A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 693: Chapter 693: Wanyue Nunnery 2

The Empress braced herself for the worst. To her dismay, that worst-case scenario actually came to pass. Until New Year’s Eve, the Emperor hadn’t sent anyone to fetch her.

Although she had ostensibly come to terms with it, her heart still ached. ”I’ve lived so many years, yet this is the first time I’m spending the New Year in such desolation!” the Empress said bitterly.

Yu Lan, standing by her side, didn’t know how to offer consolation, so she changed the subject. ”Your Majesty, look at how heavy the snow is outside!”

The Empress’s gaze shifted towards the window.

”Indeed!”

In previous years, it never snowed this much during New Year’s, but this year the heavy snowfall had been relentless. It started on the twentieth and continued right up to New Year’s Eve.

She didn’t need to descend the mountain to know. The roads below were simply impassable.

Thus, she had even less reason to complain. Supplies truly couldn’t be delivered, she truly couldn’t return, and complaining was utterly futile!

Moreover, the food at the Nunnery was truly unpalatable. Plus, the nuns were devout Buddhists, so they didn’t celebrate the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, they went about their routine as usual, holding evening prayers and then retiring to their quarters.

The lights in the courtyards were extinguished early, and the whole compound was empty and quiet. The only audible sounds were the howling wind and the raging snowstorm outside.

No festivities, no rewards, no dumplings, and certainly none of the flattery from the many Concubines. The Empress truly had no desire to experience such a New Year. Thus, she had Yu Lan light a charcoal brazier and retired early.

Thankfully, there was enough charcoal fire. Otherwise, she absolutely couldn’t have endured the cold of the mountains!

「Meanwhile.」

The palace was still hosting the New Year’s Eve banquet. Though the Empress was absent, the Empress Dowager was present. And Zhao Junyao had given explicit instructions. ”The Empress is not here, but everything will proceed as usual!”

With that, there was nothing more to be said; after all, the New Year must go on, regardless of who was missing, mustn’t it?

In Ninghe Hall, the Empress Dowager led the Concubines in merrily enjoying the flower-viewing banquet. The flowers were plum blossoms newly cultivated by the eunuchs in the flower houses. These plum blossoms didn’t need to be planted in the gardens. A large pot about two feet in diameter and three feet tall filled with soil was all it took for them to be grown. The trunk was short, but it retained the characteristic twisting and rugged trunk of plum trees. Thanks to the skilled gardeners’ pruning and cultivation, these plum blossoms were even more delicate and spirited. They were perfect for placing indoors, adding a unique charm.

Now, there were three of these plum trees placed in Ninghe Hall. In the glossy, jade-like black pots, the most fertile black soil nourished them. The main trunk of the plum trees was as thick as a wrist, and the branches had been pruned to grow in the most beautiful shapes. The branches were adorned with just the right number of little red plum blossoms. Some were still in bud, while others proudly bloomed. They resembled vivacious young girls, proudly facing the wind with a touch of charming arrogance.

Xia Ruqing was very fond of them. She sat, chin in hand, lost in thought. How nice it would be to have one placed in my own palace!

Unfortunately, these plum blossoms were newly cultivated, and there weren’t many of them to begin with. None could be found throughout the entire Harem yet. Only the Empress Dowager’s Ningshou Palace had been bestowed with two.

As she was lost in thought, the Empress Dowager’s indifferent voice floated over. ”Consort Xian Pin, what are you thinking about?”

Xia Ruqing quickly came back to her senses. ”Replying to the Empress Dowager, this servant has never seen such flowers before and was momentarily captivated. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager!” As she said this, she rose to offer her apologies.

Noble Concubine Shih merely snorted. ”Typical of someone from a minor family, all hair and no wit!”

Xia Ruqing looked at Noble Concubine Shih’s self-satisfied face but didn’t retort. Instead, she simply smiled and said, ”This servant’s family background truly cannot compare with Your Highness’s! I hope Noble Concubine Shih can provide me with more guidance in the future!”

Although her words were respectful, astute listeners could still detect the sarcastic undertone: Of what use was an esteemed family background? With Consort Xian Pin so favored, was it Noble Concubine Shih’s place to offer guidance?

The Noble Consort’s expression instantly turned unpleasant, but in the end, she didn’t say much, just huffed and turned her head away. It was evident that after being out of favor for so long, she too had learned to be more circumspect. If she were to bully Consort Xian Pin too harshly tonight, who knew what tomorrow would hold for her? So indeed, she had become wary.

Seeing this, Ying Qiu behind her breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Her Highness doesn’t cause a scene, that’s good! If Her Highness were to pick a quarrel with Consort Xian Pin at this time, she would gain nothing!

The banquet and the New Year’s Eve vigil continued until after midnight. As midnight approached, although the actors on the stage were still singing, the people below were already extremely sleepy.

Especially Xia Ruqing. She was pregnant but had not yet made it public. So she could only brace herself and endure. The closer it drew to midnight, the more lethargic she became, eventually slumping in her chair, nearly asleep.

It was only after Zi Yue gave her sleeve a vigorous tug that she woke up. Zi Yue whispered in her ear, ”My lady, it’s almost time to eat dumplings! It’s almost over, just hang on a bit longer!”

Upon hearing that it was nearly the end, Xia Ruqing regained some energy. ”Alright!”

She said this and sat up straight, just in time to see a Little Eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen serving the dumplings one by one. The Empress Dowager’s attendant, Sister Qing, had already taken a plate to select some.

The Empress Dowager said with a beaming smile, ”There are more than twenty varieties of fillings. Everyone should quickly come and pick what you like to eat!”

Everyone hastened to get up and give thanks. ”Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, satisfied. ”No need to bother with such formalities. Come and get what you want to eat quickly; there won’t be any left if you’re late!” Her last sentence was delivered in a jesting tone.

As soon as everyone heard there were dumplings, they eagerly instructed their servants to select some. Xia Ruqing was no exception. As soon as she heard there were so many dumplings, she was immediately re-energized and promptly sent Zi Yue with a plate to choose for her!

”I want the tofu filling, and let’s try the fish, and the shrimp...” Xia Ruqing was also hungry and named several varieties in one breath.

Zi Yue carefully considered. Most of the requested items were indeed part of the Imperial Physician’s dietary supplement prescriptions for Xia Ruqing. Although these ingredients are now in dumpling form, they probably... won’t make her vomit, will they? So, after a moment’s thought, Zi Yue went to pick the dumplings for Xia Ruqing.

Sister Qing then said with a laugh, ”I heard that these dumplings are filled with good fortune. Whoever manages to find it will surely have great prosperity next year!”

Upon hearing this, the Concubines could hardly wait to start eating. However, despite eating one dumpling after another, and nearly everyone having had their fill, the so-called good fortune had yet to appear.

The Concubines glanced at Xia Ruqing’s untouched plate of dumplings. They were inwardly debating whether to abandon their composure and try another round.

But before they could act, Xia Ruqing suddenly frowned and exclaimed softly, ”OH!”

Then, in full view of everyone, she delicately spat out a gold nugget the size of a peanut! Once cleaned and inspected, a few words were visible on it: ”Fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea, blessed with both a son and a daughter!!”

Xia Ruqing immediately laughed. ”Blessed with both a son and a daughter? That’s good!”

Could it be that I’m carrying a daughter? she wondered. Then again, a daughter wouldn’t be bad at all—a genuine Princess. In the future, she could marry any Prince Consort and live a life of glory and wealth. How wonderful!