Chapter 272 - 271: Why Does Your Complexion Look So Bad?

While eating her belated breakfast, Consort Hui Pin gave a resigned smile. "A birthday ought to be enjoyed for the whole day, yet I’m even more tired than usual!"

Senior Palace Maid Xiang Tan brought over some tea and said with a laugh, "If you’re complaining about being busy for just this one day, what would the Empress say?"

Consort Hui Pin waved her hand with a smile. "The Empress is so talented and capable, how could someone as clumsy as me possibly compare?"

As she spoke, something came to mind, and she asked, "By the way, has the Empress confirmed if she is coming after receiving the invitation?"

Xiang Tan replied, "Lady Yu Lan received the invitation and also didn’t say if she’s coming or not. I’ve sent someone to ask just now; they should be back with an answer shortly!"

Consort Hui Pin nodded. "Whether they come or not, let’s prepare first!"

Xiang Tan agreed and left.

For Consort Hui Pin’s birthday, all the ladies of the Sixth Rank and above received an invitation. Honored Lady Lan was one of them. Of course, Lady Xi was not! After all, a Lady is only of the Seventh Rank.

If Lady Xi couldn’t go, Honored Lady Lan didn’t feel like going either. "What’s the point? It would just be me by myself!" As she spoke, she yawned. "Better to sleep at home!"

Lady Xi was sitting by her side as they looked at patterns together. When women gathered, there wasn’t much else to do.

Hearing her say this, Lady Xi felt a pang in her heart.

How could she not go?

She then urged, "Eldest Sister Lan, I actually want to go but can’t. If you can, why wouldn’t you? You should take the chance to see more of the world for my sake as well!"

Honored Lady Lan was listless, her eyes barely staying open. "Sister Xi, if you want to go, go on your own!"

"I..." She kept yawning as she spoke. "I’m sleepy; I’m going off to sleep!"

Lianlian quickly stepped in to support her. "My lady, you’re tired. Please rest well!"

Lady Xi stood up. "Eldest Sister Lan, seeing you’re so tired, I won’t disturb your rest! Sister takes her leave!"

Having said that, Lady Xi left. Lianlian performed the customary courtesy. "Sister Molli, you look after our lady. I’ll go see Honored Lady Xi out!"

Molli was quite puzzled but nonetheless nodded in agreement.

She helped her mistress lie down in the inner chamber and waited, but when Lianlian did not return, she furrowed her brow.

Why did she feel that there was something odd about Lianlian and Lady Xi? Lianlian inexplicably liked to run off to where Lady Xi was. It seemed a bit too obvious.

Molli glanced at her mistress, who was sleeping soundly on the bed. She started to worry again.

Her mistress had been sleeping too much lately. According to what the Sisters taught, such lethargy and weakness could mean she was pregnant. But that was clearly impossible for her mistress! How long had it been since she had attended to the Emperor? And she had just had her period, so how could she be pregnant? What exactly was going on here?

Molli couldn’t figure it out.

Lianlian returned quickly, still industrious and efficient, bustling about. But this time, Molli couldn’t hold back and said, "Lianlian, have you noticed that our lady has been off lately?"

Lianlian looked perplexed. "What do you mean? I don’t see anything wrong."

Molli was getting a little annoyed. "The mistress is sleeping all the time, haven’t you noticed?"

Lianlian breathed a sigh of relief. "So that’s what Sister means!" she said, then continued, "Spring fatigue is common to everyone. Sister Dong Cha from Lady Xi’s side mentioned that Lady Xi has been the same! It’s just that when she comes over, she usually has already slept enough. We just didn’t know about it!"

Molli nodded. "So that’s the case!"

Lianlian went on to talk at length and finally dispelled Molli’s doubts.

However, speaking of Dong Cha, Molli became puzzled again. "I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately. She’s suddenly lost so much weight and looks so pale!"

Lianlian felt impatient in her heart.

This fool, so dim-witted and meddlesome!

She couldn’t let her irritation show, so she just lowered her head and said, "I really don’t know!"

Molli shook her head and didn’t ask any further.

「Consort Hui Pin’s Birthday Banquet」

Xia Ruqing managed to get there after eating quite a few sour apricots. Her stomach wasn’t upset. Basking in the sun and listening to the opera was quite pleasant.

When Honored Lady Lan appeared, Xia Ruqing was taken aback. She politely asked, "What happened to Honored Lady Lan? Your complexion looks so poor!"

Honored Lady Lan touched her face and gave a weak smile. "Perhaps it’s because I didn’t sleep well last night! Thank you, Xia Jieyu," she added.

Xia Ruqing nodded and didn’t ask any more questions. Honored Lady Lan also took her seat.

The Empress didn’t come, and neither did the Noble Consort, but everyone else was there. Everyone enjoyed the opera, drank tea, and ate desserts in contentment.

With the opera singers trilling and warbling on stage, it wasn’t awkward even though no one was talking.

Xia Ruqing was bored. She couldn’t understand it. She just sat there in the sun, occasionally sipping tea!

Lianlian’s eyes seemed glued to Xia Ruqing. Lady Xi couldn’t come, so she had to observe carefully!

Pregnant? Was Xia Jieyu pregnant? It didn’t seem like it! Her skin was rosy and lustrous, and she appeared calm and composed, eating and drinking as usual. There were none of the symptoms of nausea and vomiting mentioned by Sister. It really wasn’t apparent, and nothing seemed different from before. She probably... wasn’t pregnant!

...

The banquet didn’t end until the afternoon.

Xia Ruqing elegantly walked back from Consort Hui Pin’s place, holding Zi Yue’s hand. There was not the slightest oddity in her step.

But as soon as she entered her room, she began to retch violently. She vomited everything she had eaten until her stomach was completely empty.

"What’s the matter with you, my lady?" Zi Yue was shocked.

Xia Ruqing waved her hand dismissively. "There’s no need for dramatics; I’ll be fine once I’ve thrown up," she said.

It turned out that Consort Hui Pin had prepared her favorite dishes as usual. But now her taste had changed. To avoid alerting anyone, she had to pretend she relished the food! And so, she vomited.

Zi Yue was slightly relieved. She quickly had another meal prepared for her. After eating, Xia Ruqing went to rest.

...

After the banquet, Lianlian immediately relayed her observations to Lady Xi. "You’re saying she’s not pregnant?" Lady Xi was somewhat incredulous.

Lianlian nodded. "Yes, my lady, it really doesn’t seem like it. None of the symptoms Sister taught us about are present!"

Lady Xi’s gaze suddenly turned vicious. "Pregnant or not, we cannot let her off this time! Everything is arranged. I can’t wait even one more day!"

She was eager to see Xia Ruqing’s downfall and demise! What a delightful prospect.

After thinking it over, Lianlian advised, "My lady, why not wait a little longer? New Fine Ladies are about to enter the palace. If Xia Jieyu falls out of favor, whether we want to kill her or torture her, it’ll be a piece of cake!"

Honored Lady Xi flew into a rage. "I’ve said I can’t wait; do you not understand?"

Lianlian kept silent thereafter. Lady Xi threw her a box of incense. "Light this for her, and it won’t be long before she obediently complies!"

Lianlian quickly accepted it and kneeled in respect. "Yes!"

Lady Xi glanced at her and took off a bracelet from her wrist. "Do this well, and there will be a greater reward! Once they’re all dead, I’ll bring you to my side and make you my Senior Palace Maid!"

A gleam flashed in Lianlian’s eyes, and she felt a surge of excitement inside. "Yes! Thank you, my lady!"