A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 431

After attending him all night, he hadn’t even touched her, let alone shared a bed with her.It seemed the Emperor probably knew she was unwilling and didn’t want to force her.

Even when she had clearly committed a grand act of disobedience, he was still tolerating her.

He arranged for her to rest elsewhere and had someone send her back according to the regular Shi Chen for an Honored Lady’s night attendance.

Pretending to have attended the Emperor, so as not to make her life difficult in the palace or subject her to scorn.

Thinking this way, she actually felt, The Emperor really is a gentleman!

If it had been any other licentious libertine, who would care if you were willing? They would have stripped you bare and had their way with you forcefully. What could you have done then?

Therefore, she felt a secret gratitude in her heart.

After all, he was the Emperor, truly... a sovereign of the realm, the one who held the heavens and the earth in his hands.

Of course, he wouldn’t be a vile and shameless person; he was worlds apart from those men.

Honored Lady Jiang was startled by her own thoughts. Worlds apart?

Since when did she think so highly of an emperor who possessed three thousand beauties?

But on second thought, she really couldn’t hate him.

Honored Lady Jiang sighed in her heart. Forget it.

Could it be that I was being too demanding?

"Hua Cha, what do you think... If I hadn’t entered the palace, what would it be like now?"

Knowing that she still had reservations, Hua Cha deliberately said, "Naturally, you would have married and had children!"

"Which affluent family doesn’t have several wives and concubines nowadays!"

"Having several wives and concubines is still considered decent. I’ve heard that some men not only have wives and concubines at home but also mistresses outside and favorites in the brothels..."

"TSK TSK. If you married into an ordinary family, it would be fine. But if you married that kind of man, you’d really suffer!"

Honored Lady Jiang was still not giving up.

"Isn’t there anyone who is truly devoted?"

All she wanted was true devotion, like the harmonious couples in stories, with hearts connected as one.

Is that really so difficult?

The corners of Hua Cha’s mouth curled with a touch of sarcasm.

"My lady, think about it. Have you ever heard of such a man?"

"If there really were such a man, it would have long become a beautiful tale. How could it remain obscure!"

Which man in this world doesn’t want to have his cake and eat it too? The truly good ones only exist in plays.

If every street were full of them, they wouldn’t be rare, and they certainly wouldn’t appear in plays.

That day, Honored Lady Jiang deeply understood what it meant to have ’plenty of ideals, but a harsh reality.’

Regarding this, Xia Ruqing, who had lived through two lives and tasted all the sweet and bitter flavors of the world, commented:

Reality is inherently harsh; those who understand the times are wise. As a little woman, she could be adaptable.

The first step was to save her life, the second to have food and shelter, the third to indulge in delicacies, and the fourth to lead a charmed life!

Everything was in order, perfectly fine!

If Honored Lady Jiang continued to fuss, there would only be three outcomes.

One, she would be tortured to death by the troublesome devils of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Kitchen.

Two, she would be hounded to death by the Empress in collaboration with other concubines.

Three, caught between two forces, she would succumb to doubt and die of depression.

In any case, no matter which way she died, it would all lead to death!

Was Honored Lady Jiang afraid of death? Of course, she was.

There are those who talk of death heroically, as if they are eager to bravely face any disaster to prove their innocence.

However, when faced with a life-and-death situation, they become cowards.

Life is only given once. Death ends everything, and regrets are common.

Honored Lady Jiang belonged to the latter type—someone who cowered in the face of death but wasn’t reconciled to it!

「Honored Lady Jiang’s attendance caused quite a stir in the palace.」

After all, among the Honored Ladies, it had been a long time since any had attended the Emperor.

More importantly, it was a woman who bore some resemblance to Consort Xian Pin who had attended the Emperor.

And her experiences were so similar to those of Consort Xian Pin.

Having entered the palace long ago, it was her first time attending the Emperor, and their features were similar.

Everyone was waiting to watch the drama unfold, whispering behind the scenes.

"Consort Xian Pin has had a child, and although her figure hasn’t changed much, she’s inevitably not as fresh anymore!"

"Who knows what the Emperor is thinking!"

"Hey! The Emperor must be pleased inwardly, showing her kindness for the child’s sake, but when it truly comes down to it, how could Consort Xian Pin compare?"

"Exactly!"

A woman who has had a child, no matter how beautiful she is, how can she compare with a flower bud that has just bloomed?

Therefore, the future seemed boundless for Honored Lady Jiang now.

Most importantly, she had the Empress to promote her!

Then... what were they waiting for?

The lesser-favored Honored Ladies couldn’t curry favor with Consort Xian Pin anyway.

It might be better... to court favor with this future "Consort Xian Pin."

That very afternoon, some of the Honored Ladies who had entered the palace together came to visit one after another.

The following day, several more came.

They surrounded Honored Lady Jiang, calling her ’sister’ this and ’sister’ that, smiling sweetly.

Honored Lady Jiang listened to the long-missed praise and saw the envious gazes she hadn’t seen in a while.

She felt as if she had returned to the past.

Before entering the palace, she was one of the top local beauties, talented and beautiful, always the center of attention in the boudoir circles.

Wherever she went, she was surrounded by admirers.

Now, she felt that sense of belonging once again!

This familiar, craved feeling restored the confidence that had long since deflated within the palace.

Honored Lady Jiang skillfully lifted her proud head, assuming her usual cool smile.

She! She was still the most beautiful crane standing among chickens!

"Sister Jiang, is that Jade Hairpin a gift from the Empress? It is truly beautiful! I’ve never seen such a lovely hairpin before, not even the one on Consort Xian Pin’s head can compare!"

"Sister Jiang, that dress really suits you!" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novᴇlfire.net

"Sister Jiang, you look truly beautiful in that dress, just like... Chang’e in the moon!"

Listening to the many compliments, Honored Lady Jiang’s expression grew even more haughty.

Internally, she scorned them: A bunch of rabble, forever fit only to look up to me from below!

However, she could not let her contempt show. On her face, she wore a faint smile, serene as moonlight.

"Thank you all for your kind words, but I dare not accept them!"

"If you don’t mind, have some tea here. I am indeed somewhat tired and won’t be able to accompany you any longer!"

Having said this, she glanced at Hua Cha, lifted her head proudly, and, her long skirt trailing, walked into the inner chamber.

Hua Cha hurried over to help her change and settle into bed.

Then she quickly came out to serve tea...

The Honored Ladies, holding tea that was either too cold or too hot, and not really drinkable, were dumbfounded.

Gradually, disdain grew in their hearts.

They sat awkwardly for a while and then left one by one.

A group of them reached the Imperial Garden, rolling their eyes and pursing their lips.

"TSK TSK TSK! Look at that attitude! Does she really think she’s Consort Xian Pin now?"

"Exactly. She’s an Honored Lady, and so are we. It’s just one night’s favor. Who’s really more noble than whom?"

"Indeed. If not for the Empress promoting her, she’d still be just like us!"

"Right! Look at her. The road ahead is long, and she shouldn’t get too complacent!"

They went on and on, venting their frustrations, then dispersed.

「Xia Ruqing had already received the news.」

She was still somewhat surprised.

"Oh? The Empress arranged for her to attend the Emperor?"

Wasn’t she... reluctant to attend the Emperor? How come there was no fuss, and she complied?