A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Lady Wen didn’t really mind whether Xia Jingfeng would come to pay his respects or not.

After all, Jingfeng was the proper legitimate heir, the real young master.

And she was just from the second wife, not even the first wife.

However, emotionally speaking.

She had watched Jingfeng grow up and knew he valued etiquette and filial piety, never once acting arrogantly.

Though he didn’t treat her as warmly as a biological mother, he always treated her with the courtesy due to an elder.

During his years in Jiangnan, he never failed to send greetings and gifts during festivals, just like he would to his own parents in the Capital City.

Lady Wen was touched and felt more affection for him, treating him almost like her own son.

So she prepared early on.

If he came, she would welcome him warmly.

If he didn’t, she wouldn’t mind, nor would it impact their relationship.

On this early morning.

Lady Wen served breakfast to the Old Master.

Then instructed the maid to prepare fine fruits and pastries, while she sat on the couch, reviewing accounts and enjoying tea, waiting for them.

Old Master Xia, having nothing to do, picked up a book to read.

In his younger days, he was captivated by beauty and deceived by Lady Yao’s words and looks.

Now, as he aged, his strength dwindled, and he had no interest in such colorful matters.

When he sat quietly, he increasingly felt how ridiculous his past actions were.

Alas, he realized it too late.

His first and second sons were always indifferent to him.

His third son, being overly spoiled, was even worse off.

He indulged in brothels, was idle, gluttonous, and lazy, without even securing a wife.

These were all his wrongdoings, yet remorse could not mend.

He could only watch as the brothers’ relationships grew more strained and distant.

No, to be precise, it was the third son’s relationship with the others that deteriorated.

”Alas...”

Old Master Xia sighed deeply.

Lady Wen glanced at him quietly, then lowered her head back to the account book.

She understood the knot in Old Master Xia’s heart.

But she never tried to console or persuade him.

She wasn’t good at sweet talk and disliked flattery.

Most importantly, her heart had already died.

When a woman has completely given up on a man.

She becomes sensible and rational, terrifyingly mature, gracefully composed.

Lady Wen was in this state.

Following the three obediences and four virtues, managing household affairs, supporting her husband, teaching her children—whatever her duties were, she did them meticulously, leaving no faults.

Of course, truly opening her heart to Old Master Xia was impossible.

Her heart had long since died; how could she have a heart? Even if she did, it was all for her sons and grandsons, not half for Old Master Xia.

Seeing Lady Wen as indifferent as calm water.

Old Master Xia sighed again, shook his head, and continued reading his dull book.

Time trickled by silently, the room eerily quiet.

After some time, a sudden sound of footsteps came from outside.

The maid came to report, ”Reporting to Old Master and Second Lady, Second Young Master and Second Young Lady have come to pay respects!”

Old Master Xia hadn’t yet reacted.

Lady Wen smiled and instructed.

”Please invite them in!”

”Yes!”

The maid responded and left, returning shortly with Xia Jingfeng and Tang Xun.

The two stood in the center of the hall and kneeled before Old Master Xia and Lady Wen in salute.

”Greetings to Father and Second Mother!”

Calling her Second Mother instead of Mother, adhering strictly to etiquette.

”Good! Stand up!”

Old Master Xia finally rose, waving a hand.

Lady Wen nodded with a smile.

”Get up!”

”Thank you, Father and Second Mother!”

Xia Tingfeng helped Tang Xun up.

The maid presented the fine, fragrant tea that had been prepared.

Tang Xun accepted it.

Using the etiquette taught to her for offering tea to her mother-in-law, she presented the tea to Lady Wen with propriety.

Lady Wen looked at Tang Xun’s earnest and respectful face as she knelt, somewhat taken aback.

”Get up, child, get up quickly!”

She received the tea and supported Tang Xun with her other hand.

Tang Xun blushed and repeatedly thanked her.

”Thank you, Second Mother!”

Lady Wen smiled sheepishly.

”You’re too polite, child!”

She sipped the tea, giving some symbolic advice.

’You two should live harmoniously and take care of each other. Avoid being too headstrong and such.’

Xia Jingfeng and Tang Xun nodded earnestly, blushing with heads lowered.

Lady Wen smiled openly, with the ceremony of offering tea to the mother-in-law concluded.

Seeing no further matters, Old Master Xia closed his book and retired to the study in the front yard.

Xia Jingfeng was unwilling to leave his wife and Second Mother, so he stayed.

Accompanying his wife to enjoy tea with Second Mother.

Lady Wen was delighted.

She cheerfully ordered the servant to bring out fine pastries and prepare a fresh pot of aromatic tea.

”Come, come!”

”I remember this plum-flavored sweet potato cake was Jingfeng’s favorite. Try it and see if it tastes like your childhood memories?”

Xia Jingfeng looked and indeed recognized the familiar shape and taste.

Enthusiastically, he picked one up with chopsticks, tasted it, and his eyes lit up.

”I think it tastes even better than before! Xunxun, you should try it?”

Tang Xun, seeing their playful exchange, teased them.

”Did Master really have pastries as a child? I must try it properly!”

Saying so, she picked a piece and savored it.

Her eyes lit up as well.

”So fragrant! So sweet!”

”It has the taste of sweet potato and... plum blossom, yes, plum blossom petals!”

Knowing Tang Xun’s hardships, Lady Wen warmly clasped her hand.

”Since you both like it, I’ll make more for you whenever possible!”

”That’s great!” Xia Jingfeng replied almost without thinking.

Tang Xun thought for a moment before saying.

”This pastry doesn’t seem too hard to make. If Second Mother doesn’t mind, perhaps you could teach me!”

”Then you can save some effort, and I can learn something new. Isn’t that perfect?”

Lady Wen’s gaze at her changed, even somewhat joyfully surprised.

”Oh my!”

She looked at Xia Jingfeng and laughed.

”See, Xunxun truly knows how to care for people!”

”That’s how daughters are!”

She affectionately held Tang Xun’s hand, looking worried.

”How come you’re so thin?! If your mother saw you, she’d be so concerned!”

”I have a daughter too, but she’s not with me. That child is also pitiable.”

”Even the Empress is the same. Ever since she entered the palace, I haven’t seen her for years, no matter how much I long, it’s of no use... And with the distinction between ruler and subject, it’s even more so...”

She, merely a second wife, not even the first.

In front of the Empress, she could only observe the rites of ruler and subject, incapable of showing emotion freely.

Even if her heart truly loved, she must contain it, not breaking rules or inviting ridicule.

Seeing this, Xia Jingfeng quickly consoled her.

”The Empress always thinks of Second Mother! I’m sure there will be an opportunity to meet!”

Lady Wen dabbed her eyes and quickly smiled.

”Look at me, what am I doing!”