A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 266: Chapter 265: Lady Xia is Pregnant

Having been used to fine delicacies, it’s hard to swallow such fare now!

Honored Lady Hu wanted to cry but had no tears. With nothing left, she could only endure this half-dead existence.

She should have known earlier; Noble Concubine Shih wouldn’t be so kind-hearted. She should have known!

「Xifu Palace」

Noble Concubine Shih was gloating upon hearing about the conditions in the Cold Palace.

”Whoever plots against me, no matter who’s behind it, must pay the price!” she declared.

”Gao Changyi, from now on, keep a close eye on her for me. Honored Lady Hu cannot die, nor can she live well!”

Gao Changyi quickly agreed. ”Don’t worry, Your Ladyship. With me here, she’ll wish for death but find no release, and long for life but find no peace!”

Noble Concubine Shih was finally satisfied.

In mid-February, Xia Ruqing’s drowsiness grew increasingly severe.

Imperial Doctor Zhang suspected the reason but, lacking certainty, dared not voice it. Thus, he kept delaying.

It wasn’t until Zi Yue finally noticed something was amiss.

”My lady, haven’t your monthly courses been absent for some time?” she asked. The menstrual supplies have been ready for a long while, unused, haven’t they?

Xia Ruqing hadn’t paid it much mind.

This sudden reminder made her pause and think. ”It does seem so!”

Could it be... Pregnant? No wonder I haven’t been able to stomach anything recently, found everything irritating, and felt so exhausted every day.

Xia Ruqing and Zi Yue exchanged a look.

”What should we do?”

Zi Yue pondered for a moment. ”My lady, Imperial Doctor Zhang has been checking your pulse frequently. If it’s true, he must know! Shall we ask him the next time he comes?”

Xia Ruqing nodded. ”Yes, yes, Imperial Doctor Zhang would definitely know!”

As she said this, her hands unconsciously drifted to her lower abdomen.

Perhaps it was intuition, but she felt it was true. A child? This child is truly clever, choosing such perfect timing. Child, now that you’re here, your mother will protect you with her life! Having a child meant a promotion in rank. A concubine of the third rank would be able to raise her child herself. Then, even if new women entered the palace and she fell out of favor, the Emperor would still visit. One only needed to look at Consort Ning and Consort Hui Pin to know. No matter what, the Emperor never forgot the Princess. He truly loves his children!

Xia Ruqing touched her belly and felt sleepy again.

”The afternoon sun is just right,” Zi Yue said softly. ”Let this servant draw back the curtains for you. You can sleep in the sunlight; it’s so comfortable and warm!”

”Mm,” Xia Ruqing murmured, nodding, and drifted off to sleep.

On the evening of the fifteenth of February, the Empress invited the Emperor to Jiaofang Hall to discuss the upcoming selection of new consorts.

Ultimately, by some means, she managed to convince the Emperor, who had not stayed in Jiaofang Hall for a long time, to remain for the night.

「The next day.」

When word spread that the Emperor had spent the night in Jiaofang Hall, the entire Harem was shocked.

The sound of a teacup shattering in Xifu Palace was particularly sharp. No one else dared to utter a word.

As for Xia Ruqing, she had little to say.

After all, the Empress was his principal wife. No matter how angry or displeased the Emperor was, it was impossible for him to avoid Jiaofang Hall for his entire life. So, it was bound to happen eventually; why get worked up about it? Besides, while I don’t understand the Emperor completely, I have some grasp of his temperament. Staying the night might simply mean just that—staying the night. Nothing more. With the selection of new consorts imminent, his doing so was likely a way to give the Empress a modicum of respect. That’s all.

In fact, Xia Ruqing had guessed correctly.

Although he had slept in the Empress’s bed in Jiaofang Hall, Zhao Junyao had done nothing. The Empress, reserved and proud, made no advances. Thus, the two of them simply shared the bed, sleeping under the cotton quilt for the night.

However, the Empress was already overjoyed.

No one knew what had truly transpired the previous night. But the Emperor had come, and that implied something had happened! The Empress was still, in name and in reality, lofty and inviolable!

Her vanity, starved for months, was once again sated and began to swell.

The following day, when everyone went to Jiaofang Hall to pay their respects, the Empress held herself noticeably straighter.

Xia Ruqing thought, It must be because her confidence has been bolstered! Sometimes, I find it rather incredible. To think that sleeping with a man can wield such immense power—only in the Emperor’s Harem could such a thing be possible!

Xia Ruqing even wickedly wondered, What would the ever-so-lofty Empress look like trying to please a man in bed?! In truth, nothing had happened; I had overthought it.

A few days later, towards the end of February, Imperial Doctor Zhang came to take the Peaceful Pulse again.

This time, after the examination, Imperial Doctor Zhang’s face lit up with delight.

”Congratulations, Xia Jieyu!”

The anxiety that had gripped Xia Ruqing’s heart finally eased. ”For what do I have your congratulations?”

”Xia Jieyu, you are already one month with child!”

Xia Ruqing, Zi Yue, and Zi Su all heard this, their faces alight with joyful surprise.

Only Xia Ruqing maintained her composure. ”Are you certain? Only one month? Is your diagnosis accurate? Could there be a mistake?”

Imperial Doctor Zhang chuckled. ”Xia Jieyu, please rest assured. I had noticed signs earlier, but because it was so early, I couldn’t be certain. Now, after a month, the signs are quite clear!”

Only then did Xia Ruqing feel truly relieved.

She then inquired if the medications she had been taking for her leg injury and to regulate her constitution would have any adverse effects on the child.

Imperial Doctor Zhang reassured her on each point. ”Xia Jieyu need not worry! The prescriptions I provided were all gentle and nourishing; they will cause no harm!”

Xia Ruqing finally felt at ease.

She instructed Xiao Xizi to reward Imperial Doctor Zhang with a generous purse and to escort him out respectfully.

Joy erupted throughout Qingya Residence!

Zi Yue laughed until her eyes welled with tears. ”My lady, you’ve finally made it through! If you successfully bear this child, your future will be secure!”

Xia Ruqing also smiled. ”Indeed. In the Harem, nothing offers more security than a child!”

But she didn’t say that she wasn’t bearing this child solely to secure her position. She loved children and wanted to bring one into this world to experience its wonders, its people. Although the Royal Family wasn’t an ideal place, he would have a mother who loved him and an Emperor father who doted on him. She wouldn’t force him to do things he disliked. She would also wholeheartedly support him in pursuing what he loved most. He would be free and happy.

With these thoughts, she gently caressed her belly.

Child, can you hear me?

「Imperial Study Room」

Zhao Junyao was discussing matters with a group of ministers when Li Shengan hurried in and whispered a few words beside the Emperor.

Zhao Junyao’s eyes instantly lit up. ”Truly?”

Li Shengan nodded and whispered, ”Imperial Doctor Zhang made the diagnosis!”

The light in Zhao Junyao’s eyes intensified further. His facial muscles visibly twitched with excitement.

The surrounding ministers, oblivious, continued their discussions.

”Your Majesty, regarding next month’s Silkworm Ceremony...”

”Your Majesty, concerning this year’s taxes from Jiangnan...”

”Your Majesty, regarding the Ministry of War’s salaries and provisions...”

The group of officials in their black gauze caps continued to speak, their voices a jumble.

Zhao Junyao hadn’t heard a single word.

Suddenly, he rose and swept his hand grandly. ”My dear ministers, if you have further matters, we shall discuss them this afternoon! I have an urgent matter to attend to. You are all dismissed!”

The ministers exchanged bewildered glances but could only kowtow in gratitude before retreating one by one.