A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 585: Chapter 585 Sarcasm

Shih Jieyu knelt properly and respectfully on the ground, her demeanor exuding obedience.

The Empress leisurely observed herself in the mirror, occasionally caressing her cheek. After a long while, she softly uttered a few words.

”Shih Jieyu!”

Shih Jieyu promptly bowed her head in response. ”Your servant is here!”

The Empress said slowly, ”Today, you shall stay in Jiaofang Hall, and I entrust the Third Princess to you! If even a single hair is missing from the Third Princess when I return tonight, you will answer to me. Can you... do it?”

Excitement drummed in Shih Jieyu’s heart as she answered without hesitation. ”Yes! Your servant understands! Your servant will protect the Princess with all her might, even at the cost of her life!”

Her words were true—after all, was that not her own daughter?

The Empress nodded with satisfaction. ”Hmm! Good, as long as you are sensible! As long as you behave, I will not prevent you from seeing the Princess. When she grows up, she will know you are her birth mother, and she will not deny you! But...” The Empress paused. ”The premise is, you must be sensible.”

What did it mean to be sensible? Of course, it meant to regard the Empress’s wishes as paramount!

Shih Jieyu clenched her teeth and continued to nod. ”Yes! If Her Majesty the Empress needs me, your servant will not hesitate to die!”

The Empress suddenly smiled. ”That is exactly what I wanted to hear from you!”

After all, her daughter was in my hands, so she wouldn’t dare play any tricks. From now on, both mother and daughter would be my helpful allies—how wonderful!

The Empress touched her still smooth and delicate skin and smiled with satisfaction.

Her hair was done, and it was almost time. The Empress rose to her feet.

”Yu Lan, it’s time for us to leave. If there’s anything not yet done, we can deal with it in the carriage—we must be going!”

The sacrificial rites to Heaven were important, and the auspicious hour could not be missed.

”Yes!” Yu Lan carefully wrapped the heaviest Phoenix Crown in silk fabric and placed it in the Cosmetic Case. ”We’ll put this on when we get there; everything else is ready!”

The Empress nodded. ”Let’s go!”

”Yes!” Yu Lan assisted the Empress to her feet. Several Second Class palace maids followed, holding up the Empress’s skirt. Sister Ji was on the other side, supporting the Empress.

The Empress, clad in a bright red formal Phoenix Robe, stepped out slowly. Her steps were measured and majestic, exuding the dignity befitting the mother of the nation.

”Respectfully sending off Her Majesty the Empress!”

The Empress lifted the corners of her lips, displaying the most perfect and dignified smile.

In the main hall of Jiaofang Hall, the concubines were already kneeling on the ground.

”Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!”

With a grand wave of her hand, the Empress spoke, ”Rise, all of you. It must have been hard for you, being called so early!”

As virtuous and dignified as ever, wasn’t she?

Xia Ruqing knelt in her place, head bowed, masking the irony in her eyes.

After the concubines rose, they followed Her Majesty the Empress, walking to Ningshou Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

At Ningshou Palace, the Empress Dowager was also ready. After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, they proceeded to the palanquins near the palace gate. The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the concubines were carried in palanquins to the rear gate of the Harem.

”Past that gate lies the front court!” the Empress said with stately grace, having descended from her palanquin and boarded her carriage. ”It’s not suitable for you all to come out, so there’s no need to see us off any further!”

The Empress Dowager also smiled in agreement. ”We shall depart in the carriages now. You may all return!” With that, she too boarded her magnificent, canopied carriage.

”Yes!” The concubines knelt once more.

Time could not be delayed; the Emperor was still waiting in the front court. Messengers frequently came to subtly urge them to hasten. Neither the Empress Dowager nor the Empress could afford any further delay and immediately left in their carriages.

”We respectfully see off Her Majesty the Empress Dowager! We respectfully see off Her Majesty the Empress!”

The concubines knelt for the last time. This time, no dignified call to rise answered them, but rather... the rattling sound of carriage wheels.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the carriages of the Empress Dowager and the Empress disappeared at the end of the palace road, out of sight.

Only then did the Noble Consort lead the others in standing up. She glanced back, sneered, and snorted coldly before leading her palace maids onto her palanquin and departing.

Next was Consort Ning. She rose, her gaze sweeping over the few consorts of Pin rank behind her. Finally, she glared at Xia Ruqing before returning to her Yichun Palace.

Then it was Xia Ruqing’s turn. Leaning on Zi Yue and Zi Su for support, she stood up. Xia Ruqing felt as if her knees no longer belonged to her; the ground had been too cold. She did not have time to look back, limping as she boarded her palanquin and left.

I’m in such a hurry to get back and catch up on sleep! This early morning ordeal is torture.

After her, Consort Hui Pin returned to Zhaoxiang Pavilion alone.

Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin left together next. Although one resided in the east and the other in the west, they could still share part of the journey.

Next was Shih Jieyu. She departed almost eagerly; she was going to Jiaofang Hall to care for the Third Princess. Her time with her daughter was limited, and she didn’t want to waste a single moment.

Following them was a group of Honored Ladies. All were Honored Ladies, none more noble than the others, except, naturally, for the pregnant Honored Lady Cheng. Indeed, Honored Lady Cheng left first. Due to her pregnancy, she hadn’t been required to kneel much. While others knelt, she had stood to the side, performing a curtsy. This was permitted by the Empress Dowager, so the Empress could hardly object.

After Honored Lady Cheng departed, the other eight Honored Ladies then left separately, without further distinction of rank.

Honored Lady Du and Honored Lady Jiang, who normally didn’t get along, happened to be going the same way and thus left together. Honored Lady Du was fiercely jealous of Honored Lady Jiang.

Her Majesty the Empress was willing to favor her, granting her such good opportunities. And yet she still managed to end up in this state. Indeed, hogging the privy and not doing one’s business. Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! The Emperor is certainly not a privy! Honored Lady Jiang is the one... Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!

Honored Lady Du remarked with subtle mockery, ”You’ve served the Emperor, and Her Majesty the Empress has favored you. So how is it that... you’re faring worse than I am now?”

Honored Lady Jiang was rather aloof. In the past, she wouldn’t have given Honored Lady Du a second glance. But now, things were different. She was beautiful, but there were plenty of others in the palace more beautiful than her. She had talents, but the palace was also full of talented people. Facing the stark, harsh reality, she had been forced to acknowledge her true standing!

She gave a cold sneer. ”Is Honored Lady Du mocking me? Or... are you jealous of me!”

Honored Lady Du scoffed. ”Jealous of you? Perhaps. But... I also pity you! Though you have a face that somewhat resembles Consort Xian Pin, you... you just don’t have Consort Xian Pin’s good fortune! Your origins are similar, and your looks are quite alike! Yet... she is just more blessed than you are! You can’t even deny it!”

Honored Lady Jiang bristled. ”I despise it when people say I resemble Consort Xian Pin!”

So what if they looked alike? They weren’t the same person.

Honored Lady Du, however, was neither upset nor angry; she was still smiling. ”Oh, dear, dear. What’s the use of getting angry with me? With such energy, you’d be better off saving your breath to keep your own stomach warm!”