Chapter 76 - 75 Honored Lady Xi

Xia Ruqing learned of the news the next day.It was Xiao Xizi who told her that... well, two Honored Ladies had suddenly appeared in the palace. When asked for the reason, Xiao Xizi then recounted the situation in detail. Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing pursed her lips, her little heart fluttering. Noble Concubine Shih clearly had an excellent hand but didn’t cherish it. What is she doing... If I had her background, looks, or childhood sweetheart bond—just one of them—I’d probably laugh to the heavens three times in delight! Of course, my own looks aren’t bad. I’m just... a bit thin. I really need to eat more and put on some weight. In those days, right after I woke up, I was so thin I felt a gust of wind could knock me over. When he held me in his sleep, I wonder if my bones poked him. Mmm, I definitely need to eat more. So, at noon, Xia Ruqing ordered a bowl of rich, oily braised pork. She still remembered that when she was growing up and incredibly gluttonous, her maternal grandmother would make it for her. Back then they were poor; she was given just a small bowl, and she would wolf it down as her grandmother watched her with a smile. She had naively asked, "Grandma, why aren’t you eating?" "Grandma doesn’t like it..." Times change, and this had become her most treasured memory. Now, looking at the bright, glistening bowl of braised pork before her, Xia Ruqing still felt a familiar warmth in her heart. She took a small piece of steamed bun, broke it open, stuffed meat inside, and, lowering her head, took a big bite. Zi Yue watched with a sense of helplessness. In the palace, the ladies’ dining was all about being delicate and exquisite. Once at a palace feast, Zi Yue had personally seen Consort Hui Pin eating sweet fermented rice balls from a palm-sized bowl. Consort Hui Pin, holding a small jade spoon, would scoop one thumb-sized glutinous rice ball at a time, and after eating just a few, she would put her spoon down. Her movements were graceful and reserved, a pleasing sight to behold. But her mistress... Zi Yue thought for a moment, then sighed. Never mind, being able to eat is a blessing; it’s not a bad thing at all. 「The Qingming Festival arrived.」 However, since Qingming was close to the third of March, and the Emperor also had to visit the Imperial Mausoleum for tomb sweeping and sacrifices, this year’s third of March celebration would not involve spring outings outside the palace. They would celebrate within the palace instead. On the day of the third of March, the Empress arranged a feast to suit the occasion. Upon hearing there would be no spring outings this year, Noble Concubine Shih felt much better. "Humph! If I can’t go, neither can they..." Although she was pregnant, unable to share the Emperor’s bed, let alone monopolize him, the thought of everyone else going out and leaving her alone in the palace was unbearable for Noble Concubine Shih. Now that no one was going, she felt somewhat more at peace. The feast on the third of March was set in the Imperial Garden. By Taiye Pool, there was a pavilion nestled against the mountain and by the water, offering a particularly fine view. A rockery on one side blocked the cold wind, and it was quite pleasant to bask in the midday sun. When the time came, all the Concubines had arrived; even Hu Liyi, who had been confined for reflection, was granted permission by the Empress to attend. Only Noble Concubine Shih was missing. No matter how displeased the Empress was, she had to pretend not to care in front of everyone. The others dared not discuss it, merely laughing and joking to alleviate the awkward atmosphere. After a short while, Noble Concubine Shih finally arrived, seated high upon her palanquin. As the palanquin touched down, Palace Attendants came forward to help her alight. Her display of status perhaps even overshadowed the Empress’s. "Sisters, sorry to have kept you waiting. It’s truly my fault; pregnancy is tough. You won’t blame me, will you..." Saying this, and without even a glance at the Empress, she made her way to her seat. She certainly carried herself with the air of a Family Matriarch. The Empress furrowed her brows and let out a soft cough. Noble Concubine Shih had just taken her seat. Glancing towards the Empress, she exclaimed in feigned surprise, "Oh my, I must have been momentarily dazed and failed to see Your Majesty the Empress! How terribly remiss of me..." Then, she instructed, "Ying Yue, quickly help me up! I haven’t yet paid my respects to Her Majesty the Empress!" The Empress sneered inwardly but still said, "Let it be. You’re with child; you are excused..." At this moment, even if she harbored immense rage, she had to restrain it. Once everyone was present, the feast began. After a few cups of honey wine, everyone began to chat and laugh. Consort Hui Pin, being graceful and adept at enlivening the mood, told a few jokes that made everyone laugh. The Empress also showed a smile. For a time, as they ate and drank, the atmosphere became harmonious. Only Noble Concubine Shih glanced at the items on the table and frowned. "Your Majesty the Empress," she said, "the banquet is lovely, but... the Imperial Physician has instructed that I mustn’t eat just anything." Upon hearing this, the Empress’s expression immediately changed. "I wonder... what exactly are you implying, dear Noble Consort sister?" She was a pregnant woman; if she hadn’t wanted to come, the Empress wouldn’t have forced her. But since she had come, she neither ate nor drank. Just when the atmosphere had become somewhat congenial, she had to jump in and spoil it. Once the mood turned awkward, she would fall silent again. This had happened several times now. Even with the best of tempers, the Empress could bear it no longer. "In that case, Noble Consort sister, you should hurry back and have some food. It wouldn’t be good if you went hungry..." Unexpectedly, Noble Concubine Shih smiled charmingly. "You needn’t worry, Your Majesty. I have already eaten in my own palace..." The Empress was speechless. If this were my banquet, I’d probably be exploding with anger right now, Xia Ruqing thought. As Noble Concubine Shih wished, the banquet ultimately ended in discord. Noble Concubine Shih remained seated in her palanquin, departing with a lofty, satisfied air. Fuming, the Empress coldly excused herself, claiming to feel unwell, and also left. Seeing no reason to stay, the others departed as well. Xia Ruqing, finding the scenery of the Imperial Garden beautiful, strolled along a small path, enjoying the view on her way to Zhaohua Pavilion. Meanwhile, Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi were also taking a small path, intending to circle the Imperial Garden on their way back. Although they were heading in different directions—one east, one west—their encounter here was somewhat awkward. It was Honored Lady Xi, being younger and livelier, who stepped forward. "So, you’re the Honored Lady who only received the Emperor’s favor after a year in the palace, the one he likes so much?" The Palace Maid Dong Cha, visibly embarrassed, quickly tugged at her mistress’s sleeve. "Honored Lady... our mistress, she..." "It’s alright," Xia Ruqing said with a smile, not taking it to heart. "I imagine your mistress is simply straightforward!" Honored Lady Xi had a round face, and her eyes crinkled into crescents when she smiled. She also had two small dimples at the corners of her mouth, making her look very cute. Seeing that Xia Ruqing wasn’t upset, she turned to her Palace Maid and said, "See? This elder sister isn’t angry. You don’t have to nag me all the time..." Then, she asked Xia Ruqing again, "What’s your zodiac sign? I’m calling you elder sister; you don’t mind, do you...?" Xia Ruqing felt a bit awkward. But seeing Honored Lady Xi’s curious face, she replied, "I turned seventeen after the New Year..." "Then you’re a year older than me! I’ll be sixteen after the New Year. So, I’ll call you Elder Sister Xia from now on..." Having said this, she looked at Xia Ruqing with an expectant expression.