"How could I have been so negligent!"
Consort Shih Pin repeatedly mumbled to herself.
Palace Maid Ying Qiu advised softly.
"Madam, things have come to this, you must find peace in your heart..."
Consort Shih Pin became furious once again.
"Shut up!"
"I can’t find peace! My heart is flesh and blood, not made of stone, it cannot be at peace!"
Ying Qiu dared not speak further.
But in her heart, she understood clearly.
’Why must you torture yourself, Madam? It changes nothing!’
’Moreover, she thought, the Emperor treats Madam very well!’