A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 316 Indulgence

As soon as the words were said, the three of them ran off.Little Zhuzi, who had always been inside the house, now held a trace of contempt in his heart for the Emperor. Emperor, didn’t you say you didn’t support this?

The people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs saw three eunuchs arrive. One of them was even an apprentice of Eunuch Li Shengan. This was a matter they couldn’t neglect.

Hai Dasheng personally came out to meet them. "What would the three of you like?" he inquired.

Little Zhuzi said, "The Emperor wants a piece of ice. It doesn’t need to be too big, but it must be clean!"

When Hai Dasheng heard it was for the Emperor’s use, that settled it; there was no question. He immediately had someone look for it.

The ice in the palace was divided into three grades. The top grade, the cleanest, was used for imperial meals. The second grade was for cooling things like fruits, mung bean soup, and chilled tea. The last grade was just for cooling off. It didn’t have to be very clean; blocks of ice transported directly from the river could be used.

Needless to say, Hai Dasheng definitely picked the top-grade ice. Finally, he chose a piece about a foot long and half a foot wide.

"This quantity of ice isn’t large," Hai Dasheng explained. "It’s frozen spring water from the mountains—crystal clear and sweet!"

Meaning, when melted, it was drinkable spring water!

Little Zhuzi led the way, expressing profuse thanks, as the three men carried the ice away.

Leaning against the door frame, Hai Dasheng wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Look at that! The people following behind are all from Xia Jieyu’s entourage. This block of ice must be for Xia Jieyu as well! The Emperor is just putting in an appearance!"

According to Xia Jieyu’s status, she wasn’t entitled to use this kind of ice! But then, what of it? If even the Emperor said nothing, who was he to object!

With that thought, he turned and went inside. He made an even stronger mental note. From now on, for anything Xia Jieyu ordered, he wouldn’t need to be told—he would just pick the best!

The ice block was soon brought back.

Xia Ruqing gave further instructions. "You three, go find some ice picks and shovels, and grind this ice into fine pieces!"

Once she finished giving instructions, she rolled up her sleeves and went to the small tea room to look for ingredients. Before she was pregnant, this little tea room was her paradise. Inside, it had everything she could wish for, and she often dived in for half a day without coming out. Sometimes, just for a particular delicacy, she would stay in there for one or two Shi Chen!

Even after becoming pregnant, she hadn’t given it up. She would often come to browse and search around. After all, she needed to exercise too!

She took honey, jam, pickled plums, and grape wine out of the small cabinet. She also sent Zi Su and Zi Ning to the Imperial Kitchen to get some milk, fruits, and cheese, among many other things.

By the time she finished preparing everything on her side, the ice had been almost completely ground. The ice shavings piled up, sparkling brilliantly under the sun, looking extremely beautiful.

Xia Ruqing mixed in the various flavored sauces she had prepared. After stirring, she tasted it.

Then, she scooped out a small bowl and handed it to Zhao Junyao. "Emperor, would you like to have a taste?"

Zhao Junyao’s expression remained unchanged; he had clearly prepared himself psychologically for all sorts of strange and exotic concoctions. Now, when he was at her place, nothing odd he saw surprised him anymore.

Zhao Junyao obligingly took a taste.

Then... the bowl was empty in no time.

"Is it delicious?"

Seeing her expectant face, Zhao Junyao nodded. "Delicious!"

What he really wanted to say, he thought, is that in this sweltering weather, even gnawing on a plain block of ice would be delicious! As for these sweet additions, they hold no particular temptation for me. I don’t even like sweets! However, if Qingqing likes it, then I like it too!

Zhao Junyao ate two more bowls.

Xia Ruqing twirled around happily. "It’s wonderful that you like it, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled. Hmm, although it’s a bit too sweet, I feel like I could eat another two bowls!

Xia Ruqing didn’t get to have any of the shaved ice herself. However, fortunately, Imperial Doctor Zhang was quite humane and allowed her to have a bit of mung bean soup. It was considered cooling as well, but she couldn’t have too much. Still, Xia Ruqing was extremely grateful.

When evening arrived, Zhao Junyao left Qingya Residence in a good mood. Today was the first day of the lunar month, so he needed to go to the Empress’s quarters for dinner. In the last two months, the Empress had been behaving quite well, much to his satisfaction! Therefore, he walked through the Imperial Garden and made his way to Jiaofang Hall.

The Empress had already prepared what she thought were the Emperor’s favorite dishes. Although, the Emperor didn’t actually like them much. But that didn’t matter; it’s the thought that counts.

On the first day of the lunar month, the Emperor spent the night at Jiaofang Hall.

The next day, the second of the month, Zhao Junyao went to court early in the morning.

The Empress’s complexion was rosy, and Jiaofang Hall was filled with a festive air. During the morning greetings, the smile couldn’t be wiped from her face. Even her view of Xia Ruqing had become much more favorable. During the meal, she repeatedly called Yu Lan to pour tea and offer fruits to Xia Ruqing, even though Xia Ruqing didn’t eat them!

With the Empress already shining like the midday sun, her recent affirmation from the Emperor made her status all the more formidable. The various Honored Ladies beneath her, even Consort Zheng Pin and others, were quick to offer effusive flattery.

Noble Concubine Shih felt utterly dejected; she was clearly being overshadowed by the Empress! Even Consort Yun Pin, who had always been on her side, was now grinning obsequiously at the Empress, which was simply unbearable!

Hence, when the gathering dispersed, Noble Concubine Shih glared at Consort Yun Pin and stormed off with a swish of her sleeves.

Consort Yun Pin was also somewhat resentful. "What’s there to be so arrogant about? Does she think things are still like they were before? An out-of-favor Noble Consort is still just a concubine. But the official Empress, even if she lost favor, would still be the official Empress—and she hasn’t even lost favor!"

Consort Yun Pin spoke the words she had dared not utter for years, feeling immensely satisfied. She then left with Cai Die trailing behind.

In the palace, there’s always joy for some and sorrow for others.

「And outside the palace?」

The shirtless quartet had regrouped once again.

Indeed, Xia Tingfeng was off duty that day and thus went looking for them at the given address. Tiger, Rat, and Monster were, in fact, living there.

It was a small courtyard residence, not large, but it had all the necessities, and the surroundings were quite serene. These three fellows seemed to be living quite comfortably.

Xia Tingfeng landed a punch on each of them. "Not bad, you’ve made it big, huh?"

Rat chuckled slyly with a sneak’s grin. "Brother, it’s because... we made some money on the way to the Capital City!"

"We brothers wanted to see more of the world! So... we bought a courtyard."

Xia Tingfeng was surprised. "Bought it?"

Monster nodded on the side and then posed coquettishly. "Brother, you have no idea! To buy this small courtyard, the three of us suffered so much on the way! With the silver we earned, I even had to buy inferior rouge! Brother, you have to set things right for me!"

Xia Tingfeng was speechless. Rouge... Monster is having one of his episodes again. Better to ignore him.

He turned instead to ask Tiger, "Tell me, what’s going on?"

Tiger confessed honestly. "Brother, we had no travel money, so we made our way here by performing. Luckily for us, the Capital City is full of nobles and wealthy people! After a month here, just by performing, we made... over three hundred taels! So, we could only afford this small, remote courtyard. Still, it’s enough for us to live in, with exactly four rooms!"