A little less than an hour later.
Xia Ruqing, finally dressed and ready, arrived fashionably late, leaning on Zi Yue’s hand.
In the hall.
The Empress Dowager Zhen, who had been stewing in rage for quite some time, hurriedly rose to greet her.
"Empress!"
After Xia Ruqing sat down in the main seat, she waved her hand with a smile.
"Imperial Noble Consort, please rise. You’re being too polite, no need for such formality!"
"Please, have a seat!"
Though she said this, she continued to sit there calmly, without the slightest sign of being moved.
Heh!
I was just being polite, don’t take it seriously!
Empress Dowager Zhen forced a smile as she sat down, thanking insincerely.
"Thank you, Empress!"
Of course, Xia Ruqing didn’t take it seriously either.
Zi Yue and Zi Su served tea.
After taking a sip, Xia Ruqing asked.
"I wonder what brings the Imperial Noble Consort here today?"
Sitting for so long, Empress Dowager Zhen’s patience was already exhausted.
She got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
"It’s about the Third Miss Xia!"
"Empress, you are aware of the situation with the Third Miss, I wonder... what do you think!"
Xia Ruqing rubbed her temple gently and said blandly.
"Oh!"
"So it’s Xia Ruyi you’re talking about!"
"What’s her situation? Being confined in the palace, I’m not at liberty to gather such news, I’m truly unaware!"
She began to play dumb.
Empress Dowager Zhen didn’t hold back, flipping her eyelids and speaking sarcastically.
"She frequently visits my son’s residence!"
"Trying to use Hai Feng to set her sights on my youngest son!!"
"Empress, you can’t be completely unaware!"
Xia Ruqing put down her teacup, feigning surprise.
"Oh?"
"I truly didn’t know that? What do you mean!"
Looking entirely innocent.
Empress Dowager Zhen felt as if she was hitting a wall of cotton, feeling quite annoyed, she held back her anger and said.
"What do I mean?"
"Instead of asking me, you might as well send someone to inquire about your dear sister!"
"Such a proper young lady, why is she always thinking about men!"
"To my knowledge, she’s only thirteen this year. At this young age, why isn’t she focusing on something more proper!"
"The esteemed upbringing of your Xia Family!"
"If this gets out! Empress, wouldn’t you be embarrassed too!"
Empress Dowager Zhen put on a threatening face.
Which Xia Ruqing found somewhat amusing.
She sipped her tea and waved a handkerchief.
"Imperial Noble Consort, you might not know, when I entered the palace, she was only three, and we don’t share the same mother, I’m truly not familiar with her!"
"Besides, as I’m deep within the palace, discussing this with me won’t do any good!"
Meaning:
She can do as she pleases, it’s none of my business!
Empress Dowager Zhen suddenly sneered.
"So are you saying, Empress, that you don’t even care about your own reputation?"
Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow.
"Reputation?"
"Imperial Noble Consort, are you joking?"
"Whatever Xia Ruyi does, what does it have to do with me?
"Moreover, I am now the empress of the nation, slandering the empress warrants decapitation..."
"Even if there are those fearless enough to gossip, your son wouldn’t escape blame either!"
The matter of mingling improperly between men and women is never a one-handed clap.
Your crippled Sixth Son is no good person, isn’t he?!
If something truly happens, who knows who might suffer more!
Empress Dowager Zhen’s expression turned sullen indeed.
"You..."
"What about me?"
Xia Ruqing gazed at her with a half-smile.
Zi Yue and Zi Su, seeing Empress Dowager Zhen at a loss, felt a wave of satisfaction!
Heh heh!
Don’t be fooled by how the Empress usually appears humble and indifferent.
In fact, the Empress has a full understanding!
It’s not that she won’t fight, she simply doesn’t find it worthwhile.
Which is very true.
Having barely escaped the jaws of death once.
Why spend everyday as if locked in a deep vendetta, fighting with a bunch of women.
Better to cherish time and live well, isn’t it?!
With days like this, she doesn’t want to waste a single second!
Empress Dowager Zhen was humiliated.
Her face gradually turned purple with indignation, unsure of what to say.
Xia Ruqing took from her sleeve a list of gifts.
"The Imperial Noble Consort’s kind intentions are received, but the gifts are too valuable, I cannot accept them. I hope the Imperial Noble Consort will take them back!"
"I’ll have someone deliver the items back to you later!"
She placed the list beside Empress Dowager Zhen.
Indicating no matter if you want it or not, I’ve given it back to you.
Empress Dowager Zhen’s face turned pale at once.
"Empress..."
She looked at the list on the table, hesitated for a while, then finally spoke.
"Actually, I know you and the Third Miss don’t have a good relationship!"
"But..."
"I merely want to tell you, her background... her upbringing..."
"She is not fit to fulfill the duties of the Sixth Princess Consort, so..."