A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 305: Chapter 304: What have you done to me again?!

The Empress Dowager looked at her, her heart pounding with fright. She had only entered the palace a month ago and had gone from a fresh, tender young girl to a hideous creature covered in lumps? This... this was too much... The Empress Dowager calmed herself, hurriedly asked her to rise, and then inquired, ”What happened to your face?!”

Shih Wanying bowed her head and said softly, ”It was... insect bites!”

The Empress Dowager froze, then asked urgently, ”Didn’t you hang up a mosquito net?” As she spoke, her gaze turned sharply towards the palace maid beside Shih Wanying.

Zhaoer knelt hastily. ”Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the place where our mistress lives is remote and dilapidated, and mosquitoes are everywhere. I went to Consort Yun Pin to get a mosquito net to hang for our mistress! But Consort Yun Pin said that the fine gauze silk used for making nets was all used up and that they needed to get some more! And yet, several days have passed, and Consort Yun Pin’s side is still telling us to wait a bit longer!”

It was clear they just didn’t want to give one! The Empress Dowager’s face became extremely unsightly; after listening, she grew even angrier. ”Preposterous! As a consort in charge of a palace, Consort Yun Pin is far too presumptuous!”

When Shih Wanying saw the Empress Dowager was angry, she hurried forward to try and placate her. Before she could speak, the Empress Dowager stopped her. ”Say no more!”

Shih Wanying was startled, frantic, and at a loss. She glanced at Zhaoer, thought for a moment, and then said, ”Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. I am indeed of low status...” Consort Yun Pin was allied with Noble Concubine Shih. Given that I have entered the palace, it must have made the Noble Consort unhappy! I know that the Noble Consort holds resentment in her heart! If this will make the Noble Consort feel better, I am willing to...

The Empress Dowager interrupted her angrily, ”Nonsense! What resentment does she have? And by what right does she take it out on you? If there’s anyone to blame, it’s her own lack of effort!”

Shih Wanying bit her lip and said no more.

The Empress Dowager looked at her, feeling somewhat distressed, and said, ”Sister Qing, take her to apply some medicine. Make sure she doesn’t end up with any scars!”

Sister Qing stepped forward immediately. ”Yes!” After speaking, she led Shih Wanying away.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager grew increasingly furious. Eventually, she couldn’t contain her anger and summoned Noble Concubine Shih.

Noble Concubine Shih was also reluctant. She had just come out of Jiaofang Hall and hadn’t had time to cool down in Xifu Palace yet, but she had to detour to Ningshou Palace.

Once inside, she glanced at the Empress Dowager and lazily paid her respects, ”Paying respects to the Empress Dowager!” Her tone was distant and careless.

The Empress Dowager was so angry she felt like falling backward. ”Preposterous! What kind of attitude is this!”

Noble Concubine Shih said lazily, ”Empress Dowager, whatever attitude you show me, I’ll show the same to you!”

The Empress Dowager was so furious she could barely breathe. She trembled, pointing her finger at Noble Concubine Shih. ”Wanxin, after I’ve cherished you so dearly, is this how you repay me?”

Noble Concubine Shih sneered and immediately retorted, ”Then, Empress Dowager, how have you treated me? I’m not yet out of favor, and yet you rushed to elevate someone else! Have you given up on me so quickly?” She was supposed to be her biological aunt, yet this was the most heartless thing she had done.

The Empress Dowager sneered back. ”Who am I doing all of this for? Your father is getting on in years; how much longer can he hold on? Even if the Emperor is mindful of him, the Shih Family also needs to show some mettle!” The Empress Dowager grew more agitated as she spoke, eventually standing up. ”All you think about is yourself! Look at the descendants of the Shih Family—which one shows any promise? Unskilled in literature, incompetent in martial arts! What other support do we have?”

Indeed, among the new generation of the Shih Family’s offspring, there wasn’t much to boast about. Though not outright tyrants or spoiled profligates, most were mediocre. They amounted to nothing. The only thing that could preserve the glory and wealth of the Shih Family was power within the palace. If a daughter of the Shih Family were to give birth to a Prince, then everything would change!

Having spoken her piece, the Empress Dowager was panting heavily from anger.

Noble Concubine Shih felt somewhat apprehensive. As unreasonable as she could be, she dared not gamble with the fate of the Shih Family. So, she simply bowed her head and remained silent.

The Empress Dowager shakily walked back and sat down. She sighed and then said, ”How could I not know the pain in your heart! But now is not the time for you to be foolish. You are my niece; how could I harm you!”

Noble Concubine Shih looked up at the Empress Dowager, then lowered her head again. She remained apprehensive.

Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager’s expression softened. ”No matter what, Wanying is still your cousin! Her status is low... Even if she gains favor and bears a child, it’s unlikely she will be able to raise it herself...”

The message was so clear that if Noble Concubine Shih still didn’t understand, all her years in the palace would have been for naught.

As expected, upon hearing these words, Noble Concubine Shih immediately became overjoyed! ”Empress Dowager... Are you really saying this?”

The Empress Dowager looked at her wearily. ”What do you think?”

The dark clouds in Noble Concubine Shih’s heart gradually dissipated, and her face lit up with joy. She took a step forward and knelt. ”Aunt, Wanxin never understood your painstaking efforts and has caused you anger!” Having said that, she kowtowed repeatedly—THUD, THUD, THUD—each making a loud sound.

It wasn’t that she was fickle or that her attitude changed quickly. But for a Palace Consort, the temptation of raising a Prince was simply too great. Even if he were to become just a Prince someday, that would still be far better than dying old in the palace with no one to show filial piety to her. In terms of status, she was already a Noble Consort. If she had a son, the Empress would no longer be able to do anything to her. The peace and prosperity for the rest of her life would all be secured. How could she not hope? She dreamed of it!

The Empress Dowager looked at her, closed her eyes, and waved her hand. ”It’s best that you understand. From now on... do not cause trouble over Wanying’s matters!”

Noble Concubine Shih happily agreed, ”You can rest assured!”

She wanted to say more, but the Empress Dowager waved her off. ”I am tired; you may leave now!”

Seeing this, Noble Concubine Shih had no choice but to respectfully take her leave.

On the other side, they waited until Noble Concubine Shih had left. Only then did Sister Qing bring Shih Wanying back in. After the medicine had been applied, the itchiness subsided, and the swelling had significantly reduced, making her look more presentable.

The Empress Dowager looked at her and smiled. ”Fortunately, the skin wasn’t broken. Go back and rest well, and you should be better in two or three days!”

Shih Wanying bowed politely. ”This servant thanks the Empress Dowager!”

The Empress Dowager nodded her head. ”Good child! Sister Qing, escort her back. Make sure no one bullies her!”

Sister Qing immediately smiled and said, ”Yes! Lady Shih, please!”

Shih Wanying bowed and then followed Sister Qing out.

Upon reaching Yaoyue Palace, Lady Shih hurriedly said, ”Sister, this is far enough. In this heat, my place isn’t very comfortable. Please, go back quickly!”

Sister Qing smiled and took her hand. ”The Noble Consort was upset, but the Empress Dowager has already reprimanded her. She will surely not bully you again! Don’t dwell on what happened these past few days. We’re all family; it’s best to get along! If we quarrel, it will only make us a laughingstock!”

Lady Shih lowered her head. ”With the Noble Consort’s esteemed status, how could this servant dare...”