Chapter 1232: Jealous

The delighted Yue Er walked away happily after receiving permission.

Upon returning, she directed the palace maids, eunuchs, wetnurse nannies, and sisters to clean up, causing a commotion in the small side hall until midnight before finally sleeping.

The next morning, just as the sky was brightening, the gates of Duanning Palace opened.

Dressed in a dark red riding outfit and bright red deerskin boots, the spirited Little Princess led a group of servants out in a grand manner.

At that time, Zhao Junyao, who had to attend court early, was still in bed. Hearing the noise outside, he woke up with an inevitable wry smile.

"This girl, really can’t do anything about her!"

Xia Ruqing lazily turned over and murmured.

"I’m not dealing with it anyway!"

"Just consider it as if I’ve given birth to another Prince!"

"After all, you’re the one who spoiled her yourself!"

Zhao Junyao patted her shoulder.

"All right, it’s still early, go back to sleep for a while!"

Xia Ruqing closed her eyes and nodded, about to drift back to sleep.

Suddenly remembering today was the first of March, she instantly couldn’t fall back asleep.

"On the 1st and 15th of each month, they must come to pay respects, and I have to serve the Empress Dowager!"

She opened her eyes helplessly again.

"Oh well! In a little while, I’ll have to get up, and you still have court; don’t sleep anymore!"

Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but feel resigned!

"There’s still half an hour, what else is there to do instead of sleeping, how about..."

Xia Ruqing pushed away the approaching Zhao Junyao.

"Don’t mess around!"

But Zhao Junyao persisted.

"You arouse the fire, won’t you take responsibility?"

"When did I arouse your fire? It’s you with your wild imagination!"

Xia Ruqing looked indignant.

Zhao Junyao, without further ado, grabbed her waist and pressed her down, giving a mischievous smile.

"Then why did you say there’s half an hour left, telling me not to sleep?"

"Don’t you know a man is more spirited in the morning?"

Xia Ruqing suddenly smirked.

"If I take responsibility, would half an hour be enough for you?"

"Or are you thinking of skipping court?"

"There’s an old poem saying, ’The spring night is short and the sun rises high, from now the king will not attend court early!’ "

"Do you want to be like that?"

Zhao Junyao was merely teasing her.

Upon hearing this, he turned over and released her.

"Your little mouth is still so quick-witted!"

"If only you applied this effort to reading, you wouldn’t still be unfinished with those few poetry collections now!"

Xia Ruqing, seeing him reveal a flaw, simply kicked him hard.

"Not the right topic at any time!"

"I am naturally not suited for it, I don’t need to take the top scholar exam, why should you force me to study?"

"Or is it... you just like talented women?"

"All four consorts in the palace come from prestigious clans, and there’s no one as ignorant as me, why don’t you go find them?"

Xia Ruqing rarely gets jealous.

When she does, it feels refreshing to Zhao Junyao.

Especially her pouting lips in a fit, slightly flushed cheeks, and the heaving chest.

To him, it was incredibly adorable.

He hurriedly embraced her and coaxed her in every possible way.

"All right, I’m just saying!"

"If you don’t like studying, then don’t study. When have I ever forced you?"

"You like reading storybooks, I’ll have people get a boxful for you later!"

"If that doesn’t work..."

Zhao Junyao racked his brains for techniques he’d learned from various sources to coax women.

After a while, he suddenly said.

"If that doesn’t work, I’ll have someone find writers to write stories for you specifically?!"

Xia Ruqing was completely stunned.

"This..."

This phrase translated into modern language would be.

’You like reading novels? Then I’ll hire some writers to write especially for you!’

’Boss! Throwing money around, you’re disturbing the peace!’

After being rendered speechless and laughing, Xia Ruqing gave him a blank look.

"Why don’t you just buy me a theater troupe to come in and perform for me every day!"

This was intended as sarcasm.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Junyao was very pleased hearing it, and he slapped his forehead directly.

"Why didn’t I think of that!"

"It’ll be lively and you’ll be happy! It’ll save you from being bored!"

"Yes, let’s do that!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

At this moment, she really wanted to grab the collar of the heavens and ask.

’Did you only remember to give intelligence and forget to provide emotional intelligence?’

Apparently, a person can truly possess an IQ of 180 and an emotional intelligence in the negatives simultaneously.

Utterly speechless!

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but kick him again, solemnly telling him.

"I don’t need actors, nor do I need writers to write storybooks specifically for me; just have someone randomly buy a few books for me to pass the time!"

"Really don’t need it?"

Zhao Junyao was puzzled.

Didn’t she just say she wanted it? Why suddenly not anymore?

Those friends who said it were indeed right, women’s hearts are elusive!

"Emperor!"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t stand it anymore and got out of bed herself, then turned to call him.

"It’s getting late, you should get up!"

"Let me help you get dressed!"

Zhao Junyao looked at the sky outside; it was indeed getting bright, so he got up.

The Emperor and Empress dressed, washed, and each went about their own business.

...

Seeing Zhao Junyao off.

Xia Ruqing ordered people to prepare the meal while she dressed and groomed herself.

"I need a few thinly made scallion pancakes, a bowl of chicken soup with the oil skimmed off, a basket of shrimp dumplings, a bowl of silver ear and lotus seed sweet soup, nothing else!"

Yue Er wasn’t there, Chenchen, Henger, and Yeye had long moved out.

She couldn’t use much for breakfast by herself; she’d never liked extravagance.

"Just that much!"

Zi Yue acknowledged and left.

Before long, her hair was styled and breakfast was served.

She ate two pancakes, drank a bowl of chicken soup, half a bowl of lotus seed soup, and two shrimp dumplings, feeling eighty to ninety percent full, then put down the chopsticks.

At that moment, Zi Ning came to report.

"Empress, the palace ladies have all arrived, just waiting for you!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Serve the tea first, I’ll go out now!"

"Yes!" Zi Ning went out to inform them.

Shortly afterward.

In formal attire, Xia Ruqing gracefully walked out while holding Zi Yue’s hand.

After exchanging greetings and paying respects, the crowd took their seats.

Xia Ruqing’s gaze was calm as she scanned the people below one by one.

She quietly praised in her heart:

Good! Everyone’s here, and they all look normal!

Seems like Consort Cheng and Consort Hui really put in some effort.

She smiled and praised the two.

"You’ve done well, sisters. The harem should be like this, as sisters, we must be harmonious!"

"The Empress has praised us too much!"

"We shall abide by the Empress’s teachings!"

Seeing the crowd of bowed heads, Xia Ruqing felt quite emotional.

Ten years ago.

She was so disdainful of the former Empress’s pretentiousness, randomly calling herself and others sisters.

But now, as she herself sat in this position.

She couldn’t afford to be particular anymore.

No matter how much she hated the troublesome concubines.

In front of everyone, she had to portray a benevolent and gracious image.

"Sisters" stuff; it was just to make an appearance.

In her heart, it was more like "Ha-ha!"