A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 795: Chapter 795: Noble Consort Xian

After that incident, Old Master Xia increasingly favored Lady Wen.

In the name of caring for his two children, he had transferred all the little authority that was in Lady Yao’s hands over to Lady Wen. He obstinately refused to leave any for Lady Yao, remaining completely unyielding no matter how much she protested.

Lady Wen did not refuse; she calmly accepted it, taking on everything that was given to her!

Old Master Xia was very satisfied with this and treated Lady Wen even better.

Lady Wen was a sensible person. She didn’t fight for power or cause trouble but diligently took care of her duties.

In my heart, though, I’ve long since become despondent towards Old Master Xia. The young, girlish mentality I had when I first married him has long since vanished. The only reason I’m willing to put effort into things for him now is for the sake of the children. It’s better for a mother to have a legitimate status than to be a lowly concubine. It would look better for the children. Otherwise, how embarrassing it would be for the children of a prestigious Marquis to have a mother who was a lowly concubine. This applies to my daughter too. As Cai Yang was born of a concubine and her birth mother came from a humble background, it would be a disadvantage in marriage negotiations. Fortunately, her older siblings are accomplished, and her eldest sister-in-law is from a respectable family in the Capital City. Having been raised in the Hou Mansion from a young age, Cai Yang’s manners and background are somewhat better. In the future, she should find a husband in the Capital City; it’s better not to bother with such small places. Even if her husband’s family is of a lower status, what matters most is that they have good character. As a main wife, with the support of her siblings, her husband’s family wouldn’t dare to look down on her. That child Cai Yang is so well-behaved. If she has a husband to dote on her and her siblings to protect her... For her whole life, I don’t ask for great wealth or nobility, just stability, peace, joy, and no worries about food and clothing. As her mother, I would then be content.

Thinking of Cai Yang, Lady Wen started to count on her fingers.

”Cai Yang will turn fourteen after the New Year. Should I start considering potential suitors for her?”

Hong Rui, the senior Maid beside her, said with a smile upon hearing this, ”Madam, if you’re worried, why not take some time to visit?”

”It’s been so long since you’ve seen her!”

”Although the eldest sister-in-law is kind, she is, after all, not the same as a birth mother. There are things a young lady cannot express!”

What kind of husband she desires... if others asked her, she would surely be shy and might not be willing to say. Probably only her birth mother could truly find out!

Lady Wen also felt torn. ”Would the Old Master agree? How will the household affairs be handled?”

Hong Rui raised her eyebrows slightly. ”Isn’t there the Main Wife? Doesn’t she eagerly want to manage the household? Well, you could let her handle it for a while. Besides, there isn’t much in this back court for the Old Master to manage. Moreover, you don’t need to exert yourself too much; we’ve gotten by without a Madam managing things for so many years, haven’t we?”

After thinking for a moment, Lady Wen nodded thoughtfully.

Hong Rui continued, ”If you are worried that the Old Master won’t agree, why not send a letter and ask the Marquis to come and fetch you? It would be proper for you to go and stay for a month or two to get some rest. And besides, don’t you want to see the Little Heir?!”

The last sentence truly moved Lady Wen. It’s true! My grandson has been born, and I haven’t even seen him yet!

”Alright!” Lady Wen made up her mind. She immediately wrote a letter and had it sent out.

Only then did Hong Rui smile. ”This is much better!”

Madam has been stifled in this back court for a lifetime, and now, with the support of the Marquis, she can finally hold her head high. Hong Rui genuinely felt happy for Madam.

”Now, think about what gifts to bring for Miss Cai Yang and the Little Heir!”

Lady Wen couldn’t stop smiling. ”What good things do I have! They have everything in the Capital City; it would just be embarrassing!”

Yet Hong Rui shook her head. ”Madam, you mustn’t say that! As long as it’s something you’ve sent, both the Marquis and Miss Cai Yang will certainly love it and will surely treasure it!”

Lady Wen thought of her son and daughter, her eyes shining. She tried to suppress her laughter as she chided, ”You girl, you always know how to cheer me up!”

”Not at all, this servant speaks only the truth!”

Lady Wen’s smile grew even brighter. Though she said she had no good items, she began preparing things from that day on. For her daughter, for her son, for her grandson—none were particularly valuable items, but all were handmade. Every stitch and thread contained the affection of a mother, of a grandmother.

And that letter, carrying Lady Wen’s expectations, arrived in the Capital City half a month later, but let’s not dwell on that for now.

...

「Capital City, within the palace.」

After the New Year and before the Lantern Festival, there was a brief period of respite.

Once Xia Ruqing had recuperated, she began planning to give Qingya Residence a thorough cleaning. People were too disorganized these days, and with many children around, she was truly concerned. After several days of deliberation, she finally devised a perfect plan: she would replace the Stewards of various areas in Qingya Residence with her own trusted confidants. This way, even if something were to go wrong, the damage would be contained. It wouldn’t be a disaster and would be easier to manage.

No sooner had she thought of it than she set to work. But who could have known that just as she was ready to roll up her sleeves, an imperial edict suddenly arrived.

On the morning of the sixth day, Eunuch Li, from the Emperor’s side, came personally to deliver the edict. Although Xia Ruqing was surprised, she still knelt with everyone from Qingya Residence to receive it.

Eunuch Li, with a respectful smile, recited the lengthy imperial edict with cadence and pauses. The words of the edict were complex and meticulously chosen, leaving Xia Ruqing somewhat dazed. However, she understood the key points: ’Consort Xian, of the Xia family, has been respectful and modest, virtuous and gentle, serving faithfully by Our side for many years, never slackening in her duties, and has also borne Us three Princes! We hold her dear to Our heart and thus especially promote her to First-Rank Noble Consort, and bestow upon her the title Xian...’

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing was stunned. Noble Consort? Noble Consort Xian? This is too unexpected! Is the Emperor, my husband, promoting me? But on second thought, it makes sense. Since the birth of the twin sons, there hasn’t been any significant reward yet.

She wasn’t a saintly, white lotus noblewoman who cared not for status and sought only true love—that was all nonsense. She was no stranger to the mortal world. On the contrary, she was born amidst the bustle of life. At the thought of such a grand promotion, my heart is nearly bursting with joy! As a Noble Consort, with the Empress not in the palace, I’ll be the highest authority here. As for Noble Concubine Shih, isn’t it finally time for a satisfying slap in her face?

The mere thought made her ecstatic. Xia Ruqing hurriedly kowtowed, her hands held high. ”This consort thanks the Emperor for his grace, thanks to His Majesty’s great kindness!”

Eunuch Li placed the imperial edict into her hands, his smile full of reverence. ”Congratulations, Your Ladyship! Please rise, Noble Consort Xian!”

Being called Noble Consort for the first time made her heart pound. She quickly said, ”Thank you, Eunuch Li. Zi Yue!”

Zi Yue had already prepared a purse. Xia Ruqing handed it over personally. ”It’s still cold, Eunuch. Take this and have a warm cup of tea!”

Li Shengan did not refuse, smiling as he accepted it. ”In the future, this servant humbly requests Noble Consort Xian’s continued favor! This servant will now take his leave!”

”You are too kind, Eunuch Li; I will still need your guidance. Someone, see Eunuch Li out!”

”Yes!” Zi Yue responded and personally escorted Li Shengan out.

Xia Ruqing returned to her inner chamber and read the contents of the imperial edict again carefully.

She confirmed to herself, It’s real! I’ve really become a Noble Consort! I’m not dreaming, am I?