A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 767: Chapter 767: Gap

In the seventh year of Jiayuan, on September twenty-first, Prince Yan passed away.

During his lifetime, Prince Yan committed the crime of plotting rebellion. According to law, he should have been executed. His body was forbidden from interment in the Imperial Mausoleum, and no funeral rites were to be performed; instead, his corpse was to be discarded in the Mass Burial Mound.

However, the Emperor, out of fraternal affection, personally selected a geomantically auspicious plot near the Imperial Mausoleum to serve as his tomb.

He also decreed that a simple funeral service could be held to allow the Emperor to express his sorrow.

Upon hearing this decision, everyone in the court praised the Emperor for his kindness and magnanimity.

For a time, the court halls were filled with flattering commendations.

Fortunately, Zhao Junyao had never liked listening to such words.

Having issued the decree and seeing that no one had further memorials to present, he waved his hand dismissively and adjourned the court session.

As the ministers withdrew one by one, Zhao Junyao returned alone to the Imperial Study Room.

With Prince Yan dead, Zhao Junqi exiled, and Prince Min Tu of the Southern Ocean Kingdom long having met his demise at the execution grounds, the absurd farce involving the Southern Ocean Kingdom had finally concluded.

Peace had once again been restored throughout the Great Chu Dynasty. It was even more thriving and prosperous than at the same time the previous year.

After all, the previous year, minor floods in Jiangnan had submerged over a thousand acres of farmers’ paddy fields.

This year...

Zhao Junyao looked at the slim stack of memorials on his desk, his mood brightening.

This year... the weather has been favorable!

It is indeed true that ’good fortune can arise from misfortune’!

It seemed that this war hadn’t been entirely a bad thing.

Excellent, indeed!

Zhao Junyao chuckled, sipped his tea, and then began to peruse the memorials.

Just then, Li Shengan rushed in, a worried expression on his face.

”Your Majesty!”

Zhao Junyao, who had just picked up his brush, was forced to set it down again.

”What’s the matter?!”

”Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is unwell! The Imperial Physicians have all gone to attend to her. Your Majesty...”

Zhao Junyao was initially quite concerned upon hearing this. But then, a thought struck him.

Prince Yan had just passed away, and now the Empress Dowager had fallen ill. The timing... Zhao Junyao’s expression cooled.

He coughed lightly, his voice tinged with impatience.

”I am aware.”

Li Shengan stood rooted to the spot, puzzled. Aware? What does he mean by ’aware’? Is His Majesty going or not?!

Seeing him standing there dumbfounded, Zhao Junyao rapped him sharply with his folding fan.

”What are you standing there gawking for? Go and visit the Empress Dowager on Our behalf. Tell her...

”We are overwhelmed with state affairs and extremely busy. Once We have a moment to spare, We will personally visit the Empress Mother.

”Go quickly!”

Li Shengan understood the Emperor’s intentions and didn’t press further.

After bowing, he hurried off.

Watching Li Shengan’s hasty departure, Zhao Junyao shook his head with a sarcastic smile and returned to reviewing the memorials.

「In the Harem.」

The Empress Dowager was gravely ill. Led by Noble Consort Shih, all the concubines were required to be present to attend to her.

Just like the previous time, the Imperial Physician was taking her pulse in the inner chamber, while the concubines knelt in the outer chamber, forbidden to enter without a decree.

The last time, Xia Ruqing had been excused as she was in her postpartum confinement. This time, however, she could not escape it.

So, she could only kneel here miserably. In front of her was Noble Consort Shih, flanked by Consort Ning and Consort Hui. Each of them knelt perfectly straight, compelling Xia Ruqing to maintain an equally erect posture.

But the air was chillingly cold, the floor hard and freezing, and her knees throbbed with a fierce ache.

Xia Ruqing was thoroughly displeased. Even if ancient customs and strict hierarchy demand kneeling, I refuse to kneel for an old witch who detests me and constantly schemes against me and my Little Buns!

Besides, that woman is constantly trying to find new consorts for her husband, the Emperor! Sometimes, she’s so ruthless she even undermines her own son. Honestly...

Xia Ruqing muttered under her breath. This old hag is gravely ill now; it’s karmic retribution! But... wasn’t she perfectly fine just a few days ago? How did she suddenly fall ill again? Ah, that’s right!

I heard... the Empress Dowager and Prince Yan supposedly had a scandalous affair. Prince Yan just died, and now she falls ill. Isn’t that a bit too obvious! Is she not afraid people will find out about her past romance with Prince Yan?! They say the rules of the ancient Royal Family are strict, but it doesn’t seem that way at all! Apparently, not everyone abides by them, haha! In that case, I won’t have to feel so guilty when I sneak out of the palace with my Emperor husband in the future. Mm-hmm, excellent, excellent!

”Consort Xian, what are you thinking about?” Noble Consort Shih’s voice suddenly sounded from above her.

Startled, Xia Ruqing quickly looked up. ”Ah?”

Seeing her bewildered expression, Noble Consort Shih sneered. ”Well, well... Sister Consort Xian, have you also learned to kick people when they’re down and gloat at their misfortune?

”Or are you trying to take advantage of the Empress Dowager’s grave illness to curry favor with her and pave the way for your son?

”Haha, and here I thought Consort Xian was so unambitious!

”Now that you have a son, aren’t you just as desperate to claw your way up?!

”Stop pretending to be so pure and innocent!”

Noble Consort Shih’s words were delivered with such conviction they sounded like the truth. Xia Ruqing was both frightened and shocked.

What on earth is she talking about? Curry favor? Heavens, I have no such inclination!

She quickly looked around and realized the other concubines had already left; she was the only one still kneeling. And Noble Consort Shih stood before her, looking down at her condescendingly.

Oh dear! I was lost in thought for so long. No wonder Noble Consort Shih said such venomous things! Never mind, never mind!

This ’meritorious task’ of attending to the Empress Dowager—whoever wants it can have it. I have two little ones at home crying out for me! I simply don’t have the time or energy for this!

With this thought, Xia Ruqing rose and said to Noble Consort Shih, ”Since Your Grace has put it that way, I shall take my leave. I wouldn’t want to hinder your display of devotion!”

With that, she turned and left.

Noble Consort Shih watched her retreating figure, seething with rage.

Truly a product of a minor household! Even if she flies up to a high branch, she still reeks of pettiness!

Ying Qiu quickly tried to placate her. ”Your Grace, please calm your anger. Don’t let this upset you. We should hurry in to see the Empress Dowager!”

Noble Consort Shih nodded quickly. ”You’re right. I almost let this delay my important business!”

The Empress Dowager was now her sole pillar of support. Whatever past grievances existed between them, it was time to set them aside.

After all, only the Empress Dowager could help her secure the position of Empress and win her cousin’s heart.

In fact, the Empress Dowager’s illness wasn’t actually serious. She was merely heartbroken over Prince Yan’s death.

The Imperial Medical Bureau prescribed several doses of medication to soothe her spirits and alleviate her melancholy. After a few days, she showed significant improvement. However... an ailment of the heart ultimately requires a remedy for the heart.

Unfortunately, the remedy for her heart was gone. Thus, even after taking the medicine, the Empress Dowager remained dejected day after day.

Noble Consort Shih seized this as a golden opportunity. Knowing the Empress Dowager was dispirited, she exhausted every means to please her.

She arranged for opera troupes, presented adorable kittens, and even personally played the zither for her—employing every form of flattery and attentiveness imaginable, all to elicit a single smile from the Empress Dowager.

She reasoned that the Emperor, seeing her so dutiful, would surely appreciate her efforts, even if only out of respect for the Empress Dowager. He ought to thank her, console her, and perhaps even favor her with his attention.

Yet, after all this time, she hadn’t received so much as a single word from him. Instead, that detestable Lady Xia continued to bask in his favor!

The Emperor frequently stayed at her residence. Even after becoming pregnant and giving birth, she still managed to bewitch the Emperor. Truly a shameless vixen!