A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 697: Chapter 697 Visit

Zhao Junyao hurried over a step ahead. First, he looked it over with disdain, then he started laughing at her.

”Qingqing...”

”You’re really too clumsy, just too clumsy!”

How could this foolish woman be so clumsy? He laughed while mercilessly throwing the paper away.

”Ah...”

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat annoyed.

”Emperor, I’ve been painting for over a month!”

How can you just throw it away?

Seeing her get a bit angry, Zhao Junyao stopped teasing her and turned to give an order.

”Li Shengan, go to Zhaochen Palace and bring over those pots of plum blossoms!”

Then he looked at Xia Ruqing. ”I will teach you how to paint!”

Xia Ruqing was extremely shocked.

”Ah?”

Li Shengan was also startled.

”Emperor!”

Who doesn’t know the Emperor’s temperament? Things given away would never be taken back. Those pots of flowers, being moved over, could it mean... they were given to Consort Xian Pin?

”Emperor, about these plum blossoms...” Xia Ruqing began. She then hurriedly continued, ”Emperor, these plum blossoms are too precious; I cannot accept them!”

Zhao Junyao was taken aback for a moment. Cursing all the ridiculous rules of the Imperial Palace in his heart! Then he cleared his throat lightly.

”I didn’t say I gave them to you! They are just for you to borrow for studying painting!”

Zhao Junyao was getting more and more annoyed with the palace regulations. Having to sneak around to give gifts to the woman he cared for! What the hell kind of world is this! He’s the Emperor, after all!

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing truly brightened up.

”Yes! I thank you, Emperor!”

He said to borrow, but he didn’t say they needed to be returned, did he? If they’re placed here, they’re hers now. How wonderful!

Alright then!

Li Shengan had nothing more to say.

Since the Emperor had commanded, then move them it is!

Before long, the plum blossoms from Zhaochen Palace were moved over.

Zhao Junyao then began to teach her to paint by hand, just as he had taught her to write. He was very patient and forceful.

His painting style was very clear and crisp, with clean strokes and sharp lines. A few simple strokes captured the proud bearing of plum blossoms braving the cold and snow. Finally, dotting the ink, placing the fallen flowers, and coloring—he completed the sequence of movements in one go.

In less than the time it took to burn half an incense stick, a simple painting took shape. On the canvas, a plum tree with proud blossoms bloomed, defying the cold snow. Each petal and the yellow stamens appeared so lifelike. One could almost smell the fragrance through the paper.

Xia Ruqing was reluctant to let go of it.

”Emperor, what you painted is truly beautiful!”

Zhao Junyao looked at what could only be called a mediocre, rushed piece and her admiring, infatuated expression. His heart ached! After all, she was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Xia Family, and the Xia Family was a literary family. Yet, she couldn’t even paint the simplest of pictures! While other young ladies in their boudoirs were learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she had been nearly starving to death! Every time he thought about these things, Zhao Junyao wanted to chop off that old fool Xia Yu’s head right away! No, one time wouldn’t suffice; he should be chopped ten or eight times to satisfy his anger!

Zhao Junyao smiled indulgently.

”If you like it, it’s all yours!”

He pointed to the painting and then to the plum blossoms.

Xia Ruqing laughed heartily.

It would be great if she could take these back, she thought. The painting might even be an antique, incredibly valuable.

Uh... The two were obviously not on the same wavelength!

...

On the first day of the lunar month, Zhao Junyao accompanied Xia Ruqing for dinner and then returned to Zhaochen Palace. With the Empress absent, he had no need to cause her any trouble.

「The second day.」

It was the time for the noble ladies’ families to visit the palace. Before, when this day arrived, Xia Ruqing generally ate and drank extravagantly or simply lazed around and slept. Now that she had something to look forward to, she naturally became more joyful.

Early in the morning, she instructed Xiao Xizi, ”Harvest more vegetables from the back garden and send them to the Imperial Kitchen. We need to prepare more dishes for noon today! And those sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and such—my sister-in-law might also like them!”

”Yes!”

”Rest assured, My Lady, we have them all!” Zi Yue said with a smile and went out.

Zi Su brought in several garments, and Zi Ning came in with water. The Palace Maids were bustling about, and soon they had Xia Ruqing all dressed up.

She wore a butterfly-blue palace dress, a white jade hairpin in her hair, silver enamel bracelets with a twisted-thread pattern on her wrists, and a necklace of red coral beads around her neck. The pair of silver sparrow earrings was also quite unique. This outfit was both elegant and valuable, yet it also had a lively touch.

After all, she was meeting her own family, so there was no need to be so serious.

Just after Xia Ruqing had finished her breakfast and waited for a short while, she heard some noises outside.

Palace Attendants came to report, ”Lady Hou has arrived!”

Xia Ruqing, overjoyed, quickly ordered someone to invite her in.

Ni Manxue performed the courtier’s salute first, while Xia Ruqing performed the family salute. She was paying respects to her sister-in-law.

”Sister-in-law, please get up!”

After saying that, Xia Ruqing led Ni Manxue to sit on the prepared stools. Tea and pastries were served.

After dismissing the servants, the two sisters-in-law began to chat about family affairs.

When Ni Manxue spoke about matters at home, a gentle smile graced her face. It was very different from the smiles of those wearing human-skin masks in the palace; her smile looked very sincere.

Speaking of Xia Caiying, she laughed and said, ”The young lady is all grown up now; we’ve hired a Teaching Sister at home. She is also diligent, and just the other day, she learned to write poetry! I asked her to come today, but she said that with so many people coming and going in the palace at this time, she didn’t want to join the bustle! It shows she has really grown up!”

Ni Manxue grew happier as she spoke, as if Caiying were her own little sister. Her father was a Military General. Although she could read, her ability to compose poetry and paint was slightly inferior, not comparable to that of young ladies from a literary family. However, she also recognized the importance of education. Reading helps one understand principles; a girl must certainly be literate.

Xia Ruqing was very pleased to hear this.

”That’s alright; it’s better she didn’t come!”

The palace isn’t very peaceful right now.

Ni Manxue nodded in agreement.

Then she spoke of Xia Jingfeng. Laughing, she said, ”Originally, when Second Master achieved the rank of Third Place Scholar, many families in the Capital City came to build connections. However, I observed that Second Master doesn’t seem to enjoy social interactions. He was indifferent to those who came to offer congratulations, spending every day reading and writing in his own courtyard. My husband said there’s no need to force it. Those people, not getting a response, would eventually stop coming. And indeed, afterwards, those people stopped coming.”

After hearing this, Xia Ruqing was startled for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

”He has been bullied since he was young and doesn’t like socializing. Thank you, Sister-in-law, for taking care of him.”

Ni Manxue hurriedly stood up.

”Your Highness is too kind! It is my duty to do so.”

The two sisters-in-law then talked about other family trivialities. And then their meeting concluded.

Before leaving, Ni Manxue took Xia Ruqing’s hand and whispered, ”My husband said there are many people and prying eyes in the palace; he told Your Highness to take good care of yourself.”

Xia Ruqing was stunned, and then a warm current swept through her heart.

Yes, she had a brother! A brother who would always protect his younger sister!

Xia Ruqing smiled happily and said, ”I understand. Sister-in-law, please have a safe trip. I’ll have someone escort you to the palace gates. By the way, my elder brother should be here to pick you up, right?”

Ni Manxue’s face turned red.

”My husband is waiting outside the palace.”