A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1065: Annoyed

"What are you doing? Have you clearly seen this is Ninghe Palace? After all, I'm my aunt's own niece!"

"I don't believe she's ready to act like the lady of the house yet!"

However...

The Imperial Noble Consort showed no strange response.

Lady Zhu then kept silent and sat quietly on the side.

Hai Feng cast a sidelong glance at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

His hands kept moving steadily.

Hai Feng went on chatting gently with Empress Dowager Zhen.

"Mother!"

"Is this pressure okay?"

Empress Dowager Zhen let out a satisfied sigh.

"Quite good!"

"You truly are a devoted child!"

"I'm so lucky to have you as my daughter-in-law!"

Empress Dowager Zhen spoke joyfully.

Recalling those Imperial Noble Consorts and Imperial Concubines from the Late Emperor, all now aged and faded.

Yet she remained elegant and alluring, filling her heart with joy.

Hai Feng felt thrilled by the compliments.

As for Lady Zhu seated nearby, one can imagine her emotions.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked briefly before shifting to the Fine Ladies selection.

Hai Feng then smiled and remarked,

"Mother, is the earlier plan to choose a Consort for Fifth Master still on?"

Empress Dowager Zhen naturally recalled it and replied with a hearty laugh.

"Naturally it stands!"

"You silly child, while others dodge this, you're keen on it!"

"What's appealing about a Consort? Don't you fear chaos in the inner courtyard?"

Empress Dowager Zhen found it puzzling.

Still, regardless of understanding, she fully backed finding a young wife for her son.

No one minds more heirs.

Hai Feng offered a bashful smile.

"Mother, to tell the truth!"

"Since... Liangliang's birth, my health hasn't recovered well, and I can't tend to him properly!"

"He shows no interest in others, and no fitting candidate exists at home!"

"Even Fifth Master voices grievances!"

"That's why I'm begging Mother's aid to swiftly select a fine sister to attend him!"

Empress Dowager Zhen grew even fonder of Hai Feng upon hearing this.

She nodded approvingly and turned to Lady Zhu beside her,

"See your elder sister-in-law, then look at yourself!"

"As a noble Princess Consort, can't you make room for others?"

Lady Zhu's face turned deep red, clearly distressed.

She bit her lip and rose to her feet.

"Yes!"

"Niece will follow aunt's guidance!"

Empress Dowager Zhen nodded contentedly.

"Very well then!"

"Post-palace selection, I'll personally pick a few suitable ones for you both to choose from. Sound good?"

Hai Feng smiled brightly.

"Mother truly looks out for me!"

Lady Zhu could only join in expressing thanks.

"Thank you, Mother!" Her smile appeared strained.

In truth, forcing that smile took great effort.

Deep down, she yearned to rip Hai Feng's mouth open.

Hear what he uttered.

Seeking a fine sister-in-law, no doubt.

If choosing one, handle it alone. Why involve her?

Now matters worsened.

She hadn't dealt with Lady Xia's concubine yet, and now a Consort joins the household.

Could life grow more burdensome?

The more Lady Zhu dwelled on it, the more wronged she felt, fidgeting uncomfortably.

Lifting her gaze, she watched Hai Feng and her aunt laugh together, displaying their intimacy.

Unable to endure further, she stood to depart.

"Mother!"

"Some estate affairs await, so your child will excuse herself first!"

Empress Dowager Zhen barely raised her eyes, dismissing her with a quick wave.

"Go on!"

With that, she resumed chatting and laughing with Hai Feng.

Lady Zhu flushed with rage.

Yet powerless, she departed with stomping steps, fuming.

Hai Feng sneaked another look at her, a victorious grin curling his lips.

Hmph, little miss, daring to challenge me?!

...

Early July brought the royal selection ceremony swiftly.

Ninghe Hall was prepared half a month ahead.

That day, before sunrise, Ministry of Internal Affairs staff opened the gates.

Servants bustled about, setting fruits, treats, tea, and such.

All principal consorts in the harem rose early, donning attire and applying makeup.

The hall selection marks the ultimate test.

It decides if a Fine Lady succeeds.

Thus...

Harem and court alike treat it with utmost gravity.

Even Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Zhen attend.

This underscores the importance of the Emperor selecting consorts.

That morning,

Pre-dawn, Zi Yue and Zi Su pulled Xia Ruqing from bed.

"Mistress, time to rise and change!"

"Quick, Mistress, or we'll be late!"

Empress court robes prove intricate and time-consuming.

Merely dressing and hairstyling consumes nearly half a Shi Chen, excluding brows and cosmetics.

Totalling it, a full Shi Chen falls short.

Zi Yue and Zi Su refused to waste a second.

Xia Ruqing got yanked upright.

Peering at the dark sky outside, despair washed over her.

"It's still pitch black—do we need such an early start?!"

It evoked New Year's suddenly.

For ancestral rites on New Year's, she rose at this hour.

"Mistress!"

"Just two Shi Chen till the ceremony, and dressing takes a whole one. Delay more, and no breakfast..."

Zi Su pressed anxiously.

Though silent, Zi Yue fitted shoes onto her mistress deftly.

Xia Ruqing stirred groggily.

At 'selection', alertness snapped in.

"Oh..."

"Then let's move fast!"

She yawned, scrambling from bed swiftly.

After freshening, she settled before the mirror.

Gazing at her reddened eyes and weary visage.

Anger surged abruptly.

'What's this about?!'

'Toiling to choose a young bride for my husband?'

Her heart tipped off balance once more.

Though no dreams of eternity or dying love gripped her.

Still, years together bound them.

She respected, favored, idolized him.

Bore him four offspring, luckily including twins.

Despite the crowded harem.

She'd savored utmost bliss.

He treasured her devotedly, shielding till now.

Never inflicted heartbreak.

But presently...

New consorts incoming, flocks of beauties.

Would she alone claim his heart?

Amidst such numbers.

Should any surpass her rank, she'd mean naught.

Xia Ruqing's mind whirled chaotically.

Visions flashed of him embracing others before her, tender and close.

Heavens!

She cried out, hands over eyes.

"Mistress, what happened?"

Zi Yue inquired abruptly.

Xia Ruqing recovered, mustering a smile.

"Nothing at all!"

Zi Su hastened to suggest.

"Mistress, if unwell, I'll fetch the Imperial Physician—health comes first!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head, smiling wryly.

"Summon the physician now?"

"If news spreads, I'd be the laughingstock!"

On selection day, Empress felled by envy—er...

Gossip's horror defied imagination.

"Never mind! Hasten the makeup, avoid tardiness!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su shared looks.

Confirming mistress fine, they resumed their tasks.