A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 7 - 6 Lady Xia

"Sorry, I tipped over the cup by mistake earlier. You're not injured, are you?" Xia Ruqing apologized, climbing down from her bed to inspect them closely.

"After serving me for so many years, how could I ever bring myself to hit you both? Rise up," she commanded, assisting them to stand personally.

Priceless looks appeared on Qiu Hong’s and Qiu Tong’s faces. Was it doubt? Or bewilderment?

They feared neither beatings nor scoldings, yet now they wondered what scheme their mistress was hatching. A chill of dread and deep anxiety suddenly gripped them.

Meanwhile, a scheme was brewing in Xia Ruqing’s thoughts.

Word of Lady Xia gaining recent imperial favor and ascending to Honored Lady status raced through the harem within a single day.

Crashes of smashing porcelain rang out one after another from numerous palace halls, the longest and most dramatic barrage coming from Noble Concubine Shih’s Xifu Palace.

"That wretch! She only knelt briefly before pretending to fall ill, ensuring the whole palace heard, as though I’d abused her. Such a sly plot!" Noble Concubine Shih fumed, her floor covered in shards from broken cups and plates.

"Noble Consort, temper your rage!" Senior Palace Maid Ying Yue pleaded, quaking in terror.

"Calm down? She’s essentially climbed over my head! How could I possibly stay calm?"

"My Lady, you’re well aware of her nature; she clings to whoever holds favor," Ying Yue remarked, pointing toward Jiaofang Hall. "In this matter, it’s almost certain that the woman there whispered to the Emperor!"

Ying Yue continued, "Lady Xia poses no real threat either. The Emperor’s interest in her freshness will wane soon enough. Once her favor fades, won’t she be yours to handle as you wish?"

Noble Concubine Shih pondered this, her temper easing a bit as she sneered disdainfully. "I should’ve known! A trivial Honored Lady—ill or not, how dare she stir such drama? So it was that one scheming behind the scenes!"

"My Lady, securing the Emperor’s favor remains the priority. After all, he wields ultimate authority in this palace."

Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes narrowed as she nodded. "Indeed. With only two princesses so far, should I bear a Prince, the future could shift dramatically!"

Xia Ruqing’s elevation to Sixth Rank Honored Lady allowed her an additional servant.

One crisp morning, Steward Hai from the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived with over a dozen Palace Maids for her selection.

"All these are fresh entrants to the palace this year, Honored Lady. Pick any that pleases you!" Hai Dasheng announced with a wide grin.

Xia Ruqing glanced over them leisurely before sitting back down.

"I’d be happy with any; too many fine options. Eunuch Hai, would you kindly choose one for me?" she remarked offhandedly, lifting the lid of a small box to reveal a lustrous mutton-fat jade bracelet, which she fiddled with idly.

Steward Hai paused briefly, then laughed heartily. "Honored Lady, choose freely as you wish!" His reply stayed perfectly polite.

Xia Ruqing lifted her gaze and scrutinized the Palace Maids once more, her eyes lingering on a modest girl lurking at the rear.

With bowed head, Steward Hai gave a faint shake. Xia Ruqing’s face stayed neutral as she pointed to another maid. This time, Hai Dasheng offered a tiny, subtle nod.

A smile graced Xia Ruqing’s lips. "Fine then, I’ll select one randomly."

She rose and approached the Palace Maid who had first drawn her notice. "Will you serve at my side?"

Delight bloomed on the Palace Maid’s face, and she dropped to her knees swiftly. "This servant gladly accepts!"

"Excellent! You’re the one!"

Hai Dasheng showered compliments before departing with the rest. Days later, the lavish box arrived in his possession.

Xia Ruqing dubbed the new Palace Maid Zi Yue, assigning the other two to outer duties.

Having Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi nearby allowed her some relief at last.

Preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival, just two days away, had filled the palace for weeks. Zhao Junyao, swamped with duties, hadn’t visited the harem in almost ten days, yanked away repeatedly for over a month.

At first, whispers mocked Xia Ruqing’s lost favor, but such gossip died down since nobody enjoyed special attention currently.

That morning, Zi Yue bustled in with a hefty tray.

"My Lady, your autumn palace outfit finished just in time for the festival! No fretting over tomorrow’s banquet!"

Xia Ruqing inspected the garment. Its stitches were exquisite, the work superb. She sighed to herself inwardly,

"Store it away for the moment," Xia Ruqing instructed contentedly.

"Yes!" Zi Yue acknowledged, stowing it neatly.

Xia Ruqing donned a familiar beige palace dress, picked two pearl hairpins, added subtle makeup, and set out plainly attired with Zi Yue.

Jiaofang Hall already buzzed with arrivals. The Empress occupied the elevated throne, conversing warmly and wisely.

Xia Ruqing drew near, offered precise greetings, paid respects, then settled unobtrusively in a rear seat, savoring her tea.

Yet despite her efforts to blend in, trouble found her inevitably.

"Little Sister Xia, you’re an absolute vision of beauty. Even in plain clothes, you captivate everyone!"

Honored Lady Hu, beside her, spoke up. Among the Fine Ladies batch, she’d risen to Honored Lady first.

"Sister Hu, your praise overwhelms me. If anyone’s peerless, it’s surely you, not this humble sister!" Xia Ruqing replied modestly.

Honored Lady Hu lacked nation-toppling allure perhaps, but her looks were captivating nonetheless.

Though the Emperor avoided excess with women, he demanded quality. No plain or ugly faces graced his harem; all were stunning without fail.

"Little sister, you’re youthful and radiant; how can a faded woman like me compete? Us veterans have surely slipped from the Emperor’s memory!" Honored Lady Hu chuckled, hiding her smile behind a handkerchief.

Abruptly, as though struck by a thought, she slapped her palms together. "Oh no! I nearly forgot—Little Sister and I joined the palace together!"

Xia Ruqing’s lips twitched faintly upward.

Sure enough, offense was taken.

"If Sister Hu calls herself old, must we others ready our graves?" Consort Zheng Pin quipped, shooting a sidelong glance their way.

"Of course we’re the ancients, fated to fade from the Emperor’s sight. We can only wish Sister Hu supreme favor in the harem soon!" Consort Yun added with biting sarcasm.

Honored Lady Hu paled at the retorts, grasping her blunder, and stood hurriedly to kneel.

"This servant spoke out of turn. Please, Your Highnesses, overlook my silly words!"