A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 72 - 71 Feast of Wild Vegetables 2

Zhao Junyao only glanced once and felt his visit was not in vain.

Having grown accustomed to contrived manners, seeing Lady Xia’s sincerity made his heart feel much more at ease.

True, he hadn’t let her suffer any major grievances, but he was, after all, the ruler of the nation. It wasn’t possible to protect her at every moment; that just wasn’t realistic. Now, things were fine as they were. A Noble Consort, cherished throughout The Six Palaces, being pregnant was indeed far more eye-catching than a mere Honored Lady receiving favor.

He decided to let it go and stop thinking about it.

"Emperor, are you... displeased?"

Regaining his composure, he saw Xia Ruqing looking at him with unease.

"You have fresh vegetables here. Where did they come from?" Zhao Junyao’s expression remained unchanged as he asked indifferently.

This table of dishes, so vibrant and tender in the early spring when greenery was scarce, was indeed appealing and tantalizing. Outside, wealthy families would spend fortunes just for a taste of fresh vegetables. After all, where there was profit, shops would find a way to procure them. But Zhao Junyao, disliking extravagance, ensured the palace abided by strict rules; no one dared to invite trouble over such matters.

Zhao Junyao’s expression was serious, but in his heart, he had already found an excuse for her.

Xia Ruqing, however, was frightened.

She dared not speak, but the Emperor had asked, and speak she must. So, she knelt, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and said weakly, "This servant deserves death for presenting such unrefined wild greens. Please forgive me, Emperor..."

Seeing her admit her fault, Zhao Junyao’s heart immediately softened. How could he bear to chastise her? He was about to tell her to rise and instruct her not to be so extravagant in the future when... a thought suddenly struck him.

"Wild greens?"

Xia Ruqing remained kneeling, not daring to rise or lift her head.

"Qingqing, you’re saying these are wild greens?"

Xia Ruqing looked bewildered. "Yes..."

Before she could ponder further, he abruptly pulled her to her feet.

"I thought you had spent a fortune buying these from outside. It seems I’ve wronged you..."

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment, then nodded in confusion. "It did cost quite a bit. Including the errand fee, it was more than twenty taels of silver..."

This was indeed expensive, considering that in ancient times, wild greens were ubiquitous and not valuable. Since it was her first time requesting them, she felt she should reward the effort generously. She didn’t expect to curry favor with the Imperial Kitchen attendants; establishing a cordial relationship so they wouldn’t cause trouble for her later was enough.

As soon as she spoke, Zhao Junyao’s expression darkened again. "Vegetables costing a hundred gold are extravagant, but would I begrudge you wild greens costing twenty taels of silver?" he ’scolded,’ enduring the sharp pain in his throat.

Xia Ruqing’s heart fluttered under his rebuke, leaving her speechless. She merely lowered her head and mumbled, "Wild greens costing twenty taels of silver are still extravagant. Xiao Weizi said if you buy in bulk, one tael of silver can get you about ten catties..."

Zhao Junyao felt a tightness in his chest, as if something was stuck there, unable to go up or down. He was an emperor who knew how to live frugally. Upon ascending the throne, he had cut many unnecessary expenses in the palace. Yet, he discovered his little consort was even more adept at thriftiness than he was. For a moment, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Xia Ruqing, however, kept her head down, her expression earnest.

"Emperor, you seem a bit heated. Please have some lotus seed soup to soothe your throat first."

Zhao Junyao looked at her innocent face, sighed, and decided to drop the matter.

After a bowl of soup, the burning sensation in his throat finally eased somewhat. Looking at the tender little dishes before him, his appetite surged.

"What’s that?"

Xia Ruqing saw he was pointing to the steamed dish and quickly explained, "Emperor, this is steamed ’noodle vegetable,’ a type of wild green. At this time of year, it grows abundantly in the countryside and is delicious."

Zhao Junyao had never heard of it. He glanced at her and remarked, "You seem to know quite a lot..."

Xia Ruqing couldn’t resist a little praise and began to show off. "This servant comes from a humble background. As a child, I lived with my maternal grandmother in the countryside, so I know many such things..."

Zhao Junyao watched her boast with lively expressions.

"Let’s eat."

Xia Ruqing smiled and quickly served him.

She mixed a small bowl of dipping sauce with garlic paste, fine salt, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, placing it before Zhao Junyao. "Emperor, it’s delicious with this dipping sauce."

Zhao Junyao said nothing, but after taking a bite, he couldn’t help but nod. "Indeed, not bad."

The flavor of wild greens was naturally different from ordinary vegetables, possessing a unique charm.

"Emperor, if you eat this, you don’t even need rice. There are also toon sprouts stir-fried with eggs, a dish of lightly sautéed wild mugwort and shepherd’s purse, and the bitter sow thistle is delicious served cold."

Zhao Junyao was quite satisfied with the meal. The small dishes on the table were all empty, and Xia Ruqing, patting her stomach, showed she had thoroughly enjoyed it too.

"Emperor, I believe that all vegetables are equal; there’s no distinction between high and low. These greens are inexpensive and easy to find. When commoners sell the wild greens they gather, it can help supplement their household income..."

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Junyao nodded. "When it comes to money, your mind is certainly sharp."

Xia Ruqing beamed. "But of course!"

Zhao Junyao gave her a playful pat on the backside and said in a deep voice, "You cheeky thing."

...

After lunch, Xia Ruqing nestled in Zhao Junyao’s arms for a nap. She was still asleep when he rose to leave.

「In the afternoon, around the You Hour」

Zhao Junyao returned.