A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 792: Chapter 792: The First Day

”Emperor?”

Xia Ruqing was groggy.

Zhao Junyao didn’t answer. He rose, took off his outer robe, and slipped under the bedcovers.

Feeling a source of warmth approaching, Xia Ruqing, without even opening her eyes, snuggled closer.

Then, like a cat finding its haven, she contentedly chose a comfortable spot, squinted, and drifted back to sleep.

Zhao Junyao was somewhat taken aback as he looked at the petite woman in his arms, her body slightly cool.

The faint scent of medicine emanating from her lingered at the tip of his nose.

His heart softened into a puddle, and he felt a touch of heartache.

With her kind nature, not competing or clamoring for favor, how did she become utterly wicked in the Empress Dowager’s eyes!

She’s weak from childbirth, and I can’t even bear to let her suffer the slightest fatigue or injustice. How could the Empress Dowager be so heartless?!

The woman I cherish and pamper, when did it become anyone else’s place to bully her?

The more Zhao Junyao thought about it, the angrier he became. His eyes flashed with an icy light, his body tensed, and the atmosphere turned sharply cold.

Xia Ruqing whimpered uncomfortably and turned over.

He quickly snapped back to his senses, suppressed the chill around him, and gently patted her back.

Only then did Xia Ruqing’s frown relax slightly. She let out a silly smile and drifted back to sleep.

Zhao Junyao smiled helplessly.

”Oh, you!”

But he, too, felt relieved and closed his eyes.

I still have to offer sacrifices to the ancestors early tomorrow morning. I might as well get some sleep.

「The day gradually brightened.」

The ancestral worship ceremony took place at Fengxian Hall, located in the southeast corner of Taihe Hall.

Zhao Junyao had gone early in the morning, accompanied by the Princes and the Royal Clan.

The Consorts had left even earlier.

Moreover, they were not permitted to enter Fengxian Hall and could only worship from outside.

So, today was the one time they wouldn’t bother dressing up, even if the Emperor was present.

After all, it’s our own bodies, isn’t it?

If we catch a chill, the Emperor won’t feel sorry for us; we’ll be the ones to suffer. Why bother?!

「At Qingya Residence.」

When Xia Ruqing woke up, it was already broad daylight.

She was groggy for a good while before she remembered that today was the first day of the month.

She immediately panicked.

”Zi Yue? Someone!”

Zi Yue, hearing the commotion, hurried in.

”Mistress, are you awake?”

As Xia Ruqing threw off the covers and climbed out of bed, she complained, ”Why didn’t you wake me? What Shi Chen is it now? They’re still offering sacrifices at the front! It would be terrible if I’m late!”

Zi Yue just smiled.

”Your Highness, there’s no need to panic. The Emperor said you don’t need to go anywhere today; just rest at home and recuperate!”

”Ah?”

Xia Ruqing’s heart relaxed, and she felt a surge of secret joy.

”Really?”

Zi Yue nodded. ”Of course!”

Xia Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down on the bed.

”Phew! That really scared me to death just now!”

The ancients placed great importance on clan worship. If I were really late, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone accused me tomorrow of being unvirtuous, unfilial, and of low character.

The past wasn’t like the present; a woman with a bad reputation could be drowned by gossip.

Truly, the more I think about it, the more terrifying it seems.

”Actually... my body is almost completely recovered. Even if I got a little cold, it would be manageable. I probably wouldn’t get a high fever again!”

Zi Yue tucked the covers around her and said, ”Your Highness, you should still focus on recuperating!”

”The ancestors wouldn’t want to see someone who is ill attending either! Other Consorts who were sick have also skipped it before!”

”Oh, so that’s how it is!”

Xia Ruqing nodded, feeling thoroughly relieved.

This way, no one should be able to say I’m acting spoiled because I’m favored, right? After all, it’s not like I’m the only one absent.

”If I had known this earlier, why would I have worried so much! It would have been much better to just ask for leave and not go!”

Zi Yue smiled.

”Actually, I didn’t know before either. It was Eunuch Li who said that one could be excused if ill!”

Xia Ruqing asked again, ”Then why haven’t I seen anyone skip it before? It seems like everyone always attended!”

I remember once there was an Honored Lady, as weak as she was, still persisting in kneeling there. What was she hoping to gain?

Zi Yue looked at her and shook her head helplessly.

”My Lady, you truly are...”

”Those Honored Ladies rarely see the Emperor even once a month. If they miss this rare chance to be noticed, wouldn’t that mean they lose even that tiny opportunity?”

”Ohh,” Xia Ruqing nodded slightly. ”I see, it’s a case of ’the drunkard’s heart is not in the cup.’”

I’ve really been spoiled by Zhao Junyao. Why do I suddenly feel like I’m having a ’why not eat minced meat?’ moment?!

”Alright, My Lady, don’t overthink it!” Zi Yue said.

”The three young Princes aren’t here, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just sleep a little longer!”

Xia Ruqing nodded, snuggled under the covers, nuzzled into them, and indeed closed her eyes.

Since I’ve said I’m ill and not going anywhere, I should at least look the part, shouldn’t I?

Even though lying in bed all day is incredibly boring and uncomfortable, it’s still much better than going to Ningshou Palace and Xifu Palace. Not going is perfect! I’m actually quite pleased about it!

Zi Yue watched as her mistress fell asleep in seconds.

She was somewhat speechless, even a little impressed, and shook her head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

”My Lady, oh, My Lady, you truly are... blessed to eat well, drink well, sleep well, with few worries and abundant good fortune!”

Xia Ruqing rolled over to face the wall. Zi Yue adjusted the bed curtains and then quietly left.

「Qingya Residence once again fell quiet.」

The ancestral rites at the front lasted for two Shi Chen and only ended around noon.

The Consorts, who had been kneeling outside the entire time, were already thoroughly chilled.

Dragging their numb bodies, they then proceeded to Ningshou Palace to attend the Empress Dowager’s banquet.

Due to the large number of people and the limited space in Ningshou Palace, the banquet had to be set up in the open-air floral hall of a passageway.

That place was drafty and bitterly cold.

The dishes had barely been served before a layer of grease congealed on top.

At this point, no matter how cold or hungry they were, they had no appetite left.

After the banquet, everyone went to Xifu Palace and sat for half a Shi Chen.

In truth, they were practically forced to go.

After all, the Noble Consort was in charge of The Six Palaces, her rank equivalent to the Empress. The titled ladies dared not disobey the Empress Dowager’s wishes and thus had no choice but to attend.

By the time everything was finally over and they returned to their own residences, the Consorts were completely drained.

Upon returning, their first priority was to eat, and the second was to sleep; they were utterly exhausted and drowsy.

This New Year’s ordeal, at last, was over.

Speaking of which, Consort Xian was the lucky one. She didn’t have to endure such suffering; she hadn’t shown her face the entire day.

On the first day of the New Year, she was nestled in her own cozy little rooms, sleeping soundly. If she wanted something to eat, she’d just have the small kitchen prepare it—no need to even get out of bed.

The other ladies were truly envious, jealous, and filled with resentment!

Actually, aside from meals, Xia Ruqing really hadn’t left her bed.

She slept late into the morning, until the sun was high, then got up to have some refreshments.

Afterward, she sat cross-legged on the couch with Zi Yue and the others, doing needlework and copying scriptures.

Her midday meal was quite lavish. She had a bowl of thick beef soup and some beef bone broth, accompanied by rice noodles.

After eating, she took another nap, and when she woke again, it was already dusk.

”Tomorrow, Sister-in-law is coming to the palace. I wonder if she’ll bring my little nephew. Are the gifts all prepared?”

Zi Yue nodded and smiled. ”They were prepared long ago!”

”Whether the Little Heir comes tomorrow or not, the gifts must still be sent.”

Xia Ruqing also smiled. ”He probably won’t come. The weather is still cold, and the child is too young.”