Chapter 799 Lady Wen Arrives

As for the others:

Zi Ning was tasked with managing the storeroom, selecting four honest and meticulous Little Palace Maids to assist her. All the flower vases, antiques, folding screens, and calligraphy paintings throughout Duanning Palace were under their care.

Qiu Ye was responsible for various miscellaneous affairs, as well as the sweeping and cleaning of the front and back courtyards. She didn’t need to lift a finger herself, as four reliable Little Eunuchs were assigned to her to manage these laborious tasks.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhu Zi took care of all the flowers, plants, and trees throughout the palace grounds. It was too much work for one person, so Xia Ruqing similarly assigned four Little Eunuchs to him for the heavy labor.

Additionally, the few newly arrived second-rank Little Palace Maids under her were first handed over to Zi Su for training. This was partly for them to learn the rules and partly an opportunity to observe their character, as it was impossible to trust them immediately.

Zi Yue still served her personally.

Regarding the children:

The original Sister Huang, Sister Jiang, and Sister Liang had all been personally selected by the Emperor years ago. Having been by her side for these past few years, they were all well-acquainted with the household and trustworthy. Xia Ruqing therefore simply put each of them in charge of one child. The Palace Maids, Wetnurse Nannies, and other attendants around each Prince were under their management. These three Sisters were seasoned veterans, with keen eyes, unafraid of any tricks the Wetnurse Nannies or Palace Maids might try to pull.

After these arrangements, the only remaining area was the small kitchen. Currently, the small kitchen had two Kitchen Maids. In the future, one more from the Chuan Region would be added, bringing the total to three. There were also six Imperial Kitchen Palace Maids and four Imperial Kitchen Eunuchs, totaling thirteen people. All of them were placed under Xiao Xizi’s management. Xiao Xizi had served by her side for so many years and had remained loyal and devoted even during her most difficult times. She could only feel at ease entrusting such a significant responsibility to him.

After all the assignments were made, among the Palace Attendants brought from Qingya Residence, there were still about ten who had not been assigned duties. In reality, these were the ones Xia Ruqing had sifted out and did not want to use. It didn’t matter where they came from or if they had backers; if she didn’t want to use them, she wouldn’t. Xia Ruqing made a decisive move, giving them some rewards and sending them away.

Although it seemed somewhat ruthless, in this deep palace, being merciful to others was being cruel to oneself. She certainly wouldn’t do something so foolish.

By the time all this was done, it was already the end of the first lunar month. The weather gradually warmed. Even though there was still a lingering chill in early spring, it was nothing compared to the freezing days during the coldest period. It became pleasant enough to go out for a stroll.

Xia Ruqing’s days became increasingly comfortable. When she had nothing to do, she would leisurely wander around. Duanning Palace was indeed very large. Besides the main hall, there were several side halls that could presumably accommodate people. However, they were currently unoccupied, and she hoped they would stay that way forever.

Yes, she was just that domineering, Haha!

Sitting on the flowering vine-covered swing in the courtyard and basking in the sun, Xia Ruqing stretched lazily.

"Ah, life without anyone lording it over you is truly wonderful!"

Now, apart from having to pay respects to the Empress Dowager on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, there was nothing else to be dissatisfied about. She had also finished copying the scriptures the Empress Dowager had assigned her. It wouldn’t be so easy for the Empress Dowager to find fault with her again. In the entire Harem, no one dared to provoke her anymore, including Noble Concubine Shih.

What more could she ask for in this life?!

...

Then, one day at the end of the first lunar month, Little Zhuzi suddenly delivered a letter.

Xia Ruqing took it and asked with a smile, "It’s from the Hou Mansion, isn’t it?"

Little Zhuzi beamed. "Yes! Your Highness guessed it right away!"

Xia Ruqing teased him, "You’re practically becoming the personal courier for my brother’s household. I bet your master has grumbled about me behind my back more than a few times!"

The Emperor knew she had a good relationship with her elder brother and that they often exchanged family letters. Therefore, he allowed her to bypass the Harem’s complicated procedures. He directly allowed Xia Tingfeng to give the letters to Li Shengan, who would then have someone deliver them to her. And among Li Shengan’s subordinates, Little Zhuzi was the most efficient at running errands. That’s why he was the one who came every time, leading to this playful banter.

Little Zhuzi scratched the back of his head and chuckled. "Your Highness jests! My master would never! My master often instructs this servant to serve Your Ladyship, the Noble Consort, diligently!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled. "You’re becoming quite the smooth-talker. Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Zi Yue!"

Zi Yue emerged with a smile and tucked a small pouch into his hand.

Little Zhuzi became even more deferential. "Many thanks, Lady Zi Yue!"

Zi Yue playfully pinched him. "I don’t recall you being so formal before! What’s gotten into you now?"

Little Zhuzi yelped, then chuckled. "Her Ladyship, the Noble Consort, is now of such esteemed and honorable status. How could this servant dare to be as casual as before!"

Zi Yue feigned annoyance. "Go on with you! You make it sound as if Her Highness wasn’t distinguished before!"

Little Zhuzi quickly protested, "I wouldn’t dare!" Then he added anxiously, "That’s not what this servant meant!"

This made Zi Yue unable to resist a laugh.

Xia Ruqing also covered her mouth with her hand. "Don’t listen to her teasing. Hurry back now!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Little Zhuzi kowtowed and then departed.

Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing opened the letter. After reading for a moment, she burst into laughter.

"I was wondering what it could be. So, it’s Second Lady who has arrived!"

Zi Yue was momentarily stunned before she caught on and also smiled. "Why has Second Lady come so suddenly? Is something the matter?"

Xia Ruqing read the letter through once more and said with a smile, "It says she wants to arrange a marriage for the Second Miss, and also to visit the Little Heir!"

Zi Yue nodded. "That makes sense. Second Lady is the Marquis’s birth mother. Now that the Young Lady has given birth, it’s natural for her to come and see her grandchild! Second Miss will be fourteen after the New Year. It’s indeed time to start looking into marriage prospects for her!"

Holding the letter, Xia Ruqing felt a wave of emotion.

Although Second Lady isn’t my birth mother, without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today! I initially thought that after I entered the palace, she would grow distant from me. I didn’t expect that she wouldn’t! She’s still willing to be close to me! And she even wants me to help find a suitable match for the Second Miss! If it weren’t for such profound trust, who would allow someone else to be involved in such a crucial matter as their daughter’s marriage?!

The tone of the letter was respectful, yet it was also filled with affection.

It seemed that in Second Madam Wen’s heart, she, Xia Ruqing, was also a child whom Second Madam Wen had doted on as she grew up.

Xia Ruqing, who had lacked motherly love in both her lifetimes, found this utterly irresistible. The mere thought of it made her eyes well up.

"Your Highness!" Zi Yue said, a little concerned.

Xia Ruqing quickly wiped her tears. "It’s nothing, I’m just feeling a bit sentimental!"

Having never tasted the sweetness of a mother’s love, she yearned for it too deeply.

Zi Yue felt a pang of sympathy but didn’t know what to say, so she could only change the subject. "Second Miss is the Marquis’s full-blooded younger sister. She was raised in the Hou Mansion since childhood and grew up under the Young Lady’s guidance! Her etiquette and upbringing must surely be top-notch! I imagine that as soon as word gets out from Your Highness, the threshold of the Hou Mansion will be worn smooth by matchmakers and suitors!"

Xia Ruqing instantly broke into a smile through her tears. "Oh, you!"

She paused, then continued, "Second Lady and I feel the same way. We don’t seek great wealth or high status for her, only a sincere man who will genuinely cherish her! It would be best if he came from a scholarly family, is sensible and reasonable, and doesn’t stir up trouble needlessly!"

To be born in these feudal ancient times, having open-minded parents-in-law and a loving husband was the greatest blessing a woman could ask for.

Therefore, Xia Ruqing was exceptionally cautious about this matter.

Zi Yue thought for a moment and said, "Since it’s about arranging a marriage, it’s naturally important to first understand Second Miss’s own wishes!"