A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 590: Chapter 590 Who Are You?

Near the Hexagonal Plum Pavilion lay a vast plum grove.

Red plum blossoms, having endured a baptism of white snow, proudly bloomed in the wintry chill. On the winding branches, clusters of red plums hung, each cradling a layer of snow as white as jade. The plum blossoms formed a continuous stretch, appearing exceptionally splendid against the backdrop of the setting sun. And those bits of white snow, sprinkled upon the expanse of petals, added a touch of graceful charm.

Xia Ruqing, wearing sheepskin boots, crunched through the snow, chatting as she walked.

”I remember, that year, when we came to the Hexagonal Plum Pavilion to admire the flowers and drink tea, we were even chased out by Consort Yun!”

Zi Yue remembered as well and remarked, ”At that time, Master was still an Honored Lady, right? We couldn’t even afford a pair of boots. I was worried you’d get your shoes wet, so I found you a pair of clogs!”

As a tide of memories surged, Xia Ruqing continued to reminisce. ”Back then, I even brought a tea set, thinking I’d enjoy tea and pastries right here!”

Now that I think about it, I really was a fool.

Drinking tea here, without even worrying about freezing to death.

Besides, where did I get the courage? Just a lowly Honored Lady, anyone in the Harem could have easily knocked me out!

How naive I was!

”Those pastries weren’t that great either. Although the Imperial Kitchen somewhat looked after us, our low rank was a clear factor!”

Zi Yue nodded. ”Now things are much better. Our days are getting better and better!”

Xia Ruqing smiled. ”Could they possibly get worse?”

Too absorbed in conversation, the master and servant didn’t see what they stepped on and nearly slipped. Xia Ruqing was luckier, only wobbling a bit.

”Ouch!” she muttered.

Zi Yue, however, took a hard slide.

”Ah!” she cried.

In her panic, she instinctively grabbed onto a tree. She had just stabilized herself when... the tree began to sway.

WHOOSH...

A shower of snowflakes fell from above. Zi Yue’s hair, clothes, skirt, and shoes were quickly covered in snow.

”Oh dear!” Zi Yue exclaimed.

Feeling an icy chill, Zi Yue hurriedly tried to move away. But in her haste, she slipped again and... fell completely to the ground!

”Zi Yue, are you alright?” Xia Ruqing instinctively reached out to help her.

”Master, don’t move!” Zi Yue cried from the ground, somewhat frantic. ”This place is slippery! It’s one thing if I fall, but you mustn’t fall too!”

As she spoke, she cautiously and slowly stood up. By now, Zi Yue’s clothes were almost completely soaked.

I deserve to die! Zi Yue thought in despair. Master only brought me along, and now I’m in this state. Should we go back or not? If we return, it’ll spoil Master’s good mood. If we don’t, Master will surely feel uneasy. Zi Yue didn’t know what to do.

Xia Ruqing looked at the sky. ”It isn’t late yet. Zi Yue, go back and change your clothes. Call Zi Su and Zi Ning to come over.”

”Master, how can I be at ease leaving you alone here?”

Xia Ruqing laughed. ”What’s there to worry about? Qingya Residence is close by. It’s just a short trip there and back, no longer than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn! Besides, it’s not dark yet! And there’s no one else in the palace besides Palace Maids and eunuchs. Can a living person like me simply get lost?”

What she said made sense. After pondering for a moment, Zi Yue could only bow. ”Then... I’ll be back quickly!”

”Go on. Have a good bowl of ginger soup when you get back!” Xia Ruqing urged her. Catching a cold on New Year’s Day would be truly unlucky.

”Yes, thank you, Master!” With that, Zi Yue walked away, looking back every few steps. Upon leaving the plum grove, she hurried back.

「...」

Xia Ruqing continued on alone. In one hand, she held a flower basket woven from bamboo strips, and in the other, a pair of scissors. Walking slowly, she looked around at her leisure. Whenever she found a particularly beautiful plum blossom, she would cut it and place it in her basket.

She became so engrossed that she forgot to watch where she was going.

The woods grew denser, and before long, she, who had no sense of direction, was hopelessly lost.

This is bad!

Xia Ruqing looked around. Dusk was approaching, and she could hardly see anything in the dim light. She tried to find her way back by following her footprints, but she couldn’t see a thing.

Panic began to set in. She hadn’t expected this grove to be so vast and so dark! How frightening!

And so, a figure clad in pure white, carrying a flower basket, wandered here and there in the deepening twilight, like a frantic, helpless butterfly.

Just as Xia Ruqing was becoming truly desperate, she turned around.

THUD!

She bumped into something very solid, like a wall.

Oh, no, that’s wrong. It was warm. Not a wall... it must be...

Startled, Xia Ruqing quickly stepped back. But, caught unawares, her feet slipped out from under her.

”Ah!” With a startled cry, her whole body tilted backward.

In that critical moment, ”the wall” quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

Xia Ruqing, who had been about to fall, suddenly felt a force pulling her forward...

”Ah!” Another cry of alarm.

She squeezed her eyes shut in fright, and finally... she found herself in an indescribable position, sprawled atop ”the wall.”

My forehead hit something hard! So painful!

Dazed and disoriented, Xia Ruqing’s mind went blank. She was unable to comprehend the situation for a long moment.

However... the person beneath her seemed to be rather enjoying it.

He had intended to stroll through the plum grove but hadn’t anticipated encountering a beauty picking plum blossoms, basket in hand, so soon after arriving. Just as he was about to approach her, she suddenly turned. An unexpected collision ensued. The beauty was startled and began to slip. Naturally, he had to play the hero and save her.

And so, by a twist of fate, the beauty ended up in his arms. He froze too.

The pure, natural fragrance that wafted from her struck his long-empty heart like a bolt of lightning.

This wasn’t the scent of cosmetics; this was the pure, natural fragrance unique to a woman!

He was utterly dumbstruck. Who was she?!

SMACK!

A sharp, crisp slapping sound broke the silence, followed by an indignant shout. ”Pervert!”

Xia Ruqing glared furiously. Having slapped his face, she quickly got up and straightened her dress.

The man instinctively covered his face, which didn’t actually hurt, and stood up as well. ”You...”

Xia Ruqing didn’t even deign to look at him as she snapped, ”You what ’you’! How can there be a man in the Harem? Who on earth are you?!”

The man just gazed at the beauty before him. Watching her flushed, angry face and listening to her crisp, melodious voice, he was transfixed. Completely lost in the moment, he paid no heed to her rebuke.

He said instinctively, ”Don’t be afraid. I... I didn’t mean it!”

His voice was deep, carrying a hint of caution. His lapis-lazuli eyes were filled with worry and concern.

Xia Ruqing glared at him. ”I’m not afraid. You’re the one who should be! Just wait until I call for people. You won’t live to see another day!”