A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1168: Only Room for Qingqing

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Previously on A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace...
Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao enjoyed street food and performances, with Xia Ruqing indulging her inner foodie. Later, Xia Ruqing became emotional seeing steamed buns that reminded her of her grandmother. Zhao Junyao responded by buying out the entire stall for her. As February arrived, the capital was abuzz with two major events: the Eldest Princess's wedding and the Seventh Prince taking a consort. Xia Ruqing found herself extremely busy managing both events, losing weight from the stress despite help.
'If you think like this, it means you truly care about her!' 'No wonder you were chosen by the Emperor as the foster mother for The Eldest Princess; you really are excellent!' Xia Ruqing never hesitates to praise people. If she thinks someone is good, she will generously give them compliments. After all, people work so hard for so long, you must give them a sense of accomplishment, right? Consort Zheng was indeed moved, her eyes slightly reddening. 'If Your Highness thinks so, then no matter how hard it is for me, it’s worth it!' Xia Ruqing smiled. 'Rest assured, the Emperor has also noticed it!' Consort Zheng eagerly wiped her tears. 'I feel ashamed to say this!' 'I have no children in this lifetime, which truly makes me feel guilty towards the Emperor!' 'The Emperor entrusted The Eldest Princess to me for upbringing, which is a trust in me!' 'I can only dedicate myself to not betray the Emperor’s trust!' 'Having Your Highness acknowledge my efforts, I am extremely grateful...' Xia Ruqing was a bit embarrassed by her crying. Why did ancient women always keen on blaming themselves for all the problems? If they can’t bear children, they say they have failed their husband’s family. But... isn’t it because Consort Zheng herself is not favored that she can’t have children? Ahem ahem!! It seems more embarrassing to directly admit she is not favored, huh! Yet from Consort Zheng’s perspective, she could understand the hardships faced by these women in the harem. Not favored by the emperor, having no children, that kind of bitterness... she probably will never experience in this life. Thus, she also tried not to treat them harshly. Provided them delicious foods and good drinks, offering them a way to live, considered an act of kindness. In other words, since I can’t share my husband with them, I’ll treat them better instead. Zhao Junyao’s approach was much like hers. It had been a long time since he last visited any concubine in the harem, so long that he himself forgot the duration. However, after all, they were all his women, all from respectable families chosen through formal selection. Even if there are many flaws, there is at least some good in them. So, no matter how much he dislikes them, he cannot treat them too harshly. An emperor ruling the land, a dignified man, and treating their own women badly, would they still be called a man? Making life hard for women was never his style. He would visit the children often, spend some time, and at most have a meal, to maintain a sense of connection. Since they followed him, he would ensure they lived a lifetime of prosperity, never lacking anything. Only... they cannot occupy his heart. That space is too small, only allowing Qingqing alone. ... February 12, the fifteenth year of Jiayuan. The Eldest Princess of Great Chu married the eldest legitimate son of Tao Hanlin’s Family. One is a gentle princess, the other a courteous scholar; a match made in heaven, the couple admired by many. February 24, the fifteenth year of Jiayuan. The Seventh Prince of Great Chu, Zhao Junyan, married Xu Xuechan, the legitimate second daughter of Commander Xu, as the main wife. One is calm and skilled in martial arts, with handsome features, the other gentle and graceful, like a lotus, well-read and tender; the complementing pair makes them a legendary story. After finishing these tasks, Just when Xia Ruqing thought she could finally breathe a sigh of relief, and peacefully wait for her Emperor husband to fulfill his promise of taking her on a leisurely trip to Jiangnan, a delegation from Portland Country was arriving. Indeed, a delegation from Portland Country came to visit Great Chu Dynasty. The most dreadful thing was, The king of Portland Country brought along his seven daughters. Seven of them! This is simply... the intention of Sima Zhao, as everyone knows! Xia Ruqing rubbed her forehead. Forced a smile through gritted teeth: ’Just seven, isn’t it? The entire harem with three thousand beauties doesn’t scare me, do I fear seven?’ ’No matter how much you wish to curry favor, you can’t marry off all seven daughters here!’ ’And even if they marry, so what?!’ ’Try winning his favor first!’ Learning from television, Xia Ruqing touched her face in the mirror. ’Hmph! With my looks, I can still go on for a few more years!’ Isn’t she just in her early thirties? Many modern women in their early thirties are not even married yet? Indeed, she’s still a young woman! Just this willful! ... On the day of March 3. Xia Ruqing should have been leisurely hosting a spring banquet in the Imperial Garden with the little wives of the harem. But now she has to join Zhao Junyao in welcoming the delegation! Still that same delegation keen on bringing small wives to her husband, truly vexing! Although it’s a small country.The Great Chu Dynasty is renowned as the Nation of Etiquette, is it not? Thus, the most basic courtesies must certainly be upheld. She truly harbored a deep reluctance to attend! However, since the delegation included female members, her presence was unavoidable. It wasn't just her; those distinguished figures within the harem and the authorized wives of the royal clan were also required to be there. Taihe Grand Hall was the venue. Everyone was seated in an orderly fashion, segregated by gender, forming a vast circle. Xia Ruqing discreetly surveyed the assembled individuals. Apart from a collection of tall men with substantial beards and prominent noses, along with a few women spanning various ages, there was no one else of particular note. She found it surprising that the princesses had not made an appearance! She pursed her lips, contemplating silently. 'Hmph! They are still playing mysterious games!' 'Perhaps later they will perform a dance! Or maybe they intend to present a gift!!' 'Oh, another possibility is that they might directly offer their daughters as gifts!' 'Wow, now that would be a sensational spectacle!' Xia Ruqing dared not entertain such thoughts any further. She quietly took a sip of her tea, maintaining a smile while listening to Zhao Junyao engage in conversation with the foreign dignitaries. It was quite remarkable, in its own way. To establish contact with the Great Chu Dynasty, these individuals had even taken the effort to learn the dynasty's language. Now, each of them spoke it fluently enough to be understood. It was comparable to how Europeans might speak Chinese in modern times! Xia Ruqing listened to their words of praise with considerable interest. One dignitary remarked, "The Great Chu Dynasty is indeed a Nation of Etiquette; with such expansive lands and abundant resources, it is truly astonishing to us!" Zhao Junyao responded with a gentle smile. "Your Portland is also clever and insightful, developing that miraculous plaster; even we of the Great Chu Dynasty hold it in envy!" Another speaker chimed in, "The Emperor of Great Chu is far too modest. We have come here precisely to learn about Central Plains culture from you!" "We sincerely hope the Emperor of Great Chu will not hesitate to impart his wisdom, so that we too may expand our horizons!" Zhao Junyao merely chuckled. "No problem, no problem!" "Having journeyed from afar, you are all honored guests! Honglu Temple, Ministry of Rites, did you hear that!" The officials whose names were called promptly stood up. "In response to Your Majesty, we pledge to exert our utmost effort!" Zhao Junyao nodded with evident satisfaction, resuming the banquet proceedings! What followed was a typical banquet affair. Melodies, dances, and laughter intertwined, creating a harmonious ambiance. The female dancers, with their flowing sleeves, swayed with the grace of willows, moving in perfect rhythm with the music and extending their bodies freely. They continuously shifted their formations in the central performance area. They moved like elegant swans upon a tranquil pond, or like captivating flamingos along the water's edge. Around them, people conversed and laughed in small clusters, raising their cups in toasts, contributing to an exceedingly lively atmosphere. After a few rounds of drinks had been consumed, the bearded king of Portland raised his glass and approached Zhao Junyao. "Emperor of Great Chu, a man of extraordinary talent, I... deeply admire you!"