A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 297: Chapter 296: Must Make Such a Fuss!

”Noble Consort has done so many absurd things, and the Emperor has been so annoyed, yet the Emperor hasn’t done anything to Noble Consort! All out of affection, it’s all because of affection!”

You clearly didn’t have to rush for quick results! You didn’t have to push the Emperor to this extent!

Sister Qing was very heartbroken. Such a good relationship between mother and son, why did it have to turn into such a mess!

Seeing the fresh blood on her knees, the Empress Dowager’s fixations seemed somewhat trivial. Her voice trembling, she said, ”Get up, please get up now!”

But Sister Qing remained unmoved, still gazing straight at her.

”Empress Dowager, this servant has followed you for so many years and understands the worries in your heart!”

”But even if you’re worried, you can’t go against the Emperor!”

”He is the Emperor of our Great Chu; he cannot only care about the Shih Family, he has the whole world to consider!”

”By pressuring him like this, you will only push the Emperor further away, and this servant does not wish to see that happen, Empress Dowager!”

The expression in the Empress Dowager’s eyes grew dimmer and dimmer.

Finally, she gave a slight nod.

”Enough! I will listen to you then, Qingyun, please get up!”

Sister Qing finally eased up. Slowly she bent her waist, propped herself up with her hands on the ground, and staggered to her feet.

Before she could steady herself, she fell again.

The fresh blood from her knees flowed down her legs, startlingly vivid in the candlelight.

”Qingyun!”

The Empress Dowager sprang up, disregarding her own dizziness, and hurriedly got out of bed. ”Qingyun... Someone, summon the Imperial Physician!”

Just before fainting, Sister Qing managed to show a smile.

”Empress Dowager, this servant has been loyal to you, only wishing for your well-being, and the Emperor’s...”

Before she could finish her sentence, she fainted.

The Empress Dowager was very heartbroken and choked up, ”Qingyun, I know your devotion!”

After those words, she could speak no more!

「...」

The Empress Dowager finally stopped obsessing over the matters concerning Shih Wanying.

The Empress breathed a sigh of relief at last. However, she was now faced with another headache.

So many Honored Ladies have arrived at once, where should they be housed? Ladies can be easily accommodated, tucked away into any corner without much fuss. But Honored Ladies, of the Sixth Rank, legitimate mistresses of the Harem, truly cannot be dealt with so carelessly!

Yu Lan came in, holding a large piece of paper. It was a map of all the gardens and locations within the Harem for the Empress to review.

Unfurling the scroll, the Empress pondered with furrowed brows.

Since Honored Lady Lan and Lady Xi had incidents, Lijing Pavilion and Zhaohua Pavilion have become vacant! Honored Lady Cheng and Noble Lady Song are staying with Consort Ning in Yichun Palace!

So then... The Empress’s finger hovered over other palatial quarters in the Harem.

To the west... Xifu Palace, belonging to Noble Consort, is unoccupied, as well as Yaoyue Palace, belonging to Consort Yun Pin! And there’s Consort Zheng Pin’s Xihuai Palace,

Yu Lan added from the side, ”Consort Zheng Pin’s Xihuai Palace is occupied by Lady Zhang and Lady Zhu!”

The Empress was unconcerned. Just two Ladies, move them if necessary!

And then... to the west, Orchid Mo Pavilion, Precious Stream Pavilion, and Yaoguang Hall are all vacant!

The Empress mumbled to herself for a while and finally relaxed her brow. Fortunately, there is enough space; otherwise, I really wouldn’t know what to do!

Yu Lan smiled. ”Then Your Majesty can make the arrangements!”

After thinking for a moment, the Empress picked up a pen and began writing.

Lady Du... Honored Lady Du. Honored Lady Du is the only one among these Fine Ladies that the Emperor chose himself! It seems the Emperor likes her, so... let her stay with Consort Hui Pin at Zhaoxiang Pavilion!

Zhaoxiang Pavilion is right in front of Qingya Residence. Whenever the Emperor goes to Lady Xia’s place, he will pass by Zhaoxiang Pavilion. On one hand, there’s the Princess, and on the other... there’s Lady Du. This should certainly curb Lady Xia’s favoritism a bit!

Although it wasn’t very useful, the Empress still felt somewhat relieved. Hmm... among this group, there’s also a Lady Chiang who stands out! Her skin is pale and clear, and she’s chaste and graceful. Her beauty is like flowers and the moon, with an icy complexion and bones of jade. Most importantly, her features somewhat resemble those of Lady Xia! Just let her stay at Lijing Pavilion!

Lijing Pavilion is to the east of Xia Ruqing’s residence, quite close indeed, separated only by some trees and flowers that barely obstruct the view.

Then, the Empress scanned through the name list once more. After finding no one else particularly noteworthy, she arranged the remaining people randomly. Anyway, she didn’t know them, and there would be plenty of time to get to know them in the future!

Ying Yue glanced at it and then asked, ”Then, Your Majesty, what about Lady Shih?”

Startled into remembering, the Empress recalled. Oh, there’s also Lady Shih! Where should she stay?

After pondering for quite a while, the Empress decided. Just let her stay at Yaoyue Palace!

Perfectly. Consort Yun Pin is one of Noble Consort Shih’s people. And Lady Shih is also one of Noble Consort Shih’s people. Let’s see if they can live together peacefully, or if... they turn on each other!

In any case, it’s none of my business; let them stir up trouble if they wish!

In fact, the Empress intended for Lady Shih to irritate Noble Consort Shih; she was well aware that Noble Consort Shih despised her to the extreme. Hehe, despise? Then I’ll just insist on putting you two together!

Yu Lan was somewhat puzzled. ”Your Majesty, why didn’t you just assign her to Xifu Palace directly?”

The Empress looked at her and said, ”Silly girl, if I assigned her there directly, how would my dear sister, the Noble Consort, agree? If they caused a fuss, it wouldn’t look good for me either!”

Yu Lan suddenly understood. ”Your Majesty is truly wise!”

The Empress smiled with satisfaction. ”Alright, everything is almost arranged. Send out the decree!”

”Yes!”

Yu Lan took the paper that had been written out and left.

「...」

Before lunchtime, the decree had spread throughout the Harem.

Xia Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, no one was sent to my place! If someone came, I wouldn’t accept her and would have to find a way to send her away!

Zi Yue smiled and said, ”My Lady, you are pregnant. The Empress surely wouldn’t send someone over at this time!”

Having been through a few incidents before, the Empress probably wouldn’t dare to meddle with her pregnancy.

Xia Ruqing nodded and then sneered. She didn’t send anyone to my place, but the front and next door are completely filled!

Honored Lady Du is staying at Zhaoxiang Pavilion, Honored Lady Jiang is at Lijing Pavilion, and there’s one more living behind! This is truly being caught in a pincer attack!

Zi Yue then tried to console her with a smile, ”My Lady, a total of nine Honored Ladies have been appointed, and they are placed everywhere, not just near your residence!”

”Noble Consort’s Xifu Palace has taken in two!”

”Consort Yun Pin’s Yaoyue Palace has taken in two, and with Lady Shih, that makes three!”

”And there are also two who have moved into Xihuai Palace!”

Every place was rather crowded. In the end, the Empress thought about it but still didn’t open the pavilions in the Northwest corner. They hadn’t been inhabited for years and would need refurbishing, which was bothersome and time-consuming. It was better to have them crowd in the front for now; it wasn’t as if there wasn’t enough space.

Xia Ruqing just chuckled. That’s also true!

Then she stopped fretting about it. What was there to fret about? The Emperor was the sovereign of Great Chu. It wouldn’t be too much even if there were three thousand beauties in the Harem; this was just the beginning!