A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

In the twelfth month of the twenty‑second year of Jiayuan, the Royal Family and Duke Chen’s Residence officially settled on the wedding date: the sixth day of the second month of the coming year.

In other words.

This would be the last New Year the Third Princess spent in the palace.

The Third Princess Yijing was, like her name, gentle and quiet if one spoke kindly of her, or, if not, simply someone who did not like to talk.

Perhaps because her experiences since childhood had been too rough, her whole person seemed somewhat withdrawn.

She did not like to interact with people, nor did she enjoy joking and laughing.

She was neither as lively and spirited as the Second Princess Yi’an, nor as arrogant and domineering as the Fourth Princess Lele.

What she liked to do most every day was take a book and sit by the window, either staring off into space or silently shedding tears—she had no small share of a young maiden’s melancholy.

Consort Yun was straightforward by nature and could not really understand this habit of hers of being sad at the drop of a hat.

At first she felt truly sorry for her and would often try to comfort her.

”Though these past years have been hard on you, from now on, following me, I will not let you suffer!”

”Whatever you want to eat or play with, just tell me!”

”I don’t dare say I can pluck the stars and moon for you, but whatever the other princesses have, I will certainly not let you go without!”

The Third Princess expressed her heartfelt gratitude, but as soon as she turned away, she went right back to her melancholy.

Consort Yun was even more puzzled, thinking she did not appreciate her kindness, or was not used to living here, and even suspected at one point that some Palace Attendant was bullying her.

After carefully checking things over, she found that none of that was the case!

After pondering it over and over, she suddenly saw the light.

”So this child is just like this by nature!”

Though a little surprised, when she thought of what the Third Princess had gone through before, it no longer seemed strange.

She explained it to Consort Zheng at her side.

”Her birth mother died early, later she followed Noble Concubine Shih, then when Noble Concubine Shih fell from favor, she followed the Empress Dowager!”

”At Ningshou Palace, the Empress Dowager was in poor health and did not often manage her; she grew up among the Servants!”

”Later, when the Empress Dowager passed away, the Emperor moved her here again!”

”She was just a little child and didn’t understand anything!”

”Every time she barely got used to one place, she was moved again. Moved around like that over and over, she couldn’t help but grow self‑conscious!”

Consort Yun let out a sigh.

”She probably feels none of us wants her! That she’s practically an orphan!”

A father who did not dote on her and a mother who did not love her—there really was no difference from being an orphan.

Consort Zheng tried to console her.

”Don’t brood on it. Since the Emperor has asked you to be her foster mother, you need only do well what you ought to do for her!”

Consort Yun nodded.

”Don’t worry, I know. I won’t utter a single word that shouldn’t be said!”

This was the Royal Family; no matter how clear things were in their hearts, they did not dare speak recklessly.

What orphan—how could a dignified Princess possibly be an orphan?

...

From then on, Consort Yun never again tried to talk the Third Princess round, but she also no longer bared her heart to her.

She merely instructed the Sister and Palace Maids to see that she was well fed and well cared for, and that no mistakes were allowed.

Those Servants were all originally people from the Third Princess’s own quarters, so naturally no problems would arise.

And so the Third Princess settled down peacefully to live in Yaoyue Palace.

In the blink of an eye, she reached the age to discuss marriage.

Consort Yun, conscientious and careful, took it upon herself to seek a match for her.

Now sounding out a civil official, now a Military General—she agonized over it for a good half year.

The Third Princess was actually quite grateful in her heart.

The ’mother and daughter’ relationship between them improved by no small degree.

Lately the Third Princess had clearly become more lively; she could even chat a while with Consort Yun.

Once the twelfth month began.

The palace started preparing for the New Year, and of course the Third Princess’s marriage in the coming year could not be neglected.

All the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were busy with urgent preparations.

That day, Consort Yun took a dowry list and went to find the Third Princess.

She had two purposes.

The first: to let the Third Princess have a clear idea of her own dowry, so that she would not be easily cheated once she married out.

The second: to teach the Third Princess a bit of arithmetic and household management. After all, once she married she would be the principal daughter‑in‑law, and in future she was to take over Duke Chen’s Residence and preside over the household. Even if there were Palace Maids to assist, she could not be completely ignorant, or others would easily take advantage.

With these two purposes in mind.

Consort Yun went to the Third Princess’s quarters.

Outside, a north wind was blowing; inside, it was as warm as spring.

The Third Princess’s complexion was still somewhat pale, but there was a faint flush underneath, and her black eyes were bright and spirited.

At the moment she was dressed in a plain pink‑and‑white cotton home robe. Her hair was loosely coiled into a simple bun; she wore no powder or rouge, no hairpins. Her face was bare, like a lotus just risen from clear water.

Seeing Consort Yun, she hurriedly put down her book and rose to salute.

”Mother Consort!”

Her voice was as gentle as an oriole in the third month, her posture perfectly correct, displaying the noble grace of the imperial clan.

With just those two words, she presented the Third Princess’s gentle composure to the full.

Consort Yun could not help inwardly clicking her tongue in praise.

’Truly a beauty enough to bring a kingdom to its knees!’

’Others fuss with bottles and jars, painting and powdering all day long, yet they still can’t match her bare face without a touch of makeup!’

’Some things really are gifts from Heaven—no amount of effort can learn them!’

’To speak fairly, among the Emperor’s four princesses, the Third Princess’s looks are the finest!’

If not for that unappealing temperament, if not for that lowly birth, how could she have fallen to where she was today?

Just imagine, if she had been born from the Empress’s womb, then...

Consort Yun shook her head.

There are no ifs in this world—what was she imagining for?

”Rise.”

Consort Yun smiled as she helped her up, and the two of them casually sat down on the soft couch by the window.

After exchanging a few polite remarks.

Consort Yun took out the pages of the account list and clearly stated the purpose of today’s visit.

The Third Princess stood and thanked her lightly.

”Many thanks for your guidance, Mother Consort. Your daughter will be sure to remember it.”

Seeing her indifferent manner, Consort Yun still felt uneasy and continued to admonish her.

”A woman’s dowry is the most important support in her life; you must not take it lightly!”

”But you are a Princess, and you’re marrying within the Capital City—there shouldn’t be anyone bold enough to bully you.”

The Third Princess again replied mildly.

”Thank you for your teaching, Mother Consort. I will take good care of myself.”

Only then did Consort Yun nod.

”Then I can be at ease.”

”However...you must remember, you are a Princess, and the palace is your maiden home.”

”If you ever suffer any grievance in the future, you mustn’t swallow it down!”

”Come back and tell us at once!”

”I may not be your birth mother, but my feelings for you are not false!”

The Third Princess’s body trembled slightly, and a thin mist instantly veiled her eyes.

”Thank you, Mother Consort!”

”Your daughter will remember it all!”

Seeing that she remained so composed while only she herself was chattering on, Consort Yun felt a bit awkward for a moment.

She gave a small smile.

”All right, it’s getting late. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

”Have a good rest.”

The Third Princess rose to see her out.

Consort Yun waved her back, turned, and left.

...

Back in her own quarters, Consort Yun let out a long breath.

”I’ve taught her all I can—may she live well.”

The close‑serving Palace Maid hurried to comfort her.

”Your Ladyship is compassionate! The Third Princess will certainly be grateful at heart!”

Consort Yun gave a self‑mocking smile and said no more.

Yet inwardly she could not help sighing: grateful? She hadn’t seen it—what she had seen was plenty of coldness.