novelraw Chapter 524: Temperamental
Chapter 524: Temperamental
They knew their master’s temperament all too well. When their master got angry, her temper flared up! Especially since the Emperor and their master had always had a good relationship, it was inevitable that sometimes their master would speak without thinking or act petulantly. And as for the Emperor? Presumably, he was troubled by affairs of state, and with their master also being thoughtless, well... A group of palace attendants, one after another, thus pieced together the entire sequence of events in their minds.Xia Ruqing sat hugging her knees, saying nothing. She had heard what Zi Yue said and knew it wasn’t without basis. Even kicking him, as she had done, wasn’t right. But she did not regret it. It was clearly he who had made the first move, so why, in the end, did everyone blame her for being thoughtless? Even if she was at fault, she felt she had been forced into it! She could admit fault, but at least, shouldn’t someone clarify things for her? She couldn’t possibly take all the blame.
However, Xia Ruqing thought somewhat helplessly. Where did these palace maids of mine get the confidence that the Emperor would forgive me? Zhao Junyao has probably never been kicked by anyone in his entire life! I kicked the Emperor, and there’s been no movement from Zhaochen Palace so far... My life is probably spared. But... COUGH, COUGH! Making up with him? I’m afraid that would be a long and arduous journey! I don’t want to admit my mistake, and Zhao Junyao certainly won’t lower himself to seek me out. Indeed, we’ve reached a deadlock!
After much thought and finding no solution, Xia Ruqing decided to stop thinking about it. She then instructed Zi Yue, "Help me get dressed! Is it raining outside?"
Zi Yue shook her head and refrained from saying more. She went to the wardrobe, picked out a set of clothes for her master, and then helped her comb her hair.
Once Xia Ruqing was dressed, she first went to check on Little Bun. Little Bun had been playing in the yard with the wetnurse nanny for the entire day. He had just eaten some of his evening meal and was coaxed to sleep by the nanny.
Xia Ruqing stood beside the small rocking cradle. She looked at Little Bun with adoration, gently touching his face. This face bears such a striking resemblance to that bastard Zhao Junyao! Even if I were to take Little Bun and flee the Imperial Palace, I suppose we wouldn’t get out of the Capital City before being caught and brought back. He’s too much like him! As if carved from the same mold!
Leaving Little Bun’s side, Xia Ruqing went out and stood under the corridor. The eaves were very wide; the high, arching roof looked like an eagle about to spread its wings and fly away at any moment.
Zi Su and Zi Ning, holding an umbrella and carrying a meal, returned with Xiao Xizi and the others, all babbling about something. Regrettably, they were too far away, and the rain was too loud, so she couldn’t make out what they were saying.
In the blink of an eye, Zi Su and Zi Ning spotted her standing in the corridor, and the words they had been speaking quickly stopped. Then, both of them hid their angry expressions, straining to smile as they approached her. "My Lady!"
Zi Su put down the umbrella and handed the food box to Zi Yue. Xiao Xizi paid his respects and then went to the small kitchen to boil water for tea.
Xia Ruqing watched them with a smile, each attending to their duties as usual, bustling about. She felt much calmer.
"My Lady, it’s time for your meal!" Zi Yue called to her.
Xia Ruqing went with a smile. Everything seemed just as usual, but somehow, everyone felt that something was different.
After a simple evening meal, Xia Ruqing asked Zi Su and Zi Ning, "What were you two discussing just now?"
Zi Su and Zi Ning exchanged a glance, hesitating, and ultimately dared not say much. Xia Ruqing asked again, this time with more authority in her tone.
Zi Su had no choice but to answer honestly, "My Lady! This servant heard people in the palace say that early this morning, Honored Lady Jiang and Honored Lady Du both spent quite a while in Jiaofang Hall!"
After saying this, she continued, "The Emperor went to see the Little Princess in the afternoon! And in the evening, he chose Honored Lady Jiang’s plaque! My Lady, do you think this is just a coincidence?"
After hearing this, Xia Ruqing scoffed coldly, as if she had anticipated it all. "The Empress certainly wouldn’t let go of such a rare opportunity! One wasn’t enough, so she even involved two of them!" I even began to suspect that the Empress had been stockpiling people in advance. Just like flies waiting for an egg to crack! And as soon as they find a crack, they hastily worm their way in. Truly worthy of a woman who has spent so many years scheming in the Harem!
Xia Ruqing sneered sarcastically. "Enough! Let’s not mention these things anymore!"
Having said that, she ordered the table to be cleared. She lit the oil lamp on the kang table, picked up a collection of poems, and began to write, character by large character. Her calligraphy wasn’t good; this was the perfect opportunity to practice!
Honored Lady Jiang lived in Lijing Pavilion. When it was her turn to serve the Emperor, Shih Jieyu was the first to know. When she learned of it, she was in her room embroidering purses. Initially, she embroidered them for the Emperor, with designs like paired lotuses and mandarin ducks playing in water. Later, after embroidering so many designs, she found she couldn’t give them away. The Emperor no longer glanced her way. Gradually, knowing she was out of favor, she buried all her feelings and began to embroider flowers and plants instead. It wasn’t out of fondness, but because, apart from embroidery, she didn’t know what else she could do.
That night, Honored Lady Jiang was taken by the Chunen Cart, and Shih Jieyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Meanwhile, in Jiaofang Hall, restlessness also prevailed. Why am I sad? the Empress wondered. Nothing is wrong at all! She consoled herself, pouring herself a bowl of poisonous "chicken soup."
Xia Ruqing felt miserable, but not so much that she couldn’t sleep. As for Zhaochen Palace... they truly couldn’t sleep well.
By accepting Honored Lady Jiang, Zhao Junyao had given the Empress face, and it indicated one thing: "Pique." Qingqing has been neglecting me all along. So let her taste what it feels like to be ignored by me in turn. The jealousy I’ve tasted—she should sample it as well. At the very least, let her get a taste of it.
Honored Lady Jiang was duly taken to Zichen Hall, his sleeping palace. But Zhao Junyao found himself utterly uninterested in her. So, he ordered Li Shengan, "Find her a place, quietly, without letting anyone discover her."
Li Shengan quickly bowed and acknowledged the order, then began to lead Honored Lady Jiang out. "This way, Honored Lady," he said.
Honored Lady Jiang was far from reconciled. After struggling internally for so long, I decided to give myself to the Emperor and become a true concubine. But now... the Emperor hasn’t even given me a proper look before sending me away. Am I now losing favor with both sides? The Empress has been implicitly complaining that even after being given so many opportunities, I haven’t conceived. And the Emperor doesn’t like me either. Yet I’m still untouched. Is this a case of accepting the Empress’s favor only to be despised by the Emperor? How truly unfair! The more Honored Lady Jiang thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Her face turned pale, and she knelt.
"Your Majesty, is it because I have not served you well?" she asked. "I have been by Your Majesty’s side for so long, but I have never truly served you..."