A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 9 - 8 Who Do You Think You Are

Jiaofang Hall

Kneeling shoulder to shoulder were Xia Ruqing and Honored Lady Hu, while a handful of servants knelt behind them, hardly daring to make a sound.

"Empress, this mess is entirely my fault. If Sister Hu wants it, I’ll gladly give her my rouge," Xia Ruqing wept as she declared.

Her beauty was stunning to begin with, and now, crying so heartbreakingly with tears cascading down her cheeks, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with sorrow, she appeared utterly pitiable.

"But Sister Hu shouldn’t have struck my servant. He’s served me loyally for a whole year, and even I can’t bring myself to scold or hit him!" With those words, Xia Ruqing burst into aggrieved sobs once more.

Though those words sounded like a mere grievance, they exposed every vile deed of Honored Lady Hu.

The Empress had already heard the full story of the event. Sure enough, beside Xia Ruqing knelt a little eunuch, his face puffed up from swelling and his robes marked with several clear footprints.

Slamming her hand on the table, the Empress raged, "Honored Lady Hu, you’ve crossed the line! It’s utterly shameful for one palace consort to strike another! What kind of etiquette is that?!"

Strangely, Honored Lady Hu chose that moment to retort, "Empress, you’ve always judged fairly. Please settle this between us. We’re both Honored Ladies—why does she get a tribute of rouge and I don’t?!"

The Empress laughed bitterly in fury. "Why? Because it’s the Emperor’s decree. What other explanation do you require?"

She then sneered icily, "If Honored Lady Hu remains unsatisfied and feels so mistreated, perhaps I should summon the Emperor to judge for you. Would that please you?"

Honored Lady Hu paled instantly. In her distress and panic, she wailed, "Empress, the Emperor favors her, and now you shield her too! Where in this palace can anyone find justice?"

"You..." Those words pierced the Empress to her core.

"Lady Xia is always so composed and polite, not like you stirring up chaos!" The Empress’s face flushed with rage.

"Guards! Drag Honored Lady Hu away, lock her up for a month, and cut her salary for half a year! No visits allowed without my say-so!"

"Empress..." Honored Lady Hu grew frantic.

Forfeiting her salary was trivial, but a month’s confinement meant disaster. The Mid-Autumn Festival loomed tomorrow, with the Double Ninth Festival right after—she’d lose two chances to catch the Emperor’s eye!

"Empress, I know I was wrong! Spare me, please!"

Honored Lady Hu thrashed wildly, but the guards were firm and hauled her away swiftly.

Xia Ruqing lowered her head, a cold smirk playing on her lips.

Once Honored Lady Hu was removed, the Empress bade Xia Ruqing to rise, offered some soothing words, gave her medicinal rewards, and dismissed her.

As she departed, Xia Ruqing kowtowed gratefully. "Thank you, Empress, for delivering justice on my behalf! I’ll be forever thankful!"

The Empress gave a faint smile. "You’re a smart girl; no need to sink to her level. She’s been punished, so drop the matter."

"If word gets out, it’ll only bring mockery and tarnish reputations!"

Grasping the implication, Xia Ruqing nodded obediently.

The instant Xia Ruqing departed, the Empress’s smile faded away. With a soft sigh, she accepted the tea from Yu Lan and sipped it slowly. Her typical poise and elegance vanished, replaced by a look of deep loneliness.

Stroking her flat abdomen, she murmured bitterly, "Yu Lan, don’t you think I’m a truly wretched Empress?"

Yu Lan jumped in surprise, then forced a smile and soothed, "My Lady, what nonsense! You’re the Empress, honored above everyone in the realm. Who could outrank your nobility?"

She went on, "Plus, in the Harem, Noble Concubine Shih may bask in deep imperial favor, but she never breaks protocol. The Emperor treats you kindly too—he visits on the first and fifteenth of every lunar month and drops by often otherwise. He ensures we receive full respect in all matters, big or small."

"Throughout the Harem, from highest to lowest, don’t all the ladies regard Your Majesty as their guide? Even Noble Concubine Shih, no matter her inner grudges, must act respectfully in public, right?"

As part of the Empress’s dowry, Yu Lan could speak so boldly to her mistress.

Indeed, those words eased the Empress greatly. Her furrowed brow relaxed, and she teased lightly, "You sly girl, always knowing just how to sweet-talk me!"

She continued, "I must have been fretting needlessly once more. Of course the Emperor has numerous consorts—it’s how empresses have endured since ancient times."

"Excellent that Your Majesty sees it clearly!" Yu Lan beamed.

The Empress nodded once more. "As long as they keep their ambitions in check, I’ve no reason to clash with them. If they draw some of his attention away from *that woman*, it could even benefit me!"

With that, the Empress cast a cool glance toward Xifu Palace.

"Of course! With Your Majesty’s wisdom and grace, the Emperor will treasure you more than ever!" Yu Lan grinned too.

Then, with a cheeky smile, she added, "Tomorrow’s the fifteenth—the Emperor’s sure to visit. Any preparations from Your Majesty? Give instructions soon!"

"You impish thing..." The Empress flushed faintly, pretending to scold.

"Instruct the small kitchen to whip up some of the Emperor’s beloved dishes. And don’t overlook my tonics!" Jiaofang Hall boasted its own private kitchen.

"At once, Your Majesty! Leave it to me!" Yu Lan replied cheerfully, departing.

The Empress rubbed her flat belly, her smile vanishing in a flash. Her fists balled up tight, eyes turning icy and unyielding.

...

Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet

The Emperor’s junior concubines donned lavish, eye-catching attire. Though none expected a bedchamber summons tonight, they still flung seductive glances and subtle invitations his way. Merely glimpsing the Emperor thrilled them.

Flanking the Empress Dowager, the Emperor and Empress sat on either side, sharing laughs and chatter.

Positioned at the Emperor’s right, Noble Concubine Shih shot him occasional sulky yet alluring looks, while sometimes fixing a tangled stare on the Empress.

Xia Ruqing, clad in moon-silver bright satin embroidered with Molli flowers and adorned with two white jade hairpins, occupied the last seat.