A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1062: Yue Er Learns to Read
A whopping two thousand participants join this round of Fine Ladies selection.
Having endured multiple preliminary rounds evaluating family lineage, looks, and medical examinations,
only around six hundred candidates remain.
These surviving Fine Ladies, cleared in the first stage, get arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to step into the palace for lessons in etiquette and protocols.
The once-empty Chuxiu Palace now buzzes with activity, packed full.
Rooms that used to hold two people each now squeeze in four because space is tight.
Nursing Sisters and Managing Eunuchs have doubled from four to eight.
All this to keep any chaos from the masses in check.
Over the coming month, the Fine Ladies dive deep into studying palace manners and regulations.
During this time, Xia Ruqing, Consort Hui, and the rest finally catch a breather.
Meanwhile,
Xia Jingfeng along with his entourage, carrying the Great Chu Emperor's high hopes,
set out formally from the Capital City on their lengthy trip to Portland Country.
Prior to leaving, Zhao Junyao threw a grand send-off banquet himself at Taihe Hall.
He issued the straightforward order:
During this mission, spare no expense to secure that method; failing that, snatch a handful of craftsmen back.
In essence, Great Chu craves not just the fish but the fishing technique itself, aiming for endless supply.
The envoys pledged with utmost gravity,
"We shall not disgrace the mission and will do our utmost to relieve the Emperor’s worries and solve problems!"
Zhao Junyao nodded, pleased.
He lavishly granted them official titles and showered ample gold and silver for journey costs.
At last, he admonished,
"Once beyond our borders, you embody Great Chu Dynasty's prestige!"
"Don't skimp on spending for my sake!"
"Splurge when needed, never dim our splendor!"
"Yes! We shall faithfully obey the imperial edict,"
the Ministers replied with care.
Zhao Junyao nodded approvingly once more, dismissing them with a wave.
"Enough!"
"Dawn departure tomorrow; I won't hold you back further!"
The Ministers bowed deeply at once.
"Your subjects take their leave!"
With those words, they retreated one by one.
They rushed home to prepare luggage and say goodbyes to kin!
Zhao Junyao saw night had fallen deep.
With no urgent matters left at Zhaochen Palace, he made for Duanning Palace.
…
Inside Duanning Palace, Xia Ruqing guided Yue Er in reading and character recognition.
The toddler, now two and a half, proved clever, chatty, and sharp in memory.
Xia Ruqing picked the basic "Three-Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Surnames" for her.
She hadn't anticipated much retention at first.
For a two-year-old, memorizing a few lines would suffice.
Surprisingly, Yue Er displayed remarkable talent.
In under half a month, she flawlessly recited a whole passage.
"When people are born, their nature is inherently good. Though their natures are similar, their habits diverge..."
Zhao Junyao arrived just in time to catch the child's sweet chanting.
Joy surged in his chest, and bypassing any servant's announcement, he marched right in.
"Father!"
The little one had a sharp nose.
She detected her father's signature ambergris aroma.
Book discarded, she bolted toward him.
Spotting Father, her eyes sparkled with delight as she flung open her arms.
"Father, hold me!"
Zhao Junyao's heart softened instantly; he scooped up his daughter swiftly.
"How did Yue Er know Father came?"
Yue Er snuggled close, sniffed, then burst into giggles.
"Father smells nice!"
Zhao Junyao sniffed his robes curiously.
"It doesn't smell nice! What fragrance caught Yue Er's nose?"
"It just smells nice!"
Yue Er latched onto Father's arm, refusing release.
Xia Ruqing emerged, beaming as she curtsied.
"Your Majesty!"
Zhao Junyao helped her rise promptly.
Elated, he ushered mother and child into the private quarters.
…
Zhao Junyao marveled at his daughter's brilliance.
Gripping the book, disbelief etched his face.
"She memorized this whole part?"
Yue Er bobbed her head smugly.
"I know it all!"
Then, head cocked slightly, she recited the passage perfectly.
Pauses weren't perfect, but every word rang true.
Xia Ruqing cheered her on, planted a cheek kiss, and grinned.
Next, she summoned Yue Er's beloved mini cakes.
Chef Su crafted them from eggs, milk, and flour.
Portioned yolk-sized for easy munching.
Shaped as tiny rabbits, ducks, flowers.
Flavor echoed modern cakes—less fluffy, yet Yue Er treasured them.
Worried for her girl's teeth, Xia Ruqing rationed strictly.
Five cakes per recited segment promised.
The treats arrived now.
Yue Er lunged eagerly, tiny hands snatching to devour.
"Slow down!"
Xia Ruqing chided, amused yet exasperated.
"Nobody's stealing them!"
"Father might think Mother mistreats you!"
Yue Er puffed her cheeks, wriggling in objection.
"Mother!"
Slower eating's okay, but no bullying talk needed.
"Alright, alright!"
"Mother misspoke, no bullying! Eat up quick!"
Xia Ruqing patted Yue Er's shoulder, musing: This one's destined to be a feisty spitfire.
She pitied the future Prince Consort once more.
…
Yue Er downed three of five cakes, belly bulging contentedly.
She eyed Father nearby, mischief twinkling.
Hoisting a cake, she neared him.
"Father! Eat this too!"
Zhao Junyao felt deeply honored.
Yue Er pressed on.
"Father, I saved this just for you!"
Zhao Junyao's emotions swelled.
Delighted, he popped the daughter-nibbled cake into his mouth whole.
All the while heaping praise,
"Yue Er thinks of everything!"
"So tasty!"
Yue Er hopped gleefully.
Xia Ruqing sighed inwardly; leftovers dubbed special anyway.
Harmless fun—some love the flattery, some lap it up, give and take all around~
Cake done,
Zhao Junyao lingered, reading alongside his daughter.
Night wore on; exhaustion claimed the child.
Lids drooped heavy.
Xia Ruqing summoned the wetnurse swiftly to carry her off.
She herself felt weary.
They freshened up, bathed, then slipped into bed.
…
The blistering heat of June raged on.
Post-Portland delegates' exit,
Capital City's gaze locked onto the Fine Ladies draft.
This event loomed massive nationally.
It swayed family fortunes and reshaped Capital power plays.
Houses with eligible daughters fretted intensely; childless ones stayed alert too.
Any girl's favor from the Emperor could catapult her clan skyward, toppling court balances.
History brimmed with such tales.
Thus... watch keenly, caution reigns supreme.
Beyond Capital officials,
Empress Dowager Zhen and her daughter-in-law fixated hardest on the picks.
Xia Ruqing scanned Empress Dowager Zhen's forwarded notes, brow furrowed.
"Picking consorts for two Princes amid the draft—allowable?"
Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi mulled it over.
"Madam, rules permit it!"
"Many Princes' Main Wives hailed from these selections too!"
Xia Ruqing nodded pensively.
"Got it!" News to me.
Then she muttered reluctantly.
"Mere Consort hunt, no big deal!"
"Why fuss so much?"