She quickly scooped it out, placed it in her dipping sauce bowl, and swirled it around, incidentally cooling it down. Then she picked it up with her chopsticks and offered it to the Emperor. "Would you like to try?" "Is this... cooked? Is it edible?" In fact, what he really wanted to ask was, could this piece of meat—with its rather unappetizing, even slightly strange color—really be edible? "It’s definitely edible!" Zhao Junyao, still frowning, remained somewhat hesitant. Xia Ruqing decided to ignore him for the moment and swished another slice of meat in the hot pot before dipping it into her sauce. She popped the slice of meat into her mouth. The savory taste of the tender, juicy meat instantly filled her mouth. As she chewed, the tip of her tongue tingled with the numbing spice and savory flavor of the hot pot dipping sauce! "Delicious! It’s really good!" "Emperor, please give it a try!" After saying that, Xia Ruqing picked up another slice for him. Let’s forget about the one that cooled down! Zhao Junyao stared at her for a good while before skeptically picking up the slice of meat with his chopsticks. He elegantly placed it in his mouth. His expression froze for a moment! He chewed, then paused again. "How is it? Is it good?" Zhao Junyao finished the piece of meat and then picked up his cup to drink some tea. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Hmm! It’s quite good!" Xia Ruqing was speechless. If this were modern times and I had a boyfriend , he’d be due for a beating. If it’s tasty, just say so! Why the act? Really! Too bad this is ancient times. I’m just one of his many concubines! No what-ifs! However, Zhao Junyao seemed to have some conscience. Seeing Qingqing unhappy, he also seemed to feel he had gone a bit too far. So, after eating countless slices of lamb, beef, venison, radish, Chinese cabbage, lotus root, and spinach, a thoroughly satisfied Zhao Junyao finally asked, "Qingqing, I have some good news. Would you like to hear it?" Xia Ruqing looked at him in confusion. Nonsense, who wouldn’t want to hear good news! Immediately, a certain someone shamelessly put on a wide smile. "I’d love to hear it! Of course, I’d love to hear it!" Zhao Junyao had intended to tease her a bit. But as soon as he saw her smiling face, he couldn’t maintain his composure; he found himself smiling too. Forget it. In front of... Qingqing, face isn’t important. Zhao Junyao took another sip of tea, drawing out the suspense for Xia Ruqing before finally saying, "Your brother..." Xia Ruqing’s heart suddenly clenched. "What happened? What’s wrong with him?" Zhao Junyao said, "Your brother is doing very well. I heard... he passed the imperial examination at the county level to become a Scholar, and he’s even being called... the top student of White Horse Academy!" With so many prefectures, commanderies, and counties producing so many Scholars, no one would remember who you are. But... being the top student of White Horse Academy was a different matter entirely. Who in the Great Chu Dynasty, in Jiangnan, didn’t know of White Horse Academy? And the top student of White Horse Academy? Xia Ruqing was incredibly excited, almost unable to believe it. "My brother... he really became a Scholar?" Zhao Junyao took another sip of tea. "An Emperor’s word is his bond!" Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing suddenly knelt. "Thank you, Emperor!" Regardless, the ruler of a nation would hardly pay attention to a mere Scholar. He only paid attention to these things because of her. Xia Ruqing truly felt a warmth spreading through her heart, as if it were melting. Zhao Junyao was taken aback. As an emperor, he was long accustomed to people kneeling before him. Yet, seeing Qingqing kneeling on the ground to thank him for his favor, he still felt it was somewhat odd. He did these things not to gain her gratitude; it was purely from his heart, wanting to make her happy. Thinking this, he pulled her up. His movement was a bit rough, as if he were sulking. "Qingqing, are you grateful to me, or are you truly happy?" Xia Ruqing didn’t know why he asked that. She only knew that her brother had achieved success and could now bring honor to their family, meaning she herself would soon see better days. So, of course, I’m happy! she thought, nodding fervently. "I... I am happy!" Zhao Junyao breathed a sigh of relief, and the slight displeasure in his heart vanished instantly. As long as Qingqing is happy, everything is worth it! Xia Ruqing’s emotions were somewhat spiraling; her heart pounded, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. "Finally... I’ve finally made it through!" she said, choking back sobs. She didn’t know if it was the bond of kinship, or if the original owner of this body hadn’t departed willingly. In any case, an indescribable bitterness and ache filled her heart. It felt as if I myself had endured all those countless torments back then. Zhao Junyao gently patted her back. "There, there. Everything will be alright from now on. No one will dare to bully you anymore!" Of course, except for me! Xia Ruqing nodded desperately. The two of them were very harmonious, and Zhao Junyao felt an unprecedented satisfaction. Zhao Junyao went to court full of energy. Xia Ruqing was still deep in sleep. When it was almost dawn, Zi Yue still had to rouse Xia Ruqing. "My Lady, it’s time to go pay your respects!" After being called dozens of times, Xia Ruqing finally dragged herself out of bed, bleary-eyed and groggy. She had been thoroughly exhausted by him late into the night and was almost dead with fatigue! Zi Yue chuckled. "If you’re not fully rested, you can always sleep more after you return from paying respects. It’s all the same!" Xia Ruqing was somewhat disgruntled. "Sleep after returning? How can that be as refreshing as sleeping straight through?!" Zi Yue said no more; the hot water and other necessities were already prepared. She quickly and skillfully attended to her. Half an hour later, Xia Ruqing was finally dressed appropriately and set off for Jiaofang Hall with Zi Yue. Xia Ruqing arrived neither early nor late. Some were already there, while others had yet to arrive. After exchanging greetings, she took her seat and listlessly began to doze off. After a while, everyone had arrived. Noble Concubine Shih was still the last to arrive, even later than the Empress. She performed a cursory salute upon entering and rose on her own without waiting for the Empress to bid her rise. The Empress was initially quite angry, but later she chose to simply ignore her. She would just pretend that person didn’t exist! Seeing that everyone was present, the Empress greeted them with a smile. "You have all been in the palace for quite some time now. The fact that the Emperor is still without a son is a great concern to me. You must all redouble your efforts and strive to bear an imperial heir for His Majesty soon!" "We shall follow Her Majesty the Empress’s guidance!" The women rose to acknowledge the instruction. Noble Concubine Shih, however, couldn’t hold back and immediately let out a sarcastic sneer. "My child passed away not long ago, yet the Empress brings this up now. Truly, you know how to rub salt in the wound! What a display of kindness! If any of our sisters here were to truly become pregnant, who knows if they’d even be able to carry the child to term! Isn’t that so, Your Majesty the Empress?" The Empress was so furious she nearly spat blood, but she managed to keep her composure, forcefully suppressing the rage in her heart as she retorted with a cold smile, "I fail to understand what you mean by that, Noble Concubine Shih. As the Empress of this nation, it is my duty to do everything in my power to help the Emperor continue his line! Unlike some, who act lawlessly in the Harem and do as they please!" Noble Concubine Shih shot to her feet. "Who are you calling lawless?!" Fresh chapters posted on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁 How could the Empress possibly fear her? She immediately sneered, "Naturally, I’m referring to whoever responds to the accusation, wouldn’t you say?"