A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 301: Chapter 300 It Moved

Xiao Quanzi couldn’t help but speak up from the side, ”Hey! My Lady, that’s not necessarily the case! After all, Xia Jieyu is with child; it’s only natural for the Emperor to pay her special attention! This servant has made inquiries. Xia Jieyu received no favor for an entire year after entering the palace. It wasn’t until the latter half of last year that, for some unknown reason, she suddenly gained the Emperor’s favor! So, one can assume... the Emperor might not truly hold her in high regard! You, My Lady, are different. Of all the young ladies who have entered the palace, the Emperor favors only you!”

After this barrage of enthusiastic flattery, Honored Lady Du’s vanity was immensely satisfied.

Hmm! I must be even more careful that no one finds out I’m still a virgin!

After the midday meal, Honored Lady Du felt very irritable. There was no ice, no refreshing fruit—nothing at all. Naturally, her situation was far less comfortable than Xia Ruqing’s.

When she tried to take a midday nap, she turned over. ”OUCH!” Her undergarments were soaked with sweat, clinging uncomfortably to her skin.

Honored Lady Du felt quite dejected. ”It’s so hot! Why hasn’t the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent any ice yet? Ding Xiang... Ding Xiang, go and hurry them again!”

Ding Xiang acknowledged and turned to find Xiao Quanzi.

Xiao Quanzi was dozing in the corridor when Ding Xiang went over and woke him. ”Go quickly and ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs if they can send some ice for our lady! Our lady has a delicate constitution and can’t bear this heat. Her back is breaking out in a heat rash!”

Xiao Quanzi was bewildered. Heat rash? I haven’t heard My Lady mention that!

Ding Xiang grew anxious. ”What are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up and go!”

Xiao Quanzi quickly snapped out of his daze. ”Yes, yes, I’ll go right away!” With that, he scurried off like a wisp of smoke.

Ding Xiang smiled and then hurried back inside. ”My Lady, please wait a little longer. Xiao Quanzi has gone to urge them; the Ministry of Internal Affairs should deliver the ice very soon!”

Honored Lady Du nodded. ”Go heat some water. I want to bathe. I’m covered in sweat! It’s so sticky!”

”Yes!” Ding Xiang responded and went out.

After bathing and changing her clothes, she finally felt much more refreshed. Honored Lady Du glanced at the sky and asked, ”Where in this Harem is it cooler?” She was so hot she felt like she had nowhere to escape the heat!

Ding Xiang thought for a moment. ”Hmm... the coolest place... is probably Taiye Pool! It’s by the lake, so there’s plenty of water!”

Honored Lady Du hummed in agreement and said, ”Then let’s go for a stroll there.”

”Yes!”

Ding Xiang quickly prepared the items for the outing. In truth, a Honored Lady’s allotted items weren’t many. With only herself to carry them, Ding Xiang couldn’t manage much, so she took only a cushion, a round fan, and an umbrella. The mistress and servant then set out.

「Taiye Pool was indeed very cool.」

Xia Ruqing had specifically asked Xiao Zhu Zi to bring Da Bai. She had also brought two bags of fish food.

She scattered a handful of fish food, and the fish immediately swarmed over, making Da Bai jump up and down in greedy anticipation. It paced anxiously back and forth at the water’s edge, spinning in circles. From time to time, it would even try to reach out—no, extend a paw!—to swipe at the water.

Xia Ruqing sipped her tea and chuckled at it. ”Da Bai, you’re so adorably foolish!”

Da Bai seemed to understand her words, turning its head to give her a cold glare. It protested with a ”MEOW!” Its disdainful expression seemed to declare, I am not foolish! These fish will end up in my belly sooner or later!

Seeing its expression, Xia Ruqing laughed even more heartily. A gentle breeze lifted her loosely styled long hair, strands dancing in the wind, her smiling face as radiant as a blooming flower.

Zhao Junyao stood in the distance, unable to look away. Her pale aquamarine long dress trailed loosely on the ground. When the wind blew, its ribbons fluttered, creating a beautiful sight.

She’s truly beautiful!

he thought. There are so many beautiful women in the Harem, but she is the most beautiful!Li Shengan, following close behind, grumbled inwardly, Your Majesty, you’ve been watching for so long. Why don’t you go over there already?

Zhao Junyao thought, I haven’t seen enough yet!

After some time, Zhao Junyao finally walked over. Just as Xia Ruqing was about to rise and curtsy, he gently pressed her down. ”Stay seated. Don’t move.”

And Xia Ruqing truly didn’t move. ”Your Majesty, what brings you here?” she asked.

Zhao Junyao sounded a little displeased. ”What? We haven’t seen each other for ten days or so, and you don’t miss me?”

He thought, Shouldn’t she be looking at me with pleasant surprise? At the very least, she should be happy! Why is it that with her, there’s only surprise and no joy?

Xia Ruqing was taken aback for a moment, then quickly composed her expression. ”Er... Your Majesty, I do miss you! Of course, I do! I even dreamt of Your Majesty last night!”

As Xia Ruqing said this, her face was alight with a shy blush. Inwardly, however, she felt a prickle of unease. Am I being a tad dishonest by saying that? I don’t think I’ve ever dreamt of him! But not saying so might be risky; it’s better to weave a pretty lie!

Zhao Junyao was indeed delighted to hear this. He shifted closer and pulled her into his embrace. ”Did you eat all the fruit I sent? Did you like it?”

Xia Ruqing thought, Wow, his voice is so magnetic, deep and resonant. It’s right by my ear, perfectly audible to the one pressed against his chest.

Xia Ruqing looked up, her face beaming with delight. ”I loved it!”

That, at least, was true, she thought. Who could argue with delicious food?

Seeing her eyes sparkle like little stars at the mention of food, Zhao Junyao felt even happier. ”As long as you like it. I’ll have someone send you more later.”

Xia Ruqing hesitated slightly. ”Your Majesty, won’t you have some? These fruits must have cost a lot of silver, haven’t they?”

Zhao Junyao considered for a moment. ”As long as you like them, the amount of silver spent doesn’t matter.”

Truthfully, he had no idea how much silver had been spent. After all, he was the Emperor; money was no object to him.

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing beamed. ”Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Just as she was feeling elated, a sudden, sharp pain shot through her stomach. ”OUCH!” she cried out, instinctively clutching her belly.

”What’s wrong?” Zhao Junyao asked, his face taut with alarm.

Xia Ruqing was completely stunned, frozen in place, unable to process what had happened for a long moment.

”Qingqing, what’s wrong? What happened? Li Shengan, quickly! Summon the Imperial Physician!” Zhao Junyao’s heart suddenly clenched with panic.

”Wait, Your Majesty!” Xia Ruqing exclaimed, feeling it again. ”I’m alright. Just now... I think... the baby kicked me!”

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly reddened. ”Your Majesty, he kicked me! This is the first time he’s moved!”

For the first time, Xia Ruqing truly felt the miracle of life. Before, her belly had simply been growing larger, not much different from any other time. But now, she truly felt his presence. He was a continuation of her life, their flesh and blood intertwined. ”It’s magical! So magical!”

Zhao Junyao finally relaxed a little, a wave of joy washing over him. He tentatively placed his hand on Qingqing’s belly. ”Is there more?”

Xia Ruqing cradled her belly and said softly, ”Baby, this is your Father Emperor...”

She had barely finished speaking when another kick came from her belly. ”OUCH!” Xia Ruqing clutched her stomach, wincing. ”That was a strong kick!”