Chapter 422: Can This Harem No Longer Accommodate Me?

"Yu Lan, see her out!"

After speaking, the Empress stood up and returned to her inner chamber.

Honored Lady Du was chased out. Standing outside Jiaofang Hall, she felt the icy world outside, the chill seeping from the depths of her heart. She was very disheartened.

Can this harem no longer accommodate me? Is it so difficult to desire a good life?

Ding Xiang sighed. "My lady, let’s just go back and accept our fate!"

Ding Xiang always felt that their current life was still acceptable; continuing to struggle might just make things even worse.

Honored Lady Du walked back, her spirit crushed. It was dark, and there were few people on the road. All the lights outside Zhaoxiang Pavilion had been extinguished. Consort Hui Pin and the Princess were accustomed to retiring early. At this moment, the world seemed vast and pitch-black, leaving her utterly alone.

Looking behind her, the lights were still bright at Qingya Residence. She could even imagine the lively scene inside.

Princes, favor, status, family background—that woman initially had none of these things, yet gradually, she acquired them all. As for me, step by step, all good things are moving further away!

Honored Lady Du felt deeply resentful.

"Ding Xiang, how could this happen? The Emperor clearly... used to favor me!" Honored Lady Du lamented. "Why doesn’t the Emperor come? Just one visit from him could change my situation, but why doesn’t he come even once?"

Ding Xiang was growing impatient.

Following a mistress with no prospects was one thing. Peace and stability would have been fine! But now, there wasn’t even peace. Worrying every day, wasn’t she tired of it all! I’ve been trying to persuade her all day, and not a single word has sunk in!

Thus, Ding Xiang remained silent.

「The next morning」

Consort Hui Pin received the news. "Your Highness, last night, Honored Lady Du returned late from the Empress and seemed distraught!" her attendant reported.

Consort Hui Pin was feeding the Princess her breakfast. In the bowl was a steamed egg custard, tender and topped with a small pattern of green onions—clearly prepared with care by the Imperial Kitchen. As she was raising the Princess, the Imperial Kitchen dared not neglect her.

Having personally fed her daughter breakfast, Consort Hui Pin allowed a few little palace maids to play with the Princess. Only then did she finally have a moment to herself.

She smiled faintly. "There’s no need to bother about such matters," she said.

Just a headless fly.

Yesterday, she came to see me, bringing two small plates of snacks. Honestly, who lacks a few snacks?

Consort Hui Pin found the gesture ironic. However, she had always preferred not to meddle in palace affairs, so she had simply refused to see Honored Lady Du.

Xiang Tan also seemed to look down on Honored Lady Du’s actions. "I wonder what she hoped to achieve by coming to our residence yesterday!"

Consort Hui Pin smiled faintly. "Yesterday, the Ministry of Internal Affairs distributed the monthly allowances," she explained.

She must have been anxious!

She came to see me for one of two reasons: either to curry favor, or... to try and stir up trouble between me and Consort Xian Pin? Heh.

Consort Hui Pin laughed softly to herself.

Even before Consort Xian Pin’s promotion, I wouldn’t have used my status to bully anyone, let alone now. In fact, now that her rank is higher than mine, I should show her even more respect. Others are living their lives peacefully; why should I go looking for trouble? I’m not that kind of person.

After considering it, Consort Hui Pin waved her hand dismissively. "Forget it. Let’s not speak of these matters anymore."

Xiang Tan dropped the subject. The mistress and servant retrieved their sewing baskets and began making small clothes for the Second Princess.

「The New Year’s Eve feast was the same as in previous years.」

By evening, the Empress Dowager and the Princesses of the Royal Clan had all arrived. The Empress Dowager didn’t concern herself with harem affairs, but she always attended such public occasions. At the very least, she had to flaunt her dignity before her sisters-in-law.

The Empress Dowager was the last to arrive. She wore a grand maroon Phoenix Robe and a golden Phoenix Crown inlaid with sapphires. Holding onto Sister Qing’s hand, she entered with the Emperor and the Empress.

Everyone rose to pay their respects. Most managed gracefully, but Honored Lady Shih, who was over six, nearly seven months pregnant, struggled. She was swollen, her face noticeably rounder. After rising, she found she could neither bend at the waist nor squat properly.

The Empress Dowager discreetly signaled Sister Qing with her eyes. Sister Qing quickly had someone assist Honored Lady Shih.

The Empress Dowager then cheerfully bade the others to rise. "Today is New Year’s Eve," she announced. "Let’s dispense with tedious formalities. We are family here, so let’s gather and enjoy ourselves!"

Everyone below smiled. "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager!"

Some of the old Princess Consorts of the Royal Clan hadn’t returned to the capital for two or three years, only accompanying their sons this year. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, they immediately began to flatter her.

"Empress Dowager, how is it that you seem even younger than when I last saw you? Please, share your secrets for maintaining your youth, so that I might learn from you!"

Another chimed in with a laugh, "Indeed, indeed! Empress Dowager, you are eternally youthful; it seems even time cannot touch you!"

Any woman would likely be pleased by such compliments, and the Empress Dowager was no exception, chuckling happily. "It’s been a few years, and you all still love to tease me!"

They all laughed good-naturedly. "You misunderstand us, Empress Dowager! We speak only the truth!"

With these elderly sisters-in-law jesting, the atmosphere of the banquet instantly became lively. The guests, in small groups, cracked melon seeds and chatted idly, waiting for the feast to begin.

Xia Ruqing nibbled on melon seeds, observing everyone with a detached air.

I’m pondering the history of those times. They say that when the Empress Dowager married into the palace, the late Emperor wasn’t even the Crown Prince yet! That means... these elderly sisters-in-law of the Empress Dowager, were they also at daggers drawn back then? There’s only one position for Crown Prince; whoever’s husband secured it, his wife would become the future Empress. In such struggles for succession, never mind blood brothers; sometimes, even the ties between father and son meant nothing! So... these seemingly amiable old Imperial Noble Consorts... back then, well... COUGH, COUGH!

The Royal Family is truly ruthless, Xia Ruqing thought. Therefore, I must climb higher. After all, I enjoy the feeling of being fawned over; I don’t want to be the one fawning over others! What? Someone says I’m unbearably vulgar? If you’re so refined, why don’t you renounce worldly affairs, lead a monastic life with a simple lamp and an ancient Buddha, free from all desires? Or cast everything aside and wander in pursuit of your ideals? If you can’t do that, then shut up! HUMPH! That’s how headstrong I am! It’s my life; why can’t I control it? Must I listen to others spouting nonsense?

The banquet over there had already started, but Xia Ruqing was still lost in her thoughts.

There was another thing that shocked her: How had Honored Lady Shih become so large in just a few months? She was comparable to... Consort Ning! But Consort Ning could merely be described as pleasantly plump. Honored Lady Shih, on the other hand, was now... just plain fat. A round face, thick legs, a large belly. Plus, for the New Year’s Eve feast, she was seated towards the outer edge where it was cold, so she was bundled in thick clothing. And the result was... an eyesore.

Xia Ruqing internally cringed.

It’s terribly impolite to think this, but I can’t find a more fitting description.

"Sister Xian Pin... Sister Xian Pin?" Consort Hui Pin was calling her.

"Hm?" Xia Ruqing abruptly snapped back to reality.

"Your soup has spilled..."

"Ah?" Xia Ruqing quickly stood up. Indeed, the soup had spilled.

Zi Yue and Zi Su immediately bustled about, helping Xia Ruqing change her cloak.

Thank goodness I wore one and brought a spare; otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known what to do!