A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 343 However She Lives

Unexpectedly, after one bite, she put it down, pouting unhappily, looking as if she was about to cry.

"What’s wrong?"

"Emperor, there’s no vinegar!"

Zhao Junyao was speechless. "..."

Zi Yue came over, scooped a spoonful of thick vinegar into the bowl, and Xia Ruqing was finally satisfied.

The wonton skins were so thin they turned translucent after cooking, filled with a bit of chicken, tender green onions, and a few shrimp. The soup was a clear chicken broth, with every trace of oil meticulously skimmed off, leaving only pure, delicious flavor. After finishing a bowl of these small wontons, perspiration beaded on Xia Ruqing’s nose.

Zhao Junyao, seeing her eat with such relish, asked with a smile, "Do you want more?"

Xia Ruqing waved her hands repeatedly. "If I eat any more, I’ll get fat!"

"And if I get fat... the Emperor won’t like me anymore!"

Zhao Junyao was exasperated. "You silly girl. You’re not fat, yet you have a big belly from pregnancy. And I still like you, don’t I?"

Xia Ruqing muttered, "What you like is the child!"

Zhao Junyao gave her a light pat on the bottom. "Nonsense again!"

Zhao Junyao’s smile faded as he elegantly continued his late-night snack.

Xia Ruqing gazed at him, paused for a moment, and upon understanding his unspoken thoughts, quickly changed the subject. "Emperor, the Mid-Autumn Festival is in just over ten days..."

Zhao Junyao merely hummed in distracted acknowledgment.

Xia Ruqing fell silent. After a few more sips of the ham and pork rib soup, she too put down her bowl.

「At night」

Xia Ruqing slept very soundly. Zhao Junyao held her, yet found himself somewhat unable to fall asleep.

Every time he thought of this child, his resentment toward the Empress Dowager deepened. But she was his mother, so there was nothing he could do. Zhao Junyao sighed quietly, held the sleeping Xia Ruqing closer, and closed his eyes.

Zhao Junyao caressed her face, the smooth softness beneath his fingertips filling his heart with fondness. "Qingqing, I’d like you even if you got fat!"

He gently pinched her waist and her arm, then hugged her tightly before finally falling asleep.

「The next day, after the rain, the weather cleared up.」

Unknown birds TWITTERED AND CHIRPED in the courtyard, and the air was fresh with the sweet scent of damp earth.

After breakfast, Xia Ruqing sat in the courtyard, teasing the cat. "Da Bai... how about I find you a little female cat, hmm?"

Da Bai sat primly on the stone table, continuously licking his fur. His fluffy tail was wrapped neatly around his little white paws as he sat perfectly upright. When Xia Ruqing petted him, he would lower his head and lick the spot she had touched. If she petted him again, he would repeat the action, clearly protesting.

Xia Ruqing was exasperated. "Do you really dislike my touch that much?"

Da Bai merely glanced at her before turning his head away, pointedly ignoring her.

Zi Yue approached with a smile, carrying a small plate of raisins. "My Lady, please try these. Xiao Zhu Zi has dried them quite well. I’m just not sure if they’re sweet enough!"

Xia Ruqing picked up a raisin and tasted it carefully. "Xiao Zhu Zi is truly capable. He takes such good care of all the plants in the front and back courtyards; everything is so orderly!"

Zi Yue smiled. "Indeed. The paths are a bit muddy today, but you can go take a look later. That pumpkin vine has indeed produced a huge pumpkin, about... this long," Zi Yue gestured as she spoke, "It’s almost ripe, with a hard, smooth skin. It looks like it will be very sweet!"

Xia Ruqing smiled faintly but said nothing.

Seeing her mistress looking dazed, Zi Yue quickly asked, "My Lady, what’s the matter?"

Xia Ruqing smiled. "It’s nothing..."

"For the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, I want to eat... mooncakes with a five-nut filling!"

Zi Yue looked a bit stunned. "That... What kind of filling is that called?"

Xia Ruqing, too, felt a flicker of doubt. A smile touched her lips as she explained, "It’s a mooncake filling made with peanuts, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, assorted dried fruits, and rock sugar. It’s very delicious..."

As these memories surfaced, Xia Ruqing’s eyes grew moist.

Zi Yue thought for a moment. "That should be easy. The chefs in the Imperial Kitchen are incredibly skilled and knowledgeable; someone there ought to know how to make it!" With that, she was about to call Xiao Zhu Zi to relay the message.

Xia Ruqing let out a long breath and waved her hand. "Forget it. It’s almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, and they’re very busy. Why cause them more trouble? I don’t necessarily crave it that badly."

Zi Yue had no choice but to drop the matter.

「At noon」

Zhao Junyao didn’t visit but had two dishes sent over. Xia Ruqing looked at them and saw nothing particularly special. She picked at them, taking only a couple of bites.

Meanwhile, the Empress was quite pleased. She had received a full eight dishes from the Emperor. Yu Lan, smiling warmly, gave Little Zhuzi a purse before seeing him off. Upon re-entering, Yu Lan asked with a grin, "Could it be... there’s some joyous news from the Emperor’s side? His Majesty seems so delighted."

The Empress mused for a moment, then smiled. "The Harem must not meddle in state affairs. Whatever the reason, if the Emperor bestows rewards, we should simply accept them gratefully."

Sister Ji also smiled. "No matter what, there’s no one in the Harem who can surpass Your Majesty. It’s not like that other one... so what if she gives birth to a Prince? Besides, this servant has found out that Lady Shih... loves spicy food!"

The Empress continued her midday meal, a contented smile on her face. "Loving spicy food is good!"

The Empress was inwardly gleeful.

"For a child conceived under such circumstances, it’s a wonder they’re still protecting it so fiercely," the Empress said aloud. "Forget about me meddling; I, too, want to see this child protected!"

"If it turns out to be another Princess, that would be even better!" The more the Empress thought about it, the more triumphant she felt.

Yu Lan and Sister Ji chuckled along with her.

Sister Ji then said, "The Noble Consort is also eager to have a child... In the future, this Lady Shih... might not be able to keep her child!"

The Empress’s brow furrowed. "Not keep her child? That won’t do. A child should be raised by its own mother! "

Thinking it over, the Empress had to settle for the next best thing. "Then... no matter what, we must ensure she stays alive!"