A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 716: Chapter 716 Despicable

Xia Ruqing’s face glowed with a flush as she nodded. ”Indeed, the weather today is fairly pleasant, not too hot!”

”Then let’s go. Let’s pack our things and take a stroll!”

”Yes...” Zi Yue responded.

In the inner chamber, Zi Su and Zi Ning efficiently packed up everything. The master and her servants left the house.

This time, Xia Ruqing made sure to bring plenty of items.

It was the same pavilion. Upon arriving, she spread out her drawing paper. Drinking tea and enjoying the scenery, she mixed her paints and began to draw. Zhao Junyao had taught her for a while, and she practiced whenever she could. Although she couldn’t produce any masterpieces yet, her work had begun to take shape.

She was not in a hurry. Grinding ink, mixing colors, laying paper, applying the brush. Each stroke was tidy and measured, neither slow nor hasty.

On the surface, she appeared entirely serene and at ease. But inside, she felt somewhat uncertain.She was waiting for someone, waiting for a trap.A trap set by others, just waiting for her to jump in.

There was no need to rush. If they didn’t come today, she would wait a day. If not in two days, she would wait two days.After all, she had plenty of time.

Those who want to harm me... We’re not in a rush; I’ll play this slow game with you all!

Time passed quickly. Half a Shi Chen went by. There was still no movement in the pavilion. Xia Ruqing’s painting was nearly complete.

Just when she thought that person wouldn’t come today, that familiar figure once again entered her line of sight. Still clad in purple robes, still that figure so much like Zhao Junyao’s.

As expected, he had come!

Zhao Junqi made his appearance.

From afar, Xia Ruqing saw him and put down her brush to approach and pay respects. ”Crown Prince Yan!”

In fact, given her status, she was not required to offer a formal greeting. But, after all, as relatives by marriage who rarely saw each other, politeness was essential.

Zhao Junqi was slightly shorter than Zhao Junyao. His looks were somewhat similar to Zhao Junyao’s, but his movements and demeanor were vastly different. Zhao Junyao carried the air of an emperor who ruled over all, while Zhao Junqi resembled an ordinary wastrel from a noble family. His frame was thin, slightly slouching and hunchbacked. His complexion was not very good, looking a bit like... kidney deficiency, or perhaps too much indulgence.

However, he was still of the Royal Family’s Offspring and possessed a reasonably handsome face. Trained in martial arts, he knew a bit of the trivial frills like light footwork. So, he appeared somewhat stronger than the average foppish scion. Dressed in a princely robe embroidered with python patterns, he indeed carried a bit of a dashing and spirited air.

Xia Ruqing secretly thought, Probably enough to deceive some naive and innocent young girls!

Meanwhile, Zhao Junqi stopped nearby. His gaze slid over Xia Ruqing, from top to bottom, to her protruding belly, and then he averted his eyes. ”Turns out it is Consort Xian!”

Xia Ruqing felt a chill, but still suppressed her discomfort and said, ”The weather is nice today, so I came out for a stroll. I didn’t expect to encounter Master Prince here—my oversight! Since that’s the case, I shall take my leave now. Enjoy your walk, Master Prince!”

Zhao Junqi, seeing her about to leave, grew anxious. ”Ah...”

Xia Ruqing feigned doubt. ”Is there something else, Master Prince?”

Zhao Junqi looked at her, wanting to say something, yet not knowing what to say! He became frustrated. Unable to help himself, he blurted out, ”I just saw Consort Xian painting here, and as it happens, I also have a fondness for it. May I... have a look?”

Xia Ruqing immediately frowned. ”No!” Having said this, she added an explanation. ”It’s nothing more than a casual doodle, hardly a piece of art. Moreover... it is my personal belonging; it wouldn’t be appropriate to share! Please forgive me, Master Prince!” Xia Ruqing spoke with restraint.

In her heart, however, she was rolling her eyes incessantly.Damn it, this person really harbored such thoughts.Who would have thought that there were such beasts in the Royal Family!

What a damn eye-opener!Zhao Junqi was rejected, but he still wouldn’t give up. This was such a rare and excellent opportunity; he really didn’t want to miss out. After much thought, he blurted out again, ”Consort Xian, did you like the Yellow Jade Hairpin from last time? And the painting I sent to Consort Xian as well...”

Xia Ruqing was greatly shocked upon hearing this. ”It was really you who sent them?!”

Zhao Junqi nodded. ”Indeed. If Consort Xian likes it, I can paint more for Consort Xian! I never expected Consort Xian to enjoy painting as well. If there’s something I don’t understand in the future, may I come to ask Consort Xian’s guidance?”

Xia Ruqing was quite angry. She took a deep breath, looked around, and then managed to force a not-too-stiff smile. ”That’s inappropriate! I am one of the Consorts, and you, Master Prince, are the Emperor’s cousin! As aunt and nephew by marriage, we should maintain propriety. Please understand, Master Prince!”

After saying that, Xia Ruqing added, ”The wind here is strong, and it’s not suitable to stay long. Please excuse me for leaving!”

After finishing her words, Xia Ruqing made to leave with her entourage. Zhao Junqi, seeing no other option, once again blocked her way. ”Consort Xian!”

Xia Ruqing’s gaze was chilling. ”What do you want to do? If you don’t leave now, I will call for help!”

”Consort Xian!” Zhao Junqi looked puzzled. ”I merely wish to discuss painting with Consort Xian!”

Xia Ruqing was speechless. Discuss my foot!

After going back and forth for a long time, Xia Ruqing was getting tired. Just as she was unsure of how to extricate herself, suddenly, a rush of footsteps came from afar. Before Xia Ruqing could react, she heard a loud shout.

”Consort Xian, how dare you! To secretly meet with a man here and cause a disturbance in the palace!”

Xia Ruqing looked in that direction. There she saw Noble Concubine Shih hurrying over with a large group of people.

”Consort Xian, you have such gall, to be caught red-handed by me! What do you have to say for yourself now!”

Xia Ruqing was stunned by the situation before her. She looked at Noble Concubine Shih with a puzzled expression, her face a mask of ’shock!’ ”Oh my, Noble Consort, what are you talking about? In broad daylight, you can’t just make wild accusations without evidence!”

Noble Concubine Shih gave a cold smile. ”Making wild accusations? Consort Xian, don’t think that you can intimidate me with your eloquence! You’re secretly meeting with Crown Prince Yan, and every Palace Attendant here can testify. Yet you accuse me of making baseless claims! HAHA... Lady Xia, you’re facing death, and you still dare to be stubborn?!”

Xia Ruqing saw Noble Concubine Shih’s arrogant demeanor and smirked inwardly. Outwardly, however, she still feigned indignation and argued with her. ”What secret meeting? This is the Imperial Garden! Noble Concubine Shih, you must stop spouting nonsense!”

As expected, Noble Concubine Shih sneered again. ”Whether it’s nonsense or not isn’t for me to say. It’s for all the Servants in the palace to acknowledge!”

”Acknowledge? Noble Concubine Shih, you must be joking. Without any proof, I absolutely refuse to acknowledge anything!” Xia Ruqing retorted with a cold laugh.

Noble Concubine Shih seemed very confident. ”Oh, really? Yet I’ve received a report that Consort Xian—my dear sister—and Crown Prince Yan are having an illicit affair. It also states there are tokens of your affair hidden in your Qingya Residence! Do you dare let us search?!”

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing’s expression immediately ’changed.’ ”Tokens?”

Seeing this, Noble Concubine Shih laughed loudly. ”HAHAHA, Lady Xia, are you scared now! But don’t worry. In consideration of you bearing heirs for the Emperor, I will ensure you have a whole corpse! By the way, don’t worry about the child in your womb. I will take good care of it!”