A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1064: Does She Take This for Her Own Home?

Prince Wu’s Mansion.

Autumn’s onset has come and gone, with the air growing chillier by the day.

Xia Ruyi’s heat rash is steadily mending, and her condition is getting better bit by bit.

Even though the Princess Consort continues to shun her.

She’s stuck with scraps for meals and ragged garments, confined to a humble courtyard.

Yet fueled by hope, she refuses to crumble.

Each morning post-breakfast.

Xia Ruyi tends meticulously to the pigeon delivered by Hai Feng.

Curious, Pan Zhu ventures a question.

"Mistress, where did this pigeon come from?"

Xia Ruyi shoots her a icy glance.

"Picked it up in the backyard. I pitied it, so I chose to care for it. What of it?"

"Must I report even this trifle to my new master?"

Pan Zhu falls silent, head bowed in shame.

Xia Ruyi smirks mockingly, musing inwardly:

’You wretched turncoat, I sensed your treachery from the outset!’

’For the moment, you live, but when fortunes reverse, you’ll repay with compounded vengeance!!’

"Hmph!"

Having fed the pigeon, Xia Ruyi huffs coldly and pivots away.

Pan Zhu dares not utter a word, hurrying after her.

They stroll through the modest courtyard, scanning the area.

Xia Ruyi narrows her eyes, querying Pan Zhu.

"How’s the selection proceeding?"

Pan Zhu pauses briefly, then relays the gossip she’s gathered.

"The official selection starts in half a month!"

"Why does Mistress inquire about this?"

Xia Ruyi’s stare sharpens once more.

"Because I wish to!"

Pan Zhu stifles again, holding her tongue.

Internally, fear and remorse churn within her.

She dreads her mistress slaying her in rage.

After all, no lord endures an insider’s betrayal from a maid.

But with no retribution yet, guilt weighs heavier.

Still, recalling the prior torments of hardship under her mistress.

Regret evaporates.

Aligning with the Princess Consort now means ample food, drink, and coin—far cozier days.

She’s utterly done with the ceaseless degradations and meager leavings.

Thus...

’Forgive me, Mistress!’

Even facing death, she craves luxury first.

...

Xia Ruyi roams a bit more before boredom sets in, heading back indoors.

Reclining on the simple daybed, she reflects:

Assuming Hai Feng speaks truth.

Should the incoming Consort truly win the Prince’s favor, her own resurgence might follow.

In beauty, does she trail the Princess Consort at all?

She caresses her cheek.

’Time to pamper myself properly!’

"Pan Zhu!"

"Mistress! Here!" Pan Zhu rushes over.

"Go!"

"Prepare a bowl of white fungus porridge!" she commands, drawing a sliver of silver from her sleeve.

Bird’s nest proves too costly; white fungus suits her purse for now.

These tough times won’t last forever, right?

Pan Zhu wavers before accepting it.

"Mistress, white fungus..."

Hadn’t she once scorned it?

These days, even the Princess Consort’s maids enjoy white fungus.

It stirs her guilt, seeing her mistress buy it.

Xia Ruyi scoffs derisively.

"What?"

"Feeling remorse?"

Pan Zhu dips her head mutely.

Impatiently, Xia Ruyi flings the silver at her.

"Make haste, I want none of your mercy!"

Were she not isolated, she’d have thrashed this vile betrayer ages ago.

Fallen as she is, she scorns a servant’s compassion.

And loyalty?

Ha, betrayal erases any bond—pure farce!

Pan Zhu bites her lip,

stoops to retrieve the silver from the floor, and departs with a curtsey.

Regardless,

duty demands her service.

...

Ninghe Palace.

A gentle autumn gust rustles the sapphire drapes via the latticed window.

Coral bead curtains sway, chiming with crystalline clinks.

Beyond the peony-stitched screen lies ornate rosewood furniture, gilded and intricately carved.

Brocade drapes the table, atop which a golden beast censer exhales aromatic vapors through filigree vents.

The chamber brims with tranquil scent.

A dainty chaise lounges beside the window kang.

Now,

Empress Dowager Zhen lounges eyes shut on the chaise, as Hai Feng softly kneads her face.

One must concede.

Irrespective of stature, years, or widowhood.

Aging terrifies every woman alike.

Two months prior.

Hai Feng presented a tiny jade box of cream, touted as a Western Xia royal secret.

Daily use promised glowing youth restored.

Ecstatic, Empress Dowager Zhen had Hai Feng apply it at once.

Come morn, warmth bloomed on her visage.

Mirror check revealed flushed cheeks, skin silken as peeled egg—youth of twenties reborn.

Jubilant, she ordered continued use.

Two months of steadfast application later.

Empress Dowager Zhen sports a rejuvenated complexion, fresh as new.

Groomed finely, her true age fools all.

Her fondness for Hai Feng surges swiftly.

Even sidelining her niece, Lady Zhu.

This day.

Hai Feng enters the palace betimes, bearing fresh cream she concocted.

Empress Dowager Zhen reclines gladly, yielding to Hai Feng’s deft massage.

Breeze carries perfume, fingers like tender scallions glide feather-light over her skin.

Empress Dowager Zhen sighs blissfully.

"Your hands are truly deft and ingenious!"

"I never dreamed you possessed such talent!"

Hai Feng responds sweetly.

"Mother Empress overpraises me; in truth, all Western Xia ladies master this."

"But upon arriving in Great Chu, I lacked familiarity, ingredients were scarce, and Liangliang was but a babe, delaying me!"

"Had I realized Mother Empress would adore it, I’d have prepared it sooner!!"

Empress Dowager Zhen chuckles heartily.

"No matter, the timing’s perfect now!"

Hai Feng beams silently.

Then a maid announces entry.

"To the Imperial Noble Consort, the Sixth Princess Consort arrives for respects!"

Empress Dowager Zhen’s face stays serene, gesturing lazily.

"Let her enter!"

She’s no stranger, after all—no need to hide.

The maid assents and exits, ushering in the Sixth Princess Consort shortly.

She’d come eagerly to greet the Mother Empress, but spotting the tableau past beads and screen.

Her grin solidifies.

’What’s this scene...’

’What’s happening here?’

Forced smile plastered.

"Sister-in-law’s present too, I see!"

Empress Dowager Zhen beams welcomingly.

"Don’t just stand there—greet your sister-in-law at once!"

Lady Zhu startles at the words, confusion mounting.

’Didn’t Aunt loathe this foreign Commandery Princess once?’

’How now do they bond tighter than kin, this...’

Alertness surges instantly.

Hai Feng proves no ordinary soul!

After a beat, she advances to curtsy.

"Greetings, Sister-in-law!"

Hai Feng smiles warmly.

"Rise at once, Sister; my hands are occupied! Simply seat yourself!"

Grateful, Lady Zhu straightens.

Yet inwardly, unease deepens.

’Directing her to sit?’

’Does she claim this as her domain?’