A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1164 - 1064: The Pitiful Are Always Detestable

Xia Ruqing was taken aback by his words.

Realizing there had been a misunderstanding, she prepared to clarify.

However, a thought crossed her mind: wouldn't it be wonderful if she could actually go on a trip this year?

So, without a second thought, she readily agreed.

"Absolutely!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled, clearly delighted.

He adored her smile and her vivacious spirit.

She was so open and unreserved, always displaying such sincerity and integrity.

It was truly magnificent! His Qingqing was indeed magnificent.

...

The New Year's Eve banquet concluded.

The following day marked the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Xia Ruqing found this day to be undeniably the most demanding of the year.

Her morning was consumed by receiving greetings from the consorts, then leading the harem in paying respects to the Empress Dowager, followed by an ancestral worship ceremony at the Grand Temple with the Empress Dowager.

She was so swamped in the morning that she didn't find a moment to rest.

At midday, she presided over a banquet and received distinguished ladies, and in the afternoon, she arranged for awards to be presented to the royal clan and noble households.

She remained occupied until dusk, finally withdrawing her exhausted form to her palace for repose.

Upon returning to her private chambers.

Without even time to change or wash up, she hastily drank some tea and promptly fell asleep.

The next day, she slumbered soundly until the sun had climbed high into the sky.

"Your Majesty, please awaken!"

"Lady Hou and the Young Lady from the Minister's Mansion are here!"

"Your Majesty?!"

Xia Ruqing blinked her eyes open groggily, finding Zi Yue addressing her.

"What is it?"

"Lady Ni and Lady Xia have arrived!"

Still half-asleep, Xia Ruqing finally recalled that it was the second day of the new year.

Her sister-in-law and younger sister were indeed scheduled for a visit!

She quickly rose to get dressed.

"Why didn't you wake me sooner?"

Zi Yue and Zi Su assisted her with her attire while preparing water for her to wash her face.

"Your Majesty was exceedingly weary yesterday, and there was nothing pressing today!"

"We didn't have the heart to disturb your rest!"

Xia Ruqing remained silent for a moment before inquiring further.

"Have any other family members come to the palace?"

As per custom, they were expected to pay their respects to her first.

Zi Yue responded.

"Some have already arrived, and I have already attended to them!"

Xia Ruqing nodded in acknowledgment.

"Excellent, then there is nothing to fret about!"

Internally, she grumbled: Being an Empress truly entails a multitude of trivial duties!

Fifteen minutes later, she was prepared.

Xia Ruqing hurried out of her inner chambers.

Ni Manxue and Xia Caiying were already seated in the main hall, with tea and refreshments provided, engaged in conversation and laughter.

Upon seeing the Empress emerge, they promptly rose to offer their salutations.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Xia Ruqing offered a slightly awkward smile.

"My apologies for the delay!"

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? We only just arrived!" they both replied with smiles.

Xia Ruqing engaged in polite conversation with them for a short period.

After dismissing the palace attendants, she led them to the inner chamber, settling onto the couch just outside the screen.

The inner chamber served as the setting for more intimate discussions.

With no watchful palace staff present, their conversation flowed with much greater ease.

After a while.

Xia Ruqing posed numerous questions.

"How is my brother? Was he injured during his return from the front lines?"

"Where is Jingfeng residing now? Has he lost weight? I haven't seen him since he came back!"

"And my brother-in-law? Is everything well with him?"

These were all individuals she held dear, whom she hadn't seen in a considerable time, and who had returned from the front lines, warranting her concern.

Ni Manxue and Xia Caiying both chuckled, assuring her that all was well.

They recounted the details once more.

Following some shared laughter, they also touched upon the subject of the children.

Their discussion about Jingfeng's continued reluctance to marry naturally led to lunchtime.

Xia Ruqing extended an invitation for them to stay and dine.

The small kitchen prepared a lavish meal, and the three women savored the feast.

Ni Manxue repeatedly praised the unique flavors of the cuisine, while Xia Caiying laughed, admitting she had consumed an extra bowl of rice.

Xia Ruqing generously offered.

"I can lend you the kitchen maid for a month."

"So she can thoroughly impart her skills to you." The two women applauded and expressed their gratitude profusely.

After the meal, they continued their conversation and laughter.

Their talk eventually shifted to Xia Ruyi.

Ni Manxue let out a soft sigh.

"I’ve heard… that she is not faring well; she has written to me several times!"

Xia Caiying corroborated.

"I received them as well!"

A silence then fell between them.

To offer her assistance? Neither felt inclined to do so.

It wasn't a matter of lacking kindness; it was simply an insurmountable emotional barrier.

If the circumstances were reversed, would Xia Ruyi extend them help?

Evidently not!

Not only would she withhold aid, but she would likely revel in their downfall.

Then why should they offer assistance? Are they not the benevolent Guanyin Bodhisattva, nor are they world-saving philanthropists.

Xia Ruqing nodded in agreement.

'Those to be pitied must possess detestable qualities!'

'How she treated us in the past, we shall reciprocate now!'

'Exactly!' Ni Manxue fumed.

Each recollection of the past with the Second Master caused her to tremble with a visceral hatred.

'I will not help either!'

Xia Caiying also clenched her fists, her face paling.

If her sister-in-law only empathized with her brother and couldn't fully grasp the depth of their pain,

she herself had experienced it firsthand.

That childhood suffering, the hardships endured, were things no one else could truly comprehend.

Especially during winter, the feeling of being cold and hungry with no safe haven was a truly terrifying ordeal.

Such memories often plagued her dreams.

That dark, terrifying shadow would forever linger, inescapable.

After a period of quiet reflection.

Ni Manxue eventually broke the silence.

'On such a joyous occasion, a grand festival, why are we dwelling on such matters?'

She dabbed the redness from her eyes with a handkerchief.

Xia Caiying's smile returned, as if pulled from the cold.

'Yes! Why are we indeed discussing this?'

Xia Ruqing smiled, rose, and requested several new platters of fragrant, freshly brewed tea alongside newly made pastries.

The trio shifted their conversation, moving past that somber topic.

...

Having bid farewell to the two guests in the afternoon, Xia Ruqing indulged in another pleasant nap.

Upon waking, she discovered that evening had already arrived.

Zi Yue and Zi Su entered with hot water, assisting her with washing and changing.

Xia Ruqing inquired casually.

'Where is Yue Er? Off to the Eastern Palace once more?'

'Yes!' Zi Su replied with a chuckle.

'The Princess truly cherishes the Crown Prince's captivating tales!'

Xia Ruqing felt a touch of helplessness.

'This child is becoming rather spirited!'

'At merely four years old, she already desires to ride a horse!'

One could only imagine what her desires would be as she grew older.

Xia Ruqing pondered this, a headache forming, as if her daughter was transforming from a soft, gentle presence into something more assertive.

Zi Su added her own perspective.

'I believe it is a positive development!'

'At the very least, the Princess will not be easily bullied in the future!'

Xia Ruqing: '...'

She could only offer that rationale to comfort herself at that moment.

...

Following the second day, the palace activities subsided, bringing a calmer atmosphere.

Xia Ruqing could finally enjoy several days of peaceful rest, dedicating her time to preparations for the Lantern Festival.

Ah, and there was also the Seventh Master's upcoming wedding.

The wedding of the Seventh Prince and Miss Xu, which had been postponed for a year.

The intense conflict between Great Chu and Western Xia had occupied everyone's attention.

In such times, no one was in the proper mood to celebrate a Prince's grand nuptials.

The nation's prosperity and decline were the responsibility of all.

The Seventh Prince, as a member of the Royal Family, was especially expected to embody concern for the country and its people.