A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 437: Chapter 437 ”Whatever you love to eat is fine!

The days gradually grew warmer, and the spring outfits for Qingya Residence had already been delivered.

There were four sets in total: one goose yellow, one tender red, one jade green, and one powder pink.

”The colors are quite nice, but... I don’t know if I’ve gained weight. Can I still fit into them this year?” As she spoke, she touched her stomach.

Zi Yue chuckled. ”Mistress, you’re exaggerating. From what I can see, you haven’t gained any weight at all!”

Sister Huang, standing nearby, also chimed in with a smile, ”You wore your belly band so well during the first month; any weight gain would be limited!”

Xia Ruqing tugged at her clothes. Except for the skin on her belly not being as firm as before, there really wasn’t much excess fat. She felt quite satisfied and sighed, ”Youth really is something else!”

Not even twenty yet, how could she not be young? Although having a child so early wasn’t ideal for her health, she was, after all, eighteen. Coupled with the guidance and conditioning from the Imperial Physician, the outcome was quite good.

After breakfast, the warm spring sun shone in through the window. Little Bun gazed outside, his face filled with longing. His little features puckered up, his eyes fixed on the world beyond the window.

Xia Ruqing gently pinched his nose. ”Want to go out again?”

Little Bun nodded.

Xia Ruqing smiled. ”Alright, finish this small bowl of rice cereal, and I’ll take you out!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Little Bun nodded eagerly.

Hmph! Drink it, I will! A man must be strong; this Little Prince isn’t afraid!

Xia Ruqing was amused by him. She planted a kiss on his soft, fair cheek and went into the inner chamber to change.

Little Bun grew a little impatient while waiting, so he started playing with Da Bai and Little White. Little Bun adored these two snow-white cats. When they lay down, exposing their bellies, he would copy them, doing the exact same thing. When they stretched, he would also stretch, following their lead. The large one and two small ones—their movements were identical!

Little White loved being close to people. After rubbing against him for a while, it nestled on Little Bun’s tummy. Its fluffy fur tickled him, and he hugged his belly, giggling. At first, Little White had been a bit wary, but then it too squinted its eyes and shamelessly nuzzled him.

”GIGGLE, GIGGLE...”

”MEOW, MEOW, MEOW!”

The atmosphere was quite lively. Sister Huang and Sister Jiang, watching from the side, couldn’t help but laugh as well, though Sister Liang was somewhat concerned.

”Oh dear, what if the Little Prince gets hurt?” she fretted. ”If he catches an illness, whatever shall we do?”

Sister Huang chuckled at her worry. ”In our residence, we disinfect with spirits every two or three days, and the two cats are bathed frequently too, so they aren’t dirty!” She added, ”A Prince shouldn’t be raised too delicately. Children in the countryside, who roll in the dirt and play in the mud all day, grow up robust and sturdy!”

It seemed being too pampered truly wasn’t good.

”Exactly,” Sister Jiang agreed. ”In the future, our Little Prince will have to learn Horseback Archery and martial arts. It’s better if he’s a bit resilient and easier to raise!”

Sure enough, Sister Liang said no more.

Once Xia Ruqing was ready, she fed him some rice cereal. As the weather outside happened to be warm, she then took Little Bun out to the swing. The breeze was already quite warm, feeling pleasantly warm and slightly ticklish against the face. She held the five-month-old Little Bun in her arms, sitting on the swing and gently swaying. The scene was incredibly beautiful.

Zhao Junyao was captivated the moment he walked in. Li Shengan was about to announce his presence, but Zhao Junyao raised a hand to stop him. He stood quietly at the entrance, watching his beloved woman, his smile blooming like a Tao Hua. Little Bun was visibly excited, while Xia Ruqing radiated a gentle tenderness. She swung gently in the spring breeze, occasionally lowering her head to kiss her son’s cheek. Little Bun, in his adorable ignorance, wriggled in Xia Ruqing’s embrace.

As he inadvertently looked up, Little Bun caught sight of Zhao Junyao standing at the doorway and immediately became wary.

That person who’s always trying to snatch Mother away from me is here again! But... his clothes do look pretty nice! With this thought, his pair of gleaming dark eyes fixed on Zhao Junyao.

Sensing her son’s less-than-friendly, yet somewhat covetous gaze, Zhao Junyao was thoroughly exasperated.

This little rascal, his unpromising ways are just like his mother’s. But... why did he also feel that his son was somewhat disdainful of him?!

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, he realized he had been discovered. Xia Ruqing stood up and, holding the child, walked over unhurriedly. Zhao Junyao had no choice but to dismiss the thoughts in his mind and enter.

”Greetings to the Emperor...”

”You may rise.” Zhao Junyao helped Xia Ruqing up and, in a smooth motion, drew her into his embrace.

Little Bun, however, was very restless. Seizing the opportunity, he grabbed Zhao Junyao’s bright yellow sleeve. Then, he tugged at it vigorously, trying to bring it to his mouth.

Xia Ruqing was rather speechless. ”Son, that’s clothing, you can’t eat it!” she said, gently prying it from his grasp.

Tears immediately welled up in Little Bun’s eyes.

Mother, how could you do this to me!

Zhao Junyao pulled a bright yellow handkerchief from his robes and offered it to him. ”Here, chew on this.”

Little Bun hesitated before taking it. After examining it for a moment, he beamed with delight.

Father Emperor is the best!

Xia Ruqing was a bit lost for words.

Oh, son. Your mother isn’t very ambitious; why are you following in her footsteps!

The Emperor and Empress Consort sat down with Little Bun in the courtyard pavilion. Da Bai and Little White were both familiar presences. Especially Little White. Upon seeing Zhao Junyao, it darted out, nestled at his feet, rubbed against him, and meowed incessantly. The tickling became unbearable for Zhao Junyao, so he lifted Little White from the ground. His expression darkened.

”Why is it so unafraid of people? Aren’t you worried it might scratch the child if you keep them together?” The last sentence sounded like a reprimand, though upon closer listening, it didn’t quite carry that tone. Of course, whether it was intended as such or not, Xia Ruqing completely missed the subtlety.

She stroked Little White and said with a natural smile, ”Not at all, they’re so well-behaved and clean!”

Zhao Junyao was speechless.

COUGH...

He suddenly realized that ever since the child’s arrival, he seemed to have lost all standing with her. It was one thing for the child to be paramount. But now, even the cats were important. And he... A pang of hurt touched his heart, but it didn’t really matter. Zhao Junyao was used to it.

He sipped his tea and nibbled on some pastries. He then settled comfortably into the recliner, watching the breeze, admiring the scenery, and basking in the sun. He had come here, truly with nothing specific in mind, just to relax and clear his head.

Xia Ruqing also had little to do, so she played with Little Bun. One moment they were cooing and chattering, the next they were giggling and laughing. It was lively, yet tranquil.

Zhao Junyao thought, how wonderful it would be if he had only this one woman in his Harem!

He was startled by his own thought.

How could that be? Impossible. It was impossible to have only her; he was the Emperor, after all. But where had such a thought even come from?!

When it was time for lunch, Xia Ruqing asked, ”Emperor, what would you like to eat?”

Zhao Junyao, however, paid no mind, casually flipping through a leisure book. After a good while, he finally uttered a few words, ”Whatever you like is fine.”

Xia Ruqing was stumped. What I like to eat? In the height of spring, during the lean season between harvests, the vegetable garden only held wild greens. Not even a single lotus root remained. Still, wild greens are vegetables too, aren’t they?

She handed Little Bun to Sister Liang to be taken away. Then, she and Xiao Zhu Zi went to the vegetable garden to dig for shepherd’s purse. The shepherd’s purse was tender, perfect for making dumplings.

Add some dried shrimp, eggs, green onions... minced meat...

TSK TSK, she was practically drooling.