Itâs a pity that shouting is useless.
No one can hear, and thereâs no evidence,
Even if there is evidence, no one will help her.
Lady Dou suffered a hidden loss this time, tricked ruthlessly by Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin.
The next day, news from Zhaohua Pavilion came.
Lady Dou was seriously ill, unable to get out of bed.
Consort Yun Pin and Consort Zheng Pin clapped their hands cheerfully, feeling delighted.
"Hahaha!"
"Her good days are finally over!" Consort Yun Pin said proudly.
"Isnât it?"
"She ruined her own good hand, who can she blame?" Consort Zheng Pin mocked.
Consort Yun Pin sneered and flicked her handkerchief.
"She got off easy this time!"
"If she behaves in the future, all will be well, but if she remains obstinate, donât blame me for being ruthless!"
Consort Zheng Pin laughed slightly.
"Well enough!"
"What obstinacy could she possibly have left?"
"Even if we donât act, do you think that one in Precious Stream Pavilion will spare her?"
Consort Zheng Pin pointed towards the direction of Precious Stream Pavilion!
Within Precious Stream Pavilion reside Consort Shih Pin and the Third Princess.
Even if Consort Shih Pin is not favored now, caring for the Third Princess would ensure her days arenât difficult.
Besides, Consort Shih Pin is ultimately still a consort.
A Consort, compared to a demoted Honored Lady.
Which is heavier? Palace maids and eunuchs arenât blind.
Consort Yun Pin merely smiled.
"Then Iâm reassured!"
Having said that, she stretched lazily and sighed.
"Ah! How quickly time passes!"
"In the blink of an eye, the five consort positions in the palace dwindled to three!"
"Having a Prince does indeed make a difference!"
Upon hearing this, jealousy flickered in Consort Zheng Pinâs eyes, and she quickly sighed.
"Such things canât be forced, we shouldnât dwell on them!"
Thinking too much only adds to the worries.
"Alright, alright!"
"Youâre not dwelling on it, but Iâm eaten up with envy. When will I have your peaceful nature?" Consort Yun Pin said somewhat wistfully.
Consort Zheng Pin faintly smiled and said nothing more.
Indeed, she doesnât have such peaceful nature herself.
Itâs merely that being deep within the palace, she feels helpless, how could she not be jealous?
The follow-up to this incident concluded with Lady Douâs severe illness.
No matter how resentful or unwilling Lady Dou was, she didnât dare directly confront these two consorts.
Of course, no one would dare to help her, even if she did confront them, right?
In the end, the matter passed just like that.
The scorching summer faded, ushering in golden autumn.
In just a short month or two, it seemed like a year or two had passed.
Since the Emperorâs fury last time, demoting Consort Ning Pin.
The women of the harem completely gave up their schemes.
Dared not attempt any encounters, focusing solely on living peacefully.
The harem remained utterly calm, which greatly satisfied Zhao Junyao.
Reviewing memorials, murmuring to himself.
"It seems that excessively favoring them only makes them unruly; there needs to be both commendation and demotion!"
Li Shengan stood aside, not daring to respond.
Such words, he wouldnât dare respond to, lest he invites trouble.
After a while, having finished reviewing, it was near noon.
Li Shengan went to call for the meal.
The dishes from the Small Imperial Kitchen remained the same.
Not outstanding, nor greasy, appearing bland and easy to swallow.
However...
Eating, Zhao Junyao always felt the food lacked flavor.
Having tasted delicacies with a certain someone, he found himself longing.
The ancient saying goes: "Food and sex are inherent", indeed, it holds true!
After lunch.
A lonely emperor reclining on the dragon bed for a nap felt increasingly affected by this saying.
âFoodâ was beyond his reach.
âSexâ was also unreachable.
His beloved woman hadnât been seen for a long time.
He was utterly restless in his mind and heart.
Tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Finally, he rose from bed, summoning Li Shengan.
"Are there any new updates from The Summer Resort?"
Li Shenganâs heart instantly sank, responding with a bitter face.
"Reporting, Emperor, there is no news at the moment!"
Silently complaining in his mind.
Wasnât it just yesterday that the courier was seen?
Havenât you asked this question thirty-eight times already?
Watching Li Shengan with a pained expression utter the response he expected.
Zhao Junyao realized he was slightly losing composure.
He cleared his throat to mask his embarrassment, then ordered once more.
"Send more couriers and report daily!"
So he could receive updates about Qingqing daily.
No detail too small.
Her health, her diet, everything about her he could know.
The thought was delightful.
Li Shengan, however, broke into a cold sweat.
Thinking: Oh, Emperor, isnât the Noble Consort returning soon? How impatient are you?
Internally grumbling, outwardly he must maintain utmost respect and bow.
"Yes! Emperor!"
Once out of the Emperorâs sleeping chambers, Li Shengan wiped his sweat, deeply contemplating.
âThe Summer Resortâs news initially reported every ten days!â
âLater changed to reporting every five days!â
âThen it became every three days!â
âNow, daily reporting is required, oh Emperor, itâs over two hundred miles!â
All these years.
He had never seen the Emperor lose reason for any consort like this.
It seems.
Noble Consort Xian truly held a special place in the Emperorâs heart, extraordinary!
...
Since that day.
The number of couriers from The Summer Resort to the Capital City indeed doubled.
Those couriers did nothing else.
Their daily task was to fetch information from The Summer Resort and report it to the Capital City.
How was the information obtained?
With so many couriers, they couldnât directly approach the Noble Consort Xian.
Naturally, they had to trouble those around the Noble Consort Xian.
Initially, they summoned the rough servants by Noble Consort Xianâs side to ask.
Later discovered they couldnât get any useful information, returning only to face the Emperorâs reprimand.
Sought to find the Senior Palace Maids Zi Su and Zi Yue.
In theory.
Itâs good for the Emperor to be concerned about the Consort!
But now, asking daily is surely too frequent.
Although Zi Su and Zi Yue wouldnât say much.
Even Xia Ruqing began to feel somewhat resentful.
One day, Zi Su was summoned again for questioning.
Zi Yue was also dispatched to deliver items to Henger and Yeye.
Beside her, no one remained.
Wanting to eat fruits, she searched everywhere, finding none.
In the end, she ended up going next door to Ni Manxueâs for a bite.
Upon returning that day.
Xia Ruqing said helplessly.
"I think I should return sooner!"
"If this continues, the Emperor wonât suffer, but I will!"
Now every day thereâs a large group hurrying over two hundred miles, just to send the update of her daily life to the Capital.
Isnât this just a big fuss?
Sheâs embarrassed herself.
Not to mention, this closely resembles Yang Guifeiâs fondness for lychees.
"Enough is enough!"
"I certainly donât want that!"
Zi Yue hurried to advise.
"No matter what, the Emperor is showing concern for the Consort!"
Xia Ruqing frowned.
"I know, but..."
"Enough, just regard it as Iâve had my fill outside, wanting to return on my own!"
In truth.
After enjoying two months in luxury and comfort outside, it truly is quite enough.