A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 409: The Pit You Dig, You Must Kneel and Fill.

"What are we to do if the child is so frail?"Is the Little Prince weak? No, not at all. Sister Liang takes excellent care of him; how could he possibly catch a cold? I only said that to lower Little Bun’s ’aggro’! If I had said the Little Prince was very healthy and strong... just imagine the consequences! With someone as deranged as the Empress, if she were to do something to Little Bun, who could bear it, right?

It must be said, Xia Ruqing was very clever.

After she spoke, the expression on the Empress’s face indeed improved considerably. Her voice even sounded more sincere.

"Is that really so?"

"That won’t do. If the child is ill, we must call the Imperial Physician right away. If you need any precious medicinal ingredients and you don’t have them, come and get them from my palace immediately! The child’s illness cannot be delayed!"

Xia Ruqing was so annoyed she rolled her eyes.

PTOOEY! PTOOEY! PTOOEY! You’re the one who’s ill; your whole family is ill! But, one has to fill the hole one has dug, even if it means kneeling.

Xia Ruqing could only agree to each point.

「After leaving the gates of Jiaofang Hall」

The warm winter sun sprinkled gently on her face. Xia Ruqing was in a good mood.

Back at Qingya Residence, after changing her clothes, she called for Xiao Xizi to give instructions.

"Go and invite Imperial Doctor Zhang for a visit. Just say... it’s for the Little Prince!"

Xiao Xizi was startled. "What’s wrong with the Little Prince, Master?"

His legs went weak with fear. But looking at his master, her expression showed no sign of distress?

"Nothing’s wrong, just a simple Peaceful Pulse!" Xia Ruqing replied. "Don’t say too much; just say it’s for the Little Prince."

Xiao Xizi was always well-behaved and immediately stopped asking further questions.

When Sister Liang brought Little Bun over, he had just been fed and was still sleeping.

Xia Ruqing lay in bed, looking at him, her heart growing impossibly tender.

She thought with grand ambition: From now on, I will be his armor. In the Harem, I will shield him from all the filth. And all he needs to do is grow up healthy and happy! He has become my absolute weakness!

Soon, Imperial Doctor Zhang arrived. He checked the Little Prince’s pulse, then observed his eyelids and tongue coating. He also felt the Little Prince’s stomach, ribs, and leg bones. Essentially, he gave Little Bun a comprehensive check-up.

Xia Ruqing then asked, "How is it? The child is still healthy, isn’t he?"

Imperial Doctor Zhang smiled. "Consort Xian Pin is raising him well; the child is very healthy!"

After speaking, his expression faltered slightly, showing some hesitation.

Xia Ruqing quickly pressed on, "Is there something else you want to say, Imperial Doctor Zhang?"

Imperial Doctor Zhang looked at her. Consort Xian Pin has always been sensible and open-minded; perhaps she would be receptive?

Then he said, "The Ground Dragon heating indoors is too strong, and the air circulation is poor! This is ultimately not good for the child’s lungs! If Consort Xian Pin doesn’t mind, when the weather warms up a bit, around noon, take the child outside to bask in the sun. Start with a short period; a quarter of an hour, or even half that, will do! Gradually, as the Little Prince gets used to it, you can increase the time."

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing slapped her forehead. "The Imperial Physician is right! How did I forget about this? Thank you for the reminder, Imperial Physician!"

Imperial Doctor Zhang was very pleased. It must be said, Consort Xian Pin truly was the most enlightened and receptive to new ideas among all the masters in the Harem! Encountering such a receptive person, Imperial Doctor Zhang was genuinely comforted from the bottom of his heart! That’s why he was willing to be at her beck and call.

After Xiao Xizi escorted Imperial Doctor Zhang out, Xia Ruqing looked at the sky. "Never mind, the weather isn’t good today! When it’s nice tomorrow, I’ll take Little Bun out then!"

The Emperor had been very busy lately, and Xia Ruqing hadn’t seen him for two days.

「After lunch.」

Having nothing better to do, Xia Ruqing lay in bed, chatting aimlessly with Zi Yue. After a while, she grew sleepy.

Sister Huang laughed. "My lady, if you’re tired, just sleep. There’s no need to force yourself to stay awake!"

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat melancholic. "It’s been over ten days since I finished my confinement. To still be this way... isn’t it somewhat bad?"

Eating and sleeping all day long, really... I’m just too lazy.

After pondering for a moment, Sister Huang spoke seriously, "Giving birth is an affair that depletes a woman’s vital essence. To truly recover, it takes at least half a year. You’re just a little over a month in, so don’t worry! Get some good rest!"

Xia Ruqing did some calculations in her head. It’s almost been two months! All the postpartum discharge has long been expelled, and I even had my menstrual period a couple of days ago. Although it wasn’t much, it still shows that I’m all better! Even if... I can’t do the deed just yet! But right now, aside from a lack of physical strength and feeling mentally drained, I really have no other issues.

However, Xia Ruqing thought, Since Old Sister said so, I might as well get some proper sleep. If I’m fully rested, I can take better care of Little Bun, right?

With that thought in mind, she changed her clothes and lay down to sleep, facing inward.

「At lunchtime.」

Xia Ruqing had already had a good sleep. Xiao Xizi brought the meal back. Just as she finished setting the table and was about to eat, she heard Little Zhuzi outside.

"Consort Xian Pin! The Emperor has decreed that you join him in the Imperial Study Room!"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat stunned. "Ah? Now?"

Little Zhuzi nodded.

Does the Emperor... have something important? Xia Ruqing thought to herself.

She did not ask further. She had Zi Yue help her don her cape once again. Then she went to the inner chamber, reluctantly looked at Little Bun who was sleeping soundly, and followed Little Zhuzi to the warm sedan chair.

「Zhaochen Palace」

In front of Zhao Junyao, there was also a table spread with dishes, all prepared by the small kitchen according to Xia Ruqing’s taste.

Upon entering, Xia Ruqing paid her respects. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao looked at her with a gentle gaze. "Qingqing, come here!"

Xia Ruqing smiled and stood up. "What’s the occasion today? Why has the Emperor...?"

Xia Ruqing did not believe that Zhao Junyao had summoned her just for a meal. The Emperor always had a keen sense of propriety. He would only summon a concubine during the day if it was for a specific matter. That’s why she asked.

As expected, Zhao Junyao smiled and said, "Eat first!"

Xia Ruqing thus did not ask further. As it happened, all the dishes were her favorites, so Xia Ruqing ate leisurely and with relish.

Zhao Junyao was very pleased. He hadn’t had such a quiet meal with Qingqing for a long time. Every time he visited Qingya Residence, if Little Bun stirred while they were eating, she would become distracted. Although she was physically present with him, her heart had already drifted away. Now, though... Hmm, without that little rascal creating havoc, even eating feels refreshing and clear-headed!

Zhao Junyao didn’t eat much of the meal. He simply watched Xia Ruqing eat.

Xia Ruqing, however, was not distracted. Eating was a serious business, something she had always focused on!

「After lunch.」

It was time for serious matters. Zhao Junyao took a memorial from a stack of them on the table and handed it to Xia Ruqing.

Xia Ruqing was curious. "What’s this?"

"You’ll see when you look at it!" Zhao Junyao replied.

Xia Ruqing slowly opened it. The handwriting in the memorial wasn’t very good. Although it was written stroke by stroke, it looked like it had been written by someone who had just learned to write. The sentences were few and short, and some were even incoherent.