A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 290: Chapter 289: The More I Look, the More I Like It

He and his brothers, his cousins, all faced similar limitations. The only thing he could do, if he truly liked a woman, was to place her in the rear courtyard and dote on her, doing his best to give her the very best. As for the rest, it would have to come slowly. If he genuinely cherished a woman, he would eventually find ways to provide her with everything. Once she had her own foundation and confidence, she would suffer less humiliation.

Thinking this, he lifted his eyes to gaze at Xia Ruqing, his eyes filled with doting affection.

”Are you full?”

Xia Ruqing held her bowl, wishing she could drink even the soup, and looked at him, still not fully satisfied.

”Not full...”

Zhao Junyao just laughed.

”Even if you’re not full, no more eating. Come and eat these noodles!”

Xia Ruqing knew her limits and obediently nodded.

”Alright!”

After speaking, she indeed took the small bowl of noodles and began eating, spoonful by spoonful, while Zhao Junyao, having finished his meal, simply sat and watched her. The sour food had whetted Xia Ruqing’s appetite, and she ate the noodles with great enjoyment, her small lips glistening with oil.

Zhao Junyao watched her like this, the doting affection in his eyes almost overflowing.

’Are you full?’

’Not full!’

Only this lass would give such an answer. Any other woman would have claimed to be full. That’s why he liked her, liked her so much; the more he looked, the more he liked. Only in Qingya Residence did he feel he wasn’t being fawned over or idolized. Sometimes, when her temper flared, she would even get angry and kick him. Only at those times did he feel like an ordinary person. It felt warm, comfortable! See, human nature is like this, always envying others. And the Emperor was no exception!

Zhao Junyao finished his meal and left. If he spent his days in the Harem in broad daylight, those censors would surely berate him again! So, despite his reluctance, he left, but not before instructing Zi Yue and the others to report any matters directly to Zhaochen Palace.

Even Li Shengan was somewhat stunned.

In the past, other consorts, even if pregnant, rarely dared to use this to seek favor at Zhaochen Palace. The Emperor would simply retort, ”State affairs are pressing! Am I an Imperial Physician?” leaving them speechless. But this time... Your Majesty, have you become an Imperial Physician now? Mulling it over, Li Shengan couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up in his heart. Xia Jieyu was truly favored. Even with newcomers in the palace, her position wouldn’t be shaken any time soon. She was favored, and she carried a child in her womb. If she were to give birth to a prince, that would be even more remarkable. A Pin rank would be the minimum; thereafter, she would be a high-ranking consort in charge of her own residence. Consort Yun Pin, Consort Zheng Pin, and even Consort Hui Pin would have to make way for her. Tsk tsk...

Li Shengan dared not let his thoughts wander further. He quickly acknowledged the order and hurried after the Emperor.

「Meanwhile,」

After seeing off the Emperor, Xia Ruqing yawned, feeling sleepy again.

Zi Yue quickly advised, ”Your Highness, you mustn’t sleep anymore! The Imperial Physician said you should walk around more; it will help with childbirth later on!”

Just eating and sleeping isn’t good for your health.

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment.

”That’s true! The weather is lovely today. It’s perfect for a walk after that meal!”

Zi Yue, delighted, called Zi Su to bring water. After washing her face with a damp cloth and having her hair re-combed, Xia Ruqing chose an aqua-colored gown, changed into comfortable shoes, and set out with Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi.

Along the way, they strolled down a winding, tree-lined path toward Taiye Pool.

”The lotuses in the small pond in our rear courtyard have just unfurled their leaves. I wonder how the ones in Taiye Pool are doing!”

”They are probably doing better than ours,” Zi Yue smiled. ”After all, they’ve been growing for many years!”

”The lotus roots underneath must be enormous!” Xia Ruqing exclaimed.

”Indeed! If they were dug up...” Xia Ruqing’s thoughts drifted to tender lotus root slices again. Drizzled with a bit of vinegar... Ahem! What’s the point of thinking about it? I mustn’t think about it anymore!

Xia Ruqing hurriedly refocused her attention on the surrounding scenery.

After strolling for a while, she sighed, ”Summer is truly beautiful! In winter, it’s all desolate and gray here; there’s nothing to see!”

Before Zi Yue could say anything, as they rounded a bend, they saw Honored Lady Cheng approaching with her palace maid.

Honored Lady Cheng had pleasant features, but among the bevy of beauties in the Harem, she didn’t particularly stand out. She wore a cream-colored palace gown, her attire modest and conventional.

Upon seeing Xia Ruqing, she hurriedly curtsied.

”Greetings, Xia Jieyu!”

Xia Ruqing simply smiled.

”Rise. There’s no need for such formality.”

Honored Lady Cheng expressed her thanks and straightened up.

”Xia Jieyu, are you perhaps going to...” Honored Lady Cheng began.

Xia Ruqing smiled. ”I’m on my way to Taiye Pool. And you, Honored Lady Cheng? Would you care to join me?”

Honored Lady Cheng smiled. ”Xia Jieyu is in such good spirits. However, I’ve been walking for quite some time and feel a bit weary now. So... I shan’t accompany you further, Xia Jieyu.”

Xia Ruqing smiled as well. ”Very well. You may go.”

”Your humble servant takes her leave.” After speaking, Honored Lady Cheng curtsied decorously and withdrew.

Xia Ruqing watched her retreating figure and smiled.

”She’s a clever one,” Xia Ruqing remarked.

Zi Yue agreed. ”Now that Your Highness is with child, if Honored Lady Cheng were to try and get too close, she might easily invite trouble.”

Xia Ruqing smiled without saying anything more and continued towards Taiye Pool.

Taiye Pool was vast. The May sunlight danced and shimmered on the lake’s surface. Walking along the covered walkway, the temperature was pleasant, neither cold nor hot, and the breeze drifting from afar felt warm.

She had only completed about half a circuit when beads of perspiration appeared on her forehead.

”Your Highness, please slow down a little!” Zi Yue cautioned.

Xia Ruqing paused in a pavilion situated closest to the heart of the lake and sat down.

”Zi Yue, did you bring the fish food?”

Zi Yue retrieved a small wooden box from the food container and handed it to Xia Ruqing.

She scattered a handful of fish food, and immediately, red koi carp surged to the surface, bubbling and vying for the morsels.

BLUB! BLUB! They jostled each other, scrambling to eat.

From afar, that patch of water looked as if it were boiling.

Xia Ruqing watched with delight, deciding against sitting on the stool. She had Zi Yue spread a cotton cushion on the wooden floorboards. She sat down along the edge of the pavilion, resting her arms on the wooden balustrade, her feet dangling below, swinging gently. It was utterly relaxing.

”These fish are so lovely!” she exclaimed. ”Later, let’s have the Ministry of Internal Affairs catch some small ones. We can raise them in our rear courtyard pond for Da Bai to catch and eat!”

Fish are raised to be eaten, after all. And cats eating fish? That’s just the way of the world. It might seem a bit cruel, but that’s the law of nature. Nothing to be done! You can’t make a cat go vegetarian, can you? Besides, she herself didn’t want to be one!

Zi Yue chuckled. ”Da Bai has plenty to eat, don’t worry!”

Da Bai was, after all, an animal. Since Xia Ruqing’s pregnancy, she hadn’t let him come too close often. She only allowed Xiao Zhu Zi to look after him daily. But Da Bai was very clever. After a while, he stopped trying to jump on her. Instead, he would just roll around at her feet, acting cute.

Zi Yue chuckled again. ”Xiao Zhu Zi is taking meticulous care of him. Day in and day out, there’s no shortage of dried fish and dried meat! She’s pestered the folks at the Ministry of Internal Affairs so much that they’re reluctant to give any more!”

”Reluctant or not, they have to give it! That cat was a gift from the Emperor, you know!” Xia Ruqing declared, her chin tilted proudly.

”Yes, yes, His Majesty’s gift!” Zi Yue affirmed. ”Your Highness, you mustn’t keep sitting on the floor!”

”But the wooden floorboards aren’t cold! It’s fine!” Xia Ruqing protested.

”Even if they aren’t cold, it’s still not good for you...” Zi Yue insisted.