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

Zi Su let out a cold scoff.

"Isn't it merely for some showing off?"

"Keeping both sons in the capital—unheard of before!"

"She claims the sole special favor!"

Hearing these words, Xia Ruqing furrowed her brows deeply.

Zi Yue hastily pulled at her sleeve.

"Don't talk recklessly! The Empress has enough concerns; we shouldn't burden her more!"

Zi Su pursed her lips and fell quiet.

Xia Ruqing glanced through the reports casually before casting them aside, declaring.

"Fine!"

"They're only consorts; after the Emperor chooses, they can take a few from the leftovers!"

"No big issue!"

Zi Yue organized the reports and chuckled softly.

"Great to see the Empress not minding it!"

Zi Su pouted once more and stayed silent.

Stretching lazily, Xia Ruqing rose and stepped out to the covered walkway for fresh air.

All of a sudden, she questioned.

"Why does Hai Feng suddenly seem full of problems?"

"Didn't she once loathe Empress Dowager Zhen? Yet now, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are thick as thieves?"

Zi Yue reflected briefly.

"Perhaps..."

"After so many years in our Great Chu Dynasty, her views might have shifted!"

In the Great Chu Dynasty, filial piety held supreme importance.

A woman without it broke one of the seven grounds for expulsion.

Without a powerful family, she could be sent away by her husband's kin.

Xia Ruqing pondered long but found no answer, so she accepted this explanation temporarily.

She breathed in the gentle breeze deeply.

"I won't dwell on it!"

No matter the chaos she causes, what real harm can she do?

Western Xia lay thousands of miles distant; as a mere commandery princess wed far off, what ripples could she create?

Xia Ruqing flicked her sleeves.

She led Zi Yue and Zi Su to the side chamber.

She joined Yue Er for a meal and an afternoon rest.

Upon waking, the sunset glowed beautifully, and the air had turned cooler. Mother and daughter headed to Taiye Pool for a boating outing.

...

June flew by swiftly.

The noble ladies of Chuxiu Palace finished their month's preparation; re-election and the palace selection followed next.

The Empress oversaw the re-election, joined by the chief consorts from various palaces.

They evaluated conduct and virtues, looks and talents, arts and bearing, manners and conversation.

After all, these women entered to serve as the Emperor's concubines, growing the imperial lineage.

Beauty alone wouldn't suffice; poise, wit, emotional insight, and smarts were essential too.

Thus...

Following a rigorous re-election round.

From six hundred noble ladies, merely two hundred passed.

The four hundred cut lacked either beauty or grace.

Others had grace but no skills.

Some shone in skills yet fell short in looks.

Any shortfall meant elimination.

At last.

Xia Ruqing gazed at the two hundred survivors, learned, graceful, blooming like flowers under moonlight.

A surge of wild admiration filled her heart: 'So stunning!'

Her gaze clung to them, unable to look away.

'All so elegant like tender shoots, locks like raven silk, almond eyes and rosy cheeks, curvaceous or slim—beauties of every type!'

This utterly straight woman felt her resolve waver.

Her old dream of heavenly princess favor vanished completely.

If transmigrating again.

She'd pick Emperor for sure, reveling in a harem of three thousand.

Hugging beauties left and right, indulging in endless delight...

"Empress?"

"Empress?"

Zi Yue tugged her sleeve.

Snapped from her daydream, Xia Ruqing jolted.

"Cough cough!"

Clearing her throat to hide embarrassment, she discreetly wiped drool.

She eyed the ladies below once more.

Swiftly adopting a poised, majestic air, she smiled faintly and announced.

"Congratulations on advancing to the palace election!"

"In half a month, it occurs at Ninghe Hall."

"During these fifteen days at Chuxiu Palace, maintain peace and steer clear of conflicts!"

The noble ladies seemed to take it to heart, dropping to their knees in unison.

"We obey the Empress's teachings with respect!"

Satisfied, Xia Ruqing gestured dismissal.

"Very well, I'm weary now! Dismissed for today!"

With that, she stood gracefully, holding Zi Yue and Zi Su's hands.

Amidst their goodbyes, she mounted the Phoenix Sedan and left in grand, unhurried style.

...

Back at Duanning Palace.

She removed the cumbersome formal robes, loosened her damp hair.

She slipped into the bath chamber and sank into soothing warm water.

Xia Ruqing sighed in relief.

"Ah, pure bliss!

Two second-rank maids attended behind, expertly kneading her aching shoulders.

Resting her head on the tub's rim, Xia Ruqing shut her eyes in relaxation.

Her thoughts drifted to Zhao Junyao's two hundred lovely consorts.

'She'd planned to choose inferior ones!'

'Yet with crowds watching, sabotage wasn't feasible!'

'Besides, she favored the finest herself!'

'Thus, it ended up this way...'

Xia Ruqing's mind wandered further astray.

'Why can't she rein it in?!'

She massaged her temples hard, forcing the thoughts away.

She soaked thoroughly to ease her weariness.

Changed into relaxed attire before exiting the bath.

...

That evening, Zhao Junyao arrived.

With complicated emotions, Xia Ruqing told him she'd picked two hundred beauties for him.

Zhao Junyao's brows knit right away.

"Wasn't the plan to select the undesirable ones?"

Feeling somewhat ashamed, Xia Ruqing replied.

"I simply... couldn't bear for the Emperor to suffer!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

He spoke gravely.

"Qingqing, you're not trying to shove me toward other women, are you?"

Xia Ruqing shook her head vigorously.

"I'd never think that!"

"Please don't get the wrong idea, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao appeared even more exasperated.

"Then why..."

"Fine, Your Majesty, my mistake, alright!"

"However... they're truly gorgeous!"

"You might not fancy them, but I surely do!"

"Having them greet me each morning—such a feast for the eyes..."

Xia Ruqing described it with growing delight, her eyes sparkling vividly.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

His entire worldview teetered on collapse.

How could any woman like this exist?

What filled her mind?

Were they not years into marriage, used to her odd notions.

He might suspect her of being a cut-sleeve lady now!

'Hold on...'

'Cut-sleeve? Is she actually...'

"Your Majesty, lost in thought?" Xia Ruqing demanded seriously.

Zhao Junyao shook his head fast, shunning deeper speculation.

With a stern face, he stated firmly.

"Nothing at all!"

Then he sat huffily on the bed to read.

Later...

During supper.

Xia Ruqing cooked herself, preparing ten dishes to soothe him.

Watching him devour them, stuffing himself to twelve-tenths full until no more fit.

Only then did Xia Ruqing wipe her sweat and relax.

"Now you're satisfied, right?"

"Far from it!"

Zhao Junyao kept his icy demeanor.

"Huh?"

Xia Ruqing creased her brow, feeling totally at a loss.

"What else do you desire? I'm beat!"

Zhao Junyao smirked coldly, yanked her onto the bed, and closed the curtains.

Next... the unspeakable commenced.

'See?'

'Stuffed and content naturally demands some activity?!'