CHAPTER 675: CHAPTER 675: PRESUMPTUOUS!

The Honored Ladies clicked their tongues in admiration, though their hearts were filled more with envy.

Another quarter of an hour passed.

The rest of the attendees had nearly all arrived.

The Empress and Zhao Junyao arrived one after the other.

The Empress, still recovering from her illness, looked somewhat pale. She advanced to pay her respects upon seeing the Emperor.

Zhao Junyao didn’t even spare her a glance. He waved his hand dismissively and uttered not a single word. His disgust was obvious.

If it wasn’t for Qingqing, Zhao Junyao would never appear at an event where the Empress was present!

The Empress was so awkward she didn’t know what to do until Consort Ning offered her a supportive arm.

"Your Majesty is unwell. Please, sit down quickly!"

Holding Consort Ning’s hand, the Empress felt a chill seep into her heart.

After Noble Consort Shih performed her courtesies and took her seat, she happened to witness the Empress’s predicament. A rare smile touched the lips of Noble Consort Shih, who had been subdued for a long time.

Hmph! This is the karmic retribution she deserves! Back then, you protected that wretch Xia Ruqing at every turn! Now that she has soared high, squeezing you out until you don’t even have a place to stand, are you happy?! Hmph! She deserves it! She truly deserves it! Empress, even if I have fallen into disgrace, don’t think you’ll have an easy time either!

Her own fall from grace was also related to that wretch, Lady Xia. If the Empress hadn’t intervened, how could a mere Lady like her have ever reached this stage! Noble Consort Shih’s gaze towards the Empress held a trace of icy malice.

「...」

The banquet was held in a grand, heated pavilion. There were windows on all four sides. The room, warmed by Ground Dragons and filled with people, grew lively with the chatter and laughter of the women, like a flock of orioles. The room quickly grew warm.

Li Shengan surveyed the room and instructed someone to open all the windows a crack, about half a foot wide. A crisp breeze, carrying the scent of sunshine, drifted in. The temperature in the room cooled slightly, and everyone found the gentle breeze on their faces quite refreshing.

Xia Ruqing felt as if she had been given a new lease on life. Before this, she had been sitting in her seat, feeling as though she were on pins and needles.

The reason was that she felt like vomiting again, though Xia Ruqing couldn’t find a reason why. Why did she, who once loved fish and shrimp, now feel such revulsion towards the shrimp dumplings before her? Why did she, who had never been particularly sensitive to the scent of cosmetics, now find it so repulsive?

While the others chatted and laughed, nausea made her face turn pale.

Zhao Junyao glanced at her several times. Sensing something was amiss, he sent Li Shengan to inquire.

Li Shengan pulled Zi Yue into a corner.

"What’s the matter? Is Consort Xian Pin unwell?"

Zi Yue hesitated for a moment before recounting the morning’s events, her voice tinged with worry.

"I suggested summoning the Imperial Physician, but Her Highness wouldn’t allow it, saying today is an auspicious day for the Little Prince!"

Li Shengan nodded thoughtfully.

"In that case, serve Her Highness well. If anything seems wrong, summon the Imperial Physician immediately!"

Consort Xian Pin was the apple of the Emperor’s eye; no negligence, however slight, could be permitted!

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Eunuch!"

Li Shengan nodded, and they parted ways.

The small Imperial Kitchen had, by now, served each person a bowl of longevity noodles. The longevity noodles, uniformly prepared by the Imperial Kitchen, were made from a resilient dough that had been kneaded for a long time and mixed with eggs. The broth was a sour bamboo shoot and chicken soup, with freshly harvested sour bamboo shoots diced into it. It was simmered with tender chicken overnight until rich and thick. The resulting broth was creamy white and exuded an incredibly savory aroma. Once the noodles were cooked, this rich soup was ladled over them. They were then topped with a layer of chicken, two layers of sour bamboo shoots, and some other green vegetables. A poached egg crowned the dish!

The bowl of noodles was incredibly fragrant the moment it was served.

It used to be her favorite, but now, Xia Ruqing felt like vomiting just at the sight of it.

I can’t swallow a single strand!

But... everyone else is eating! When attending a birthday celebration, how can one not eat longevity noodles? Besides, I am the Little Prince’s own mother!

Therefore, Xia Ruqing had no choice but to pick up the bowl, her face pale as she forced two strands of noodles into her mouth.

She had barely taken a bite when a wave of acidity rose in her stomach. She quickly bit through the noodles and raised a handkerchief, pretending to wipe her mouth!

Fortunately, everyone else also took only a few symbolic bites, so no one noticed her discomfort.

Except for Zhao Junyao, who sat in the seat of honor, and Consort Cheng Pin, who sat beside her.

Consort Cheng Pin observed Xia Ruqing’s every reaction, her changing complexion, and her movements. Comparing these observations in her mind, she seemed to grasp something.

Although Zhao Junyao was unaware of the specifics, seeing Qingqing’s discomfort made him extremely anxious. His mind wasn’t on the noodles; he kept wondering how much longer this damned birthday banquet would last. When would these damned women finally disappear!

The more he thought about it, the more stifled Zhao Junyao felt. He even began to wonder, This pile of women... who exactly chose them for me?

Some had been chosen by the Empress Dowager, some by the Empress, and others by the late Emperor. Of course, most had entered the palace through the grand selections. It could be said that, from beginning to end, almost none had been brought in according to his own wishes. Even Noble Consort Shih, whom he had once favored most, had been brought in merely to balance the political situation at court. Her presence was to support the Shih Family in countering the Fan Family. Now that the Fan Family had fallen, the Shih Family was no longer useful! Naturally, Zhao Junyao wouldn’t be overly concerned with appearances.

Cough, cough, I’ve digressed. Let’s get back on track.

「...」

The Empress, though uncomfortable, dared not cause a scene. She could only force a smile and feign affection with the Emperor, presenting the image of a devoted couple. Zhao Junyao, however, remained entirely unperturbed!

Overall, the banquet proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere. Thus, after eating and drinking their fill and chatting for a while, everyone began to disperse.

Zhao Junyao’s Imperial Chariot naturally left first. The Empress’s carriage followed, then Noble Consort Shih’s, those of the several consorts, and finally the Jieyus’.

Zhaochen Palace wasn’t on the way for anyone, so when they reached the crossroads, the carriages started to go in different directions. Some preferred not to ride in sedan chairs and instead walked slowly. Others sat in their sedan chairs, eager to return to their palaces quickly.

Shih Jieyu was among the former. She walked slowly, following behind the Emperor’s Imperial Chariot. Shih Jieyu’s gaze was fixed on the Emperor.

She thought, If only one day, I could walk hand-in-hand with him slowly, just like Consort Xian Pin. How wonderful that would be!

Her wishful thinking aside, the harsh reality remained: the Emperor never spared her so much as an extra glance.

But perhaps it was for the best; after all, he is the Emperor, destined to govern the realm!

Thus, she continued to follow at a distance behind the Imperial Chariot. Just as she reached a corner, intending to turn towards Lijing Pavilion, suddenly, a flash of movement caught her eye; something, or someone, had peeked out from a certain direction.

In an instant, an arrow flew from that direction. With lightning speed, it flew towards the Emperor.

Shih Jieyu froze for an instant, then reacted.

"Your Majesty, watch out!"

Shih Jieyu cried out and lunged forward.

At that very moment, a second and then a third arrow were loosed. The first arrow struck Shih Jieyu squarely in the chest. The second and third arrows hit the strong eunuchs carrying the Imperial Chariot, one in each of their calf muscles. They screamed in agony as the chariot wobbled, nearly collapsing.

Li Shengan was aghast.

"Steady now, steady! The Emperor is still aboard!"

Indeed, the eunuchs dared not move.

But Zhao Junyao was not one to sit back and await his fate. He instantly vaulted from the chariot. His bright yellow, dragon-embroidered informal robe unfurled in a graceful arc through the air. Light as a swallow, Zhao Junyao landed steadily on the ground.

"Audacious!"