"Mistress, what would you like for lunch?" Xiao Xizi asked eagerly. Xia Ruqing, holding Da Bai, was rather amused. "We only just had breakfast a short while ago, and now you’re already talking about lunch..." As she spoke, the group entered the inner chamber. Zi Yue took a bundle to tidy things up, while Xiao Xizi busily poured tea. Xia Ruqing looked around the room and remarked happily, "Our room is still the same! Not a bit has changed! Xiao Xizi, this is all thanks to your excellent care!" Xiao Xizi blushed with embarrassment at the praise. "Mistress, it wasn’t just I. Qiu Tong and Lady Qiu Ye helped too!" "Those two lower-ranking palace maids?" Xia Ruqing thought for a moment, then said, "Go and call them both here." Xiao Xizi immediately assented. Soon, Qiu Tong and Lady Qiu Ye both came in. After they paid their respects, Xia Ruqing said, "You two have been with me for quite some time now. Especially you, Qiu Tong, you’ve been with me for over a year, haven’t you?" Qiu Tong hurriedly responded, "Yes, Mistress!" She answered cautiously. Xia Ruqing stared at her for a long moment before shifting her gaze to Lady Qiu Ye. "Although you haven’t been here long," she said, "I haven’t mistreated you!" Lady Qiu Ye hurriedly kowtowed. "Mistress is benevolent and treats us servants exceptionally well. I am eternally grateful!" Xia Ruqing hummed in acknowledgment and looked at them both. She stood up and said slowly, "You’ve worked hard during the month or so I was away. Zi Yue, give them a reward!" Zi Yue took out four silver ingots, each weighing five taels, and gave them to the maids. The two received the reward and kowtowed in gratitude. Xia Ruqing continued, "I’ll say it again: following me doesn’t just mean good days. If I prosper, you will too. If I suffer, don’t think you’ll escape unscathed. As long as you serve me well, I will treat you generously. But if not..." Xia Ruqing’s voice turned cold. "Even if I seem to have little power, I can still make your lives miserable, and you’ll never recover." Hearing this, Qiu Tong and Lady Qiu Ye hurriedly kowtowed, pledging their loyalty. Xia Ruqing glanced at Qiu Tong a few times, chuckled softly, then waved her hand. "You may leave." The two didn’t dare to delay and hastily left. Xia Ruqing picked up her teacup and slowly sipped from it. It’s already been a year since I came here, though it feels like no time at all, she sighed inwardly. When I first arrived, only Qiu Hong and Qiu Tong were by my side. Now, one is dead, and a new one has arrived. Back then, they tried so hard to undermine me. I wonder whose pawns they were. "Mistress..." Zi Yue began, somewhat concerned. "Keep a close eye on her. Who knows... that plant might be activated by her master one day!" "What about Lady Qiu Ye?" Zi Yue asked. "Watch her closely too. After all... you can’t easily trust anyone in the palace." Zi Yue nodded. "Understood!" After tea, the sun outside grew stronger. The room gradually grew warmer. "It’s already July, and it’s still so hot!" Xia Ruqing felt a little drowsy. Xiao Xizi then said, "Mistress, in our courtyard, I’ve set up a grape trellis for you, and they’ve already borne fruit! I counted them—a total of sixteen bunches!" Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing immediately perked up. She immediately led Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue, hurrying excitedly into the courtyard. "Oh my!" Her face lit up with pleasant surprise. "Xiao Xizi, you had more grapevines planted! No wonder there are so many grapes. I thought the one I planted earlier had borne all sixteen bunches!" Xiao Xizi chuckled. "I know you like these things, Mistress. Since I was idle anyway, I... had someone arrange it." As he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered something and knelt to confess. "Mistress, I used your silver—eighty taels in total!" "Eighty taels?!" Zi Yue exclaimed, her face a mask of disbelief. For original chapters go to novel·fire.net Xiao Xizi hastily added, "No, it wasn’t just for this! There’s also... a vegetable garden in the backyard!" "A vegetable garden?" Puzzled, Xia Ruqing hurried towards the backyard. Xiao Xizi truly... truly understands what I like! The backyard of Qingya Residence was much larger than that of the former Zhaohua Pavilion. Besides a row of servants’ quarters and a well, there was nothing else. The previous resident must have liked flowers and plants, as many had been planted. However, with no one to care for them, they had long since died, leaving the land vacant. He had someone till the soil, fertilize and water it, and even erect a wooden fence around it. Now, the entire little courtyard brimmed with life and vitality. To have such a place in the depths of the palace—whether for growing flowers or vegetables—was truly a rare blessing! Xia Ruqing laughed joyfully. "So now there’s a grape arbor, a swing, and a vegetable garden..." Life is truly enjoyable! "Xiao Xizi, I want to reward you. What would you like?" Xiao Xizi grinned. "Mistress, I am already very grateful that you aren’t blaming me for using the silver..." Seeing him , and considering he had no family, Xia Ruqing said, "I can’t grant you great favors, but I do have silver. How about I reward you with silver ingots?" For someone like Xiao Xizi, who had no family and had entered the palace to become a eunuch, silver was the best and most practical reward. "Thank you, Mistress!" Xiao Xizi knelt happily. 「Meanwhile, in Ningshou Palace」 The Emperor was accompanying the Empress Dowager for lunch; the Noble Consort was also present. "Mother, how has your health been lately?" The Empress Dowager chuckled. "That child, Wanxin, has become much more sensible since she learned she’s to be a mother. Whenever she’s free, she accompanies me to copy scriptures, share meals, and take strolls..." Zhao Junyao said, "As long as you are well, Mother, I can rest assured." The Empress Dowager began, "That child Wanxin..." Zhao Junyao was concerned about the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager was focused on Shih Wanxin’s pregnancy. Mother and son were indeed on different wavelengths. After Zhao Junyao finished lunch, he sat for a while longer before departing. When the Empress awoke from her midday nap, Yu Lan brought her a cup of ginger tea, as usual. "Where is the Emperor?" "Your Majesty," Yu Lan replied, "he has returned to Zhaochen Palace." The Empress’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Mm. The weather is pleasant today. Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare several cool and refreshing side dishes for tonight." Tonight is the first night; the Emperor will surely come. "Yes, Your Majesty." Yu Lan responded and went out to relay the instructions. The Empress clutched her lower abdomen, a complex expression flitting across her face. Your Majesty... I have been in the palace for many years. Even if I have no great merits, I have at least endured hardships. You will surely grant me a child, won’t you? The Noble Consort is pregnant and has the Empress Dowager protecting her. For over a month, I haven’t had a single opportunity to act. But even if an opportunity arose, I wouldn’t dare. That Fuzi Powder incident orchestrated by Honored Lady Hu was meant to frame Lady Xia. Although Honored Lady Hu ultimately took the blame, I still feel the Emperor must suspect something. Otherwise, why would the Emperor stay away from Jiaofang Hall for so long?