A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 588: Chapter 588 Palace Banquet

Xia Ruqing had just finished her makeup when news arrived from the front.

”The Emperor has returned to the palace!”

”My lady, it’s about time for us to leave as well!”

Xia Ruqing nodded.

”It’s too cold outside, and it will be crowded and chaotic there, so the Imperial Son needn’t go!”

”Sister Huang, Sister Jiang, please take him to play; the little dog is there too!”

”He won’t cry or fuss. Just let him play for a while and put him to sleep early!”

Staying up for the New Year’s vigil is for adults. Children are still growing and need not observe the vigil.

”Yes!” Sister Huang and Sister Liang both assented.

Only then did Xia Ruqing leave with peace of mind.

She was dressed in an apricot-red palace gown made of Yunjin brocade, embroidered with large peony flowers, looking both delicate and dignified, yet without overstepping boundaries.

Atop her head, she wore the light red garnet headdress that the Emperor had previously bestowed upon her.

The phoenix crown had only three tails, appropriate for her rank.

She had apricot-colored tourmaline tassels dangling from her ears, and her wrist was adorned with a delicate and glossy red coral bracelet.

Around her neck hung a necklace of fine and lustrous persimmon-red carnelian.

Her feet were in crimson deerskin boots, appropriate for stepping outside where there was snow on the ground.

Even if she were to ride in a sedan chair, boots were necessary to avoid getting her shoes wet.

However, upon arrival, she would have to change her boots for the pair of rose-red brocade embroidered palace shoes Zi Yue had brought for her.

The shoes were inlaid with a circle of yellow-bean-sized pearls, both precious and opulent.

This complete ensemble, while not utterly priceless, was genuinely dazzling and noble.

But this suited her current status. She was the mother of the Crown Prince, a favored consort cherished above all others, holding the rank of a Third Rank Imperial Concubine.

How else should she dress, if not like this? She certainly couldn’t appear shabby.

The image of a fresh, wild chrysanthemum was for the Emperor’s eyes and her own comfort.

When it was time to establish her prestige and enhance her standing, her image had to be impeccable.

Otherwise, people might think she possessed nothing of value, assuming she came from a humble background!

「...」

This year’s palace banquet was held in Ninghe Hall.

Xia Ruqing, seated in her warm sedan chair, traveled unhurriedly through the Imperial Garden, heading towards Ninghe Hall.

By the time she arrived, all nine Honored Ladies had already gathered.

Shih Jieyu had also just arrived.

With the Empress back in the palace, her duty to care for the Third Princess was completed.

Xia Ruqing looked over and saw her eyes were slightly red-rimmed. Presumably, she had been crying.

Alas!

If she had known it would come to this, why hadn’t she been willing to contend for her position earlier?

In the palace, if you don’t fight for what’s yours, plenty of others are willing to. Are you just going to yield?

Yielding and yielding, and now she couldn’t even raise her own daughter.

The thought alone was tragic.

Xia Ruqing felt fortunate she wasn’t so naive.

When it was time for her to contend, she had to be ruthless.

”Consort Xian Pin, Your Highness!,” Shih Jieyu curtsied.

”Please, rise!”

The two exchanged polite greetings.

The group of Honored Ladies also rose, and then everyone sat down.

Moments later, Consort Ning arrived, leading The Eldest Princess.

All rose to pay their respects and then sat down again.

Consort Ning, leading The Eldest Princess, sat down in front of Xia Ruqing.

She took in Xia Ruqing’s attire from head to toe, and her eyes widened in astonishment.

All these fine items... could they all have been gifted by the Emperor?

A mere Pin-rank consort dressed even better than herself—what kind of logic was that?

Yet, upon closer examination, everything was according to the rules. The garments and jewelry, their color and style—none overstepped the mark. She couldn’t find a single fault to critique.

So, after glaring at her a few times, she no longer wanted to look.

After a while, the Noble Consort arrived.

Following her were the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Several Imperial Noble Consorts and Princess Consorts, who had come from afar to be in the capital, also arrived together.

At the head of the group, the Empress supported the Empress Dowager as they slowly walked in.

The crowd hurriedly knelt to pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager was all smiles.

”This old lady doesn’t come out often, so quickly get up. Today is the New Year, so there’s no need for such formality!”

”Thank you, Empress Dowager.” The people rose to their feet.

The Empress Dowager was exceptionally amiable today.

She looked left and right, carefully inquiring after everyone in the Harem whose name she could recall.

Appearing just like a kind and benevolent elder.

This actually moved Xia Ruqing a little.

AHEM, am I being too sentimental?

After the speeches, the banquet formally began.

It goes without saying that there was music and dancing, and everything was extravagant and magnificent.

However, sitting there was a bit uncomfortable. The Phoenix Crown was too heavy, and the clothes were too stiff. It wasn’t cozy at all.

Xia Ruqing bore it with patience, thinking to herself: It’s good that Little Bun didn’t come.

At the same time, she prayed for it to end quickly.

「...」

Meanwhile, the Taihe Hall in the front palace was also bustling with excitement.

Royal Clan members and trusted ministers.

There were quite a few people in attendance.

This year, several old Imperial Uncles, even Prince Yan and the Princely Heir, had arrived. The gathering was very complete.

Zhao Junyao was delighted and repeatedly raised his cup.

He showed particular deference to Prince Yan.

”Imperial Uncle, I hear your legs are much improved. You were even able to come to the capital this year! Congratulations!”

Prince Yan also hastened to raise his cup.

”Thanks to the Emperor’s gracious affection, my manor has good medicine and also a good Imperial Physician. The climate in Guangnan is suitable, so I’ve gradually managed to get somewhat better!”

”At least... the journey to the capital is no longer painful!”

In previous years, the pain was unbearable whenever it turned cold!

Zhao Junyao gave a hearty laugh.

Beside him, Zhao Junqi also laughed.

”Your Majesty doesn’t know, but my father’s life is quite delightful now. He goes out fishing, basks in the sunlight, and occasionally, when he’s in the mood, he even swings the great saber around!”

Before he could finish, Prince Yan, somewhat embarrassed, interrupted him.

”My son speaks carelessly, Your Majesty. Please don’t mind him!”

Zhao Junyao listened with great interest and said with a laugh,

”Imperial Uncle, don’t be a stranger. We are all family here!”

Prince Yan quickly expressed his humility.

”Your Majesty is too gracious! This humble servant wouldn’t dare presume!”

Zhao Junyao just smiled and didn’t press the matter.

However, after Zhao Junqi had a few cups of wine, his tongue loosened, and he began to ask candidly,

”Imperial Brother, is Her Majesty the Empress Dowager in good health? I haven’t had a chance to pay her respects since arriving in the capital!”

”Imperial Brother, I heard you now have a Prince. I, too, want to see if he resembles you.”

”Imperial Brother... has a Little Princess recently been added to the Imperial Family?”

”If there’s a chance, I’d like to see them as well!”

As he said this, his expression was quite sorrowful.

(Later, Zhao Junyao learned upon inquiring that there was also a little girl in Zhao Junqi’s household. She was born to a concubine and died not long after birth; she had been quite a beautiful child. No wonder he felt saddened.)

Zhao Junyao then said with a smile,

”You’re envious, aren’t you?”

Zhao Junqi, his words slurred from the wine, replied,

”Isn’t that so, Imperial Brother? I also want... I also want to have a son soon!”

Zhao Junyao laughed.

”If that’s the case, then I will arrange a marriage for you. You can properly marry an Imperial Concubine and have a good few children. Wouldn’t that be good?”

Hearing this, Zhao Junqi immediately looked as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

”Imperial Brother!”

”My Imperial Concubine must absolutely not be chosen through an arranged marriage! I must choose her myself! Only then... can we live happily together!”

After all, she would be the one to accompany him for a lifetime; how could he carelessly decide!

”Alright, alright. Your Imperial Uncle can’t be bothered to manage your affairs, and I want to be bothered even less!”

”It wouldn’t affect me even if you remained unmarried for your entire life!”