Chapter 1218: Return to Peace

Simply brought Zi Ning up to serve.

Ziyuan, a palace maid under Zi Ning, was appointed as the chief steward of the storeroom.

With this arrangement.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs just needs to send another young maid to serve.

Xia Ruqing didn’t need to handle this matter personally, just let Zi Yue pick one.

...

On Zi Su’s end.

Xiao Zhu Zi came in to report, saying everything was arranged.

A grave mound was set up, and the family was informed, with some consolation sent over.

As her mistress.

Xia Ruqing had done all she could.

That night, she silently prayed to the countless stars in the sky.

"Zi Su, although you were my maid, we’ve been together for so many years."

"Through so many trials, I’ve long treated you as a sister!"

"You gave your life for me, which I can never repay!"

"I can only do my best, hoping you won’t despise it!"

"I’ve set up a grave mound for you; it’s a place with good feng shui. I hope you’ll be reincarnated into a good family in your next life!"

"Your lively nature shouldn’t suffer any grievance!"

"Such a lowly status doesn’t suit you!"

Xia Ruqing suddenly thought of Qingwen in "Dream of the Red Chamber."

One of her epitaphs was: ’Her heart is higher than the heavens, yet her body is lowly!’

She’s like a red plum, blossoming against the snow in the frosty world.

Even if all other flowers wilt, even if the world outside is cold and harsh.

She still blooms fearlessly amidst the cold, just to show her most beautiful side.

Although Zi Su couldn’t compare to such an exceptional woman, they shared some similarities.

Xia Ruqing silently prayed again.

"In the next life, even if you’re not a noblewoman, at least be a charming, delicate lady!"

"You are so good, you shouldn’t have such an ending!"

"Heaven should have eyes, right?"

Xia Ruqing leaned against the window, feeling both guilty and sorrowful, and reluctant to let go.

Just then, a thick cloak was draped over her shoulders.

"What are you thinking?"

Turning around, Xia Ruqing saw Zhao Junyao approaching.

She quickly stood up.

"Why is the Emperor here?"

"Why didn’t anyone announce it?"

Zhao Junyao seemed a bit helpless.

"I was announced!"

"You just didn’t hear it!"

Xia Ruqing looked puzzled.

"Really?"

Zi Ning nodded with a smile from the side.

"Empress, it was Xiao Zhu Zi who announced it!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit embarrassed.

"I... didn’t hear it!"

Zhao Junyao took a sip of tea and asked gently.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Did Yue Er make you angry again?"

Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head.

"No!"

"Yue Er..."

She suddenly remembered that Yue Er was always busy with something unknown.

Every morning she came to greet and then disappeared for the whole day!

She looked at Zi Yue.

"Where’s Yue Er? Where did she go?"

Zi Yue smiled respectfully.

"Reporting to the Empress, the Princess went to find the Crown Prince!"

Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly slapped her head.

"Ah, Yue Er told me this morning, and I forgot!"

She said with a bit of annoyance.

"My memory is getting worse!"

Zhao Junyao quickly comforted her.

"The Imperial Physician said you were startled and need time to recuperate!"

"Don’t overthink, go out more and see the children, give it some time, and you’ll be better!"

Xia Ruqing nodded wistfully.

"Maybe..."

After speaking, she wrapped the fox fur cloak around her and sat upright to look at Zhao Junyao.

"Why are you here? Is everything in front finished?!"

Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow while drinking tea.

"Can’t I come if it’s not finished?"

Xia Ruqing glared at him playfully.

"I never said that!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled and asked her again.

"What did you have for supper?"

Recently, Xia Ruqing had poor appetite and didn’t eat much for supper, just a few sips of porridge.

Now that Zhao Junyao asked, she wasn’t sure what to say.

She mumbled a few words and quickly changed the subject.

"Why has Yue Er been so busy lately, what’s she up to?"

Zhao Junyao probably guessed that she didn’t eat much and didn’t press further, only saying.

"She’s probably studying with Chenchen!"

Xia Ruqing looked incredulous.

"Don’t mention studying!"

"If she’s studying on her own accord, the sun would rise in the west!"

"She’s most likely having Chenchen teach her how to ride!"

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment and comforted her.

"Don’t overthink, she’s almost six after the New Year, she’s grown taller too, let her learn what she wants!"

"The servants wouldn’t let her get injured, would they?"

Xia Ruqing looked at Zhao Junyao in surprise.

"Emperor, Yue Er was born in the twelfth month!"

"She won’t be fully five years old until after the eighteenth of this month!"

"Saying she’s six is quite a stretch!"

Zhao Junyao quickly said.

"Well! Don’t overthink!"

"She’s been fine for months, hasn’t she?"

Xia Ruqing glared at him fiercely.

"Keep spoiling her as much as you want!"

Zhao Junyao rubbed his nose helplessly, quickly changing the subject.

"By the way!"

"There’s a need for people in Jiangnan right now!"

"How about I send Jingfeng there?"

Xia Ruqing seemed puzzled.

"Huh? Sending him to Jiangnan?"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

"Isn’t your family from Jiangnan?"

"Or... are you unwilling?"

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

"I don’t know anything!"

"Whatever you think is best!"

"But Emperor!"

"Jingfeng is still young and inexperienced, you don’t have to..."

No need to raise him just to favor me.

The ancients most feared foreign relatives interfering in politics.

She didn’t want the Xia family to become another Fan family.

She had no such ambition, and Jingfeng wasn’t such a person either!

Zhao Junyao knew what she was worried about and patted her shoulder.

"Rest assured! I have it in mind!"

Xia Ruqing nodded and didn’t speak further.

They chatted idly for a while before going to sleep.

...

The palace was peaceful.

The days passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was Yue Er’s birthday on the eighteenth of the twelfth month.

Since it had been snowing recently, Xia Ruqing’s health wasn’t well, and with the year’s end busy,

Xia Ruqing didn’t hold a banquet.

Each palace received news, simply sending birthday gifts to the princess with a few congratulatory words.

After a midday meal.

After a nap, Xia Ruqing called Yue Er over after inventorying the gifts.

"These are the gifts from the empresses of each palace for your birthday!"

"In the afternoon, you should go thank them all, okay?!"

Yue Er casually glanced at the gifts and wasn’t very interested, but due to the Empress’s teaching,

She respectfully agreed.

"Mother, I understand!"

Xia Ruqing nodded with satisfaction.

Noticing her daughter’s cheeks were red from the cold, Xia Ruqing hesitated.

"Is this... from the cold?"

"Where did you run off to this time?"

Yue Er cautiously glanced at her, speaking mysteriously.

"Mother, do you really want to know?"

"Promise you won’t be angry when I tell!"

Xia Ruqing sighed helplessly.

"Say it!"

Yue Er bounced to her side proudly as if presenting a treasure.

"Mother!"

"I’ve learned how to ride a horse!"

"Brother also said after New Year’s, come spring, he’ll teach me cuju!"