A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 949: Why Should I?

The news from the palace.

Earlier in February, Hai Feng gave birth to Prince Zhe’s first child, a little heir.

Though the process was somewhat difficult, the child was fair and chubby.

In the end, both mother and child were safe, which could be considered a good outcome.

Empress Dowager Zhen was overjoyed with her plump grandson, so happy that she went to the small praying hall to eat vegetarian meals, recite prayers, and offer incense to fulfill her vows.

She personally ordered that the child’s three-day bath ceremony should be held in a lively and grand manner.

She also widely distributed invitations in the harem, inviting the concubines to join.

Xia Ruqing also received an invitation, but she was not interested, so she did not attend.

She only let Zi Yue arrange to send a congratulatory gift.

By late March, it was time for the little heir’s one-month banquet.

Empress Dowager Zhen issued another invitation, and it would not have been good to ignore it again.

Xia Ruqing had no choice but to brace herself, dress up, and make an appearance in Empress Dowager Zhen’s palace, wandering around for half a day.

When she returned in the afternoon,

she was exhausted and hungry, and the crown was pressing painfully on her neck.

She quickly removed her makeup and changed her clothes, and also called the small kitchen to prepare a bowl of noodles.

After finishing the noodles, she took a nap and finally felt better.

In the evening, she lay on the bed, while massaging her stiffly smiling face, and spoke with boredom.

"I really don’t like these kinds of banquets; everyone seems to be wearing a mask, smiling until their faces almost freeze!"

Zi Yue quickly found a hot towel for her to apply, and laughed.

"There won’t be many more opportunities like this in the future!"

"Besides, you don’t have to smile all the time!"

Xia Ruqing sighed and said.

"Although I don’t need to smile constantly, in such an atmosphere... I can’t walk around with a straight face either!"

Zi Yue thought about it and said no more.

On the side, Zi Su was a bit puzzled.

"My lady, do you think Empress Dowager Zhen... really doesn’t hold grudges anymore? Or has she gotten confused?"

"She actually invited us!"

Zi Yue frowned upon hearing this.

"Oh, what are you saying? Our lady holds a high position in the harem, she wouldn’t dare overlook our lady!"

"But..."

Zi Su was still puzzled.

"Not to mention the Sixth Prince’s leg was related to the Young Master Yang from the Yang Family!"

"And the business with the Fifth Prince and our Second Miss... Anyway, I feel like Empress Dowager Zhen is like a weasel paying respect to a chicken, she has ulterior motives!"

Zi Yue thought for a moment.

"Maybe... she’s just recognized the reality!"

"Our lady holds the highest position in the harem, if she wants a good life, how could she offend us!"

"This is called being prudent. This principle for all her years in the harem, she shouldn’t be unaware of!"

Zi Su thought for a moment and nodded.

"What you say makes sense too!"

"Let’s just watch for now!"

"If she tries anything, the Emperor won’t just stand by and do nothing!"

"Right, there’s the Emperor too!"

The conversation between the two palace maids started to give Xia Ruqing a headache.

"You two are chattering like little sparrows!"

"No matter how long Empress Dowager Zhen’s arm reaches, it can’t extend to Duanning Palace!"

If even an out-of-favor noblewoman could bully her.

Then she would be much too cowardly as a Noble Consort.

"Alright, alright! The weather hasn’t been good, it’s also quite cold!"

"Call the small kitchen to stew some lamb in the evening to ward off the cold!"

"Okay!"

Zi Su stuck out her tongue and ran off.

Zi Yue stood to the side, lowered her head, and said no more.

...

In the evening, when Zhao Junyao arrived, dinner had already been set at Xia Ruqing’s place.

The spread was modest.

A stew of lamb, some pepper and salt lamb ribs, paired with some fresh vegetables, and a few sweet soups, all made it very appetizing.

Upon seeing the Emperor enter, Xia Ruqing hurried forward to pay respects.

"I greet the Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao pulled her up.

"How many times have I told you, no need for formality!"

"There’s no one else here!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"But you are the Emperor; I can’t disregard the rules."

Zhao Junyao tapped her.

"You never stick to the rules usually, but now you’re so proactive!"

Xia Ruqing quickly tried to please him and chuckled.

"Emperor, you haven’t had dinner yet, have you?"

"There’s lamb stew today, quickly wash up and eat!"

Zhao Junyao tapped her forehead.

"Alright!"

"I came today not just to eat, I have some news to tell you!

"News?"

Xia Ruqing opened her eyes wide.

"What news!"

Zhao Junyao looked at her with a faint smile.

"Eat first, then I’ll tell you!"

With her curiosity piqued, she pouted unhappily.

"Okay, fine, let’s eat first!"

She mumbled and had someone bring in water to wash her hands, then sat at the table.

In the end, the dinner was satisfying.

She was drawn in just by looking at it; after all, it was all her favorites.

She ended up eating quite a bit.

She ate some lamb ribs, some lamb stew, and vegetables to reduce heat, before finally ending with a bowl of sweet soup.

Zhao Junyao ate more than she did, even having an extra bowl of sweet soup.

When Zi Yue and others came in to clear away the dishes,

the plates were mostly empty.

Li Shengan was very pleased to see this and thought to himself.

’The Emperor’s appetite is never as good anywhere else as it is with Noble Consort Xian!’

’However, the Emperor has worked hard for so long; the days ahead should be more enjoyable!’

After dinner,

Xia Ruqing dismissed the servants and then eagerly moved close to Zhao Junyao, and asked with a face full of flattery.

"Emperor, can you tell me now?"

"What exactly is the news?"

Zhao Junyao leaned lazily against the throne, casually flipping through a book, with a smile that wasn’t really a smile.

"Actually, it’s nothing major!"

"I just heard... your third brother and sister have arrived in the capital city!"

Actually, as the ruler of a nation, he normally wouldn’t concern himself with such trivial matters hardly even worth a thought.

It was just that he had some leisure time, and coincidentally ran into the rare occasion where Xia Tingfeng took leave, so he asked casually.

But Xia Ruqing wasn’t the same; upon hearing this, she was shocked.

"What? They’ve already arrived?"

"They said they’d send them, and they really did!"

"Emperor, my eldest brother... did he say anything else?!"

In her heart, she felt both angry and frustrated.

What kind of nonsense is this!

Back then, the four siblings almost starved and died of illness, and that worthless father didn’t even glance at them.

Now that they’ve each worked hard to have better lives.

That worthless father suddenly remembered them again.

He even wants to use them as a ladder to climb higher.

How can such convenient things exist in this world!

"Qingqing, calm down!"

"Let’s not..."

Xia Ruqing clenched her teeth in anger, her gaze icy.

"How can I not be angry, I’d rather..."

"I’d rather sever ties immediately to end this father-daughter relationship!"

For some reason.

Even though it was something concerning the original body, she was this agitated.

After thinking it over, Xia Ruqing gave herself the simplest, most brutal reason.

’That worthless father was so rotten, even as an outsider, she couldn’t bear it!’

With this, she immediately knelt down.

"Emperor, I wish to leave the palace!"

It’s not about the cost of feeding those two siblings, it’s just not something she can swallow.

Why should she!