Chapter 805: Apology?

Calm down, calm down, calm down again.

After drinking several cups of tea, Noble Concubine Shih finally soothed her temper.

Ying Qiu looked at her, relieved that she wouldn’t lash out at any moment.

Under Ying Qiu’s reminder, Noble Concubine Shih finally recalled the purpose of her visit.

She secretly gritted her teeth and got up to kneel on the ground.

"Noble Consort Xian, I have come today to apologize to you!"

"Apologize?"

Xia Ruqing was utterly puzzled, apologize for what!

She couldn’t help but mutter in her heart: What kind of trick is this again!

"Not only did I compete with you for the first silkworm rite, but I also vied with you for the authority to manage The Six Palaces!"

"I have come today, firstly to apologize, and secondly, to return the authority to manage The Six Palaces to Noble Consort Xian!"

"This authority rightfully belongs to you!"

Xia Ruqing understood and nodded.

"So it’s for this matter!"

She glanced at Noble Concubine Shih, contemplated thoughtfully, and then graciously waved her hand.

"It’s nothing significant, the authority over The Six Palaces is something I never managed, besides I have three children to care for, it’s truly time-consuming, you should continue to handle it!"

Upon careful consideration, she realized the authority over The Six Palaces was indeed a burdensome and thankless task.

So she didn’t want to do it!

Noble Concubine Shih was slightly surprised, feeling suspicious.

"Could it be there are people in the Harem who don’t want palace authority? Really!"

"Noble Consort Xian, what do you mean by this!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t want to argue with her, directly stating.

"I mean you will continue managing The Six Palaces! I believe you will do a good job!"

"In this regard, I admit I’m inferior!"

Xia Ruqing mimicked Zhao Junyao’s way.

First, she offered excessive praise, giving them a high hat.

Then she assigned tasks.

Finally, delivered a line, "I trust you, I have high hopes for you!"

Facts proved the effectiveness.

Noble Concubine Shih was unexpectedly flattered and pleased.

The furious expression vanished, replaced by a face of delight.

"Thank you Noble Consort Xian for your trust!"

Xia Ruqing laughed generously.

"No need to be polite!"

"Manage well, don’t let me down!" Xia Ruqing didn’t forget to remind her.

"Yes! If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave!"

"Go!"

Noble Concubine Shih respectfully bowed and retreated.

...

Watching Noble Concubine Shih’s departing figure, Xia Ruqing fell into contemplation.

"Only missing a title compared to me, and... this happened? Is something off!"

Zi Yue beside her said.

"Nothing’s wrong!"

"Mistress, in the Harem, it’s inherently about clear distinctions of rank!"

Ranking higher by one level can suppress people to death, isn’t that normal?

Especially among high-ranking concubines, the difference could be as slight as a hair yet be a thousand miles apart.

Like between Noble Concubine Shih and our mistress.

It appears to be just one title difference, but it might be a gap one could never cross in a lifetime.

Thus, keeping respect is vital.

Perhaps one day, she might become Empress!

Xia Ruqing pondered for a while and nodded.

"Makes sense!"

"Forget it, don’t think about it anymore!"

Beside her, Zi Su had some doubts.

"Mistress, you are the most noble of The Six Palaces, why don’t you personally take charge?"

Xia Ruqing looked at her with surprise.

"Why should I take charge personally?"

"The Six Palaces have too much work to handle, it’s exhausting! Whoever wants it can have it, I certainly won’t!"

What’s more, there’s the Empress Dowager occasionally causing mischief.

Imagine if she took over matters of The Six Palaces, how could the Empress Dowager be content?

She might come out to stir trouble a little, and she wouldn’t be able to deal with it, can’t openly contradict the Empress Dowager.

So, it’s better to avoid those miscellaneous grievances.

The Emperor treats her well, life’s good now, nothing to complain about!

Zi Su nodded and asked no further!

...

Xifu Palace.

Noble Concubine Shih was quite pleased.

"I originally thought she would take the power! I even prepared for the worst!"

"But in the end, she didn’t want it! Haha..."

"Do you think she’s foolish!"

Ying Qiu beside her also said joyfully.

"Congratulations, Mistress!"

"Regardless, as long as we have power, life won’t be too difficult!"

Noble Concubine Shih snorted coldly.

"You’re right!"

"One day she will understand, in the Harem, love is elusive, only power is real!"

If she didn’t manage The Six Palaces, she dared not imagine how her life would be.

Thinking of this, Noble Concubine Shih grit her teeth.

"Now she won’t take it, if she wants it back later, she can’t have it!"

Ying Qiu bowed.

"Mistress is wise!"

In Zhaochen Palace.

Zhao Junyao was engrossed in approving memorials.

Li Shengan tiptoed out once.

Whispered something to his little apprentice, and sneaked back again.

Zhao Junyao was a bit displeased, raising his hand he threw a book over.

"I hate sneaky behavior the most, why can’t you remember!"

Li Shengan’s legs instantly softened, ’thump’ he knelt on the ground.

"Forgive me, Emperor, I deserve to die!"

"Hurry up and speak, don’t leave out a word!"

Zhao Junyao didn’t look up, but his voice was chilling!

Li Shengan didn’t dare hide and reported Noble Concubine Shih’s visit to Duanning Palace.

Including the purpose of her visit, the words spoken between the two noble ladies, everything detailed.

Zhao Junyao was a bit surprised after listening.

"She refused?"

Li Shengan was a bit confused, hurriedly nodded after a brief pause.

"Yes, Emperor, Noble Consort Xian refused!"

Zhao Junyao found it hard to believe.

After all, for women in the Harem, power is perhaps as madly pursued as love!

But after a moment of thought, he discovered it seemed to align with her character.

She’s so lazy, how could she ever take over such chaos.

He immediately smiled slightly.

"Such a thing, only she could do!"

"Qingqing oh Qingqing, you really are..."

At times looking superbly clever, at times seemingly so foolish.

So foolish he doubted if he let go, she’d be swallowed whole by those women.

But there was a period he wasn’t in the palace.

Returned to find she could live well, and actually did quite well!

Is this the fabled ’wisdom in foolishness?!’

Perhaps it is, anyway, regardless of foolishness, he likes her!

Disliking power is fine, her happiness is priority!

He can certainly protect her!

Zhao Junyao thought without much disturbance.

But Li Shengan was very uneasy.

Just because the Emperor showed no expression doesn’t mean the matter is insignificant, on the contrary, it might be significant!

So he took the initiative, cautiously asking.

"Emperor, should I step in, and visit Xifu Palace..."

Zhao Junyao glared at her.

"Why visit Xifu Palace!"

"Naturally to make things right for Noble Consort Xian!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

He swept a scalding gaze over.

"No need!"

"Yes!" Li Shengan bore the pressure heavily.