A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 410: Chapter 410: Praised Like a Flower

But strangely, the signature at the end was her elder brother’s name.

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat suspicious.

This doesn’t look like elder brother’s handwriting!

She then considered the meaning of the message. The gist was: ”I am Xia Tingfeng. I like General Ni’s eldest daughter. I would like to ask the Emperor for a marriage decree and, if possible, some silver too.”

After reading it, Xia Ruqing was completely stunned.

So direct! Could this really have been written by elder brother? Besides, elder brother’s handwriting isn’t this bad.

For some reason, she suddenly thought of the few men who lived with her elder brother.

Xia Ruqing chuckled. ”Could it be... them?”

Zhao Junyao also laughed, his eyes full of craftiness. ”No matter who wrote it, one thing is almost certain.”

Xia Ruqing ventured, ”Does elder brother like Miss Ni?”

Suddenly, she thought of the jade hairpin with the exceptionally fine color on her own head! A guess had already formed in her mind.

That’s it, the hairpin... It must have been Miss Ni who picked it out! No wonder... I just knew it! Ah, now it all makes sense.

Xia Ruqing laughed. ”It must have been written by those friends of elder brother, I guess...!”

Could it be that elder brother has really run out of money? To buy a hairpin for me, did he really spend all his savings? If that’s really the case, then I’m truly at fault. Concubine Wen, miles away, is probably still looking forward to holding a grandchild!

With that thought, Xia Ruqing couldn’t sit still anymore.

”Emperor, if what’s written on the petition is all true, then your concubine...”

She halted halfway through her sentence, suddenly remembering. Men in modern times don’t like women subsidizing their natal families. Perhaps ancient men disliked it even more; besides, it wasn’t even proper! Subsidize them? All my possessions are awarded by the Emperor. What do I have to subsidize them with? Furthermore, giving away silver, jewelry, and finances to others without the Emperor’s permission—have I considered the Emperor’s feelings?

With that thought, Xia Ruqing dared not speak further. She only stared at Zhao Junyao with a pair of big, moist, glistening eyes.

Zhao Junyao was taken aback for a moment, uncertain what Qingqing was thinking. Suddenly, seeing the aggrieved look on her face, he thought, Is this girl... scared? After all, it’s against the rules!

Thinking this, he felt much relieved inside but put on a stern face and said, ”Speak! Continue what you were about to say!”

Xia Ruqing read the Emperor’s expression and, not being a fool, naturally refused to continue. Zhao Junyao initially felt a bit displeased, but seeing her aggrieved little face, he found himself unable to say another word. He gave up, cleared his throat, and said, ”I know what you’re worried about, Qingqing. Rest assured. Now that I’m aware, how could I stand by and do nothing!”

Having said that, a sly smile touched his lips. Ah, during that hunting trip, this fellow shared a tent with me. I still remember the way he looked at me when he finally woke up—like I was some kind of lecher! I haven’t forgotten that! I promised to arrange a marriage for him back then, and now... hasn’t the opportunity just arisen? This fellow is already in his early twenties; he should have had a woman to manage and discipline him long ago!

Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up as she looked at the Emperor. Confirming he wasn’t angry, she smiled, knelt, and sincerely thanked him, ”Your concubine deeply appreciates the Emperor’s consideration!”

Zhao Junyao was rendered speechless. Qingqing, is such courtesy really necessary?

「The next day, during the morning court.」

Zhao Junyao indeed brought up the matter. Regarding the petition, it didn’t matter whether Xia Tingfeng had written it or not. Since Zhao Junyao said he had, then it absolutely was!

Zhao Junyao was in a very good mood. He immediately began praising Xia Tingfeng to the heavens.

”Beloved Minister Xia is the Imperial Guards Commander by my side, chosen for his own merit! Aside from practicing martial arts, he has no other interests—no drinking, no gambling! He doesn’t even have a single maid or concubine! Previously, I recalled his bravery during the hunt and also considered that Beloved Minister Xia was still without a wife! So I thought...”

Zhao Junyao spoke at length, feeling a little disingenuous. It was his first time playing matchmaker under such circumstances, and he felt rather unaccustomed to it, his words not quite conveying his intended meaning. However, appropriate or not, he couldn’t worry about that now! He stopped speaking at that point.

Those who understood, naturally understood. As his voice fell, everyone below was deep in thought. Is the Emperor planning to play matchmaker for Commander Xia, or is he considering arranging an imperial marriage?

General Ni, standing among the ranks of military generals, grew somewhat nervous. About half a month ago, after his daughter returned home one day, she suddenly stopped going out. Miss Ni, who had a naturally gentle disposition, was already very disinclined to go out. Fearing his daughter would become reclusive, General Ni would arrange for people to take her out of the residence whenever he had time. They would go everywhere: jewelry stores, cloth shops, silk stores, ready-made clothing shops, rouge and powder shops, and so on. Back then, without worries on her mind, she was happy to wander and buy some novel items.

But now... everything had changed. Not only did his daughter refuse to step out the main gate, she wouldn’t even leave through the inner gate. Her entire focus was on needlework in her bedchamber! The embroidered items now hinted at a young lady’s romantic feelings: pairs of mandarin ducks playing in water, phoenixes singing in harmony, Biyi Birds flying wing to wing, intertwined branches, and the like!

Tsk, tsk. When her mother saw this, she came back that very night to discuss it with him. ”Our daughter has likely taken a fancy to someone. We must inquire carefully. If their status and family background are compatible, we need to hurry and make arrangements.”

After all, a grown daughter can’t stay at home indefinitely!

Their daughter had always had high standards. She had picked and chosen, and even after turning eighteen this past new year, she still hadn’t found anyone suitable. This worried the old couple.

Now, half a month later, Madam Ni had managed to glean some information from her daughter, and General Ni himself had also received news from his own inquiries. The information was consistent, pointing directly to Commander Xia, who was by the Emperor’s side!

But... General Ni thought, My own official rank isn’t even as high as Commander Xia’s. Would someone like that actually fancy my daughter? I don’t believe it. So, I’ll just wait and see!

And just as he waited, the Emperor directly brought up the matter in court! Of course, General Ni felt uneasy.

If Commander Xia was interested in his daughter, that would naturally be a good thing. Although Commander Xia’s family wasn’t from the Capital City, he himself was the Imperial Guards Commander. His younger sister was a Favored Consort in the palace and had, moreover, just given birth to the Crown Prince. Commander Xia was now a much sought-after figure in the court—young, talented, a promising youth, and deeply trusted by the Emperor! So, it would be a lie to say General Ni was not moved.

But... If Commander Xia’s affection is for another lady, not my daughter, then... how would I explain that to Manxue? Most importantly, my daughter looked as if she was suffering from lovesickness and had lost a lot of weight. Alas!

General Ni sighed inwardly. Pondering alone won’t change anything. Such matters, after all, ultimately depend on fate!