A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 715: Chapter 715: Not a Human’s Job

The figure flashed by and quickly disappeared.

”Xiao Xizi!”

Before Xia Ruqing could finish speaking, Xiao Xizi chased after the figure like a gust of wind. Xia Ruqing herself also stood up. She squinted thoughtfully in the direction the figure had vanished.

Zi Su, at her side, quickly advised, ”Your Highness, please sit down first! I will prepare another cup of tea for you to calm your nerves!”

Seeing no further disturbance, Xia Ruqing nodded. She sat down again on the stool. Just as she was about to drink from a steaming cup of Hua Cha, Xiao Xizi returned.

”Master!”

”Who was it?”

Xiao Xizi knelt on the ground, his face full of chagrin. ”This servant has sinned; I failed to catch up. But I saw him: a man in a purple robe who knows light-body kung fu! His silhouette somewhat resembled the Emperor, but he was a bit shorter...”

He was just a eunuch; his two legs certainly couldn’t catch up with someone skilled in light-body kung fu. Even so, he still did his utmost to get the information his master wanted. This was already quite commendable.

Xia Ruqing did not blame him. After a moment of contemplation, she said, ”It’s alright. Rise!”

”Thank you, Master!” Xiao Xizi got up and stood to the side.

Just then, Zi Yue returned with some items, smiling as she approached. ”Your Highness, here are the painting supplies you requested! Brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, and pigments—I found the best ones in the storeroom! Come and see if you like them?”

When Zi Yue finished speaking and smiled at Xia Ruqing, she noticed her mistress’s complexion wasn’t quite right, and the pavilion was unusually still. The atmosphere seemed to have frozen; something was quite amiss.

”Your Highness, what... what’s wrong?” Zi Yue asked. ”Did something happen?”

Xia Ruqing glanced at the painting supplies on the table, then around her. She let out a long sigh and said indifferently, ”Let’s go. Let’s go back. I’m not going to paint!”

After such an incident, who would still be in the mood?

Before leaving, Xia Ruqing took one last look at the beauty of the Imperial Garden. The scenery is outstanding, yet it’s been spoiled by someone! Human hearts!

Although Zi Yue had questions, she didn’t dare ask further. She quickly packed the items and attended to her mistress as she prepared to leave.

They returned to Qingya Residence.

The true colors of sunset were appearing on the horizon. Xia Ruqing sat on a swing in the courtyard, silent for a long time. Zi Yue and Zi Su were quite worried but didn’t dare to approach. The two stood at a distance, whispering to each other.

”What on earth happened?”

Zi Su glanced at her mistress, then told Zi Yue about what had just transpired.

Zi Yue also frowned. ”A purple robe? Resembling the Emperor?”

The eunuchs and guards in the palace wouldn’t wear clothes of that color, so it could only be an imperial relative. With the Seventh Prince and the Fifth Prince having followed the Emperor out of the palace, and the Sixth Prince being lame, who else of similar stature to the Emperor could enter and leave the palace at will?

Without thinking, an image quickly surfaced in her mind. But... why would this person appear in the Harem, especially when the Emperor was not present? What could his purpose be? Coming here at such a time, does he want to harm Her Highness?!

Zi Yue’s face turned particularly grim. Seeing this, Zi Su also realized the gravity of the situation. Even someone usually so assertive was now pale with fright.

”Sister, you... don’t scare me!”

Zi Yue’s expression turned cold, and she whispered sharply, ”Don’t talk nonsense! Things may not be as we imagine. Don’t panic!”

Zi Su quickly nodded earnestly.

Xia Ruqing had already risen from the swing, and the two maids hurried forward to assist her. They returned to the inner chamber.

It was about time, so Xia Ruqing instructed her servants to prepare the meal. She also called Sister Huang to bring Little Bun in.

Seeing her son, Xia Ruqing smiled tenderly and warmly! After having dinner with Little Bun, she played with him. The room was lively and joyful. It was like usual, yet... somehow different.

They played for a good half of a Shi Chen. Xia Ruqing then took Little Bun to the west wing. Sister Huang and the others helped Little Bun bathe and then carried him to bed. Xia Ruqing sat by his side, softly whispering a story until Little Bun fell asleep before she left.

At You Hour, Qingya Residence finally quieted down.

Xia Ruqing sat by the bed and looked out of the window. She sighed, then whispered instructions to Zi Yue, ”Quietly bring me that set of yellow jade hairpins and that painting! Remember, don’t let anyone know!”

Although Zi Yue was suspicious, she never hesitated to carry out her mistress’s decisions. She went without asking any further questions and quickly fetched them.

”Your Highness, please check if these are the ones!”

Xia Ruqing opened the box and meticulously examined the two items. After confirming they were correct, she nodded. ”That’s right! No mistake! Zi Yue and Zi Su, you both can leave now!”

Zi Yue felt somewhat distressed. ”Your Highness, is there something that you can’t tell us servants? Don’t face it all alone; we are worried about you!”

Xia Ruqing gave a faint smile. ”What’s there to worry about? Your mistress isn’t foolish! Rest assured. Go now, trust me!”

”But...!” Zi Su wanted to say something.

In the end, Zi Yue pulled her away. As they left, they kept looking back, extremely reluctant to go. Although not entirely certain, they had a vague idea of their mistress’s intentions.

That night, Zi Yue tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Her heart was consumed by an unbelievable fury and frustration. Why, just why! Once the Emperor left, they really seized the opportunity! The mistress is seven months pregnant; surely they were green with envy, jealous. Otherwise, why would they resort to such despicable and shameless methods? Ruining someone’s reputation is no different from endangering their life. Such acts are inhumane!

Zi Su also found it unbearable, tossing and turning for most of the night, unable to sleep.

Thus, the next day, when they came to serve, they both had dark circles under their eyes.

Xia Ruqing saw their state and chuckled. ”You two! You just can’t keep calm!”

Zi Yue was a bit embarrassed. ”Your Highness, please don’t make fun of us!”

”Yes, Your Highness, we just...”

”Alright, alright! I’m not making fun of you,” Xia Ruqing interrupted. ”You were worried about me. Besides, I don’t have time to tease you! Go and prepare the meal! The weather is nice today; after breakfast, I want to go out for a walk!”

Hearing this, both knew that their mistress must have a plan. They said no more, curtsied, and then withdrew.

The breakfast was abundant: eggs, milk, bird’s nest porridge, shrimp dumplings, buns, and small pan-fried dumplings. These were all her favored dishes. There were also some that she didn’t particularly like, but the Imperial Physician insisted she eat. Between what she liked and what the Imperial Physician insisted on, she ended up eating a bit too much.

Putting down her chopsticks, Xia Ruqing rubbed her stomach. ”Ah... Oops, I ate too much. What should I do!”

Zi Su laughed. ”Your Highness, since you’ve eaten so much, shouldn’t we go for a walk to aid digestion?”