CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 111: GAINING FAVOR 2

After drinking a bowl of sour bamboo shoot chicken soup, she had a small bowl of cold noodles.

Seeing the grapes still chilled in the agate bowl, her eyes lit up.

She began eating them one after another.

In fact, this was the first time I’ve eaten grapes since coming to ancient times, she thought.

The tribute grapes indeed lived up to their reputation, with thin skins and juicy flesh, sour and sweet in perfect balance.

Once I pick up a bunch, I can’t put them down!

Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but feel a bit stifled upon seeing her devouring them with such indelicacy!

"Haven’t you ever had your fill before?"

"I have, I have!"

As she spoke, she popped another grape into her mouth.

"Then why are you gobbling like this? If someone saw you, they’d think I haven’t fed you well!"

After all, she is my Favored Consort. It’s simply disgraceful if she can’t eat her fill! Zhao Junyao fumed inwardly.

Upon seeing this, Xia Ruqing put down the grapes and looked at him with pitiful eyes.

"But Your Majesty, I’ve never eaten grapes before!"

This statement was, upon closer examination, entirely correct.

In ancient times, grapes were a precious commodity, especially those that arrived so early.

They were transported all the way from the south with ice!

Who could afford to eat them?

Before the original host entered the palace, she was so tricked by Lady Yao that she couldn’t even eat her fill, let alone grapes.

After entering the palace, she was an unfavored Lady and had not been summoned to serve the Emperor for over a year; even if there were grapes, they would never reach her!

Even in the latter half of the year when Xia Ruqing gained favor, it was the wrong season.

There were raisins, but fresh grapes? None!

So yes, this is indeed my first time eating grapes (the ones eaten in the 21st century don’t count)!

Zhao Junyao hadn’t even become angry before his heart softened.

"Alright, go on and eat..."

She didn’t put on airs, and her face immediately brightened from cloudy to sunny.

Without any hesitation, she continued eating!

While eating, she was still muttering in her heart, Marrying an Emperor sure is great, huh! Just imagine if I hadn’t entered the palace and had been married off to a pauper by Lady Yao! I’d be left to eat the northwest wind!

Zhao Junyao watched her eat with a satisfied expression.

His appetite was piqued as well.

He gracefully picked a grape with his slender and attractive fingers, gently peeled it, and popped it into his mouth.

Hmm, it is quite sweet. This little girl... she’s so easily content. A bunch of grapes can make her this happy! Although... I do somewhat disapprove of her shallow, unambitious nature. Yet why am I so pleased in my heart, wanting to pamper her!

The scene from last night in Xifu Palace resurfaced in his mind. The Noble Consort had been full of silent resentment, hysterical, her eyes brimming with malice. I couldn’t bear to even glance at her a moment longer. Both are my women, yet can the difference be so vast? Have I given Wanxin too little? Favor, offspring, status. What does Lady Xia have? She has nothing.

With that thought, Zhao Junyao felt an indescribable sensation in his heart.

Is it... tenderness?

"Qingqing..." he called out softly.

"Hmm?"

"Do you want to go back home for a visit?" he asked.

"Of course, I do! How could I not?" Xia Ruqing answered, her voice muffled by grapes.

"My brother got into White Horse Academy, and I don’t know if my stepmother has been giving him a hard time. Of course, I want to go back and see!"

Zhao Junyao then smiled.

"Then I’ll take you for a visit!"

Right now, there isn’t much I can give her, so... I’ll start by offering my support! In the future... Well, in the future... there will be opportunities! I certainly won’t leave her in a lowly position forever. But everything has to happen naturally; otherwise, it could backfire and harm her!

After eating and drinking their fill, the two of them cleaned up and went to sleep.

At night, Xia Ruqing slept hazily, clinging to Zhao Junyao like an octopus.

He woke up instantly and saw that she was sound asleep. Zhao Junyao sighed in mock exasperation. This girl, really... In the entire Harem, no one probably leads a more comfortable life than she does.

With another sigh, he gently pried her clinging arms and legs off him. He laid her legs flat and wrapped her arms around his own waist. Then, he gently pulled her head to rest on his arm.

Xia Ruqing slept like a log, unaware of anything.

Zhao Junyao, however, was very satisfied. He kissed her on the face and then continued to sleep.

When Xia Ruqing woke up the next day, Zhao Junyao was long gone from her side.

Zi Yue came in to attend to her washing and dressing. Seeing that she was still sleeping, Zi Yue couldn’t help but smile helplessly.

"My Lady, while other concubines are getting up to assist the Emperor with his washing and dressing, you’re still..."

Although saying this was a bit against the rules, Zi Yue felt that her mistress was truly... She just had to say something!

Xia Ruqing squinted her eyes and dozed at the bedside.

"It’s so early, I can’t get up!"

Zi Yue shook her head with a look of helplessness.

Just as she was about to say something else, Xia Ruqing spoke again.

"Alright, I’m getting up now. Call Xiao Xizi to fetch the meal. I want to drink millet porridge!"

"Yes!"

Zi Yue knew she couldn’t say any more, so she withdrew.

Coming back from Jiaofang Hall, Xia Ruqing hadn’t even entered the door when Xiao Xizi greeted her happily.

"My Lady!"

"You’re so happy? Did Xiao Weizi give you something nice again?"

Xiao Xizi said with a giggle, "You’ll know once you take a look, My Lady!"

Saying so, she led Xia Ruqing inside.

Upon entering, Xia Ruqing noticed several large baskets in the room: grapes, honey peaches, apples, and several other kinds of fresh fruit.

"What’s all this...?" Xia Ruqing was stunned.

As an Honored Lady, I shouldn’t have these, should I?

Xiao Xizi then said, "The Emperor had someone send them!"

"Oh!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

If they were from the Emperor, then there was no problem; there was nothing to fear in accepting them!

Right away, she asked Xiao Xizi to cut up the fruit, making sure there was a share for each of them!

"The rest can be chilled with well water. I’ll enjoy them slowly!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue happily responded.

「In the blink of an eye, it was late May.」

The Emperor had already planned to leave the palace at the beginning of June to conduct a southern inspection tour.

The concubines who were to accompany him were also decided.

That day, the Empress announced, "Consort Yun, Honored Lady Lan, Honored Lady Xi, and Lady Xia will accompany the Emperor. You four go back and prepare well; if you lack anything, go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to claim what you need!"

The four who were named quickly rose from their seats and bowed.

"Many thanks, Empress!"

The others, however, were far from pleased.

For instance... Consort Zheng Pin and Honored Lady Hu.

Although Honored Lady Hu was dissatisfied, she dared not say anything; her entire life and fortune were in the hands of the Empress.

She certainly knew the Empress’s purpose in keeping her behind.

As for Consort Zheng Pin, she couldn’t quite hold back and asked, "Empress, may I ask why I was not chosen?"

Seeing that it was her, a hint of contempt flickered across the Empress’s eyes, but she still smiled.

"It’s also the Emperor’s wish. I have no say in the matter. If sister wishes to go, you only need to speak with the Emperor!"

These words were a blatant jab at Consort Zheng Pin.

Everyone knew that it had been ages since Consort Zheng Pin had her name tablet chosen by the Emperor.

In fact, when it came to accompanying the Emperor on his journey, why would the Emperor concern himself? It was all decided by the Empress. The Empress naturally chose those the Emperor favored. Otherwise, would she pick a few people just to annoy the Emperor? She wasn’t that foolish! The ones she picked were all favored by the Emperor. It wasn’t good for one to stand out too much; let them fight it out. It would be best if they fought until both sides were crippled!