Xia Ruqing felt like rolling her eyes.
As a heavily pregnant woman, how could she possibly be likable!
Suddenly recalling the imperial selection set for this year, Xia Ruqing said playfully,
"This year is due for a grand selection, and Iâve heard that the Empress Dowager and the Noble Consort have already started making arrangements. New sisters will soon be in the palace!"
"When that time comes, perhaps the Emperor will forget which way the gates to Qingya Residence even open!"
After speaking, she looked at him with a mischievous gaze.
Zhao Junyao was taken aback.
It took a moment for him to come to his senses.
How could I have forgotten such a matter? An imperial selection? Has Mother indeed begun to make arrangements?
He turned his head and gave Xia Ruqing a wicked smile.
"Oh, Qingqing, you didnât mention such an important matter sooner. Letâs see how Iâll deal with you!"
Xia Ruqing shifted her heavy belly, trying to turn aside.
But Zhao Junyao caught her and pulled her back, pressing her firmly into his embrace.
"Are you still going to talk?"
Xia Ruqing, tightly ensnared in his grasp, found herself unable to move.
Her eyes darted around, and she said in an aggrieved tone, "I wonât say any more! I wouldnât dare. Who am I to oppose the Emperor!"
Then she muttered under her breath,
Itâs not as if I have any say in the imperial selection! And here I am, feeling upset about it!
Seeing her wounded little expression, Zhao Junyaoâs heart immediately softened.
He lifted her into his arms, held her close, and asked gently,
"Youâre upset? Really?"
His warm breath fanned her ear, making Xia Ruqingâs cheeks flush.
"Of course itâs..."
"Fake!"
Zhao Junyao held her fast with one arm, while his other hand mercilessly tickled her armpit!
"AH!"
"HAHA, Your Majesty, I wonât dare again! I truly wonât! HAHA...!"
Xia Ruqing tried to squirm away, but Zhao Junyaoâs arms were like powerful iron bands, holding her so tightly she couldnât move at all.
Zhao Junyao didnât let her go until she was breathless and begging for mercy.
"Still dare to talk nonsense?"
Xia Ruqingâs eyes were moist, her expression a little aggrieved.
"I wouldnât dare!"
Only then was Zhao Junyao satisfied. He released Xia Ruqing, turned over, and lay flat on the bed.
Xia Ruqing followed suit, and the two lay side by side.
The room suddenly fell silent.
After an unknown while, Zhao Junyao suddenly spoke.
"Qingqing..."
"Mm?"
"Those women... itâs not my intention. I donât like them. I only like you!"
Xia Ruqing was very pleased and thought to herself,
Your Majesty, even though youâre just coaxing me, Iâm still very happy!
Actually, Xia Ruqing understood.
To an emperor, women were merely tools for continuing the imperial lineage and satisfying physical needs.
If one served him particularly well, providing him with mental and physical relief from his demanding governmental duties, he would naturally favor her more. This "favor" was what all women in the palace yearned for.
But no one knew how long such liking and favor would last.
It certainly couldnât be equated with romantic love between a man and a woman!
However, Xia Ruqing didnât ask for much.
From the moment she arrived in this ancient era, she had already given up on that hope.
To gain the emperorâs liking and favor, and to live well, was enough for her.
It wouldnât mean that the heavens had let her live this extra life in vain.
Xia Ruqing sighed inwardly:
If I think this way, perhaps when I fall out of favor in the future, it wonât be so unbearable.
Pregnant women are prone to drowsiness, and Xia Ruqing soon fell asleep.
Zhao Junyao called for attendants to help them wash up, and then the two of them rested for the night.
Early the next morning, after court, Zhao Junyao didnât return to the Imperial Study Room but went straight to Ningshou Palace.
When he arrived, he indeed saw the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Shih selecting portraits.
After exchanging greetings, the Empress Dowager smiled and beckoned him over.
"Imperial Son, youâve come at just the right time. Come, look! Do any of these young ladies catch your eye?"
Zhao Junyao remained standing where he was, his brow furrowed.
"Mother, the naval battle in Guangnan is imminent. As The King, if I cannot even save my people, how can I proceed with a grand selection? If word of this gets out, wouldnât it dishearten the populace?"
The Empress Dowager, however, dismissed his concerns.
"Ah, Imperial Son, the Emperor conducting an imperial selection is a rule established by our ancestors!"
"A selection every three years is already infrequent. You only have two princes; how can that possibly be enough!"
"You must take more consorts!"
Zhao Junyao had heard the Empress Dowagerâs old refrains so many times that he was growing impatient.
"My mind is made up. Mother, say no more!"
How can the Emperor be busy taking new wives while the common people are in dire straits?
In any case, he, Zhao Junyao, would never do such a thing.
The Empress Dowager grew even more anxious.
"Imperial Son!"
"Even if you donât need any, at least consider your younger brothers!"
"That boy Junqi still doesnât have a Main Wife. All he does is fool around outside all day!"
"And Little Fifth! Heâll be sixteen after the New Year and also needs to marry a consort! How can this be done without an imperial selection?"
Zhao Junyao remained unmoved.
"In that case, Mother can simply select consorts for them directly."
"As for the imperial selection, I havenât said I wonât hold one. We must wait until the Guangnan situation is resolved and the people are living in peace and contentment. Only then will I have the mind for it!"
The Empress Dowager hesitated.
Glancing at Noble Consort Shih, who stood respectfully to the side, she thought,
A melon plucked too early isnât sweet. Perhaps it would be better if they entered the palace after this period passes!
She pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. Weâll postpone this imperial selection for now and only select consorts this time."
"The matters concerning Junqi and Little Fifth truly cannot be delayed!"
Noble Consort Shih, standing to the side, agreed deferentially.
She also felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Truthfully, she didnât want her cousin to have so many women. It would be best if those Fine Ladies never entered the palace at all. If all the other women in the Harem dropped dead, leaving only her, that would be ideal!
The Empress Dowager, paying no heed to Noble Consort Shihâs thoughts, looked at Zhao Junyao and admonished,
"Although this matter is temporarily postponed, it cannot be delayed for too long!"
"If not this year, then it must be held next year!"
She then grumbled, "If it werenât that Junqi is older and his situation canât be delayed, I would have had him wait and be selected along with the others next year!"
Junqi, Junqi!
The Empress Dowager couldnât utter three sentences without mentioning Zhao Junqi. He was thoroughly tired of hearing it.
Zhao Junyaoâs lips twitched into a smile as he said with feigned composure,
"Uncle Prince Yan is in poor health, and Princess Consort Yan is entirely focused on caring for him, which has indeed delayed Junqiâs matters."
"Since Mother is so concerned, then please, Mother, you make the decision for Junqi!"
The Empress Dowager looked as if she couldnât wish for anything more, and immediately beamed,
"But of course!!"
"When your Imperial Father passed away, he specifically instructed me to look after this child, Junqi!"
"To arrange everything for him..."
The Empress Dowager was still droning on like she was reciting scriptures. Before she could finish, she turned to see Zhao Junyao already striding out.
His departing figure was resolute, his steps swift as the wind.
This left the Empress Dowager in an awkward position, somewhat unable to save face.
"What... Whatâs wrong?"
Noble Consort Shih quickly tried to smooth things over,
"Mother, perhaps there is urgent business at court. These are unsettled times; itâs best we donât add to his burdens."
The Empress Dowager nodded thoughtfully as well.
"Sigh!"
ăBack in the Imperial Study Room.ă
Only a thin stack of memorials lay on the desk.
There wasnât much happening at court, and news from Guangnan had yet to arrive.
For the time being, it wasnât advisable to make any further deployments either.
So, for a moment, Zhao Junyao found himself unexpectedly idle.
He randomly picked up a book and flipped through a few pages but found he couldnât get into it.
Giving up, he tossed the book aside and decided to leave the palace with Li Shengan and the others.