She added, "Sister Shih has been attending to the Emperor for far too long. It's about time someone shared some of her burdens!" Having said that, she scooped up a spoonful of milk custard and savored it in her mouth, relishing its sweet taste.
"Yes! This servant will go at once!"
「...」
In Ningshou Palace, Noble Concubine Shih was indignant. "My niece is foolish and doesn't dare compete with the Empress, but now I'm considered even inferior to a mere Lady Xia!" Never before had she been summoned to the Emperor's bed in succession.
Empress Dowager Shih felt helpless. "A trivial Lady, and you're so bothered by it, when you yourself are a Noble Consort! In the harem, aside from the Empress, it's you who ranks highest!"
"But..."
"No buts!"
The Empress Dowager again advised her earnestly, "The Emperor has always been perfectly discreet, showing no favoritism in the harem. Despite that, he still treats you most generously! Even the Empress can't compare. This is due to the special bond between you two. You mustn't fail to appreciate that!"
"Yes!" Noble Concubine Shih dared not say more, bowing her head and meekly acknowledging the reprimand.
「...」
After receiving the Empress's gift, Xia Ruqing personally went to Jiaofang Hall after her noon meal to express her gratitude.
The rain continued to fall. Even though Xia Ruqing wore a cloak, she still felt a distinct chill. Having also knelt on damp ground that morning, the combination of these things caused her to develop a fever as night fell.
"My Lady, this is serious! We must call for the Imperial Physician to have a look!"
"Yes, My Lady, we mustn't delay!"
Qiu Hong and Qiu Tong were frantic, while Xia Ruqing was so aggravated she felt faint.
Calling for the Imperial Physician at this time would surely cause a stir throughout the harem.
She had just been punished by Noble Concubine Shih that morning. If she fell ill in the evening, what would happen? What would Noble Concubine Shih think? And what about the rest of the harem? In such a circumstance, she would rather die than call for the Imperial Physician!
Xia Ruqing clenched her teeth and ordered, "Both of you, get out!"
The two of them exchanged a glance, then promptly clamped their mouths shut and withdrew resentfully.
Xia Ruqing called Xiao Xizi in and asked, "Is there any of last year's charcoal left?"
"There's still a bit left. Shall this servant light it for you?"
Xia Ruqing nodded, then ordered, "Go make me some strong ginger tea, and add some brown sugar."
Xiao Xizi complied and swiftly set off to prepare it.
She huddled over the charcoal brazier, drank a large bowl of steaming ginger tea, and then lay under the covers to sweat out the illness.
Since she was excused from paying morning respects, she slept until well past sunrise the next day. When she awoke, her inner garments were soaked through.
After a hot bath and a change of clothes, Xia Ruqing felt significantly more refreshed.
Xiao Xizi came in grinning, carrying a food carrier.
"My Lady, we have fish soup for breakfast this morning!"
"Little Weizi from the Imperial Kitchen said this fish was freshly caught and simmered all night. The soup is still piping hot, so please enjoy it while it's warm!"
As he spoke, Xiao Xizi began to lay out the meal.
Breakfast consisted of crystal buns, fried dumplings, fish soup, and fresh fruit—enough to cover nearly half the table.
In the past, forget fish soup; even a simple vegetable broth would have been a sign of considerable esteem! This deep palace indeed...
After eating, Xia Ruqing went back to sleep; it couldn't be helped. Medical knowledge in ancient times was limited, and a chill was no small matter.
As for those two palace maids, I need to find an opportunity to send them away for good. Previously, I only thought them foolish, but now it seems likely someone is manipulating them. If they were truly that inept, they wouldn't have survived this long.
「...」
Xia Ruqing was indeed feeling better, but still, the matter didn't stay contained.
When the Empress heard of it, she chuckled. "She really is clever!"
"If this matter were to get out, her grudge with Noble Concubine Shih would be set in stone!"
"If that's the case, does Your Highness intend to...?" Yu Lan asked.
"Of course! How could such a darling little sister be allowed to suffer like this?" the Empress said, smiling. Who posed a greater threat to her, a favored Lady or a favored Noble Concubine? It went without saying.
A few days later, while the Emperor was having dinner at Jiaofang Hall, the Empress subtly brought the matter up.
As expected, Zhao Junyao frowned upon hearing this. The Empress hastily offered a placating smile.
"It was I, Your Concubine, who spoke out of turn!"
Zhao Junyao was silent for a moment before saying, "Since she's sick, have an Imperial Physician check on her."
He added, "Lady Xia is sensible; promote her in rank."
Upon hearing this, the Empress laughed. "Your Concubine had the same idea!"
She was very pleased. The Emperor's frown wasn't because she had overstepped, but rather because of Noble Concubine Shih. The Emperor calling for an Imperial Physician and promoting her—wasn't this a direct slap in the face for Noble Concubine Shih? As long as Noble Concubine Shih was unhappy, she was delighted!
「...」
After a few days of rain, the weather finally cleared, and Xia Ruqing's cold was almost better.
On this crisp autumn day, Xia Ruqing took Xiao Xizi for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
Upon her return, she saw several eunuchs and an Old Imperial Doctor with a medicine chest standing in the courtyard of Zhaohua Pavilion.
The moment they saw Xia Ruqing, they hurried forward to greet her. "Greetings, Lady Xia."
Xia Ruqing was baffled. "You are...?"
"Lady, Her Majesty the Empress has sent this humble official to take your pulse," the Imperial Physician said, stepping forward.
Xia Ruqing then turned to the young eunuchs. "And what about you?"
"Congratulations, Lady Xia! By the Benevolent Decree of Her Majesty the Empress, Lady Xia, for being sensible and respectful, is promoted to Sixth Rank Honored Lady! These rewards are for you, Honored Lady," said the leading eunuch.
As he spoke, he opened a chest, took out a red-lacquered carved box, and presented it to her.
Sensible and respectful? An Imperial Physician?
Suddenly, something clicked. She was filled with anger, glaring straight at Qiu Tong and Qiu Hong! This must have something to do with her illness. How else would the Empress know? Xiao Xizi surely wouldn't spread the news; it must have been those two!
Feeling the intensity of her stare, Qiu Hong and Qiu Tong grew uneasy and quickly forced smiles. "Congratulations, My Lady! Felicitations, My Lady!"
Seeing their duplicitous expressions, Xia Ruqing felt only revulsion. She gave them a cold glance and looked away.
After composing her expression, Xia Ruqing said with utmost respect, "This servant thanks Her Majesty the Empress for her generous reward! I shall personally go to kowtow to Her Majesty later."
"You are too kind, Honored Lady! Her Majesty said you should take care of your health and need not kowtow. She bids you rest well," the leading eunuch replied.
"This servant will never forget Her Majesty's grace!" Xia Ruqing declared, bowing gratefully in the direction of Jiaofang Hall.
She then instructed, "Xiao Xizi."
Xiao Xizi had already prepared the purses.
"The weather is turning cold. Please, have some hot tea, gentlemen!"
"Thank you for your generosity, Honored Lady!" the eunuchs said, accepting the purses. Xiao Xizi then politely saw them out.
Back in her room, the Imperial Physician took her pulse. Her health was no longer in serious jeopardy, so he prescribed some innocuous medicine. Xia Ruqing politely saw him off.
Qiu Hong and Qiu Tong brought in tea. In a surge of anger, Xia Ruqing dashed the teacup in their faces.
"My Lady!" They quickly knelt down.
"We don't know what we've done wrong! Why do you beat and scold us, My Lady? Please, enlighten us!"
"Yes, My Lady! We have been serving by your side ever since you entered the palace. Even if we haven't achieved great merits, we've certainly worked diligently! You can't just..."
Xia Ruqing sat on the couch, her eyes narrowed coldly. She was now quite certain—these two were undoubtedly betraying her.
Consumed by anger, she suddenly laughed.