Chapter 955: Good News

"Madam, you are truly amazing!"

Zi Su’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Xia Ruqing was in a great mood, walked over to a nearby pavilion and sat down, slowly sipping sweet soup, deep in thought.

"Xia Ruyi has just arrived in the capital and she’s already been investigated thoroughly!"

"These people really go to great lengths to cause me trouble!"

Zi Yue also frowned with confusion.

"Madam, only you and the Hou Mansion knew of the Third Miss’s arrival in the capital!"

"You found out later; maybe someone at the Hou Mansion..." might be betraying us?

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

"I don’t think so!"

"Although my sister-in-law isn’t from a prominent family, she can at least be considered a refined woman!"

"She has basic means of managing servants!"

"Besides, even if someone is betraying us, someone must have bribed them first, right?"

Thinking it over, Xia Ruqing concluded.

It’s either the Prince Zhe Mansion or Empress Dowager Zhen that has a strong interest in the Xia Family.

Considering the current situation in the harem (After the Empress Dowager incident, movements in and out of the harem have become very strict).

She reached a conclusion.

"It’s the Prince Zhe Mansion!"

"Indeed, there may also be Empress Dowager Zhen’s involvement!"

"But... the main issue should still be the Prince Zhe Mansion!"

Hai Feng... does she hate me that much?

Back then, Zhao Junyao rejected her, it doesn’t have much to do with me!

Zi Yue seemed worried.

"Madam, if it really is the Prince Zhe Mansion, what should we do?"

Letting the Hou Mansion confront them head-on won’t work for sure.

"Madam’s influence is considerable, but she can’t leave." Zi Su anxiously suggested.

"Isn’t there also the Emperor?"

"This matter, if you say it’s big, it’s not; but if you say it’s small, it isn’t. The Emperor shouldn’t ignore it! How about..."

"Enough!"

Xia Ruqing waved her hand to interrupt her.

"The Emperor is already weary from handling state affairs daily, how can I let him be troubled by these trivial matters!"

"Let me think about it more carefully!"

After speaking, she picked up the bowl of soup again and took sips.

The sweet aroma filled her mouth, slightly easing her mood.

But...

Moments later, she still frowned:

Unexpectedly, Xia Ruyi has caused so much trouble since arriving in the capital.

Even involving the Prince Zhe Mansion and Empress Dowager Zhen.

As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Could it be... she herself wants to climb higher?

But what benefit does it bring her to provoke Empress Dowager Zhen?

Oh yes, she also has the Sixth Prince under her.

Though he’s not as agile, his methods and conduct aren’t impressive.

But after all, he’s a Prince!

She might be... aiming for this.

Thinking about this, Xia Ruqing broke out in cold sweat.

"This..."

Zi Yue noticed her poor complexion and quickly approached to ask.

"Madam, what’s wrong?!"

Xia Ruqing took a deep breath, calmed her nerves, and said.

"It’s nothing!"

"It’s getting late; call someone to bring the children, we should head back!"

Although the April sun isn’t blazing.

By noon, it’s noticeably warmer.

After all, in two more months, it’ll be midsummer.

Children’s skin is tender and can’t bear the sun; by midday, they need to avoid it.

Zi Yue responded and quickly went to gather the children.

Henger and Yeye were quite tired, and several wetnurses were also sweating profusely.

When the children run, shouldn’t they follow closely?!

Even Yellow Bean seemed a bit wilted, continually sticking out his tongue.

"You all look so overheated; tidy up quickly, let’s head back!" Xia Ruqing laughed and said.

"Yes!"

Zi Yue responded and hurriedly ordered people to pack things.

Xia Ruqing swiftly led the group back.

After lunch, the children slept.

Xia Ruqing was also very tired.

Originally leaning on the bed reading, she fell asleep in a blink.

Upon waking up, it was already dusk.

She quickly got up and looked outside, seeing the sunset, hurriedly got out of bed.

"Oh dear, Zi Yue, why didn’t you wake me earlier!"

Zi Yue brought in some water, smiling.

"Madam, there was nothing urgent anyway, so you could rest."

Getting up is just wandering around, and you always complain about being bored.

Xia Ruqing coughed lightly with a bit of embarrassment, saying nothing more.

She washed her face and changed into new clothes.

Then went to the courtyard.

"Where are Henger and Yeye? Where did they go?"

Zi Yue laughed and said.

"Madam, you don’t need to worry, the two little princes are in the backyard with Xiao Zhu Zi! The wetnurse and sister are there!"

Xia Ruqing felt at ease.

After wandering around with nothing to do, she sat on the swing.

Gently rocking while pondering things.

Whether she was deep in thought or not, she didn’t notice someone gradually approaching her.

Thus, when Zhao Junyao spoke to her, she was so startled she nearly fell off the swing.

Luckily, Zhao Junyao quickly caught her.

"What were you so absorbed in thinking about?"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit embarrassed.

"Nothing... nothing!"

"Are you sure?" he raised an eyebrow lightly.

That sharp gaze seemed to have seen through her entirely.

Her small thoughts had nowhere to hide.

She thought for a moment, then lowered her head.

"Emperor..."

"You are occupied with state affairs daily; I truly don’t want to bother you with these trivial matters!"

"Trivial matters?"

Zhao Junyao’s brow slightly raised, as he turned around and sat on the swing, speaking casually.

"To torment my beloved concubine to such extent, and it’s still trivial?!"

"Emperor, I..." Xia Ruqing lowered her head.

"Enough!"

"Tell me!"

"I have good news for you!"

Xia Ruqing’s eyes brightened.

"What good news?!"

"Tell me what you were thinking first?" Zhao Junyao smirked.

Xia Ruqing thought it over and decided to speak up.

She immediately bit the bullet and told him everything that happened this morning and her guesses.

Zhao Junyao laughed after hearing it all.

"So it was just this trivial matter?!"

"Seeing you so distracted, I wondered if something was wrong?!"

"Emperor, isn’t this a serious matter?!"

Xia Ruqing asked in surprise.

"If Xia Ruyi really befriends Empress Dowager Zhen, I..."

Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow and waved his hand.

"Enough!"

"If they want to cause trouble, let them!"

"Is this trivial matter worth your concern?!"

"But..." Xia Ruqing felt anxious.

"Emperor, earlier you promised to help me!"

"Alright, alright!" Zhao Junyao felt a bit helpless.

"Tell me, what do you want?!"

Xia Ruqing blurted out without thinking.

"Have them kept away so we won’t be bothered by them!"

Zhao Junyao replied helplessly.

"Qingqing, you haven’t seen them now, have you?!"

"Not just you, even your elder brother has only seen them once!"

"And your sister-in-law... according to your brother, she’s already stopped welcoming guests, so even more unreachable!"

Xia Ruqing was anxious.

"Precisely because of this, they’re forging random connections!"

"Regarding Empress Dowager Zhen..."

Zhao Junyao felt helpless and gave her a few ’firm’ pats on her backside.

"What’s on your mind all day long?!"