A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1099

Zhaohua Pavilion.

A bleak and freezing sky hung outside; an icy chill permeated the interior.

Just half a candle flickered in the room, casting a feeble glow that hardly lit anything.

A foul stench hung heavy in the air, blending medicinal scents, mold, and excrement.

It was so revolting that anyone would retch, eager to spew out last night's meal.

As soon as the Eldest Princess parted the door curtain, she gagged twice, tears welling up from the odor.

After pausing briefly, she pinched her nose and stepped inside cautiously.

Candlelight flickered dimly.

Garbage littered the floor in every direction, offering no clear spot to place her foot.

At last, she traced a path guided by the faint light.

Dimly, she spotted a figure sprawled on the bed.

Utterly still, impossible to tell if sleeping or dead.

’Is that Mother Consort?’

She hesitated, reluctant to accept it.

’It can’t be! Mother Consort... wasn’t this emaciated!’ She reflected.

She approached step by step.

The Eldest Princess began to shake uncontrollably.

That silhouette was undeniably familiar—beyond any doubt!

Mother Consort’s form! One she’d recognize forever.

Yet even so...

The Eldest Princess felt her world crumbling!

How had Mother Consort withered to such a state?!

Why dwell in this squalid chamber, wrapped in a meager quilt, with nobody attending her?

What ordeals had Mother Consort endured?

A woman who cherished cleanliness—how could she end up like this?!

With a heavy thud, the Eldest Princess dropped to her knees beside the bed, sobbing bitterly.

"Mother Consort!"

"Mother Consort, what’s happened to you? Please wake up!"

"Your daughter has come to visit you!"

Regret consumed her utterly!

Had she arrived earlier, might Mother Consort have avoided illness?

Had she come sooner, could Mother Consort have stayed healthy?!

Why?

What had she been resenting?

Mother Consort sacrificed everything for her!

What gave her the right to resent?!

Tears poured from the Eldest Princess without restraint.

Suddenly, the figure on the bed stirred faintly, rolling over slowly?!

"Who?!"

"Who’s there crying??"

"Mother Consort?"

Joy surged through the Eldest Princess; she hastily brushed away her tears.

"Are you awake?"

"You... who are you?!"

The bed's occupant rasped, voice rough and broken.

Under the candle's glow, her cheeks were hollow, eyes deeply shadowed, skin sallow and lifeless.

She appeared as frail as a wisp, on the verge of her final breath.

"I am Yiming!"

"Mother Consort, it’s Yiming!"

Tears brimmed in the Eldest Princess’s eyes.

"I don’t know any Yiming. Leave me be—I’m weary!"

Honored Lady Dou turned her head slowly, expression cold and detached.

The Eldest Princess froze in shock.

"Mother Consort! I’m your daughter!"

"Your unfilial daughter, finally here!"

"Mother Consort, I was wrong! Please don’t disown me!"

The Eldest Princess kowtowed fiercely, face streaked with tears and snot, utterly devastated.

Honored Lady Dou showed no reaction.

After what felt like an eternity, she summoned her remaining strength and hurled the nearby pillow!

"Get out!"

"You’re all scum!"

"Out with all of you!"

"You cursed lot will face divine punishment!"

"Cough, cough! Cough, cough..."

Honored Lady Dou hacked violently.

The Eldest Princess recoiled in alarm!

"Mother Consort, what’s the matter?"

She scrambled up to help.

Honored Lady Dou slapped her hand aside!

"Get out!"

"Wretch!"

"Drag this wretch away!"

Startled, the Eldest Princess tumbled backward onto the floor.

A sharp ache shot from her rear straight to her soul, tormenting her mind and body.

She lay stunned, unable to move for ages.

Incredulity gripped her!

The formerly tender, affectionate Mother Consort had become this stranger.

All at once, terror seized her!

What if Mother Consort truly perished?

Who else in the world would cherish her with such warmth and selflessness?!

Consort Mother Zheng?

She was kind indeed, yet always kept a polite distance.

Only Mother Consort!

The closest, most devoted soul in existence was this gaunt, raging woman before her!

"Mother Consort! I refuse to go!"

The Eldest Princess stood firm.

"I know you hear me!"

"I was unfilial before, staying away so long!"

"Your daughter sees her error now!"

"Once you recover, no matter if Honored Lady, Lady, or Baolin, your daughter will stand by you forever!"

"Mother Consort, please recover, won’t you?"

Her voice quivered with profound dread.

Yet Honored Lady Dou stayed silent, refusing even a glance her way!

Dusk slowly fell over the sky!

Honored Lady Dou lay gasping weakly, totally spent, without the power to even toss a pillow.

The wet nurse and the sister entered to persuade her.

"Princess, night approaches, please go back!"

"Eldest Princess, Consort Zheng awaits you for dinner, don't make her wait!"

"The Emperor has called for the Imperial Physician for Honored Lady, he'll be here shortly!"

"Honored Lady is weak in health, she needs early rest too!"

"Come back tomorrow if you want, it'll be fine!"

The Eldest Princess's eyes brimmed with tears.

She looked at the darkening sky outside, then back at her Mother Consort lying on the bed.

Though reluctant, she realized the wet nurse and sister spoke wisely.

She nodded at that moment.

"Mother Consort, daughter will return now, I'll come see you tomorrow!"

After speaking, she kowtowed toward the figure on the bed and departed with the wet nurse.

What remained unknown to her was.

Once she had gone, several turbid tears slid from the closed eyes of the one on the bed.

…

Early next morning.

The Eldest Princess rose at dawn.

Skipping breakfast, she arranged for several baskets of charcoal and quilts to be delivered to Honored Lady Dou.

Consort Zheng noticed but merely smiled quietly.

Hong Yun felt a bit confused.

"Your Ladyship, why doesn't the Princess act more carefully? Isn't she afraid of offending you?"

"Why not hold her back some? After raising her so long, it's all... mere politeness, no real affection at all!"

Consort Zheng smiled faintly.

"How could I feel displeased? No reason to halt her either!"

"Why is that?"

Hong Yun grew more baffled.

Consort Zheng cuddled her gold-threaded pumpkin hand warmer, reclining cozily on the heated kang bed.

She let out a lazy yawn.

"If she ignored her birth mother just to fawn over me, she'd truly be an ungrateful soul!"

If someone could steel their heart against their own mother, what wouldn't they do?!

"A person like that, I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole!"

Hong Yun at last comprehended.

"Your Ladyship thinks so deeply!"

Consort Zheng adjusted her spot and went on.

"It's not that deep; after years in the palace, things look clearer to me!"

"Since stepping into the palace, I've had no favor at all!"

"It looked utterly miserable at first! Back then, I faced constant ridicule and torment!"

"But I? Thick-skinned as I was! I endured it all step by step!"

"And today?"

"Am I not the honored First-Ranked Consort still?"

"What became of those who mocked me before?"

"See, nothing in the palace stays fixed forever!"

"The old saying holds true: 'Fortune and misfortune go hand in hand'. The ancients spoke wisely!"

Consort Zheng's eyes sparkled faintly, as if sharing a grand triumph!