A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 374: Chapter 374: Not Caring At All

”Her brother is the Commander of the Imperial Guards, deeply trusted by the Emperor. Her father also holds an official position. She herself is an official’s daughter, born to the principal wife and legitimate in every way. Her background is flawless!”

Yet... there was always that one ’but’.

The Empress smiled bitterly.

”But in the end, I can’t do anything to her!”

Noble Consort Shih has no favor and no children; without these, she’s nothing and poses no threat. But Xia Jieyu, she has both favor and a son!

The Emperor always keeps her close to his heart. This time, all I did was prepare one wrong dish for dinner, and the Emperor treated me with such cold indifference. If I dare to touch Xia Jieyu... I’m afraid this position of Empress will be mine no longer. The matter of heirs has always been the Emperor’s bottom line. I dared not touch it before, and now, I have even more reason to avoid it.

A trace of malice and regret flashed in the Empress’s eyes.

Why didn’t I kill her back then? To think she has risen, step by step, to this point!

Alas! Regret is useless.

”The urgent matter at hand is to find someone beautiful and clever who can gain favor, and quickly get pregnant! As long as I have a child, all their children will merely be children born of concubines! Meaning, they won’t be eligible to inherit the throne!”

Sister Ji thought for a moment. ”Clever and knows how to conduct herself, could it be... Honored Lady Du?”

The Empress neither nodded nor shook her head. ”Let’s wait and see. Honored Lady Jiang is also not bad; she bears a slight resemblance to Lady Xia. When she was arranged to stay in Lijing Pavilion next to Qingya Residence, it was intended as a favor to her! It depends on whether she knows how to conduct herself!”

Sister Ji nodded.

The Empress was tired, so she closed her eyes. Sister Ji then led Yu Lan and the others out.

「In Zhaochen Palace.」

Zhao Junyao was reviewing documents. The vermillion imperial brush was issuing one decree after another on the papers. By noon, a stack of documents was finally reviewed. Standing by the window, he squinted and looked at the scenery for a moment.

Just as he was about to call for a meal, Li Shengan suddenly reported, ”Emperor, Seventh Prince has arrived!”

Zhao Junyao turned around and ordered, ”Let him in!”

”Yes!” Li Shengan exited.

On the other side, Little Seventh Prince, not at all shy, greeted Eunuch Li cordially and strode in.

”Imperial Brother!” The Seventh Prince bowed with a cupped fist salute.

Zhao Junyao turned around with a smile and sat down in front of the imperial desk. ”What brings you here? Have a seat!”

For this younger brother who had lost his mother early on, Zhao Junyao was rather concerned.

Little Seventh didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down comfortably on the chair. He picked up the tea from the side table, took a sip, and then spoke. ”Imperial Brother, you mentioned going hunting a while ago, and I’ve been wanting to go for a long time, but no message came! Today I’ve come to ask, Imperial Brother, when are we going!”

Zhao Junyao was taken aback as the memory suddenly hit him. However, not wanting anyone to know he had forgotten, he feigned nonchalance with an ”Oh?” and asked, ”When would you like to go? I’ve been somewhat busy these days; the schedule isn’t set yet!”

His last sentence sounded like an explanation.

Little Seventh glanced at his Imperial Brother, thinking to himself, Busy, Imperial Brother? More like you’ve forgotten. As expected of true brothers, his guess was spot on!

Outwardly, however, he preserved his Imperial Brother’s dignity. Pretending to consider the matter seriously, he suggested, ”There’s no time like the present. How about in three days’ time? I’ve already had someone from The Astronomical Bureau make calculations. Starting in three days, there will be several consecutive days of clear weather! It would be perfect...”

Little Seventh looked at his Imperial Brother with anticipation.

There hadn’t been any major issues at court lately, so Zhao Junyao had already agreed in his heart, but he still had to put on a show of consideration. After drinking half a cup of tea, Zhao Junyao finally nodded solemnly. ”Excellent!”

A brilliant smile instantly spread across Little Seventh’s face. ”Imperial Brother, you agree?!”

Zhao Junyao nodded again. ”Later, I will draft the decree. The military generals, the children of noble families, as well as Little Fifth and Little Sixth, will all be summoned to gain some experience!”

Upon hearing this, Seventh Prince was so happy he nearly jumped out of his seat. ”Thank you, Imperial Brother!”

Seeing his brother’s excitement, Zhao Junyao was also pleased. He himself had been itching for some action. If it weren’t for Little Seventh’s reminder, I might have forgotten all about it!

After Seventh Prince left, Zhao Junyao indeed drafted the decree. The decree was for a hunt at the Imperial Hunting Grounds. All military generals in the Capital City, children of noble families who practiced martial arts, imperial relatives, and the New Martial Champion, Second Place Scholar, and Third Place Scholar—all were to attend.

The imperial edict was completed and dispatched the same day. All who were to go from the court received the decree. Those who practiced martial arts were the most thrilled; indeed, everyone at court was eagerly anticipating it. Even in the Harem, there was a subtle air of anticipation.

Back in the day, the Late Emperor used to take the ladies of the Harem with him on the hunts; even the Empress Dowager would go along. Now, with this Emperor, it was possible he would take them as well. For the women confined year-round in the deep palace, there was nothing more enticing than accompanying the Emperor on an outing. So, there was a mood of anticipation in the Harem too!

Li Shengan asked, ”Emperor, this hunt will take several days to and fro. Which of Your Majesty’s consorts should be taken along to serve?”

As soon as Zhao Junyao heard this, his expression soured, and he snapped, ”Get out! Do you think I haven’t seen enough women?!”

Li Shengan was startled. ”Yes! But, Emperor... it won’t look good if the ladies don’t go!”

Zhao Junyao glared at him with a chilling gaze. ”I’m going on a hunt, not taking women on a spring outing; there’s no need for it to ’look good’! It’s men’s business, what business do women have there!”

With Qingqing’s belly so big, she definitely can’t go. So, if I can’t take Qingqing out, I don’t want to take anyone else. They can all just stay put in the palace!

Li Shengan dared not speak further. Well, if His Majesty doesn’t want to take them, then so be it, he thought.

In the evening, Zhao Junyao went straight to Qingya Residence. When passing the Imperial Garden, he vaguely saw a pretty figure standing in the sunset glow, picking flowers with the little palace maids. The fragrance of osmanthus flowers wafted over gently, the brilliant sunset just right on that side profile.

Mm, truly beautiful, he thought. From a distance, I couldn’t see clearly, but that side profile did somewhat resemble Qingqing.

Zhao Junyao walked over. ”Qingqing...”

The word had barely left his lips when he realized the woman before him had no belly; it wasn’t Qingqing.

Zhao Junyao felt a bit embarrassed and wanted to leave, but it was too late. Honored Lady Jiang had already seen him. She stepped forward with her maid to greet him and pay her respects. ”This servant greets the Emperor!”

Zhao Junyao coughed twice to mask his embarrassment, then casually waved his hand. ”Rise. I... was just passing by!”

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

Honored Lady Jiang’s expression remained unchanged, showing not a hint of disappointment. She simply watched the Emperor leave, her heart as tranquil as still water.

The Palace Maid, Hua Cha, standing to the side, felt a pang of sympathy for her. To be disregarded so coldly by the Emperor, Mistress must be upset, she thought.

Yet, before Hua Cha could offer any words of consolation, her mistress had already calmly turned back to picking flowers, seemingly unconcerned in the slightest.