A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 421: Chapter 421: Inside the Palace, Who Wants to Suffer?

”Is there... also a Prince involved?”

Ding Xiang dared not speak. Everyone has their own connections. Many are more powerful than us, and those less powerful are also a dime a dozen. You’re lucky. As soon as you entered the palace, you became an Honored Lady. But look at those Fine Ladies from the previous imperial selection—many of whom are of nobler birth than you and are still struggling at the rank of Lady! Our charcoal supply isn’t enough. Some don’t even have that much; not only is it insufficient, but it also fills the room with acrid smoke when used. If others can manage, why can’t we just stay out of trouble?

But these were all Ding Xiang’s thoughts.

As for Honored Lady Du, she truly couldn’t stay quiet!

In the end, Ding Xiang, having no other choice, came up with an idea.

”Your Ladyship, Honored Lady Jiang is doing so well, all thanks to the Empress’s backing!”

”Why don’t we... also go and plead with the Empress?”

Honored Lady Du thought for a moment and then called for Ding Xiang.

”Go find me some clothes. I want to go see the Empress!”

Ding Xiang acknowledged the order and went out.

「Jiaofang Hall」

The Empress was conversing with several Old Princess Consorts. It was a rare occasion for them to travel all the way back from their fiefdoms. Some did not return every year, but only once every two or three years. By the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, most of those who were returning had arrived. The Empress Dowager was preoccupied with her Buddhist practices and did not concern herself with palace affairs. So, the Empress entertained them with conversation and tea. Anyway, she didn’t know them well, so it was all just exchanging pleasantries!

Yu Lan entered with a solemn expression and whispered in her ear.

The Empress frowned. ”Why has she suddenly come?”

Yu Lan did not reply. But it wasn’t as though the Empress had no clue!

After thinking for a moment, she gave an order. ”I am busy with guests. Have her wait in the side chamber first!”

Yu Lan acknowledged the command and went out.

Outside, Honored Lady Du was led to a side hall. Seeing this, the Old Princess Consorts all smiled but did not inquire further. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the group took their leave.

The Empress quickly rose to her feet. ”Aunts, it’s rare for you to visit. I have already instructed the kitchens to prepare supper...”

The Old Princess Consorts all smiled.

”Her Majesty the Empress is burdened with many affairs. We won’t impose any longer!”

”This journey has been quite tiring, and the roads are difficult. It’s best we leave the palace early!”

Upon hearing this, the Empress could not insist they stay and personally saw them out. They were the Late Emperor’s brothers’ Princess Consorts and the Empress Dowager’s sisters-in-law by marriage. Thus, she was their junior and, despite being the Empress, had to address them as ’Aunt’.

After the Old Princess Consorts left, the Empress was extremely tired. She lay down on the couch and had Yu Lan massage her temples for a good while. Seeing her genuine exhaustion, Yu Lan suggested, ”Your Majesty, please rest for a while. This servant will wake you when it’s time for the evening meal.”

The Empress nodded almost instinctively.

Meanwhile, Honored Lady Du in the side chamber was completely forgotten. Fortunately, Jiaofang Hall had Ground Dragons. Although this chamber wasn’t equipped with one, the warmth from the surrounding rooms permeated it. Warmed by this, she no longer felt cold.

Honored Lady Du waited for an entire afternoon.

When the evening meal was served, the Empress finally remembered Honored Lady Du was still in the side chamber!

”Heavens!”

”Yu Lan, go check on her quickly!” This was, after all, her own territory. If anything happened to Honored Lady Du, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name even if she threw herself into the Yellow River. So, no matter what, she had to send her away first! Or, if Honored Lady Du was resilient enough not to cause any trouble, that would be fine too!

Of course, Honored Lady Du was fine. It was even warmer here than in her own bedchamber. There was a small, low couch in the side chamber, and when she grew thoroughly bored of waiting, she lay down and fell asleep.

When she awoke, it was Yu Lan, the Empress’s attendant, who had come to call her.

”Honored Lady Du? Honored Lady Du?” Ding Xiang was nowhere to be found. Where had she run off to?

Yu Lan called several times before finally waking Honored Lady Du.

”Where am I...” Honored Lady Du was still groggy.

”Please get up quickly. Her Majesty the Empress summons you!” Yu Lan said.

Upon hearing this, Honored Lady Du was terrified. She scrambled off the bed, about to kneel!

”Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!”

Yu Lan was somewhat torn between amusement and exasperation. ”You are not being summoned to be punished. Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see you!”

Honored Lady Du became fearful once again. ”To see Her Majesty the Empress?”

Was I... going to see Her Majesty the Empress? She had completely forgotten why she had impulsively rushed over here earlier. And why she had waited in Jiaofang Hall for the better part of the day. What should I say when Her Majesty the Empress questions me later!

Honored Lady Du knelt down. ”Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress!”

The Empress was having her evening meal. Seeing her enter and kneel so deferentially, the Empress smiled faintly and said, ”Rise!”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!”

The Empress looked at her, then smiled and said, ”I was rather busy this afternoon and quite forgot about this. I hope Honored Lady Du doesn’t take offense!”

Honored Lady Du knelt down again in a fluster. ”How could this concubine dare!”

The Empress smiled with satisfaction. Having just finished her meal, Yu Lan attended to her as she washed her hands. Then the Empress slowly rose to her feet.

”Honored Lady Du, did you come here today for a particular reason?”

Honored Lady Du’s heart jolted. The Empress had finally gotten to the point. She was actually feeling somewhat regretful. This... how should I put it?

However, since the Empress had asked, she couldn’t refuse to answer. She braced herself.

”Your Majesty, this concubine...”

”This concubine...” Unable to speak, Honored Lady Du looked up at the attendants flanking the Empress.

The Empress laughed. ”Yu Lan, all of you withdraw for now.”

Yu Lan was somewhat worried, but as the Empress insisted, she could only lead the palace maids out.

Soon, only the two of them remained in the room.

At this point, it was too late to turn back, Honored Lady Du thought. So she braced herself and recounted everything that had happened that afternoon.

Finally, she mustered her courage and asked, ”Your Majesty, Honored Lady Jiang and I are both Honored Ladies. Why is it that she...”

Before she could finish speaking, she kowtowed. ”Your Majesty, those people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs are too domineering! This servant begs Your Majesty to uphold justice!”

Honored Lady Du spoke very earnestly. But... in the Empress’s eyes, this was utterly witless!

Hmph, comparing herself to Honored Lady Jiang? The Empress sipped her tea and remained silent for a long time. After a while, she finally spoke, her tone light.

”Are you sure you want to be like her?”

Honored Lady Du didn’t hesitate for a moment before kowtowing. ”This servant certainly wishes to be like her!” To be unfavored, yet always have good food and drink, with neither the Imperial Kitchen nor the Ministry of Internal Affairs daring to neglect her—how wonderful!

The Empress then smiled. ”Have you thought it through? Are you willing to pay the price?”

Honored Lady Du was somewhat confused. ”Pay? Your Majesty, what price?”

Honored Lady Du knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, but what did she have to offer? Without favor, without status, without family backing. The greatest price would be to align herself with the Empress. But what did that matter? She was, after all, the mistress of the Harem!

The Empress smiled faintly. ”Since Honored Lady Du cannot understand, then return and think it over!”

With that, she called out in a louder voice, ”Yu Lan! Show the guest out!”

Honored Lady Du panicked and immediately kowtowed. ”Your Majesty, this servant... this servant doesn’t want to leave! This servant doesn’t want to suffer!”

The Empress sneered. ”In the palace, who truly wishes to suffer?”