A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 44 - 43: Self-Proving Innocence

But, to save her own life, she still had to maintain her rationality and steady her mind.

After having Xiao Xizi recount the entire incident, she lay by the window alone, deep in thought.

she yearned.

Zi Yue came in and announced, "My lady, the Empress requests your presence..."

「...」

In Jiaofang Hall, Xia Ruqing knelt on the ground.

At the Empress’s side were tomorrow’s banquet menu and a stack of festival gift lists sent up by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Her complexion was not good, somewhat pale. Xia Ruqing kept her head down, silent.

she thought.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the Empress finished looking at the menu. Seeing Xia Ruqing still kneeling, she hurriedly said, "Lady Xia, please rise. Look at my memory. These days have really been too hectic!"

"Thank you, Empress!"

Xia Ruqing’s voice trembled slightly, sounding fearful.

However, outwardly, Xia Ruqing appeared very obedient, with a hint of grievance in her eyes.

The Empress spoke.

"I have thought it over. You shall investigate this matter yourself!"

"If you are wrongly accused, then prove your innocence. If you cannot, then I can only act according to the rules!"

The Empress’s meaning was clear:

But thinking that she still had a chance to turn things around, she felt a surge of excitement!

Xia Ruqing looked bewildered.

"Empress, this servant is foolish and fears she may not be capable..."

As expected, seeing her feigned fear, the Empress smiled with satisfaction.

"Do not be afraid. I will have Yu Fu, who attends me, assist you."

After speaking, she granted Lady Xia many privileges: she could move freely in and out of the Imperial Kitchen and question the Little Eunuchs, among other things.

Xia Ruqing hesitated for a moment before ’tremblingly’ agreeing.

The Empress added, "If you still haven’t figured it out by the New Year’s Eve banquet the day after tomorrow... do not blame me for being heartless!"

"Yes! This servant thanks the Empress!"

Xia Ruqing obediently responded.

「...」

Before noon, the news had spread.

Honored Lady Hu, who had awoken from her coma, nearly fainted again from anger upon hearing this!

"It was clearly that wretch Lady Xia who poisoned me, yet the Empress actually favors her!"

"I was almost killed by the poison, and the Empress lets the murderer investigate the case! Is there no justice left in this world?!"

"Emperor, I want to see the Emperor!"

Honored Lady Hu cried and made a scene.

Palace Maid Rong Qiu was terribly anxious.

"My lady, please don’t speak so recklessly! The walls have ears!"

"You’ve just recovered; the Imperial Physician said you need to rest quietly!"

"This matter will not just pass by. Whether it’s Lady Xia or someone else, the Empress will surely give us an explanation!"

"Just wait calmly for the outcome!"

Rong Qiu had a splitting headache.

"Who else could it be? Who else in this Harem would wish for my death so eagerly!"

"Hmph! I’m just waiting! I want to see what she can find out!"

Honored Lady Hu, almost faint with anger, cursed a few more times but ultimately didn’t make any more fuss.

As for the others in the Harem, although they had all received the news, since the end of the year was approaching, no one wanted to invite bad luck by discussing the affair. They just quietly awaited developments.

Whether it was Consort Zheng Pin, Consort Yun, or Noble Concubine Shih, they were probably all waiting for Xia Ruqing’s downfall.

As for Honored Lady Hu, she wished nothing more than for Xia Ruqing to drop dead immediately to appease the hatred in her heart!

Xia Ruqing’s situation remained grim.

She prayed to the heavens,

she thought, feeling tears stream down her face.

「...」

Xia Ruqing began her investigation.

Based on the facts:

Xiao Xizi was the prime suspect. After all, aside from the Imperial Kitchen staff, only Xiao Xizi had touched that bowl of milk cheese.

Zi Yue was somewhat unconvinced.

"That eunuch named Xiao Zhaozi also touched it! Maybe..."

Xia Ruqing was somewhat speechless. "Servants whose masters die under suspicious circumstances in the palace rarely meet good ends. Even for great benefits, they wouldn’t directly poison their master to death!"

"She didn’t die from the poison, did she?" Xiao Xizi mumbled quietly, head bowed.

Xia Ruqing and Zi Yue felt frustrated with his lack of understanding, but his dejected demeanor still made them chuckle.

That night, Xia Ruqing went over the entire incident again in her mind.

Once she had made up her mind, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

For a moment, she wondered forlornly:

But then she thought again,

Thinking this, she felt like crying again.

Xia Ruqing hugged the quilt tightly, forcing herself to calm down, to think of nothing, and slowly closed her eyes.

「...」

The next day, Xia Ruqing got up early.

She didn’t even stop to eat and went straight to the Imperial Kitchen.

That day, she practically turned the Imperial Kitchen upside down, but just like before, she found nothing!

By the time she returned, the sky was completely dark.

That night, Xia Ruqing was so worried she couldn’t sleep. She lay on her bed staring at an empty bowl, lost in thought all night long.

Xia Ruqing murmured, "Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve."

Zi Yue said, "My lady, you should sleep a little! Staying up all night isn’t a solution!"

"Zi Yue," Xia Ruqing asked, "if the culprit isn’t in the Imperial Kitchen, where do you think they could be?"

"This servant doesn’t know. Perhaps... it’s the person we least expect," Zi Yue replied.

"The least expected..." Xia Ruqing murmured, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.