A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 785: Chapter 785 Intentional

Noble Concubine Shih evidently felt that she wouldn’t be a laughingstock.

After exchanging some pleasantries, she led everyone to the Ningshou Palace.

In front of the Empress Dowager, Noble Concubine Shih always managed to gain favor.

Therefore, all along the way there, she wore a mysteriously confident smile.

Upon arrival at Ningshou Palace, everyone knelt before the Empress Dowager to pay respects.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Sister Qing and then said with a smile,

”All rise, Qingyun, bestow seats upon them!”

Today the Empress Dowager was dressed in a date-red Phoenix Robe with a pure gold Phoenix Crown adorning her head.

Her complexion was rosy, and her eyes and brows were tinged with happiness.

No matter how one looked at her, she did not appear to be someone who had just recovered from a serious illness!

She’s truly cunning! Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Her favorite extramarital lover had died, yet she could still be so cheerful. Truly deserving of being the former champion of palace intrigue. In terms of status, she simply outclasses Noble Concubine Shih. Are they really from the same family? It doesn’t seem like it. TSK TSK!

After everyone was seated, Noble Concubine Shih stepped forward with a smile and said,

”Today is New Year’s Eve, and I’ve brought my sisters to pay our respects to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager!”

”May Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, enjoy peace, health, and longevity throughout the new year!”

Her two sentences amused the Empress Dowager.

”Your sweet words always know how to cheer me up!”

”When will you bear me a healthy grandson? That’s when I can truly enjoy a long and prosperous life!”

Noble Concubine Shih’s face flushed red at once.

”Mother! There are so many people here!”

The Empress Dowager swept a cursory glance over everyone below and outright ignored them.

She then took Noble Concubine Shih by the hand and said,

”Don’t mind the others; I’m really looking forward to your pregnancy!”

After speaking, she even gently patted Noble Concubine Shih’s abdomen.

Which left Noble Concubine Shih feeling very embarrassed.

Below, Xia Ruqing and Consort Cheng Pin exchanged glances, then quickly lowered their heads.

Xia Ruqing didn’t know what Consort Cheng Pin was thinking, but as for herself, she was on the verge of cursing.

Damn it! I’ve given birth to three sons and got up early to pay respects to this old witch. I didn’t come to watch their sentimental display of aunt-niece affection! My sons have been born for quite some time now, yet the Empress Dowager hasn’t even come to see them once! She just symbolically bestowed some cold, impersonal gifts and then completely cast us aside! As if they’re not her grandsons and have nothing to do with her at all! That was still somewhat bearable. If she doesn’t care, then so be it; I don’t desire it either. But for you to act so ’lovey-dovey’ with Noble Concubine Shih in front of everyone, flaunting this deep aunt-niece bond... Deliberately trying to provoke everyone else—that’s just wrong of you. Xia Ruqing felt like rolling her eyes speechlessly!

Up above, after the Empress Dowager and Noble Concubine Shih had put on a show for half a Shi Chen, they finally turned their gaze towards the people below.

Her gaze swept over the crowd indifferently, eventually settling on Xia Ruqing.

”Is Consort Xian doing well recently? How are all three Princes?”

Well, well, so Your Old Ladyship still remembers you have three grandsons!

Although slightly reluctant, she prepared to stand up and answer.

But at that moment, she heard the Empress Dowager ask Consort Cheng Pin.

”How about you over there, is the second Prince still obedient?”

Consort Cheng Pin glanced at Xia Ruqing, then quickly stood up and said,

”Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, Honghong is doing well. Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern!”

The Empress Dowager looked reassured. She smiled contentedly and said,

”That’s good. When I have some free time, bring him for me to see!”

”I’ve been unwell these past few days, afraid of passing the illness to the child, so I haven’t seen any of them. Don’t take it to heart!”

”Once my health improves, do bring the children to see me more often!”

While saying this, the Empress Dowager was staring at Consort Cheng Pin and Consort Ning.

Her gaze didn’t shift toward Xia Ruqing, not even by a fraction!

Xia Ruqing: ”...”

If she didn’t understand what the Empress Dowager meant by now, she would truly have lived in vain. Ostracism? Or outright rejection? It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t care, right! Just ignore it! Don’t get angry. Can’t care. Just like this!

Xia Ruqing murmured to herself while forcibly maintaining a smile on her face.

In the end, she actually responded with a beaming smile.

It was... she despised herself ten thousand times over!

Seeing that her complexion was still good and she hadn’t been angered, the Empress Dowager felt somewhat displeased.

However, there were too many people around to show it.

The Empress Dowager then chatted and laughed warmly for a while with Noble Concubine Shih and several other concubines.

Only then did she dismiss everyone.

Noble Concubine Shih was somewhat reluctant to leave.

”Mother, I wanted to join you for lunch. It’s been several days since I’ve seen Yijing!”

”I’ve heard you have new crucian carp here. Mother, please grant me a few sips of the soup!”

As she spoke, she behaved somewhat coquettishly.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat helpless but still chuckled good-humoredly.

”Enough, enough! I never know what to do with you!”

Noble Concubine Shih laughed with delight.

”Many thanks, Mother!”

...

Behind her, there was a bustle, which Xia Ruqing chose to ignore.

However, just as she was about to leave with the crowd, the Empress Dowager suddenly called out to her.

”Why not... Consort Xian, stay and join me for lunch!”

Xia Ruqing’s figure stiffened abruptly, her heart giving a heavy THUMP.

Zi Yue quickly pulled at her sleeve.

Xia Ruqing looked down at it and then turned back.

”Yes!”

She couldn’t very well say she didn’t want to.

However... in her heart, she still wanted to curse! She didn’t believe for a second that the Empress Dowager really wanted to have lunch with her! Who knew what mischief the Empress Dowager was up to?!

But no matter what was planned, she couldn’t escape.

After giving Zi Su a meaningful glance, she stayed behind with Zi Yue.

Xia Ruqing stepped forward with a smile to explain,

”My children are still very young, Your Majesty. I’m afraid they might worry!”

The Empress Dowager smiled as well.

”Children only three or four months old, and they already worry about their mother consort? As expected of the children of our Imperial family, truly filial!”

The words were both sarcastic and sharp.

But Xia Ruqing had long been prepared. She shamelessly replied,

”You’re absolutely right, Your Majesty. Ever since birth, these two children of mine have been exceptionally clever and quick-witted!”

”They cry incessantly if they don’t see me for even a short while, so your servant is also truly worried about them!”

The Empress Dowager found the response somewhat grating, and Noble Concubine Shih was also quite annoyed.

The two exchanged a glance, each rolled their eyes inwardly, but said nothing more.

In the end, it was the Empress Dowager who waved her hand.

”Enough!”

”I’m not hungry right now. Consort Xian, if you have nothing else to do, why not copy a scroll of scriptures for me?”

Xia Ruqing quickly rose to her feet.

”Yes! Your servant obeys the command!”

After she spoke, the Empress Dowager retired to the inner chamber, supporting Noble Concubine Shih by the hand.

And Sister Qing led her to the small Buddhist hall.

This was her first time here, and as she looked around, she found the place quite well arranged.

In her heart, she muttered, Although... she’s not sincerely praying to Buddha, the Buddhist hall is still properly set up, isn’t it? At least they crafted a golden statue for Buddha, didn’t they?! That could also be considered accumulating some hidden merit for herself!

Sister Qing handed her a scroll of scriptures. Then she had someone prepare the ink and brushes.

Once everything was ready, Sister Qing smiled and said,

”Consort Xian, you have quite a task ahead of you. This scroll has a full sixty pages!”

”Sixty pages?!”

Xia Ruqing was greatly shocked.

Sixty pages, written with a brush, would take at least two Shi Chen to copy.

The Empress Dowager is doing this deliberately, isn’t she?!

Looking around the cold, austere small Buddhist hall, Xia Ruqing once again plummeted into despair.

Deliberate. Absolutely deliberate!