Chapter 850: Keep Dreaming

Li Shengan seemed to have seen the funniest joke.

He couldn’t even muster a laugh, leaving only a look of irony.

"Like you?"

"Oh dear, sorry, this old servant didn’t see that!"

"You, just keep dreaming your grand dreams!"

After finishing, he waved his hand.

"Take her away!"

"Yes!"

A few little eunuchs escorted the crying and yelling Huan Chun to the Punishment Department.

Meanwhile, over at Duanning Palace.

Xia Ruqing was so hungry her stomach was pressing against her back, and it took forever for Zhao Junyao to come over.

"Emperor, you’ve finally returned, let’s eat!"

If he didn’t come back soon, the dinner would be cold.

"Alright!"

Zhao Junyao was in a good mood.

Afterward, the emperor and empress consort ate, laughing and talking as usual.

Then washed up, changed clothes, and went to sleep.

Throughout, Xia Ruqing didn’t ask a single question.

It wasn’t until she sent the Emperor off the next day

that she summoned all the palace maids of Duanning Palace.

Zi Yue came out and recounted the events of the previous night.

Xia Ruqing sat high above, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone below.

Then she spoke coldly.

"You all were carefully selected to serve in my Duanning Palace for a long time!"

"How I treat you is something you know well in your hearts; I won’t say more!"

"Today I’ve gathered you for just one thing!"

As Xia Ruqing spoke, she stood up.

Slowly walked in front of them, scrutinizing each one.

It took a while before she finally said.

"If any of you think you have potential, want to climb up or serve the Emperor, or seek higher branches, today you can speak up, I’ll personally pave the way for you!"

"I’ll make sure there’s no injustice or burying of your talents!"

As soon as she finished, all the large and small palace attendants knelt down.

"Noble Consort, this servant wouldn’t dare!"

Xia Ruqing laughed again.

"Wouldn’t dare? Haha!"

"I suppose not!"

Then she continued.

"After today, if you still want to serve the Emperor, or climb higher, whether openly or through deceit, I will not let you off lightly!"

"Then, no need for the Punishment Department to worry! I can take your life myself!"

"Although I’m just a Noble Consort with no power over The Six Palaces, if I want to deal with you, it’s just a matter of moving a finger!"

"If anyone doesn’t believe, feel free to try!"

Though she wore everyday clothes, her words carried a natural nobility, commanding presence, and majestic aura.

Not much different from the Empress of the past.

The aura of non-anger but impressive, pressured everyone not to lift their heads.

The palace attendants knelt on the ground, desperately kowtowing.

"This servant wouldn’t dare! This servant wouldn’t dare!"

Xia Ruqing sneered, turning back to her seat.

Snorting coldly.

"Stop with the ’wouldn’t dare’!"

"I did give you the chance to climb up!"

"If you don’t seize it yourselves, don’t blame others!"

After her words, there were still pleas and refusals below.

She wasn’t in a hurry, calmly drinking tea.

After a while, she finally stood.

"Since this is so, if any of you betray me, it’s a dead-end street!"

"Of course, that Huan Chun... won’t survive either!"

"I heard she’s already being punished in the Punishment Department, if any of you are on good terms, you can go see her!"

"In the future, that’s how we will meet our end!"

Once finished, Xia Ruqing left directly.

Leaving only the palace attendants sprawled on the ground, looking at each other.

Their inner thoughts:

’Noble Consort really is the silent, explosive type!’

’Yes, don’t be fooled by her usual friendly smile! She’s quite shrewd, not easy to fool!’

’Noble Consort is in favor, not arrogant with it, doesn’t beat or scold servants, and has three princes; serving well guarantees a future, why would anyone betray?’

’You’re right, some people really live too comfortably, almost like things going to the dogs!’

’Exactly!’

’Even those from the Empress’s palace before weren’t as free as we are!’

’No beatings, no scolding, people outside flattering us whenever we go out, lots of people wish to enter Duanning Palace!’

’Exactly, exactly!’

After much discussion, everyone slowly got up and dispersed.

If they aren’t betraying, then why kneel?!

...

The matter with Huan Chun was just a small episode in the harem.

It passed as the storm faded.

In the following days, the palace was buzzing with various news.

It’s said there was some conflict in Consort Ning’s place, and the Eldest Princess even summoned an Imperial Physician.

Also mentioned was.

Empress Dowager Zhen argued once again with the Fifth Prince, still about Elder Statesman Liang’s family marriage.

Be it new gossip or old.

Listening to this daily gossip while living a little life, in fact, was pretty enjoyable.

It went on for half a month.

After the Mid-Yuan Festival.

The palace buzzed again with news.

This one was much more explosive.

Western Xia Kingdom was said to visit next month.

Additionally, out of nowhere came a rumor.

Saying the Western Xia King has a niece, some Commandery Princess, now sixteen years old.

Born with red lips, white teeth, bright eyes and white teeth, like a flower, beauty like an immortal.

Rumor has it she’s coming to form a marriage alliance with the Great Chu Dynasty, to find a suitor for this delicate Commandery Princess.

Once the news came out, the harem was in an uproar.

"Hmph! What suitor picking, I bet they’re targeting our emperor!"

"Exactly, speaking so nicely, all hypocritical and pretentious!!"

"Isn’t it? Our Great Chu Dynasty has plenty of girls, why does Western Xia have to meddle!"

The concubines complained thoroughly, and then began to strategize.

If this Commandery Princess entered the palace, what should be done? Everyone had different opinions.

"The Emperor certainly has awareness, even if unable to refuse, reluctantly entering the harem, it’s impossible to gain favor!"

Joking, the Emperor doesn’t even touch them, how could he possibly touch a person from Western Xia, isn’t that a joke?

Someone started worrying.

"After all, it’s a unique exotic charm, the Emperor is also a man, who knows if he might really like it!"

Another bout of noise below.

"Impossible!"

"Our Emperor is always wise!"

"Think, we are so far from Western Xia Kingdom and have no connections!"

"Now they’re desperately trying to marry off a daughter, there must be some conspiracy!"

"The Emperor definitely won’t let them succeed!"

"We should stop with the guessing!"

The concubines exchanged looks, and finally could only let go of their worries.

After all, worrying is of no use!

Xia Ruqing heard these rumors and found them amusing.

"What do they take the Emperor for?"

"Just any woman coming to marry, the Emperor takes her?"

"Haha, naive!"

...

The days of July passed.

At the beginning of August, Western Xia Kingdom’s envoys sent a letter, stating they had reached Great Chu Dynasty’s borders.

In about seven or eight days, they’ll be in the Capital City.