A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 452: Chapter 452 Too Shameless

”Mother, you’ve traveled from afar. I don’t have much to gift you from the palace, so please take these as a meeting present. You can have a closer look when you get back!”

”Whether they are good or not, they represent this daughter’s heartfelt sentiment!”

Lady Yao didn’t receive the definite answer she wanted and was somewhat displeased, but the thought of receiving gifts still brought a smile to her face.

”Anything from Your Ladyship’s residence, even the most casual item, is a hundred times better than what we have! Every single item is valuable!”

Xia Ruqing’s smile blossomed like flowers.

”As long as you like them, Mother! It’s getting late, so I won’t keep you. Please return soon and convey my regards to Father...”

Lady Yao readily agreed to everything.

In the afternoon, Xia Ruqing personally escorted her mother to the entrance of Qingya Residence.

Lady Yao left joyfully, while Xia Ruqing also put on an appearance of reluctance to part.

Other people in the palace who saw this praised Lady Xia for her filial piety and sighed with emotion at the deep bond between mother and daughter.

On the way back, Xia Ruqing was very satisfied.

Not bad, at least no embarrassment was caused!

Zi Su was quite puzzled.

”Your Ladyship, why are you being so polite? I heard that...”

No need for hearsay; seeing is believing.

That Lady Yao is no good. Anyway, since she isn’t Your Ladyship’s birth mother, I don’t need to be so scrupulous around her.

Xia Ruqing reclined back on the couch, utterly exhausted.

She rubbed her temples and slowly said, ”This is the palace, after all. If I’m not polite to her, others will surely laugh! They might even spread rumors that I’m unfilial and unvirtuous. Rather than let that happen, it’s better to be polite and send her away. That way, I won’t bring any trouble upon myself!”

Zi Yue understood this in her heart, so she did not ask further.

After hearing this, Zi Su did not inquire anymore either.

Xia Ruqing yawned while lying on the bed.

”Let’s not talk about those vexing matters; I’m going to sleep for a while!”

She hadn’t rested at midday, and now she was truly tired!

”Yes!”

Zi Yue acknowledged. She lowered the bed-curtains one by one, finally closed the door, and then they both went out.

The moment Xia Ruqing closed her eyes, she swiftly fell asleep.

「By the time she woke up, it was already dusk.」

Little Bun had been brought over by the Wetnurse Nanny and Sister. He was now sitting in the inner chamber, happily playing something with Zi Su and the others.

Seeing her son’s smile, Xia Ruqing’s spirits were instantly revived, fully reenergized.

”Come here!”

Upon hearing her, Little Bun scampered over to her side, holding out his tender little hands.

”AH... OH...” He couldn’t speak yet, just kept babbling like this.

Xia Ruqing scooped him up and peppered his soft, fair cheeks with kisses.

She chuckled. ”Good boy, my son!”

Little Bun’s giggles bubbled up as he felt ticklish.

After playing awhile together, Little Bun was taken down to be fed.

Xia Ruqing then got up to prepare for dinner.

She was just about to start doing her hair when a loud shout came from outside.

”The Emperor has arrived!”

Xia Ruqing could not attend to anything else and, with her hair still down, went out to greet him.

”Your Majesty, I greet you!”

She was wearing a light, silky inner robe, her dark hair unbound and cascading down her back. Her entire being was free of powder and makeup; she wore not a single piece of jewelry. She looked ethereal and graceful, like a fairy with fluttering robes who had just descended to the mortal realm.

”Rise!”

Zhao Junyao pulled her up with one arm and, with his other arm around her, walked towards the inner chamber.

Xia Ruqing smiled and hurried to keep up.

”Your Majesty, have you dined yet?”

”I haven’t!”

His voice carried a coldness that had not been there before.

Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat. Something is wrong. Is the Emperor in a bad mood?

She quickly stole a glance at him.

Indeed, the Emperor’s face looked very dark, and what was with that furrowed brow?

Could it be that... Have I done something wrong?

She quickly scrutinized herself from top to bottom, inside and out.

In the end, she was perplexed.

I haven’t done anything wrong. Apart from Lady Yao’s visit today, nothing else has really happened. But Lady Yao’s visit was approved by the Empress. Besides, the Emperor has always steered clear of the trivial matters of the women in the Harem. So, there really was nothing.

Thus, Xia Ruqing concluded for certain that it wasn’t because of her.

With this thought, she felt relieved.

She carefully and attentively escorted him to the inner chamber. Once there, Xia Ruqing quickly poured a cup of tea for Zhao Junyao herself.

”Your Majesty, please have some tea first. Dinner will be served shortly!”

After speaking, she personally went out to give instructions, ordering several of his favorite dishes. Only then did she re-enter.

Zhao Junyao’s countenance softened after drinking the tea.

Seeing Xia Ruqing’s anxious bustling, he felt somewhat guilty.

I must have frightened her.

He immediately tried to soften his expression.

Clearing his throat lightly, he asked with feigned ease, ”I heard your mother visited the palace today?”

Xia Ruqing was taken aback.

Her expression immediately turned a little unsightly. She smiled bitterly and nodded, choosing not to say more.

Zhao Junyao then asked, ”Where are they staying on this trip to the Capital City?”

Xia Ruqing sighed, ”She said it’s a new residence my brother bought!”

I heard the previous residence was sold. The new one they bought is probably even smaller than before. But no matter what, at least they have a place to settle down. That’s somewhat acceptable.

Recalling Lady Yao’s tearful complaints today about the residence being too small, Xia Ruqing gritted her teeth; at that moment, she really wanted to give her a couple of slaps.

So shameless! It’s one thing for parents not to buy a house for their son’s wedding! But now they’ve actually taken over the house their son bought as his marital home! That’s bad enough, but they even complain it’s too small! This is truly shameless! If they truly wanted to settle down in the Capital City, couldn’t they acquire property themselves? Look at how the mother and daughter dress, each more extravagantly than the other—pearls, gemstones, agates, jadeite—piling whatever is valuable onto their heads, not even afraid of breaking their necks. And still they cry poor! Is this true poverty or just pretense? They even had the audacity to try to trick me out of my rewards—utterly shameless!

The more Xia Ruqing thought about it, the angrier she became.

Seeing her state, Zhao Junyao quickly soothed her by stroking her chest.

”Alright, those people ultimately won’t be able to gain much advantage! Don’t be upset!”

Xia Ruqing remained disgruntled.

”What about my brother’s marriage... I wonder when Big Brother will get married?!”

This trip is probably just for the two families to formalize the engagement.

As far as she knew, given the complex etiquette of ancient times, even an imperially bestowed marriage had to go through the three matchmakers and six rites, step by step according to procedure. It wouldn’t be that fast!

As expected, Zhao Junyao laughed.

”It’s still early. The soonest their grand wedding could be is the end of the year!”

Xia Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief.

That’s a relief. By then, Big Brother’s salary will have accumulated, and it should be enough to buy a small residence! If not, I will still support them both overtly and covertly. I will never let my sister-in-law suffer. Of course, from what I can see now, my future sister-in-law doesn’t seem like that type of person! Yes, that’s good! Everything will slowly get better!

Zhao Junyao patted her back.

”Alright, look how worried you are!”

He had never seen a younger sister so wholeheartedly plan and worry about her elder brother’s wedding.

Xia Ruqing herself was stunned.

Why am I... Why have I started making plans uncontrollably? This is the original owner’s brother, not my own.