A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 547: Chapter 547 Just Getting Started!

At least, let everyone know that a starving camel is still bigger than a horse!

Even if Consort Xian Pin were to gain more favor, she couldn’t surpass Consort Ning.

Hence, her generosity this time was quite extravagant.

The gifts were an entire set from head to toe: a pure gold necklace, hairpins for little girls, bracelets, and so on.

They were clearly weighty; one could tell their substantialness just by looking.

Consort Hui Pin was a bit surprised and somewhat hesitant to accept, so she demurred, ”Consort Ning, this... Yi An is still too young; these are too extravagant for her!”

Consort Ning glanced at Consort Xian Pin and proudly declared, ”It’s nothing of value. The Second Princess is of noble birth; a few pairs of gold necklaces are nothing at all!”

Consort Hui Pin was stunned for a moment. Somewhat helpless, she had no choice but to accept.

After Consort Ning had presented her offerings, it was Xia Ruqing’s turn.

She instructed Zi Su and Zi Ning to bring over a large, beautifully crafted box.

As it appeared, everyone’s curiosity was piqued. What could this be...? they wondered, looking at the large, seemingly very valuable box.

Xia Ruqing looked at Consort Hui Pin and smiled. ”My palace maids and I made this ourselves. It’s a token of my affection, and I believe the Little Princess will like it!”

Upon hearing it was handmade, Consort Hui Pin smiled. ”Consort Xian Pin, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble!”

”You’re too kind, Consort Hui Pin!”

Consort Hui Pin opened the box, which contained two bulky items wrapped in red cloth.

She was very curious but still smiled, said nothing, and closed the box.

Consort Ning was practically choking with vexation. This gift, an entire box, seemed far more presentable than her own, no matter how one looked at it. She had spent so much silver, yet hadn’t managed to outshine anyone; it felt like a complete waste. That silver amounted to hundreds of taels! How long had she saved that! Alas! Consort Ning felt as though her heart was being sliced by a knife. Only now did she realize her folly, but wasn’t it too late? She could hardly ask for the gifts back.

Next up were Consort Yun Pin and Consort Zheng Pin; one gave a set of hairpins, and the other a full outfit.

Consort Hui Pin thanked each in turn.

Then came the Honored Ladies.

Among them, the gifts varied even more significantly. Those who were favored managed to offer something decent, while those out of favor truly had little to nothing to present.

After all, their stipends were barely enough for living; without favor and rewards, where would they get anything to offer?

So, several people gave gifts that the Emperor had bestowed during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Consort Hui Pin didn’t pick and choose; she simply smiled and acknowledged all of them.

Everyone thus felt at ease.

After presenting their gifts, the group began their meal.

The young performers departed, and two female storytellers were called up.

Everyone enjoyed their meal while watching with interest.

The food before Xia Ruqing was neither particularly enjoyable nor distasteful to her—just unremarkably ordinary.

Anyway, she wasn’t hungry, and after a few bites, she began to watch the storytelling.

Suddenly, she felt that something was amiss.

Her gaze shifted, looking in another direction, and she happened to catch sight of Honored Lady Cheng covering her mouth with a handkerchief, looking utterly pale.

Huh? What’s going on here?

Consort Hui Pin was the first to notice and promptly sent someone to inquire.

The Empress saw it as well.

Since Consort Hui Pin had already sent someone, the Empress refrained from asking further.

But... from that moment on, she began to observe Honored Lady Cheng!

At the same time, a suspicion formed in her heart. Could it be... she’s pregnant? She does look like she has morning sickness!

Xia Ruqing had the same thought, though... no one voiced it out loud.

In the end, Consort Hui Pin couldn’t ascertain the truth, as Honored Lady Cheng, white-faced, simply claimed she had eaten something bad.

Therefore, it wasn’t appropriate for the others to press further.

So everyone held onto their suspicions, continuing to dine and watch the performance.

「Later that afternoon, on the way back」

Xia Ruqing thought, If Honored Lady Cheng is indeed with child, it could be considered good news! It’s certainly better than if the Empress were pregnant. But... as a mere Honored Lady, can Cheng protect her child? That remains an unknown. Furthermore, even if the child is safely born, will it end up being raised elsewhere? These are all problems! Alas! In the palace, life is difficult for everyone!

「As evening approached and lanterns were lit in Jiaofang Hall」

After the evening meal, the Empress was attending to the Little Princess in the west wing.

Sister Ji entered from outside and greeted her with a bow. ”Empress!”

The Empress gestured for silence and looked at her. ”Is there any news? Sister, let’s speak outside.” After saying this, the Empress went out. She then returned to the inner chamber, and Sister Ji followed.

”It looks likely, Your Majesty, but I can’t be sure!”

”I had Servants inquire. It seems it’s been about half a month, and her monthly courses haven’t arrived!”

The Empress’s gaze narrowed. Her fists tightened, then relaxed, and finally tightened again.

Is this... she mused. That idiot, Honored Lady Jiang! If Honored Lady Jiang were pregnant, I could have easily taken the child to raise myself. But Honored Lady Cheng... this woman has quietly received the Emperor’s favor several times already. She’s not simple! Perhaps the Emperor is even protecting her behind the scenes! Just like Lady Xia. This... this is difficult to deal with!

”Your Majesty, shall we...” Sister Ji made a throat-cutting gesture.

The Empress frowned. ”No! Absolutely not! The Emperor has just entrusted the Little Princess to my care!”

”We cannot be involved in such matters here anymore!”

”The Emperor said that if I don’t seize this last opportunity, never mind the Little Princess’s fate, even my position as Empress might be...”

”No! Absolutely not!”

The Empress leaned back on the soft couch. It would be best to find someone else to do the dirty work. But if that doesn’t work... I will have to think of another way!

Sister Ji nodded. ”What Your Majesty says is true!”

「Qingya Residence」

Little Bun had started walking, and Xia Ruqing put on the little socks and shoes she had made for him.

He was wobbly and unsteady, but finally, he could run around the house.

After learning to walk, the first thing Little Bun did was... chase Da Bai and Little White all over the house.

He couldn’t catch up before, but now... at last, he could!

As Xia Ruqing watched Little Bun and the two cats scampering around the room, she put a hand to her forehead and looked skywards. This... feels like the nightmare is just beginning!

Sister Huang stepped forward to comfort her. ”Your Highness, you’re still fortunate!”

”In the homes of ordinary people, if they could raise a few boys, they’d practically tear the house down!”

Xia Ruqing knew Sister Huang wasn’t exaggerating at all.

So she just sighed. ”What can I do? I’m at a loss too!”

Sister Huang just smiled without saying a word.

Zi Yue was sewing in the room. Her body had not yet fully recovered, so she could only do light chores like mending.

Xia Ruqing sent Little Bun off to the wetnurse and returned to the inner chamber.

With nothing much to do, she picked up a play script and started reading.

She discovered that these ancient play scripts, full of unofficial histories, were far more exciting than modern melodramas.

Stories of poor scholars in love with rich young ladies, of wealthy landlords and their romantic escapades with eighteen concubines.

Tales of demons and ghosts, Imperial secrets—the variety was endless.

There were stories about everything, and recently Xia Ruqing had become completely hooked on them.

Day by day, she would just read them, sometimes even forgetting to eat.

Zi Su and Zi Ning stood aside, looking somewhat worried.

The two started to discuss.