Chapter 77 - 76 Disgust

Xia Ruqing was extremely awkward.If it were the twenty-first century, saying "Let’s be friends" would be no big deal. Now, however, their statuses were a bit strange; they were all concubines to the same man. In the palace, everyone appeared to get along on the surface—I’m good to you, you’re good to me—but in reality, weren’t they all just superficial ’sisterly’ friendships? Bestie bonds and all that? Utter nonsense. After a moment’s hesitation, Xia Ruqing still didn’t agree, offering only an awkward smile. "If... that makes you happy..." It was her business what she wanted to be called; anyway, I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear... Honored Lady Xi, however, was quite excited. She pulled Honored Lady Lan over, laughing happily. "Now we’ll have even more company!" Honored Lady Lan was also very pleased. She was indifferent, really—the more the merrier, right? Honored Lady Xi added, "Elder Sister Xia, do you live at Zhaohua Pavilion? Can we come over and play with you?" Xia Ruqing felt a metaphorical waterfall of sweat pour down her forehead. What? Come play with her? Did they seriously expect some kind of Harem sisterhood? No, no, no! She would die of embarrassment. In principle, they were love rivals. Xia Ruqing was inwardly resistant. Zi Yue, ever so clever, stepped forward with an apologetic smile. "Our Honored Lady hasn’t been well recently. She tires easily and is afraid of appearing negligent!" "Once our Honored Lady is feeling a bit better, you can visit then..." Honored Lady Xi blinked her large eyes, looking at Xia Ruqing’s face. "Mmm, Elder Sister Xia, you really are too thin... Before my mother entered the Harem, she told me..." "She said, ’In the Harem, you must be obedient, don’t stir up trouble, be content and happy, get along well with your sisters, and don’t let anyone bully you...’" As she spoke, she even imitated the tone of a mature woman, which made everyone laugh. Dong Cha said helplessly, "My Lady, we should really head back. Lady Xia isn’t well and needs to rest..." Honored Lady Xi shot Dong Cha a reluctant glare before smilingly bidding Xia Ruqing farewell. "Elder Sister Xia, once you’re better, we’ll come and play with you..." Xia Ruqing was inwardly crying buckets, but on the surface, she had to force a smile. Suit yourself! she thought. After Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi left, Xia Ruqing no longer felt it was appropriate to continue her stroll. After all, she had just told them she wasn’t well and needed to rest. If she continued to wander about, wouldn’t she be contradicting herself? Zi Yue seemed a bit puzzled. "This servant can see... those two Honored Ladies don’t mean any harm. Why did My Lady..." I know they meant no harm. It’s just that I felt awkward... She had only accepted this bizarre ancient Harem of three thousand beauties because she was forced to. She couldn’t change it, and being too cowardly to end her life to prove a point, she had no choice but to accept... How much toxic ’chicken soup for the soul’ had she fed herself to finally overcome that mental block! And now, they expected her to happily play with her husband’s other concubines? Sorry, this consort truly cannot do it! Let’s all just quietly remain strangers... 「Returning from the banquet,」 Xia Ruqing felt she hadn’t eaten enough, so she sent Xiao Xizi for several plates of pastries. There were both savory and sweet ones, and she had a bit of each, washing them down with some tea. Full and satisfied, she then began to feel sleepy... Feigning studiousness with a book in hand, her head bobbed like a pecking chick. Zi Yue, somewhat helpless, couldn’t bear to watch any longer and suggested, "My Lady, why not let this servant teach you needlework? The Emperor’s Grand Birthday is in four months. You should prepare a gift..." Xia Ruqing snapped back from her daydream. "Ah? You’re saying the Emperor... his birthday is coming up?" How could you not know? Zi Yue nodded, her expression clearly saying. Xia Ruqing felt a bit embarrassed, coughed twice, and quickly changed the subject. "Well... I need to think carefully about what to give... By the way, Zi Yue, what do... other people usually give?" Zi Yue felt a wave of helplessness but replied, "The Emperor dislikes extravagance and waste; everyone in the Harem knows this. So, the consorts usually like to make embroidered items to give to His Majesty..." Embroidered items? Xia Ruqing felt a headache coming on. Zi Yue nodded again and continued, "This servant heard that for the Emperor’s Grand Birthday last year, the Empress personally embroidered a screen depicting landscapes of the four seasons for His Majesty..." "And then? Where is it displayed?" Xia Ruqing asked, her curiosity piqued. "That... this servant doesn’t know. I haven’t heard where it’s displayed. Eunuch Li probably stored it in the warehouse," Zi Yue supposed. "Oh..." Xia Ruqing murmured. "Then what about the others? What do they usually give?" There must be simpler options. After all, who would dare to upstage the Empress? Zi Yue thought for a moment before replying, "Some make clothes, some embroider pouches, some make scented sachets—all sorts of things." "’Pouches? If everyone embroidered one, how many would he receive? Could he even wear them all?’ I don’t think I’ve ever seen him wear any pouches." "My Lady, perhaps you should focus on what you want to give!" After contemplating for a moment, Xia Ruqing’s head began to throb. She realized she wouldn’t be able to learn embroidery anytime soon! "Zi Yue, given my skill level, what kind of thing do you think I could create in one month?" The corner of Zi Yue’s mouth twitched slightly. Does My Lady... even possess any skill? Still, as a Senior Palace Maid, it was her duty to alleviate her mistress’s worries. After some thought, she suggested, "How about... you make a pillow? Or... undergarments and socks would be fine too..." A pillow would be in the bedchamber, covered with a pillowcase—who would know what’s inside?! As for undergarments, they’re worn to bed, so ordinary people wouldn’t see them... It’s best to give up on scented sachets and pouches to avoid ridicule. Xia Ruqing considered this briefly and made an immediate decision. "Alright, then I’ll... make a pillow and a set of undergarments. When the time comes, I’ll see which one looks presentable enough to give..." Zi Yue: "..." Xia Ruqing further explained, "If I only make one item and it turns out poorly, I’ll be stuck. But if I make two, I can pick the better one from an imperfect lot, can’t I?" Xia Ruqing felt she was absolutely brilliant... Zi Yue wondered who on earth she had offended in a past life to end up serving such a mistress... 「The next day,」 Xia Ruqing chose a piece of soft, smooth fabric and began to cut it according to a clothing pattern. The patterns for the clothes were readily available. The undergarments didn’t require much embroidery; just cutting, piecing, and stitching them together would suffice. After all, the undergarments the Emperor wore were also unadorned. As long as she made them well, it would be a token of her sincerity. Whether he actually wore them or not... that didn’t matter! Xia Ruqing was quite pleased with her idea. This boosted her confidence even more. However... confidence was just confidence; quality, on the other hand... Zi Yue watched her anxiously from the side, wishing she could take over. "My Lady, you’ve cut this side a little incorrectly..." "My Lady, please keep your hand steady. If the edges aren’t cut smoothly, it won’t look good..."