A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 940: Mockery

After the Empress Dowager left, the atmosphere became more lively than before.

The Princess Consorts and Imperial Noble Consorts, along with the concubines of the harem, all relaxed quite a bit.

Empress Dowager Zhen led the way.

Animatedly chatting, watching dance performances.

For a moment, the banquet became quite decent.

Sadly.

No matter how decent, this is still the Empress Dowager’s Ningshou Palace.

Everyone chatted and laughed on the surface, but inwardly, who really wanted to stay here?

Therefore.

In just over a Shi Chen, everyone was weary.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t sit still either.

Claiming he had matters to attend to, he left first.

The remaining people had no reason to stay any longer.

They exchanged looks and reached a consensus, promptly dispersing.

Upon exiting, Xia Ruqing held Zi Yue’s hand, heading towards her sedan chair.

Unexpectedly, someone followed them.

Turning around, it was Hai Feng.

Hai Feng, with a large belly, was being supported by Sister and servants, struggling with every step, completely transformed.

But the only thing unchanged was the proud and arrogant expression on her face.

"Noble Consort, you seem to be living quite well lately!"

Hai Feng said coolly, her tone full of arrogance.

By rank, the Princess Consort is also a first-rank position, they were equals.

But anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t compare ranks with the Emperor’s favored consort.

Even when meeting with the elderly Imperial Noble Consorts of the Late Emperor, doesn’t everyone act amiably?!

Who would act arrogantly in front of the Emperor’s favored consort?

"Princess Consort Zhe is joking!"

Xia Ruqing smiled lightly upon hearing that.

"If we speak of well-being, you are more so, with such a radiant glow!"

"Everyone can see how considerate your Prince is!"

"You and your husband are deeply affectionate, now with a child, your days really make others envious!"

"You..." Hai Feng was taken aback, unable to reply.

She couldn’t say that Fifth Master wasn’t considerate, nor could she claim their affection was staged, let alone criticize having a child.

She couldn’t say anything!

If she did, wouldn’t it be a laughingstock to the world?!

But...

She regretted deeply!

It was one thing before, but ever since the Empress passed away, regret consumed her.

Why couldn’t she marry a year or two later?!

What she liked was clearly the Emperor of the Great Chu Dynasty!

A year or two later, after the Empress had died.

With the strength of Western Xia, what reason would the Monarch of Great Chu have to refuse her!

But now.

With the hypocritical Fifth Prince, living lukewarm days.

She transformed into a plump, round woman with a large belly, carrying an soon-to-be-born child inside.

Simply...

Hai Feng coldly smiled.

"Noble Consort is quite pleased now!"

"That Empress position must surely be at your fingertips!"

Xia Ruqing also smiled.

"The Late Empress’s memorial day just passed, the Emperor showed deep affection and loyalty to the Late Empress!"

"Is it appropriate for Princess Consort to say such things now?"

Hai Feng was left speechless, unable to utter a word.

"You..."

"Noble Consort Xian, you really know how to pretend!"

"Do you think your ambitions can be hidden from everyone?"

Xia Ruqing remained composed, her smile unwavering.

"Much obliged!"

"No matter how big my ambitions are, they can’t compare to yours, Princess Consort, right?"

It’s just about the Empress position, it’s just dissatisfaction following the Empress’s death.

It was like this before, it is like this now, and likely will be in the future.

Unfortunately, she is already married, has a child, now to regret is too late, isn’t it?

The calmer Xia Ruqing was, the more annoyed Hai Feng became.

In the end, having nothing to say.

She simply flicked her sleeve and left swiftly with her large belly.

Xia Ruqing casually curled her lips before turning around to get into her sedan chair to leave.

Back at Duanning Palace.

Xia Ruqing felt a bit hungry.

She ordered a bowl of hot beef noodle soup, two salted egg yolks, and a small dish of stir-fried vegetables.

She stopped at eighty percent full, not daring to eat more.

After eating, she lazily lounged on the heated bed.

The room was quiet, and the recent events were tacitly unmentioned by all.

Xia Ruqing touched her belly and suddenly asked.

"Where’s Chenchen? Asleep?"

Zi Yue quickly replied.

"Sister Huang reported earlier that His Highness the Crown Prince has retired!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"That’s good!"

"It’s so late, surely Henger and Yeye are asleep too!"

"I’m tired too; I should rest early!"

"Alright!"

Zi Yue responded, assisting her mistress in retiring.

The Lantern Festival is over, marking the complete end of the New Year.

Xia Ruqing rested for several days in a row, finally recovering.

"When the Empress was still here, she upheld the reputation, and nothing ever fell on me!"

"With the Empress position vacant this year, I’ve become quite popular!"

Both inside and outside, noblewomen visiting the palace all came straight to Duanning Palace.

The Emperor didn’t say anything, so she couldn’t refuse to see them.

One after another, she became quite the busy person, not a moment of peace throughout the day.

Making her feel as if she were about to become the Empress.

Lying on the bed, Xia Ruqing lazily yawned.

"Ah, even now as a Noble Consort, there’s so much to do!"

"If in the future..."

"Wouldn’t that be exhausting?"

"Being a little Honored Lady before was the best!"

Thinking it over and over, Xia Ruqing came to such a conclusion.

Zi Yue pressed her lips in a smile.

"My Lady!"

"Back then, you didn’t think so!"

"At that time, you knelt when seeing others, worried about not having enough to eat, feared punishment from the consorts..."

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment and agreed.

"You’re right, being a little Honored Lady wasn’t easy!"

"No one has it easy in the harem!"

Isn’t that obvious?

All beings suffer, before transmigration, after transmigration... it’s tough, though perhaps slightly better than before.

If she transmigrated as a noblewoman, she would have to face the issue of her future husband having many concubines.

If she transmigrated as a merchant’s daughter.

Not only would she worry about her husband finding concubines, but also stress over survival...

Sighing, she decided to let it go.

Thinking it over brought a sense of contentment.

This seemed like the best outcome she could achieve.

Enough, enough, no point in overthinking, it’s useless!

"Live peacefully!"

"Get up!"

"Alright!" Zi Yue agreed, stepping forward to assist.

Xia Ruqing washed and dressed and went outside to the corridor.

Glancing at the somewhat overcast sky, she smiled.

"I remember spring has already arrived!"

"Yes, my lady, spring has already come!" Zi Yue replied.

Leisurely holding a hand warmer, Xia Ruqing smiled again.

"The proverb says it’s a cold spring!"

"This is leading to a peach blossom snow!"

Whether it’s the return of Jingfeng.

Or the sway of the harem solely in her favor, with no one left to bully her.

Or perhaps...

Because the Emperor promised to take her out of the palace this year.

Her mood was one hundred percent good!

The attendants probably noticed too.

Zi Yue and Zi Su, happily chatted with her.

No matter how gloomy the weather, the mistress and servants were undoubtedly in high spirits.

Xia Ruqing’s intuition was spot on.

After waking from an afternoon nap, snowflakes indeed began fluttering outside.

Starting as small ice particles.

Then gradually turning into little pieces of snowflakes.