A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 2 - 1 Made It Through

What awful luck! Xia Ruqing truly believed she'd reached her nadir.

She first succumbed to illness and passed away. Afterward, she awoke in this peculiar realm: the Chu Dynasty's Harem. Adding insult to injury, she held the position of an unfavored Seventh-Rank Lady! Such a rank paled in comparison to even the Emperor's lowliest concubines!

Xia Ruqing reclined against the kang bed near the window, pressing her hand to her forehead while staring at the sky above.

Sure, the palace meals were tolerable enough, but scraping by at the lowest level forever wasn't any kind of life. One wrong move, and she'd be trampled like a mere ant!

While fanning herself, Xia Ruqing rose to her feet and made her way to the little tea room.

"Is the osmanthus sugar candy ready yet?"

As a Lady, sweets weren't permitted for her. However, with osmanthus blooming in this radiant autumn, she'd prepared the candy on her own, assigning Xiao Xizi to mind the stove.

"My Lady, it's fully prepared," Xiao Xizi announced, ignoring the sweat dripping from her forehead as she swiftly arranged the candy on a plate with a beaming smile.

Xia Ruqing furrowed her brows. "Why are you here by yourself? Where's everyone else?"

Someone of her Lady status should have two Palace Maids and one eunuch attending her constantly. In truth, however, the two maids frequently disappeared without warning, leaving just Xiao Xizi behind.

Xiao Xizi's smile grew uneasy briefly. She scratched her head, looking somewhat bewildered.

Xia Ruqing grasped the situation without needing more words.

She huffed silently inside but kept quiet. Instead, she handed the leftover candy to Xiao Xizi and took the plate out to the courtyard to savor the fresher breeze.

Settling back into the lounge chair, she sipped some invigorating tea and picked up a piece of candy to savor. The delightful osmanthus sweetness permeated her mouth. Her dismal spirits began to lift slightly.

Right as she lounged there with closed eyes, the door flew open abruptly, admitting a crowd of newcomers.

This remote area stayed peaceful as a rule, so the sudden arrival jolted Xia Ruqing. She hastily stood to evaluate what was happening.

A grinning Chief Eunuch led the way, advancing confidently.

"Congratulations, Lady Xia! The Emperor summons you tonight! I've come personally to deliver the message," the Chief Eunuch declared.

The Chief Eunuch wore a deep blue robe signifying his high position, adorned with intricate designs on collar and cuffs, a spotless whisk draped over his arm—presenting a picture of utmost propriety.

Xia Ruqing froze for an instant before recalling who he was. Feng Anfu served as the Chief Steward of the Respectful Affairs Office, responsible for granting imperial favors in the Harem. Concubines from every rank scrambled to win his favor.

Collecting herself, Xia Ruqing stepped closer and performed a half-bow. "Eunuch Feng, greetings to you!"

Her half-bow conveyed sincere respect and politeness.

As expected, Feng Anfu's grin broadened. "Lady Xia, you're far too polite. Attendants will arrive shortly to guide you. I'll depart now!"

"Eunuch Feng, safe travels," Xia Ruqing responded.

During her words, Xiao Xizi rushed up holding a pouch. Eunuch Feng accepted it gladly, his face lit with a wide smile.

Little silver filled the pouch—Xia Ruqing's funds were meager, after all—but Feng Anfu harbored his own intentions.

Feng Anfu pondered inwardly.

Once Eunuch Feng had been escorted away, Xia Ruqing went back inside and collapsed into the lounge chair in a daze. While Xiao Xizi brimmed with delight, Xia Ruqing remained somewhat bewildered.

「...」

That afternoon, a few Sisters arrived at Zhaohua Pavilion with their helpers in tow.

"This forsaken spot is incredibly remote!" one of them grumbled.

Xia Ruqing reflected on that.

Following the greetings, the group bustled about heating water and readying garments along with accessories. Never before had Zhaohua Pavilion buzzed with such activity.

Soon enough, one Sister drew near and announced, "Lady Xia, your scented bath awaits. My Lady, please proceed to bathe."

"Thank you for your hard work, Sister," Xia Ruqing replied with a slight bow of gratitude.

she mused.

Immersed in a bath brimming with petals, Xia Ruqing shut her eyes blissfully, allowing the veteran Sisters to cleanse her using scented soap.

"Congratulations, My Lady! We've survived at last!" Palace Maid Qiu Tong exclaimed with thrill beside her.

"Absolutely! We've made it through finally!" Qiu Hong chimed in, stepping up to pour more hot water carefully.

Xia Ruqing rested against the tub's rim, her almond eyes narrowed faintly. She cast a chilly look at the two maids yet held her tongue.

Post-bath, Xia Ruqing donned the prepared translucent gauze robes. The delicate fabric subtly revealed the inner layers, while her lustrous raven hair tumbled over her shoulders, lending her an otherworldly fairy-like grace.

"My Lady, your hair is gorgeous! So glossy and dark," Qiu Tong praised as she towel-dried it with soft cotton.

A handful of veteran Sisters produced the rouge and powder they'd set aside, intending to apply her cosmetics, yet Xia Ruqing scowled upon seeing them.

"Sisters, might I handle my own makeup? You've labored all afternoon and surely need rest. Care for some tea instead?" Xia Ruqing proposed. She retrieved a duo of jade bracelets, a hairpin studded with gems, and earrings featuring Southern Pearls from her vanity and offered them.

The Sisters paused, sharing looks, before grinning and taking the items. "Lady Xia, makeup is yours to do, but everything else requires our oversight!" Protocol demanded it.

They continued, "The Emperor dislikes thick makeup, Lady Xia, so keep it light."

"Many thanks for the advice, Sisters," Xia Ruqing expressed with appreciation.

The Sisters nodded silently. They'd encountered many such cases—youthful ladies eager to dazzle while attending the Emperor in his chambers.

Some sported flower stickers, others slathered on perfumes, and a few even drew petal designs on their brows.