Honored Lady Jiangâs eyes were filled with longing.
"Xia Jieyu truly has a good life!"
True envy filled her eyes.
Xia Ruqing looked at her pale face and laughed. "Life is lived step by step. Who hasnât suffered at the beginning! If you donât want to suffer in the palace, just use your brain more!"
Seeing her poor complexion, Xia Ruqing guessed she must have suffered greatly at the Empressâs hands. Just yesterday, she had seen the Empress blocking her in the Imperial Garden. Surrounded by so many palace maids and eunuchs, they looked truly menacing! Looking again at Honored Lady Jiangâs appearance, Xia Ruqing didnât need to guess the Empressâs intentions.
She sneered inwardly.
Is the Empress unable to maintain her benevolent and generous facade and finally showing her tigerâs claws? Taking advantage of the Emperorâs absence from the palace to bully a mere Honored Ladyâsuch behavior is utterly unsightly!
Honored Lady Jiangâs face turned even paler. Her lips quivered repeatedly, but in the end, she uttered no pleas for help, only a bitter smile.
"Xia Jieyu is wise and intelligent, deeply favored by the Emperor. I am truly inferior..."
Even though she spoke these words, Xia Ruqing noticed that her face showed no regret or disappointment. Even the envious look that had filled her face moments ago had vanished without a trace.
Does that mean she is neither envious nor regretful, and feels no disappointment? That would mean... she doesnât wish to be favored at all.
Xia Ruqing was startled by her own conclusion. But the fact remained: only someone with no desire for favor would be free from jealousy and envy.
She glanced around, ensuring no one was near, then asked straightforwardly, "You... donât want to serve the Emperor?"
At these words, Honored Lady Jiangâs expression changed drastically. She rose from her seat and knelt with a thud, her voice trembling with emotion. "Xia Jieyu..."
She neither admitted nor denied it, but her eyes began to redden.
It was too hard. Her life had been so difficult. Now that someone suddenly understood her, the grievances in her heart seemed to find an outlet. All she wanted at this moment was to cry her heart out. Even though she desperately held it back, her eyes still reddened.
Xia Ruqing watched her calmly. Her gaze was like the surface of a still lake, without a single ripple. She picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and then smiled. "What is Honored Lady Jiang doing? Are you perhaps worried I wonât serve you tea?"
As she spoke, Zi Yue, standing beside her, chuckled. "Honored Lady Jiang, please rise quickly!"
Xia Ruqing quickly instructed, "Go and bring out all the pastries from the basket. If Honored Lady Jiang doesnât mind, please have some!"
Honored Lady Jiang bit her lip, the grievances in her heart surging like waves, one after anotherâarriving fiercely, then receding just as quickly.
When she returned to her seat, several plates of fruit and pastries had been placed on the stone table. These were delicacies Honored Lady Jiang had never even seen, let alone tasted. There was a milk crisp, a shrimp meatball, and salt-baked walnut kernels.
Among the Imperial Kitchenâs pastries, these were considered excellentânot expensive, but prized for their exquisite craftsmanship. Those not in favor could never taste such fine pastries. Even those somewhat favored Honored Ladies couldnât have them every day. This just showed how much imperial favor Xia Jieyu truly enjoyed. Of course, it was also related to the child in her womb.
Xia Ruqing urged her again, "These pastries are some of my favorites. If Honored Lady Jiang doesnât mind, please have some!"
One look at her sallow complexion made it clear. Who knew how long it had been since sheâd eaten anything decent.
Xia Ruqing lived by a simple creed:
Eating and drinking well are paramount. If one can eat and drink to their heartâs content, how hard can life truly be?
She was merely a Jieyu, pregnant and holding a precarious position. Both the Empress and the Noble Consort disfavored her, seeing her as a thorn in their side. She really couldnât help Honored Lady Jiang much. So, all Xia Ruqing could do, within her limited ability, was to try and make her feel a little better and let her eat something good.
Donât call her cold-hearted. She was no Saint Mary, nor was she Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion who relieves suffering. On the contrary, she was like a clay bodhisattva crossing a riverâbarely able to save herself.
When Honored Lady Jiang saw these pastries, she immediately felt her stomach growl. She was human, not a god. Having barely eaten for two days, naturally, she was hungry.
When Zi Yue brought a plate of shrimp meatballs to her, Honored Lady Jiang finally couldnât resist trying one. And then... she tried another.
The small bowl of meatballs was quickly emptied. Xia Ruqing smiled. "Try the salt-baked walnut kernels. If you like them, Iâll have someone wrap up a paper packet of them for you later!"
As Honored Lady Jiang ate, large tears began to fall. Once, she too had been a pampered young lady from a prominent family. Now, she had been forced into such a state, relying on othersâ charity even for a plate of pastries! This was truly...
A flicker of hatred flashed through Honored Lady Jiangâs eyes, vanishing in an instant, but Xia Ruqing caught it.
She curled her lips inwardly.
Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Empress, you mustnât push too far!
The two small plates of pastries were quickly finished. Having eaten too quickly and nearly choked, Honored Lady Jiang drank a cup of hot tea. With a full stomach, some color finally returned to her face.
"Do you feel better now?" Xia Ruqing asked with a smile.
Honored Lady Jiang nodded. "Xia Jieyu, I am endlessly grateful for your gracious hospitality!"
Xia Ruqing smiled. "I havenât been particularly hospitable. Weâre neighbors, merely sharing some tea and pastries in the Imperial Garden!"
Honored Lady Jiang said no more. After sitting for a while longer, feeling it was awkward to stay, she offered her thanks with a curtsy and departed with the Hua Cha.
Seeing it was getting late, Xia Ruqing left as well. On the way, she walked slowly, leaning on Zi Yueâs arm.
Zi Yue was somewhat puzzled. "Mistress, you usually donât like to associate with the other masters. Why today..."
Honored Lady Lan used to visit often, and Mistress never showed her a pleasant expression. Yet today, she had actually invited Honored Lady Jiang, whom she had never spoken to before, for pastries. It was truly rare!
Xia Ruqing smiled faintly. "I still donât like it, but some things are just too much to bear seeing. I canât help with much else, but I can at least invite her for some pastries!"
Zi Yue nodded. "This servant understands!"
Returning to Qingya Residence, Xia Ruqing sat on the swing in the courtyard, swaying leisurely, her mind wandering. Lost in thought, she suddenly asked Zi Yue, "What kind of person do you wish to marry?"
Having asked, Xia Ruqing almost regretted it. "Oh, I nearly forgot, you like scholars!"
Zi Yueâs face turned bright red, so embarrassed she didnât know where to put her hands or feet.
Xia Ruqing then looked at Zi Su, who was not far away, and asked, "Zi Su, what kind of person do you wish to marry?"
Zi Su, usually so decisive and outspoken, also blushed and looked uncomfortable. After a momentâs thought, she said quietly, "This servant... this servant doesnât know, but..."
"But what?"
"But... this servant thinks it doesnât matter if heâs a bit poor. Whatâs important is that heâs handsome!"
After saying this, she ran off, her face crimson.
Xia Ruqing didnât know whether to laugh or cry.
So this girl prioritizes looks!