A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1076: Turning the Tables (Part 1)

At the break of dawn.

Pan Zhu delivered breakfast, featuring freshly brewed black chicken soup from the kitchen.

Floating chunks of black chicken bobbed in the thick, savory broth, giving off an enticing aroma.

Several refined side dishes and pastries were included as well.

Positioned by the window, she held the soup bowl, stirring it lightly with a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.

"Hmph!"

"Want me dead? Not so easy!"

"What about the Princess Consort? Life isn’t any better without the Prince’s favor!"

"Once I gain favor... even if I can’t oust the Main Wife’s position for now, I’ll let you taste some hardship!"

"Let’s see who wins in the end!"

After murmuring to herself, she relished the tasty breakfast, her face beaming with joy.

Following breakfast.

She grabbed the ready bird feed to nourish the pigeons.

Her nurtured pigeon was fat and vigorous, cooing eagerly at her approach.

Xia Ruyi hummed a melody as she fed them.

"Eat well!"

"You must eat well!"

"Thanks to you..."

This pigeon served as a messenger bird, linking her communications with Hai Feng.

Yet Pan Zhu remained oblivious.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Pan Zhu drawing near but continued her humming.

Once the pigeons were fed.

Xia Ruyi spun around to return, trailed by Pan Zhu with her head bowed low.

A touch of confusion crossed her mind.

"Why are you following me?"

Back when she languished in disgrace, no one answered her calls for ages.

Now, as her fortunes turned upward, Pan Zhu sought to ingratiate herself?

Pan Zhu kept her gaze down, too afraid to utter a word.

Deep down, she brimmed with shame and remorse.

Shame over her current hunger, since even the Princess Consort struggled, leaving no room to support her.

Remorse for turning against her mistress.

Had she stayed loyal, she might now bask in her mistress's rising glory...

But regrets changed nothing.

With no reply forthcoming, Xia Ruyi pressed further.

"What’s the matter? Your new master making it hard for you?"

Pan Zhu shook her head.

"No... no!"

Xia Ruyi smirked mockingly and probed again.

"Then what’s wrong?"

"Oh... judging by your complexion, life’s been tough for you!"

Xia Ruyi kept up the sarcasm.

"But... what does your tough life have to do with me?"

"Didn’t you betray me long ago?"

Gazing at Pan Zhu’s gaunt, famished face and her own fuller figure, she sneered inwardly.

"Can’t get enough to eat now, can you?"

"Weren’t you quite comfortable before? When I was starving, you were glowing with pride!"

"Are you still proud now?!"

Pan Zhu shook her head frantically, cheeks burning red with humiliation.

Xia Ruyi let out a cold snort.

"You have no reason to be proud either!"

"I should thank you! If it weren’t for the hunger, I wouldn’t have slimmed down so quickly!"

"Don’t you think my waist has gotten much slimmer now?" she asked with smug pride.

"Yes!"

Pan Zhu nodded quickly.

"Miss, your complexion is rosy, your waist slender, hair jet-black, and skin fair. Surely the Prince would be moved upon seeing you, and soon favor you..."

"Enough!"

Xia Ruyi cut her off with a grin.

"Even if I gain favor, it has nothing to do with you!"

"Pan Zhu!"

"To tell you the truth!"

"I have no need for servants who betray their own!"

"So... don’t get any ideas about me!"

"You should plead with your new master; if she won’t keep you, you’ll be sold off!"

At the mention of being ’sold off’, Pan Zhu dropped to her knees with a thud.

"Miss! Pan Zhu begs you... don’t sell me!"

"I don’t want to die! I don’t want to end up in a brothel! Please, considering our bond since childhood..."

"Bond?" Xia Ruyi interrupted ruthlessly.

"You could sell me out for food and drink!"

"What bond is left between us?!"

"You could sell me, so why can’t I sell you? Hmm?"

Xia Ruyi’s smile shone brightly, yet her gaze held icy detachment.

Pan Zhu fell into complete despair.

Just as she prepared to beg more, Xia Ruyi dismissed her with a sharp wave.

"No need to say more!"

"I have no interest in listening!"

With those words, she shot a sideways look and strode away.

Several days passed.

Concubine Lan discreetly delivered lavish garments and jewels, while arranging for Xia Ruyi to meet the Sixth Prince.

The elegantly attired, breathtaking woman before the Sixth Prince seemed a stranger.

Embracing Concubine Lan’s slim waist, he inquired.

"Who is this beauty?"

Concubine Lan let out a flirtatious laugh.

"Your Highness, don’t you remember, this is your concubine Miss Xia?"

"Since she entered the manor, you haven’t favored her yet..."

Hearing of Lady Xia, the Sixth Prince’s memory stirred.

"So it’s you!"

Seizing the moment, Xia Ruyi advanced to pay homage.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

She wore a complete ensemble of pale blue Misty Rain in the South of the Yangtze River Embroidery Lotus Yarn, her raven hair partially pinned up in a casual bun with a glittering willow-leaf hairpin, the remainder flowing down her back.

As she curtsied, the loose hair cascaded like a waterfall.

A pink shawl with butterfly embroidery draped her shoulders, gracefully following her motion.

A deep purple sash with lilac embroidery cinched her delicate waist, seeming almost too frail.

The Sixth Prince scanned her from head to toe.

He struggled to accept that this ravishing beauty was the formerly chubby Xia Ruyi.

Rising slowly, he tilted her chin for a closer look.

Her eyes gleamed like clear autumn pools, brows arched like distant mountains, skin soft as lotus petals, nose refined and pert—a perfectly sculpted visage.

(It must be noted, Xia Ruyi appears stunning after losing weight. Lady Yao captivated Old Master Xia so deeply, proving her beauty was exceptional, thus her daughter inherited fine features. Her earlier lack of appeal stemmed solely from excess weight...)

Xia Ruyi held back any grievances, her voice soft and alluring.

"Your Highness..."

Those mere words ensnared the Sixth Prince utterly.

Taking her delicate, tender hand, he planted a gentle kiss...

"Beautiful lady..."

A flash of jealousy crossed Concubine Lan’s eyes, but she stepped up to bow.

"Your Highness!"

"I suddenly remembered there’s something in the courtyard, I’ll take my leave first..."

"Go, go!"

The Sixth Prince shooed her off curtly.

Concubine Lan hesitated briefly, her posture wavering, before departing with her attendants.

At that moment.

The Sixth Prince scooped up Xia Ruyi, hobbling faintly toward the inner room.

Panting with desire, he murmured.

"Beautiful lady, it’s been too long, you’ve been wronged!"

Xia Ruyi flushed demurely.

"Not wronged!"

"As long as you’re here, it’s never wrong!"

Her compliant words delighted the Sixth Prince further.

He laid her on the bed, swiftly shedding garments.

Like tinder igniting flames, the pair clutched each other wildly, tumbling into fervent intimacy.

Though pain surged through her, Xia Ruyi matched his fervor with abandon.

She tired of a life devoid of favor and standing.

Born of the main line, why yield to that baseborn shrew!

She craved power, position, and affection!

She threw herself into it fully!

…

Elsewhere.

Concubine Lan slunk back to her chambers in low spirits.

Her maid queried puzzledly.

"Mistress, why do we have to help that woman!"

"Giving clothes and jewelry!"