Chapter 953: Sentiments

"Studying?"

Xia Ruqing muttered to herself.

With his mother’s character, does that little chubby one really think he can succeed?

She also sent people out to investigate these days.

The news received was:

Those siblings can’t do anything else, but they eat a lot, obviously spoiled by Lady Yao.

Xia Ruyi is slightly better, a little smart, but just like her mother, full of bad intentions.

As for that little chubby one...

Xia Ruqing shook her head, apparently already half-brain damaged.

"I’m not worried about studying, he won’t learn much anyway!"

"But finding a husband..."

"Xia Ruyi is quite ambitious, huh!"

Going to the palace, lingering in the Capital City, isn’t it all about that idea!

"If I remember correctly, she’s only eleven!"

Tsk tsk, kids in ancient times mature early, just barely ten and already starting to look for a husband.

If it were her family doing this, it could be understood.

But now, it’s herself doing the matchmaking...

Ahem! As a modern person, she feels quite liberal.

"Madam, you better think of a solution soon!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit discouraged.

"Sigh, what’s the rush!"

"It’s not something that can be sorted out in a day or two!"

"I can’t possibly ask the Emperor to issue an order to drive them away directly!"

After all, they are nominally siblings.

Ancient people are so concerned with reputation, imagine how unpleasant it would be if the news spread!

They may not care about their reputation, but she and her brother certainly do.

"Oh..."

Zi Su pouted, looking very aggrieved.

Xia Ruqing waved her hand.

"Alright, alright! I need to get up!"

"This morning, I want to eat crystal shrimp dumplings, runny egg with yolk, and red bean buns. The soup should be salty, either egg shrimp skin soup or pigeon broth!"

After lying in bed discussing for so long, her stomach couldn’t bear it anymore.

"Hey!"

Zi Su responded and went to order the meal.

After breakfast.

Xia Ruqing set aside the worries and took Henger and Yeye to the Imperial Garden.

It was the transition between spring and summer, not too hot or cold, in April.

Though the time for blooming flowers had passed in the Imperial Garden.

The grass was green, and the trees cast shadows with lush grasses.

The garden’s rockery, tranquil flowing water, and intricately carved octagonal pavilion together had a unique charm.

Warming breeze, growing morning light.

All flowers, trees, pavilions, and distant ancient and solemn palaces were covered in a golden mist-like veil.

The otherwise solemn and serene deep palace courtyard now seemed like a shy and lively little girl, mysterious yet adorable.

In the hazy view, everything was breathtakingly beautiful.

Henger, Yeye, and Yellow Bean together.

Played on the cobblestone path and rolled on the thick grassy ground.

Yellow Bean had a Colorful Silk-Wrapped Exquisite Ball in its mouth, joyfully running circles around them.

Yeye tossed the ball, and Yellow Bean happily chased it and brought it back.

This went on, endlessly fun.

Xia Ruqing watched them with indulgence, her heart swelling with happiness and fortune.

"Eight years, it’s the first time I’ve seen such beauty."

"For the first time, I feel this is my home!"

Zhao Junyao, thank you.

You’ve made the nation so beautiful, allowed the people to live peacefully.

You’ve made me... so happy.

He’s a good emperor, a good father.

Of course, if there weren’t so many women, he would also be a good husband.

But, she doesn’t blame him.

Because it’s ancient times, even he can’t change that.

Since it can’t be changed, don’t think about it.

She smiled softly, squinting and reflecting.

"Unknowingly, I’ve been in the palace... for so long?!"

Whether eight or nine years, it doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that she has transformed from a lady with nothing into a Noble Consort with everything.

She felt like she had finally reached the summit after a long hard journey.

Zi Su proudly said.

"Madam, compared to Consort Shih Pin, you’re not considered long!"

"But managing to hold the Emperor’s heart so tightly in such a short time, that’s impressive!"

Xia Ruqing could not help but laugh and cry.

"Alright Zi Su!"

"Seems I’ve spoiled you, now you dare say anything, regardless of occasion, huh?"

Zi Su quickly begged for mercy.

"Madam, I know I’m wrong, please don’t dock my allowance!"

Xia Ruqing instantly laughed helplessly.

"Look at your mindset, if people heard they’d think I’ve mistreated you!"

Zi Su quickly corrected.

"No, no!"

"In the palace, who doesn’t know, our Noble Consort is noble yet generous, beautiful yet virtuous, only rewards servants without punishing..."

Those last words amused all of them.

Xia Ruqing pointed at Zi Su and turned to Zi Yue.

"See, I really have spoiled her!"

Zi Yue also laughed.

"Indeed, I also feel Madam spoils her too much!"

"Why not punish, if you ask me, punish well!"

While speaking, everyone laughed.

The atmosphere lively and cheerful.

As the sunlight warmed, the breeze was just right, everything seemed perfect.

Yet... there’s always a ’yet’.

When the atmosphere is just right, some disharmony always comes to disrupt.

While the lady and the servants were chatting and laughing.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard not far away.

Xia Ruqing followed the sound and looked into the distance.

Seeing Empress Dowager Zhen leading Hai Feng and a group, magnificently walking from behind the rockery.

Her heart skipped a beat, thinking: What a coincidence.

Empress Dowager Zhen also saw her.

After all, it’s a junior, Xia Ruqing considered and personally went forward to greet with a smile.

"So it’s the Imperial Noble Consort, long time no see!"

"I pay respects to the Imperial Noble Consort!"

Everyone is just concubines, all with the same rank but different generations.

This greeting, isn’t a bad deal.

Empress Dowager Zhen seeing her modestly bow, also smiled.

"It’s Noble Consort Xian, what a coincidence today!"

After saying, she tugged at Hai Feng beside her.

Hai Feng reacted and quickly paid her respects too.

Xia Ruqing waved her hand.

"No need for formalities, there’s no outsider here!"

Empress Dowager Zhen laughed.

"Noble Consort Xian is indeed courteous!"

She then glanced around.

Seeing the two Princes and a dog playing happily together.

Disdain and sarcasm emerged in Empress Dowager Zhen’s eyes.

"I’ve heard Noble Consort Xian is excellent at educating children, and today I see it’s truly remarkable!"

Others teach rules, morals, reading, and writing from a young age.

Noble Consort Xian instead, teaches to play, even with dogs, tsk tsk...

Xia Ruqing’s lip curled slightly, speaking leisurely.

"Imperial Noble Consort’s words... I dare not accept!"

"Speaking of educating children, who can compare to you!"

"Not to mention the Fifth Prince, just speaking of our Sixth Prince, truly remarkable!"

Humph!

Sarcastic about my son?

Also take a look at your son’s condition?!

What Sixth Prince has done, everyone in the court knows it.