A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1070 - 1071: The Banquet

Yet.

Every concubine appeared to have unanimously chosen to keep their distance from Ma Liyi.

Even Honored Lady Lu, who normally resided in the side hall of Xihuai Palace and eagerly sought Ma Liyi's favor,

now clung tightly to Consort Zheng, acting as if she noticed nothing at all.

Terrified that drawing too near might invite disaster upon themselves!

Ma Liyi, however, showed no sign of noticing the others' avoidance.

She stayed lost in her bold arrogance, lording over the group with a sense of supremacy.

The concubines fell silent once more:

"This woman can't be saved! Better to avoid her from now on!"

All of them quietly shifted a bit farther back.

The group pressed onward.

Ningshou Palace came into view shortly.

Sister Ma had stepped out to welcome them, offering formal salutes.

"Greetings, Empress!"

Xia Ruqing stepped down from the Phoenix Sedan and responded courteously.

"Sister Ma, please stand!"

"Thank you, Empress!"

Sister Ma gave thanks and ushered them within.

Xia Ruqing guided the concubines from the entrance through to the main hall.

The route featured ornate beams and colorful rafters, meandering verandas, alongside grand or delicately beautiful jade structures scattered throughout the grounds,

yet it lacked the previous vibrancy.

Palace Maids or eunuchs stood guard every few paces.

They bowed with blank expressions, straightened with blank expressions, impeccably formal but utterly lacking any warmth.

Like icy metal fortifications.

Ningshou Palace stayed perpetually chilly and forlorn through every season, untouched by the outer world's bustle and splendor.

On the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, Xia Ruqing brought the harem women to offer respects.

All had grown somewhat accustomed to it.

Apart from a inner sigh: "The Empress Dowager has truly wasted her strong position into this state,"

little else stirred them.

But for those freshly arrived in the palace, on their initial visit here,

the mood caused them to huddle their shoulders in unease and bewilderment.

"Isn't the Empress Dowager the Emperor's own mother? Why has it turned out like this?"

Puzzled though they felt, no one dared to gawk about too boldly.

All kept quiet, uttering not a sound.

They stepped into the main hall.

The Empress Dowager sat tall on her elevated throne, clad in a rich crimson Phoenix Robe, fully attired and composed.

Her skin tone was decent, her face serene, betraying neither delight nor ire.

Xia Ruqing brought the concubines forward, delivering proper obeisance and salutes.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"

The Empress Dowager barely lifted the corners of her mouth, gesturing for all to rise.

Then, those permitted to sit took their places, those meant to stand did so, positioning by rank.

As always.

Xia Ruqing steeled herself beside the Empress Dowager, forcing strained chit-chat.

Words did not flow easily from her, and her attempts at humor fell flat.

She strained to dredge up subjects for talk.

Luckily... some concubines excelled at conversation.

With quips tossed in and chats sparked, plus timely help from Consort Cheng and Consort Hui,

the mood avoided total stiffness.

After decades in the inner court, how could the Empress Dowager fail to grasp the divides around her?

During these years of virtual 'house arrest' by the Emperor, she stayed calm, stirring no waves.

She projected an air of detachment from mortal concerns, content to pass her final days.

The Emperor wished to play the dutiful son, so she obliged as the gentle mother.

The Empress required a model of piety for the realm, so she played the ideal mother-in-law, earning fame as a noble Empress Dowager.

Each side gained what they sought, and that suited fine.

Anyway, she harbored no regrets over her past choices.

Given another shot, she'd choose identically!

No, given another shot, she'd refuse to step foot here ever again!

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes halfway, deliberately turning the prayer beads in her grasp.

Now and then she'd share a light remark with the Emperor and others, otherwise staying mute, just absorbing the talk.

Roughly two quarters of an hour later, the Empress Dowager curved her lips faintly.

"Enough!"

"The hour grows late, and fatigue weighs on me, so everyone, depart!"

Xia Ruqing rose swiftly, a wave of relief washing over her.

"Then I shan't trouble Mother-Empress's repose further!"

"I'll return to see you at the Shen Hour this afternoon!"

The Empress Dowager inclined her head.

"Go on!"

With that, supported by Sister Ma, she withdrew to the inner room.

Xia Ruqing let out a relaxed breath, cast off her tension, and directed the group out.

...

That evening's Mid-Autumn family feast occurred in Ninghe Hall.

Thanks to the fresh palace entrants, this year's Mid-Autumn gathering buzzed more than before.

As Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao accompanied the Empress Dowager inside,

the hall brimmed with alluring and graceful forms, some known, some new.

A flurry of rising figures knelt in homage.

"Greetings, Emperor!"

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

"Greetings, Empress!"

Zhao Junyao flicked his hand, "All rise!"

Amid grateful voices, they stood and reclaimed their seats.

Xia Ruqing then gently led the Empress Dowager to the lofty positions.

The feast commenced properly after.

Concubines bantered and chuckled, raising cups to the Emperor several times,

followed by singers and dancers who graced the floor with acts.

Guests dined leisurely, conversed freely, and enjoyed the shows, fostering a cozy vibe.

However.

For the new Fine Ladies, this marked just their second glimpse of the Emperor.

Without any graces bestowed yet,

how could they sit still and merely observe the spectacles?!

Ma Liyi, Honored Lady Lu, and Lady Shi, positioned rearward,

fixed intense gazes on the Emperor, utterly unabashed!

They yearned to shove every rival aside and hurl themselves at him.

A few Jieyu ahead caught sight by chance.

Witnessing those bold looks, contempt surged through them.

One after another, they veiled smirks behind fans, hissing low barbs.

"Hmph! So brazen!"

"Indeed! Staring like that in front of everyone!"

"From a Third Rank official's house, no less—disgraceful!"

"In the end, low-born and vulgar, utterly lacking decorum!"

The Jieyu murmured together.

Soon, even Consort Song Pin endured no more.

She rose discreetly, slipping out with her attendants for air.

With Consort Song Pin gone, the vacated spots offered no obstruction.

Consort Hui, Consort Cheng, Consort Zheng, and Xia Ruqing from above all beheld those stares.

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Helplessness overwhelmed her.

Truly, the Emperor's knack for picking duds proved accurate.

When aiming for the poorest, he nailed it perfectly! Well...

Women like these.

Their brazen demeanor warranted zero mercy!

She cast a sidelong glance at Zhao Junyao.

He savored the shows and wine without distraction,

warming her heart.

’See! He hasn't let me down one bit!’

’How foolish my earlier jealousy was!’

Xia Ruqing drew a steadying breath, opting to let concerns fade.

If chaos erupted, they'd manage it.

Undoubtedly, someone among the ranks would quash it quietly.

Consort Zheng and Consort Yun lacked other talents, but excelled at handling such matters.

This reassured her fully!

Xia Ruqing lifted her cup, beaming at Zhao Junyao.

"Your Majesty, a toast to you!"

Zhao Junyao smiled faintly, said little, and drained his cup swiftly.

Admiring his elegant motion and the subtle shift of his throat,

her mind sighed: Utterly captivating!