A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 285: Chapter 284: Just Want You to be Well

Imperial Doctor Zhang announced that Xia Jieyu was already three months pregnant.

The Emperor, overjoyed, waved his hand grandly.

Rewards flowed into Qingya Residence like water.

Upon hearing the news, the Empress also hurriedly sent over her gifts.

Although the rest of the Harem hated her to the point of gnashing their teeth, on the surface, they all still sent congratulatory gifts.

Noble Concubine Shih, while ordering the preparations of congratulatory gifts, was gnashing her teeth and smashing teacups.

That bitch, she really has good fortune! I thought that with new consorts entering the palace, she would gradually fall from favor! I didn’t expect her to actually become pregnant! If it’s a princess, it would still be fine, but if it’s a prince... Wouldn’t her son be the eldest?

Noble Concubine Shih, touching her belly, suddenly burst into tears.

If my child were still here, he would be almost one year old! Why would I fear these goblins, snakes, and vixens!

Ying Yue knelt on the ground, also frightened, but still advised, ”Your Highness, no matter how displeased we are, we must endure! Even the Empress doesn’t dare to act, let alone us!”

Noble Concubine Shih huffed coldly.

The Empress is busy trying to please the Emperor; of course, she wouldn’t dare make a move! When new consorts enter the palace, she strongly supports them; if one bears a child, she can adopt it and still have her own legitimate son. But what about me...

Thinking so, Noble Concubine Shih angrily smashed more things.

Xifu Palace was filled with the sound of crashing and banging for quite a while.

As for the others, Consort Yun Pin, Consort Zheng Pin, and even Consort Ning Hui Pin—who had already borne a princess—all felt a strong sense of crisis. This was a common human sentiment.

Even the Empress couldn’t help but say with a bitter smile, Her fate is too good! In the past, when she was a new arrival, she was fresh and winsome, winning the Emperor’s favor with that! And now? Fresher and more tender women are on their way, and she’s changed tactics to keep the Emperor! She’s pregnant!

Sometimes, heaven is just so biased!

Sister Ji, seeing the Empress like this, quickly tried to comfort her. ”Your Majesty, don’t think too much! Taking care of your own health is the most important thing! Look at you, you’ve lost so much weight!”

The Empress smiled faintly.

Well... what else can be done? The Emperor’s cherished one... he’s surely keeping a close eye on her! Whatever she wanted to do, the Emperor would probably know before she even reached out her hand! It’s better not to act for now!

Sister Ji nodded in agreement. ”Your Majesty is right. The Emperor must be dissatisfied with Lady Xi’s situation...”

As they were speaking, Yu Lan brought in a bowl of nourishing soup. ”This black-bone chicken soup was just delivered from the Imperial Kitchen. Your Majesty, please drink it while it’s hot!”

The Empress sighed. ”Let it be then!”

Having said that, she sat down, stirred the soup a little, and drank it slowly.

Sister Ji finally felt relieved.

「Qingya Residence」

Xia Ruqing looked at the table heaped with rewards and congratulatory gifts. She still felt somewhat insecure.

Is it really... over just like that?

Zi Yue smiled. ”How else could it be? My lady, you belong to the Emperor, and bearing children for the Emperor is only natural!”

Xia Ruqing took several deep breaths.

I’m just afraid... When Noble Concubine Shih was pregnant, she was so careful, yet she still fell victim to two schemes, wasn’t she?

Her worries were not unreasonable.

Zi Su couldn’t help but interject from the side. ”My lady, don’t worry, the Emperor is there for everything!”

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment before shaking her head.

The most important thing is myself. Depending on the Emperor was somewhat wishful thinking. After all, he is the Emperor of the Great Chu Dynasty, the emperor of the entire Harem! Not just hers alone.

After lunch, Xia Ruqing took a short nap.

In the evening, Zhao Junyao came to see her.

Xia Ruqing was still sleeping in a daze. Upon opening her eyes and seeing him, she smiled and sat up.

”Emperor, what brings you here?” She rubbed against his arm again. ”It’s been a long time since you’ve visited!”

Zhao Junyao gently ruffled her hair, speaking softly. ”I’ve been quite busy!”

Xia Ruqing obediently ’oh’ed, not asking further.

Zi Yue brought in tea. Zhao Junyao drank half a cup and then lay down beside Xia Ruqing.

”You must be exhausted, Your Majesty!” Xia Ruqing quickly made space for him.

Zhao Junyao caught her in his embrace, his chin resting on her forehead. His voice was a bit husky. ”Yes!”

He truly was exhausted. ”The palace, outside the palace, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue—not a single one brings me peace of mind!”

Xia Ruqing quickly put on an expression of sympathy. Understandingly, she patted Zhao Junyao’s chest. ”Your Majesty manages myriad affairs with wisdom and martial prowess, truly Great Chu’s blessing and a fortune to the people!”

Zhao Junyao glanced at her and patted her. ”What a sweet talker you are!”

Xia Ruqing rolled a little further inside and laughed. ”What I said is true!”

Zhao Junyao’s lips curled into a smile, his mood quite lifted. ”Alright, if you say it’s true, then it’s true!”

If any other woman had said this, he would surely have found it insincere. But coming from her mouth, Zhao Junyao inexplicably felt at ease. It was as if... he really enjoyed the feeling of being admired by her.

Xia Ruqing laughed heartily. Zhao Junyao’s moodiness dissipated quite a bit.

The two chatted idly, lying on the bed.

Zhao Junyao thought for a long while before he finally asked, ”Qingqing, do you know the background of that Lady Xi?”

Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled. ”Your Majesty, wasn’t she... selected and brought into the palace through the draft?”

Wasn’t it enough that she was put to death? Could it be that there was more to this matter?

Xia Ruqing was unaware. Nobody in the Harem knew except for the Empress.

Zhao Junyao paused, hesitating for a moment. He still decided to tell Xia Ruqing about the peculiarities behind that incident. Some things, when kept inside without being expressed, made him uneasy. He couldn’t discuss it with the ministers or his servants, and he didn’t want to talk to the Empress. But Qingqing... she was different. He would just tell her.

After listening, Xia Ruqing was startled into silence. She wasn’t foolish; of course, she understood what the Emperor was suspecting. But the women of the Harem could not interfere in politics, so she couldn’t say much!

Hence, she carefully said, ”Your Majesty, this has exceeded the purview of the Harem. I... shouldn’t say too much! All I wish is for Your Majesty’s well-being!”

Having said that, she looked at him with a pair of clear, transparent eyes.

Zhao Junyao suddenly smiled faintly. ”Don’t be afraid! If you have any thoughts, feel free to say them!”

Xia Ruqing looked up at him again.

Is the Emperor... coming to her to seek solace and solutions? It’s just a pity that she wasn’t an understanding beauty who could comfort with gentle and soft words. She wasn’t very good at flattering people... But looking at the situation, she had no choice but to console him! Truly, the Emperor is difficult to serve!

Xia Ruqing frowned in distress as she thought, then she decided to go all out.

She started with a smile, asking, ”Lady Xi comes from Guangnan and behaves oddly. Are you suspecting Prince Yan, Your Majesty?”

Zhao Junyao was silent for a while, not speaking. Clearly, she was right.

Xia Ruqing asked again, ”Emperor, you must have sent someone to thoroughly investigate Lady Xi’s family and found nothing amiss, right?”

Zhao Junyao nodded his head in surprise.

How did this girl, who normally seemed silly and naive, now appear so keenly intelligent?