Chapter 432 Despair

Zi Yue thought for a moment and then smiled.

"My Lady, which of the mistresses in the palace would not wish to attend the bedchamber!"

Xia Ruqing was pondering as she gently stroked Little White’s fur, which was like a snowball.

"I remember the first time I encountered Honored Lady Jiang in the Imperial Garden!"

"She was genuinely stunning, such an icy beauty!"

Her complexion was cool and indifferent, her gaze devoid of desire or yearning.

"When she spoke about the Emperor, her eyes were extremely cold, even with a hint of disdain. At that time, I sensed she was reluctant to serve the Emperor!"

At the time, I thought.

"What a lofty woman! If she could hold true to her inner convictions, it wouldn’t be so bad!"

Having said that, Xia Ruqing sighed softly and gave a light smile.

"The Harem is like a big dye vat; once you’re in, no one can stay clean!"

It’s not as if you can simply wish to be devoid of desires and achieve it!

Thinking this, Xia Ruqing shook her head and chuckled to herself.

"Alright, alright, why are we even discussing these things!"

Zi Yue also hastened to agree.

"Indeed! It’s not like we have any contact with her side anymore!"

She didn’t even send a gift for the Little Prince’s ’washing three’ ceremony; it was clear she wanted no further interaction.

So, let it be. Xia Ruqing nodded with a smile.

To herself, she thought:

If Honored Lady Jiang does not provoke me in the future, be it as an enemy or anything else, so be it. But if she dares to act as the Empress’s lapdog, stirring trouble for me, or even harming Little Bun, then there will be no mercy – being soft-hearted is simply out of the question!

Women may be naturally gentle, but motherhood makes them strong!

Xia Ruqing’s smile grew more radiant as she got up and stretched lazily.

"Alright! It’s already February; let’s go have some tea in the Imperial Garden and see if the wintersweet flowers have bloomed!"

Zi Yue quickly responded with a smile.

"They have, they have! Just yesterday, Xiao Xizi even picked a branch, but it wasn’t choice enough, so I didn’t put it in a vase for you, My Lady!"

Xia Ruqing also smiled.

"Then that’s just perfect, we’ll go pick the flowers ourselves!"

"Spring is coming, so things should be brimming with life. Our quarters will look fresh and beautiful too!"

"Yes!"

Zi Yue answered and went off to gather their things.

After a time equivalent to the burning of two incense sticks, Xia Ruqing, holding Little Bun, accompanied by Da Bai and Xiao Bai, Wetnurse Sister, and a large entourage, made their way majestically toward the Imperial Garden.

Today, the weather was lovely!

Sister Liang was a bit worried.

"My Lady, the Little Prince is not even four months old yet, and it’s still cold outside!"

Xia Ruqing looked at her son’s bright, dark eyes and chuckled.

"Sister Liang, don’t worry. Today there’s no wind, and the sun is nice; let’s take him out for a bit!"

After a whole winter spent indoors, she feared Little Bun was feeling stifled.

Even if they stayed out only for the time it took an incense stick to burn, it would be good for Little Bun.

As she spoke, she saw Little Bun’s large eyes eagerly gazing outside.

The look on his face suggested he couldn’t wait to fly out!

Sister Liang smiled and said no more.

Constantly bundling up a child and not allowing any exposure to harsh weather wasn’t good.

After all, boys should experience a little cold; it helps them grow strong and sturdy!

「Xifu Palace」

Starting this month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Kitchen had delivered all the monthly expenditure ledgers to her.

The imperial decree stated that Consort Ning and Consort Hui were to jointly review them.

But how could Noble Consort Shih willingly let go of power she had fought so hard to obtain?

She obstinately held on to it.

Consort Ning was timid, and the Empress lacked influence, so Consort Ning also lay low.

Consort Hui wasn’t too keen on managing so much either. She merely sent someone to inquire symbolically a few times and then paid it no more mind.

For Noble Consort Shih, this was perfect! That very morning, Noble Consort Shih was looking over the accounts while listening to Ying Yue report about Honored Lady Jiang.

Noble Consort Shih let out a cold laugh.

"The Empress must be truly desperate, hastily finding someone who resembles Consort Xian, thinking she could win the Emperor’s favor?"

Ying Yue also said.

"This servant thinks so too. The Emperor doesn’t seem very interested in Honored Lady Jiang!"

He went to Jiaofang Hall yesterday, and by evening Honored Lady Jiang’s card was selected, probably just to save face for the Empress.

Noble Consort Shih scoffed.

"She’s jealous because I’m going to have a child, so now she wants to find someone to bear one for her!"

Ying Yue was shocked.

"My Lady, how can... Honored Lady Jiang be willing to do that?!"

An Honored Lady is a legitimate mistress. If it really came to bearing a child, the Emperor wouldn’t fail to promote her.

Who would willingly hand over something they could achieve with their own effort?

Noble Consort Shih scoffed again.

"Whether she’s willing or not, we don’t know, but... I certainly won’t let the Empress succeed!"

"She wants a child? Not a chance!"

Ying Yue’s expression changed immediately.

"What are you thinking of doing, My Lady?"

Noble Consort Shih said with a smile.

"A new batch of high-quality musk has arrived in the palace. I’ll have someone make it into incense and send some to Honored Lady Jiang!"

Ying Yue immediately smiled.

"What a good idea!"

Pregnant women cannot touch it. But for women who aren’t pregnant, musk is an excellent thing; it invigorates the blood and enhances beauty!

Noble Consort Shih also smiled and instructed.

"Go and find out if Honored Lady Jiang is unwilling to pave the way for another. If so, I will certainly lend her my aid!"

Ying Yue acknowledged.

Just as she was about to say something else, hurried footsteps came from outside.

"This is terrible, Noble Consort! Something awful has happened at Honored Lady Shih’s..."

Noble Consort Shih’s complexion drastically changed, and she stood up swiftly.

"What happened to Honored Lady Shih?"

"Speak quickly!"

The Palace Attendant said in a rush.

"Honored Lady Shih is spotting, and an Imperial Physician has been summoned!"

Noble Consort Shih’s face turned even paler.

"Spotting..."

She swayed, about to fall, but Ying Yue, with quick eyes and hands, swiftly supported her.

"My Lady, don’t panic yet. Let’s go and see first!"

Noble Consort Shih, trying to suppress the turmoil within her, could only nod.

While walking out, she commanded with a fierce look in her eyes.

"Have the news sealed. If anyone dares to spread rumors, I’ll have them killed immediately!"

"Yes!"

Ying Yue signaled to the Second Class palace maids behind her with her eyes, and they quietly slipped away.

Fortunately, Honored Lady Shih resided in Xifu Palace. News from other places might be hard to control, but Xifu Palace had long been brought to heel by Noble Consort Shih.

Once the order was given, nobody dared to speak carelessly.

「At Honored Lady Shih’s place.」

After the Imperial Physician arrived, he immediately began to take her pulse.

Lying on the bed, Honored Lady Shih was swollen like a ball.

By the twentieth of this month, she would be a full eight months pregnant. She was already overweight, and with her enormous belly, her entire appearance was shocking!

Her belly was as massive as a mountain, seemingly ready to collapse at any moment.

After taking her pulse and examining the blood under the bed, the Imperial Physician frowned.

The amount of blood wasn’t large, but it was dark red and contained faint clots, clearly indicating... poor blood circulation.

"Honored Lady, you clearly haven’t moved enough, perhaps hardly at all! Didn’t I advise you before?" he reproached. "This is detrimental to childbirth!"

To be like this at only eight months, with nearly two months still to go, what was to be done?

He remembered clearly.

When Consort Xian Pin gave birth, despite her large belly, her movements were unaffected, and she remained agile and nimble.

That’s why Consort Xian Pin’s delivery was so quick!

Honored Lady Shih looked utterly desperate.