A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 353 This Palace Still... Doesn’t Want to Die Ah

Before the servant delivering the porridge had even left, Zhao Junyao entered uninvited.Xia Ruqing, her belly large, moved slowly. Before she could rise, Zhao Junyao had already walked over, frowning.

"Don’t move!"

Xia Ruqing indeed stayed still. In truth, it wasn’t necessarily that she wanted to get up; it was just for appearances.

Zhao Junyao naturally didn’t know what she was thinking. He just saw her drinking porridge.

Xia Ruqing smiled and said, "I was just about to have someone send a bowl to the Emperor, and here you are!"

Zhao Junyao sat beside her, gently caressing her belly.

"What porridge is so delicious that you’d send it from such a distance?"

Xia Ruqing lifted her small face and smiled with pride.

"This pumpkin was grown by us!"

That’s how people are. The food they make with their own hands just tastes exceptionally delicious! The pumpkins they grow themselves just seem better than those from outside.

Zhao Junyao knew she loved tinkering with these little things, so he just smiled without saying a word.

Zi Yue came in carrying the porridge.

Zhao Junyao took a sip and very cooperatively commented on how tasty it was. Then, he steadily finished the entire bowl.

Xia Ruqing was beaming, her eyes shining with joy.

Zhao Junyao was happy too and patted her.

"Feeling sleepy? Shall I keep you company?"

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment, then said, "I just finished eating; I need to digest a bit!"

With that, she dared not lounge and stood up. Leaning on Zhao Junyao’s arm, she took a long walk around the front yard, the backyard, by the well, and under the grape trellis.

Zhao Junyao showed no impatience, accompanying her every small step of the way.

After all, it was here that he could stop thinking and just slowly focus on one thing! Only this refreshing and vibrant woman, like a clear spring, could effortlessly wash away the irritation and anxiety in his heart. He wanted to accompany her and just keep walking on like this.

When they lay down, Xia Ruqing fell asleep the moment she touched the bed. Her sleeping face, like her eyes, was pure, devoid of any impurity. The afternoon sun filtered through the window, dappling her face with light, her thick eyelashes casting fan-like shadows.

Zhao Junyao gently stroked her face, his touch tender, his fingertips smooth.

"Qingqing..."

Turning over, Zhao Junyao was about to close his eyes to sleep. His gaze accidentally fell upon a painting hanging by the bed. It depicted a chubby baby with plump little hands, a round face, and big, sparkling eyes, as if contemplating nibbling on a peach.

Zhao Junyao glanced at the painting, then at Xia Ruqing in his arms, his lips curling up in a smile. He ruffled her hair and rested his chin on her forehead. Closing his eyes, his heart felt as serene as a tranquil lake, without a single ripple.

Zhao Junyao soon drifted off to sleep.

When he awoke, he found Xia Ruqing was still asleep. Zhao Junyao dressed and, instructing the attendants to "Take good care of her," departed with large strides.

Li Shengan followed behind, thinking, His Majesty dotes on her, wanting to spoil her rotten and keep her as the apple of his eye; who would dare not take good care of her? Besides, there’s a precious Little Master in her belly!

These days, even the Empress’s meals had to take a backseat in the Imperial Kitchen. Whatever this lady desired to eat, a single word was enough for it to be prepared in minutes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was no different. A single word of her wishes, and people would scramble to deliver things to Qingya Residence. Lately, even Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi hardly dared to go out. They feared being swarmed by people trying to bribe them with silver and gifts, all desperate for a transfer to Qingya Residence. Everyone knew Lady Xia was favored and generous to her servants. With a Little Master in her belly, her future seemed limitless. The only thing was, Qingya Residence... wasn’t short of staff.

「Jiaofang Hall」

Sister Ji was growing somewhat worried.

"Empress, about Lady Xia’s situation..."

The Empress smiled. "What of it? Her origins are clear for all to see. So what if she gives birth to a Crown Prince?"

Sister Ji hurriedly advised, "Empress, we must not be careless. Lady Xia’s father may not hold a high position, but her brother..."

The Empress waved her hand dismissively. "No need to say more, Sister!

"Lady Xia is truly the apple of the Emperor’s eye. If something were to happen to her child, I fear the Emperor... would never forgive me in this lifetime!

"Sister, do you think an unborn child of a concubine, whose gender we don’t even know, is more important than my position as Empress and the Emperor’s favor?"

After some thought, Sister Ji replied, "Your Majesty makes a compelling point!"

As a woman, without her man’s support, she was nothing.

"Sister, you should have some understanding of the Emperor’s temperament!" the Empress continued. "Once his bottom line is crossed, he acts without mercy! I, for one... do not wish to die!"

Upon reflecting on this, Sister Ji felt a cold sweat break out on her back. The Empress was right; once the Emperor decided to act, there was no escape.

The Empress sat up straight, her eyes filled with grim determination. "Think back to Noble Concubine Shih’s child. The Emperor mistakenly thought I was responsible, and how much coldness did I endure from him then?

"Sister, are you unaware of how difficult those days were for me?"

The Empress sighed with relief, then continued, "Therefore, as long as the Emperor acknowledges me, I will always be the legitimate Empress, and their children will all be children born of concubines!"

After thinking it over, Sister Ji understood and smiled. "It was I who was mistaken!

"Back then, the Late Emperor’s Crown Prince and Second Prince were not born of the Empress Dowager. Yet, the Empress Dowager remained the Empress Dowager, the legitimate son remained the legitimate son, and didn’t our Emperor ascend the throne smoothly?"

The Empress laughed. "There is a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate! I cannot allow a child born of a concubine to ruin my future prospects!"

Sister Ji nodded and did not pursue the topic further.

After lunch, the Empress leaned against soft pillows for an afternoon rest.

A faint regret lingered in her heart. When she first entered the palace, she had vowed to bear the eldest legitimate son. Now, it seemed that was no longer possible.

Lady Xia Jieyu and Honored Lady Shih can’t both give birth to princesses, can they? But I cannot harm either of them!

She could only watch helplessly as they bore children, one after another. Fortunately, the rift between her and the Emperor had mended. The Emperor even occasionally came to Jiaofang Hall for meals!

A satisfied smile curved the corners of the Empress’s mouth.

What does it matter if I don’t have his affection? That was never what I was fighting for. As long as the Emperor is willing to show me respect, I can secure my position as Empress. In the Harem, I will remain unshakeable! So what if Lady Xia is favored? I refuse to believe she can remain favored for ten, even twenty, years! Therefore, as long as I am Empress, there will always be a chance to deal with her. Why rush things now?

Having thought this through, the Empress exhaled a sigh of relief, turned over, and fell asleep.

All was smooth sailing in the palace, and the Empress was thoroughly pleased with her current success. What she didn’t know was that her brother, Fan Changsheng, was scheduled for execution after the autumn harvest. The execution was set for early September. Like all other criminals guilty of heinous crimes, his case was tried by the Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Justice finalized the verdict with its seal, scheduling his execution for after the autumn harvest.

Fan Changsheng was a leading military general, the second son of Fan You, Marquis Zhongyong and a first-rank General. Having been detained in the Ministry of Justice for so long, his family, the Fan Family, had naturally received word long ago. Upon receiving the news, members of the Fan Family had come to the capital to seek connections and pull strings.