A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 775: Gloomy

Watching Noble Concubine Shih’s angry departure, Xia Ruqing simply didn’t know what to say, feeling utterly baffled. Since when did wrongdoers have the audacity to act so self-righteous?

Although the Imperial Kitchen had always been the Emperor’s domain, Noble Concubine Shih was ambitious and had the support of the Empress Dowager. For her to plant one or two spies inside should not be difficult at all! Moreover, He Changshou was the type to protect his own skin. Never one to involve himself in troubles that did not fall directly on his head, he was very protective of his own position. He must have known about the incident. He simply chose to turn a blind eye. After all, the wetnurse nannies’ food wasn’t important enough to require the personal attention of a Chief Steward!

So, Xia Ruqing looked around, a chill creeping into her heart. The people in this Harem... SIGH!

She made her way back to Qingya Residence. Once seated inside her chamber on the soft couch, Xia Ruqing sighed deeply.

Zi Yue smiled and said, "The issue has been resolved, Your Highness. Why are you still so troubled?"

Xia Ruqing took off her cloak and handed it to Zi Yue before responding helplessly, "In the past... within this palace, I was merely an insignificant ant! Back then, I was both afraid of death and cherished life! I often thought how wonderful it would be if I no longer had to worry about my own life, could eat to my fill, wear warm clothes, and live well! But... now that I have everything I once yearned for, it’s a pity... it’s not as joyful as I imagined!" Instead, it was somewhat exhausting. Why is that? Xia Ruqing couldn’t quite understand.

Zi Su brought in tea, pouring it herself, then said, "Your Highness, you must be tired. Why not take a rest? Hmm... I’ve heard that the Marquis’ Little Heir has already had his one-month celebration, and you still haven’t seen him. Why not take a trip out of the palace?"

"Leave the palace?" Xia Ruqing furrowed her brows for a while, then suddenly nodded. "Hmm... good idea! You go prepare; we shall leave the palace tomorrow!"

"Your Highness!" Zi Yue gave Zi Su a glare and quickly advised, "Your Highness, the year-end is approaching, and the weather is also not good! It looks like it’s going to snow! Why don’t we wait until the weather improves before going?"

Xia Ruqing opened the window and looked at the sky outside. Indeed, the dark clouds were heavy, like a rolling wave of ink pressing against the horizon, threatening to crush down at any moment. It was an oppressively suffocating sight. "It really is going to snow!" she murmured, then added, "Then let’s not go." Xia Ruqing felt somewhat disappointed.

Zi Yue quickly advised again, "Your Highness, once it snows, the red plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden will probably bloom; you used to love this! Also, whenever it snowed before, you liked to take us to build snowmen. You even had us bring scarves and handkerchiefs to dress the snowmen! Have you forgotten? Tomorrow, shall we go together?" Zi Yue patiently coaxed.

Xia Ruqing shook her head weakly. "No need. I don’t want to go. If the weather is bad tomorrow, I’ll just sleep in the palace!"

"Your Highness..." Zi Yue wanted to say more, but Xia Ruqing raised her hand to stop her. "Enough. You all may leave. I wish to sleep for a while!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue and Zi Su tucked her in and gently closed the door as they left.

Xia Ruqing watched their retreating figures, her sense of loss deepening. Frowning in thought for a while, she murmured, "What’s wrong with me?" Could it be postpartum depression? Back when I browsed the internet in the modern world, I often saw news about postpartum depression. I never paid much attention to it; after all, it was irrelevant to me. But now I myself... All day, I feel disinterested in everything, my heart feels empty. Even with my two children, I don’t know what else to do apart from watching over them. Eating, breastfeeding, bathing, changing diapers—I don’t have to do anything. All I have to do is sit here and watch. So... I feel incredibly empty now, with no desire to do anything, no interest in anything. Could it be... I’m really suffering from depression?

Oh no, it’s all over. There’s no advanced medical knowledge in ancient times. If I really have this illness, I’ll probably die! SIGH! With another sigh, Xia Ruqing felt even more heartbroken. She couldn’t even bring herself to drink tea. She just lay on the soft couch by the window, lost in her messy thoughts.

SIGH! As she sighed for the thirty-eighth time, someone pushed open the door from outside and entered.

Xia Ruqing was a bit impatient. "Didn’t I tell you all to leave?"

Zhao Junyao’s steps faltered. He cleared his throat and then spoke in a deep voice, "Who are you telling to leave?"

Huh?! The Emperor?! Xia Ruqing was startled and quickly tried to get up. But unexpectedly, she lost her balance and pitched forward. It looked like she was about to plant a kiss on Mother Earth.

Fortunately, Zhao Junyao acted quickly, grabbing her by the collar and pulling her upright. "What’s the rush?" he asked. "Qingqing, you’re already the mother of three children..." Zhao Junyao was quite helpless. Though his words were complaining, his expression was one of extreme indulgence, much like that toward a daughter, without a hint of actual reproach.

But Xia Ruqing didn’t see any of this. She was too busy being frightened, and leaning into his embrace, she said with trembling lips, "If I had really fallen flat on my face just now, my nose would have been smashed!" After saying this, she even touched her nose.

Zhao Junyao gave her a stern look. "Good that you know!" Having said that, he gently settled her on the couch. He tucked the covers around her, then stood up, drank the remaining half-cup of her tea in one gulp, and inquired, "Now, tell me, what was wrong earlier?"

Xia Ruqing felt embarrassed seeing him drink her leftover tea. She hurriedly got up to pour him a new cup. "Your Majesty, it is my fault for neglecting you!"

Zhao Junyao looked at the fragrant tea she handed him. He tapped her on the head with satisfaction. "You still have some conscience! I’ve been parched all the way here, and only now do you think to offer me a cup of hot tea!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit ashamed. "Your Majesty..." I’m feeling quite frustrated myself!

Zhao Junyao sipped the tea and continued his questioning, "So what was wrong just now? You kept sighing one after another! Did you encounter some trouble?"

Xia Ruqing’s expression suddenly stiffened. After thinking for a moment, she lowered her head. "Your Majesty... I..."

"Is it because of Noble Concubine Shih’s matter today?" Zhao Junyao asked.

Xia Ruqing was taken aback for a moment and then shook her head. "No..."

"Then what is it?" he pressed. "The people in your residence mentioned you’ve been feeling rather gloomy these days! Are you sick?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Xia Ruqing suddenly looked up. How does he know I’m sick? Could he possibly know about depression? No, that’s impossible. He’s from ancient times; he wouldn’t know about these things! Forget it, I’d better not mention it. Xia Ruqing shook her head again.

"Your Majesty, I’m not sick. I just feel... a bit stifled. And then I don’t want to do anything, just feeling lazy and unenergetic!"

Zhao Junyao, after hearing this, lowered his head in thought for a moment. Then, suddenly, his eyes lit up. "Qingqing, you must be longing to leave the palace! How about this... tomorrow I’ll take you to the South Garden to enjoy the flowers?"