CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 105: WHOSE COMBAT POWER IS STRONGER?

Zi Yue smiled as she took the clothes.

Xiao Hui smiled and gestured to her, "Inspect the clothes before you put them away. If they are not suitable, they can still be altered!"

Zi Yue smiled and spread the clothes out on the couch. After carefully measuring them with her own tape measure, she then said, "They’re all good! You’ve worked hard!"

Saying this, she handed over a purse.

Xiao Hui was taken aback for a moment, waved her hands, and gestured, saying, "No need for this; it is what I should do!"

Zi Yue also smiled and insisted, "It’s just some Small Pieces Silver, not worth much. But it’s hot summer weather, and you’ve taken the trouble to come here. Take it to buy some herbal tea to drink!"

Xiao Hui hesitated for a while before accepting it! She joyfully examined it from side to side and then bowed deeply to Zi Yue before withdrawing.

When there was nothing to do, Zi Yue would sew many purses, each filled with Small Pieces Silver of various sizes. In the palace, such gestures were important. A small purse might not win someone over, but it was always good to make a charitable connection. If misfortune ever came, having one less person to kick you while you are down would make the master’s life a bit easier, wouldn’t it?

Xia Ruqing agreed with this. Although I’m poor now, I can’t be stingy!

She was really out of money; her monthly silver allowance was all handed over to Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi to manage. Here a purse, there a purse, she sent them out. She was so poor she couldn’t even afford a sugar cube!

In ancient times, sugar cubes were a rare commodity. Sugarcane and beets were not considered staple grains; they were difficult to grow and didn’t sell at a good price, so common people were reluctant to cultivate them. Merchants would buy them at a low price from farmers and ask craftsmen to refine them into sugar cubes, which were then sold at a high price. Most of the profits went into the merchants’ pockets. As a result, sugar production never increased. Over time, sugar cubes became something only the wealthy could afford.

In the palace, the allocation of sugar cubes was limited. Only ladies with the rank of concubine and above could eat sugar cubes. The rank of Honored Lady did not include them. Want to eat? Sure, but you have to buy them with silver!

Last time, she went to see the rabbits at Honored Lady Xi’s place. The southern sugar and dried fruits in her box were bought with silver, weren’t they? Otherwise, why would she treasure them so much? When she arrived, Honored Lady Xi had to rummage through boxes and cabinets to find them, treating her with them as if she were presenting treasures.

Remembering Honored Lady Xi’s simple and honest appearance, Xia Ruqing almost couldn’t help but chuckle. Perhaps she too had a sweet tooth; those sugar cubes must not have been cheap.

Ahem, I’ve digressed, let’s get back on track.

「...」

Xia Ruqing tried on the four sets of clothes that were brought to her.

"Not bad, they all fit well!"

Saying this, she took them off and asked Zi Yue to put them away.

"Keep them for now; they’re not needed at the moment!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue acknowledged.

「The next day, when they went to Jiaofang Hall to pay respects,」

The Empress specifically inquired about this matter.

"Have you all received your clothes? Make sure no one is left out."

Projecting an image of kindness and generosity was the Empress’s specialty.

"They have all arrived, thank you, Empress!" everyone responded in unison.

The Empress smiled and waved her hand. "Rise, all of you. We’re all family here; there’s no need for such courtesy!"

Sitting back in her place, Xia Ruqing thought, The Empress seems particularly happy today, could there be a reason?

As she thought, she heard the Empress say, "Next month, the Emperor is heading down to Jiangnan. Just last night, he discussed it with me. It’s a bit sudden this time, and who to take along is still undecided. It’s the Emperor’s decision, so all of you should just start preparing!"

With that sentence, the room below exploded into commotion. Everyone began chattering.

Consort Yun kept her head low, yet her eyes shone the brightest. If she could follow, gaining the Emperor’s favor, wouldn’t that increase her father’s chances? Six years! That one mistake had cost her father so dearly. And the main culprits... Lady Xia! Lady Hu! Neither of them should expect an easy life!

Xia Ruqing’s eyes were also bright, but... Her thoughts differed from the others. Whether or not she went on the southern tour was not her decision to make. Listening to the Empress casually boast made her wickedly conjure up some scenarios. A woman who, alone in her chamber, lived a life akin to any widow’s. And a man with a Harem of three thousand beauties, his concubines flocking around him like a swarm. Who had the greater fighting spirit?!! The more she thought about it, the harder it was to suppress her laughter! She couldn’t quite imagine the specifics, but one could assume the battle was fierce! No wonder the Empress had this look on her face today: ’I finally got laid by my hubby, I’m so happy, don’t I look a bit younger after being nourished?’!

By the time Xia Ruqing leisurely gathered her thoughts back together, the Empress had already changed the subject. She was now speaking to Consort Yun.

"I wonder how Noble Consort’s health has been? You live close to her; has her morning sickness improved?"

Consort Yun smiled. "Replying to the Empress, the Noble Consort is doing very well, eating and sleeping well. The Imperial Physician just recently checked her pulse and said the fetus is stable and both mother and child are healthy!"

The Empress smiled, relieved. "That’s good; I won’t worry, then!" While speaking, she put her hands together, feigning a prayer. "I only hope that the heavens bless Noble Consort with giving birth to a son for the Emperor, to provide an heir for our ancestors!"

She continued, instructing them further, "And all of you, especially Lady Xia, Honored Lady Xi, who have recently been favored the most, should consider the Emperor’s needs more and strive to bear him sons and daughters. It wouldn’t be in vain for the Emperor to dote on both of you!"

Xia Ruqing and Honored Lady Xi exchanged glances and hurriedly knelt down.

"This servant will heed the Empress’s instructions!"

The Empress nodded with satisfaction. "All rise. You may leave if there’s nothing else. The weather is getting hotter, so be careful not to fall ill from the heat!"

Everyone thanked her and withdrew!

「After rising, the Empress returned to her inner chamber, and Yu Lan helped her out of her outer robe. Sister Ji brought a bowl of soup over.」

"Your Majesty, have some mung bean soup to help cool down."

The Empress was about to drink it when she suddenly rested her hand on her abdomen. After hesitating for a moment, she frowned and said, "Sister, the mung bean is too cooling. I’d better not drink it. Bring me some snow fungus soup instead!"

Sister Ji looked, then hesitated and said, "You’re being overly cautious, Your Majesty. Mung bean should really be fine!" Still, it’s always good to be cautious!

Saying this, she took it back and brought over another bowl of soup.

The Empress seemed thirsty. She took the soup and had several sips before putting down the spoon. After thinking for a moment, she instructed further, "Noble Consort there, the fetus is stable, and mother and child are well?!"

Yu Lan lowered her head, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Empress contemplated for a moment, stirring her spoon in the soup bowl several times. Then, with narrowed eyes, she quietly instructed, "Go tell Honored Lady Hu, if I don’t hear any good news before the Emperor leaves, she will never have a chance to turn her fate around!"

Yu Lan hesitated for a moment. "So soon? It’s not even half a month yet!"

The Empress sneered, "Should we wait until the Emperor is gone? When the Emperor goes on his southern tour, I will definitely stay in the palace. Noble Consort, being pregnant, won’t go either. If..."