A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 768: Chapter 768: How Beautiful

One day, Noble Concubine Shih once again visited Ningshou Palace to pay respects and accompanied the Empress Dowager to watch a play to alleviate her boredom.

During the performance, as usual, she began to complain.

”Mother, that wretched Lady Xia has monopolized the Emperor for many days.”

”The Emperor, being the ruler of this nation, is now actually bewitched by a mere consort! If this were to spread...”

”What would the people of the realm think of the Emperor?”

The Empress Dowager’s face was pale, her expression indifferent.

She leisurely sipped her tea, then smiled faintly.

”It’s no matter; she’s just one woman, after all!”

”Wanxin, you need not worry too much. I... already have a plan!”

Upon hearing this, Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes lit up.

”What plan?”

”Aunt, you truly do dote on me the most!”

”No matter what happens, you will always be on my side, right!”

After speaking, she affectionately tugged at the Empress Dowager’s sleeve and then turned back to watch the play on stage.

The Empress Dowager cast a dark gaze at the hands on her arm, and then at that triumphant face.

A smile formed in her heart. Yes, of course, I will be on your side! After all, in this world, only we share true blood ties! Luckily, my son is still here. You, of all people, must curry favor with the Emperor for me! Only then will he grant amnesty to all under heaven, won’t he? Only then can my son return! He is my only son left, and even at the risk of death, I shall protect him completely!

She mused.

The Empress Dowager, holding Noble Concubine Shih’s hand, smiled.

”I am on your side, but you must not disregard the rules!”

”Now that you are managing the affairs of The Six Palaces, as long as you remain obedient, the Imperial Son will surely not disappoint you!”

Their relationship is quite strained right now, so it’s best to behave. Don’t lose even this small amount of power you have. If that were to happen, then you would truly be worthless!

Noble Concubine Shih nodded.

”Indeed! Your servant thanks the Empress Dowager for her guidance!”

”I will certainly follow the Empress Dowager’s wishes in everything from now on and no longer act recklessly!”

The Empress Dowager was even more pleased.

”Alright, alright, you child!”

”Let’s enjoy the play! Watch the play!”

”Yes!”

「In the blink of an eye, it was the beginning of October.」

The court had been peaceful and stable ever since the end of the war with the Southern Ocean Kingdom.

In the Harem, although the atmosphere was not great, it was not too bad either.

Since the death of Prince Yan, the Empress Dowager had been sullen and dejected, but fortunately, she had the Noble Consort for company. This was how she gradually began to overcome her sorrow.

However, when the Empress Dowager fell ill, many in the Harem suspected there was a reason for it, and rumors gradually began to spread.

But the Empress Dowager had already openly declared:

’Her despondency was due to Zhao Junqi, the child she had raised as her own since his childhood, being exiled!’

’She watched him grow up with her own eyes!’

’Now that he has ended up exiled beyond the pass, how could she possibly be happy?!’

After some discussion, everyone felt it was a plausible explanation.

”Exactly!”

”I heard long ago that Crown Prince Yan, our Noble Consort, and even the Emperor grew up together. The Empress Dowager has always doted on them with all her heart!”

”They grew up in the palace, and whatever they wanted to eat or play with, they received the same things!”

”The Empress Dowager has long regarded them as her own children!”

”Considering this, their deep affection isn’t without reason!”

”No wonder the Empress Dowager has been so gloomy these many days!”

Everyone nodded and refrained from further discussion; in truth, they dared not.

Besides the Empress Dowager’s matter, there was nothing else of note happening in the Harem.

Originally, the Jiayuan Seventh Year was supposed to have a selection of consorts, but due to the war with the Southern Ocean Kingdom, this matter was set aside, and no one brought it up again.

Of course, this was probably the Emperor’s intention. Otherwise... who would dare delay the selection of consorts?

「Within Qingya Residence.」

Xia Ruqing was terribly busy.

These two little ancestors could out-cry anyone, especially when they were hungry; their wails were deafening. The entire Qingya Residence seemed to be enduring a catastrophe!

Several Wetnurse Nannies and Sisters tried to soothe them, but to no avail; they only wanted their mother.

Xia Ruqing had no choice but to stay by their side, not moving an inch! Even the Wetnurse Nannies and Sisters could go down to rest, but she could not.

Sometimes, even when the Emperor came, Xia Ruqing was too busy to have a cup of tea with him.

This left Xia Ruqing utterly exhausted. Even Zhao Junyao wasn’t keen on visiting anymore.

Of course, his reluctance to visit didn’t mean he sought others; rather, it meant... he preferred to take her away!

That’s right!

He would directly whisk her away, and the two of them would go to Zhaochen Palace to rest for a while.

Every time this happened, Xia Ruqing loved to linger there and not leave. Because once she went back, those two little ones would stare at her constantly, clinging to her! They almost wished they could make room in their cradles for her to lie down too, so she could watch over them constantly.

Sigh! Xia Ruqing felt utterly helpless.

”Emperor, Your sons are truly too much, keeping me confined day in and day out!”

”When will I ever be freed from this!”

”I truly wish I had a daughter. If I had two daughters, I wonder how many times more well-behaved they would be!”

”Ah! What a pity!”

Zhao Junyao rubbed her head while he read his book.

”Alright! I’ve made a note of it. How about tonight...”

Xia Ruqing quickly dodged.

”Emperor, please don’t tease me; I’m really not in the mood at all!!”

Zhao Junyao just laughed.

”Alright, I’ll stop. Be good now. If you don’t want to go back, then stay here for the night.”

”Those two little scamps aren’t that delicate!”

”Let them cry if they want to cry, and fuss if they want to fuss. You mustn’t spoil them!”

To Xia Ruqing, these words were like music from heaven.

She clung to Zhao Junyao like an octopus, her face alight with excitement.

”Emperor, can I really stay here tonight?”

”Is it truly alright?”

”Won’t others see me as a bewitching consort who misleads the Emperor and deal with me as such?”

Zhao Junyao hadn’t minded her words until this point. Hearing them now, he frowned, a puzzled look on his face.

”Qingqing... where did you learn these phrases?”

He had never heard such phrases before.

Xia Ruqing quickly covered her mouth. Oh no! These are all lines from operas; how could I use them to question the Emperor? I must be tired of living!

Xia Ruqing quickly apologized.

”Emperor, I... I was wrong. I won’t talk nonsense anymore!”

”From now on...”

”Never mind!”

”It’s good that you know you were wrong. Don’t mention it again!”

Zhao Junyao had intended to feign anger and tease her. But I didn’t expect to frighten her so much... hmm... it’s better to drop it.

But... a seductress of the state? She certainly has a way with words!

”Hehe! Really!” A faint smile touched Zhao Junyao’s lips.

Xia Ruqing saw that Zhao Junyao wasn’t angry, and her mind eased.

She accompanied the Emperor in the Imperial Study Room for a while as he reviewed memorials, then went by herself to the small kitchen.

Hmm, the master chefs in the small kitchen all knew her! It had been a long time since I last came. Today, my hands are itching to cook; I should personally whip up something for Zhao Junyao!

At that thought, she cheerfully set off.

「By evening.」

An unusual array of dishes covered the entire table.

Although... the presentation wasn’t remarkable, the aroma, however, was quite enticing!

Zhao Junyao felt his appetite whetted and dug in with gusto.

Of rice alone, he ate two full bowls.

After dinner, Zhao Junyao took Xia Ruqing to the palace’s hot spring bath.

A pot of fine wine and several plates of fruit were laid out.

Steam rose from the warm spring, and the beauty in his arms was like a lotus emerging from the water.

Zhao Junyao lounged by the edge of the pool, eyes half-closed, thoroughly enjoying himself.

This feeling was delightful, truly delightful!