Chapter 927: Men

Zi Yue hesitated and didn’t dare to continue speaking.

But Xia Ruqing’s face changed drastically.

"Is there really such a rumor in the palace?"

"Do you know where it’s coming from?"

Zi Yue and Zi Su both shook their heads.

After a moment, Zi Yue continued.

"Master, it doesn’t look like someone deliberately spread it."

"It seems more like..."

Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled.

"Like what?"

Zi Yue lowered her head, hesitated, and couldn’t say a word for a long time.

Zi Su, nearby, was so anxious she couldn’t stand it, she hurriedly stepped forward.

"Ah, Sister Zi Yue, why are you..."

She turned mid-sentence.

"Master, you don’t need to deliberately spread this, it’s obvious to anyone!"

"I also think you have the most hope of becoming the new Empress for the Emperor!"

As the words fell, Xia Ruqing was directly stunned.

The room fell into silence.

It took a while for her to react.

She looked around and then at them, testingly asked.

"Zi Yue, do you think so too?"

Zi Yue glanced at Zi Su and then nodded.

"Yes!"

Xia Ruqing was silent for a moment again, exhaled, and slowly stood up, standing under the window looking out.

"I don’t care what you all think!"

"From now on, keep this idea to yourselves!"

"Never mind how others spread and say things, just act as if you’re deaf and blind, see nothing, hear nothing!"

"Restrain everyone in Duanning Palace!"

"If anyone dares to spread rumors, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, the glimmer in her eyes was sharp, and her tone was as frosty as snow, causing fear upon hearing it.

Zi Yue and Zi Su were terrified, hurriedly knelt down, and admitted their mistakes.

They repeatedly assured they would properly restrain the servants and never speak recklessly again.

Only then did Xia Ruqing breathe deeply, turned around, and said lightly.

"Stand up!"

"Thank you, Empress!"

The two crawled up from the ground, trembling.

Xia Ruqing returned to the soft couch again.

She sighed lightly.

"Don’t blame me for being strict with you!"

"The Duanning Palace is too conspicuous!"

"In the harem, there are inevitably jealous ones, those who look at us unfavorably."

"Think, if you jump up yourself, aren’t you handing others the handle directly?"

Zi Yue and Zi Su nodded repeatedly, speaking in unison.

"It’s our oversight, please punish us!"

Xia Ruqing smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"What good would it do to punish you?"

"It’s not entirely your fault, with the rumors so wild, who would believe there’s no one pushing it behind the scenes?"

Zi Su looked shocked.

"Empress, what should we do then?!"

Xia Ruqing slightly curled her lips.

"What can we do? Pretend to be deaf and blind, remain unchanged in response to change, I just don’t believe it!"

"With three Princes under me, can she use rumors against me!"

"This is what they call... Using calmness to manage!"

She said the last four words with confidence, her eyes shining.

Zi Yue and Zi Su were full of admiration.

It turns out the master appears carefree, but inside she’s already crystal clear.

What’s that saying?

Ah, yes! Wisdom in simplicity!

"Alright, alright, don’t admire me!"

"Go set up the meal quickly, are you trying to starve me?"

Xia Ruqing stood up and gazed outside.

Zi Yue also reacted, quickly said.

"Empress, please wait, the servant will go now!"

Finished speaking, she hurriedly withdrew, Zi Su also rushed to help.

Xia Ruqing watched the backs of the two young girls with a sense of satisfaction!

’These ancient girls are really interesting’

After all, I’ve lived two lifetimes, some tricks apply both ancient and modern times, right?!

Thinking this made her feel fortunate.

Fortunately, I lived another lifetime.

...

Lunch was served.

As she requested, it was all meat dishes.

"This is beef stew, this is fish head tofu stew, this is yam and rib stew!"

"Master, there are also sixteen other dishes!"

"There are charcoal grilled lamb chops, crispy roast duck, steamed fish, spicy chicken, braised pork..."

Zi Yue and Zi Su talked on and on, filling a large table completely.

Xia Ruqing felt such delight looking at it.

"How long has it been since I had meat dishes?"

"Six months, six months indeed!"

These dishes, each looked, both familiar and strange.

She felt a bit like an old friend meeting with teary eyes.

"Master, please eat quickly, it won’t taste good if it gets cold!"

"Yes, yes!" Xia Ruqing nodded heavily, picked up her chopsticks.

Just when she was about to contend with the array of dishes.

A report came from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Alas! Someone’s coming to freeload!

While thinking, a bright yellow figure already entered.

He stepped in quickly, bringing a gust of wind.

"Greetings to the Emperor!"

The room of masters and servants all knelt down.

Zhao Junyao quickly stepped forward to assist Xia Ruqing.

"Stand up!"

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Someone obediently and cleverly complied, still pondering internally.

’How do you always arrive so punctually, right on time!’

Thinking this in mind, on the surface still smilingly asking.

"Emperor, have you had lunch?"

"I’ve just set the table here, if you don’t mind..."

Zhao Junyao directly waved his hand, unceremoniously said.

"Bring another pair of bowls and chopsticks, I’m starving!"

"Yes!"

Zi Su dashed away.

She returned shortly thereafter.

Afterward, she left together with Zi Yue.

Only the Emperor and Empress Consort were left in the inner room.

Xia Ruqing watched Zhao Junyao eating heartily without courtesy.

She was left speechless.

Should she be happy, or perhaps happy?!

"Emperor, you haven’t come for a long time, eat more!"

"You’ve become thinner!"

These words were true.

Although the Emperor wasn’t required to keep mourning for Empress Fan.

But to be strict, after all, he had lost his wife.

According to common parlance, he is now a widower.

It’s also improper to be constantly mingling with concubines.

During these six months, he mostly didn’t stay in the harem overnight.

Even if he came to the harem, it was just to see the children, he would leave without even eating.

Therefore...

Xia Ruqing felt heartache every time she thought of him.

The women of ancient times were pitiful, and the men too struggled!

After all, people need to maintain dignity.

In ancient times, ignoring feudal etiquette meant being ready to be criticized.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t spare much consideration.

After a few bites of rice, he hurried to leave.

Luckily, Xia Ruqing stopped him.

"Emperor, why are you... leaving again?!"

Isn’t the mourning period over?

She referred to herself; the Emperor had no such periods.

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment.

"I have a pile of memorials to go through, Qingqing, I’ll see you tonight!"

Xia Ruqing’s face suddenly flushed.

"Emperor!"

"Okay, okay!"

Zhao Junyao rubbed her hair.

"Then let me sleep next to you for a nap!"

After speaking, he tugged her to wash and get in bed.

Xia Ruqing, forcibly embraced, gazed helplessly at the canopy top.

Filled with irony.

"Men!"

The cheek is so thick!

Who’s accompanying whom, really?!

Thinking, uncomfortably turning over, she muttered.

"Emperor, you’ve really lost a lot of weight!"

The bones poking made her ache.