A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1067: Learning to Eat

By the end of the morning, the palace selection had wrapped up.

Six Fine Ladies remained, each clutching their tokens.

From noble lineages to humbler origins, their looks differed wildly.

The one thing they all shared? Nothing but trouble!

Ambition burned in some, arrogance defined others, and a few oozed natural allure.

Not a single one among them was easy to deal with.

Born to official households, they knew women's rules inside out, carrying themselves with elegant poise.

Yet from childhood, they'd seen the fierce fights in the inner courtyards.

Even some clans drilled it into their girls early on.

To thrive in the harem, a woman needed tricks up her sleeve and a tight grip on a man's affections.

In essence... their hearts hid darkness far beyond their pretty faces!

Afternoon rolled around.

The unselected Fine Ladies were slowly escorted out of the palace.

Token-holders lingered in Chuxiu Palace for now, waiting on titles, assignments, and the like.

…

Back from Ninghe Hall, she wolfed down lunch in a rush.

Xia Ruqing swiftly shed the stiff court robes binding her.

A refreshing bath and fresh attire later, she napped away her exhaustion.

She stirred awake as dusk settled in.

Xia Ruqing stretched out on the bed with a lazy yawn, reluctant to rise just yet before slipping into clothes.

Then she summoned Yue Er inside.

"Haven't seen the little one all day—hope she wasn't too cranky!"

Zi Yue grinned while styling her hair.

"Probably not!"

"The Princess is getting so sensible these days!"

As they chatted, Yue Er bounded in happily.

"Mother!"

Her sweet voice rang with delight.

"Yue Er, over here!"

Joy lit Xia Ruqing's eyes at the sound, even before turning.

Yue Er cocked her tiny head, peering up.

"Mother, still fixing your hair? Did you just wake up?"

"Mother, sleeping in again!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Darn! No way to defend the oversleeping charge.

With hair neatly done, she popped in a simple hairpin, then scooped her daughter into a hug.

"Mother was wiped out today!"

"Won't sleep late next time, alright?"

Yue Er bobbed her head solemnly.

She seemed to fully accept the apology.

Xia Ruqing lightly booped her forehead in fond exasperation.

"What'd you get up to today? Practice letters with Sister?"

Yue Er shook her head.

"No letters today—I drew pictures!"

With that, she wriggled free and dashed off.

Soon she scampered back, proudly thrusting a painting forward.

"Mother, look—it's Snow Ball! Like it?"

Xia Ruqing glanced over, sweat beading on her brow instantly.

The rice paper bore messy scribbles, smeared fingerprints, and stray ink blobs.

Uh...

Does this even count as art?

But those wide, hopeful eyes staring up...

Forced praise escaped her: "Pretty good—keep going!"

Yue Er beamed with laughter.

Xia Ruqing frolicked with Yue Er a bit more.

As evening deepened.

Xia Ruqing had hoped to dine with the Emperor.

But he never appeared, no matter the wait.

Right as she moved to send a servant checking,

Li Shengan showed up himself.

"Your Highness, the Emperor's tied up with ministers on state affairs in the Imperial Study. He sent me to say don't wait!"

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing dipped her head.

"Got it!"

Once Li Shengan departed, she called for supper.

Post-meal,

Xia Ruqing lingered by the window, fretting over the Fine Ladies' roster.

"Titles? Lodgings?"

Fresh palace entrants, they were prickly and primed for chaos.

Zi Yue stayed mum.

Too tricky a puzzle for her to chime in.

Zi Su rolled her eyes playfully and piped up.

"Why not bunch them all in one spot?!"

"Trouble stays contained, no spillover!"

Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully.

"Smart idea, though any mess reflects badly on me!"

Zi Su mulled it over more.

"Or pick a tough one to rein them in!"

"Your Highness, just tame the top dog!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

"How to spot the strongest?"

Xia Ruqing massaged her temples, flinging the list away.

"Exhausted from the day—enough of this, later!"

She rose, yawned wide, and queried.

"What time now?"

Zi Yue answered.

"Nearly Hai Hour—gates shut in fifteen minutes!"

Xia Ruqing figured Zhao Junyao wasn't coming.

So off to wash and prep for sleep she went.

She'd barely settled in bed.

When steps echoed outside, and the eunuch called out.

"The Emperor arrives!"

Xia Ruqing dragged herself up, woebegone, to welcome him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao strode in, chilled to the bone.

Spotting her in just thin sleepwear, he hustled her indoors.

"So scantily clad!"

Xia Ruqing yawned hugely.

"Your Majesty, this late for a visit?"

Zhao Junyao arched a brow.

"What, unwanted?"

Those ladies weren't even here, and she shooed him off?

Sleep-fogged and muddled, Xia Ruqing blurted without thinking.

"Your Majesty, had dinner?"

Zhao Junyao chuckled.

"Eaten already!"

Xia Ruqing nodded like a chicken pecking rice.

"Oh!"

"Good then!"

Her fingers went to his chest, easing open his robe.

"Eaten and late—time for bed! I'm nodding off."

Seeing her so, Zhao Junyao dropped the teasing.

He gently moved her hands, scooped her to bed, shed his own clothes, and joined her.

The night slipped by in quiet bliss.

…

Next morning, Xia Ruqing blinked awake to a blazing sun.

Her eyes snapped open, alarm hitting.

"Oh no, overslept again?!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su hurried in at the noise.

"Your Highness, awake now?"

"Finally up, Your Highness—water coming!"

Grumpy Xia Ruqing scowled.

"Why no wake-up call?!"

Zi Su hastened to clarify.

"Your Highness, Emperor said let you sleep sound, no bothering!"

Xia Ruqing stilled, then let it drop.

Up she got, freshened and dressed.

Had Yue Er brought for shared breakfast.

After eating,

The pair wandered the Imperial Garden.

The odd irritation gnawing at Xia Ruqing slowly faded.

Truth was, she couldn't pinpoint the cause.

Just felt prickly (turns out, those women were why)!

At noon,

Xia Ruqing summoned a feast of tempting dishes.

No sign of Zhao Junyao, so mother and daughter dug in.

Xia Ruqing filled Yue Er's little bowl with rice and veggies, guiding chopstick use.

Yue Er beamed with joy.

Clutching her bowl, she gamely stabbed at bites with tiny chopsticks.

But... nothing stuck.

Xia Ruqing let her fumble freely, learning by trial.

Soon the child sported food smears everywhere.

Zhao Junyao walked in to spy a messy little kitten battling lunch.

He stared, incredulous.

"Yue Er, this..."