CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 13 INITIAL VICTORY

"Yes! This servant will go at once!" Li Shengan hurriedly retreated.

"Come back!" Zhao Junyao called out to him again.

"Your Majesty?" Li Shengan hastily turned back.

"If word of this matter gets out, I will hold you accountable," Zhao Junyao warned, neither too lightly nor too heavily.

Li Shengan’s heart thundered with fear. "Yes! This servant understands!"

"This servant takes his leave!"

When he left, Li Shengan wiped the sweat from his forehead! He realized that he was increasingly unable to fathom the Emperor’s thoughts.

The crime of deceiving the Emperor could still be willingly overlooked by His Majesty; it seemed that Lady Xia was indeed no ordinary person!

With this thought, Li Shengan quickly summoned his apprentice.

"Lady Xia has been unwell lately. Go to the Imperial Kitchen, pass the word, and instruct them to take good care of her. Remember, this matter must be kept secret!"

Li Shengan spoke with a solemn face, frightening his apprentice so much his complexion changed.

Little Zhuzi acknowledged and dashed off toward the Imperial Kitchen as if his life depended on it, fearing any delay!

Li Shengan personally went to the storeroom to select some tonic gifts, along with the calligraphy the Emperor had bestowed, and personally delivered them to Zhaohua Pavilion.

...

Xia Ruqing looked at the pile of precious tonics and renowned calligraphy exemplars for ladies before her, her eyes rimmed red with emotion!

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your profound favor!" She knelt down and kowtowed.

The first battle was a success!

The Emperor’s willingness to protect her just a little meant more than currying favor with the Empress and Noble Concubine Shih.

Since her transmigration, she had kept a low profile, trembling with trepidation; she had finally managed to step away from the brink of death and wouldn’t be easily crushed by others!

This was indeed breaking through!

At least there was no longer a threat to her life, right? If the Emperor was willing to protect her, she wouldn’t lose her life so easily.

After all, the ultimate master of the Harem was still the Emperor.

Thinking this, she felt like crying!

"Lady Xia, please get up quickly!" Li Shengan was startled.

Of course, he didn’t understand all the intricate details and just thought that Lady Xia was grateful to the Emperor.

"Honored Lady, take care of yourself. This servant will take his leave now!" Li Shengan said, even more politely.

She truly knows how to show gratitude. No wonder the Emperor is partial to her.

"Eunuch Li, please take your time leaving!"

Xia Ruqing stood up and personally offered a purse, seeing Eunuch Li out the door properly.

Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue were so happy upon learning the reason, they almost burst into tears!

Xia Ruqing wiped away her tears and took out a rather large silver tael. "Take this to the Imperial Kitchen; let’s have something nice to eat tonight!"

"Yes, my lady!" Xiao Xizi said, his face alight with excitement.

"The Double Ninth Festival is in two days. You have received favor from the Emperor, so there is no need to attend the banquet. Why don’t we celebrate the festival together?"

"That sounds wonderful! What customs are there? What delicious food?" Xia Ruqing’s eyes sparkled with hope.

"Didn’t you celebrate the festival back at home?" Zi Yue asked, puzzled.

"Uh... not really. My mother passed away early, and my father was busy, so..." Xia Ruqing made excuses.

Who celebrates the Double Ninth Festival in the twenty-first century!

Zi Yue’s face suddenly stiffened with guilt. "This servant has done wrong, bringing up the lady’s sad memories!"

For a woman, there was nothing more sorrowful than the early death of her mother. Why did she always bring up such painful subjects!

"It’s alright! You didn’t mean to," Xia Ruqing said, feeling somewhat guilty.

Luckily, the previous owner of her body hadn’t brought a personal maid into the palace, or her cover would have been blown just by her handwriting.

It seemed heaven was still not too harsh on her.

「Jiaofang Hall」

The Empress had arranged the Double Ninth Festival feast early on, complete with food, drink, and a troupe of performers—all was ready.

"We’ll hold the banquet in the Imperial Garden then. It’s spacious! The weather has been good these past couple of days too!"

"Nobody thinks of everything quite like Your Highness!" Yu Lan said with a smile.

The Empress nodded with a smile and then asked, "How is Lady Xia’s illness? Why would she fall ill so suddenly!"

Finding someone who could give Noble Concubine Shih a headache was hard enough, but before she could be put to good use, she fell ill—such misfortune!

"It is said that the Respectful Affairs Office has even removed her nameplate, which seems to indicate her illness is quite serious!" Yu Lan frowned as well.

"Enough of that! Go tell the Imperial Physician to have a look later and send her some tonics! If those are of no help, then leave her be!" The Empress waved her hand with some impatience.

She was kind and virtuous, but she was not a Bodhisattva. They suffered, and she suffered as well! She could hardly take care of herself, let alone others!

"Yes, Your Highness!" Yu Lan’s expression did not change.

Having been in the palace for so many years, she had learned one thing: Dispose of things that are of no use, and do not bother with the life and death of people who are of no use!

Otherwise, carrying an excess of burdens will only impede one’s ascent!

「On the seventh day of the ninth month, at Zichen Hall in the afternoon.」

The Chief Steward of the Respectful Affairs Office, Feng Anfu, carefully presented a silver tray before the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, it is time to pick a consort!"

The Emperor had not chosen a consort for the past couple of days. The last time he did, he had visited Noble Concubine Shih. It was uncertain which consort would have the fortune this time.

Zhao Junyao looked over the lineup.

In the section for Honored Ladies, it was empty: Honored Lady Hu was grounded, Lady Xia was ill, Lady Xia... Lady Xia...

His heart felt itchy.

"No need to choose today!" Zhao Junyao waved his hand dismissively, and Feng Anfu promptly withdrew.

At night, Zhao Junyao was somewhat restless in bed, his lips curling into a slight smile as he thought of Lady Xia.

That little enchantress was indeed clever and bold!

In the Harem, the Empress and Noble Concubine Shih dominated, and anyone who stood out even slightly found life difficult.

If she relied on the Empress, Noble Concubine Shih would torment her. Conversely, the Empress would be even more ruthless!

In such a situation, she actually had the clarity to see the overall landscape and find her way to him—tactful and intelligent!

Zhao Junyao was delighted. Men, regardless of their status, always enjoy playing the role of the hero saving a beauty from distress, and he was no exception.

The feeling of being relied upon from the bottom of one’s heart was the highest praise and recognition for a man!

He did not normally like to get involved in Harem affairs, but if the little enchantress chose him as her refuge, how could he let her down?

Although the deep palace was fraught with danger, he still had more than enough ability to protect someone!

...

The Imperial Kitchen, having received the Emperor’s instructions, and with Xia Ruqing offering some silver, ensured that the evening meal was quite lavish, featuring six dishes and two soups, all exquisite.

Besides what was usually allotted to an Honored Lady, several more dishes were added!

This did not sit well with some. Consort Yun’s Senior Palace Maid, Cai Die, remarked sarcastically, "Just an Honored Lady, and she gets so many dishes?"

While packing food boxes, Xiao Xizi smiled apologetically, "Our lady is not in good health. She spent silver for these. The Imperial Physician said she needs nourishment, and several dishes are medicinal diets!"

Hearing this, Cai Die said no more, snorted softly through her nose, and strutted off.

"What about our lady’s meal?"

"Ah, it’s coming right up!"

Xiao Weizi cast an apologetic glance at Xiao Xizi and hurried off.

All were esteemed figures, and he could not afford to offend any of them.

Consort Yun’s father held an official position in the Ministry of Revenue and was a subordinate of Grand Tutor Shih. Consequently, Consort Yun had to disfavor anyone Noble Concubine Shih disfavored.

If the consorts of the Harem were divided into two factions, Consort Yun would undoubtedly be one of Noble Concubine Shih’s staunch supporters.

On the night she received the stack of "Women Precepts," Noble Concubine Shih summoned Consort Yun, and the two secretly conferred for a long while.

Since that day, Consort Yun’s people had been looking for trouble at every turn.