CHAPTER 683: CHAPTER 683: DEPARTING FROM THE PALACE

The next day was already the beginning of November.

With the arrival of the winter month, the days became even colder.

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, a row of carriages was lined up at the palace gates.

The servants from Jiaofang Hall were busily moving boxes out one by one.

The concubines also rose early, standing in a line according to their ranks, to see off the Empress.

The Empress was dressed magnificently, in her court attire and Phoenix Crown, looking dignified and esteemed.

Apart from looking a bit unwell, she was otherwise as before, her movements and speech filled with grace and elegance.

She looked around. Noticing Consort Ning was someone she could exchange a few words with, she approached, took her hand, and said with a smile,

"I have already entrusted the Third Princess to the Empress Dowager!"

"Make sure to visit her often. I will return by the end of the year!"

Consort Ning, naturally eager to please, quickly agreed.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured!"

The Empress nodded with a smile.

She then admonished everyone.

"I am leaving to pray for blessings and will likely be away for about a month. You must all behave yourselves in the palace and serve the Emperor well!"

"I have already arranged everything else!"

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Kitchen also have their own rules and regulations, so you need not worry!"

Her instructions delivered with solemnity and authority, the concubines quickly bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

The Empress, satisfied after looking around, then boarded the carriage with Yu Lan.

Sister Ji remained behind.

The carriage began to move slowly.

All the concubines knelt down to kowtow and bid farewell.

It wasn’t until the carriage turned the corner of the palace road and was out of sight that they gradually rose to their feet.

Noble Concubine Shih was the first to leave.

Consort Ning followed behind her, with Xia Ruqing trailing further back.

In reality, the distance between them was negligible.

Seeing Xia Ruqing’s poor complexion, Noble Concubine Shih couldn’t help but revel in her misery and mock her coldly.

"Oh dear, Consort Xian Pin, what’s wrong? You don’t look well at all!"

"If you’re ill, you should call for the Imperial Physician promptly!"

Consort Xian Pin is having an ill-fated year, dragging Marquis Xiahou into misfortune with her. She must be deeply devastated. How wonderful! Seeing her unhappy makes me so happy!

Consort Ning chimed in from the side.

"Noble Consort, I beg to differ. Our sister Consort Xian Pin has always been favored; how could she possibly fall ill?"

"Even if she were, it would just be a delicate act in front of the Emperor – there’s no need for us to be concerned!"

This remark was an outright mockery.

This remark sounded straightforward enough to Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin. However, to Noble Concubine Shih, it carried a different implication, for the Emperor’s affection was her most painful, sensitive, and untouchable spot.

Therefore, Noble Concubine Shih lifted her eyes and looked towards Consort Ning.

"Oh?"

"Are you implying that even my concern for a sister of the Harem is wrong?"

There was an undertone of gunpowder in her words.

Consort Ning’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly smiled in appeasement.

"Noble Consort, I... I didn’t mean it that way!"

Noble Concubine Shih sneered.

"If that’s not what you meant, then what did you mean?"

Consort Ning was bewildered. She had clearly been on the Noble Consort’s side, so why was the Noble Consort suddenly picking a fight with her?

It’s probably because I’m considered one of the Empress’s people. That, however, can’t be changed.

Not daring to clash head-on with the Noble Consort, Consort Ning offered a few ingratiating words and then found an excuse to slip away in embarrassment.

Noble Concubine Shih shot Consort Ning a disdainful look, then glared at Xia Ruqing.

With a snort, she flounced off, flicking her sleeves.

Xia Ruqing had no interest in dealing with the Noble Consort.

Having eaten nothing since morning and been chilled to the bone for so long, she was at her limit.

"Zi Yue, quickly call for the heated sedan to pick us up..."

UGH!

The emptiness in her stomach made her retch, bringing up sour fluid.

Zi Yue quickly supported her.

"Your Highness, it’s been waiting. Let’s hurry back!"

Xia Ruqing’s face was pale as she nodded.

She no longer cared about the suspicious looks from the other concubines behind her.

She got into her warm sedan chair and left alone.

After all, she was the head of the nine Pin-ranked concubines; they had no authority over her.

「She returned to Qingya Residence.」

The sudden wave of heat that enveloped her upon entering the room was too much; Xia Ruqing could no longer hold back and retched violently.

Since she hadn’t eaten anything, only sour fluid came out.

Zi Yue was extremely anxious and instructed Zi Su and the others,

"Quick, get some sour date cake!"

Zi Su rushed in with a plate of pastries.

"Mistress, this is the sour date cake Xiao Xizi keeps warm in the small kitchen."

"I heard it’s kept warm over a charcoal fire with water beneath, making it half-baked with a slightly crispy crust. Please eat it while it’s hot!"

The mention of sour date cake immediately stirred Xia Ruqing’s appetite.

After washing her face and rinsing her mouth, she sat on the bed and began to eat slowly.

This sour date cake was a new dessert recently created in the Imperial Kitchen.

The sour dates used were wild ones, much smaller than ordinary dates.

When ripe, they are red and only the size of a peanut.

If left to dry on the branches, the red skin slowly wrinkles, but that’s when they taste best.

There were people who specifically harvested them.

After picking, they removed the pits from the dates, leaving only the red-skinned flesh.

First, they steamed them over water, then dried them, ground them into powder, and mixed them with some cow’s milk, eggs, and flour.

Finally, this mixture was steamed into various shapes to make sour date cakes.

This was how it was done among the common folk.

The Imperial Kitchen’s version was even more exquisite.

Not only were the pits removed from the sour date flesh, but the skins were also peeled off.

They were also filled with various kinds of stuffing.

For example, the one Xia Ruqing was eating was filled with honey and hawthorn.

It was also sour, so the flavors didn’t clash, making it refreshing and appetizing.

Especially since the filling inside was refreshingly cool.

After eating two pieces of the sour date cake, the burning sensation in her stomach subsided. She drank some plain water to settle it further, and her appetite returned.

"Delicious!"

Xia Ruqing was satisfied.

Zi Yue finally relaxed and asked with a smile,

"Mistress, would you like some more?"

She shook her head.

"No, thank you. It’s still early. I’ll take a nap!"

Since she didn’t have to pay respects now, she could sleep for as long as she wanted.

Zi Yue acknowledged and asked Zi Su to clear away the things.

She helped her mistress lie down, then left.

Daylight gradually broke.

Although private rumors in the Harem were growing and intensifying, outwardly, all remained calm.

Especially with the Empress having left the palace, no one even needed to pay the usual morning respects. Without opportunities to gather and chatter, they all chose to stay behind closed doors.

Peace prevailed in the Harem.

「But not in the imperial court.」

Several days had passed since the assassination attempt on the Emperor. Although the apprehended guard had been interrogated over ten times, he still hadn’t confessed.

Following imperial orders, the Minister of Justice investigated the guard’s entire family.

However, no abnormalities were found.

Returning empty-handed was somewhat embarrassing, so he wandered around the rows of civilian houses nearby, hoping to find some clues.

As he walked, he saw an inconspicuous carriage turning the corner and heading this way.

A little girl in the carriage was crying, her voice already hoarse.

The sound was heart-wrenching.

The incognito Minister of Justice quietly approached.

He saw a woman get out of the carriage, holding a girl of about three in her arms, and quickly enter that courtyard.

The little girl, while crying, frantically kicked and hit the woman.

The woman, however, remained impassive throughout, her face devoid of any expression.