Chapter 981: A Word of Advice (Part 1)

Seated beside the Empress Dowager was Zhao Junyao.

Despite the ongoing discord between mother and son.

Their display of deep familial affection in front of everyone was impressively convincing.

Watching this, Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but mentally give them a thumbs up.

’Not bad! Truly the royal demeanor!’

Glancing around, she found it extremely dull.

In this grand hall with so many people, who wasn’t wearing a mask?

Even she had to put on an act.

Despite detesting them, she couldn’t even roll her eyes.

This type of occasion, she really couldn’t grow to like.

She sighed.

She could only lower her head, trying to find something she liked to eat on the table.

If there was something, she’d have a bit, if not, perhaps just some soup.

What else could she do?

Soon after the banquet began, after a few cups of wine and some auspicious Mid-Autumn Festival words.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling the opera troupe to begin.

As the operatic instruments began playing, the atmosphere finally relaxed a bit.

The women began to chat in groups of twos and threes, and the banquet finally came alive.

Naturally, Xia Ruqing didn’t need to drink wine.

But after looking around, she still couldn’t find anything good to eat.

Yet it was Zi Su who sneaked out and brought her a bowl of warm milk and bird’s nest soup.

She took the spoon and leisurely sipped the soup while watching the opera.

The opera onstage was entertaining, and the drama offstage was equally captivating.

It’s said that three women make a play, and with so many women gathered, the drama was inevitable.

Not to mention others, just look at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law across from her, Empress Dowager Zhen and her daughter-in-law.

Their laughing and chatting was fine, but they kept glancing over at Xia Ruqing.

Making her back feel a little cold.

Always feeling like they were plotting something bad.

But, what sinister plan could they be plotting?

Unable to comprehend, Xia Ruqing let it go.

After a while.

Just as Xia Ruqing was absorbed in the opera, nearly forgetting their presence.

Hai Feng suddenly stood up.

With a bright smile, she walked gracefully toward her with a wine glass in hand.

"Noble Consort!"

Xia Ruqing raised her eyebrows and looked over.

"Oh! Isn’t this the Princess Consort? What brings you here?"

Hai Feng smiled.

"I came to toast the Noble Consort!"

"But I can’t drink!" Xia Ruqing spread her hands.

Hai Feng smiled faintly.

"I know!"

"I’ll drink, and you can do as you please!"

With that, she raised her wine glass.

Xia Ruqing’s brow furrowed.

Thinking to herself: This isn’t normal, something abnormal is sinister. What’s her game?

In a moment, Hai Feng’s wine glass was empty.

She toyed with it in her hand, smiling.

"I’ve finished my drink, what about you, Noble Consort?"

Xia Ruqing didn’t know what to make of this.

"You want me to gulp down my bird’s nest soup too? I can’t finish such a big bowl in one go!"

Hai Feng remained silent, not speaking.

Xia Ruqing pressed on.

"What exactly do you mean to say!"

Hai Feng’s lips curled into a mysterious smile, her eyes complexly studying her for some time.

She finally said slowly.

"Noble Consort, today is Mid-Autumn, it’s a day of reunion. Don’t you want a reunion?"

"Reunion?"

Hai Feng just laughed.

"Yes! Reunion!"

"You’re a Noble Consort in the palace, your status is unassailable!"

"Your sister Xia Caiyang is the Young Lady of the Minister’s Mansion, with her enjoin, she’s brilliant!"

"Your elder sister-in-law, Lady Hou, also carries an enjoin!"

"Today at the Mid-Autumn banquet, aren’t you at least reunited with a few of yours?!"

Hai Feng coldly smirked at her.

Xia Ruqing was bewildered, frowning.

"What is it you’re trying to say?" Her tone was very unfriendly.

She felt there was more to Hai Feng’s words, and no good intentions.

Hai Feng scoffed.

"I’m not trying to say anything!"

"Noble Consort, I just wanted to give you a little surprise out of kindness!"

"Look over there, who is it?"

She finished, pointing in one direction with a dazzling smile.

Xia Ruqing followed her gesture and froze.

"It’s Xia Ruyi, what is she doing here?"

Although they’d never met face to face, those familiar features, the darting eyes, and the plump figure.

All confirmed that it wasn’t a palace maid but Xia Ruyi.

"So?"

"Noble Consort, surprised? Unexpected? Thrilled?"

Xia Ruqing turned back, her gaze sharp on Hai Feng.

"What exactly do you want?"

Xia Ruyi was a nobody, she couldn’t have entered unless someone brought her...

Xia Ruqing suddenly realized.

"It was you! You brought her here?!"

"Yes, and so what?" Hai Feng said proudly.

"But...I don’t have any other intentions!"

"It was your dear sister begging me to bring her in so she could see the spectacle!"

"I felt pity for her, and in a moment of compassion, I agreed!"

"Noble Consort, you won’t hold a grudge, will you?"

Xia Ruqing looked at Hai Feng’s triumphant expression.

A chill inexplicably rose from her back.

"Hai Feng, what exactly are you trying to do?!"

Hai Feng laughed heartily, whispering in Xia Ruqing’s ear.

"You jest, Noble Consort, with the Emperor up there, how dare I do anything?"

"However...I’ve suffered under your hand quite a bit!"

"Isn’t it time for me to win a couple of rounds?"

"Just a friendly reminder!"

"Your sister has grand ambitions, you better brace yourself!"

With that, Hai Feng elegantly left, holding her empty wine glass.

Leaving only Xia Ruqing.

She looked, astonished, at Xia Ruyi dressed as a maid behind Empress Dowager Zhen not far away.

Her fists clenching tightly within her sleeves, her eyes full of exasperation!

"They were colluding after all!"

"It’s true, whatever one fears will happen!"

"Could it be that Xia Ruyi really intends to marry the Sixth Prince?!"

The Sixth Prince might be a prince.

But his temper was notoriously unruly and violent, not a good match at all!

Furthermore, the Sixth Prince had severely bullied Xia Caiyang.

Xia Ruyi doing this meant she was determined to stand on the opposing side?

The more Xia Ruqing thought, the angrier she became.

She decisively stood up, seeking to excuse herself to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

"Emperor, Empress Dowager, I’m not feeling well, I wish to leave early!"

Seated above, Zhao Junyao had already observed everything that had transpired.

Aware that Hai Feng was up to her antics again, he felt slightly uneasy but still waved his hand.

"Granted!"

Then instructed Li Shengan.

"You personally escort the Noble Consort back to the palace!"

"Be safe on the way!"

"Yes!"

Li Shengan bowed and left.

Xia Ruqing led her entourage out.

Once out of Ningshou Palace.

She walked a bit before stopping at a pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

Li Shengan stood quietly at a distance.

Xia Ruqing didn’t intend to hide anything from him, and he wouldn’t pry.

"Zi Su, no matter what, bring Xia Ruyi to me!"

Xia Ruqing instructed.

Zi Su was a bit surprised.

"Now, Madam?"

"Right now!"

"Yes!"

Zi Su bowed and stepped away.

After about the time it takes to burn two sticks of incense, she brought over an angry-looking Xia Ruyi.