Chapter 341

Chapter 341 After waking from her nap, Xie Run couldn't be bothered to style her hair. Her tresses hung loose, her complexion fair and unmarked by any trace of powder or rouge. When Xie Run finished changing the Emperor's outer robe, he reached up and gently pinched her cheek, his tone warm and affectionate. "Does the summer heat trouble you?" Xie Run looked puzzled. "Not at all. Why would Your Majesty ask?" The Emperor: "You've grown thinner." Xie Run: "...Your Majesty's eyes are like a measuring stick—one glance and you know your consort has lost weight?" The Emperor said with utmost seriousness, "Then I shall measure you properly tonight." Xie Run's eyes widened as if startled. She immediately lowered her head, tugged at the Emperor's sash, and chided softly, "What nonsense is Your Majesty speaking!" A smile rippled across the Emperor's face. "No nonsense." With that, he took Xie Run's hand and led her to the dining table. He swept his gaze across it and teased, "So it turns out the imperial kitchen has been mistreating my beloved consort, causing her to grow so thin." "Look at this table full of green vegetables—not a trace of meat or fish. How could anyone not waste away?" Xie Run said helplessly, "Your Majesty, in the height of summer, eating all that rich, greasy food—isn't it too cloying?" The Emperor laughed. "Isn't this precisely why I've come to Suisui's place for some light, refreshing dishes?" Xie Run replied, "Then Your Majesty must not complain anymore." The Emperor picked up his chopsticks, took a couple of bites, and looked rather pleased. He continued eating. Eunuch Shian, observing from the side, finally felt joy rise in his heart. Later, he passed word to Xie Run. "These past days have been scorching hot, and with the heavy affairs of the court, His Majesty hasn't eaten well for several days in a row. He's grown thinner. But now, at last, he's eating a bit more here at your palace." Xie Run smiled lightly. "Then is Eunuch reassured? If so, go have your meal first, so you can attend to His Majesty later." Eunuch Shian acknowledged with a cheerful smile. The Emperor took his midday nap at Zhaohua Palace, then returned with his entourage to the Imperial Study. As the sun neared the horizon, Xiaoshu was still asking, "Your Highness, do you think His Majesty will come to Zhaohua Palace tonight?" "Shall this servant have the imperial kitchen prepare some of His Majesty's favorite dishes?" Xie Run was about to speak when she saw Yueya'er walk in with a downcast, embarrassed expression. "What's wrong? Who are you making that long face for?" Dantao happened to pass by carrying tea and poked her finger at Yueya'er's brow. Yueya'er lifted her head and said softly to Xie Run, "Your Highness, His Majesty has flipped the tablet of Consort Hua Xiu again tonight." The smiles on the others' faces froze for a moment, and they all looked at Xie Run with concern. Xie Run: "Since His Majesty isn't coming, there's no need to trouble the imperial kitchen with extra dishes. Just do as before." Xiaoshu inwardly cursed herself for speaking too much and quickly said, "Yes, this servant will take the others to fetch the meal." Dantao set the tea beside Xie Run. "Your Highness..." She was about to offer words of comfort when Xie Run stopped her. Xie Run: "You needn't say anything. With the court affairs so busy lately, it's only natural that His Majesty can't attend to everyone in the harem." "Such things will likely happen more and more in the future. You should all get used to it." Dantao was momentarily struck speechless. This... wasn't she supposed to be the one comforting the mistress? Xie Run leaned back in her chair, her smile warm and gentle, her skin glowing with a soft, jade-like luster. "You all probably think that if His Majesty had lunch at Zhaohua Palace, he would surely stay the night here as well." Dantao pressed her lips together. "This servant is just worried about Your Highness." Xie Run: "Don't worry about me. My heart is broad." "His Majesty's coming is a blessing, and I am grateful. But if His Majesty doesn't come, I still have to live my life." "In this world, no one can live well by hoping for blessings to fall upon them every single day." "No matter how favored I am, there will come a day when I grow old and lose that favor. When that time comes, who knows what will happen? And you all can't even bear this?" Dantao wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Why does Your Highness think of things so pessimistically?" "In this harem, one cannot afford to be blind to oneself." Dantao nodded. "This servant understands. From now on, this servant will also properly manage those below, not using Your Highness's favor to throw weight around. We'll live our days peacefully." Xie Run smiled and took Dantao's hand, patting it gently. In the blink of an eye, another month passed. Wu Baolin's pregnancy had finally stabilized, and she had begun to come out and move about. That day, Wu Baolin had grown tired of lying in bed and had her personal maid support her for a walk at the doorway. The maid Xiaofu had a cute face and said cheerfully, "Now that the neighbor has changed to Concubine Fang, things have become much more peaceful. Your Highness can properly nurture the pregnancy." Wu Baolin pursed her lips. "Concubine Fang doesn't stir up trouble, that's true. But she's like a gourd with its mouth sewn shut—day after day, not a sound comes from that room next door. You'd think no one lived there." The previous maid who had attended Wu Baolin had mistakenly taken Talented Lady Ye's belongings while helping with the move and had been demoted to the Huanyi Bureau. Now a new person had been assigned, and Wu Baolin was quite satisfied with her. Xiaofu comforted her, "Your Highness's priority now is to nurture the pregnancy well. The quieter the neighbor is, the better—no disturbances at all." "Once Your Highness gives birth to a prince in six months, life will be much better." The smile on Wu Baolin's face faded considerably. "I am but a lowly Baolin. Even if I give birth to an imperial prince, I have no right to raise the child myself." Her hand gently stroked her slightly swollen belly, and suddenly an overwhelming regret surged within her. Back then, she had lost her head, scheming to bring down Talented Lady Ye, trample her underfoot, and win the Emperor's favor. Who would have thought that she would lose more than she gained—instead, she was demoted in rank. She was now a Baolin. Even if she were promoted two ranks higher, she would only be a Lady of Beauty. According to the rules from the Retired Emperor's time, only those who reached the position of Nine Concubines were qualified to raise their own children. The child in her belly now would be born for someone else. On top of that, the Emperor had grown weary of her and had not come to see her for a long time. Even restoring her position as Cairen would be difficult. Wu Baolin's good mood vanished in an instant. Xiaofu also wore a helpless expression. She wanted to say that the current Emperor was different from the Retired Emperor—perhaps it wasn't necessary to be one of the Nine Concubines to raise a child. After all, back in the prince's residence, even an ordinary concubine in the rear courtyard could raise her own child.