A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 566 Xia Jingfeng

’Why should she be the lucky one? We’re all Honored Ladies here.’’Not only did she gain favor, but she’s also carrying the heir!’

’The New Year is almost upon us; she might just get promoted.’

’By the time she gives birth to a Prince, she’ll at least be a Consort, even if she’s nothing else!’

When we see her then, won’t we have to kneel and kowtow? And even call her Consort? Tsk tsk! We’re all the same kind of people, yet she rises through the ranks while I... The more I think about it, the more restless I become.

As for the other Honored Ladies, well, they’ve never been favored and have abandoned any such hopes.

But Honored Lady Du just couldn’t sit still!

A token of loyalty! Sincerity! The words the Empress once said still echoed in her ears at all times.

Honored Lady Jiang seemed to have already fallen out of favor with the Empress. So at this time, if I were to present the Empress with a token of loyalty, gaining her good graces... Wouldn’t I be able to rise through the ranks too?

The more she thought about it, the more excited Honored Lady Du became, so much so that she tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep at night.

She was like someone possessed, constantly pondering, What exactly does the Empress want? What could I offer to show my sincerity, to move the Empress? A Prince? I can’t bear a child! And even if I could, would I then turn to the Empress? Loved and cherished? Sorry, but I simply don’t have that ability! So what else is there?

Honored Lady Du thought and thought, for several days on end. One night, she finally came up with an answer.

Something the Empress can’t stand! If I handle a matter that the Empress can’t stand, wouldn’t that be a sign of sincerity?

With this thought, Honored Lady Du’s entire train of thought opened up.

She wrapped herself in her quilt, laughing triumphantly.

Her sleep grew sweet, as if she saw a lifetime of glory and wealth beckoning to her in her dreams!

...

Whatever bad ideas Honored Lady Du was brewing in the Harem is unknown for now.

Outside the palace, on a morning approaching the end of the lunar year, a plain green oil cloth horse carriage slowly entered the Capital City. In the busiest street, a slender young boy hopped down from the carriage.

The boy looked to be around thirteen or fourteen years old. Although he was not yet an adult, his brows already bore the grace of a dashing young man.

He donned a green cloth robe with white cotton pants underneath and wore a pair of thick-soled black cloth shoes. Over it, he draped a crescent-white plain cloth cape that looked clean and simple.

He held a piece of paper in his hand, comparing the street to it as if searching for something.

Soon, it seemed he had found his direction and walked down an alley.

The slim and frail figure soon disappeared into the throng of people.

...

He finally reached Zheng Qianhu Manor.

Xia Jingfeng was a little nervous, but still, he approached and knocked on the door.

The ones who greeted him were not his elder brother but a few of his brothers-in-arms.

Xia Jingfeng recognized them; he smiled shyly and hurriedly went forward to greet them one by one.

"Big Brother Zheng, Brother Rat, Brother Monster!"

Brother Monster first looked him up and down, then his eyes lit up.

"My heavens! Is this really... the Xia Family’s Second Young Master?"

Brother Rat was also quite incredulous.

"Are you sure you’re not an imposter?"

Although Tiger didn’t speak, he too scrutinized Xia Jingfeng closely, as if desperate to immediately find similarities with the young man he remembered.

But... after a thorough inspection, he found none!

The three of them just stood there, staring at Xia Jingfeng with wide eyes!

Xia Jingfeng felt embarrassed under their gazes. His handsome face turned slightly red.

"Big brothers... do you really not recognize me?"

"I’m Jingfeng!"

The four stood face to face, their eyes locked on each other!

After a long while, it was Brother Monster who finally snapped out of it.

"Oh, there’s no way he’d still look like the bean sprout of the past, what are you all thinking!"

"Our Second Young Master is going to sit for the Graduate exams. He’s going to be a high-ranking official one day! Right?"

Rat and Tiger also came to their senses.

"I still can’t imagine that the little brat who was nearly starved to death, that scrawny bean sprout, is the same person standing before us now!" Rat said, unable to hide his shock.

Tiger finally spoke up. "I don’t believe it either!"

Monster joined in. "Believe it or not, it’s him!"

After saying that, they hurriedly welcomed Xia Jingfeng inside with enthusiasm.

They exchanged warm greetings.

"How did you find this place?"

"It must have been Big Brother who wrote you a letter, right?"

"Don’t be scared, just feel at home here. Big Brother will be back after his shift!"

Xia Jingfeng was getting a bit overwhelmed. "Brother Monster, what are you talking about? What am I afraid of?"

"Big Brother did indeed tell me to come to this place!"

Rat hurriedly chimed in from the side. "Coming here is perfect! Just stay here, don’t go anywhere else!"

Xia Jingfeng laughed. "I don’t even know any other places here!"

"Since you three brothers are offering such warm hospitality, it would be rude of me to refuse!"

Monster laughed it off. "What’s this about accepting hospitality? This house was bought by your brother after all!"

"That’s right! Big Brother is now... Marquis Zhongyong! The Emperor has even granted him Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, which has been renovated. Next month, Big Brother will get married, and he’ll move there!"

"From now on, we can also freeload on food, drinks, and lodging there!"

With those words, everyone got excited.

They ushered Xia Jingfeng into the house.

...

Xia Jingfeng stayed in Xia Tingfeng’s former room.

Everything inside was ready-made. He brought only some daily necessities and books with him to the Capital City; everything else was left behind.

He didn’t have many possessions, and he could move right in and live comfortably, so he didn’t feel out of place!

That night, Xia Tingfeng finished his shift and indeed came over.

It had been two or three years since the brothers had last seen each other.

Drinking strong liquor, everyone’s eyes became reddened.

"Haha, the liquor tonight is really potent!"

Xia Jingfeng, his eyes rimmed with red, agreed. "Brother Tiger, honestly! Even though you know I don’t drink much, you still got such strong liquor!" Saying this, he wiped away a tear!

Xia Tingfeng gulped down a bowl of liquor. Not only was his face red, but his eyes were too.

"It wasn’t Tiger. This must have been... definitely Rat’s idea, that little scamp!"

Rat, who was drinking, stopped and looked wronged. "Big Brother, it wasn’t me! You’re blaming the wrong person!"

"It was clearly Monster!"

"Monster was the one who bought the liquor!"

Monster felt indignant upon hearing this. "You scamp! What’s gotten into you? Sure, I bought the liquor, but you were the one who specifically asked for it—fifteen-year-old Daughter’s Red!"

"You’re not trying to deny it, are you?"

Rat was at a loss for words and retorted, craning his neck. "Who says this is Daughter’s Red? It doesn’t taste like it to me!"

"Who knows if you haven’t pulled a switcheroo... right?"

The two of them started bickering back and forth.

Xia Jingfeng just laughed. "Brother Rat and Brother Monster are still the same, always bickering just like before!"

Tiger spoke up with a trace of humor. "If they didn’t bicker every day, they’d probably go mad!"

Xia Jingfeng couldn’t help it and burst out laughing.

The atmosphere was harmonious.