A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 535: Chapter 535: It’s Really Good!

As for the first night... Well, there’s nothing to be done about it!

AHEM, Zhao Junyao turned over with her in his arms, and the two lay down on the bed again.

He sighed softly and said, ”Actually... I really don’t like having so many women, but... I am the Emperor!”

That meant an emperor couldn’t possibly have only one woman. At the very least, he had to have children.

Xia Ruqing hadn’t really expected the Emperor to remain chaste just for her. It was simply impossible.

Now, things are already good, truly good! she thought.

She hugged Zhao Junyao, nodding gently. ”Mm! Your concubine understands!”

Her heart ached slightly, and yet it was also sweet!

Zhao Junyao held her tightly, thinking to himself, If... I were not the Emperor, what kind of life would I lead? The final answer would be to marry one wife, have two or three children, and that would be enough. Simple! I intensely dislike the scheming and infighting in the harem. I dislike even more the idea of my own women scheming against me. But as the Emperor, these matters are inevitable. So, I can only accept them. Even if I don’t like it, I still have to choose a few that are pleasing to the eye. The children have to be born; with the ancestors of the Royal Family watching, the royal lineage must not dwindle. Besides, even if Qingqing alone could give birth, if there were only one woman’s children in the harem, how dangerous that would be for the child! Unrest in the harem means instability in the court. It’s cold at the top, and everywhere one turns, there is helplessness. Alas! If there really came a day when a man could only marry one wife, when marrying more was forbidden, and there would be no harem, how wonderful would that be? If everyone could only marry one, no one could force another. How wonderful would that be? But... how could such a place possibly exist?

「...」

The news that the Emperor and Consort Xian Pin had reconciled spread throughout the harem overnight. The Empress had known early on, and the others weren’t far behind in finding out.

It was during the morning greetings. Consort Xian Pin also arrived early, without a fault to be found.

”Paying respects to the Empress!” Xia Ruqing smiled radiantly, still wearing that smoky rose-colored palace attire. She looked charming and beautiful, her skin so delicate it seemed it would break at the slightest touch.

Even if the Empress found her unpleasant, she had to smile. ”Rise!”

And then she would add a compliment. ”Ever since giving birth to the Prince, Consort Xian Pin has become increasingly enchanting!”

Xia Ruqing’s face lit up with joy. ”Thank you, Empress, for your kind words!”

Having said that, she took her seat in her appointed place.

The Empress continued to chat with Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin. Honestly, after so many years in the harem, her staunchest followers had always been Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin. Consort Hui Pin was intelligent, while Consort Ning... well, wasn’t very bright. But, lacking intelligence, as long as one knew how to ingratiate, life wouldn’t be bad. The two consorts chatted and laughed with the Empress for a good while as others gradually arrived.

Once everyone had arrived, the Empress began to discuss matters.

”On the twelfth of October is... the Second Princess Yi’an’s fourth birthday. Then... the sixteenth of October is my own birthday. And on the twenty-fourth of October, it’s the Crown Prince’s first birthday banquet!”

”With several events falling so close together, I will not celebrate my birthday this year!”

”It will suffice to celebrate for the two children then!”

Look at her, the virtuously magnanimous senior wife, the image of a proper wife.

Consort Ning hurriedly spoke up. ”How could that be! Empress, you are the principal consort! No matter whose birthday is skipped, yours cannot be!”

These words seemed to be directed at the Empress, but Consort Ning’s face was turned towards Xia Ruqing.

Xia Ruqing, of course, understood and was so angry she almost laughed. ”Anyone else’s birthday can be skipped?” she thought. Why should her son’s first birthday banquet not be held? In ancient times, a prince’s first birthday was so important; why shouldn’t it be celebrated!

Xia Ruqing sneered as she glanced at Consort Ning. ”Consort Ning, your words are quite bold, almost as if you, rather than the Empress, are the master of the harem!”

Her single sentence managed to praise the Empress’s magnanimity while also highlighting Consort Ning’s presumptuousness in relation to the Empress. This questioned Ning’s ambition and, at the same time, fanned the flames.

As expected, the Empress shot Consort Ning a warning glance, and Consort Ning obediently closed her mouth, not daring to speak further.

At that moment, Consort Hui Pin stood up gracefully and paid her respects to the Empress. ”Empress, as the mother of the nation and the exemplar for all, your Thousand Autumns Festival must not be neglected!”

”The Crown Prince is the Emperor’s first Prince, and it is also his first birthday. The rite of grasping objects on this occasion is a most auspicious event, so it must not be overlooked either!”

”Our Second Princess Yi An is still young, and it’s not a major birthday anniversary for her, so fortunately, we need not go to any trouble for it!”

”Empress, Consort Xian Pin, what do both of you think?”

Xia Ruqing hurriedly deferred responsibility, smiling as she spoke. ”This matter naturally depends on the Empress’s decision!”

The Empress, seated above, no longer demurred and said with a smile, ”Since it is so, let it be. Ultimately... it is the Second Princess who is inconvenienced.”

Consort Hui Pin quickly bowed in respect. ”Your humble consort is filled with trepidation! For the Second Princess, it is an honor to celebrate the Empress’s Thousand Autumns Festival!”

The Empress then smiled and bade her rise. ”Consort Hui Pin has always known proper etiquette!”

Having said this, she turned to the others below. ”If all of you were as knowledgeable and courteous as Consort Hui Pin, this palace would not have to worry every day!”

”All you sisters are here to serve the Emperor!”

”You needn’t think too much of other matters; just serve the Emperor well!”

”The Emperor currently has only one Prince. You must all serve him well. Strive to bear the Emperor a dragon heir as soon as possible—that is what truly matters!”

The crowd quickly rose to their feet. ”We thank the Empress for her guidance!”

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. ”Good. If there’s nothing else, everyone is dismissed!”

Having said this, she rose.

”We respectfully see off the Empress!”

「...」

The crowd poured out of Jiaofang Hall en masse. Leading the way was still Consort Ning. It was exactly like the scene from yesterday. But... today her demeanor had completely changed. Her repeated, overly familiar calls of ”Sister Xian Pin” were enough to give one goosebumps.

Xia Ruqing gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. ”Is Consort Ning planning to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden?”

Consort Ning quickly smiled amicably. ”I went there just yesterday, so I’m not too keen on going today. If Sister wishes to go, you can go by yourself!”

Having said that, she led Consort Zheng Pin away swiftly.

Consort Hui Pin, on the other hand, smiled with a hint of helplessness in her eyes. Xia Ruqing also smiled, and the two walked together, chatting intermittently.

”Consort Hui Pin...” As soon as Xia Ruqing spoke, she realized something was off in her tone, so she corrected herself. ”Consort Hui Pin, you are truly broad-minded. If my Imperial Son couldn’t celebrate his birthday, I definitely would be upset!”

Consort Hui Pin laughed. ”Consort Xian Pin, you jest. Yi An is already four years old, and it’s not a major birthday for her, so it doesn’t matter whether we celebrate or not!”

”As long as... Yi An can grow up healthy and safe, that is what will make me happy!”

Xia Ruqing smiled too. ”It’s true, you really are more philosophical about these things!”

Consort Hui Pin shook her head with a smile, and they changed the subject.

As they talked about children, Consort Hui Pin said with a laugh, ”That child, Yi An, has been constantly thinking about the Little Prince ever since she returned from outside the palace last month...”