A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 37 - 36: About Having a Baby
"Your Highness, it’s time for your medicine!" Cai Die said, carrying in a bowl of medicine.
Consort Yun looked at it, held back her tears, tilted her head back, and drank it all.
The bitterness in her heart intensified.
"Your Highness, please get some rest..." Cai Die took the empty bowl and tucked her in.
"Cai Die, how long has it been since the Emperor last spent the night here?"
Cai Die replied, her own heart heavy, "Not since you brought ginseng soup to the Imperial Study Room and angered the Emperor. He hasn’t come back since..."
Consort Yun narrowed her eyes in thought, then slowly uttered the name: "Lady Xia..."
「」
The Empress returned to her courtyard and dismissed the servants. Only then did she allow a smile to grace her face.
"Congratulations, Your Highness," Yu Lan also smiled.
Then she asked, "The Emperor has instructed you to look after Consort Yun. How do you plan to arrange things, Your Highness?"
The Empress pondered for a moment before speaking.
"How to arrange it? Instruct the Imperial Medical Bureau to take good care of her. If they dare to make any mistake, I will hold them personally responsible!
"Moreover, Consort Yun has just miscarried and needs to observe her ’sitting month.’ She doesn’t have any capable attendants there. You see to it and choose an Experienced Sister to go and serve her.
"Remember, it is imperative that Consort Yun recovers quickly!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Yu Lan noted everything down.
The Empress picked up her teacup, sipped lightly, and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
"Your Highness is truly compassionate and generous!"
Yu Lan brought out a bowl of rich, stewed bird’s nest with milk from the food container and placed it before the Empress.
The Empress picked up the small jade spoon, stirring gently, in no hurry to take a sip.
She smiled and said, "The beauties in this palace are just like the flowers in the Imperial Garden—season after season, they come and go.
"Those fresh and delicate flower buds, even I delight in seeing them...
"Whichever one the Emperor fancies, we simply need to care for it diligently on his behalf—fertilizing, watering, pruning its branches and leaves.
"Once this season passes, new buds will naturally be ready to bloom. As for those that have withered and faded, who cares if they live or die..."
This analogy was, it could be said, quite apt.
Yu Lan said, "Your Highness is wise!"
「」
Xia Ruqing received the news when she woke up the next morning.
"A miscarriage?"
She was somewhat surprised.
"Indeed. Consort Yun herself didn’t even know. They say it’s because she knelt for too long yesterday that..." Zi Yue explained.
"Oh..."
Xia Ruqing nodded, not finding it strange in the slightest.
"It’s cold today; I’ll need to dress warmly to go pay my respects to the Empress!" Xia Ruqing said, dismissing the gossip and starting to plan.
Zi Yue acknowledged and fetched her thickest cloak,
After leaving their courtyard, the master and servant pair followed a small path to the Empress’s courtyard.
Xia Ruqing arrived neither too early nor too late. After performing the necessary courtesies, she took her designated seat.
Noble Concubine Shih had not yet arrived, and Consort Yun’s place was also empty.
As for Honored Lady Hu, the Empress had only learned that morning that she was ill and had already summoned an Imperial Physician for her.
After a short wait, everyone had assembled.
Noble Concubine Shih was the last to arrive, dressed in a resplendent rose-colored palace gown, her appearance strikingly vibrant and beautiful.
With evident reluctance, she performed the courtesies and sat down in her place.
The Empress began to speak. First, she expressed her deep concern for everyone, then shed a few artful tears. The gist of her message was that Consort Yun’s child was gone, and she, the Empress, was deeply saddened; she hoped they would all bear more sons for the Emperor, allowing the Imperial family to flourish...
Although the Empress’s sympathy was clearly feigned, there were still those who eagerly flattered her.
"The Empress is truly benevolent and magnanimous..."
"What’s done is done and cannot be undone. Your Highness, please do not grieve too much..."
One after another, they chimed in, painting a picture of perfect harmony among the Emperor’s wives and concubines.
Noble Concubine Shih merely gave a cold smile, keeping her head down and saying nothing.
Xia Ruqing also kept her head lowered, intently studying the embroidery on her clothes.
「」
After the gathering dispersed, Xia Ruqing left the Empress’s courtyard and took a small path toward the garden.
"It’s stifling. I need a walk!"
"Honored Lady, at a time like this, you still have the heart to stroll through the gardens..." Zi Yue fretted.
"What’s wrong with this time?" Xia Ruqing retorted.
"Uh..."
As they walked, Zi Yue said no more, quietly accompanying her.
Xia Ruqing ambled slowly along the cobblestone path, musing to herself.
It’s just... not the right time yet. My status is low, and the Empress and Noble Concubine Shih are fighting tooth and nail, both eyeing the position of Crown Prince. I’m not going to join that mess. This body is still young. I’ll wait a bit longer.
Besides, the Emperor has married so many wives, major and minor. Does he do it just for physical pleasure? Naturally, he wants many children. For the Royal Family, ensuring the continuation of the line is perfectly normal!
Indeed, in the face of Yama, the King of Hell, everything else is insignificant! To live well, one must adapt. Survival of the fittest—that’s precisely the principle at play.
It should have been a delightful affair—taking a vacation with my consorts after the Rite to Heaven. A wonderful occasion, unfortunately... ruined just like that. I don’t want to go to the Empress’s. But at this critical juncture, visiting anyone would just stir up resentment against them. Consort Yun can be rather arrogant at times; it would be unfortunate for anyone she came to hate.
Only Noble Concubine Shih’s place is suitable to visit.ŸŸŸ
Thus, after dealing with his official duties, he made his way to Yuhua Pavilion.