Chapter 802: Refusal to See

Xifu Palace

It was heard that the Empress Dowager couldn’t make decisions for herself, and in the end Noble Consort Xian came out on top.

Noble Concubine Shih was burning with anger.

"Impossible! What confidence does Lady Xia have to dare defy the Empress Dowager!"

Ying Qiu cautiously advised from the side.

"Mistress, please lower your voice, walls have ears!"

"Only the Empress Dowager and Empress can directly address Noble Consort Xian as ’Lady Xia.’ It’s not appropriate for you. If heard, it would be used against you."

Noble Concubine Shih glared at her, and indeed said no more.

That night, Noble Concubine Shih stormed into Ningshou Palace in a rage.

Intending to ask what exactly happened during the day today.

But Sister Qing stopped her outside.

"Noble Consort, the Empress Dowager is unwell today, just took medicine and went to sleep! If you have any matters, please come back tomorrow!"

Noble Concubine Shih was incredulous.

"Mother is sick?"

Sister Qing bowed and affirmed.

Noble Concubine Shih paused and then said.

"What illness? Let me go in to have a look!"

Sister Qing had to step up and firmly block her way.

"Noble Consort, the Empress Dowager just fell asleep, please don’t go in!"

Upon hearing this, Noble Concubine Shih turned away, even more in disbelief.

"I can’t even take a look? What’s really wrong with Mother?"

Sister Qing bowed:

"Noble Consort, the Empress Dowager instructed not to see anyone, I’m powerless, please go back!"

The Noble Consort stared at her, tears gradually forming in her eyes.

Is this the Empress Dowager, is this the Sister Qing who always cared for her?! It really makes one doubt!

"Sister, the Empress Dowager doesn’t wish to see me, and you won’t help me either?"

Sister Qing sighed.

"Some things cannot be forced, please look after yourself!"

Noble Concubine Shih’s gaze turned resolute. She exclaimed "Fine" three times and sneered.

"Fine, looking after myself!"

"Since none of you are helping, I will no longer force it!"

"Ying Qiu, let’s leave!"

Noble Consort finished speaking and turned around, leaving decisively.

Sister Qing sighed.

"Farewell, Noble Consort!"

She watched Noble Concubine Shih’s figure gradually disappear before returning inside.

In the inner chamber.

The Empress Dowager was actually not asleep, merely reclining on the couch sipping tea.

Seeing Sister Qing return, she asked casually.

"Gone?!"

"Yes!"

The Empress Dowager smiled.

"It’s just as well. I see that she’s not capable, we shouldn’t bother anymore!"

"This is probably what is called, a petty enemy created by one’s benefactor!"

Having helped her so much, she turns this way once we couldn’t help! After all, it wasn’t for lack of trying, what’s the point!

"Let her leave! In the future, no need to engage!"

Sister Qing was still somewhat hesitant.

"Mistress, this cuts ties, doesn’t it? After all, she’s Shih family’s blood!"

The Empress Dowager sneered.

"What if she’s Shih family’s blood? This is the harem, not Shih family!"

"Her status advantage is gone, now she’s not even loved like others, what’s the point of me spending more time on her?"

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s mind was made, Sister Qing stopped advising, but asked instead.

"What are your plans going forward?"

The Empress Dowager thought, sighed.

"We’ll see, compared to status in the harem, gaining the Emperor’s favor is a lot easier!"

After pondering a bit, she suddenly asked.

"Are those children I picked last year still here?"

Sister Qing quickly replied.

"Yes, still here, all awaiting your command!"

The Empress Dowager nodded, relaxed.

"It’s my oversight!"

"Last year, I intended to select wives for Junqi and Little Fifth. Then Junqi had troubles, and Little Fifth delayed as well!"

"Now, I don’t even have the mind for it!"

Sister Qing thought for a bit and said.

"Fifth Prince doesn’t have matters as pressing as the Princely Heir!"

"I see that Empress Dowager Zhen behaved well in these years. Why not let her handle Fifth Master’s marriage, and we avoid the burden!"

The Empress Dowager considered but didn’t express an opinion.

"We’ll see!"

"Anyway, this year must see a selection of talents, last year was delayed, it can’t be again this year!"

"We must choose some good ones, see if we can groom one or two favored ones; the Emperor must always have someone of ours nearby!"

"Yes, you’re wise!" Sister Qing responded.

The Empress Dowager just shook her head:

"Forget strategizing, let’s sleep."

"Oh!"

...

Noble Concubine Shih didn’t dare truly break with the Empress Dowager.

After venting for days, she came to understand some things, and calmed down.

After all, the Empress Dowager is her aunt, she can’t help that mean woman Lady Xia!

Furthermore, her mother and the Emperor’s relationship is genuinely strained now!

In reason and sentiment, the Empress Dowager could be powerless.

Ultimately, it’s her own fault for being unworthy and impatient.

"Alas!"

After sighing multiple times, Noble Concubine Shih finally decided to visit Ningshou Palace to see the Empress Dowager.

And peacefully.

The Empress Dowager was quite surprised, thinking she wouldn’t come again.

But upon reflection, it was also expected.

She has nothing now, besides me, she’s alone and unaided.

Haha, she finally sees her situation clearly.

However, hasn’t she realized it too late?

Noble Concubine Shih came with a smiling face, but met with cold indifference.

The Empress Dowager appeared disinterested in interacting with her, aloof.

Noble Concubine Shih found it hard to believe, thinking the Empress Dowager was just unwell.

Upon several more visits with the same indifference, she gradually understood.

"So, the Empress Dowager truly doesn’t wish to support me!"

Ying Qiu thought otherwise.

"Mistress, maybe the Empress Dowager is still angry!"

"Visit several more times, speak kindly, when she calms down, all will be well!"

Noble Concubine Shih considered and found it reasonable, and nodded.

"I’ll go in a few days then!"

Better let her aunt see that she can be patient.

Ying Qiu smiled.

"Mistress is wise!"

...

Duanning Palace

After deciding to preside over the Sericulture Ceremony, Xia Ruqing began frantically learning about it.

She studied the procedures from the Ministry of Rites repeatedly.

Went through historical records documenting the Sericulture Ceremony thoroughly.

The more she read, the more she realized.

This was a pit she dug for herself to fall into.

"It’s too complicated, just going back and forth takes a month!"

What kind of mindset decides to lead such a ceremony?

Being an empress is indeed difficult.

Xia Ruqing just wanted to ask: Is it too late to regret now?

Zi Yue firmly dispelled her thoughts.

"Mistress, it’s about to begin, please prepare well!"

"Understood!" Xia Ruqing replied sullenly.

By late February.

The Ministry of Rites chose an auspicious day for the Sericulture Ceremony based on the climate and silkworm growth.

Before this, Xia Ruqing needed to fast and bathe for three days, while other noblewomen for one day.

After fasting and bathing, Xia Ruqing would lead the internal and external noblewomen to the Sericulture Altar.

Firstly, sacrifice to the Silkworm God Lady Xi Ling, performing the ritual of six solemn bows, three kneelings, and three prostrations.

Secondly, perform the Mulberry Ritual, led personally by Xia Ruqing along with the internal and external noblewomen, picking mulberry leaves, handed by palace maid, to feed silkworms.[2]