Xiao Xizi received the instructions and hurried to the Imperial Kitchen, practically taking two steps at a time.
The Little Eunuchs guarding the Imperial Kitchen immediately greeted him with beaming smiles, surrounding him.
"Eunuch Xi, is Lady Xia requesting a meal?"
"Do you know what Lady Xia would like to eat today?"
"Eunuch Xi, please have a seat!"
Xiao Xizi was not surprised. News traveled fast in the palace, and it was natural for the eunuchs to fawn over someone who had received royal favor.
Remembering Lady Xia's admonition that one shouldn't flaunt power even when gained, he quickly responded courteously, "Thank you for your kindness, everyone!"
As he relayed Lady Xia's instructions, several Little Eunuchs immediately began to flatter him.
"Of course, of course!"
"Rest assured, Eunuch Xi. We'll deliver it once it's ready. You needn't make another trip!"
Xiao Xizi was pleased. However, when it came to the food his master would consume, he dared not be careless. He smiled apologetically and said, "You are all very busy; it would be wrong of me to trouble you further. Just leave it when it's done is fine!"
Hearing him say this, the Little Eunuchs did not insist further. They were all shrewd individuals; how could they not understand the ways of the palace?
Suddenly, one Little Eunuch leaned in. "Does Lady Xia require anything else? Crabs are especially plump right now, and my master has made crab pastry!"
Another one quickly came forward with a smile. "The fresh bass that came in yesterday are lively and plump in the pond in the backyard. They're delicious steamed. Would Lady Xia like to try?"
Seeing them like this, another joined in, not wanting to be outdone. "My master has made red bean paste with walnut flour and cow's milk. The steamed sweet pastry with red bean filling is soft, fragrant, and sweet..."
Surrounded by their boisterous crowd, Xiao Xizi felt overwhelmed.
"Thank you for your kind offers. If our Lady Xia wants anything, you all will be the first to know!"
"You're too kind, Eunuch Xi!" the group said, laughing.
"Lady Xia is waiting to be attended to; I must get back!" With that, Xiao Xizi excused himself from the group's entanglements and left.
After returning, Xiao Xizi recounted everything that had happened in the Imperial Kitchen.
Xia Ruqing listened but did not appear pleased. She merely reminded him not to forget to collect the meal later.
"Why worry, my lady? They act this way only because you are favored!"
Xiao Xizi was somewhat puzzled. Weren't all the masters in the palace eager for favor?
Zi Yue shot him a glare. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Oh!" Realizing his mistake, Xiao Xizi quickly covered his mouth.
"All right, you two may leave. I'm going to rest for a bit; call me when the meal is ready!" Xia Ruqing waved them away.
"Yes!"
The two complied, assisting their master to her couch before quietly withdrawing.
The sky outside was gradually darkening. Following two autumn rains, the night grew increasingly cold.
Xia Ruqing pondered her life goals and current situation.
Her ultimate goal was to live a comfortable and fulfilling life, savoring delicacies from all over the world. If possible, she'd love to go out and explore.
Her current predicament was as follows:
First, the Emperor had taken notice of her and didn't dislike her.
Second, the Empress and the Noble Consort were watching her like tigers, and the other Palace Consorts were not to be trifled with either.
Third, her low birth meant that a promotion was unlikely anytime soon.
In the Chu Dynasty, it was customary for the rank of Concubines not to exceed that of their fathers and brothers. Her father was merely a Seventh Rank County Magistrate, so her current status as a Sixth Rank Honored Lady was already a sign of exceptional grace.
Without notable service or offspring, further promotion would violate ancestral rules.
Her elder brother, born of a concubine, was a devil incarnate. He knew nothing but brawling and violence, a veritable king of local thugs. Achievement? What was that? Could it be used as a weapon?
Her father, who valued scholarship, detested this illegitimate eldest son beyond measure.
Her younger brother, her full sibling, was quite clever but had a frail constitution and was often ill. Most importantly, he was only ten years old this year. He had been born prematurely, and their mother had passed away giving birth to him. Consequently, their father always considered this legitimate second son a source of misfortune and thus held no affection for him.
After their mother's death, their father had remarried four years ago to a Lady Yao. This woman was exceedingly cunning and had her husband utterly bewitched.
After she gave birth to a set of fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, their father became even more deferential to Lady Yao. Thus, her biological father had effectively become a stepfather to her...
Wait, stop. Why dwell on such a chaotic mess? Her family, after all, was unreliable.
So! Based on her current situation, she summarized two principles for survival in the Harem:
First: Don't become too favored!
Second: Find a way to align herself with the Emperor!
With her low birth and status, becoming too favored was tantamount to courting death.
She had to find a way to temper this current momentum of favor, preserve her life, and then plan for the long term. She needed a strategy to truly secure the Emperor's protection. After all, the road ahead was long—who knew what the future held? As long as the Emperor was willing to shield her, she wouldn't have to struggle daily, constantly anxious and fearing torment or schemes.
Having formulated a plan, Xia Ruqing felt slightly more at ease. She drank mutton soup for dinner and ate some delicious dishes, then contentedly went to sleep after washing up.
「...」
At Noble Concubine Shih's residence, things were somewhat perplexing.
When the Emperor came for dinner, she greeted him as usual with the same talk and laughter, serving him with her own hands.
However, she still sensed a distinct chilliness emanating from the Emperor.
She tentatively asked, "Cousin, are these dishes not to your liking?"
In private, she always addressed him this way, and he tacitly permitted it. This was a sign of their special bond, something no one else shared!
Zhao Junyao's smile was as usual.
"My dear consort's culinary skills are as excellent as ever!"
His dark eyes, however, showed not the slightest ripple, betraying no emotion.
"That's good!"
Noble Concubine Shih sighed in relief. Perhaps she was merely overthinking things.
When it was time to sleep at night, Noble Concubine Shih shyly removed her clothes, but Zhao Junyao merely smiled faintly.
"I am somewhat fatigued today."
Having said that, he turned over and went to sleep without further consideration.
Noble Concubine Shih's face flushed a deep crimson with shame. After a long pause, she responded dejectedly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Why hadn't he touched her? Had she done something wrong? Noble Concubine Shih racked her brains. She hadn't contradicted the Empress, hadn't behaved arrogantly, and hadn't bullied any lower-ranking Concubines! She had heeded her cousin's words and diligently followed the rules. So why...
Unable to sleep and not daring to turn over, she lay rigidly, almost without sleep all night. At the fifth watch, she rose to attend to the Emperor as he prepared for the morning court session.
Zhao Junyao noticed the dark circles under her eyes and merely offered a faint, enigmatic smile before departing without a word.
When Palace Consorts erred, it was the Empress's duty to admonish and discipline them. It was hardly the place for a Noble Consort like her to overstep! Furthermore, her attempts to pry into His Majesty's affairs were a major transgression! Lady Xia was not at fault; if anyone should be copying the 'Admonitions for Women,' it was Noble Concubine Shih herself. As the ancients said: going too far is as bad as not going enough. He had indulged her too much in the past. Her culinary skills hadn't changed, but the person... she had changed!
「...」
"My lady, the Emperor spent last night in Xifu Palace!" Zi Yue whispered while setting the meal, then added, "Noble Concubine Shih is truly favored! The bond between childhood sweethearts is indeed different!"
Although she dared not speak carelessly in front of others, Zi Yue would still voice her thoughts privately.
"'Isn't that so? Noble Concubine Shih is so favored, but it's just...' Xiao Xizi chimed in, drawing closer."
With a shortage of Palace Maids, eunuchs had to fill in. Xia Ruqing had sent Qiu Tong and Qiu Hong to attend to matters in the courtyard, usually leaving only these two by her side.
Xiao Xizi hadn't finished speaking when Xia Ruqing interrupted him.