A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1065: Annoyed

’What are you doing, have you seen clearly that this is the Ninghe Palace? After all, I’m the niece by blood of my aunt!’

’I don’t think she’s in a position to act like the mistress yet!’

But...

Seeing that the Imperial Noble Consort had no unusual reaction either.

Lady Zhu also held her tongue and sat quietly to the side.

Hai Feng glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a barely noticeable smile playing on his lips.

His hands did not stop their work.

Hai Feng continued to chat softly with Empress Dowager Zhen.

"Mother!"

"Is this strength alright?"

Empress Dowager Zhen sighed contentedly.

"Not bad!"

"You are really a filial child!"

"I’m so fortunate to have you as my daughter-in-law!"

Empress Dowager Zhen said with delight.

Thinking of those Imperial Noble Consorts and Imperial Concubines of the Late Emperor who have all aged beyond recognition.

But she still looked graceful and charming, and she couldn’t help but feel delighted in her heart.

Hai Feng was also elated to hear such praise.

As for Lady Zhu sitting beside them, her feelings could well be imagined.

The mother-in-law and son-in-law chatted for a while before talking about the selection of Fine Ladies.

Hai Feng then smiled and said,

"Mother, does the previous plan to select a Consort for Fifth Master still hold?"

Empress Dowager Zhen, of course, remembered and immediately responded with a cheerful laugh.

"Of course it counts!"

"You child, others try to avoid this, yet you are eager for it!"

"What’s so good about a Consort, do you want trouble in the back courtyard?"

Empress Dowager Zhen felt she didn’t quite understand.

But, whether she understood it or not, she was fully supportive of finding a young wife for her son.

No one would dislike having more descendants.

Hai Feng just gave a shy smile.

"Mother, to be honest!"

"Ever since... Liangliang was born, my health hasn’t been that good, unable to serve him well!"

"He doesn’t quite fancy anyone, and there’s no suitable one at home!"

"Even our Fifth Master has complaints!"

"So I’m here asking for mother’s help to quickly pick a good sister to serve him!"

Empress Dowager Zhen was even more pleased with Hai Feng after hearing this.

She nodded appreciatively and said to Lady Zhu beside her,

"Look at your elder sister-in-law, and then look at you!"

"You are a dignified Princess Consort, can’t you accommodate others!"

Lady Zhu’s face flushed purple, visibly uncomfortable.

She bit her lip and stood up.

"Yes!"

"Niece will heed aunt’s teachings!"

Empress Dowager Zhen nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright then!"

"After the selection at the palace, I’ll personally choose a few good ones and have you both come and pick. How about it?"

Hai Feng beamed with a smile.

"Mother still cares for me!"

Lady Zhu had no choice but to follow and give thanks.

"Thank you, Mother!" Her smile was forced.

In fact, managing to push out a smile was already quite an effort.

Truth was, she really wanted to tear Hai Feng’s mouth apart.

Listen to what he was saying.

Wanting to select a good sister-in-law, indeed.

If you want to choose, do it yourself. Why drag her into it?

Now it’s even worse.

She still hadn’t handled a concubine of Lady Xia, and now they’re selecting a Consort to come into the residence.

Can life get any harder?

Lady Zhu felt aggrieved the more she thought about it, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Glancing up, she saw Hai Feng and her aunt continue to exchange laughs and demonstrate their close bond.

Unable to bear it any longer, she got up to take her leave.

"Mother!"

"There are still some matters at the residence, so your child will take her leave first!"

Empress Dowager Zhen didn’t even lift her eyelids, waving her off hastily.

"Dismissed!"

Saying this, she continued her conversation and laughter with Hai Feng.

Lady Zhu turned purple with anger.

But there was nothing she could do, except leave with heavy steps, in a huff.

Hai Feng stole another glance at her in secret, a triumphant smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Hmph, little girl, fighting with me?!"

...

In early July, the royal selection ceremony arrived in the blink of an eye.

Ninghe Hall had been cleaned up half a month in advance.

On this day, before dawn, the Ministry of Internal Affairs dispatched people to open the palace gates.

People came and went arranging fruits, snacks, tea, and more.

All the chief consorts in the harem were up early, getting dressed and made up.

The hall selection is the final hurdle of selection.

Also the crucial deciding factor in whether a Fine Lady is successfully selected.

So...

Both the harem and the court take it extremely seriously.

Even the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Zhen would be present.

It shows how crucial it is for the Emperor to choose consorts.

Early that morning,

Before dawn, Xia Ruqing was dragged out of bed by Zi Yue and Zi Su.

"Mistress, it’s time to get up and change clothes!"

"Hurry up, Mistress, or it will be too late!"

The Empress’s court attire is extremely elaborate and complex.

Just putting on clothes and arranging the hair takes nearly half a Shi Chen, not to mention the eyebrow and makeup.

Adding it all up, an entire Shi Chen might not even be enough.

Zi Yue and Zi Su dared not delay even a moment.

Xia Ruqing was forcefully dragged up.

Squinting at the sky outside the window, she felt utterly hopeless.

"It’s not even light yet, do we really need to be this early!"

Suddenly feeling like it was New Year’s.

Because on New Year’s Day during the ancestral worship ceremony, she got up at exactly this time.

"Mistress!"

"There’s only two Shi Chen until the selection ceremony, and it takes an entire Shi Chen for you to dress up. If you don’t get up, there won’t be time for breakfast..."

Zi Su urged urgently.

Though Zi Yue didn’t speak, she was busy putting shoes on her master with both hands.

Xia Ruqing groggily.

Upon hearing the word selection, her mind cleared immediately.

"Oh..."

"Then hurry up!"

Saying this, she yawned, quickly climbing out of bed.

After washing up, she sat in front of the dressing table.

Looking at her bloodshot eyes and tired face.

Suddenly feeling angry.

’What am I doing?!’

’Busy working hard to pick a young wife for my husband?’

Her heart began to feel unbalanced again.

Although she had never thought about a lifetime, nor loved the Emperor to the point of death, unable to live without him.

But after all, they’ve been together for so many years.

She admired him, liked him, adored him.

Even bore four children for him, fortunately, including a pair of twins.

Although the harem had many women.

She had always been the happiest of them all.

He had always cherished her, being devoted and protective until now.

Never had he done anything that broke her heart.

But now...

New consorts entering, so many beautiful women.

Would she still be the only one in his heart?

With so many women.

If any one of them ranked above her, then she would be nothing.

Xia Ruqing’s thoughts ran wild.

Her mind even conjured images of him with other women in front of her, being intimately affectionate.

Heavens!

She cried out, covering her eyes.

"Mistress, what’s wrong?"

Zi Yue suddenly asked.

Xia Ruqing came back to her senses, forced a smile.

"Nothing!"

Zi Su hurriedly advised.

"Mistress, if you’re unwell, let me call the Imperial Physician, health is the priority!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head with a bitter smile.

"Calling the Imperial Physician at this moment?"

"If word gets out, I’d be laughed to death!"

On the day of the selection, the Empress is bedridden with jealousy, um...

The gossip would be terrifying to imagine.

"Forget it! Quickly put on the makeup, don’t miss the appointed time!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su exchanged glances.

Reassured that the mistress was unharmed, they continued to busy themselves.