A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 355: Murder Will Be Paid for with a Life

"My dear, I’m not asking you to save him, just to plead on his behalf before the Emperor. My brother is still so young, and he hasn’t even taken a wife!"After speaking, the Empress broke into sobs.

Xia Ruqing bit her lip.

Cry? Even if you cry a river, it’s no use; this is a bottom line I truly cannot cross! Your brother is young? So, the one you had killed was an old man? Isn’t everyone’s life precious?

Thinking this, Xia Ruqing still looked conflicted.

No matter what the Empress said, she refused to give a definite answer.

Finally, the Empress became desperate.

"Lady Xia, do not forget that you owe your position today to me! I’ve helped you a great deal, and yet you are so ungrateful?"

Xia Ruqing’s face turned pale with fear, her heart racing.

Before she could say anything further, she clutched her stomach with a pained expression.

"Oh, my stomach!"

By her side, Xiao Xizi darted out like a gust of wind.

"This is terrible! Call the Imperial Physician! The mistress’s fetal qi is disturbed!"

Zi Yue, Zi Su, and Zi Ning were immediately thrown into a panic, hurriedly helping Xia Ruqing onto the bed.

At the same time, they wept and dabbed at their tears.

"Mistress, do not fear! Xiao Xizi has gone for the Imperial Physician!" Zi Su said while Zi Ning, wiping her tears, smoothed the covers over their mistress.

Zi Yue was busily removing Xia Ruqing’s shoes and settling her in bed.

The Empress and Yu Lan, who were nearby, were thoroughly ignored.

The Empress’s face turned livid with anger.

She slammed the teacup she held onto the floor and stormed out with her entourage.

As the sound of their footsteps faded, Xia Ruqing peeked and saw the room was now empty. Hugging the quilt, she heaved a long sigh of relief.

"Finally gone!"

I knew it. The Empress’s impromptu visit wouldn’t bring anything good!

Zi Yue looked somewhat worried. "But, Mistress, doing this... haven’t we offended the Empress?"

Xia Ruqing was also worried. "What else could I do? Should I have pleaded for her brother?"

I’d rather offend her than do that.

The Imperial Physician arrived swiftly.

Xia Ruqing obediently extended her arm, and Imperial Doctor Zhang checked her pulse before exhaling in relief.

"Xia Jieyu’s pulse is steady and strong; there’s nothing amiss." He paused. "But... are you feeling any discomfort?"

Xia Ruqing smiled. "It’s nothing serious. I just felt a bit of chest tightness a moment ago!"

Imperial Doctor Zhang was reassured. "If you feel tightness in your chest, Xia Jieyu, opening a window for some fresh air should help," he advised. "Alternatively, take more walks outside, but be careful not to overexert yourself."

Xia Ruqing smiled. "Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician. Zi Yue, please see the Imperial Physician out."

Imperial Doctor Zhang picked up his medicine chest and left, puzzled.

Summoned me in such a panic, it gave me quite a scare! I thought something was seriously wrong. Well, it’s a good thing nothing is!

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhu Zi came in. Seeing that his mistress was alright, he smiled and said, "Mistress, you gave this servant such a fright just now! I nearly rushed off to Zhaochen Palace to find Eunuch Li!"

Xia Ruqing glanced at him and then smiled. "If you had dared to go then, I’m afraid the Empress would have remembered you! Are you afraid?"

Xiao Zhu Zi replied instantly, without a second thought, "This servant is not afraid! This servant has always known that one serves only one master!"

Xia Ruqing smiled, saying no more. The servants’ loyalty was something she herself had cultivated. She never tested their human nature with extreme hypothetical questions like, ’If your mother and I fell into the water, would you save me out of loyalty or save your mother out of filial piety?’

However, if any dared to be disloyal, and she found out, death was the only outcome!

Xia Ruqing suddenly realized she and Zhao Junyao were cut from the same cloth. As long as her boundaries weren’t crossed, she projected an image of magnanimity, as if she could embrace the world. Normally, minor transgressions and small acts of defiance were seemingly easily forgiven.

But if that line is crossed, then I’m sorry, there’s no mercy for anyone who dares to offend me!

「 」

Zhao Junyao had been approving documents all day and only had time to come over after the evening meal.

Xia Ruqing had already had her dinner and had taken a long walk outside before returning.

After bathing and freshening up, Xia Ruqing leaned on the couch. Smiling, she watched the tiny kitten snuggled beside Da Bai in the cat bed.

Some time ago, she had asked Xiao Xizi to find a female companion for Da Bai. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs didn’t have a suitable candidate right away, so it took a few days. It was only yesterday that the Ministry of Internal Affairs finally sent over a few female kittens for Xia Ruqing to choose from. Ultimately, Xia Ruqing chose one that resembled a Persian cat, with fur color and breed similar to Da Bai.

She named her Little White.

Little White was less than a year old, with fur as white as snow, without a single fleck of another color. Her eyes, a deep blue at the iris, were clear and sparkling, like a vast, starry ocean. Her lips, ears, and tiny paws were all a tender, rosy pink. Her meow was delightful—soft and delicate.

Da Bai circled the little newcomer several times, sniffing her scent before finally accepting her.

From that day on, the two cats were inseparable, constantly showing off their affection for each other! Da Bai doted on Little White, even to the point of willingly eating her leftovers. When they slept, he would curl his body into a circle, letting Little White nestle safely in the middle. He would even meticulously groom Little White’s fur while they sunbathed.

If Xia Ruqing tried to get close to Little White, Da Bai would jealously guard her.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Da Bai, you don’t love me anymore!"

Da Bai glanced from his mistress to Little White nestled in his embrace, clearly conflicted. Finally, with a soft MEOW, he reluctantly shifted, conceding a tiny bit of space. He watched, with immense reluctance, as Xia Ruqing scooped Little White into her arms.

When Zhao Junyao arrived, he found Xia Ruqing playfully teasing Little White in her arms.

He frowned and walked over. "How can you hold that?"

Aren’t cats filthy? Always running around on the ground. What if it’s carrying some illness and you catch it?

Xia Ruqing just laughed. "Your Majesty, Zi Yue and the others just finished bathing her. Her fur isn’t even dry yet!"

After all, I’m from modern times; I know a thing or two about raising cats. Although I can’t get them vaccinated here, deworming them and keeping them clean with regular baths is still essential.

Zhao Junyao didn’t understand.

Xia Ruqing didn’t argue. She had Zi Yue place Little White back in the cat bed and then went to wash her hands.

"Your Majesty, have you dined?"

The question was a mere pleasantry, but Zhao Junyao didn’t seem to mind and simply replied, "I have."

Xia Ruqing then smiled and said nothing more.

Zhao Junyao gently touched her belly and asked, "Why did you summon the Imperial Physician today?"

Xia Ruqing paused for a moment, then carefully recounted what the Empress had come to her about earlier that day.

It was just like when I had first feigned illness. Back then, unable to bear the intense favor, I pretended to be sick and told him directly. Now, I’m still the same person, completely open with him, telling him things as they are, good or bad. Hmph! The Empress thinks she can use me as a pawn? Believes I’m some kind of magnanimous, pure-hearted saint who’ll rescue anyone? How ridiculous! I’m not taking that risk. I’ll tell the Emperor everything; that way, I wash my hands of it.

Indeed, Zhao Junyao’s expression softened considerably. He pinched her cheek and chuckled. "So, you faked a stomachache?"

Xia Ruqing put on an air of feigned arrogance. "It’s an age-old principle that debts must be paid and a life must be paid for a life. If Her Majesty the Empress’s brother truly took someone’s life, then he deserves no pity!"

Then she added, "Of course, if he killed someone utterly depraved, that would be different. That would be ridding society of a scourge!"