Chapter 1233: Chapter 1233: The Harem Is Truly Terrifying
Ever since returning from the south, after experiencing life and death with Zhao Junyao,
perhaps feelings have changed, or perhaps for other reasons.
She has grown increasingly indifferent to the women in the harem.
She is too lazy to call them for greetings, and doesn’t even want to see them.
In her heart, she just wants to avoid them, out of sight, out of mind.
She’s even more reluctant to manage palace affairs. Even after being back for quite some time, she hasn’t seriously talked about taking things back. The affairs are still managed by the four consorts.
In short,
she is desperately trying to ignore their existence.
She just wants to retreat to Duanning Palace, living in a world with only him, her, and the children.
As long as he still comes, as long as his heart remains, she’s willing to weave a beautiful dream for herself that includes only them.
Even though it’s ridiculous, even though it’s impossible.
But a dream is much more beautiful than reality; she doesn’t want to wake up.
Maybe this is cowardice, but aren’t emotions always selfish?
Zhao Junyao is not very emotionally intelligent.
Xia Ruqing is not much better in emotional intelligence.
She is completely unaware of this.
She just thought she had become more timid and reclusive after a major incident.
Therefore,
she didn’t take this matter to heart.
After chatting with the concubines for a while,
Xia Ruqing guessed it was about time and rose to lead the concubines towards Ningshou Palace.
Consort Cheng and Consort Hui followed behind Xia Ruqing, whispering.
"I wonder how the Empress Dowager’s illness is?"
"I heard that her health is greatly restored. I even saw the Empress Dowager in the Imperial Garden last time!"
"Oh! That’s good then!"
The two fell silent again.
The journey was quiet, with only the sound of soft footsteps.
Of course, because Xia Ruqing was in poor health, she was the only one who went by Phoenix Sedan.
...
Early in the morning, an old sister came to greet them at the door of Ningshou Palace.
After paying respects, she led them to the main hall, smiling respectfully.
"Please wait a moment, the Empress Dowager will be out shortly!"
She then called for tea to be served.
The tea had just been served when the Empress Dowager came out with her attendants.
She was dressed in a jujube-red dark patterned Phoenix Robe, wearing a Purple Gold Double Phoenix Embroidered Silk Crown. Her neck and wrists were adorned with layers upon layers of luxurious jewelry, and her makeup was extremely exquisite.
Although the Empress Dowager was of an advanced age, nurtured within the deep palace, untouched by wind and sun, she was well-maintained, and after recovering for many days the previous year.
Now that her health has greatly improved, her complexion is exceedingly rosy, and even her figure has grown plumper, clearly indicating her great recovery.
The concubines immediately stood up to pay their respects upon seeing the Empress Dowager enter.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"
"Rise!"
"Sit down!"
The Empress Dowager’s voice was very loud.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"
Everyone rose and sat down in their respective places.
The Empress Dowager didn’t speak for a while.
Xia Ruqing didn’t know what to say either.
The concubines below all knew that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager didn’t get along well, so no one dared to curry favor or act overly familiar, each keeping their heads down, not willing to say much.
The atmosphere in the hall was silent and awkward.
Xia Ruqing fiddled with her handkerchief, pondering over a topic to break the silence.
Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly came from the entrance of the hall.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager, Empress, and all the madams!"
Everyone quickly looked up to see a woman kneeling at the entrance of the hall.
The voice was somewhat familiar, but her figure was plump and slightly hunched, looking quite unfamiliar.
"Who is this?"
Xia Ruqing looked at the Empress Dowager with surprised eyes.
The Empress Dowager smiled faintly.
"Does the Empress not recognize her?"
"Does anyone recognize her?"
Upon closer inspection, Xia Ruqing still couldn’t tell who it was, thinking she looked like an elderly old sister.
Though she was the Empress, with so many servants in the harem, how could she possibly know them all?
Looking at the others again.
Consort Cheng shook her head, indicating she didn’t recognize her.
Consort Hui frowned, trying to identify her but to no avail.
The others thought hard but none could recognize her.
Xia Ruqing turned to look at the Empress Dowager again.
"I do not recognize this person!"
The other concubines echoed in unison.
"I do not recognize her either!"
The Empress Dowager suddenly laughed.
"Haha... hahaha..." The laughter grew louder.
"Wanxin!"
"Rise!"
"It’s been so many days, not only do they not recognize you, but even I cannot!"
"Yes!"
The figure kowtowed, then slowly stood up and walked towards them.
Xia Ruqing felt as if her head was thunderstruck inside.
’What? Is this Shih Wanxin?’
’Isn’t this a mistake? Is it really her?’
’Didn’t the Emperor strip her of her title and send her to serve the Empress Dowager? How did she end up like this?’
’No wonder just now she thought the voice was somewhat familiar!’
Looking at the others.
All were utterly shocked.
Shih Wanxin?!
How long has it been since anyone in the harem heard that name?
The once-renowned Noble Concubine Shih, who fell overnight, was quickly forgotten.
If it weren’t for the Empress Dowager suddenly saying the name,
those three words might never be mentioned or remembered again!
The harem is terrifying like this.
No one dared to speak, and the hall was as quiet as death.
The plump and overweight Shih Wanxin knelt down beside the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager smiled lightly at her, her expression devoid of any fluctuation.
After quite a while, the Empress Dowager suddenly spoke, her voice slowly filling the room.
"As the saying goes, ’Flowers do not stay red for a hundred days!’
"Wanxin’s current situation is a result of her own deeds!"
"As for you all, I don’t wish for anyone else to end up like this!"
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager kept her eyes fixed on Xia Ruqing.
Her heart grew cold, and she couldn’t help but sneer.
’What does this mean? Cursing me to fall out of favor?’
’The Empress Dowager is being too obvious!’
’Even if I were to lose favor, considering my status, rank, and children, I could never live as miserably as you and your niece!’
’Of course, I’m also confident that I won’t lose favor!’
’After all these years together, I’m not a fool. I know a bit about Zhao Junyao.’
’If he were the type to tire of the old and pursue the new, he would have let go long ago, wouldn’t he?’
’Why else would it come to this point!’
For instance, this year there should have been a consort selection, but Zhao Junyao has never brought it up, and she pretended not to know.
Since returning from Jiangnan, she has become even less inclined to deal with such matters.
She didn’t want to put on airs and pretend to be some virtuous empress whose name goes down in history. Does she really care about such reputation?
Of course.
If Zhao Junyao brought it up, she certainly wouldn’t stop him.
As for actively persuading him, sorry, she doesn’t have the leisure.
Xia Ruqing pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood and said lightly,
"I shall obey the Empress Dowager’s teachings!"
The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction, gesturing for her to sit down, and then continued.
"Truth be told, and I won’t hide it from you!"
"The Emperor distances himself from me due to an old matter!"
"He has a misunderstanding that he hasn’t been able to resolve!"
"After so many years, I’ve become accustomed to it!"
"However..."
The Empress Dowager suddenly lost her smile, and her expression grew solemn.
