Chapter 1168: Chapter 1168: Only Room for Qingqing

"If you think like this, it means you truly care about her!"

"No wonder you were chosen by the Emperor as the foster mother for The Eldest Princess; you really are excellent!"

Xia Ruqing never hesitates to praise people.

If she thinks someone is good, she will generously give them compliments.

After all, people work so hard for so long, you must give them a sense of accomplishment, right?

Consort Zheng was indeed moved, her eyes slightly reddening.

"If Your Highness thinks so, then no matter how hard it is for me, it’s worth it!"

Xia Ruqing smiled.

"Rest assured, the Emperor has also noticed it!"

Consort Zheng eagerly wiped her tears.

"I feel ashamed to say this!"

"I have no children in this lifetime, which truly makes me feel guilty towards the Emperor!"

"The Emperor entrusted The Eldest Princess to me for upbringing, which is a trust in me!"

"I can only dedicate myself to not betray the Emperor’s trust!"

"Having Your Highness acknowledge my efforts, I am extremely grateful..."

Xia Ruqing was a bit embarrassed by her crying.

Why did ancient women always keen on blaming themselves for all the problems?

If they can’t bear children, they say they have failed their husband’s family.

But... isn’t it because Consort Zheng herself is not favored that she can’t have children?

Ahem ahem!!

It seems more embarrassing to directly admit she is not favored, huh!

Yet from Consort Zheng’s perspective,

she could understand the hardships faced by these women in the harem.

Not favored by the emperor, having no children, that kind of bitterness... she probably will never experience in this life.

Thus,

she also tried not to treat them harshly.

Provided them delicious foods and good drinks, offering them a way to live, considered an act of kindness.

In other words,

since I can’t share my husband with them, I’ll treat them better instead.

Zhao Junyao’s approach was much like hers.

It had been a long time since he last visited any concubine in the harem, so long that he himself forgot the duration.

However,

after all, they were all his women, all from respectable families chosen through formal selection.

Even if there are many flaws, there is at least some good in them.

So, no matter how much he dislikes them, he cannot treat them too harshly.

An emperor ruling the land, a dignified man, and treating their own women badly, would they still be called a man?

Making life hard for women was never his style.

He would visit the children often, spend some time, and at most have a meal, to maintain a sense of connection.

Since they followed him,

he would ensure they lived a lifetime of prosperity, never lacking anything.

Only... they cannot occupy his heart.

That space is too small, only allowing Qingqing alone.

...

February 12, the fifteenth year of Jiayuan.

The Eldest Princess of Great Chu married the eldest legitimate son of Tao Hanlin’s Family.

One is a gentle princess, the other a courteous scholar; a match made in heaven, the couple admired by many.

February 24, the fifteenth year of Jiayuan.

The Seventh Prince of Great Chu, Zhao Junyan, married Xu Xuechan, the legitimate second daughter of Commander Xu, as the main wife.

One is calm and skilled in martial arts, with handsome features, the other gentle and graceful, like a lotus, well-read and tender; the complementing pair makes them a legendary story.

After finishing these tasks,

Just when Xia Ruqing thought she could finally breathe a sigh of relief,

and peacefully wait for her Emperor husband to fulfill his promise of taking her on a leisurely trip to Jiangnan,

a delegation from Portland Country was arriving.

Indeed,

a delegation from Portland Country came to visit Great Chu Dynasty.

The most dreadful thing was,

The king of Portland Country brought along his seven daughters.

Seven of them!

This is simply... the intention of Sima Zhao, as everyone knows!

Xia Ruqing rubbed her forehead.

Forced a smile through gritted teeth:

’Just seven, isn’t it? The entire harem with three thousand beauties doesn’t scare me, do I fear seven?’

’No matter how much you wish to curry favor, you can’t marry off all seven daughters here!’

’And even if they marry, so what?!’

’Try winning his favor first!’

Learning from television, Xia Ruqing touched her face in the mirror.

’Hmph! With my looks, I can still go on for a few more years!’

Isn’t she just in her early thirties?

Many modern women in their early thirties are not even married yet?

Indeed, she’s still a young woman! Just this willful!

...

On the day of March 3.

Xia Ruqing should have been leisurely hosting a spring banquet in the Imperial Garden with the little wives of the harem.

But now she has to join Zhao Junyao in welcoming the delegation!

Still that same delegation keen on bringing small wives to her husband, truly vexing!

Although it’s a small country.

Great Chu Dynasty is known as the Nation of Etiquette, is it not? Therefore, the most basic courtesies must be upheld.

She was really reluctant to come!

But since the delegation brought female members, she had to attend.

Not only she, but those distinguished in the harem and the royal clan’s authorized wives had to attend as well.

Taihe Grand Hall.

Everyone was seated in order, separated by gender, forming a large circle.

Xia Ruqing discreetly surveyed the room.

Besides a bunch of tall men with big beards and high noses, and a few women of different ages, there was no one else.

Surprisingly, those princesses hadn’t shown up?!

She pursed her lips and thought secretly.

’Humph! Still playing mysterious!’

’Later they might perform some dance! Or perhaps present a gift!!’

’Oh, another possibility is they might directly present their daughters as gifts!’

’Wow, wouldn’t that be sensational!’

Xia Ruqing dared not think any further.

She quietly sipped her tea, smiling while listening to Zhao Junyao’s chatter with those people.

Oddly enough, it was impressive.

To get in touch with Great Chu Dynasty, those people even learned the dynasty’s language.

Now each of them spoke it fluently enough to be understood.

Similar to Europeans speaking Chinese in modern times!

Xia Ruqing listened to their boasting with keen interest.

This one said.

"Great Chu Dynasty is indeed a Nation of Etiquette, with such vast lands and resources, truly astonishing to us!"

Zhao Junyao just smiled.

"Your Portland is clever and insightful too, developing that miraculous plaster, even we of Great Chu Dynasty envy it!"

Another said.

"The Emperor of Great Chu is too modest, we came here precisely to learn about Central Plains culture from you!"

"We hope the Emperor of Great Chu won’t hesitate to teach us, so we might expand our horizons too!"

Zhao Junyao just chuckled.

"No problem, no problem!"

"Travelling from afar, you are all guests! Honglu Temple, Ministry of Rites, did you hear that!"

The named subjects hurriedly stood up.

"In response to the Emperor, we pledge to do our utmost!"

Zhao Junyao nodded in satisfaction, continuing the banquet!

What followed was a typical banquet.

Songs, dances, and laughter resonated with one another.

The female dancers, with their flowing sleeves, swayed gracefully like willows, moving rhythmically with the music, letting their bodies freely stretch.

They changed formations continuously in the center of the dance floor.

Like elegant swans over a clear pond, or like flamingoes enchanting along the water’s edge.

People chatted and laughed in small groups, clinking glasses, the atmosphere extremely lively.

After a few rounds of drinks,

The bearded king of Portland raised his glass, approaching Zhao Junyao.

"The Emperor of Great Chu, a man of extraordinary talent, I... deeply admire!"