A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 415 Not One That Is Worry-Free

Xia Ruqing listened to Sister Liang’s words and began to feel a bit skeptical."Could it be...that other children aren’t like this?"

After pondering for a moment, Sister Liang replied, "The ones I’ve seen, the earliest they start recognizing people is at three months. The Little Prince is not even two months old, and already he shows signs of recognizing people!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t understand this very well. She nodded thoughtfully.

In this dynasty, there was no Baidu, Google, or internet. As a new mother, she knew nothing about child-rearing; her biggest source of knowledge was these experienced Sisters around her. In ancient times, that’s how it was. All experience had to be passed down verbally, and no one would systematically tell you what was right and what was wrong. One had to experience it for oneself. Therefore, these experienced Sisters were especially important in ancient times. Children in poor families couldn’t afford such Sisters, and the mortality rate of newborns was consequently high!

Thinking about all this, Xia Ruqing felt fortunate once again to be born into the imperial family. If she were in some poor place, married to a poor man, she would indeed have suffered a miserable death!

Xia Ruqing picked up her precious son and caressed his small body. Little Bun seemed comfortable, squinting his eyes while lying in the blanket. He even smiled occasionally. The incident with the Laba garlic had been completely tossed to the back of her mind, and Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"Babies really are easy to console!"

Sister Liang laughed, "Indeed, the Little Prince has a pleasant temperament; he hardly cries. After eating, he sleeps; once he’s rested, he eats!"

Xia Ruqing nodded and kissed her son’s face gently.

Little Bun was quite unappreciative.

Who said I am easy to console? Mother, I’m just not bothering to argue with you! My mother is so silly! And Sister Liang actually said I just eat and sleep, then sleep and eat! Is that... being easy to console? I just don’t want to bother arguing with them! Moreover, eating then sleeping, and sleeping then eating, should be the fastest way to grow. Yes, I really want to grow up quickly!

「After the Laba Festival, the year’s end was drawing near.」

This year seemed particularly colder than previous ones.

「Inside Jiaofang Hall.」

Even though the Ground Dragon was lit, it couldn’t fend off the chill. The Empress caught a cold early in December and, dragging it out, hadn’t recovered by year’s end. The weather wasn’t helping, with continuous snowfall. Lately, with the year’s end approaching, the Empress had become more overworked. Due to numerous affairs, she had stayed up several nights in a row to review the ledgers. After a few days, the Empress finally succumbed to illness.

Sister Ji was beside herself with worry. "Your Majesty, you are indeed too strong-willed. These trifles, if you ask someone to help, what harm could it do?" Who could possibly take away Your Majesty’s power?

After taking her medicine, the Empress lay on the couch, sucking on a pickled plum to chase away the bitterness in her mouth, frowning and sighing, "I am the Empress; if I fall ill at this time, wouldn’t it be a spectacle for them? There’s not a single worry-free soul in the harem! A bunch of Honored Ladies are looking for any opportunity to climb up. Consort Xian Pin has just given birth to the Crown Prince, and I can do nothing but watch helplessly. And there’s the Noble Consort with her big belly. If I fall now, who will take care of the myriad issues in the harem? Consort Ning is unreliable; Consort Hui Pin is indifferent to anything not concerning her. Besides, she’s just a Consort; giving her charge wouldn’t win popular support. Then, according to rank, it would almost be the Noble Consort’s turn. Letting the Noble Consort help manage the harem would be like feeding meat to a hungry wolf! Once power is handed over, getting it back isn’t so simple."

Therefore, even if it meant gritting her teeth, the Empress had to persevere.

After thinking for a moment, Sister Ji had no choice but to say, "Then, Your Majesty, you could exempt the morning greetings. At least you could get some more sleep in the morning! Even if you can’t sleep, it’s good to rest and recuperate!"

After considering it, the Empress felt the idea was feasible. "Not seeing them is better; it saves me the irritation of their presence!"

Sister Ji nodded, "That’s exactly right. If you keep your spirits up, what can’t you do?"

The Empress gave a bitter smile but said no more.

「That evening, a decree was issued from Jiaofang Hall.」

Claiming the cold weather and the busy days approaching the year’s end, it was decided that attending the morning greetings was unnecessary. Everyone was naturally delighted. In this icy winter chill, who would want to rise early every day to visit Jiaofang Hall and engage in pointless chatter with a bunch of disagreeable women? How lovely it would be to sleep in instead.

Xia Ruqing, however, felt indifferent towards this news. After all, she had long stopped attending. The outside was simply too cold. In November, taking advantage of the warmer weather, she could still take Little Bun out for a bit of sunshine. But come December, the weather turned mad, snowing incessantly and leaving no warm refuge. Xia Ruqing, having just given birth, was still somewhat frail. She followed the Imperial Physician’s advice: venture out less, eat more Jiang, and drink plenty of Jiang soup!

That evening, Xiao Xizi brought in the meal. Zi Yue laid out the spread. Glancing at the same few dishes, Xia Ruqing felt a bit sick of them. "It’s been almost two months since I gave birth. How come there’s still not a single tasty thing I can eat!"

For a foodie, what’s it like to go a year without eating much delicious food?

Sister Huang said with a laugh, "My lady, you may eat whatever you like, as long as it’s not excessive and you don’t overindulge! As long as it isn’t too strong in flavor, it should be mostly fine!"

Xia Ruqing’s eyes brightened on the spot. "What do you mean by excessive, and what’s considered not excessive?"

After thinking for a moment, Sister Huang answered, "It shouldn’t be too spicy, too salty, or too sweet; that is... you shouldn’t use too many seasonings!"

Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully. "So that’s what it means! Does that mean I can eat hot pot now?"

Sister Huang didn’t know what hot pot was, so Xia Ruqing briefly described it. Then... Sister Huang appeared somewhat troubled. "Why don’t you wait a while longer, my lady? This is a bit too spicy! Eating too much spicy food can impede recovery! After giving birth, a woman needs to recuperate properly for half a year. There are so many things in the body that need to be expelled. If you keep eating rich foods, when will your body ever be properly cleansed?"

Seeing Sister Huang hesitating like that, Xia Ruqing’s good mood faded. "Forget it, since I can’t eat it, I’ll... just not eat it then!"

I can’t eat very spicy food, but mildly spicy should be fine, right? Though not tonight, anyway. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow!

Sister Huang smiled. "Don’t be upset, my lady. Just wait a little longer and you can eat it. You’re still young, you don’t understand! When you’re older, you will! My advising you against it like this is truly for your own good!"

Xia Ruqing could only respond with a smile. "Thank you, Sister Huang!"

Sister Huang smiled and nodded in return.

Xia Ruqing ate an appropriate amount and then had the meal cleared away. The evening meal was a bit late, and by the time she finished, the charcoal brazier had cooled. She was also feeling sleepy. She had Zi Yue and the others tidy up, then went to bed.

Just before sleep, Little Bun, having just fed, wasn’t sleepy and was very energetic. Sister Liang brought him over to play for a while. In the evenings, Little Bun would be excited, and Xia Ruqing would play with him until she could no longer keep her eyes open. Little Bun grew drowsy as well.

After Sister Liang took him away, Xia Ruqing fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow!