A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 798: Chapter 798: Cleaning House

Noble Concubine Shih considered it. What could the Empress Dowager possibly do? For that woman, the Emperor doesn’t even regard the Empress Dowager anymore! What should she do?

”Mother, are you really just going to let that woman carry on so arrogantly?”

”With the Empress not in the palace, she is... the most honored. Even I can’t do anything about her!”

Noble Concubine Shih grew extremely annoyed at this thought. After holding the supreme rank of Noble Consort for so long, suddenly Noble Consort Xian has appeared. What was she to do? How could she possibly manage this Harem anymore!

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, observing her thoughtfully before speaking.

”Manage? Manage as you should!”

”The path of the Harem is not an easy one. You need to learn to endure, to slowly plan!”

Noble Concubine Shih was somewhat confused.

”Endure?!”

The Empress Dowager nodded.

”There will always be a good opportunity. Haste makes waste; you can’t eat hot tofu if you’re impatient!”

”At this critical juncture, everyone is watching you!”

”Even if you are furious or desperate, you mustn’t show the slightest hint. On the contrary, you must appear even more magnanimous!”

”If she receives a promotion, go and congratulate her!”

”If she is riding high on success, go and offer your felicitations!”

”Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You have to get close to her!”

”Only then can you find an opportunity to scheme in secret!”

Noble Concubine Shih listened, her head spinning.

”Scheme in secret?”

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly. ”Are you suggesting you can scheme openly?” That might have been possible before, but now you’re no match for her!

Noble Concubine Shih suppressed her indignation and assented.

The Empress Dowager reminded her again, ”Think carefully about the history of Duanning Palace; perhaps you’ll find a clue!”

”If there’s anything you don’t understand, come and ask me again!”

Noble Concubine Shih bowed her head and assented. After saying, ”Thank you, Mother,” she left.

Watching her retreating figure, the Empress Dowager sighed.

”I fear it’s no use!”

Sister Qing looked puzzled.

”What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”

The Empress Dowager huffed lightly. ”That’s how the Harem works; with favor comes everything!”

”Wanxin hasn’t gained favor, nor does she know how to please the Emperor!”

”She is bound to lose in the end; it’s only a matter of time.”

Sister Qing frowned.

”Then... what should we do now?”

The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze.

”Of course, we adapt to all changes by remaining unchanged!”

With another sigh, she added, ”Alas! If only Wanxin possessed half of Lady Xia’s cleverness and insight, I wouldn’t have to worry so much!”

Sister Qing’s heart sank, and she said no more.

「...」

In fact, the news of Xia Ruqing’s promotion to Noble Consort only surprised those in Xifu Palace. The rest of the concubines all felt it was merely a matter of time.

Her favor aside, the three sons she had borne were enough to make anyone green with envy. Moreover, she was so favored by the Emperor that he cherished her as if she were the apple of his eye.

Even without favor, a woman who had borne the Emperor three sons would, at the very least, hold the rank of a Consort. One only needed to look at Consort Hui and Consort Ning to understand.

The Emperor was not an unfeeling man! On the contrary, the Emperor treated the concubines in the Harem exceptionally well! Even those without favor, as long as they behaved themselves, the Emperor never allowed them to be mistreated. Those who lived their lives peacefully were all doing well; they lacked nothing except favor. In contrast, those who stirred up trouble did not last long.

So, what was there to complain or be jealous about?! The more one competed, the less one gained; it was better not to compete at all!

The storm passed. Xia Ruqing had truly become a Noble Consort. When people saw her daily, they would respectfully bow and greet her, showing no awkwardness. Even Consort Ning, who had always looked down on her and felt herself superior, now respectfully curtsied and inquired after her well-being. The others, naturally, followed suit.

As for Noble Concubine Shih, she hadn’t left her residence in a long time. Afraid of encountering someone? Afraid of awkwardness? Heh, it doesn’t matter anymore!

「After the Lantern Festival.」

Xia Ruqing officially moved into Duanning Palace.

Most people in the Harem sent congratulatory gifts. To everyone’s surprise, even Noble Concubine Shih sent over a valuable potted landscape.

This left Xia Ruqing somewhat puzzled. What’s her motive this time? she wondered, feeling a little apprehensive.

Don’t give me any nonsense about ’she has reformed.’ The memory of her conspiring with the Imperial Kitchen to poison my son’s Wetnurse Nanny is still fresh. It’s also thanks to her that I now have my own small kitchen. These days, aside from the standard rations I still need to collect from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I’m self-sufficient in all other food and supplies. Who am I guarding against with all this? I certainly won’t forget!

Zi Ning looked at the potted landscape and cautiously suggested, ”Your Highness, why not store it in the warehouse? Out of sight, out of mind!”

Xia Ruqing quickly stopped her. ”No need. Place it in the flower hall; I want to see it often!” Only by seeing it often can I remember how she bullied me back then. Only then, when the time comes to repay her tenfold, a hundredfold, will I not hesitate!

”Yes!” Zi Ning replied.

Subsequently, she recorded all the congratulatory gifts sent from the various palaces in a ledger and submitted it.

After Xia Ruqing had reviewed them, she handed the ledger back to Zi Ning and said with a smile, ”You take care of it; I trust you completely!”

”Yes!” Zi Ning knelt and kowtowed.

Xia Ruqing quickly told her to rise. ”There’s no need for such grand formalities. Let’s continue as we always have. From now on, you will have full authority over the warehouse. Just don’t betray my trust.”

Zi Ning hurriedly said, ”Your Highness, your words fill this servant with trepidation! Ever since I began serving Your Highness, this servant has been utterly loyal. If I were ever to betray Your Highness, may this servant die without a proper burial!”

Xia Ruqing quickly had someone help her to her feet. ”Why say such things? If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have brought you here!”

Zi Ning was deeply moved, her eyes reddening. ”This servant is not as articulate as Zi Su or Zi Yue, and cannot serve Your Highness as closely. I am so grateful that Your Highness does not look down on me and trusts me so much. This servant truly... can never repay your kindness!”

Xia Ruqing laughed. ”Silly girl, I don’t go around arguing with people, so what need do I have for so many sharp tongues? Do you think it isn’t chaotic enough here already?”

Zi Ning laughed through her tears.

”Thank you, Your Highness!”

”Alright, you may leave now,” Xia Ruqing waved her hand.

”Yes!” Zi Ning answered and left.

Xia Ruqing continued to look through the register in her hands. It contained information on all the servants by her side, compiled previously by Zi Yue—their names, origins, temperaments, and characters were all clearly recorded.

I had planned a major clear-out before, but unfortunately, it got delayed. Thankfully, it’s not too late now. Taking advantage of the move to the new palace, I can get rid of the undesirable ones and select a new group. After all, the children are still young. No matter what, the people around me must be reliable. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t even be able to sleep soundly!

After deliberating for two days, she finally finalized a list of names and had Zi Yue announce it.

”Those whose names are not on this list will receive a silver reward from Her Highness and be sent back to the Ministry of Internal Affairs!” Zi Yue declared. ”Those whose names are on the list will remain to serve! All of you, take a look!”

For a time, Duanning Palace was filled with mixed reactions of joy and sorrow.

Xia Ruqing appointed Zi Yue as the Steward Palace Maid and Xiao Xizi as the eunuch in charge of affairs.