A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 426: Chapter 426: Handing Over the Power of the Six Palaces

”Your Majesty... Your servant has failed to live up to Your Majesty’s high expectations. It is my incompetence!”

Zhao Junyao was a bit stunned, completely bewildered. What on earth? What was the Empress talking about? Incompetent? What was this new act?

Zhao Junyao didn’t speak, and sure enough, the Empress continued, ”Your Majesty, I don’t know when my illness will improve. Regarding the authority over The Six Palaces, I implore Your Majesty to find someone to assist me!”

Authority over The Six Palaces belonged exclusively to the Empress, unless... there was an imperial command!

Zhao Junyao let out a long sigh of relief. So that’s what this is about!

”In that case, let... Noble Consort assist. For the sake of fairness, Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin shall also coordinate.”

Qingqing had just given birth; it would be better not to overburden her. More importantly, she had to attend to his needs—that was the truly exhausting part!

After a year’s abstinence, Zhao Junyao finally resumed his intimate life, like a fish on the brink of dying from thirst that had finally found water again and could now swim freely and joyfully.

Qingqing was his water!

「...」

The Empress was very satisfied with this outcome.

Though she was reluctant to relinquish power, she valued her own life even more. And she had come to realize that a temporary lack of power was inconsequential. The most important thing at present was her health; moreover, her cold war with the Emperor had lasted long enough. It was time to properly mend their relationship, riddled with countless wounds. No matter what, being alive, being alive! Being alive meant anything was possible! She couldn’t just focus on the immediate gains and losses; she had to adopt a long-term perspective. Her goal remained the same as before: even as an unfavored Empress, she was determined to hold onto the Empress’s throne. Just a little longer, even longer! Prematurely dying from illness or overwork—such a thing must absolutely not happen to her!

Once she had this epiphany, her thoughts became clear.

Sister Ji finally let out a deep sigh of relief, tears streaming down her aged face.

”Your Highness, if only you had thought this way sooner, we wouldn’t have... ended up in this state, would we?”

She had incurred the Emperor’s displeasure and, through her assiduous efforts in managing affairs, had worked herself into a state of illness. How lamentable!

The Empress smiled faintly.

”That won’t happen again!”

At least, not until I am fully recovered!

「...」

After the third day of the new year, the festive atmosphere was temporarily set aside.

With the Empress ill, Noble Consort took charge, assisted by Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin in managing affairs.

They were all prominent figures in the Harem, so there was little dissent.

Moreover, affairs in the Harem were governed by established rules and precedents, leaving little room for manipulation.

Of course, this excluded the unfavored consorts who were virtually invisible.

For someone like Xia Ruqing, who was raising a Prince, Noble Concubine Shih, no matter how far her influence reached, could not trouble her.

Could she possibly withhold their stipends? Or substitute inferior goods for quality ones? Apologies, neither was possible.

Therefore, Xia Ruqing had nothing to worry about. The Empress was still the Empress; life would go on as usual!

「...」

Another snow had fallen last night.

When Xia Ruqing woke up early the next morning, a thick layer blanketed the ground.

With nothing to do and feeling an itch to do something, Xia Ruqing soothed Little Bun to sleep, then called Zi Yue and the others to build a snowman.

Just like in her childhood, building a snowman started by making a small snowball and then rolling it on the ground. With each layer it was rolled, it grew a circle larger; another layer, and it grew larger still. Eventually, it reached about half a person’s height. Then, a smaller snowball was made and placed on top, and the basic form of the snowman emerged.

They used a carrot, old clothes, a hat, and a broom to decorate the large snowman.

Finally, a plump, white, and remarkably lifelike snowman stood complete.

Outside, the mistress and her servants cheered around their creation, while inside, Little Bun frowned, listening intently to the sounds from outside.

Upon hearing Xia Ruqing’s voice, it was as if an electric current passed through Little Bun’s mind. He quickly focused on his mother’s voice, clinging to it, not daring to lose it for an instant.

However, after hearing only about ten sentences, he shook his head impatiently. His gaze held a hint of disdain.

Mother is so childish!

「...」

After playing in the snow all morning, Xia Ruqing felt hungry before noon. She had expended a lot of energy; far from feeling cold, she had worked up a sweat from running around.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Xia Ruqing began to ponder.

What should I eat? A large question mark formed in her mind. What’s suitable for this kind of weather?

Sister Huang stated bluntly, ”Your Highness, hot pot is out of the question!”

Xia Ruqing’s hopes were instantly dashed. ”Alright, alright! I... I didn’t dare suggest that anyway!”

Sister Huang smiled and nodded, ”That’s more like it!”

Xia Ruqing then began to fret.

Suddenly, she recalled a scene from the first year she served the Emperor: roasting meat on a small charcoal brazier in the inner chamber. Back then, she was still in that dilapidated Zhaohua Pavilion. After they ate, the room, lacking ventilation, would be filled with the smell. In the dead of night, Zi Yue would have to wash the floor with water and then air out the room. Not to mention all the trouble, once ventilated, the room would become freezing cold! It was a good thing the Emperor didn’t mind back then. It was so cold, yet the two of them slept so soundly.

Now, conditions were much better, and there was also Little Bun.

Two years... one can truly gain so, so much in that time!

”We’ll have grilled meat for lunch today.”

”Cut the rabbit meat, mutton, beef, and pork belly into thumb-sized cubes. Sprinkle them with scallions, ginger, and garlic to marinate for now. I’ll handle the rest later!”

Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi exchanged a knowing glance. Alright, we’d better hurry. If she can’t have hot pot, and then can’t have grilled meat either, the mistress will definitely fly into a rage.

Xiao Xizi felt Zi Yue’s apprehension was quite right, so he rushed off to the Imperial Kitchen, hastily requesting this and that. He was terrified of not getting enough and being scolded by their mistress upon his return!

The staff at the Imperial Kitchen dared not be negligent. What Consort Xian Pin wanted—not providing it would be courting death! Thus, not only did they provide everything, but they also shared a few clever tips, laughing and joking, sending a delighted Xiao Xizi away from the Imperial Kitchen.

「...」

Back in Qingya Residence, everything was already prepared.

The small charcoal brazier didn’t need lighting; it was kept burning continuously. They just needed to add a few more pieces of charcoal.

Conditions now were countless times better than before.

Seasonings? The small kitchen was full of them, free to choose.

The charcoal fire burned vigorously.

Cold in the room? Impossible. There was the Ground Dragon.

So, what could possibly be difficult?

In less than half a Shi Chen, everything was ready.

Xia Ruqing took the marinated meat, sprinkled it with seasonings, and placed it on the charcoal brazier.

All the tedious parts of the entire process had been done by others. She herself only did the most essential parts, which were also the most enjoyable.

Unlike in modern times, where if she wanted to eat grilled meat, she’d have to bustle about all by herself for the better part of a day. Now, there was no need!

Having status is truly good! Xia Ruqing mused. It’s wonderful that I’ve been able to adapt to life in ancient times!

The meat wasn’t fully cooked yet, but the aroma of roasting meat already filled the room.

Xiao Xizi, Zi Yue, and the others helped out, swallowing hard as they did. Xiao Xizi, in particular, looked so ravenous he was practically drooling.

Xia Ruqing, putting on an air of seriousness, handed him a skewer of roasted meat.

”Here, taste this for me. Is it cooked through?”

Xiao Xizi eagerly assented. He didn’t care a whit whether it was cooked or not; he took the skewer and began to devour it. He had wolfed it down before he could even properly savor the taste.

His wolfish gobbling made everyone burst into laughter.