A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1162: After All, She Is His Own Sister

As the Lunar New Year approached, the imperial palace teemed with its customary vibrant energy once more.

On the eve of the new year, after days of continuous snowfall, the heavens finally unveiled a clear sky.

The vast expanse of the palace was draped in a pristine white blanket of snow, adorned with silver. The trees, laden with ice, resembled blossoming pear trees, their beauty almost overwhelming to behold. It was as if the verse, "As if overnight a spring breeze arrived, a thousand trees burst into pear blossoms," had come to life.

To amplify the festive atmosphere, Palace Attendants

suspended elegantly crafted red lanterns from snow-laden branches and entwined endless rings of crimson silk ribbons around the burgeoning red plum trees.

Bright red draperies were also hung along the railings of prominent locations such as the Octagonal Pavilion, Taiye Pool, and the Flowing Water Bridge.

These scattered accents of festive red, much like sudden plum blossoms blooming amidst the palace's untouched snow, infused the serene and pure scenery with a delicate charm that captivated the eye.

The Consorts, who had spent a winter consumed by anxiety over the precarious situation on the front lines, could finally find respite and venture out to wander the Imperial Garden.

After all, they had been confined indoors for the entire winter season, and with the Emperor's perpetually dark mood, they had hardly dared to step outside.

The snow scenery was at its absolute peak of beauty; groups of ladies, clad in their finest palace attire and enveloped in snow-white fox furs, meandered through the Imperial Garden in small clusters, trailed by a retinue of Palace Attendants.

Occasionally, peals of lively conversation and joyful laughter would drift from the Imperial Garden, harmoniously complementing the picturesque snowy landscape.

Duanning Palace.

As the Empress, Xia Ruqing found herself lacking such leisure.

She was actively engaged in preparations for the New Year's Eve banquet that evening, the ancestral rites scheduled for the following day, the palace feast, and numerous other events, alongside Consort Cheng and the other ladies.

Even with the assistance of the four consorts, she remained overwhelmingly busy.

It wasn't until after midday, once all arrangements were finally concluded, that she attained a moment of unburdened time.

While partaking in her delayed midday meal, Xia Ruqing casually posed a question.

"Where is Yue Er?"

Zi Yue and Zi Su exchanged glances, their expressions suggesting they had something to convey but hesitated to do so.

Xia Ruqing chided them with a helpless sigh, her tone a mixture of jest and mild annoyance.

"Did she slip away again? You two are far too lenient with her!"

Zi Su quickly moved to placate her.

"Empress, you are aware of the Princess's temperament... if something displeases her, she simply..."

Zi Yue eagerly concurred.

"My Lady, we have truly exerted our utmost effort!"

Xia Ruqing quieted, a thoughtful silence descending.

Upon finishing her meal, she forwent her usual midday rest.

Seizing the opportunity before the New Year's Eve banquet commenced, she promptly led a considerable contingent of attendants to search for her daughter.

Throughout the journey, Xia Ruqing's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

'Yue Er grows more spoiled with each passing day!'

'That girl is incredibly cunning, often leaving the Wetnurse Sisters utterly bewildered – truly... such a headache!'

'And to think the Emperor indulges her so excessively, constantly remarking... that as a Princess of the Imperial Family, born of legitimate lineage, she ought to possess the dignified bearing befitting royalty!'

'That scoundrel Zhao Junyao not only fails to discipline her but actively aids his daughter in her mischievous endeavors – he is simply...'

Xia Ruqing massaged her temples; the more she contemplated the situation, the more her head throbbed.

In the blink of an eye, they reached the Eastern Palace.

Upon the Empress's arrival, the Palace Attendants' demeanor shifted to one of apprehension, and they offered deep, respectful bows.

Xia Ruqing did not pause to signal for them to rise; she proceeded directly into the main hall.

What prompted her search for her daughter in the Eastern Palace?

The reason traced back to the day Chenchen returned victorious with the army.

On that particular day, subsequent to Chenchen's triumphant return from beyond the palace walls.

Xia Ruqing, accompanied by Henger, Yeye, and Yue Er, had gone to the palace gates to greet him.

From their vantage point atop the Imperial Palace's gate tower,

they observed Chenchen approaching from a distance, astride a jet-black warhorse. He was clad in exquisitely crafted Beast-faced Cloud-patterned Silver Scale Armor, wore Purple Gold Serpentine-patterned Long Boots, held a Copper-handled Long Whip in one hand, and gripped the dark brown reins in the other.

His countenance was stern and imposing; with sword-like eyebrows and eyes like stars, he sat erect in the saddle. With a fluid, handsome motion, he cracked his whip and bellowed in a deep, resonant voice, "Hyah!!"

The horse, struck by the lash, let out a series of sharp neighs. Its powerful black physique reared upwards before surging forward with the speed of the wind.

Concurrently, the fully armored Imperial Forest Army Iron-Clad Guards behind him, mounted on their own warhorses, marched in perfect formation. The rhythmic pounding of their hooves against the blue-brick road was both potent and orderly.

At that moment, Xia Ruqing could not concern herself with anything else; her mind was swimming with elation.

After all, Chenchen had been absent for such a long time, and his safe return was finally a reality!

The 'mother hen' guarding her brood could finally put her heart back at ease.

Henger and Yeye, witnessing this reunion, were struck with awe and admiration. They seized the chance to offer praise to their elder brother, hoping for fewer reprimands at the academy in the future.

As for Yue Er...

Xia Ruqing had truly not paid her much attention then; she held a vague recollection of Yue Er being unusually subdued, speaking barely a word.

Little did anyone foresee that from that very day forward, Yue Er would begin to plead and cajer, obstinately insisting on learning to ride a horse.

When her own mother demurred, she turned her attention to her father, the Emperor.

Upon her father’s refusal, she then set her sights on her elder brother.

Chenchen cherished his only biological younger sister with all his heart.

As long as he knew something brought joy to his sister, he would brave any hardship to procure it and present it before her.

However, when it came to the matter of "horse riding"... this was the first instance Chenchen ever denied her request.

Yue Er cajoled and wheedled him for an extended period; Chenchen remained firm, citing her young age as the reason he would not teach her.

After some time, even Yue Er started to perceive the futility of her efforts.

Thus, she altered her approach and began to persistently ask her brother to recount the intriguing experiences from his travels.

This particular request was undeniably far simpler to fulfill.

From that day onwards, Yue Er would frequent her brother’s quarters whenever she found herself unoccupied—or even when she wasn't—and badger him into telling her tales.

And once she commenced listening, there was no stopping her.

The more Yue Er absorbed his narratives, the more captivated she became, ultimately leading her to relocate to the Eastern Palace and refuse to depart.

She even required a story from her brother before she could drift off to sleep each night!

Chenchen: "..."

Persevere! Maintain composure!

She was his own blood relative—was he truly expected to cast her out?

Regarding the norms of conduct between male and female, Yue Er was merely four years old; contemplating such matters would be an excessive overthinking.

Yue Er cheerfully settled into the rhythm of life within the Eastern Palace.

Xia Ruqing, conversely, was filled with anxiety.

Zi Yue and Zi Su attempted to soothe her: "Empress, please do not fret, no one would dare to mistreat the Princess!"

Xia Ruqing felt a profound sense of exasperation.

"I am certainly not concerned about anyone mistreating her!"

"My worry is that she herself might mistreat others. That girl is far too spirited, and Chenchen indulges her even more..."

Zi Yue: "..."

Zi Su: "..."

The Empress’s pronouncement held undeniable truth; they found themselves unable to offer any counterargument.

It did indeed appear... that the likelihood of the Fourth Princess being the one to initiate mistreatment was somewhat higher.

"Then there is even less cause for concern!"

"Empress, please do not dwell on such worries!"

Xia Ruqing offered a strained smile.

’There is no such thing as not worrying. If that girl Yue Er is left unsupervised, she might very well cause utter chaos!’

...

Her thoughts returned to the present moment.

Xia Ruqing entered the main hall and scanned her surroundings, but found not a single soul present.

Chenchen was absent, and so was Yue Er.

She summoned the Head Stewardess overseeing the area to seek an explanation.

"Where might the Crown Prince and the Princess have gone?"

The Head Stewardess hastily knelt, her body trembling as cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and responded.

"To answer the Empress, the Crown Prince and the Princess departed at the earliest light of dawn, before the sky had even brightened!"

"They explicitly instructed this servant and the others not to accompany them!"

"This servant did dispatch someone to trail them discreetly; they have just returned with a report that... they proceeded to the training grounds!"

"The training grounds?"

Xia Ruqing’s heart gave a sudden lurch, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"There is snow blanketing everything outside—what possible reason could they have for going to the training grounds?!"

A sense of foreboding began to creep into her heart.

Frankly, what other activity could possibly be taking place at the training grounds if not horseback riding!

There was no time for further deliberation; she quickly gathered her retinue and departed to locate them herself.

Zi Yue hastened to follow her.

"Empress, might this servant be permitted to go instead? rest assured, this servant will certainly bring the Princess back safely!"