A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 550: Chapter 550 Silence Like the Chill Cicadas

It was from the Emperor himself that the word had come, and it could not be ignored!

「...」

After leaving the Jiaofang Hall of the Empress, Zhao Junyao had intended to go to Qingya Residence. After a moment’s thought, however, he decided to head back to Zhaochen Palace.

No sooner had he sat down in the Imperial Study Room than Li Shengan came to report, ”Emperor, Imperial Doctor Zhang requests an audience!”

Li Shengan had kept Zhaochen Palace tightly secured, preventing the Empress from getting any news. Only then did Imperial Doctor Zhang dare to come. Zhao Junyao pondered for a moment and then called him in. He, too, had sensed something amiss, which was why he had turned back.

Imperial Doctor Zhang knelt before the Emperor, respectfully saying, ”Emperor, Honored Lady Cheng seems to have the pulse of pregnancy, only... the term is too short, less than a month, and I... dare not confirm it!”

Zhao Junyao nodded. Just as I suspected.

Li Shengan’s heart was stirring with turmoil. Honored Lady Cheng is truly fortunate, almost rivaling Consort Xian Pin!

A moment later, Zhao Junyao instructed, ”Pay close attention, and don’t let anyone interfere!”

He indeed needed a child now. Having just one Prince was too conspicuous, and it truly scared him! If anything were to happen, what would be the use of killing all the women in the harem? Could it bring life back? So now, he really hoped someone else would share the attention, to divert those prying eyes from Qingqing. That would make her life easier, wouldn’t it? And the child’s too! This is good! Honored Lady Cheng, not bad!

Zhao Junyao suddenly curled his lips into a smile, feeling as if a great weight had abruptly lifted from his heart!

He then gave another instruction, ”There’s no need to spread the word for the moment. Since she’s having stomach issues, you should go and check her pulse more often!”

Imperial Doctor Zhang clearly understood the meaning. He immediately acknowledged the order and withdrew.

「...」

Lady Cheng was pregnant, which did please the Emperor somewhat, but since it was not announced, nobody knew about it. Imperial Doctor Zhang had told the Emperor to his face it was merely a stomach upset. Who would then disbelieve it? Who would dare deceive the Emperor?

When they heard it was just a stomach upset, the Concubines of the harem heaved sighs of relief. They prayed in secret, hoping that they would be the ones to gain favor and bear a Prince.

The Empress was quite expectant. Though the Emperor hadn’t touched her for so long, Having taken such good care of the Third Princess, surely the Emperor will grant me some consideration? He is about to come around, isn’t he? With this thought, she felt a flicker of anticipation.

「...」

October 16th was the Empress’s Thousand Autumns Banquet. Zhao Junyao did show her consideration, spending the night of the 15th in the Empress’s Jiaofang Hall. By all accounts, this should have been a joyous occasion, yet the Empress could not feel any joy.

The reason was that, before going to sleep, the Emperor had suggested that the Little Princess’s name should be decided by Shih Jieyu. This was like a thunderclap, splintering the spark of hope that had just ignited in the Empress’s heart. The Empress was stunned for a long while before she could muster a smile more pained than tearful. ”Of course!”

Zhao Junyao immediately laughed. ”The Empress is kind-hearted; they will remember your goodness!”

With that said, the Empress could no longer voice her discontent; she had to swallow her grievances. Zhao Junyao surely knew she was displeased, but he pretended not to see. After praising the Empress and lauding her as ’virtuous and gentle,’ he proceeded to undress and get into bed.

The Empress hurriedly came forward to attend to him. Taking the clothes the Emperor had removed, she handed them to a Palace Maid to be carefully folded. The air was dry, so the Empress personally brought tea to moisten the Emperor’s throat before sleep. Zhao Junyao accepted the tea, and after a few sips, he lay down contentedly.

Once the Empress finished her duties, she too undressed and got into bed. The bed curtains were drawn, and Yu Lan moved the lamp outside. The inner chamber suddenly grew dark, lit only by the moonlight streaming in. The air was so quiet they could hear each other’s breath.

Turning her head, the Empress caught the Emperor’s handsome profile in the moonlight. My husband not only rules the world but is also... truly good-looking! she thought, pleased, yet her pleasure was tinged with sorrow. Does he truly have no place for me in his heart at all? Even if he doesn’t love me, after I’ve given so much, the Emperor should offer some consolation. Things can’t just go on in this awkward, ambiguous state. If he wanted me to be the Empress, how could he let me feel so insecure? But how stable can an Empress be without a Prince? On further thought... it seems the Emperor has no intention of giving me a child! When he visits, he doesn’t touch me. What does that mean? The Emperor’s thoughts are so hard to fathom!

The Empress clutched the blankets tightly. After much inner turmoil, she finally made up her mind. I have to take the initiative! I can no longer wait. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least I have to bring it up. The Emperor wouldn’t grow tired of me over such a trivial matter. We are husband and wife, after all!

With that thought, the Empress turned to face Zhao Junyao. She reached out, lightly pressing her hand on his chest, and spoke softly, ”Emperor, Your Concubine...”

Zhao Junyao’s gaze suddenly turned cold. ”It’s late, and we have to rise early tomorrow!” With those words, he subtly moved the Empress’s hand from his chest.

Feeling another rejection coming, the Empress blurted out in panic, ”Emperor, Your Concubine desires a child! Emperor, in the Palace... several of the other concubines already have children, Your Concubine...”

Zhao Junyao replied unhurriedly, ”Doesn’t the Empress already have a child?”

The Little Princess? The Empress was shocked. Could it be that the Emperor intends to appease me with a daughter born by a Jieyu? Impossible! I want a Prince. I desire to have my own biological Crown Prince, or at the very least, to be given one to raise. The Central Palace without a son, the Empress’s position is ultimately unstable!

”Emperor...” The Empress was quite reluctant and wanted to say more. But at one glance from Zhao Junyao, she fell silent as if stricken by the cold.

The room returned to silence. They slept in the same bed, yet it felt as though an endless sea lay between them. The Empress sighed. Not daring to move, she lay stiffly for half the night before finally, at some unknown hour, falling asleep.

「The next morning」

The Emperor got up to attend court. Naturally, the Empress had to rise and serve him. After seeing the Emperor off, she felt extremely weary.

Sister Ji came forward and said, ”Your Majesty, it’s still early. Why don’t you rest a while longer?”

The Empress sighed and, supported by Sister Ji, reclined on the couch. I feel so weary, but... what can be done?

「...」

It was the day of the Empress’s Qianqiu Festival. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Kitchen had long been prepared. In the courtyard of Jiaofang Hall, workers had started setting up the stage early in the morning. The weather was good today; they definitely had to put on a grand show!

「Qingya Residence」

Xia Ruqing was still asleep when Zi Su and Zi Ning roused her. Zi Yue stood by.

”Mistress, let this servant comb your hair!” Zi Yue said. Her body had mostly recovered. She no longer showed any abnormality in her walk, though she couldn’t move too quickly. Going back and forth serving tea and water was out of the question, but she could manage combing hair.

Xia Ruqing nodded agreeably. ”What style should we go for?”

She thought for a moment. ”Whatever is simple and elegant! Oh, and it’s best if I don’t have to wear those very heavy hairpins!”