Chapter 5 - 4 Noble Concubine Shih

Fine threads of rain drifted down from the sky, an autumn shower that chased away the last vestiges of Indian summer’s heat. Xia Ruqing hurried back to freshen up and pack a few essentials before heading to Jiaofang Hall. It was Yu Lan who greeted her again, this time with greater courtesy. "The ground is wet and cold. Her Majesty the Empress bids Lady Xia to dispense with the courtesies!" Xia Ruqing had already finished kowtowing when she heard this and sneered inwardly, If you intended to waive the formalities, why didn’t you say so earlier? Now you’re just pretending to be magnanimous. However, she maintained a respectful demeanor on the surface, received the reward, expressed her gratitude, and then she and her two servants departed. Unfortunately, Xia Ruqing happened to encounter the concubines who had come to pay their respects to the Empress. The Emperor had many concubines, but few held high ranks. Besides Noble Concubine Shih, there were Consort Ning and Consort Yun among the Four Consorts of Fei rank. Among the Nine Concubines of Pin rank, there were Consort Hui Pin and Consort Zheng Pin. These women were all veterans from the Eastern Palace. The rest had entered through the selection draft last year and mostly held the rank of Lady or Honored Lady. "This servant pays respects to the Noble Consort, to all Your Ladyships, and to all the Honored Ladies!" Xia Ruqing performed the kneeling salute. She only recognized Noble Concubine Shih at the front; the rest were mere blurs in her mind. Noble Concubine Shih was clothed in a Tao Hong Yunjin robe, embroidered with large, vivid Shao Yao. Her hair was coiffed high and adorned with a full set of pomegranate-red agate and gold Bu Yao, as well as a Phoenix Crown. Her phoenix eyes shone with radiant light; she was exceptionally beautiful. The palace maids following her were also in splendid attire. They showed the utmost respect by holding a delicate floral silk umbrella for her. Her entire presence was strong, distinguished, and magnificent. "Are you Lady Xia?" Noble Concubine Shih approached slowly, looking down at Xia Ruqing from a commanding height. "It is indeed this servant!" Xia Ruqing lowered her gaze, appearing very subservient. This is the deep palace. When it’s time to be humble and subservient, one absolutely cannot be careless. A reckless fool won’t survive long here. Noble Concubine Shih stared at Xia Ruqing for a good while before letting out a cold laugh and slowly saying, "This Noble Consort remembers that those of the Lady rank are not permitted to spend the night in Zichen Hall. Does Lady Xia not understand the rules?" Xia Ruqing, who already felt her skin crawl under that stare, felt her heart lurch upon hearing those words and quickly kowtowed again. "This servant is at fault and broke the rules. Please, Your Grace, administer punishment!" At this moment, no matter what, I have to submit; there can be no defiance. In truth, the Empress had said nothing about this matter; everyone else was turning a blind eye. Perhaps this was even the Emperor’s intention. Noble Concubine Shih is clearly just looking for trouble! "Since you are aware of your transgression, then copy the Women’s Precepts a hundred times!" Noble Concubine Shih announced, thoroughly pleased with herself. "Yes, Your Grace." Even if she is just looking for trouble, I can only comply. With satisfaction, Noble Concubine Shih departed. Xia Ruqing finally stood up from the wet ground. By the time she got back to Zhaohua Pavilion, her clothes were mostly soaked through. Although she had an umbrella, kneeling on the wet ground for so long ensured she was drenched. After changing her clothes in a rush, Xia Ruqing sat on the kang bed, warming herself with the bedding, while Qiu Hong and Qiu Tong stood by to serve her, offering hot tea. "Noble Concubine Shih sure likes to meddle in affairs that are none of her concern; even the Empress didn’t say a word!" Qiu Hong exclaimed, her face full of indignation. "I think she’s just jealous that our master is receiving favor, and it doesn’t sit well with her!" Qiu Hong then added, a smug look on her face. "Silence!" Xia Ruqing barked. "How dare you casually discuss the Noble Consort behind her back! Go slap your own faces this instant!" Xia Ruqing showed no mercy. Muttering curses under one’s breath is one thing, but to voice them is tantamount to courting death. "My lady?!" The two of them were astonished. Was defending their master also wrong? "Slap your own faces! Twenty times each!" Xia Ruqing ordered sternly. A flicker of reluctance crossed their eyes, but they still knelt down slowly and began to slap their own faces. Once they were done, Xia Ruqing sent them away and called Xiao Xizi in. "My Lady..." Xiao Xizi, ever astute, approached with caution. "Don’t be afraid." Seeing him like this, Xia Ruqing’s tone softened. Despite this, Xiao Xizi still felt that his master had changed from before, becoming much tougher—perhaps... this was because she had gained favor and was more confident. "How long have you three been serving me?" Xia Ruqing asked, taking a sip from the hot tea she was holding. "Replying to Your Ladyship, it has been exactly one year!" Xia Ruqing put down her teacup, her expression serious as she said, "Would you be willing... to stay by my side always?" Those two imbeciles are completely useless. If this continues, I’ll definitely end up dead because of them. Upon hearing this, Xiao Xizi knelt down without a second thought. "This servant is terrified, but this servant wishes to always be by Your Ladyship’s side!" he said, then kowtowed several times forcefully. "My Lady, please don’t send this servant away!" Xiao Xizi was very anxious. He had finally found a master who didn’t beat or scold him, and he was very content. Xia Ruqing was somewhat unaccustomed to this display and quickly asked him to stand up, adding, "Have you thought it through? Being with me isn’t just about good days! If you are ever disloyal in the future, don’t blame me for being ruthless!" "My Lady, what are you saying! Ever since this servant started following you, I’ve never thought of going elsewhere. This servant wants to follow you always!" Xiao Xizi, still only in his early teens, spoke somewhat shyly. It was precisely because of this that his words were believable. If Lady Xia hadn’t chosen him back then, he would have been assigned to menial labor; that was the only path left for eunuchs in the palace who weren’t picked. "In that case, from now on, you must perform your duties well and be sharp!" Xia Ruqing said, her expression softening. In her memory, Xiao Xizi had always been loyal and devoted; Xia Ruqing felt she could trust him. "Yes, My Lady!" Xiao Xizi kowtowed excitedly. "My Lady, what would you like to eat for lunch? This servant will go to the Imperial Kitchen and have them prepare it!" Now that his master had received favor, everyone there was scrambling to curry favor. Xia Ruqing glanced at the sky and thought, ’A bowl of noodles to ward off the cold—the kind with chewy noodles and hot soup. Add some chili paste and rice vinegar. You can decide on the rest!’ Since she had been caught in the rain today, something sour and spicy would help dispel the chill. Xiao Xizi acknowledged and smartly hurried off. Xia Ruqing walked to the window, gazed at the drizzling rain outside, steadied her resolve, then picked up her brush and slowly began to write. One hundred copies of the Women’s Precepts... Noble Concubine Shih... ... 「Jiaofang Hall」 "Your Highness, Noble Concubine Shih left our palace and went to see the Empress Dowager!" Yu Lan reported. The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled. She still can’t keep her composure! Relying on her status as the Emperor’s cousin and their childhood bond, she’s been coveting the Empress’s position for far longer than a day or two. How could I possibly let her succeed? So what if she’s the Empress Dowager’s niece? So what if we were childhood sweethearts? The late Emperor decreed that I, Fan Mengzhen, was the one he would marry! The position of Empress can only be mine! "Your Highness speaks the truth! After all, she is just a mere Lady. What can she possibly achieve?" While speaking, Yu Lan handed a bowl of milk custard to the Empress. The Empress stirred it with a small silver spoon but didn’t bring it to her lips, her mind clearly elsewhere. After a moment, she commanded, "Go to the small storeroom, find several bolts of the finest fabric, and select some good jewelry. Send them to Lady Xia!"