A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 407: That’s right, there’s definitely something going on!

Glancing at the Empress, her expression was indeed quite grim.Although Xia Ruqing disliked the Empress, she couldn’t openly fall out with her, could she? After all, the Empress still held power. A complete fallout would benefit neither her nor Little Bun.

So, after some thought, Xia Ruqing simply nodded indifferently. "Thank you for the compliment, Noble Consort!"

And then, that was it.

The atmosphere became a bit awkward.

Seeing this, Consort Hui Pin hurriedly changed the subject. "Today, the tea at Her Majesty the Empress’s residence is truly fragrant! To me, it tastes like this year’s new Mingqian Longjing!"

The Empress glanced at Consort Hui Pin, her expression softening slightly. She forced a smile. "It’s just some tea leaves, nothing so rare! If you like it, I’ll have Yu Lan send you some later!"

Consort Hui Pin smiled. "I wouldn’t dare trouble Lady Yu Lan. I’ll have Xiang Tan come to fetch it instead!"

The Empress nodded. "Very well!"

Seeing Consort Hui Pin had successfully shifted the conversation, Consort Ning also quickly chimed in with a few witty remarks to flatter the Empress. If there was one thing she was skilled at, it was currying favor with the Empress.

After a few exchanges between Consort Hui Pin and Consort Ning, the atmosphere warmed up. Everyone gradually relaxed, gathering in small groups to chat and drink tea.

The Empress finally breathed a sigh of relief. Though her expression had eased, the matter of her brother remained like a thorn in her side. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were clenched tightly. Her eyes were brimming with hatred.

’It was all Mother! If she hadn’t spoiled Second Brother so much, he never would have caused such a catastrophic disaster!’

’Now he’s dead and gone, but he’s also left me to be ridiculed!’

’Honestly!’

The Empress gritted her teeth!

Below, Noble Concubine Shih was sipping tea with delight. She was beginning to look upon Xia Ruqing more favorably.

Heh, the Empress keeps picking at her own scabs. It’s not like she doesn’t have any of her own! Now, I’m merely giving her a taste of her own medicine. This is just the first time, and she can’t take it? Heh! Empress, just you wait. The pain you inflicted on me, I will return it tenfold, a hundredfold!

Everyone was accustomed to the combustible tension between the Empress and the Noble Concubine Shih. The two had been rivals in the Harem for years, their power ebbing and flowing. But in the end, neither could thoroughly defeat the other.

Xia Ruqing thought to herself, Regardless of who emerges victorious in the future, the loser’s fate will be tragic. Perhaps it’s precisely because of this that they fight so ferociously. After all, no one wants to be the one who loses. But... winning and losing, how could it be so easily determined?

She was lost in thought when she heard the Empress above announce with a smile, "It’s cold today. Everyone, be careful on your way back. This Empress won’t keep you any longer!"

Xia Ruqing immediately snapped back to reality.

’It’s over? Over? That’s great!’

She quickly joined the others in expressing her gratitude and then followed the large group out.

Back at Qingya Residence, a warm breeze greeted her as Xia Ruqing took off her cloak and entered the inner chamber.

Upon entering, she saw Little Bun lying on the bed, with Sister Liang attending to him. Zi Yue sat by the window, doing needlework.

When they saw their mistress enter, they quickly stood up.

Xia Ruqing smiled. "Please, sit down!"

She then shed another outer coat. The inner chamber was so warm; it was no exaggeration to say it felt like spring!

Climbing onto the bed, Xia Ruqing saw Little Bun staring with his big, round, glistening eyes, watching Little White’s tail swing back and forth in front of him. As he watched, Little Bun began to blow bubbles.

Xia Ruqing laughed. "Son, do you blow bubbles whenever you’re happy?"

Little Bun blinked, his tiny lips moving even more diligently.

Xia Ruqing ruffled his thick hair. "Son, how can you be this adorable?"

Only after becoming a mother did she truly understand a mother’s feelings. She’d dote on him so much that even his farts would seem fragrant. A one-month-old baby couldn’t do much more than move his little mouth, but even that was enough to completely melt her heart!

Xia Ruqing had a hopelessly sentimental thought. What if her son learned to sit? To walk? To talk? To call her ’Mama’? Oh heavens, Xia Ruqing felt she might die from overwhelming emotion when that time came! Then she thought about her son marrying in the future, having another woman he loved more, starting his own little family...

Xia Ruqing suddenly felt a pang in her heart. Her son, in truth, wouldn’t belong only to her!

She sighed. When you love someone, you truly think about their entire life!

Xia Ruqing kissed her son’s face. Little White was right there, MEOWING. Its long, furry tail stood straight up, demanding attention!

Xia Ruqing then picked Little White up and poked its tender belly twice lovingly. She also held its snowy little paws.

Only then did Little White happily bounce off the bed and then... went to find Da Bai.

Xia Ruqing smiled. She lay down on the bed, feeling a bit sleepy, and went to sleep with her son.

「Outside the palace」

Xia Ruqing had someone send a message out of the palace, saying she really liked the hairpin her elder brother had sent. Xia Tingfeng was very happy.

That day, after finishing his duties, he somehow found a piece of purple sandalwood. Grabbing a small knife, he began to hack and whittle at it.

Rat and Monster exchanged glances from not far away.

"What do you think... Big Brother is doing..." Rat was somewhat baffled.

Monster pondered for a moment, then said, "Based on my deduction, he’s probably... not wooing a lady. It’s likely still related to Consort Xian Pin in the palace!"

Rat pondered for a moment. "That makes sense. Consort Xian Pin’s gift was sent out, but our little nephew hasn’t received his first-month celebration gift yet!"

Monster nodded. "That must be it then!" Saying this, he prepared to leave.

But Rat’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait!"

Monster was slightly impatient. "What now?"

Rat’s eyes were fixated on Xia Tingfeng, particularly around the cuffs of his sleeve. "Quick, look... in Big Brother’s sleeve..."

Monster followed his gaze. And then, his eyes also lit up instantly. "A woman’s handkerchief?"

"Whoa? Big Brother never uses things like handkerchiefs or scented sachets, and now... he suddenly has a handkerchief!"

"TSK! TSK! TSK!"

"There’s something afoot, definitely something afoot!"

"Exactly, absolutely something afoot!"

The two were surprisingly in agreement!

Meanwhile, Xia Tingfeng was still there, frowning as he carved the wood with his small knife, completely unaware that he had given himself away.

Rat and Monster thought, ’If that’s the case, it might not just be a gift for the little nephew. Maybe, it’s for a young lady!’

"Monster, aren’t you good at gathering intel? Go find out which young lady Big Brother has his eye on," Rat urged.

Monster slapped his chest confidently without a second thought. "What’s so difficult about that? Leave it to me! In no more than three days, we’ll have thoroughly scouted out the enemy’s situation!"

Rat was reassured. "My good brother, once you find out, I’ll definitely come up with some good ideas to lend Big Brother a hand in wooing his future sister-in-law!"

"No problem!"

With that, the two of them cheerfully left.

「Over the next three days, Monster changed his disguise daily.」

Sometimes he was a pure and beautiful young matron, sometimes a slender beauty, and occasionally even an outrageously charming playboy!