Chapter 1256: Chapter 1256: Surrender
Two days before the Dragon Boat Festival, Xia Ruqing made an announcement.
This year’s palace banquet, as per tradition, will still be held by the Taiye Pool in the Imperial Garden.
After all, this is a family banquet for the harem and need not be so dreary.
Moreover, during this season.
Everywhere else is too hot and stifling, but by the Taiye Pool, the pavilion is more suitable.
Surrounded by water, with a cool breeze gently blowing, the scenery is beautiful, making the sitting there rather delightful.
The concubines were delighted upon hearing the news.
Especially those palace consorts without children, who usually cannot even see the Emperor.
Learning there is finally a chance to see the Emperor, their excitement was indescribable.
Some even received the news and immediately asked for a search through their wardrobes, looking for suitable attire and jewelry.
Even those who occasionally could see the Emperor thanks to their children were quite excited.
After all, in the expansive harem, leaving a good impression on the Emperor definitely has many benefits.
Of course.
These commotions were only among the fourth, fifth, and sixth-ranked concubines.
Those ranked third and above were rather calm, having spent more years in the palace.
If they were still intent on vying for favor, the positions of the four principal consorts would likely not be theirs.
So let’s not mention Consort Zheng and Consort Yun.
Now, onto Consort Cheng and Consort Hui.
Entrusted by Xia Ruqing, one took charge of the venue setup, and the other was responsible for the banquet dishes.
The day before the banquet.
The two brought their respective lists of items and processes, together visiting the Duanning Palace to present them to Xia Ruqing.
At that time, Xia Ruqing was dressed in plain clothes busy in the backyard.
The vegetables she planted were growing nicely, as it was harvest season, with eggplants and beans bearing fruit.
She was bending over with scissors, cutting them one by one.
Though the weather was hot, she was filled with joy and contentment, unnoticed of the sweat on her forehead and nose tip, fully immersed in the happiness of the harvest.
Zi Ning walked over to softly report.
"Empress, Consort Cheng and Consort Hui request an audience outside!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing stood up, handed the scissors to Zi Yue, took a handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead, feeling somewhat suspicious.
"Why have they come?"
Zi Ning answered respectfully.
"I do not know, but I saw they each have a list in hand, likely for tomorrow’s palace banquet!"
Hearing this, Xia Ruqing understood and waved her hand lightly.
"I’m aware!"
"First entertain them properly, serve tea and snacks, I will follow shortly!"
"Alright!"
Zi Ning nodded, bowed, and retreated.
...
Xia Ruqing washed her face, did her makeup in the inner room, and changed her clothes before coming out gracefully.
Consort Cheng and Consort Hui quickly stood up to salute.
"Greetings to the Empress!"
"Please rise!"
Xia Ruqing faintly smiled, generously walked to her seat and sat down.
Taking a sip from the tea cup, she smiled.
"Why have you come?"
Consort Cheng and Consort Hui exchanged a glance, then explained their purpose.
"Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat banquet, this is the list of processes and items, we request the Empress to review!"
With that, both handed over the list.
Xia Ruqing faintly smiled, gestured Zi Yue to take them.
On the thin pages, the handwriting was neat, each item clearly listed.
A quick glance revealed they must have put in considerable effort.
She placed the list aside, laughed.
"I’m always assured with you two handling matters!"
Consort Cheng and Consort Hui both laughed.
"Thank you for the Empress’s praise!"
"Relieving the Empress’s worries is our responsibility!"
Xia Ruqing laughed and exchanged pleasantries with them for a while, then chatted about other household matters.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally.
The topic suddenly shifted to Attendant Luo, who had just entered the palace.
The atmosphere instantly became a bit awkward.
Indeed, Consort Hui, being straightforward, couldn’t help but say.
"Empress!"
"It’s not that I’m nosy, but such a person of unknown origin is really..."
Consort Cheng also looked at her with a worried expression.
"Indeed!"
"After so many years, nothing like this has happened, now suddenly someone emerges, who knows if there’s a hidden agenda!"
Xia Ruqing glanced at them both, her lips with a slight bitter smile.
"What of it?"
"This matter, regardless of past happenings"
"It’s a fact she’s now in the palace!"
"In any event, she’s just a Ninth-Rank Selected Attendant, unlikely to stir up trouble, let it be!"
Consort Cheng and Consort Hui seemed to have more to say.
Xia Ruqing thought for a moment and said.
"If you are uneasy, then assign someone to keep an eye on her!"
"If anything unusual occurs, just inform me, I will naturally handle it impartially!"
Consort Hui suddenly smiled.
"Rest assured Empress, we merely wanted to remind you!"
"As the saying goes, better offend ten gentlemen than one villain!"
"Those people, gathering together, surely won’t have good intentions!"
"Empress, taking precautions isn’t too much!"
Consort Cheng concurred.
"Indeed!"
"I’ve always disliked gossip!"
"But...today, it’s inevitable to break my rule!"
"The little eunuch by my side said, that one... has been visiting Attendant Luo frequently these days!"
Consort Cheng indicated in the direction of Ningshou Palace.
Xia Ruqing understood it all, paused, then smiled.
"I got it!"
"Thank you both, I will certainly be careful!"
Consort Cheng and Consort Hui, being astute, know who can be offended in this palace, and who cannot!
They aren’t people who form cliques for personal gain.
Now willing to break protocol to brief her, it’s their sincere gesture too.
Naturally, Xia Ruqing should not disappoint them.
After thanking them with a smile, she changed the subject.
"Recently, there’s a new batch of South Sea Pearls, large and smooth, the size of thumbs!"
"Altogether, there are only about ten boxes!"
"The Emperor allowed a few boxes as gifts outside, only seven boxes left in the harem!"
"Three boxes were sent to the Empress Dowager, two boxes I kept, leaving two boxes, one for each of you!"
"Don’t mind the small quantity; there really isn’t more!"
Consort Hui and Consort Cheng promptly rose upon hearing this.
"Thank you for the Empress’s gift!"
Xia Ruqing smiled.
"It’s getting late, and I’m also tired! I won’t keep you any longer!"
They thanked her and stood up.
Xia Ruqing looked toward her attendant and instructed.
"Zi Ning, see our two guests out!"
"Yes!"
...
After seeing off Consort Cheng and Consort Hui.
Xia Ruqing bathed, changed clothes, and ordered a meal.
The Emperor was busy with state affairs today and could not come to the harem to accompany her.
So dinner was just for her alone.
Xia Ruqing gave orders.
"Use the vegetables I just harvested to prepare the meal! If there’s extra, distribute them among the palace attendants!"
"Everything is the freshest!"
Zi Yue laughed.
"Among so many masters in the palace, you’re the first to grow your own vegetables!"
"Sharing your own grown vegetables is even more unprecedented!"
"You indeed have a kind and benevolent heart, master!"
Xia Ruqing teasingly replied.
"You girl, what nonsense are you speaking!"
