Early in the morning.
Pan Zhu brought breakfast, which was a newly made black chicken soup from the kitchen.
Chunks of black chicken floated in the rich broth, emanating a fragrant aroma.
There were also several exquisite side dishes and pastries.
She sat by the window with the bowl of soup, gently stirring it, a smug smile on her lips.
"Hmph!"
"Want me dead? Not so easy!"
"What about the Princess Consort? Life isn’t any better without the Prince’s favor!"
"Once I gain favor... even if I can’t oust the Main Wife’s position for now, I’ll let you taste some hardship!"
"Let’s see who wins in the end!"
After muttering to herself, she savored the delicious meal, her smile radiant.
After breakfast.
She took the prepared bird feed to feed the pigeons.
That pigeon, raised by her, was plump and healthy, cooing as soon as it saw her.
Xia Ruyi hummed a tune while feeding.
"Eat well!"
"You must eat well!"
"Thanks to you..."
This pigeon was a messenger pigeon, used for communication between her and Hai Feng.
However, Pan Zhu was still unaware.
She caught sight of Pan Zhu approaching from the corner of her eye but kept humming her tune.
After feeding the pigeons.
Xia Ruyi turned to go back, with Pan Zhu following with her head lowered.
She was a bit perplexed.
"Why are you following me?"
In the past, when she was down and out, she couldn’t find anyone despite calling out for a long time.
Now that she’s about to rise up, Pan Zhu comes to curry favor?
Pan Zhu kept her head down, not daring to speak.
In fact, she felt both embarrassed and regretful inside.
Embarrassed because she couldn’t even have enough to eat now, as the Princess Consort herself had a hard time, how could she care for her?
Regretful that she shouldn’t have betrayed her mistress.
If she hadn’t betrayed, who knows how proud she’d be following her mistress now...
But alas, there are no ’ifs’.
Seeing no response, Xia Ruyi asked again.
"What’s the matter? Your new master making it hard for you?"
Pan Zhu shook her head.
"No... no!"
Xia Ruyi mocked with a smile and asked again.
"Then what’s wrong?"
"Oh... judging by your complexion, life’s been tough for you!"
Xia Ruyi continued sarcastically.
"But... what does your tough life have to do with me?"
"Didn’t you betray me long ago?"
Looking at Pan Zhu’s face of hunger and her increasingly plump body, she sneered.
"Can’t get enough to eat now, can you?"
"Weren’t you quite comfortable before? When I was starving, you were glowing with pride!"
"Are you still proud now?!"
Pan Zhu shook her head vigorously, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Xia Ruyi snorted coldly.
"You have no reason to be proud either!"
"I should thank you! If it weren’t for the hunger, I wouldn’t have slimmed down so quickly!"
"Don’t you think my waist has gotten much slimmer now?" she asked smugly.
"Yes!"
Pan Zhu nodded.
"Miss, your complexion is rosy, your waist slender, hair jet-black, and skin fair. Surely the Prince would be moved upon seeing you, and soon favor you..."
"Enough!"
Xia Ruyi interrupted her with a smile.
"Even if I gain favor, it has nothing to do with you!"
"Pan Zhu!"
"To tell you the truth!"
"I have no need for servants who betray their own!"
"So... don’t get any ideas about me!"
"You should plead with your new master; if she won’t keep you, you’ll be sold off!"
Upon hearing ’sold off’, Pan Zhu immediately knelt down with a plop.
"Miss! Pan Zhu begs you... don’t sell me!"
"I don’t want to die! I don’t want to end up in a brothel! Please, considering our bond since childhood..."
"Bond?" Xia Ruyi cut her off mercilessly.
"You could sell me out for food and drink!"
"What bond is left between us?!"
"You could sell me, so why can’t I sell you? Hmm?"
Xia Ruyi’s smile was radiant, but her eyes were filled with cold indifference.
Pan Zhu was utterly panicked.
Just as she was about to continue pleading, Xia Ruyi waved her hand decisively.
"No need to say more!"
"I have no interest in listening!"
After saying that, she cast a sidelong glance and turned to leave.
A few days later.
Concubine Lan quietly sent over many luxurious clothes and jewelry, and introduced Xia Ruyi to the Sixth Prince.
The Sixth Prince found the elegantly dressed, stunning woman before him unfamiliar.
He held Concubine Lan’s slender waist and asked.
"Who is this beauty?"
Concubine Lan giggled charmingly.
"Your Highness, don’t you remember, this is your concubine Miss Xia?"
"Since she entered the manor, you haven’t favored her yet..."
Mentioning Lady Xia, the Sixth Prince finally recalled.
"So it’s you!"
Seeing this, Xia Ruyi immediately stepped forward to greet.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
She was dressed in a full set of pale blue Misty Rain in the South of the Yangtze River Embroidery Lotus Yarn, her long black hair half tied, with a loose bun adorned with a willow-leaf hairpin full of sparkle, the rest cascading down her back.