A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

In the evening, the hunters returned.

The courtyards where the ministers stayed instantly became lively.

The military generals lit a bonfire by the cool stream and had the kitchen slaughter the prey to make delicious delicacies. They gathered around the fire to eat meat and drink wine, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The women at the back of the mountain were not to be outdone.

Delicious food was not exclusive to men; there was plenty here too.

Xia Ruqing, in her status as Empress, gathered all the women together for a leisurely feast.

Unlike usual times,

these dishes were not the usual dishes.

Everything was served as it came, fresh and experimental.

Because the dishes were too innovative, a few dishes turned out badly, but most were still delicious.

The women chatted and laughed, lively and cheerful, and enjoyed an entire evening.

The first day of hunting ended perfectly.

The second and third days, everyone spent them in similar fashion.

The men, seldom having the chance to come out, naturally wanted to indulge more.

The women, also enjoying the rare freedom, kept things lively and cheerful.

...

In previous years, staying at The Summer Resort for the summer usually lasted about a month.

But now that the Emperor wasn’t handling state affairs, and the ministers mostly held leisurely positions,

this year could be longer. As long as the Emperor is happy, they could stay until the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Of course, the mountain climate is cool, and after the Mid-Autumn Festival it becomes quite cold, so the Emperor probably wouldn’t want to stay that long.

Before you know it, it’s already been half a month.

While the Capital City was ’enjoying’ the Indian summer’s embrace, the entire city felt like it was in a steam pot, unbearably hot.

The Summer Resort, however, was cool and pleasant.

As the initial excitement and hustle and bustle faded, everyone’s life gradually calmed down.

The men relaxed, either going into the mountains to hunt for some game to accompany their drinks,

or pairing off to spend a day or two outside, camping along the stream, appreciating the scenic views, or occasionally going out together to fish.

This rare leisure allowed everyone to live freely.

Though the women weren’t as free as the men, outside the palace, the rules of the Capital City became lax.

Every few days, several women would gather, and could play mahjong by the stream, drink tea, admire flowers, and engage in conversations.

Though gatherings could happen in the Capital City, the scenery at The Summer Resort was delightful, the environment serene, making the atmosphere much better than in the Capital City.

Thus, their days held an interest of their own.

The concubines in the Harem were no different.

Though to avoid suspicion they couldn’t contact outsiders much, they could occasionally.

Some would periodically visit their family women.

Others whose families didn’t come, stayed together at the front, playing mahjong and backgammon.

Overall, at The Summer Resort, everyone relaxed to their very core.

...

Xia Ruqing loved this way of life.

The Capital City was too hot, and now that she wasn’t young anymore, she became lazier and didn’t want to move, spending her days eating and sleeping.

Her mental and physical state was suboptimal, though comfortable, she occasionally felt time was wasted.

She wanted change, but the air was too hot, and any movement would make her sweat profusely.

Gradually, she desired to move even less.

She thought to herself, let’s wait until summer is over.

But in reality, who knows what things will be like after summer.

However, here at The Summer Resort, things were different.

The climate is pleasant and the air refreshing, making it hard to waste the beautiful scenery, and everyone became active one by one.

Consort Cheng and the others, out of boredom, came to find her every day for outings.

The women from the previous dynasty passing by her courtyard invariably came to pay a visit.

Yue Er was even more restless, not staying still for a single day.

Even Henger and Yeye occasionally sent her some fresh novelties.

In such a vibrant environment, she couldn’t manage to be lazy.

Reluctantly she engaged, fishing by the stream today, gathering wildflowers tomorrow, hosting a small banquet the day after.

However...

After about ten days, she found herself enjoying meals better, sleeping soundly, and not sweating at night anymore.

Zi Yue laughed.

”Madam, your discomfort was simply due to lack of activity!”

”Now that you’re moving around more and breathing fresh air, your health will naturally improve!”

Thinking for a moment, Xia Ruqing nodded.

”That’s right! I remember last time I was here, I wasn’t idle for a single day, but now I’m so lazy!”

She didn’t forget to add with a sigh.

”I really am getting old!”

As Zi Yue styled her hair, she comforted her.

”Madam, you are in your prime; stop talking nonsense!”

”The Capital City was too hot before, and when it’s hot who would want to move!”

”But now things have gotten better!”

Xia Ruqing thought it over, realizing she was just in her early forties.

In modern times, women in their forties have children just starting junior high school; it’s the prime time for working hard.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

Her figure was well maintained; though not as youthful as the young girls, it hadn’t lost shape. Everything was where it should be, and there wasn’t much where it shouldn’t be.

Her stomach had a bit of slackness, but it was unavoidable; she had four children.

Her face hadn’t developed many wrinkles.

Her appearance seemed slightly younger than her age, and with makeup, she could easily pass for thirty.

After closely examining herself, she exhaled deeply and smiled.

”Not bad!”

Zi Yue placed a White Jade Hairpin on her, then helped her into a moon-white outer robe, making her appear even more beautiful and graceful.

”This outfit looks good!”

Xia Ruqing praised, gazing intently at the beauty in the mirror.

Her hair was styled in a beauty bun, adorned with several light-colored jade hairpins, refreshing and elegant, seeing her was to forget the mundane.

The outer robe was a moon-white gown, underneath a skirt edged with subtle blue, her arm covered with a sleeve matching the hues of the moon and water.

Her entire being exuded an orchid-like transparency and a fresh, elegant aura.

Xia Ruqing smiled contentedly once more.

”Nice!”

”Maybe I haven’t dressed like this before, but now looking at it, I really like it!”

Zi Yue also smiled and offered some compliments.

As the atmosphere in the room filled with harmony, Yue Er entered from outside.

Seeing her mother in this outfit, her eyes lit up.

”Oh?”

”Mother?”

Xia Ruqing turned around to face her daughter.

”How is it?”

Yue Er nodded, sincerely admiring.

”Beautiful!”

”Mother has a slender figure, not cumbersome, everything looks good on you!”

Xia Ruqing felt even more delighted.

She took her daughter outside and sat down on a reclining chair under a big tree by the small pond.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xia Ruqing asked.

”How come you have the time to visit me?”

”Where are your Yilan and Wei Yu? What about your brothers?”

Yue Er used to love playing with these two groups of people, so why was she acting differently today?