A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 392: Chapter 392: The Little One Really Can Stay

”Please rise, all of you!” Xia Ruqing said politely.

Whether they were Wetnurse Nannies or Experienced Sisters, they were all rigorously selected from the common folk by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. These people weren’t of servant status; they had families and homes outside. Being chosen to enter the palace was also based on their own abilities. Therefore, their status was higher than that of Palace Maids and eunuchs. Even Little Masters of the Fifth and Sixth Rank had to address them respectfully as ’Sister’ when they saw them.

Xia Ruqing was always polite to her Servants, and this being their first meeting, she was naturally even more courteous. She smiled immediately. ”Zi Yue, quickly offer seats to the three Sisters!”

Zi Yue replied with a smile. While speaking, she and Zi Su, along with the others, moved stools over.

When the three were seated, they were still in a daze. They had always heard that Xia Jieyu was the one who never fell out of favor. In the palace, what favored master lacked an air of arrogance? They thought that the first meeting might be a trial of sorts and had prepared themselves mentally. But who would have expected this master to be so amiable? No matter how they looked at her, she didn’t seem like an arrogant and domineering person. They were still puzzled.

Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing had already instructed someone to serve them tea and pastries. Then she generously added, ”It’s quite cold outside. Sisters, you must have been chilled on your way here. Have some hot tea to warm up and some pastries to fill your stomachs!”

After finishing, she added with a laugh, ”Don’t be polite, Sisters. Once you’ve entered Qingya Residence, we are all one family and should naturally get along harmoniously!”

With those words, the hearts of the three Sisters became clear. Indeed, this master was a wise person.

The three looked at each other, nodded, and also replied with a smile, ”It’s our first time here, and the Mistress is so courteous; we truly feel somewhat anxious!”

Xia Ruqing’s smile deepened, and she felt pleased. The others were clever too. Addressing her as ’Mistress’ rather than Xia Jieyu from the start meant something, didn’t it? They had accepted her from the bottom of their hearts!

Diligently fulfilling one’s duties was one matter; accepting someone from the bottom of their hearts was another entirely. Even someone as arrogant and domineering as Noble Consort Shih, if she were to bear a child in the future, the Wetnurse Nannies at her side would likely still perform their duties. But simply performing one’s duties and dedicating oneself with genuine caring are not the same!

Xia Ruqing wasn’t trying to win their dedication by treating them especially well. Her sincerity was genuine and came naturally. She had never considered them mere Servants. They were old enough to be her child’s grandmothers, and they were here to help raise her child. As long as they were dedicated, what harm was there in giving them a bit of respect and dignity?

Thinking thus, Xia Ruqing courteously urged them again. The Sisters then drank a cup of warm tea and had some snacks. The snacks and tea were of fine quality indeed.

Upon departing the main hall, the three felt warm in both heart and stomach. Zi Yue led them to their lodgings: three rooms on the eastern side of the western annex. Each had her own room, all tidy and clean. The bedding on the beds and the furnishings in the rooms were all brand new. Though not luxurious, they were pleasing to the eye and gave a sense of comfort.

The hearts of the three Sisters grew even more satisfied. They felt like they had something to look forward to. For Wetnurse Nannies and experienced caregivers like them, following a good master meant they wouldn’t have to worry for the rest of their lives. Some, if they managed to raise a True Dragon Emperor, could see their entire families ascend to Heaven, even down to their chickens and dogs. Of course, they didn’t dare harbor such lofty hopes upon entering. They simply wished to provide more for their families back home, to give their own children a better life; that was satisfaction enough.

「The three Sisters were settled.」

Xia Ruqing was strolling in the courtyard. The weather was growing cold, and in the afternoon, while there was still sunshine, she had to hurry out to breathe some fresh air and walk more. Zi Yue supported her, and they walked very slowly, step by step. Xia Ruqing clutched her waist, her brow furrowed in distress. ”This little fellow really knows how to stay put inside! It’s already full-term, isn’t it... yet there’s no sign of movement!”

Zi Yue thought for a moment, then smiled sheepishly. ”This... I truly don’t understand...”

Xia Ruqing didn’t understand either and just shook her head. ”We’ll wait and see. I want to see how long this Little Bun can stay put!”

Zi Yue added, ”Mistress, since you’ve followed the Imperial Physician’s advice to walk more and eat less salt, your feet truly aren’t swollen. Later, I’ll massage them for you again!”

Xia Ruqing simply nodded.

The sun was gradually setting, and a thick frost had settled outside. It was very cold. Xia Ruqing then returned, supported by Zi Yue’s hand. Just as she sat down and took off her shoes, intending to have Zi Yue massage her feet, the three Old Sisters arrived together.

As Xia Ruqing was about to rise, one of the Old Sisters gently pressed her down. ”Mistress, please don’t get up; you’re heavy with child!”

Xia Ruqing indeed did not move again. Then she said with a smile, ”Sisters, you’ve had a long and bumpy journey to the palace. Why not rest a bit more?”

Sister Huang replied with a smile, ”We’re old and don’t sleep much. This afternoon, we saw you walking outside, Mistress, so we thought we’d come and see how you are!”

Sister Jiang, at her side, also laughed. ”Looking at your condition, Mistress, it’s far better than ours when we were giving birth!” Her arms and legs were slender, and she was in good spirits. She hadn’t overindulged in food and drink just because she was pregnant, and she hadn’t gained any weight at all.

Xia Ruqing laughed too. ”I’m afraid of suffering, so I listened to the Imperial Physician’s advice and didn’t dare to eat too much!”

Sister Liang then nodded in agreement. ”Exactly. I’ve raised four children. With the first one, I ate too much. The baby was large, and it being my first time, labor lasted a full two days and two nights before he was born!

”It was so painful that I wished for death!

”Later, I realized that eating more isn’t always better. After that, I also followed the doctor’s advice: walk more, eat less.

”My second child came much quicker, in just four Shi Chen!”

Xia Ruqing was truly frightened. Two days and two nights? Wasn’t that almost akin to a difficult labor? The mere thought of being in labor for two days was terrifying! She shuddered.

Sister Jiang chided from the side, ”Sister Liang, why would you say such things? The Mistress is pregnant for the first time!”

Realizing she’d strayed off topic, Sister Liang hurriedly smiled apologetically. ”It’s all my fault for blabbering. I’ve frightened the Mistress. Please forgive me!”

Xia Ruqing waved her hand with a smile. ”It’s alright. I know you all wish me well.” With that, she didn’t continue the topic.

Just then, Xiao Xizi brought over the meal. Though the spread was lavish, many dishes were too greasy for Xia Ruqing to eat. She had Zi Yue select a few dishes to supplement the Sisters’ meal.

Just after dinner, Zhao Junyao came in. He appeared exhausted; he must have had another very busy day with state affairs. The Palace Attendants all withdrew.

Xia Ruqing asked, ”Emperor, have you had your meal? Would you like any supper?”

But Zhao Junyao didn’t answer her question. He lay on the bed, eyes half-closed, seemingly enjoying the sight of her immensely. ”How are those three?”

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing laughed. It was the Emperor after all who had found these people! This implied that the Empress hadn’t been involved at all. If that was truly the case, then it was even more reassuring.