"The Emperor didn’t come, huh?"
Ying Yue had nothing else to say, so she changed the subject. "Your Highness, would you like to see the Little Prince? Or perhaps eat something first?"
Only then did Noble Concubine Shih remember that she had a son. She immediately became joyful again.
"My child, my child..."
The infant in swaddling clothes was still sound asleep, his wrinkled, red skin having turned somewhat fairer.
Noble Concubine Shih sensed that something was amiss.
"Ying Yue, how... how can he still be sleeping?"
He hadn’t cried out since birth. How could he still not be awake by now? Could it be...
"Sister said the Little Prince was premature," Ying Yue hurriedly explained. "He’ll be fine after some nurturing..."
Noble Concubine Shih finally remembered that her child had been born prematurely, so...
She held the child, her gaze fixed elsewhere, her eyes revealing the ferocity of a she-wolf!
"Who is it?!" she demanded. "I couldn’t have fallen last night for no reason at all! Who wants to harm me!"
Ying Yue hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please rest well first. The Emperor has already sent Eunuch Li to investigate. I believe there will be results soon!"
Noble Concubine Shih scoffed. "Investigate? Ying Yue, you’re too naive. Who organized the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet? And who is it that can’t wait to see my child dead!"
No need to think; the answer is obvious! The banquet had been organized by the Empress, and the incident occurred within the Imperial Garden. With the answer so obvious, was there even a need to investigate?
Ying Yue bowed her head, not daring to speak further.
After all, Her Majesty the Empress is the mother of the nation. Without evidence, even the Emperor cannot make baseless accusations!
"Your Highness, these matters are secondary," Ying Yue urged. "You should eat something first; your health is most important!"
With that said, Noble Concubine Shih looked at her son in her arms and smiled proudly.
"Eat! Of course, I’ll eat!"
"We, mother and son, must live well, precisely to make certain people... restless!"
Ying Yue quickly had a table laden with food brought in, all prepared under the guidance of the Sisters from the Imperial Kitchen. The food was unsalted and lightly oiled. Noble Concubine Shih frowned as she ate, yet she still consumed a considerable amount.
After eating and freshening up a little, she went back to sleep.
The next day, the Empress Dowager personally visited Xifu Palace to see the Noble Concubine and her son. Soon after, the Empress also officially sent gifts.
Despite her simmering resentment, the Empress, always mindful of appearances, managed to smile for most of the day in the Empress Dowager’s presence. She uttered auspicious words that sounded hollow even to her own ears.
Only after the Empress Dowager and the Empress had paid their visits did those of lower rank dare to send their congratulatory gifts. The protocol dictated that gifts be sent according to rank, from highest to lowest.
In Qingya Residence, Xia Ruqing pondered for a long time. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁
"What should I send?"
Zi Yue said, "There’s no hurry. We can send it this afternoon; it won’t be too late. Honored Ladies like yourself are at the end of the list anyway, aren’t they?"
After some thought, Xia Ruqing said, "Check the treasury. See if we have a presentable Jade Ruyi or something similar."
Gifting food or clothing could lead to trouble. A Jade Ruyi is a safe, faultless choice!
Zi Yue took someone to search and eventually returned with two.
"One large and one small. These must have been gifts from the Emperor previously."
Xia Ruqing examined them. "The large one is Mutton-fat Jade, and the smaller one is Purple Jade. In terms of value, the smaller one is better."
"Then send the smaller one. Wrap it carefully and choose a suitable time this afternoon to deliver it."
Zi Yue acknowledged and went to carry out the order.
Xia Ruqing sat on a swing in the courtyard, lost in thought.
It was undoubtedly a good thing that Noble Consort Shih had given birth. All eyes in the Harem were now on her; who would pay any attention to a minor Honored Lady like me? The only downside was that with Noble Consort Shih having birthed the Crown Prince, the Empress would surely become restless. Perhaps... if she couldn’t bear a child herself, she would start scheming to use another’s womb. Using another’s womb to bear a child, then eliminating the mother to keep the child—such schemes were rampant in the Harem! In this situation, it was even more imperative that I not conceive. It wasn’t just that I didn’t want my child taken from me to be raised by another; I certainly didn’t want to be killed after childbirth! Life was too precious; I wasn’t ready to die!
Just as she was pondering these things, Xiao Xizi entered the courtyard with a box of pastries. Seeing Xia Ruqing alone, she quickly approached.
"My lady, why are you sitting here alone?"
Xia Ruqing smiled. "And where have you been this time?"
Xiao Xizi set down the pastries, her reply just as indirect. "My lady, I heard something in the Imperial Kitchen..."
She unconsciously lowered her voice as she continued, "They say... Eunuch Li found a moss-covered green brick in the Imperial Garden!"
"Right on the path from the Imperial Garden to Xifu Palace!"
Xia Ruqing was shocked!
"A moss-covered green brick??"
Even if it rained, the green bricks on the paths in the Imperial Garden were cleaned daily. How could they possibly grow moss? If moss grew on them, wouldn’t they be... slippery? No wonder someone could fall even while being carried in a palanquin!
Xiao Xizi added, "My lady, please don’t say anything. Let’s just pretend we know nothing!"
Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully.
That’s right... What could a minor Honored Lady like me possibly know?
She leaned back and sighed comfortably. "The dramas in this palace truly never cease!"
If this was indeed the Empress’s doing, it would be understandable. But if it wasn’t the Empress, then... the true culprit was hidden very deeply indeed!
At this thought, a bitter smile touched her lips.
That’s why I can never bring myself to trust anyone easily! Sisters in the Harem? Such a thing doesn’t exist! The only bonds that truly mattered here were those of mutual interest!
"Come on!" Xia Ruqing said. "I’m hungry. What pastries did the Imperial Kitchen make today?"
"It’s quite cold outside, let’s eat inside!"
Xiao Xizi picked up the food box, her voice cheerful. "There are freshly fried chicken-oil twists sprinkled with salt and pepper—they’re crispy and flaky!"
"And there’s hawthorn cake, stewed with cow’s milk..."
"Hmm! The one I ate last time..."
The mistress and maid chatted as they walked.
「Zhaochen Palace Imperial Study Room」
Zhao Junyao’s expression was icy as he regarded Li Shengan kneeling before him. His command was icy.
"Detain all unauthorized personnel who were present in the Imperial Garden the day before yesterday. Interrogate them thoroughly!"
Li Shengan was somewhat shocked! "Emperor!"
’Unauthorized personnel’ referred to Palace Attendants not on duty in the Imperial Garden. That meant... Wouldn’t that include all the attendants from Jiaofang Hall and the Ministry of Internal Affairs?
"Even those from the Empress’s palace...?" Li Shengan ventured.
Zhao Junyao shot him a cold glance. "What do you think?"
Li Shengan didn’t dare to ask further. He kowtowed and quickly departed.
The Empress watched as one Palace Attendant after another was arrested, her eyes filled with uncontrollable nervousness and anger!
She was nervous... Would the Emperor believe this incident had nothing to do with her? And she was angry! How dare someone in the Harem try to frame her!
Li Shengan had all the implicated individuals bound and brought before the Empress.
"Your Majesty the Empress, forgive the offense."
The Empress forced a wry smile. "Eunuch Li, your words are too serious. Of course, these people must be interrogated."
Despite her words, she was genuinely worried and couldn’t resist asking, "Eunuch Li, about the Emperor..."
Li Shengan had been about to take his leave, but hearing the Empress’s question, he had no choice but to reply, "The Emperor... is very angry!"