Chapter 965: Leisurely

Such an environment makes it hard for her not to sleep well.

A good night’s sleep.

Xia Ruqing woke up the next day at Si Hour, or to be more precise, she was awakened by the sunlight.

Her bedroom window faced southeast.

Around Si Hour, the sunlight just happened to stream in.

The warm breeze outside gently moved the gauze curtain, lightly brushing against her face.

She naturally opened her eyes like this.

The air was filled with a faint fragrance of wildflowers and greenery, and outside, birds and insects were busy humming softly.

Xia Ruqing blissfully rolled over, yawned and exclaimed.

"Nature is truly beautiful!"

If it were modern times.

Such beautiful landscapes would probably be turned into tourist spots, and wanting to enter? You’d have to pay a ticket fee first!

Thinking this way, ancient times still have their charms.

Of course, it’s also that the person she married is formidable enough, hehe!

Zi Yue and Zi Su heard the movement and came in, one after the other.

One was carrying water, and the other brought clothes, hairpins, rings, and the dressing case.

After comfortably washing her face.

Xia Ruqing chose a lake blue long dress, adding a silver embroidered small shawl made of Heavenly Silkworm Silk on her shoulders.

This way, even if the wind was strong, it wouldn’t make her catch a cold.

The hairpins and rings on her head did not have overly complicated styles.

She took apart a set of emerald-colored adornments, picking only two pieces of elegantly designed long hairpins to secure her hair, and that was it.

On her ears.

Xia Ruqing was having trouble choosing anything that satisfied her.

"The styles are too complicated, they don’t match this beautiful landscape!"

Nature, after all, favors simplicity.

Zi Yue thought for a moment.

"Oh yes, madam, the Emperor previously rewarded us with a box of gem jewelry from foreign tributes. Would you like to choose from that?"

"Okay!"

Xia Ruqing replied cheerfully.

"You’re always so considerate!"

As they spoke, Zi Yue came in carrying a box of gems.

Xia Ruqing opened it and was instantly astonished.

"This is..."

Zi Yue handed over a list.

"Madam, please take a look!"

Xia Ruqing took it and, upon looking, her eyes widened.

"Sapphires from Persia, crystals from Duoluo Country, and amber from Sumatra..."

All were tributes from little countries at the border.

Just a few lines in, her little heart began to race.

Women’s love for jewelry never changes—from little girls to eighty-year-old grandmas.

If there is a woman who doesn’t love jewelry.

The reasons can only be either that the jewelry isn’t good enough or there isn’t enough jewelry.

Aside from these, there are no other reasons.

Xia Ruqing suppressed her excitement and chose a pair of crystal earrings.

Crystals the size of a pinky were shaped into water droplets, and at first glance, they really looked like two sparkling dewdrops.

Once worn.

Xia Ruqing looked left and right in the mirror, thoroughly satisfied.

"Not bad!"

"These earrings match perfectly"

Lake blue, emerald green, paired with transparent crystals.

Just right to complement this fresh and beautiful scenery, no matter how you look at it, it looks great.

"Madam, your outfit is refreshing and beautiful!"

Zi Su was entranced.

Xia Ruqing turned around with a smile.

"Of course!"

"I’ve always had an outstanding sense of style" she said proudly.

Zi Su pursed her lips, smiling.

"Madam, it’s time to eat!"

Xia Ruqing realized.

"What time is it?"

"It’s already Si Hour, another hour and it will be time for lunch!"

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.

"Is it this late already?"

"Well! I got up a bit late today!"

Saying this, she headed outside.

The Palace Attendant had already set the breakfast outside.

Xia Ruqing glanced around and frowned.

"No spice? How can I eat without spice?"

Zi Yue was quite troubled, cautiously advising.

"Madam, let’s keep the breakfast light; there will be spicy dishes you like for lunch!"

Xia Ruqing was very reluctant.

"That won’t do!"

She looked at the crystal pan-fried dumplings she usually liked and frowned.

"Go get me a plate of chili oil and a jar of coarse salt, I want to dip it in!"

Her tone carried command, clearly showing dissatisfaction.

Zi Yue didn’t dare delay further, quickly fetching them.

Afterward, dipping them in fragrant vinegar and spicy sauce, Xia Ruqing finally felt a bit more satisfied.

Zi Yue and Zi Su kept their heads down, not saying a word throughout.

Finally, as the two cleared the table.

Zi Su commented.

"See, as I said, madam is pregnant, loves spice, and absolutely needs it!"

Zi Yue also felt a bit fearful.

"I was just thinking of madam’s well-being, I haven’t been pregnant, don’t understand the feeling, only thought eating too much spice isn’t good for the body!"

"Alright, alright!"

"Madam didn’t blame us, next time don’t act on your own accord."

"Madam likes eating certain things, as long as the Imperial Physician says it’s fine, we needn’t interfere!"

"Pregnancy is tough, let the mistress be comfortable!"

Stopping her once or twice is nice, but repeatedly doing so will only annoy her.

Zi Yue quickly nodded.

"Yes, yes!"

...

After breakfast, Xia Ruqing went to the garden to enjoy the scenery and take a stroll.

Just stepping out, she saw Ni Manxue with three children flying kites.

Normally summer is too hot, not an ideal time for kite flying.

But it’s cool in the mountains, running and jumping doesn’t make them sweat much.

Since the children rarely come out and enjoy it, they didn’t stop them.

Henger, Yeye, and Xia Chengze, the three, were born within two months of each other, almost of the same age.

After a few days of interaction, they had all become familiar with each other.

At this moment, three toddlers not yet three years old were running with flushed cheeks.

Ni Manxue watched tenderly.

Xia Ruqing walked over with a smile.

"They’ve only known each other for a few days, yet they’re close like real brothers!"

Ni Manxue teased.

"Madam, the Little Prince carries noble status, Zeze wouldn’t dare call them real brothers!"

"Better to be cousins!"

Xia Ruqing pretended to be displeased.

"There’s no outsiders here, children don’t care about such distinctions! Sister-in-law, you keep remembering these things"

"What, are you not treating me as family?"

Ni Manxue laughed.

"How dare I?"

"Madam, don’t make such jokes!"

Xia Ruqing laughed.

"That’s more like it!"

"I only have one brother, if sister-in-law doesn’t acknowledge me, I’ll have nowhere to cry!"

Ni Manxue was amused.

"Alright, alright, I better just stop talking, the more I speak, the more mistakes I make!"

Xia Ruqing also laughed.

"Okay, I won’t joke anymore!"

After the chatter, the two composed themselves and looked around.

"Why haven’t I seen Cai Yang today?!" Xia Ruqing asked.

Ni Manxue thought for a moment.

"Probably... Master Yang is leaving today, the young couple might be talking about their departure!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Indeed!"

"Then let’s not disturb her!"

Ni Manxue nodded: "Exactly!"

After saying this, the two sat idly on the chairs brought by the Palace Attendant, watching the children fly kites.

...

At this moment, in Xia Caiying’s courtyard.

The young couple was indeed talking about their farewell.

Xia Caiying reluctantly packed snacks for Yang Chenyi’s journey.

There were dried fruits and pastries, afraid that he might suffer on the road.