Xia Ruqing smiled and gazed at Zhao Junyao, her eyes bright.
Similarly gazing at the Emperor were Ma Liyi, Honored Lady Lu, and Lady Shi, among others.
They had just entered the palace.
Not yet understanding the situation inside the palace, nor had they been summoned to the Emperor’s bedchamber.
Seeing the Emperor so handsome and spirited.
Even without speaking a word, they could feel an aura of imperial majesty emanating from him.
They stared at the Emperor longingly, wishing they could immediately rush over to offer their tenderness.
Hoping the Emperor would remember them henceforth.
And they could win favor in the harem, giving birth to dragons and phoenixes, achieving lifelong prosperity.
Unfortunately...
Such eager eyes did not receive any response from the Emperor.
Instead, it was caught by Consort Zheng and Consort Yun.
Consort Zheng simply couldn’t stand it.
Ma Liyi, that wretch, didn’t come to greet her on her first day in the palace.
Even meeting face-to-face, her greetings lacked enthusiasm.
"Hmph!"
"Really think because of a noble birth she can do as she pleases?"
"This is the harem, not their home!"
"No matter how privileged, entering the palace one must honestly abide by the rules!"
"Otherwise..."
Consort Yun couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
"What nonsense?"
"Daring to openly seduce the Emperor, let’s see how I deal with you!"
Thinking of this, she exchanged a glance with Consort Zheng.
Consort Yun then said with a smile.
"What is Ma Sister looking at, so entranced?"
"I called you several times, and you didn’t hear!"
Her voice drew the attention of several Honored Ladies and Jieyus around.
Under everyone’s gaze.
Ma Liyi, finally with some sense of shame, quickly returned from her thoughts and said awkwardly.
"Replying to Consort Yun, I was watching... the dance!"
Consort Yun raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Sister enjoys this too?"
"This Concubine doesn’t quite understand it? Which melody was just danced?"
Consort Yun spoke while lightly adjusting her hairpin.
With a look that said, ’I’m deliberately giving you a hard time!’
Ma Liyi was stunned.
Which melody? How would she know which one?!
She hadn’t watched at all!
Anxiously, she scratched her head and looked at Lady Shi and Honored Lady Lu beside her.
Both hung their heads, not daring to help her.
Ma Liyi was thoroughly stumped.
In helplessness, she tugged at her handkerchief and finally timidly replied:
"Replying to Consort Yun, I... don’t know!"
Consort Zheng immediately looked incredulous.
"Don’t know?"
"Ma Sister is an official’s daughter of the Third Rank, reputedly talented and beautiful!"
"How could she not know the famous ’Feathered Garment Melody’?"
"Could it be... she’s scornful of us low-born, unwilling to talk to us?!"
Consort Yun nodded in agreement.
"True, Sister is right!"
"Her father is the Governor of Liangzhou, a Third Rank official, how could we possibly compare!"
Consort Zheng laughed meaningfully.
"In that case, let’s not disturb Ma Sister anymore!"
The two back-and-forth succeeded in making Ma Liyi’s face flushed.
She wanted to explain but didn’t know where to begin.
Her face alternated between red and purple, making her uneasy.
Not a single concubine around stepped up to help.
Everyone subtly mocked her.
"Hmph! A woman like this, she blushes?"
The commotion below was naturally visible to Xia Ruqing.
However, she didn’t wish to meddle, instead feeling a certain indescribable satisfaction.
"Well, serves you right for staring at my husband!"
...
Zhao Junyao sat for half a Shi Chen.
Drank a few cups of wine, watched a few dances.
Finding it tedious and remembering documents needing attention in the Imperial Study Room, without further desire to stay, he left.
Once the Emperor left, the Empress Dowager also mentioned feeling weary and departed.
The banquet was left solely to Xia Ruqing to hold.
However... the time was still early, and it couldn’t end like this.
She had to persevere.
The concubines obviously relaxed much more.
Of course, many were certainly disappointed, but dared not show it.
The moonlight outside was splendid.
Xia Ruqing called for mooncakes to be served, continuing the banquet while watching the performances, creating a lively atmosphere.
After another half a Shi Chen.
Reaching Hai Hour, Xia Ruqing said with a smile.
"It’s getting late, I’m tired, I’ll leave first!"
"You all continue to stay!"
With this, she left supporting Zi Yue and Zi Su.
The concubines respectfully saw her off, and then dispersed.
Huh?! What’s worth staying for?
No one was really close!
Returning to Duanning Palace.
Xia Ruqing took off her heavy formal dress, bathed, and changed, finally feeling refreshed.
Visited Yue Er in the side hall.
Then returned to the main hall, and before she settled, Zhao Junyao arrived.
She attended to Zhao Junyao’s washing and grooming.
The two lay down together on the bed.