A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 847: Chapter 847: Taking Matters into One’s Own Hands

The Empress Dowager Zhen was still unwilling to give up.

”Who says a face full of spots is a curse to a husband!”

”Besides, if she didn’t have a face full of spots, would she participate in the selection for the Fifth Princess Consort for Zhezher?”

”She would have gone to the talent show already!”

Sister Tao secretly shook her head and sighed.

”Your Highness, since the Fifth Prince is unwilling, we can just choose another. After all, marriage should be about mutual consent!”

”No matter what, you shouldn’t have had such a fallout with the Prince!”

”Although our Fifth Prince is not the best, he is both brilliant in martial and literary arts and has a dignified appearance!”

”When he gets married in the future and leaves the palace to establish a residence...”

The Empress Dowager Zhen suddenly interrupted her.

”What leave the palace to establish a residence!”

”If he marries someone unsuitable, staying in the Capital City would be impossible!”

”If he marries Elder Statesman Liang’s granddaughter, isn’t it certain that he can stay in the Capital City?”

Sister Tao laughed again.

”Your Highness, you’re mistaken again. Whether he stays in the Capital City or goes to the fief, it’s up to the Emperor, not Elder Statesman Liang!”

The Empress Dowager Zhen was instantly impatient.

”Forget it, forget it, I’m not handling this matter anymore. Let him deal with it himself!”

”Either way, we’re mother and son with a hard life, without anyone to rely on in the future!”

Sister Tao was somewhat helpless.

”Your Highness...”

How could there be no one to rely on? When has the Emperor ever treated us unfairly?!

The Empress Dowager Zhen waved her hand again: ”Alright, alright, leave now!”

Tao Yue responded with a yes and left with her hands down.

...

Duanning Palace

These gossip pieces are just for listening, nothing interesting.

In the evening, after Henger and Yeye fell asleep.

Xia Ruqing took Yellow Bean and them to the lotus pond in the backyard.

This lotus pond is indeed much bigger than the one at Qingya Residence.

To put it seriously, that was just a water pit, this one is truly a pond!

Xiao Zhu Zi and Zi Su followed behind her, attending to her.

All of this was managed by Xiao Zhu Zi himself.

He introduced it excitedly as if enumerating a family treasure.

”Your Highness, the lotus roots planted in this pond are carefully selected by me, the servant!!”

”The lotus flowers are rich and sweet, the lotus pods are also large, and the lotus roots inside are excellent, crisp, and fresh. When winter comes, the servant will have someone dig them up for Your Highness to taste!”

Xia Ruqing smiled.

”No wonder you’ve been with me for so many years, you truly understand my preferences!”

Xiao Zhu Zi chuckled.

”Your Highness flatters me, the servant is merely doing my duty!”

”The servant has enjoyed fiddling with these flowers and plants since childhood, and now that you’ve given me this task, I love it very much!”

”The servant has to thank you, Your Highness!”

Xia Ruqing smiled and scolded him.

”Alright, alright, no more flattery!”

”Didn’t you just say these lotus flowers can be eaten? Why don’t you quickly pick a few for me?”

Xiao Zhu Zi answered and ran off in a flash.

Zi Su teased him from the side.

”Master, look how much like a monkey he is!”

Which made Xia Ruqing laugh as well.

A quarter of an hour later.

Xiao Zhu Zi returned, carrying a bamboo basket on his back; besides lotus flowers, there were also several large lotus leaves and lotus pods inside!

The lotus pods were tender and green, and the lotus seeds looked quite full.

It’s just uncertain how they are inside; after all, it’s still a bit early, maybe after another half a month they will be edible!

Xiao Zhu Zi explained with a smile.

”I remember once, the master wanted to eat lotus leaf chicken and finally got to eat it after a long wait!”

”Just now, I saw these few lotus leaves growing large and handsome, so I picked them for you, Master!”

”Master can take them back to the kitchen maid, sun-dry them to semi-dry, and they can be used!”

”Or you can make lotus leaf porridge, that’s fine too!”

”These two lotus pods are the earliest formed in the whole pond, located at the southmost side, receiving the most sunlight, and growing the best!”

”The servant checks them daily, as soon as they ripen, the servant will pick them for you!”

”Also, these lotus flowers are good, meaty, fragrant, and suitable for making porridge!”

Xiao Zhu Zi rattled on, and Zi Su had already started laughing.

”Oh my, since when could the usually reticent Xiao Zhu Zi talk so much?”

Xiao Zhu Zi felt quite embarrassed.

”Zi Su Miss, why are you always picking on me?”

Zi Su immediately objected.

”When did I pick on you? Xiao Zhu Zi, tell me clearly!”

As she spoke, she chased after him, and Xiao Zhu Zi quickly ran.

The two of them started to frolic.

In the end, it was Xia Ruqing who stepped in to stop them.

”Hey, hey, hey, that’s enough, we should go back now!”

”Yes!”

The two promptly became respectful once again.

Xia Ruqing nodded, ready to leave, and turned back to see Yellow Bean swimming in the pond?

With a face full of enjoyment, it looked very much like a silly husky, foolish, and delightfully swaggering!

Xiao Zhu Zi also saw it and quickly said.

”Should I...”

Xia Ruqing shook her head, expressionless.

”It’s not its first time, don’t bother with it, it’s already skilled!”

Xiao Zhu Zi chuckled.

”Master, you’re right, Yellow Bean loves bathing here!”

Xia Ruqing gave that foolish dog a cold look, feeling quite helpless.

”Isn’t it? It enjoys itself more than I do!”

After saying that, she ignored it and left.

After returning.

She looked at the contents of the basket and gave instructions one by one.

”Make a snow fungus lotus seed dessert, a lotus leaf chicken, and a lotus flower porridge!”

”Use the rest as you see fit!”

The weather is too hot, it’s hard to eat anything.

”Hey, I’ll go now!”

Zi Yue said as she left the room!

While waiting for the meal, Xia Ruqing felt sticky all over and instructed Zi Su to prepare the bathroom.

After eating, she could bathe without waiting.

Zi Su acknowledged and went off.

In the inner room, only she was left.

Feeling bored, she picked up some tea and began reading a storybook.

At that moment, a report came from outside.

”The Emperor has arrived!”

Xia Ruqing quickly stood up to greet him.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw a Little Palace Maid kneeling ahead of her, prostrating towards the direction of the Emperor’s approach.

”Greetings to the Emperor!”

Xia Ruqing gave her a chilly glance and slightly curtsied.

”Your Majesty!”

Zhao Junyao didn’t even glance at that palace maid, bypassing her to help Xia Ruqing up directly.

”Qingqing, quickly rise!”

Xia Ruqing lowered her gaze and slowly stood up.

She gave that palace maid another chilly glance, remembered her features, and smiled while pulling the Emperor’s hand.

”Why have you come, Your Majesty?”

Zhao Junyao, as if it was the most justified thing, said.

”To have a meal!”

Speaking, the two entered the room.

The Little Palace Maid followed on her own initiative, eagerly wanting to serve tea and water.

And it must be said, her movements were quite skillful.

She poured two cups of tea and first served it to Zhao Junyao, coquettishly speaking.

”Your Majesty, please have some tea!”

Zhao Junyao frowned slightly, but still accepted it.

That Little Palace Maid, seeing the Emperor accept the tea, felt her heart racing with excitement, her face blushing.

After hesitating for a while, she then moved reluctantly, bringing the tea to Xia Ruqing.

Xia Ruqing also picked up the tea with a smile and took a sip.

”Not bad!”

That palace maid hurriedly bowed.

”Thank you for the praise, Your Highness, this is what I should do!”