A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 311: Chapter 310 Master Is Blessed

”May I try some?”

Xia Ruqing could handle spicy food, but not too much of it.

She dipped two slices of tender beef into the spicy pot.

A moment later, she fished out a slice and tasted it.

”AH... so hot...”

”Emperor... this is delicious!”

Even she, who didn’t like spicy food much these days, found it tasty!

However, being pregnant, she really couldn’t eat much.

So, when she reached for a second bite, Zhao Junyao stopped her.

”No more for you...”

Then...

AHEM...

He dumped the entire plate of beef into the pot!

Xia Ruqing pulled a long face.

”Emperor...”

Zhao Junyao glared at her.

”No room for discussion!”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

”Emperor, can’t you leave just a little for me?”

Zhao Junyao: ”...”

The hot pot bubbled, BUBBLE, BUBBLE, and soon the meat was cooked.

Zhao Junyao fished it out. Despite the spiciness, the more he ate, the more exhilarating it became!

By the end, his clothes were soaked with sweat, and fine beads of perspiration dotted his forehead.

Xia Ruqing had been eating from the chicken soup pot all along.

Finally, after some sweet potato noodles, she too was full.

Her eyes sparkled as she rested her chin in her hands, watching him.

”Emperor, do you feel... a little better now?”

Zhao Junyao took the damp handkerchief she offered and wiped his face.

He nodded, his expression a little sheepish.

How could I have... lost control like that?

But it really was incredibly satisfying.

All the food on the table was finished.

Only her few plates of pastries remained.

Xia Ruqing, too full to eat any more, had someone distribute the pastries.

”Leave an extra large plate for Xiao Zhu Zi!”

He’s been looking after the vegetable garden; it’s truly been hard on him!

「After bathing and changing clothes」

Xia Ruqing was reading a storybook.

Zhao Junyao found himself with nothing in particular to do.

Having sweated profusely and then bathed, he felt much cooler.

The vexation in his heart had completely vanished.

Right now, he was pondering.

Should he go hunting this autumn? I used to go with my Imperial Father, but it’s been several years. Fortunately, there are fewer official matters this year, so there’s an opportunity. When the time comes, I’ll take my younger brothers—Little Fifth, Little Sixth, and Little Seventh. They’re older now and should get out and experience things. The only regret is... Qingqing is heavily pregnant; it seems she won’t be able to go. It’s quite a dilemma.

Xia Ruqing didn’t know what he was thinking, and anyway, she couldn’t be An understanding beauty for him.

She’d already treated him to a hot pot meal that nearly emptied the vegetable garden.

Whether he was cheered up or not, that was that.

The two of them, each lost in their own thoughts, somehow created a surprisingly harmonious atmosphere!

...

「In the courtyard」

Xiao Zhu Zi was delighted to receive the pastries.

He and Xiao Xizi had even managed to sneak half a jar of rice wine.

They sat in the back courtyard, their treats placed on a large stone, and the two eunuchs began to drink.

Xiao Zhu Zi gazed at the exquisite pastries on the plate, almost unable to bring himself to eat them.

”Brother Xizi, I personally saw the master chef from the Imperial Kitchen make this yam, red bean, and date paste cake!”

”Each step was so meticulous! Just peeling the yams, skinning the red beans, and removing the date pits took the better part of half a day...”

”And then they added cow’s milk, white sugar, and eggs!”

”I’ve never eaten anything so precious in my entire life!”

With that, he picked up a small, delicate pastry molded into the shape of a flower and reluctantly placed it in his mouth.

Smooth, sweet, and rich, the flavor instantly filled his senses.

Ah, so delicious!

Xiao Xizi shot him a sidelong glance, took a sip of rice wine, and said disdainfully, ”Look how easily impressed you are! Our master is blessed; there will be many good days ahead! Are you satisfied with just a single pastry?”

Xiao Zhu Zi hadn’t drunk much alcohol before, and even the sweet rice wine made his cheeks flush red.

He grinned foolishly. ”Brother Xizi, you’re right! Our master... is truly fortunate!” Xiao Zhu Zi added, fawning.

Xiao Xizi, feeling a little smug, took the opportunity to lecture him further. ”The more favored our master becomes, the more people will be waiting to find fault with us! So, we must be careful when we go out from now on and treat everyone with courtesy.”

He continued, ”If you don’t bully others when you’re in a high position, then if you ever fall from grace, people won’t bully you either.”

Although it’s a bit inauspicious to think this way, that’s just how things are, he mused.

Xiao Zhu Zi nodded blankly, and then... he was drunk.

Fortunately, it was only rice wine, which wasn’t very potent. After sleeping it off, he was back to his lively, energetic self the next day.

「The next day」

It was the thirtieth of the month, a rest day for Zhao Junyao, so he did not attend court.

He thus woke up a little later than usual.

Xia Ruqing loved to sleep in; the sun was already high in the sky, and she still hadn’t awakened.

Seeing how soundly she slept, Zhao Junyao couldn’t bear to wake her and left without having breakfast.

However, before leaving, he instructed, ”When your master wakes, send word to Zhaochen Palace. Tonight, I (Zhen) will take her out for a stroll!”

Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue quickly assented.

Afterward, they respectfully saw the Emperor off.

Back in Zhaochen Palace, Zhao Junyao was in no hurry to review memorials. He casually picked up a book and began to read.

「Meanwhile」

At the Empress’s Jiaofang Hall, the morning’s gathering had just concluded.

Those who had come to pay their respects had just departed.

Before the Empress could even enter her inner chamber for a cup of tea, a voice came from outside.

The Empress frowned. ”What is going on?”

As she spoke, a Second Class palace maid entered.

”Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, it’s a Little Eunuch who attends Lady Shih. He says Lady Shih is gravely ill!”

The Empress frowned, a hint of disgust in her expression. Anyone surnamed Shih... I dislike them all, she thought, then said languidly, ”If she’s ill, she should summon an Imperial Physician. This Palace is not an Imperial Physician, is it?”

The night before last, how Lady Shih managed to climb into the Dragon Bed... others might not know, but I certainly do! The Emperor didn’t choose her nameplate at all. The Shih Family’s daughter... she doesn’t seem all that remarkable. A supposedly pure and innocent girl, and the moment she enters the palace, she learns to climb into beds? That was certainly an eye-opener!

In truth, the Empress knew, and so did the rest of the Harem.

To have supposedly attended the Emperor one night and then call for an Imperial Physician the very next day—an Imperial Physician who was reluctant to even go. Wasn’t it obvious what had happened?

Most shared the Empress’s sentiment: they looked down on her and preferred to keep their distance.

However, someone like that probably has no future here anyway!

...

「At Lady Shih’s residence, the Crimson Moon Pavilion」

The Empress had someone summon an Imperial Physician.

Having no choice but to comply, the Imperial Medical Bureau dispatched a young, unfamiliar Imperial Physician.

After examining the wound on Lady Shih’s forehead, he stated, ”It’s nothing serious. Just apply some medicine, and it will be fine.”

True to his word, he wrote out two prescriptions: one for internal consumption and one for external application.

Zhaoer, holding the prescriptions, asked, ”Imperial Physician, will our master’s forehead scar?”

The Imperial Physician shot her a sidelong glance and said dismissively, ”Whether it scars or not is hard to say. It mostly depends on luck!”

He then gave Lady Shih a pointed look, as if to say, With luck as bad as yours, it probably will scar.

With that, the Imperial Physician departed as quickly as a gust of wind, as if someone were chasing him from behind.

Zhaoer pouted and huffed at his retreating figure before turning back into the room.

”Master, please rest. This servant will go fetch your medicine!”

After ensuring Lady Shih was settled, Zhaoer went out.

In the Harem, one had to go to the Imperial Pharmacy to obtain medicine; all that was needed was to present the prescription.

Zhaoer hurried to the Imperial Pharmacy. Upon entering, she quickly produced the prescriptions and waited for the Little Eunuch to dispense the herbs.