Chapter 74 - 73 Courting Death 1

He’d never realized before how troublesome women could be. Lady Xia... Lady Xia never acted this way. That little girl...Just thinking about Xia Ruqing, Zhao Junyao found himself somewhat unable to control his emotions. Had she returned to her quarters yet? Was she asleep? I made her wait in vain; she must be heartbroken. Lady Xia, Xia Ruqing... "Your Majesty...?" Noble Concubine Shih had said a great deal, but seeing that he didn’t respond, she finally noticed the Emperor’s mind was elsewhere. "What’s wrong, Your Majesty?" Zhao Junyao suddenly snapped back to reality. The face before him was still Shih Wanxin. A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes, and he patted her shoulder. "Go to sleep early; I have to attend court tomorrow morning." "Yes." Noble Concubine Shih dared not say more and lay down beside Zhao Junyao. During the night, she subconsciously snuggled into his embrace. At first, Zhao Junyao held her in his arms out of habit. It was a habit he had developed with Xia Ruqing. But now... Zhao Junyao opened his eyes slightly, waking for a moment. He looked at the person in his arms, then let go and shifted towards the edge of the bed. That night, he slept terribly. He rose early for court, feeling not merely unrested but even more exhausted. In the following days, no matter where he went, Noble Concubine Shih would always make such a visit. Even on the first day of the month, she sent someone to invite him. Zhao Junyao’s face darkened instantly. "I’m not going." He dismissed the messenger directly. What did Shih Wanxin take him for? And what did she take the Empress for? He valued the imperial heir, but did she really dare to act so insolently, relying on her pregnancy to disregard hierarchy and etiquette! Indeed, people from the Shih Family were all like this. The Empress Dowager, advanced in her years, wasn’t focusing on her Buddhist devotions; instead, she seemed eager to control every affair in the Harem. And Noble Concubine Shih, banking on her pregnancy, truly dared to act without restraint, even completely disregarding the rules of the Royal Family! Good! Very good! When Zhao Junyao arrived at Jiaofang Hall with a sullen face, the Empress was taken aback. "Your Majesty, you..." Zhao Junyao waved his hand. "Enough. Serve the meal." The Empress dared not ask more and properly attended to everything as instructed. The food she served was unremarkable, but never faulty. Everything was done by the book, with precision and care. Whatever the Emperor had, her selection was much the same. Various ornate dishes filled the table. Zhao Junyao ate only a little before setting down his chopsticks. Of course, this all came later. ... That night, Xia Ruqing was carried back in a small sedan chair. She had been furious the entire night, but by the next morning, she had forgotten all about it. She didn’t like to let other people’s actions affect her own well-being. She had Zi Yue report her as ill, then wrapped herself in her quilt, turned over, and went back to sleep. By the time she woke up again, it was almost noon. Around lunchtime, Little Zhuzi came by again, bringing a delicately crafted small box. Xia Ruqing expressed her thanks. When she opened it, she found a box full of small, five-tael silver ingots. "This is...?" She was somewhat puzzled. "This is from the Emperor for you, Honored Lady," Little Zhuzi said, scratching his head and smiling. "He said if there’s anything you fancy eating, you can ask the Imperial Kitchen to buy it from outside." Xia Ruqing’s heart warmed, and she had even less reason to be angry. He must be feeling a bit guilty, she thought, amused. For me, a mere Honored Lady, to make the Emperor feel guilty shows that I still hold some importance in his heart. What more could I ask for? He’s thinking of me; that’s wonderful! ... That day, after everyone had paid their respects at Jiaofang Hall, the Empress led all the concubines to Ningshou Palace to visit the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager, devoted to Buddhism, disliked noise and clamor. They were originally supposed to pay respects every morning and evening, but now, a visit once every half month was sufficient. Noble Concubine Shih also went, following behind the Empress and, like her, seated in a sedan chair. Both were carried high, and for a moment, they seemed to be on equal footing. All the other concubines saw this but pretended not to, not daring to comment. The Empress, sitting in front, felt resentful and bitter. However, she didn’t turn back. She simply pretended not to know, not to have seen. Upon arriving at Ningshou Palace, everyone paid their respects and then took their seats. The Empress Dowager had been in a good mood recently, so she led everyone in lighthearted conversation to pass the time. The conversation turned to the topic of tomb-sweeping and sacrifices for the Qingming Festival. Noble Concubine Shih then smiled and said, "Empress Mother, this year’s Qingming Festival is only two days apart from the third day of the third month... Why don’t we also accompany His Majesty to the South Garden for a few days for a spring outing?" As soon as she spoke, anticipation lit up some faces. In previous years, the Emperor would take them for spring outings on the third day of the third month. The South Garden had just been renovated, so the scenery there was sure to be exceptional. The Empress Dowager glanced at Noble Concubine Shih’s belly. Being cautious, she didn’t immediately agree, only smiling as she replied, "It’s only the third month, and the weather is still cold. The South Garden is remote and chilly; I’m afraid I can’t withstand it. When we stayed there for the Heaven worship ceremony near the end of last year, I found it so cold I couldn’t sleep well." Disappointment flickered in Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes, but she persisted, pouting, "Empress Mother, if you don’t go, what fun would it be?" Without the Empress Dowager present, how could I embarrass the Empress? she thought. "Surely we won’t skip the third day of the third month just because of Qingming?" she pressed. Before the Empress Dowager could reply, the Empress, sitting beside her, chuckled and interjected, "Sister Shih, you’re with child. The exertion of travel wouldn’t be good for you. It’s better to stay in the palace and focus on nurturing your pregnancy." The Empress had said what the Empress Dowager found difficult to say herself. This inwardly pleased the Empress Dowager. "That’s precisely the point. You are carrying a child and must not act recklessly. The first three months are especially crucial for care." Noble Concubine Shih was displeased. She pouted, shot the Empress a few covert glares, and fell silent. To have my suggestion rejected in front of so many people is so humiliating! Even the Empress Dowager, who supposedly dotes on me most, probably cares more for this piece of flesh in my belly than for me! ... After a while, the Empress took her leave with the other concubines, leaving only Noble Concubine Shih to accompany the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager knew Noble Concubine Shih was unhappy, but some things still needed to be said. "I know you enjoy lively occasions and wanted to go, but you are with child and not yet three months along. You cannot be willful!" No matter how upset Noble Concubine Shih felt, she had no choice but to drop the matter. Looking chagrined, she murmured her assent. As she was leaving, she usually would have greeted Sister Qing. This time, however, she acted as if she hadn’t seen her, merely snorting before departing. Sister Qing was left feeling awkward. After a moment’s thought, she could only smile bitterly and say to the Empress Dowager, "The Noble Consort’s temper seems to have grown even more pronounced lately." "Indeed," the Empress Dowager replied. "She thinks that being with child means she has everything. Little does she know, this is just the beginning." The Empress Dowager had watched Noble Concubine Shih grow up and understood her well. This arrogant temper of a cherished young lady, that’s the real her! All that cautious behavior in the past was merely suppressed frustration! Leaving Ningshou Palace, Noble Concubine Shih found everyone and everything irritating. Her mood was exceedingly sour. When she returned to Xifu Palace, she suddenly heard laughter. She glared angrily in its direction. "Who is it?" "Reporting to the Noble Consort, it’s Lady Lan and Lady Xi from Xihuai Palace; they are talking and laughing." "Lady Lan? Lady Xi?" Noble Concubine Shih narrowed her eyes. That’s right, Xihuai Palace is just behind Xifu Palace, isn’t it?