A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1353 - 1351: Casual Conversation

As she was thinking, Yue Er walked in from outside.

"What are you thinking about, mother? You’re so lost in thought!"

Xia Ruqing was startled.

"You scared me, you girl!"

"How come you walk without making a sound?"

Yue Er sat next to her with a smile.

"It’s just that you’re too deep in thought to hear anything!"

Xia Ruqing called for someone to cut some fresh fruits and brought out a few pastries before asking.

"Why are you here today? Are your brothers doing well?"

Yue Er happily ate while grumbling.

"Mother, you ask about brother the moment we meet. Why don’t you ask how I’m doing?"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but tap her forehead with a smile.

"Aren’t you standing here well right in front of me? Why would I ask?"

"So young, and already learning to hold grudges!"

Yue Er giggled, crumbs from the pastries on her lips, and snuggled next to her.

"It’s just that mother always overlooks me!"

Xia Ruqing affectionately hugged her daughter, protesting.

"You little heartless thing, when have I ever ignored you?"

"It’s your brothers who haven’t visited me in days, especially your eldest brother!"

"The last time he came was half a month ago, and even then, he was in a hurry, not even staying for a proper conversation!"

As the Crown Prince, Zhao Qichen has much to attend to.

Especially now that Zhao Junyao is getting older, his memory not as sharp as it used to be, requiring frequent reminders and assistance.

On one hand, there are state affairs to handle, and on the other, he must continue his studies and martial training in horseback archery.

It’s easy to imagine how busy and tiring Chenchen’s life must be.

Yue Er tilted her head, thinking.

"In that case, I’ll tell eldest brother to come and keep company with you later, okay?"

Xia Ruqing quickly waved her hand.

"There’s nothing special about my company. Don’t let it waste his time!"

"If he truly has time, tell him to rest well and take care of his health!"

Yue Er nodded obediently.

"Understood, mother!"

"Don’t worry about it!"

She thought for a while and continued.

"Mother, please don’t worry!"

"Father said he used to go through the same; also said that as a man, one should stand firm and upright!"

"My eldest brother is almost twenty now, he can stand firm!"

Xia Ruqing laughed.

"Good!"

"I won’t worry!"

In her heart, though, she couldn’t help but sigh.

’Time flies so fast; in the blink of an eye, Chenchen is almost twenty!’

’I’ve also been in the palace for over twenty years!’

’Over twenty years! How many twenty years does one have in a lifetime?’

Touching her daughter’s tender cheeks, her gaze drifted outside the window.

Late spring and early summer, withered flowers scattered, and lush green trees filled much of Duanning Palace’s courtyard.

Flower beds, alongside the pebble paths, bamboo groves, and outside the glazed pavilions, everything in Duanning Palace was so clean and exquisite.

Birds occasionally flitted between the trees, their shadows dancing on the intricately carved window lattices; every scene, every frame, every sound and movement was so beautiful.

All this showcased the luxury brought by imperial power and status.

And she, in this grand and elegant place, had lived for over twenty years.

From her initial insignificance to now holding the reins of the harem, her journey was one of complete bitterness and sweetness as sweet as honey.

That emperor above all, that loving emperor-husband of hers, gave her everything, shielding her from storms, taking her under his wing, carefully protecting her for over twenty years.

Saying she wasn’t touched would be a lie.

But if she really had to describe herself as lucky or unlucky, she couldn’t pinpoint it.

After all, not truly belonging here, after all... she still preferred that civilized and fair twenty-first century, but the reality is... she’s starting to forget what that place looked like.

She faintly remembered skyscrapers, bustling traffic, gender equality, and monogamy.

But she couldn’t recall much more.

She couldn’t help but start worrying.

If her life ends and she really gets to return, can she adapt?

"Mother?"

Yue Er called her twice.

"Why are you lost in thought again?"

Xia Ruqing quickly snapped out of it, meeting her daughter’s disapproving yet resigned gaze.

She awkwardly smiled.

"Sorry, mother was just thinking, what did you say?"

Yue Er, a bit worried, touched her forehead.

"Are you alright, mother?"

"The way you are now, I’m a bit worried!"

Xia Ruqing chided.

"Don’t speak nonsense, what’s there to worry about!"

"Where were we in our conversation?"

Yue Er turned back to answer.

"We were talking about how hard my eldest brother works and that you’re worried about him!"

"Ah!"

The little girl sighed.

"Indeed, my eldest brother works really hard!"

"My second, third, and fourth brothers don’t work as hard as him!"

Xia Ruqing patted her head.

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore!"

"It’s almost noon. Tell the kitchen maid what you’d like to eat!"

Yue Er looked at the half-empty pastry plate in front of her and rubbed her already full belly.

"But... I’m already full!"

"You’re growing, eat more to grow taller!" Xia Ruqing said with a doting smile.

Yue Er pouted, feeling a bit resigned.

Though she really loved to eat Chef Jiang’s lotus leaf chicken!

After a lot of hesitation, she made up her mind.

"Alright!"

"I’ll listen to mother and eat more!"

"I’ll be playing polo with Yilan and Yuwei in the afternoon!"

"Eating more won’t matter, no need for a snack in between to stave off hunger!"

Xia Ruqing seized the opportunity.

"Then you must eat more!"

Yue Er felt even more resigned, but she said nothing.

Ultimately.

This resignation vanished instantly when the lotus leaf chicken was served.

Watching Yue Er happily munching on a chicken leg, Xia Ruqing felt deeply gratified.

She felt that chicken was her love.

Seeing it get devoured by Yue Er was comforting to her heart.

’What kind of logic is this?!’

Xia Ruqing suddenly felt her current behavior was familiar, reminiscent of her grandmother’s.

Her grandmother often gave her all sorts of good food to eat.

Sometimes, even when she was full, she was urged to eat more!

Back then, she didn’t understand this behavior and felt frustrated and speechless.

But now she entirely got it.

Grandmother wasn’t very educated, couldn’t express warm and touching words, and her way of expressing love was overly simplistic.

Just eating!

Yet, even this way, she still loved her, loved her to the bone.

As she thought, her eyes reddened.

Sooner or later, her Yue Er will understand, won’t she?

...

After sending off Yue Er following lunch, she lay in the rocking chair basking in the sun, taking a nap.

In her blurry slumber, someone approached, the familiar scent of ambergris making her feel at ease.

She opened her eyes with a smile.

"Why are you here? Finished with your work?"

"Yes!"

Zhao Junyao lay beside her, exhaling deeply.

"I’ve left the less important tasks to Chenchen!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"You really know how to slack off! Chenchen is still young, lacking experience!"