A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 255: Chapter 254: Once She’s Better, Make Up for Everything

But Qingqing’s leg had not yet healed.

A twisted ankle, a bruised leg—such injuries don’t mend so easily, Zhao Junyao thought. Once she recovered, he was determined to make up for all the time they had restrained themselves.

「...」

On the second day of the second lunar month, the day of ”Longtaitou” or ”Dragon Raising its Head.”

It was a rare day of leisure in the palace.

At Zhao Junyao’s command, he took all his wives, major and minor, to the South Garden.

They hadn’t visited to offer sacrifices before New Year’s. Now, with the warmth of spring and blooming flowers, they couldn’t miss it.

Xia Ruqing’s legs were still injured, making movement very difficult for her.

Fortunately, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had skillful craftsmen who had fashioned a wheeled chair for her.

Though it lacked the full functionality of modern ones, it was still quite convenient.

Early in the morning, the carriage procession waited at the palace gates.

The ladies of the Harem arrived in warm sedans, hand-carried palanquins, shoulder-borne litters, or on foot.

One by one, they all assembled.

The Empress was the last to arrive.

Clearly displeased, Noble Concubine Shih perfunctorily performed her courtesies and then stood aside.

The Empress adjusted the Phoenix Crown on her head and smiled faintly, saying nothing.

”The Emperor arrives!” Li Shengan announced loudly.

Zhao Junyao strode towards them, facing the morning sun.

His sapphire-blue, dragon-patterned informal court attire was understated yet luxurious, the hem fluttering freely with his steps.

His handsome brows framed bright, piercing eyes.

Years of martial training had endowed him with a well-proportioned physique and long, shapely legs.

Xia Ruqing was mesmerized.

Handsome men truly do shine!

The other women of the Harem were equally enchanted, practically drooling, their eyes sparkling. They wished they could pounce on him immediately to stake their claim.

Of course, ownership belonged to the Empress.

The Empress, proudly leading the other concubines, walked at the very front.

”Greetings, Your Majesty!”

”Rise, all of you!”

Zhao Junyao slowed his pace, stopping two steps away from the Empress.

”Is everyone present?”

”Reporting to Your Majesty, everyone is present!”

Zhao Junyao’s gaze swept around, finally resting on Xia Ruqing, seated in her wheeled chair. Seeing she was dressed warmly enough, he felt relieved.

”Everyone, to your carriages! Let us depart!”

The concubines were overjoyed.

”Yes!”

「...」

Xia Ruqing’s carriage followed Consort Zheng Pin’s.

With one foot resting on the wheelchair, Xia Ruqing struggled onto the carriage, assisted by three Palace Attendants.

As Noble Concubine Shih passed by, she sneered, ”You still attend, even with a lame leg? Xia Jieyu, you truly are indefatigable in your quest for favor!”

Xia Ruqing, having just settled into her carriage, heard this and returned a cold smile.

”Your Grace, my lameness is entirely your doing, isn’t it? Others might not know, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t do it!”

Noble Concubine Shih, knowing she was in the wrong, didn’t wish to pursue the matter further. With a snort, she walked away.

Xia Ruqing chuckled softly and settled comfortably in her carriage.

Zi Yue’s and Xiao Xizi’s injuries had also healed.

The carriage was padded with cotton cushions. Zi Yue and Zi Su attended her closely inside, while Xiao Xizi and the eunuch driving the carriage sat outside.

The procession of carriages slowly set off.

「...」

Zhao Junyao rode at the very front on horseback, accompanied by Deputy Commander Xia and a small detachment of the Imperial Forest Army.

Since the Empress Dowager had not come, the Empress’s phoenix carriage followed closely behind him.

Behind the Empress was Noble Concubine Shih.

Looking at the bright yellow canopy ahead—far more prestigious and luxurious than her own carriage—Noble Concubine Shih felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.

After settling in, she smiled wanly.

She is, after all, the Empress!

Only the Emperor and Empress were entitled to use the color bright yellow; no one else could.

It has been almost three years since the Emperor’s ascension, and soon, another group of women will enter the palace! Three years ago, Lady Xia was but a Lady; three years later, she is already a Fourth Rank Jieyu... Her brother is still highly favored. The previously obscure Xia Family now has a foothold in both the Harem and the imperial court. But what about me? Three years ago, I could still rely on the Emperor’s favor to overshadow the Empress. But now, three years later? What can I possibly do now? The woman her cousin cherished... it wasn’t me anymore. In the future, perhaps... it would never be me again.

A boundless chill gradually engulfed her.

Noble Concubine Shih suddenly felt cold.

”Your Grace, what’s wrong?” Ying Yue noticed something amiss.

”Ying Yue... I’m so cold!” Noble Concubine Shih hugged her arms.

”Cold?” Ying Yue hurriedly took a thick cloak from her bundle and draped it over Noble Concubine Shih.

Noble Concubine Shih was still shivering.

”Your Grace, please don’t frighten this servant!”

Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes were somewhat icy. ”Do you think... I will still have children? Ying Yue? Will cousin treat me the same as before?”

Ying Yue was very anxious. ”Your Grace, don’t overthink things! The Emperor still holds you in his heart!”

Noble Concubine Shih managed a bitter smile. ”Holds me? It’s Lady Xia he holds in his heart!”

”Your Grace, no matter what, you and the Emperor are childhood sweethearts. You grew up together! In His Majesty’s heart, you are different from everyone else!”

Noble Concubine Shih pondered for a moment, then smiled bitterly.

Yes, I am different! But that’s all it is—merely different. What she truly wanted was his affection, children, to stand shoulder to shoulder with her cousin. Unlike the Empress, she didn’t fixate on status. She only wanted someone who truly cared for her.

Ying Yue didn’t know what to say and just carefully pulled the cloak tighter around her.

「...」

Behind Noble Concubine Shih was Consort Ning, sharing a carriage with The Eldest Princess.

Following them, Consort Hui Pin accompanied the Second Princess.

Next came Consort Yun Pin and Consort Zheng Pin.

After them was Xia Ruqing.

Behind Xia Ruqing were Honored Lady Lan, Honored Lady Cheng, Noble Lady Song, and others.

Lady Xi, being only of the official Seventh Rank, was not eligible to attend.

Honored Lady Lan found herself alone.

Sitting in the carriage, Honored Lady Lan felt somewhat out of place. ”Being asked to come alone like this, I truly don’t know what to do.”

”Your Ladyship needn’t worry, aren’t we still here?” a Little Palace Maid said, smiling at Molli.

This Little Palace Maid, Lianlian, had originally been a menial servant in Honored Lady Lan’s household. She was lively, adept at handling matters, and a quick learner. Honored Lady Lan had grown very fond of her, gradually relieving her of menial tasks and keeping her close as an attendant.

Consequently, the menial work fell to the Little Eunuch in Honored Lady Lan’s service. Though the Little Eunuch was dissatisfied, he had to obey his mistress’s orders.

Molli was also quite pleased. Her mistress was timid and gentle, and Molli herself wasn’t particularly assertive. Having someone more assertive around was actually a good thing.

Thinking this, Molli happily added, ”If Your Ladyship is bored, you should look outside more. We rarely get a chance to leave the palace!”

Honored Lady Lan lifted the carriage curtain.

Outside, the sunlight was bright, and the official road was wide and smooth. On either side stretched endless fields, where people toiled diligently.

The carriage swayed gently, and Honored Lady Lan squinted in the sunlight. She gazed enviously at a nearby farmstead.

A peasant woman carried a bamboo basket, followed by two children. It looked like she was delivering a meal to her husband. In the field, a simple, honest-looking man saw his wife and quickly rose to greet her. The woman grumbled a few words but still couldn’t resist taking out a cotton cloth to wipe his sweat. The man gave a simple laugh, wiped his sweat, and turned to pick up the younger child. He then freed a hand to take the older child’s.

The family of four, there in the fields. They wore coarse cotton clothes and ate simple food.

Yet, to Honored Lady Lan, such a life didn’t seem bad at all.