A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 542: Chapter 542: You Insist on Bumping Upwards

After all, Consort Ning had been her follower for so long.

Besides, women always preferred to befriend those more foolish, stout, and plain than themselves.

In Consort Ning’s presence, she felt an absolute sense of superiority.

If the entire Harem were filled with women like Consort Ning, she would be deliriously happy.

Therefore, she was undeniably biased in her heart.

She had no intention of getting involved in this matter. Without even asking, she planned to muddle through it ambiguously.

To her surprise, the Emperor had sent someone over.

Little Zhuzi said respectfully, ”Empress, the Emperor has decreed that he will have lunch in Jiaofang Hall and requests that the Empress prepare!”

The Empress was simply over the moon!

”Is it really true?”

Little Zhuzi immediately became even more deferential.

”Of course, it’s true, Empress. Please prepare well!”

Upon receiving confirmation, the Empress was utterly delighted.

Yu Lan, her face beaming with joy, took a large purse and stuffed it into Eunuch Little Zhuzi’s hand, sending him off with a radiant smile.

”Eunuch Little Zhuzi, please take your time!”

”Sister Yu Lan, I dare not accept!”

「Later」

Jiaofang Hall was bustling with activity. After all, the Emperor coming for a meal was a momentous occasion, a truly joyous event!

No one could recall how long it had been since the Emperor’s last visit.

So this time, they had to serve him impeccably; perhaps the Emperor would visit more frequently in the future.

The Empress held the menu, carefully weighing her options. Recalling past banquets and the Emperor’s usual preferences, she meticulously deliberated for a long while, finally choosing thirty-two dishes.

”The Emperor dislikes extravagance and waste, so... this should suffice!”

Actually, the Empress had wanted to add more, feeling that forty-eight dishes would be more appropriate. But after some thought, she ultimately decided against it.

Sister Ji also advised, ”This servant also thinks there’s no need to add more. I heard from a Little Eunuch in the Imperial Kitchen that Consort Xian Pin requested a late-night snack yesterday—just a bowl of noodles! It’s said that by the time it was carried from Qingya Residence, even the soup was gone!”

The Empress was quite skeptical.

”Noodles?”

”What kind of noodles?”

”Was it for the Emperor, or did Consort Xian Pin eat it herself?”

Sister Ji hesitated. ”That, this servant doesn’t know. Our people can’t very well go prying into such trivialities!”

To inquire about such a minor affair would make the Empress seem to lack grace, as if she were stooping to learn from a concubine.

The Empress nodded.

”Very well, let it be so!”

”I’ve also heard from the staff in the Imperial Kitchen that the Emperor doesn’t favor overly elaborate dishes!”

”However, how can an Imperial meal be too simple? The main courses are still necessary! Let’s have twelve side dishes and twenty-four main courses; no fewer than that!”

”Ah! That would be suitable,” Sister Ji said with a smile.

The Empress, also very satisfied, ordered the preparations to begin.

「At lunchtime」

Zhao Junyao indeed arrived.

Thirty-six dishes were served one by one. Zhao Junyao’s expression remained unchanged, as if he were accustomed to such displays.

The Empress, however, was extremely excited.

”Emperor, I personally selected these dishes from the menu; they are all your favorites! Please try them!”

Zhao Junyao gave a noncommittal ”Mm,” then picked up his chopsticks and casually tasted a morsel.

”Not bad!”

Praised by the Emperor, the Empress was very pleased.

”It’s wonderful that the Emperor likes them! It is this consort’s good fortune to serve the Emperor!”

Zhao Junyao curled his lips slightly but said nothing further, observing the custom of silence during meals.

The Empress ate a few mouthfuls of rice and picked at a couple of vegetable sticks with her chopsticks, chewing each for a long time. Not a single drop of sauce from the vegetables touched her rice. After a few such bites, she set down her chopsticks, indicating she was full.

Zhao Junyao had initially felt some appetite, but watching her pretentious display, he lost it. Besides, he didn’t care for these dishes to begin with.

He ate half a bowl of rice and then also set aside his chopsticks.

The Empress solicitously had tea brought at once. Zhao Junyao took the teacup and rinsed his mouth.

Just then, the Little Princess, having finished her milk, was awake and had not yet fallen asleep.

Zhao Junyao went to see the Princess.

Not yet seven months old, the Little Princess had been nurtured well under the Empress’s meticulous care. Though still somewhat weaker than a typical seven-month-old, given she was born more than a month prematurely, it was remarkable she had been nurtured to this state of health.

After seeing the Little Princess, Zhao Junyao offered a few words of praise.

”Good! She’s been raised well!”

The Empress, pleased, laughed and said, ”The Little Princess is lively and adorable, and this servant cherishes her dearly!”

Zhao Junyao merely curled his lip and nodded.

He looked at the Empress and suddenly said, ”Caring for the Princess is naturally demanding, and it’s inevitable that some matters in the palace have been neglected! However... some matters that require attention must still be attended to, and what is right and wrong must still be clearly discerned!”

The Emperor’s sudden remark left the Empress bewildered. But upon careful reflection, she immediately understood: the Emperor was warning her!

They had a tacit understanding before. If I didn’t cause trouble for Consort Xian Pin, the Emperor would grant me respect. Now that I have that respect, am I to ignore it when something happens to Consort Xian Pin? The Emperor would naturally be displeased.

A knot formed in the Empress’s stomach, and she quickly said, ”This servant has been neglectful and careless. Please forgive me, Your Majesty! Regarding yesterday’s incident, this servant merely thought it was two of my younger sisters bickering and didn’t give it much thought!”

Zhao Junyao curled his lips.

”It is indeed not a significant issue! As long as the Empress is aware, that is good!”

With that, he sat for a short while longer and then departed.

The Empress, holding the Little Princess, saw the Emperor off, her expression souring.

So, the Emperor had come here for this meal merely to seek justice for Consort Xian Pin!

Consort Xian Pin! Consort Xian Pin! She’s certainly not the most beautiful, nor from the most distinguished family, and her disposition is rather foolish and simple-minded. Yet the Emperor is so fond of her. What on earth does he see in her?! These were grievances the Empress only dared to vent in the confines of her own heart.

After personally soothing the Little Princess to sleep, she too went for her midday rest. Lying in bed, tossing and turning, she wrestled with her thoughts for a good while.

The Emperor does still hold me, his Empress, in some regard, she mused. At least he didn’t intervene directly but entrusted the matter to me. With this thought, she felt considerably more at ease.

Consort Ning, oh Consort Ning, Consort Xian Pin is like the muzzle of a loaded gun, and you just had to run straight into it; there was no stopping you! In that case, I can only make an example of you! Sigh, when will this Harem ever find true peace?

The Empress sighed and gradually fell asleep.

「The next day」

When it was time for morning greetings, the Empress was in a good mood.

Seeing Consort Xian Pin arrive, she greeted her with a warm barrage of questions.

”You said you felt unwell yesterday, are you better today? How is the Little Prince? Is everything alright in the palace? You haven’t been wronged in any way, have you?”

She almost asked, ”Is Zi Yue doing well?”

However, the Empress could not ask such a thing. For the mother of the nation to inquire about a Palace Maid was simply too improper.

Xia Ruqing was baffled. What is this... 360-degree, all-encompassing concern? It’s a little frightening! This isn’t normal at all!

Though these were her thoughts, she could only respond with an awkward smile. ”This servant is well. I just caught a slight cold yesterday and felt better after a night’s rest!”

You can beat around the bush, and I can play Tai Chi. Neither of us will lose face here! Xia Ruqing thought.

The Empress smiled contentedly, not even sparing Consort Ning a glance.

She then announced, ”The tribute from Duoluo Country has just arrived, and I find it quite exquisite. Sisters, feel free to choose some pieces you like to wear. Yu Lan!”