A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1063: Of Course There’s Exercise

Zi Su scoffed coldly.

"Isn’t it just to show off a little?"

"Leaving both sons in the capital—something that’s never happened before!"

"She’s got the monopoly on this special privilege!"

Xia Ruqing frowned deeply at these words.

Zi Yue quickly tugged at her sleeve.

"Don’t speak carelessly! The Empress has lots on her mind, let’s not add to her worries!"

Zi Su pouted and didn’t continue.

Xia Ruqing casually flipped through the reports and tossed them aside, saying.

"Fine!"

"It’s just consorts, after the Emperor’s selection, let them pick a couple from what’s left!"

"It’s not a big deal!"

Zi Yue tidied up the reports and laughed.

"It’s good to see the Empress taking it lightly!"

Zi Su pouted again and remained silent.

Xia Ruqing stretched and stood up, went outside to the shaded corridor for some air.

Suddenly she asked.

"Why do I suddenly feel like Hai Feng has so many issues?"

"Didn’t she use to despise Empress Dowager Zhen? And now mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are inseparable?"

Zi Yue pondered.

"Maybe..."

"Having lived in our Great Chu Dynasty for so long, her mindset may have changed!"

After all, in the Great Chu Dynasty, filial piety is of utmost importance.

If a woman lacks filial piety, that violates one of the seven expulsions.

If her family is not influential, she could be kicked out by her husband’s family.

Xia Ruqing thought for a long time but couldn’t figure it out and had to assume this for now.

She inhaled deeply into the breeze.

"I won’t think about it anymore!"

No matter how much trouble she stirs, what can she really do?"

Western Xia is thousands of miles away; she’s just a commandery princess married far away. What waves can she really make?

Xia Ruqing shook her sleeves.

Took Zi Yue and Zi Su to the side hall.

Accompanied Yue Er for lunch and took a nap.

When she awoke, the sunset was perfect, and the weather had cooled considerably. The mother and daughter went to Taiye Pool for a boat ride.

...

June passed by in a flash.

The fine ladies of Chuxiu Palace completed their month of training; next comes the re-election and palace election.

The re-election is led by the Empress, with the main consort ladies of each palace involved.

The assessment focuses on the ladies’ conduct, virtues, appearance and skills, arts and demeanor, and manners and speech.

After all, entering the palace to become concubines for the Emperor, to expand the royal family.

Mere looks are insufficient; they must also have poise, intelligence, emotional and intellectual acuity, etc.

Hence...

After a strict second round of re-election.

Out of six hundred fine ladies, only two hundred remain.

The four hundred eliminated ones either lacked appearance or poise.

Some had good poise but lacked talent.

Some were highly talented but not good-looking.

In short, any deficiency led to elimination.

Finally.

Xia Ruqing looked at the two hundred who had made it through all the stages, well-read, poised, and as beautiful as flowers and the moon.

A wild amazement surged within her heart: ’So beautiful!’

Her eyes nearly glued to them, never getting enough.

’Each one, as graceful as green onions, hair like dark ink, apricot eyes and peach cheeks, plump or slender—every kind of beauty was present!’

She, a perfectly straight woman, was about to be swayed.

Previously she had wished to be favored as a princess in heaven again was completely dispelled.

If she ever had another chance to transmigrate.

She’d definitely choose to become the Emperor, enjoying a harem of three thousand beauties.

Embracing left and right and savoring the bliss of having them all...

"Empress?"

"Empress?"

Zi Yue tugged her sleeve.

Xia Ruqing, startled awake from her reveries.

"Cough cough!"

She cleared her throat to cover her embarrassment, casually wiping away drool.

She glanced again at the fine ladies standing below.

Quickly composed into an elegant and dignified pose, smiled lightly and spoke.

"Congratulations on making it to the palace election!"

"In half a month, the palace election will be held at Ninghe Hall."

"For these fifteen days you’re staying at Chuxiu Palace, ensure harmony and avoid trouble!"

The fine ladies appeared to earnestly heed the instruction, kneeling uniformly after listening.

"We respectfully obey the teachings of the Empress!"

Xia Ruqing waved her hand in satisfaction.

"Alright, I’m tired now! That’s all for today!"

After speaking, she rose slowly, grasping Zi Yue and Zi Su’s hands.

In the midst of farewells, she boarded the Phoenix Sedan, loftily and leisurely departed.

...

Returning to Duanning Palace.

She shed the heavy ceremonial attire, untied her wet hair.

Entered the bathroom and submerged herself in warm water.

Xia Ruqing exhaled deeply.

"So comfortable!

Two second-class palace maids stood behind her, skillfully massaging her sore shoulders.

Xia Ruqing laid her head on the edge of the bath, closed her eyes to relax.

Her mind recalling Zhao Junyao’s two hundred pretty little wives.

’Initially, she intended to select worse ones!’

’But with so many watching, how could she mess up publicly!’

’Also, she herself preferred good ones!’

’So unknowingly it turned out...’

Xia Ruqing’s thoughts went more awry.

’Why can’t she control herself?!’

She rubbed her temples desperately trying not to think.

Soaked well to relieve fatigue.

Switched to casual clothing before leaving the bathroom.

...

At night Zhao Junyao came over.

Xia Ruqing with mixed feelings informed him, that she had selected two hundred pretty little wives for him.

Zhao Junyao frowned immediately upon hearing this.

"Wasn’t I supposed to... pick the less favorable ones?"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit guilty.

"I just... didn’t want the Emperor to be aggrieved!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

He said sternly.

"Qingqing, don’t tell me you want to push me to other women!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head quickly.

"I have no such thought!"

"Please don’t misunderstand, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao looked more helpless.

"Then you..."

"Alright Your Majesty, I was wrong, okay!"

"But... they are really pretty!"

"You may not like them, but I do!"

"Every morning they’ll come to greet me, how delightful to the eyes..."

Xia Ruqing spoke more blissfully. Her eyes clearly enjoying the scene.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

His worldview nearly shattered.

How could such a woman exist in the world.

What’s in her head?

Had they not spent years together, accustomed to her bizarre thinking.

He might have considered her a female cut-sleeve now!

’Wait a minute...’

’Cut-sleeve? Could she really be...’

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking?" Xia Ruqing protested sternly.

Zhao Junyao quickly shook his head, afraid to think further.

With a cold expression, he uttered heavily.

"Nothing!"

Then angrily sat on the bed to read.

Later...

At dinner.

Xia Ruqing personally cooked, made ten dishes to appease him.

Seeing him eat heartily, eating twelve parts full until he couldn’t eat another bite.

Xia Ruqing then dared to wipe her sweat and felt relieved.

"Now, you should be appeased!"

"Not at all!"

Zhao Junyao’s face remained cold.

"Uh?"

Xia Ruqing frowned, feeling utterly desperate.

"What more do you want? I’m exhausted!"

Zhao Junyao coldly smirked, pulled her onto the bed and drew the curtains.

Then... began the indescribable.

’How about that?’

’Full and satisfied, of course, calls for some exercise?!’