Chapter 1023: Quarrel

"You’re insightful, Commandery Princess!"

"My congratulations to you in advance!"

The maid laughed smugly.

"Alright, you may go now. Report to me if there’s any news!" Hai Feng waved lazily.

"Yes!"

The maid respectfully retreated.

...

The Indian summer raged on for half a month before a fall rain extinguished it.

As July arrived, the weather finally cooled down a bit.

It was the perfect time, neither cold nor hot, with the crisp air of autumn.

In the palace, Empress Dowager Zhen began preparing for a joyous occasion.

She happily visited Consort Hui’s residence every day.

For one purpose only: to discuss the marriage of the Sixth Prince.

Her beloved youngest son was getting married, and she was pleased with the future daughter-in-law.

Naturally, she was filled with joy.

Her personality was flamboyant, unable to keep a low profile even if she tried!

She wished nothing less than the whole world knowing about it.

However, the people were a bit puzzled.

’The match isn’t fixed yet!’

’The Emperor hasn’t issued a decree to confer a title to the prince.’

’The Sixth Prince hasn’t built a mansion outside the palace, where will the bride be brought in?’

Even Consort Hui was somewhat puzzled.

The wedding date hasn’t been set, what is she in such a hurry for.

But.

When Empress Dowager Zhen visited, she couldn’t drive her away.

She could only sit and listen to her requirements one by one.

After several days, Empress Dowager Zhen finally voiced all her demands clearly.

Consort Hui noted them down, smiling at her.

"Imperial Noble Consort, you’ve worked hard these days. I’ve noted everything down, and I’ll discuss it with the Empress later. Once that’s done, we can finalize it!"

Empress Dowager Zhen hesitated upon hearing about the Empress.

"What? My son’s matters need to be discussed with the Empress?"

Consort Hui just smiled.

"Of course!"

"I am merely managing things; the real mistress of The Six Palaces is the Empress!"

Empress Dowager Zhen was displeased.

"Hmph!"

"If you consult her, this matter probably won’t come to fruition!"

"How could she agree to give my Wuwu such grand arrangements?"

After all, her demands included many things beyond the customary arrangements for a Commandery Prince’s wedding.

Consort Hui awkwardly smiled.

"Imperial Noble Consort, I can’t decide whether the Empress agrees, but I’ll do my best to speak for you!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhen immediately became angry, rising abruptly with a fierce expression.

"Do your best to speak?"

"Consort Hui, what do you mean?"

"Understand that I came to you because I trust you!"

"Who in the palace doesn’t know that the Empress just holds a title, while the true authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is yours!"

"If you want to help me, is there need to talk to the Empress?"

Empress Dowager Zhen’s tone was sharp.

Consort Hui quickly stood with her head bowed and apologized.

"Imperial Noble Consort, please, calm down!"

"I indeed manage the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the monthly transactions and detailed accounts need to be reported to Zhaochen Palace!"

"I wouldn’t dare conceal anything, and I beg your forgiveness!"

After speaking, she knelt in apology.

Though she lowered her head, her spine remained straight, exhibiting an indomitable spirit.

When Empress Dowager Zhen heard that Zhaochen Palace needed to be informed.

Her arrogance immediately diminished by half.

Her heart grew timid, and she dared not make more demands.

But her words remained stubborn.

She didn’t let Consort Hui rise, grousing as she angrily left.

Consort Hui waited until Empress Dowager Zhen’s figure was out of sight, then slowly stood up, a slight hint of mockery at the corner of her mouth.

’Hmph!’

’Failing to intimidate me, now she’s off to trouble someone else!’

Ha!

Never mind, as long as I have peace and quiet.

The nearby personal maid, Xiang Lin, also disapproved, raising her eyebrows disdainfully.

"What’s all this about?"

"An Imperial Noble Consort not living quietly, always plotting trouble."

"If she dares, let her trouble Zhaochen Palace!"

Xiang Tan quickly pulled her aside.

"Say less, what has the Consort taught us?"

Xiang Lin lowered her head, daring not speak further.

Consort Hui reclined on the low couch and sipped fragrant tea, choosing to say nothing more.

For now, the matter was brushed aside.

...

In the following half a month, from the beginning of July until the Ghost Festival.

Empress Dowager Zhen still couldn’t settle down.

She stopped visiting Consort Hui’s place and started heading to Zhaochen Palace.

The entire harem was amazed at this.

’She really dares to trouble the Emperor!’

Not only was Consort Hui surprised, but even Xia Ruqing found it unbelievable.

"The Emperor is incredibly busy these days, is she seeking death?"

Zi Su was smug.

"Empress, if some people seek their own doom, just let them!"

"Anyway, it should help quiet things down a bit!"

Since Xia Ruyi sided with Empress Dowager Zhen and Hai Feng.

Zi Su, this maid, became ’hatred of evil’.

Whenever she got the chance, she wished to kick them while they were down.

Seeing Empress Dowager Zhen seek her own demise, she was gloating more than ever.

Xia Ruqing didn’t bother with her, but she did feel somewhat sorry for Zhao Junyao.

"Recently, there’s been flooding in the Jiangnan region, and many people have been adversely affected!"

"He’s busy devising ways to have the Ministry of Revenue provide disaster relief!"

"At this time, Empress Dowager Zhen fusses for an extravagant wedding for her youngest son!"

"It’s not just the Emperor; even I’m angry upon hearing this!"

"Go instruct the kitchen to make a silver ear lotus seed soup for the Emperor to cool him down tonight!"

"Oh!"

Zi Yue quickly ushered Zi Su out.

Upon returning, there were only the mistress and maid left in the inner chamber.

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat irritated.

With a book in hand, she flipped through it repeatedly, unable to concentrate, and finally tossed it aside.

"Let’s go and check on Yue Er!"

...

It was the Shen Hour in the afternoon when Yue Er awoke.

The little girl, still groggy from sleep.

Once her face was washed and clothes properly worn, she was completely awake.

Seeing her mother beside her, she smiled and extended both arms.

Her little voice adorably called.

"Mother!"

"Where’s Yellow Bean? I want to find Yellow Bean!"

Xia Ruqing held her daughter in her arms.

Lightly poking her little nose, she softly said.

"Why are you looking for Yellow Bean? It’s autumn now, and it starts shedding!"

Yue Er didn’t understand what shedding was.

Yellow Bean was just Yellow Bean, unrelated to autumn.

Without thinking, the little girl continued to say.

"Mother!"

"I want Yellow Bean!"

Saying so, her little body began to wriggle in her embrace.

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat helpless.

She put her down with a smile.

"Alright, go then!"

"But if you get covered in dog hair, don’t blame Mother for not warning you!"

Little Yue Er didn’t care.

Once down, she twisted her small body and went next door.

Xia Ruqing watched her proud figure, suddenly feeling the sentiment of ’a girl can’t be kept.’

She startled herself with the thought.

’Yue Er is just over a year old; how could there be any "can’t be kept?"’

’Enough, let’s not overthink!’

Resolving so, she went inside to change clothes and went out to play with Yue Er.

...

By evening.

Xia Ruqing was fetching Yue Er to the inner chamber.

Zhao Junyao arrived as well.

The moment he walked in, a chill emanated from him.

Except for little Yue Er, everyone else in the room shivered.

Everyone immediately became attentive to serve him.

Even Yue Er wasn’t entirely oblivious.