Chapter 148: Chapter 147 Jinling City 19
"My lord... this..."
The chicken soup was not as she had imagined.
It turned out that common folk’s chicken broth wasn’t skimmed of its fat. Commoners, often lacking oils and fats in their diet, certainly didn’t visit restaurants for clear, insipid soup when they finally had the chance. Even though Jingtai Tower catered to the wealthy, they too were, in essence, common folk! Those who dined out were typically men, and men didn’t fuss over such things.
Thus, Consort Yun found herself in quite an awkward situation.
She could clearly see the Emperor’s displeasure and hurriedly said, "My lord, it was all due to my lack of clear instructions. I will take it away immediately!"
Having said that, she was about to stand up with the bowl in hand.
Zhao Junyao was very impatient. "Leave it for now. Li Shengan, serve the meal!"
Having breakfast so early in the morning was such a bother. Women truly were a hassle!
Li Shengan promptly acknowledged.
Within moments, a breakfast of light and appetizing dishes was fully laid out.
Consort Yun just stood there, neither able to leave nor stay.
Li Shengan coughed lightly twice to remind her.
Consort Yun finally reacted. She plastered on a smile again and stepped forward with a bowl of soup. "Your concubine will serve you, my lord."
Zhao Junyao had a slight headache from drinking the previous night. The weather outside was overcast, and he was eager to depart. Therefore, he had no time to bicker with Consort Yun.
You want to serve? Then serve well!
With plain porridge and simple dishes, Zhao Junyao ate quickly.
By the time Consort Yun stood up after tending to him, Zhao Junyao had already changed his clothes and said, "I have other matters to attend to, I must go first!"
After speaking, he left with Li Shengan in tow.
In an instant, Consort Yun was left dumbfounded.
His Lordship returned so late yesterday, and the weather is foul today; why would he still go out? She had thought... that His Lordship wouldn’t go out!
Consort Yun felt utterly disappointed. Staring blankly at the empty room for a while, she finally lowered her head and departed.
As she descended the stairs, she happened to pass Xia Ruqing’s door, from which she heard incessant laughter.
It was as if they were mocking her for being sidelined by the Emperor! Consort Yun was so furious she felt like snapping her own nails! Hmph! Lady Xia! We shall see!
With this thought, she briskly returned to her room.
BANG! She slammed the door shut and was not seen coming out again.
「At Xia Ruqing’s place.」
She was engrossed in reading a book titled "Records of the Chu Dynasty’s Territories."
In the twenty-first century, with electronic navigation, one would never get lost. Now... Heh. Holding this book of maps, Xia Ruqing felt utterly powerless. The characters were blurred and unclear, but... the descriptions of local gazetteers and customs inside were quite interesting!
She had enjoyed reading this book in the palace and had specifically brought it with her on this outing. She would read it whenever she wasn’t going out and had free time. Occasionally, when she came across something amusing, she couldn’t help but laugh.
Zi Yue, at her side, reminded her, "Master, His Lordship has gone out, and Consort Yun has come down from upstairs, looking utterly dejected!"
Xia Ruqing was never interested in such gossip. She responded with a few noncommittal sounds and continued to read her book.
Zi Yue, knowing her master’s engrossment in books, did not disturb her further.
As for mocking Consort Yun or anything of the sort, Xia Ruqing thought: *I’m suffering a terrible injustice here!*
「」
Late in the morning, after several earth-shattering claps of thunder, rain began to pour down heavily.
RAT-A-TAT-TAT! Pea-sized raindrops hammered against the windows, falling thick and fast.
Zi Yue hurried over to close the windows, and Xia Ruqing stood up.
Leaning against the window, she sighed, "It’s pouring so heavily, Junyao must be drenched!"
My dear Emperor husband, as your little concubine, I’m so worried about you!
Zi Yue then comforted her, saying, "The Emperor surely has rain gear, and with Eunuch Li accompanying him, you needn’t worry, My Lady!"
Xia Ruqing could only nod. "I can’t go out anyway, so this is all I can do for now."
Saying this, she turned and went back to her couch.
After thinking for a moment, she instructed, "Go tell the kitchen to prepare ginger soup, and also stew some mutton soup!"
Zi Yue acknowledged the order and left.
「At Consort Yun’s place.」
With the rain falling, she too had nothing to do. Lying on her bed, she seethed with hatred for Xia Ruqing, tossing and turning as she searched for a scheme.
After tossing for a while, she suddenly sat up.
"My Lady, you’re not sleeping anymore?" Cai Die asked cautiously.
"I can’t sleep! Go call Honored Lady Xi and Honored Lady Lan here!"
No matter what, these two pawns couldn’t be discarded.
Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi lived next door to Xia Ruqing; originally, each had her own room. However, the timid Honored Lady Xi had insisted on sharing with Honored Lady Lan, so the three of them occupied only two rooms. This entire floor consisted of upper-class rooms, and Consort Yun’s room was just across the corridor, larger and better positioned than theirs.
Honored Lady Xi and Honored Lady Lan were playing dice when the summons came. They hastily tidied up and went.
Upon entering, Honored Lady Xi saw Consort Yun lying on the bed looking sullen, and asked, "Elder Sister Yun, are you feeling unwell?"
At this, Honored Lady Lan also grew anxious. Not knowing quite what to say, she stood there, somewhat at a loss.
Consort Yun slowly sat up, adjusted her expression, and said with a smile, "It’s nothing, I’m just feeling a bit bored."
Honored Lady Xi simply uttered an "Oh" and nodded. Consort Yun smiled again. "It truly is dull staying here by myself, so I called you over for a chat. You don’t mind, do you?"
Honored Lady Xi quickly waved her hand. "What are you saying, Elder Sister Yun? We were thinking of coming over too, but we were afraid of disturbing your rest!"
"Right, Eldest Sister Lan?"
Honored Lady Lan hurriedly nodded. "Yes! Yes!"
Consort Yun then smiled. "Excellent! Since you’re both free, let’s chat together. That way, it won’t be so dull. Take a seat!"
Honored Lady Xi and Honored Lady Lan sat down on small stools.
Cai Die placed two plates of refreshments on the small table before them, served tea, and then withdrew.
Honored Lady Xi unceremoniously picked up a piece of chestnut cake and began to eat. Honored Lady Lan, however, was not so uninhibited; she merely took a couple of sips of her tea and put the cup down.
Honored Lady Xi said, "Elder Sister Yun, we’ve been here for several days. If you’re feeling dull, why not go out for a stroll?" As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and, with an air of showing off a treasure, continued, "There’s a jewelry shop on this street where every piece is so exquisite and magnificent, it’s dazzling just to step inside! I bought this bracelet there. Elder Sister Yun, don’t you think it’s lovely?"
Consort Yun took a sip of her tea and looked at the bracelet on Honored Lady Xi’s snow-white wrist. It looked like cloisonné work with strung beads, and even had a sapphire set into it! Sapphires best complement one’s skin tone; this one made her skin appear even fairer.
Consort Yun looked at it and smiled. "It’s beautiful. Which street did you buy it on? How come I didn’t know?"
"Since you haven’t been out, Elder Sister Yun, of course you wouldn’t know!" Honored Lady Xi smiled and added, "I didn’t know at first either. Elder Sister Xia was the one who told me!"
With that said, she cradled her wrist, admiring the bracelet as if she could never tire of looking at it.