A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 482: Chapter 482 This is Inevitable

After their meal, the two of them went to bathe and change their clothes.

Finally, they entered the cool inner chamber.

Zhao Junyao wasn’t too busy, so each of them read their own books, engrossed in their respective choices.

Sitting face to face, they remained silent for a long time without feeling awkward!

During these times, the Emperor’s mood fluctuated, and he seldom visited the harem.

The women didn’t dare to cause trouble, so they temporarily put aside their schemes.

Now, observing the Emperor radiating joy and in high spirits, Qingya Residence resumed its duty of serving at bedtime.

The women once again began to harbor their own intentions. For example, the Empress, Noble Concubine Shih, Shih Wanying, as well as those Honored Ladies who had been neglected for so long.

However, the harem had its rules, and Zhao Junyao also valued these rules. That is to say, even when bestowing favor, he would never be excessive to the point of giving people the opportunity to find fault and mistreat her.

So he only stayed with Consort Xian Pin for one night and then didn’t visit again. Instead, he went to the Empress and the Noble Consort’s chambers, alternating his visits between the two, without bias or favoritism.

Initially watching the Noble Consort receive favor, the Empress felt very disappointed. Now that the Emperor had also extended her the same respect, the Empress’s face instantly brightened. During the morning greetings, she sat at the head of the room with a noticeably stronger confidence.

Hmph, what do you have to be proud of, Noble Consort? Your favor relies solely on the Princess; how can you compare with me!

The Noble Consort was also quite indignant. What about the Princess? You don’t even have one!

The two couldn’t stand the sight of each other.

The rest sat below, continuing to be invisible.

After enduring half a Shi Chen of the two big BOSSes’ glaring battle, the Empress finally dismissed the gathering.

Everyone hurried to stand up and pay their respects, then they slipped away as fast as they could.

That was terrifying!

In the days from the end of June to the beginning of July, the Emperor, as if rushing from one engagement to another, moved among his various lesser wives, maintaining the balance of the harem.

Meanwhile, he could not neglect court affairs. He attended the morning court at Chen Hour, then worked in the Imperial Study Room, reviewing memorials and meeting Ministers. In the afternoon, he continued reviewing memorials. If there were few memorials, he could go out to practice his martial arts. If there were many, he had to keep reviewing until Hai Hour in the evening.

Afterward, he had to visit the harem. He couldn’t miss any of his intended visits, regardless of his personal preferences. Because he was the Emperor, holding the position meant governing. It was his obligation to provide equitable attention to the harem, ensuring the continuation of the Royal Family’s lineage. It was not possible for him to neglect the harem and indulge exclusively in one consort just because he favored her.

For her, favor within measure was affection, but beyond that measure, it was harming her. The same held true for himself. Within measure, it was all in good taste, but beyond that, it was folly driven by lust. Best not to let such incidents happen!

As for the continuation of the lineage, not all the women in the harem were so disagreeable that he couldn’t bear to approach them. He had to choose a few who were well-behaved and pleasing to his eye, to bear him more princes diligently—it was inevitable!

In the evening, Feng Anfu brought over a silver tray once more.

Zhao Junyao’s gaze swept around and finally, settled on Honored Lady Cheng’s nameplate.

Flipping the nameplate around, he waved his hand.

”Go,” he said.

Feng Anfu hurriedly acknowledged the instruction, bowed, and retreated.

Internally, however, he sighed: Honored Lady Cheng, what good fortune. Her appearance isn’t outstanding; at most, she ranks medium in the harem. Her temperament is also gentle and unassuming, not one for fighting or scrambling for attention. Living quietly in the side hall of Yichun Palace under Consort Ning’s care, she adheres to the rules, rarely ventures out, and leads a life that passes silently by. But look, the Emperor just happened to remember her. Since then, she has received his favor several times. And thinking about it, Consort Xian Pin isn’t the prettiest either. She is also low-key and cautious in her demeanor. It’s clear that temperament is the key. What good does it do for Honored Lady Jiang to look like Consort Xian Pin? If the Empress had not favored her, the Emperor probably wouldn’t visit her even once! So, who is truly favored, and who is only seemingly favored? We servants know full well!

That night, the Emperor summoned Honored Lady Cheng to his bedchamber.

The harem was once again stirred up, especially the group of Honored Ladies, who were completely unsettled.

These past few days, the Emperor had been visiting the consorts who were raising children. None of these Honored Ladies had been granted the bedchamber service. They dared not say anything, but now...

Suddenly, Honored Lady Cheng emerged, standing in front of them all.

People began to speculate, to denigrate, and even to slander her.

Who is promoting her from behind? Could it be Consort Ning?

It doesn’t look like it; Consort Ning still relies on The Eldest Princess! What standing does she have to promote others?!

Could it be the Empress?

But Honored Lady Cheng, aside from paying respects during morning greetings, had never even been to Jiaofang Hall, unlike Honored Lady Jiang, who would go there from time to time to pay her respects.

Then, why was she favored?

Apart from external influences, it must be her own doing.

Could it be... her skills in bed are remarkable? Making the Emperor unable to resist her?

Tsk tsk, if that’s really the case, then she truly is a wretched woman. No different from the courtesans of the outside world.

If one person thought this and spoke it out loud, those with gossipy tongues would spread the word. In just a day or two, the Honored Ladies spread the rumors so thoroughly they sounded true.

This is the harem for you... However, rumors are still just rumors, and no one had evidence to prove their truth.

Honored Lady Cheng simply ignored all of this. She continued to enjoy favor in peace and lived her days quietly, as if nothing could harm her.

Gradually, everyone became too lazy to spread the gossip.

Of course, all of this would happen later.

「The night Honored Lady Cheng served the Emperor.」

The young Honored Ladies in the palace were all very unsettled, with various messages flying everywhere!

Xia Ruqing listened to Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi report back the various rumors they had heard and was so amused she laughed with a series of GIGGLES.

”These people’s imaginations are indeed too rich...”

Zi Yue then chuckled.

”Your servant sees that Honored Lady Cheng has a good disposition, not like what they describe!”

Xia Ruqing then said,

”She is indeed nice. Either she’s a clever person, or... perhaps an extremely gentle one!”

”Now it seems, she must be a clever person!”

Zi Yue was puzzled. What did her mistress mean by that?

Xia Ruqing took a sip of her cool tea and chuckled.

”The Emperor has never liked insipid women, so if she’s not good-looking, then her disposition must be very pleasing!”

”At least, she must be very pleasing to the Emperor!”

”In this harem, the Emperor likes intelligent people!”

Zi Yue nodded thoughtfully.

”Your servant understands!”

Xia Ruqing then laughed.

”Alright, let’s not think too much about it. Let’s go to bed early!”

”Yes!”

Zi Yue chuckled, went to prepare for bed, and did not ask any more questions.

They had long understood this principle from following their mistress: in the palace, as long as you behaved well, stayed smart, and avoided foolish actions, good days were plentiful. But if you acted foolishly and the Emperor would not tolerate you, then death awaited.

That night, Qingya Residence was peaceful; the rumors stopped there.

Palace Maids and eunuchs kept their mouths shut, and everyone was modest and low-key!

The night passed without incident.

The next day, early in the morning, Xia Ruqing got up as usual, got dressed, had tea and refreshments, and then went to pay her respects to the Empress.