CHAPTER 647: CHAPTER 647 ROUGE INTOXICATION

I suppose the Emperor has quite a refined taste, doesn’t he? Fragrance Candles, tsk tsk!

Seeing that she liked them, Zhao Junyao smiled and said, "These are newly obtained from the Empress Dowager. If you like them, I can also get some for you!"

"Ah?"

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised. The Empress Dowager?

Zhao Junyao then explained, "Although these items are not worth much money, they are very complicated to make and hard to produce in large quantities, so they are not included in the list of tribute items! It’s only occasionally that merchants will bring some over! Therefore, they are not very common in the Great Chu Dynasty! However, the Empress Dowager happened to come across them and said she liked the fragrance, so she had someone get a few!"

Xia Ruqing then understood.

So that’s how it is! So it was the fragrance the Emperor brought with him from his morning visit to the Empress Dowager! Hmm, it really does smell good.

"Emperor, your concubine should not accept. This is something the Empress Dowager likes!" Xia Ruqing was a bit uneasy.

She always felt that the Empress Dowager had been too nice lately, which felt a bit off. Yet upon further thought, it seemed there was nothing amiss.

Zhao Junyao didn’t think too much of it and laughed. "It’s nothing much. I’ll get you some good ones later!"

After speaking, he laughed and drank his tea.

Xia Ruqing could hardly refuse anymore, so she nodded. "Thank you, Emperor!"

That very night, just after Xia Ruqing had finished dinner, Little Zhuzi came over, surreptitiously carrying an exquisite box.

"Consort Xian Pin!"

"Please, rise!" Xia Ruqing said with a smile, calling for a small stool to be brought for him.

Little Zhuzi, flattered, kept saying he didn’t dare.

Bending forward with a smile, he said, "Consort Xian Pin, the Emperor sent this servant! This is something the Emperor had specially obtained from a few foreign merchants, the finest Western Regions Rouge Drunk!"

As he spoke, he opened the exquisitely carved wooden box.

Under the bright candlelight, on the crimson-colored velvet cloth, lay two neat rows of jade boxes, each as thick as a child’s arm. They emanated a soft glow.

The jade was top-quality, with excellent translucency, and one could faintly see the rouge-colored candles within.

A refreshing hint of rose fragrance diffused from the box, not too strong but just right.

Xia Ruqing was momentarily entranced.

Little Zhuzi chuckled from the side. "Your Highness, why not take a look inside?"

People always yearn for beautiful things; they might say no, but their hearts are honest.

Xia Ruqing rubbed her hands and gently picked up a jade box.

Slowly twisting it, even before it was fully opened, a stronger scent of roses burst out from the seam.

The fragrance spread around her, penetrating her pores, eyes, and skin. Before long, the entire room was filled with the refreshing scent of roses.

The lid was removed.

The crimson candles inside the jade box were revealed, emitting a semi-translucent luster under the bright candlelight. The scent continued to emerge from the candles, rich yet not overpowering, mellow yet not vulgar.

Xia Ruqing exclaimed in admiration, "So beautiful! So pretty!"

Little Zhuzi smiled and said, "The Emperor said that he couldn’t find the same fragrance as the one the Empress Dowager has, only this rose one!"

Xia Ruqing was even more pleased. "This is perfect! I like this one even more!"

Besides, I wouldn’t want to use the same fragrance as the Empress Dowager, right? How awkward would that be!

Little Zhuzi added, "If Your Highness likes it, then this servant will take his leave!"

Xia Ruqing kept the box and instructed Zi Yue to see Little Zhuzi out properly.

Upon returning from outside, Zi Yue said with a smile, "The Emperor is truly considerate to you, Your Highness. In just over half a day, he found these for you!"

Xia Ruqing was very happy.

The feeling of being cherished in the palm of her Emperor husband’s hand is truly wonderful! Even without discussing emotions, life has its own flavors and joys, doesn’t it?

"Put it away! I will use it when I return from paying my respects tomorrow!"

If I were to use it overnight and then go pay my respects at Jiaofang Hall tomorrow, others would surely smell it on me, and that would lead to trouble!

"Alright then!" Zi Yue smiled and agreed.

「The next day, paying respects at Jiaofang Hall.」

The Empress was still lofty, exuding a graceful and luxurious demeanor.

After taking a sip of tea, the Empress laughed and said, "The day after tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I will be busy tomorrow, so none of you need to come pay respects!"

Speaking of being busy, the Empress still felt a sense of superiority; she was the Empress, overseeing The Six Palaces. It was only at this time that she was a unique existence. All the women of the Harem, no matter how favored on ordinary days, had to step aside now! And only at this time could the Empress stand tall with the prestige she was meant to have.

All the concubines stood up and respectfully agreed.

Only the Noble Consort was disdainful. She looked down on the Empress.

If she had become the Empress herself back then, she would never have allowed the likes of Lady Xia and Lady Cheng to give birth to princes first. This Empress is just too pathetic!

The Empress gazed coldly at the Noble Consort for a moment, accustomed to the scorn in her eyes. She offered a faint smile and chose not to bother with her.

After giving a few more instructions, she said, "I have other matters to attend to, so you may all leave now!"

With that, she set down her tea and rose to her feet.

Everyone quickly stood up to see her off, but let’s not dwell on that.

This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival feast was quite similar to previous years. If there was any difference, it was the presence of Prince Yan this year.

Prince Yan, using his ill health and homesickness as a reason, had not left the Capital City since returning at the end of last year. The Prince Yan Mansion was not too big, but it was spacious enough for the old couple. With limited mobility in his legs and no real friends, Prince Yan spent his days leisurely: drinking tea, reading books, tending to fish, and playing with birds.

Out of filial piety, Zhao Junyao had sent people to visit him several times. He even sent the Imperial Physician to treat his legs. Though Prince Yan couldn’t stand up, reducing some of the pain was still possible. Prince Yan was always very grateful. His relationship with Zhao Junyao as uncle and nephew became increasingly close.

For the Mid-Autumn Festival feast, as the Imperial Uncle of the Emperor, Prince Yan was naturally among the essential invitees. Thus, Princess Consort Yan was naturally invited to the Harem as well.

Although the Empress Dowager and Prince Yan had some past issues, many years had gone by, and they were still blood-related royalty. It wasn’t necessary to continually avoid these topics. Otherwise, it would just be drawing more attention to the matter.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival feast, the autumn sky was clear, with a refreshing breeze and bright sunshine. The chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden bloomed in a bustling and lively display. It was a truly delightful sight.

The Empress, on a whim, decided to arrange all the banquet tables in a waterside pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Opposite the pavilion was an open space. The Empress also had a stage set up. She invited the best troupe from outside the palace to come and perform.

The food and drinks had been prepared in advance.

Once the site was set up, the Empress was just about to rest when she checked the time. It was almost upon them, and titled ladies from outside the palace had even begun to arrive in succession.

The Empress then rose again.

"Your Majesty! How can you keep going without a break?" Yu Lan said worriedly.

The Empress smiled helplessly. "What else can I do?"

"Alright, stop dawdling. Several elders from the Royal Clan will be arriving soon. I must hurry!" Having said this, she got up.

Yu Lan and Sister Ji exchanged glances and quickly followed her.

Sister Ji still felt uneasy. The Empress is still on her monthly period! Such exertion could lead to chronic health problems!