A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 345: The Giant Mooncake

Ultimately, who benefited from all this?

「In Qingya Residence.」

Xia Ruqing clutched her belly, her smile bright and sweet.

Xia Ruqing felt that it was herself.

Thinking this, Xia Ruqing felt all the benefits were hers to enjoy.

After having her breakfast, Xia Ruqing took a walk. Upon returning, she sipped water while chatting with Zi Yue.

"Originally, Lady Shih was the least favored. Among the ten who entered the palace, she was the only one the Emperor opposed even before her entry!" Xia Ruqing said. "After entering the palace, the Emperor’s dislike for her didn’t lessen! But, her luck turned out to be quite good. She got pregnant in one go."

Zi Yue shook her head. "My lady, while Honored Lady Shih’s luck is good, her blessings are few indeed! "

Xia Ruqing laughed. "We can’t blame others for this. If anyone is to blame, it’s herself! "

Thinking this way, Xia Ruqing actually felt quite incredulous. "Thinking about it like this, could I actually be the lucky one?"

Zi Yue laughed. "Of course, my lady. With the Emperor’s favor, once you give birth to the Little Prince, you’ll be able to live a good life for a long, long time!"

Xia Ruqing smiled. "Let’s hope so!"

「At Xifu Palace, in a side hall.」

After a refreshing sleep and eating some spicy food, Honored Lady Shih felt much better.

Zhaoer stood by and asked, "My lady, are you feeling unwell? Should we invite the Imperial Physician to take your pulse again?"

Honored Lady Shih shook her head. "What pulse? I’m perfectly fine. Let’s not look for trouble!"

Zhaoer didn’t say much more and just nodded.

After resting for a while, Honored Lady Shih felt much better. Seeing the weather was nice outside, she called Zhaoer. "The Imperial Physician said I can’t lie down all the time. Zhaoer, let’s go out for a walk!"

Zhaoer responded and prepared a plush blanket, a cloak, a parasol, and so on. She also carried a food box with a couple of small pastries and a pot of tea.

After dressing appropriately, Honored Lady Shih led Zhaoer out of the side hall.

Passing by the main hall, they saw Ying Yue coming out.

"Greetings to Honored Lady Shih! Please, Honored Lady Shih, wait a moment."

Honored Lady Shih just smiled. "Ah, it’s Miss Ying Yue. Please rise!"

Ying Yue smiled as she got up, then made no move to leave.

Honored Lady Shih asked, feeling somewhat puzzled, "Is... something the matter?"

Ying Yue just smiled. "Where does the Honored Lady intend to go?"

Honored Lady Shih was taken aback and then smiled as well. "I have nothing particular to do, so I thought I’d take a stroll in the garden!"

Ying Yue looked at her, still with no intention of leaving. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke, "Her Highness means that, considering you are with child, to be cautious... it’s better if you don’t go out for now! It would be unfortunate if something unexpected were to happen!"

Honored Lady Shih looked dubious. "Unexpected?"

Ying Yue didn’t say more and simply took the basket from Zhaoer’s hands. "Come, Honored Lady, let’s go back!" she said and began to personally escort Honored Lady Shih inside.

"Eh?"

Honored Lady Shih disagreed, but her body was firmly guided by Ying Yue, so she had no choice but to head back.

After taking her back to the side hall, Noble Concubine Shih had someone deliver many nourishing gifts. Bird’s nest, abalone, Ginseng, Lingzhi—everything one could wish for was present.

Ying Yue, taking Honored Lady Shih’s arm, spoke with warmth and affection. "Her Highness said she hasn’t celebrated your promotion yet and wasn’t sure what to give you, so... she decided to send some tasty treats first!"

With that, she opened the box. Inside, all the tonics were of the highest quality. For a moment, both Honored Lady Shih and Zhaoer were stunned, at a loss for what to do.

After a while, Honored Lady Shih awkwardly withdrew her hand and lowered her head. "The Noble Consort treats this servant so well, I... I really don’t know what to do!"

Ying Yue smiled. "Her Highness said we are all family and urged you not to overthink it! She caught a cold recently and couldn’t visit you, but in a few days, she will come in person!"

Saying so, Ying Yue rose, performed a curtsy, and took her leave.

Honored Lady Shih hastily instructed Zhaoer to escort her out.

Zhaoer saw her out properly. Upon her return, she looked at Honored Lady Shih. The expressions on the faces of the mistress and servant were far from joyful.

"Does this mean... they don’t want me going out?" Honored Lady Shih murmured.

Zhaoer dared not make assumptions and tried her best to console her. "The Noble Consort is just worried about you!"

Sighing, Honored Lady Shih touched her belly. "So be it!"

「The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, gifts from the Emperor and from the Empress were distributed.」

They were bestowed according to rank, much the same as in previous years. As per custom, the Empress hosted the noblewomen who had come to the palace at a modest banquet in Jiaofang Hall for the midday meal. The evening was for the family banquet within the palace.

At noon, Xia Ruqing finally tasted the handmade mooncakes sent by the Imperial Kitchen. Just as she had requested, each mooncake weighed a full pound. Inside was a filling personally prepared by the master chefs of the Imperial Kitchen.

That day, Xiao Zhu Zi had hurriedly relayed Xia Jieyu’s request to the Imperial Kitchen. The master chefs were all astounded.

The Imperial Kitchen had no objections; serving Xia Jieyu was something they were willing to do.