novelraw Chapter 509: What a Fool!
Chapter 509: What a Fool!
"Besides, an Honored Lady who hanged herself—She won’t care!"The Empress doesn’t care, and the Emperor doesn’t care either. A life, unable to draw attention even in death!
This is the sorrow of the women in the Harem!
Ying Qiu acknowledged the command and, bowing, withdrew.
When she stepped out, a wave of heat from outside washed over her face.
Only then did she feel the chill surrounding her slowly dissipate, her icy hands and feet gradually regaining warmth.
Lady Wang’s death caused no ripples in the Harem. Google seaʀᴄh novelhall.com
Those minor Honored Ladies, who among them would dare meddle in such matters? The Ladies’ lives were even more wretched; they could barely take care of themselves.
「Two hundred li away at The Summer Resort.」
The Empress quickly received the news.
At that moment, the Empress was coaxing the Little Princess to nap.
It was Yu Lan who came in to report.
The Empress frowned upon hearing the news. She handed the Little Princess to the Wetnurse Nanny and stepped out into the main hall.
She asked directly, "How did she die?"
Yu Lan replied, "They say she was put under house arrest by the Emperor and, in a moment of desperation, took her own life!"
The Empress scoffed, "A moment of desperation? Then why didn’t she hang herself a few days ago?"
One wouldn’t even need to think to know it was the Noble Consort’s doing.
It’s just a pity that the person is dead, and by suicide at that... this...
It’s so inauspicious; I can’t even investigate the truth for her.
According to the rules, she can’t even enter the Consort’s Mausoleum; she can only be thrown into the Mass Burial Mound.
After thinking for a while, the Empress felt there was no point in pursuing the matter and sighed.
"Such a fool!"
"Even if the Noble Consort tormented her, it wouldn’t have killed her!"
"If only she had waited until I returned, I could have sought justice for her!"
"To die so obscurely now, it truly is a pity!"
Yu Lan offered a word of consolation.
"Your Majesty has a kind heart. But as the saying goes, ’Life and death are decreed by fate; riches and honor are ordained by Heaven.’ There’s nothing to be done!"
With a sigh from the Empress, the matter was closed.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated at The Summer Resort.
The banquet was lively. Grand feasts were laid out in the front courtyard, where the Emperor and his ministers enjoyed themselves together.
It was just as lively in the Harem.
The dishes were numerous and even more exquisite than those served to the men in the front courtyard.
The women of the Harem, along with the wives and daughters of the Civil and Military Officials—all those of consequence—had gathered.
The usual strict etiquette was relaxed; everyone chatted and laughed.
There was no stage, no Female Dancers.
The daughters of official families volunteered one by one, eager to display their talents.
They were all daughters of official families: some possessed both beauty and talent, some were well-read, some excelled in singing and dancing, and others were exceptional in calligraphy and painting.
One presented a painting, another performed a musical piece. There was a lively exchange of performances, each more exciting than the last, and the crowd repeatedly slapped the tables and cried out in admiration.
Xia Ruqing was completely dumbfounded by the display.
In the evening, after the banquet dispersed and she was heading back, she joked with Zi Yue and the others.
"No wonder the Emperor sneered at my bad calligraphy the first time!"
"I’ve realized my calligraphy isn’t just unsightly; it’s practically a dog’s scrawl!"
Compared to these daughters of official families, I’m utterly useless, aren’t I?
The twenty-first century truly is a fast-paced society.
There’s too much hustle and bustle; too many people struggle to focus on learning one thing.
Let alone studying it from a young age, day in and day out, for ten years.
So, it often turns out one knows a little of everything, but masters none!
"Sigh!"
Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are beyond me. I should just focus on practicing my calligraphy!
Zi Yue covered her mouth and laughed.
"My Lady, you’ve finally realized it!"
"But last time after you said that, you only wrote three pages before giving up!"
"How many pages are you planning to write this time?"
Xia Ruqing coughed lightly.
"Ahem! I’ll practice diligently from now on! I’ll strive not to let it lapse!"
After all, having been in these ancient times for a while, how could I not learn to write ancient characters?
If I ever really transmigrate back one day, wouldn’t I be able to show off a bit?
I might even be able to make a living from this!
Just thinking about it is wonderful!
After the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet concluded, the Harem Concubines and Civil and Military Officials began to pack their belongings, preparing to return to the palace.
Ye Tang appeared as promised, right on schedule.
This time, she was directly cross-dressed as a man!
Xia Tingfeng’s eyes lit up; he almost didn’t recognize her.
"What a scholarly and martial figure, a graceful young man!"
Ye Tang was exasperated. "Young Master Xia, I only learned a few lines of poetry from my father, and you’re already making fun of me!"
’Scholarly and martial,’ my foot! I can barely write my own name!
Xia Tingfeng laughed.
"Being called ’Young Master Xia’ does sound a bit awkward."
"If Miss Ye doesn’t mind, you could call me ’Big Brother,’ just like Tiger and the others do."
Perhaps it was because he had been out in the world for so long; whenever he encountered someone he admired, he liked to consider them sworn siblings.
Tiger, Rat, and the others—we all became acquainted through fighting.
Later, they came to admire each other and swore an oath of brotherhood!
Ye Tang’s expression faltered for a moment, then she laughed heartily.
"Since we’re to be sworn siblings, why don’t you call me ’Little Brother’ too, Big Brother?"
It can’t be ’Little Sister,’ right? That would be too awkward!
Upon hearing this, Xia Tingfeng’s eyes shone brightly.
"Has Miss Ye agreed?"
Ye Tang raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"
Xia Tingfeng quickly corrected himself.
"Brother Ye!"
"Haha... Not bad!"
"From now on, I, Ye Tang, also have a Big Brother!"
Xia Tingfeng laughed heartily as well.
Tiger followed behind, eagerly rubbing his hands.
"I, Tiger, have acknowledged many sworn brothers, but this is the first time acknowledging a young lady as a brother!"
After saying this, he looked on with careful expectation, then hesitated.
"Since we’ve acknowledged each other as siblings, we’re all brothers now, so..."
Tiger trailed off.
Ye Tang turned her head to look at him. Her handsome profile, her wheat-colored skin slightly coarse, exuded a heroic spirit that truly didn’t lose out to any man.
Feeling her gaze, Tiger grew even more embarrassed.
"Speak up, Brother Tiger!" Ye Tang looked at him with a half-smile.
Gathering his courage, Tiger said somewhat sheepishly, "Brother Ye, can you teach me... how to shoot arrows?"
"I... I have great strength and I’m good with broadswords and battle-axes, but when it comes to the bow and arrow, I can never aim straight..."
The bow always feels too small. I either use too much force and snap the bow, or the arrow goes wide.
Anyway, I just can’t shoot straight.
Without a second thought, Ye Tang nodded.
"And here I thought it was something serious; it’s just this!"
She might not know much else, but archery was her forte; after all, this was the skill she relied on to make a living!
Tiger was overjoyed and thanked her profusely, but we’ll say no more of that here.
The Emperor, leading the imperial court, the Harem, the Civil and Military Officials, and the imperial Concubines, departed from The Summer Resort to return to the palace.
After staying at The Summer Resort for over half a month, they began their journey back.
The Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, and their return journey was delayed by a few days.
By the time Xia Ruqing and the other Harem Concubines returned to the palace, it was around the twentieth day of the eighth month.
It rained on the way.
When they returned to the Harem, the weather had cooled off significantly.
Things were quiet in the Harem after they settled back in. It was just that... the Little Princess had a slight fever.
The Empress was deeply regretful.
"If I had known, we would have traveled more slowly! The Little Princess is so frail; how could she withstand such an ordeal?"
Sister Ji comforted her, "Your Majesty, it’s normal for an infant less than half a year old to develop a fever. Calling the Imperial Physician quickly to examine her is what’s important!"