A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1066: Someone Is So Wicked
Previously on A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace...
Selecting fine ladies is a pressing necessity.
Not even the emperor can block it, much less her, simply the empress.
Per the ancient feudal principles,
she cannot merely avoid halting it but has to personally oversee its arrangement.
The goal is picking virtuous, capable women to grow the imperial lineage.
Although she has already given heirs to the royal family, it remains inadequate.
At the Chen Zheng hour, the selection officially commences.
Xia Ruqing perches on the elevated platform, gazing down at the two hundred kneeling women.
A wave of bitterness surges in her heart.
Since discovering this year’s selection,
she has sensed herself caught in a tough bind.
She refuses the label of a jealous shrew, yet dreads new entrants to the palace.
After deep reflection, a faint bitterness stirs in Xia Ruqing’s heart.
’Truly, human greed knows no bounds!’
You can’t savor both fish and bear paw, so why cling stubbornly?
Better to follow the current.
Should Zhao Junyao truly cast her aside,
she’d bear no mental weight.
She could spend her days feasting, reveling, and playing with the children, perhaps even returning to modern times upon death—not a terrible fate.
No matter what,
she’ll thrive splendidly anyway.
"The emperor arrives!"
As she drifts in reverie, the eunuch’s resounding cry snaps her back.
Xia Ruqing rises swiftly, guiding the concubines to greet the emperor.
Once salutations end,
Zhao Junyao settles beside her, with concubines claiming their places.
The Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Zhen occupy seats on Zhao Junyao’s other flank.
The Empress Dowager dons a deep crimson imperial robe adorned with subtle patterns, topped by a golden crown, her face stern and devoid of warmth.
Empress Dowager Zhen positions herself next to the Empress Dowager, clad vibrantly in a sapphire court gown featuring a golden collar and silk embroidery.
Her eyes toward the Empress Dowager brim with smug mockery, as if declaring,
’Hah! What good is higher rank? You lag behind me in all aspects!’
Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao hold the central seats.
They share a look, expressions serene and inscrutable.
On the opposite side sit Consort Hui, Consort Cheng, Consort Zheng, and Consort Yun.
Having borne princes or princesses, they hold consort ranks.
Barring grave errors, their positions stay secure.
The selection barely impacts them.
Thus, they exude poise and tranquility.
For the moment, the high platform’s air hangs calm and majestic as still water, radiating awe from a distance.
The fine ladies kneeling below have never witnessed such grandeur.
Palms slick with nervous sweat, hearts thumping wildly in terror.
After half an incense stick burns and all below stand prepared,
Xia Ruqing announces gracefully.
"Your majesty, preparations are complete; we may start!"
Zhao Junyao nods coolly.
"Then commence!"
Though minimally engaged, ancestral customs demand it, unyielding.
A handful of women? He can easily support them, so proceed with the draft!
Li Shengan hears the decree.
He bows in obeisance, then pivots to grab the roster from the young eunuch.
Per protocol, he intones pompous yet empty phrases before reciting names.
Called ladies advance to the hall’s center for knee salutes to the emperor.
The 200 fine ladies split into 20 groups of ten each.
"Chen Meizhi, daughter of Qingyang’s magistrate; Duan Huangjiao, daughter of Guangnan’s Salt Transport Envoy; Lin Yan, daughter of southwest military governor Lin Lie..."
Li Shengan booms the names, finishing ten at once.
Quickly, ten women advance, greeting the emperor sequentially.
"Daughter Chen Meizhi pays respects to the emperor and empress!"
"Daughter Duan Huangjiao pays respects to the emperor and empress!"
…
Once the ten complete greetings, Zhao Junyao selects.
Xia Ruqing glances his way.
She spots Zhao Junyao staring vacantly forward, mind adrift.
He appears... distracted.
Xia Ruqing lightly elbows him, softly prompting.
"Your majesty!"
Zhao Junyao jolts alert.
He bestows Xia Ruqing a fond gaze, then eyes the fine ladies.
One look, and his brows knit in dismay.
’What kind of crowd is this?!’
’Eyes flitting restlessly, betraying unease.’
’Others ooze raw ambition, impossible to conceal!’
’Some stare with ravenous, devouring hunger!’
All feign demure elegance outwardly.
Crude pretense fools others, but not him!
Ha!
Zhao Junyao’s piercing stare rakes them, then he shakes his head.
Li Shengan proclaims.
"All passed over—present the flowers!"
Flowers mean rejection.
The ten fine ladies blanch instantly.
None chosen—a harsh setback!
Grudgingly saluting, they withdraw.
Li Shengan summons the next ten.
Zhao Junyao inspects, shakes head, orders flowers again.
This round, not only fine ladies but high platform’s concubines, Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager Zhen grow restless.
Xia Ruqing eyes Zhao Junyao doubtfully.
"Your majesty?"
Zhao Junyao signals ’don’t worry, I’ve got this’.
She opts for silence.
In the third and fourth rounds next,
Zhao Junyao spares flowers for not all, picking one per group.
Xia Ruqing’s shock overrides jealousy, eyes bulging.
’The emperor’s picks for fine ladies?’
These two boast lowly origins and rank lowest in looks among peers.
Worse, neither seems decent!
"Er..."
Xia Ruqing stares at Zhao Junyao, stunned.
’The emperor’s preferences are truly unique!’
Others reel in astonishment.
Empress Dowager averts her gaze, unable to watch.
Empress Dowager Zhen hides glee behind her hand:
’Behold the emperor’s choices!’
’Countless beauties overlooked for these—entering the palace? Tsk tsk...’
No one comprehends.
Yet Zhao Junyao feels content.
Li Shengan awkwardly declares.
"Kong Yuqiu, daughter of Gaoyang County’s magistrate; Wu Baolan, daughter of Taishang monastery’s head priest—retain tokens, bestow Ruyi!"
The two fine ladies kneel, voices brimming with joy.
"Daughter thanks the emperor!"
"Rise!" Zhao Junyao commands evenly, hand waving.
"Yes!"
They rise, accept Jade Ruyi from the young eunuch, and gleefully trail him aside.
Remaining fine ladies brim with envy.
Eyes fixed longingly, yearning to join the token-holders’ side.
Unselected ones seethe with jealousy and resentment.
’Why not us instead!’
…
Fifth and sixth rounds follow,
Zhao Junyao finds none pleasing, flowers for all again.
By now,
the hall’s occupants adapt, faces composed anew.
Imperial whims prove unfathomable—best to watch and wait.
Xia Ruqing steals glances at Zhao Junyao.
After pondering, she grasps his scheme.
’Picking backwards?’
’Skipping the fine ones, grabbing the flawed!’
’Should such women join the palace and act properly, good enough.’
’If trouble brews, discarding them costs nothing!’
Oh... what a sly mind!