CHAPTER 625: CHAPTER 625: THE REPUTATION OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

Now, it was fine; he hadn’t singled anyone out. Her companions were the Princes and Princesses.

This time, the jealousy directed at me should be much less, right?

However, in reality... Xia Ruqing was greatly mistaken.

The jealousy hadn’t decreased at all; instead, there was even more resentment.

As soon as she looked up, she saw Noble Concubine Shih, tearfully gazing at the Emperor. Her expression was as though she was looking at a faithless lover.

That afternoon, the Emperor spent some time playing with the Princes and Princesses. He also said a few words to the Empress before leaving. Before he left, he also entrusted Xia Ruqing with some matters regarding the Little Prince.

This was perfectly understandable, however... in Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes, it was utterly outrageous.

At the end, when everyone was dispersing, Noble Concubine Shih blocked her path, sneering coldly, "Lady Xia! You really have some tricks up your sleeve! It’s only been a few short years since you entered the palace, yet you’ve ensnared the Emperor so completely he can’t take his eyes off you!"

It was as if everyone else had become mere wooden posts in the Emperor’s eyes.

Xia Ruqing was no pushover to be manipulated by her, and she sneered back, "Noble Consort, you are mistaken! This subject is but a lowly concubine in the Harem! The Emperor is the ruler of the nation, preoccupied with myriad affairs. How could he have eyes only for me? Could it be... that Your Highness the Noble Consort believes the Emperor is unwise, to be so easily deceived by a woman?"

Only then did Noble Concubine Shih realize she had misspoken. Consequently, her glare intensified.

"Spare me your wild and scheming defenses. If it weren’t for you, a vixen, how would my cousin have ended up like this?" Noble Concubine Shih was bordering on hysteria.

Xia Ruqing did not get angry but smiled faintly. "May I ask Your Highness the Noble Consort, what has the Emperor become now?"

One moment you call me a vixen, the next you criticize the Emperor! Honestly, the Emperor hasn’t changed; he simply doesn’t favor you anymore.

Her remark successfully silenced Noble Concubine Shih. Slandering the Emperor behind his back was a grave offense! This was a crime she could not bear. The days when the Emperor bestowed upon her infinite favor and indulgence were over.

With this in mind, Noble Concubine Shih sneered coldly, "Lady Xia, don’t be so smug! My today will be your tomorrow! Next year, during the selection of the Fine Ladies for the palace, how will you, a woman who has given birth, compete with those fresh and tender young blossoms? I look forward to that day arriving soon! HAHA!"

Noble Concubine Shih’s laughter was uglier than her crying; she left with a ferocious face.

Xia Ruqing found it all very tedious.

She considered: she had a son and status; even if she lost favor, life wouldn’t be too difficult. Thinking this, she stopped worrying.

She rolled her eyes at the Noble Consort’s retreating figure and turned to leave.

Zhao Junyao left the rear garden and headed straight for the study. The education he had received since childhood emphasized adages like ’indulgence in pleasure saps one’s will’ and ’beautiful women are a cause of disaster.’ For this reason, from a young age, he couldn’t be with too many beautiful women. Those around him were all Sisters. The Palace Maids serving him were also mostly of plain appearance, honest and simple types. Even so, he couldn’t always be immersed in a ’gaggle of women.’

Hence, being with so many concubines made Zhao Junyao feel uncomfortably out of place. He wasn’t used to it! It was simply too clamorous. Moreover, he still couldn’t get used to so many gazes conveying ’I want to sleep with you’ fixed on him simultaneously. So, he went to the study; even just sipping tea there would be better.

However... Imagination is always beautiful; reality, however...

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it’s terrible..." Li Shengan’s expression was somewhat flustered, his steps heavy.

Zhao Junyao, holding his teacup, asked indifferently, "What is it?! Such a fuss over nothing! What could possibly happen in the South Garden?"

Li Shengan thudded to his knees, trembling as he reported, "News from the palace! There’s trouble in Ningshou Palace!"

Zhao Junyao’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and the cup in his hand creaked as he clenched it. "What? Ningshou Palace? What’s happened to the Empress Dowager?"

Although he didn’t particularly like the Empress Dowager, she was, after all, his birth mother; it was impossible for him not to care at all!

Li Shengan almost cried with fright as he hurriedly explained, "An incident occurred in Ningshou Palace; Her Majesty the Empress Dowager fainted from anger!"

Zhao Junyao loosened his grip on the cup. On the pristine white, jade-like unglazed porcelain teacup, several large cracks had starkly appeared! That’s right, he had crushed it!

Zhao Junyao flung the cup onto the ground where Li Shengan knelt, barking coldly, "You only answer what you’re asked and say nothing more unless questioned, is that it? When did you pick up this wretched habit? Truly infuriating!"

The unglazed porcelain teacup shattered on the ground before Li Shengan. Some shards flew onto him, tearing his clothes and even drawing a little blood on his arm. Li Shengan couldn’t be bothered with that; he kowtowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it was the Sixth Master! The Sixth Master molested a Palace Maid in the Empress Dowager’s palace. That Palace Maid was forced, and unable to bear the humiliation, she committed suicide! When the Empress Dowager found out, she fainted from anger! Consort Zhen Taipin has already been kneeling before the Empress Dowager’s main hall for an entire day!"

As the former mistress of the Harem, the Empress Dowager was undoubtedly someone Consort Zhen Taipin dared not offend. Usually, no matter how arrogant and spoiled she acted, it was only because she had borne two sons, and the Empress Dowager couldn’t do much to her. Now, however... the Empress Dowager had caught her in such a fault.

She wondered what would happen to Little Sixth now. Consort Zhen Taipin was sick with regret. Fearful and regretful. Kneeling under the scorching sun all day, her skin had turned red, yet she remained oblivious.

In the South Garden, outside the palace, Zhao Junyao heard this news. First came shock, then a mixture of shock and fury.

"Audacious! A mere Little Prince, to actually do such a thing! This is truly a disgrace to the Imperial household! If Imperial Father knew, how disappointed he would be!"

Zhao Junyao’s eyes became deep and piercing.

Little Sixth, oh Little Sixth, We knew you were prone to mischief, but We never thought this time you would actually cause a death!

Zhao Junyao slammed his palm on the table, making the cups on it jump high and tea spill everywhere. "Attendants! Relay Our verbal edict: lock him up first, and We shall discuss it later!"

Killing him is definitely not an option. It is said that if The King breaks the law, he is to be punished like a commoner. But he estimated that before he could even throw Little Sixth into the Imperial Prison, Consort Zhen Taipin would dare to hang herself at the gates of Zhaochen Palace. Most importantly, when that happens, everyone will know that a Prince molested and violated a Palace Maid; the Royal Family’s reputation will be utterly obliterated. Imperial Father’s and Our own many years of hard work would also go up in smoke. Ugh... The price is too steep. Zhao Junyao would not do such a foolish thing.

Thus, he gave another order, "First, get the matter investigated thoroughly. As for the rest, We will deal with it after returning to the palace!"

"Yes!" Li Shengan hastily kowtowed.

"Get out!"

"Yes! This servant will go at once!" With that, Li Shengan scrambled out.

Once this incident occurred, they could no longer stay in the South Garden. Zhao Junyao ordered people to start packing up. Two days later, he hastily returned to the palace with his consorts.

Upon returning to the palace, Consort Zhen Taipin immediately went to Zhaochen Palace.

"Your Majesty..."