Chapter 903: Chapter 903: Feeling a Bit Stifled
Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow slightly.
In her heart, she thought: Of course, it ans openly bullying you.
But she couldn’t say that.
She could only smile and with feigned innocence, said in surprise.
"What do you an?"
"I’m genuinely concerned about you!"
After speaking, she glanced at Lan Xiang.
"What are you still standing there for? Hurry and serve your master the dicine; it won’t be good if it gets cold!"
Lan Xiang, standing behind Consort Ning, looked around, unsure of what to do.
Consort Ning was furious inside.
She gritted her teeth and slapped the bowl of dicine to the floor.
A loud crash.
The dicine spilled out, and the bowl shattered on the ground.
"Noble Consort!"
"You did it on purpose, right?! I’m perfectly fine and don’t need any dicine!"
Who knows if there’s poison in it?!
Xia Ruqing was taken aback, even more puzzled.
"Didn’t you just say you had stomach issues?!"
"Ladies, you all heard that, didn’t you?!"
"I truly had good intentions!"
Everyone below nodded repeatedly.
"It seems... that’s how it happened!" No mistake!
Now Consort Ning was left speechless.
Xia Ruqing looked at the dicine stains and shards on the floor with a sorrowful expression.
She lanted in anguish.
"Since Consort Ning doesn’t appreciate it, I have no choice but to drop it!"
"Alright, alright, everyone hurry and eat before it gets cold!"
Saying this, she simply ignored Consort Ning.
Consort Ning was quite embarrassed!
Neither standing nor sitting felt right.
Leaving felt wrong, staying felt wrong!
Xia Ruqing, on the other hand, was very amused.
One mont introducing dishes to everyone.
Another mont bringing out her homade grape wine, inviting everyone to taste it!
She didn’t glance at Consort Ning even once during the whole al.
The al felt like sitting on pins and needles!
An entire Shi Chen later.
After having lunch, everyone chatted and then dispersed.
Consort Ning quickly stood up to leave as well.
But Xia Ruqing directly called her out.
"Consort Ning, stay!"
Consort Ning suddenly felt a bit scared, but didn’t dare resist, obediently turning around.
"Noble Consort!"
Her tone carried fear and guilt.
Yet there was also anger and disdain.
For one, she feared the Noble Consort would discover her behind-the-scenes sches, thus feeling guilty.
Secondly, she looked down upon the Noble Consort’s high-and-mighty deanor.
After all, she had the most seniority in the palace; there was sothing different about that!
She wasn’t the Empress after all, how could she publicly embarrass her?!
Xia Ruqing walked up to her and smiled.
"I kept you, not for anything else, just to tell you one thing!"
"If you have anything to say, say it openly. Hiding in the shadows and playing tricks isn’t a skill!"
At these words, Consort Ning couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Her whole body trembled, and her heart felt guilty.
"As expected, I was found out!"
"But so what if it’s brought to light?!"
Upon these thoughts, she coldly laughed and said.
"Fine! Let’s be open and straightforward!"
"Noble Consort! Since you know this, I won’t hide it anymore!"
"What I’ve done is simply because I couldn’t stand it!"
"The Empress is still here!"
"Why do you keep the Emperor at Duanning Palace on the first and fifteenth?! What do you intend?!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing just laughed.
"Detain?"
"You’ve used the word well!"
"But... perhaps you’ve forgotten!"
"This harem belongs to the Emperor ultimately!"
"I am a Consort, and my duty is to serve the Emperor well!"
"Could it be that when the Emperor cos, I should drive him away?!"
Consort Ning sneered again.
"Noble Consort, you must be joking!"
"Indeed, you’ve been favored, but for so many years, on the first and fifteenth, the Emperor has never visited anywhere but Jiaofang Hall!"
"Why did he decide to co to your place this year?!"
"If it’s not your problem, then whose is it?!"
Xia Ruqing laughed out of anger.
"People of ancient tis are truly scary!"
With so many won serving one man, it’s a wonder.
Even the timing had to be precise; anything off was unacceptable, it’s just...
She took a deep breath.
"Even if it’s my problem, so what?!"
"Yes, the Emperor ca on the first and fifteenth, so what?"
"With just this, you want to fra
for seducing the Emperor and coveting the Empress’ position?!"
Consort Ning snorted.
"Isn’t that so?"
Xia Ruqing was so angry she gritted her teeth.
Insulting her in her heart: "What are you saying?!"
But outwardly, she still sneered.
"If Consort Ning thinks so, then let it be so!"
"But... if you dare pull any more tricks, I will not forgive easily!"
Consort Ning put on a fearless stance!
"Noble Consort! Even if the Empress is not in the palace, she still exists!"
"If you truly wish to prove you have no designs on the Empress’ position, why not ask the Emperor to bring the Empress back?"
Xia Ruqing just laughed.
"Oh?"
"What a peculiar condition!"
"Then... you really think I covet the Empress’ position, right? Fine!"
"I do covet the Empress’ position, so what?"
Consort Ning: "..."
"I’m tired, Consort Ning, if there’s nothing else, you should leave!"
After speaking, she left without looking back.
Consort Ning felt quite proud!
"Hmph! Leave if you must; I don’t care to stay here anyway!"
With that, she also swayed away and left.
...
Xia Ruqing returned to her room, laying on the bed, too tired to speak.
Angry enough to feel liver pain, you know!
Zi Su, who stood by, tried to console her.
"Mistress, why don’t we think of a way to give her a good fall?"
Xia Ruqing rolled her eyes.
"A fall in what sense?"
"She’s a Consort, and I’m not the Empress!"
"Talking back or sothing doesn’t seem to be a severe cri!"
Without a valid reason, she has no authority to deal with Palace Consorts.
The Empress alone can!
Zi Su sneered.
"Might not be a big mistake, but can’t we find a minor one?"
"We must vent this anger!"
After speaking, she thought for a mont and continued.
"Mistress! Let
handle this matter!"
Xia Ruqing waved her hand.
"Do as you wish; I don’t want to think about it!"
Feeling sowhat stifled.
Though the outco slightly favored her, Consort Ning’s arrogant deanor clearly showed she held Xia Ruqing in contempt.
Does she really think just because I’m not the Empress, I can’t deal with her?
Ha! What a big-hearted person!
No wonder she was the Empress’ favored one back then.
Never mind, just leave it as it is now!
With this thought, Xia Ruqing turned over.
"I’m going to rest a bit. When Henger and Yeye wake, have Sister Jiang and the rest look after them for a while!"
Zi Yue tucked her in gently.
"Alright! You just sleep!"
Xia Ruqing closed her eyes.
Zi Yue led the others out, and the room returned to quiet.
But before she could fall asleep.
A sound of greeting ca from outside.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Imdiately after, a familiar scent filled the room.
Xia Ruqing could no longer sleep.
She quickly got up.
"Your Majesty!"
"Why have you co?"
Zhao Junyao smiled faintly.
"Why? Am I not allowed to co?"
Having just finished so work and feeling a bit tired, he wanted to rest here and take a nap!
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