novelraw Chapter 556: A Bowl of Poisonous Chicken Soup
Chapter 556: A Bowl of Poisonous Chicken Soup
She was like a joyful little deer, scampering over with bounces and leaps."Consort Xia, where’s my little brother? Where is he?"
On that pretty face, strikingly similar to Consort Hui Pin, expectation was written all over.
In her pair of big, shiny black eyes, there was nothing but stars!
Xia Ruqing bent down and gently pinched her cheek.
"Your little brother is inside. Are you going to look for him?"
Yi An then nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Thank you, Consort Xia!"
No sooner had she said this than she dashed off with thumping steps.
That little figure was quite resolute, not looking back.
Xia Ruqing was somewhat amused, yet there was a trace of bitterness in her eyes.
They are siblings, born of the same father!
The children are playing well together; she should be happy!
What a bowl of poisonous chicken soup!
No sooner had Yi An left than Consort Ning arrived with the Eldest Princess.
Consort Ning was dressed in a Shui Hong palace outfit, covered with a silver fox fur cloak.
Eldest Princess Yi Ming was attired in a turquoise jacket and skirt, her hair done up in a double-ring bun, with a beige cloak over it.
The Eldest Princess’s outfit was quite nice.
As for Consort Ning’s outfit...
Well... it wasn’t bad, but with her plump figure, wearing fur...
It just looked... a bit odd!
Somehow, an image suddenly flashed in Xia Ruqing’s mind... a polar bear?
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
She must have watched too many nature documentaries in her previous life.
Xia Ruqing shook these jumbled thoughts from her mind and hurriedly stepped forward to pay her respects.
"Consort Ning!"
Consort Ning looked her up and down, then thought about her own fur.
Hmph, what’s so special about fancy damask? Fur is rarer and more valuable! A sense of superiority welled up instantly.
"Rise!"
Even if she had been humiliated by Lady Xia, she was still a consort. Lady Xia still had to pay her respects properly when she saw her, didn’t she?
Xia Ruqing saw her imperious air.
She was somewhat puzzled. Is she... showing off her superiority? But where on earth does this sense of superiority come from? I don’t get it!
Xia Ruqing maintained a polite smile.
"Thank you, Consort Ning!"
With that, she rose.
Xiao Xizi and Xiao Zhu Zi kowtowed and led Consort Ning to her seat.
Consort Ning saw her seat. It’s actually next to the Noble Consort’s? My position is even lower than Lady Xia’s?
Anger surged within her.
Just as her expression was about to change, Lan Xiang hurriedly tugged at her sleeve.
"My Lady, it’s warm in this room. Let’s take off our cloaks, shall we?"
Only then did Consort Ning snap back to her senses. Oh, right, this is Qingya Residence. Today is the Little Prince’s birthday! Lady Xia’s seat arrangement doesn’t break any rules. I have no reason to be angry!
But being humiliated by Lady Xia before... I’m still so furious! It’s just that Lady Xia has the Crown Prince. Even the Empress has to yield to her. No one in the Harem dares to provoke her! And I certainly don’t dare! Why is that woman so fortunate?!
Consort Ning’s heart churned with frustration, hatred, and jealousy, her face contorting.
Xia Ruqing also took a seat nearby. Seeing Consort Ning’s twisted expression, she was still very puzzled.
What’s wrong with her? Do I owe her something?
Or perhaps... she hasn’t learned her lesson from last time?
If she really hasn’t learned and dares to try something, then I wouldn’t mind helping her remember it more firmly!
Just as she was thinking this, another arrival was announced from outside.
"The Noble Consort has arrived!"
Everyone hurriedly rose to greet her. After a flurry of activity, they had just sat down again, when the Empress arrived.
Those who had just settled had to rise once more.
With all this getting up and down, Xia Ruqing thought,
My seat hasn’t even warmed up yet!
Fortunately, with the Empress’s arrival, everyone who was expected had finally come.
They wouldn’t have to keep getting up and sitting down, and could at last sit comfortably.
However...
Xia Ruqing thought, I’m still too naive!
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
See? Talk about eating my words!
The Empress’s expression faltered for a moment before she hastily led the other concubines in rising to greet her.
The Empress Dowager, who hadn’t ventured out in a long time, was dressed in a jujube-red Phoenix Robe with a dark pattern and draped in a sapphire-blue cape. Supported by Sister Qing’s hand, she walked in slowly, step by step.
The concubines knelt in the main hall in order of rank to greet the Empress Dowager.
"Your servants respectfully welcome the Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager smiled amiably.
"Rise, all of you, rise!"
Then, as if muttering to herself, she added, "This old one appreciates you all still thinking of me. He is, after all, my Imperial Grandson. How could I not come?"
The Empress was the first to rise and hurriedly went to support her.
"Mother, what are you saying? If we weren’t afraid of disturbing your Buddhist prayers, my sisters and I would love nothing more than to come and share meals with you every day."
The Emperor had ordered her to raise the Third Princess. The Empress Dowager hadn’t objected or said anything, for which the Empress was quite grateful. Since that was the case, she felt she should return the favor. She was certainly capable of acting cute and currying favor with the Empress Dowager.
After all, pleasing the Emperor’s birth mother is indirectly winning the Emperor’s affection, isn’t it?
The Empress Dowager’s expression remained unchanged. Smiling, she patted the Empress’s hand and then proceeded to her seat.
As for Noble Concubine Shih, the way she glared at the Empress, it was as if she wanted to burn holes through her with her eyes.
I’m the Empress Dowager’s own niece! What business does this Empress have cozying up to her? She snatched away the Emperor, snatched away the Princess, and now she’s thinking of snatching away the Empress Dowager too? In her dreams!
Noble Concubine Shih secretly clenched her teeth.
After everyone had taken their seats, Xia Ruqing finally let out a sigh of relief.
Alright, now only the Emperor is missing. Calculating the time, the morning court still has a while to go. Surely, I can finally warm my seat now.
She also secretly felt relieved. Thankfully, I prepared a seat for the Empress Dowager. Otherwise, just sending an invitation without preparing a seat would have been truly embarrassing.
But then again... she was slightly puzzled.
The Empress Dowager didn’t seem to care much when the Third Princess, who has Shih Family blood, was born. She seemed to have become a recluse in Ningshou Palace, even canceling the twice-monthly greetings. Invitations were sent for all sorts of palace banquets, but the Empress Dowager never appeared. So why has she come this time? Could it really be, as she said, because of her Imperial Grandson? Is that it? Something feels a little off!
But then again... on reflection, since the Empress Dowager is the Emperor’s own mother, Little Bun is indeed her direct grandson. She wouldn’t harm Little Bun, would she? Maybe... I’m just overthinking things! Have I underestimated the status and importance of the Imperial Grandson in the Royal Family?
Sigh, regardless, she’s here now. I can’t exactly kick her out, can I?
With that thought, she quickly discarded the jumble of ideas in her mind.
She quickly put on her most demure expression and smiled at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager naturally saw her as well.
Seeing her demure expression, she nodded with satisfaction.
"Consort Xian Pin is a good one."
"I have been observing you dispassionately. After giving birth to a Prince, you have remained calm and composed, not arrogant or impetuous, not fighting or scrambling. You’ve focused on raising your child well and haven’t caused much trouble in the Harem. That is very good!"
The Empress Dowager looked around once more, then began to speak, her tone one of earnest advice.