A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 315: Chapter 314: Are You Full?

Seeing her so excited, Zhao Junyao just uttered a faint ”hmm.”

Actually, as far as he was concerned, he could eat anything. He could stomach things with or without flavor. Born into the Royal Family and adhering to the way of the gentleman, where was there really such a craving for the pleasures of the palate?

Seeing his indifferent expression, Xia Ruqing didn’t persist. After all, she was hungry.

One after another, she finished the bowl of small wontons, then wiped her mouth with a napkin.

”Emperor, your concubine has finished eating. Let’s go back.”

Zhao Junyao asked, ”Are you full?”

”Full!”

Once she was full, Zhao Junyao took her and returned to the palace by imperial carriage.

「The next day was the first day of the lunar month.」

Xia Ruqing had gone to bed early the night before, so she woke up early. It was the day to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, so Xia Ruqing dutifully went to Jiaofang Hall.

The Empress didn’t waste much time. Once everyone had arrived, she led them to Ningshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager had been looking quite haggard these past few days and had lost some weight. Whether it was due to poor sleep or something else, there were dark circles under her eyes.

The Empress sat beside her with a concerned expression. ”Mother, have you not been resting well? You must take good care of yourself!”

Noble Concubine Shih scoffed from the other side. ”The Empress Dowager is doing just fine. I wonder what the Empress means by saying such a thing!”

The Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes, gave Noble Concubine Shih a fierce look, then said with a smile to the Empress, ”Thank you for coming to see Us! Speaking of which, We have you to thank! The matter with Lady Shih was all Our fault. Thankfully, you called for the Imperial Physician. That child is pitiable indeed!”

A gleam passed through the Empress’s eyes, and then she smiled. ”Mother, what are you saying? All the sisters in the Harem belong to the Emperor! How could your daughter stand by and watch them suffer!”

The Empress Dowager was very pleased. ”You are sensible!”

After saying this, the Empress Dowager looked at all the concubines and instructed, ”You must all obey the Empress, serve the Emperor well, and strive to bear a dragon heir as soon as possible!”

Everyone quickly replied in agreement.

The Empress continued her flattery. ”In daily life, your daughter always instructs them thus!”

The Empress Dowager remained satisfied.

Heavily pregnant, Xia Ruqing was fortunate enough to also be given a seat. She sat in the rearmost chair, enduring the various envious, jealous, and resentful gazes from a large number of Honored Ladies behind her, while watching the Empress Dowager and the Empress enact their drama of mother-daughter-in-law harmony in front of her.

In her heart, she was still wondering what to eat when she returned.

Just then, the Empress Dowager looked over. ”Is Xia Jieyu’s pregnancy proceeding well? Are you still vomiting? What does the Imperial Physician say?”

Xia Ruqing hastily stood up and curtsied respectfully. ”Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern. Your concubine’s pregnancy is proceeding very well, and my appetite is also good!”

Then, as if remembering something, she cradled her belly and said gently, ”This child doesn’t kick much; it’s quiet and obedient. Your concubine feels it might be a princess!”

Upon hearing this, the tension in the room inexplicably eased somewhat. Even the smile on the Empress’s face seemed a few degrees more genuine.

”Xia Jieyu, you shouldn’t say such things. The Emperor already has two princesses and is in need of a prince!” she said.

The Empress Dowager also laughed. ”Better to give birth to a prince! Indeed, you mustn’t speak recklessly. We have long been hoping to hold a grandson soon!”

Xia Ruqing, looking bewildered with wide eyes, said, ”But... your concubine truly feels it’s a daughter!”

Everyone laughed.

「Leaving Ningshou Palace,」 Xia Ruqing walked behind Consort Hui Pin and Consort Zheng Pin.

Consort Zheng Pin looked at her. Seeing Xia Ruqing in a mint green, water-pattern embroidered palace gown, she smiled and said, ”Little Sister Xia, that gown of yours is truly beautiful!”

Consort Hui Pin also turned back to look at her, then just smiled without saying a word.

Xia Ruqing replied, somewhat embarrassed, ”Your Grace, please don’t tease your servant. With such a large belly, how could I look beautiful?”

Consort Zheng Pin quickly said, ”The mint green is so refreshing. When the Little Princess is born, she might love this color too!” As she spoke, her gaze fixated on Xia Ruqing’s belly.

A subtle gleam flickered in Xia Ruqing’s eyes, then she too smiled and said, ”Precisely. Zi Yue has prepared several bolts of such fabric for me: mint green, peach blossom pink, cherry red, and begonia red.”

Consort Zheng Pin grew even more delighted upon hearing this. ”Just imagining it sounds lovely!”

Most importantly, the thought of her giving birth to a princess was immensely comforting! If Xia Ruqing gave birth to a princess, her future would likely be similar to Consort Hui Pin’s. Then, perhaps in a few years, once her figure changed, the Emperor would treat her like Consort Hui Pin—respected, yes, but without affection!

Xia Ruqing’s smile didn’t falter. ”Yes! I’ve prepared all these things suitable for a girl!”

Her implication was clear: *I truly believe I will have a daughter.* And if she didn’t in the end? Oh, apologies, was my guess wrong then? But if she did, well then... wouldn’t that be just perfect?

As they spoke, they reached a fork in the path. Turning left led west, and turning right led east.

After bidding farewell to Consort Zheng Pin, she continued with Consort Hui Pin, as their routes coincided.

Along the way, Xia Ruqing asked Consort Hui Pin for advice on many aspects of pregnancy.

Consort Hui Pin told her with a warm, beaming smile, ”My advice might not always be accurate. You should listen more to what the Imperial Physician says. Some things that were fine for me might not necessarily suit you!”

Xia Ruqing quickly nodded. ”Thank you for your guidance, Consort Hui Pin!”

This is truly a clever woman, Xia Ruqing thought. No wonder that Consort Zheng Pin had fallen out of favor.

Consort Hui Pin chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. ”It’s nothing much. Actually, there’s one more thing... I’m not sure if it’s my place to say it.”

Xia Ruqing looked at her eagerly. ”Your servant is all ears.”

Consort Hui Pin looked at her and advised, ”You are pregnant. Whether it’s a prince or a princess, it is the Emperor’s child. And... you must be extremely careful with anything you eat!”

Xia Ruqing’s heart trembled. In this palace, aside from the Emperor, and aside from... Zi Yue and the others, who else would say such things to her? Consort Hui Pin truly was kind and gentle. No wonder the Emperor had always taken such good care of her.

However, Xia Ruqing remained cautious. One couldn’t simply trust someone because of a few words; that would be too reckless!

With this thought, she hurriedly curtsied. ”Thank you for your concern, Consort Hui Pin. Your servant will certainly be careful.”

Consort Hui Pin smiled. ”You are a clever one. I needn’t say more. I’ve reached my residence. You continue on; I won’t see you off further.”

Xia Ruqing nodded in acknowledgment.

Watching Consort Hui Pin depart, Xia Ruqing also returned to her quarters, holding her umbrella.

The moment Xia Ruqing entered, Zi Su nearly rolled her eyes to the heavens.

”She hasn’t even given birth herself, yet she’s already cursing others to have a princess! What malicious thoughts! Our master will definitely give birth to a prince and infuriate her!”

Zi Ning pulled at her. ”Alright, alright, be careful! Walls have ears. You mustn’t say such things again!”

Zi Su was seething but, fortunately, didn’t continue her tirade.

Xia Ruqing looked back at the two of them and chuckled. ”Zi Su, you’re too impetuous. You should learn from Zi Ning. If this happens again, I’ll have to punish you!”