A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1263: Chapter 1263: The Princess Learns the Truth

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but redden her eyes slightly, and Zi Yue lowered her head as well.

The two remained silent for a long time without speaking.

Eventually, it was Zi Yue who stepped forward and gently tugged Xia Ruqing’s hand, her eyes reddened as she said.

"Master, this servant... is rather clumsy!"

"Unlike Zi Su who is clever, if this servant said anything displeasing to you, you..."

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

"Alright, don’t say anymore!"

"The departed is gone, we should not mention it again!"

Zi Yue nodded.

The master and servant headed together to the inner hall.

...

Actually, regarding the matter of Honored Lady Luo, Xia Ruqing truly did not wish to intervene.

After all, Zhao Junyao had previously discussed it with her.

And she had clearly expressed that as long as it didn’t interfere with her, she would definitely turn a blind eye. frёewebηovel.cѳm

So...

Lying on the soft platform, Xia Ruqing listened as Zi Yue recounted the harem rumors entirely, then smiled faintly.

"I thought it was something serious!"

"Isn’t it just about a palace? Xifu Palace is so big, what’s it matter to have one more person or less, if she likes it, let her live there!"

Indulge her! The higher you elevate, the harder the fall.

Zi Yue saw Xia Ruqing’s calm demeanor and was full of surprise.

But she was indeed a First-Rank Senior Palace Maid beside the Empress, having trained in the harem for so many years.

If she couldn’t see that there was some intrigue at this point, then living so many years was in vain.

As to the specific intrigue.

This was the Master’s affair, not something a palace maid could manage!

Zi Yue pondered and refrained from mentioning it again, she merely laughed and said.

"Since the Master is aware, this servant will not speak further!"

With that, she took the half-drank bowl of sweet soup from Xia Ruqing’s hand and left.

Xia Ruqing gazed at her retreating figure, lost in thought for a moment.

Then she put the matter aside.

...

In the following month.

Zhao Junyao visited Duanning Palace even less.

Initially, it was Yue Er who sensed something amiss.

"Mother Empress, previously when I came three times, I’d meet Father Emperor twice. Now, when I come three times, I don’t see him even once. Is Father Emperor very busy recently?"

As Xia Ruqing wiped sweat and fanned this girl, she laughed and explained.

"This year, everything is peaceful in Jiangnan, so he shouldn’t be very busy. Why? Why are you suddenly inquiring about Father Emperor’s matters, you little girl?"

Yue Er explained upon hearing this.

"I’m not inquiring into Father Emperor’s matters; I’m just curious why Father Emperor doesn’t come to Mother Empress these days?"

Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat; turned out it was about this matter.

Unexpected that this girl would care about such things.

She hadn’t thought of any excuse yet!

This little girl isn’t easy to deceive, ah... how to say it?!

Xia Ruqing looked left and right; her gaze fell on Yue Er’s sweat-soaked clothing, her eyes suddenly brightened.

"Oh Yue Er, why are you sweating so much, your clothes soaked through yet you say nothing!"

"Zi Yue, quickly prepare the water and have someone attend to the Princess for bathing!"

Having said this, she unceremoniously handed Yue Er over to the Wetnurse and Sister.

Yue Er was utterly puzzled.

"Mother Empress!"

"What’s this?"

Xia Ruqing coughed lightly, urging her quickly.

"Alright, you go now!"

"It’s merely a coincidence!"

"Why do you always come at the wrong times?"

"Your Father Emperor will come tonight for supper, then you’ll meet him if you come at that time!"

Yue Er rather helplessly turned around, pouting with an outstretched hand.

"Mother Empress! You’ve used that excuse twice already, it’s no longer effective!"

"I rarely have supper with you, even before!"

So how would she come at the wrong times?!

She hadn’t come for supper before either!

Xia Ruqing awkwardly twitched the corners of her mouth. freewebnøvel.com

"Well..."

"Alright, I’ll explain later, you go bathe first!"

Yue Er pursed her lips and left reluctantly.

...

In the side hall of the Princess.

After the servants prepared bath items, Yue Er entered the cleansing room.

Sending away all palace maids.

She soaked in the bath barrel, leaning on the edge as she closed her eyes to unwind.

"What’s happening recently between Father Emperor and Mother Empress?"

"I haven’t seen Father Emperor visiting Mother Empress for quite some time!"

Yue Er, who indulged in the academy and training grounds, cared little about harem matters.

Thought for ages but couldn’t find an answer.

Frustrated and upset, she called her intimate palace maid Ying Luo.

"What has been happening in the palace recently? Tell me quickly!"

Yue Er’s expression was somewhat solemn.

Ying Luo was chosen by Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao for Yue Er as an intimate palace maid.

Only older than the Princess by two or three years, with good qualifications and clear origins. Though she’s an intimate maid, she also shares a study companion nature, learning together with the Princess.

She is also destined to follow the Princess to her mansion as a long-term history officer.

Thus the Emperor and Empress established various safeguards, eventually selecting the little palace maid Ying Luo by the precious daughter.

Ying Luo was straightforward and quick with words, disliked beating around the bush, and had interests in martial arts and horse riding.

She got along very well with Yue Er.

So she had gained Yue Er’s favor in just under a year.

Wherever she went she liked bringing Ying Luo by her side.

The two almost contemporaries quickly became inseparable master and servant, friends.

Confronted by the Princess’s inquiries, Ying Luo thought for a moment and then answered.

"Actually what I know isn’t complete, but..."

She suddenly leaned toward Yue Er and whispered.

"Princess, I’ve heard recently a Honored Lady Luo appeared in the harem!"

"The Emperor’s heart..."

She mentioned hesitantly.

Yue Er gritted her teeth and waved.

"You needn’t worry, continue speaking!"

Ying Luo continued.

"Rumor has it the Emperor’s heart has been entirely captivated!"

"She’s been promoted and rewarded, receiving exclusive chambers and favor!"

"Compared to the Empress, it’s more and nothing less!"

"Palace attendants whisper privately... they say..."

Yue Er shot a sharp glance.

"Don’t trouble me, speak quickly!"

Ying Luo hurriedly said.

"They say, at this rate, Honored Lady Luo will sooner or later be the next Noble Concubine Shih!"

Yue Er frowned completely upon hearing this.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling hatred for Noble Concubine Shih’s foreign yet familiar name for the first time!

Even without direct contact with Noble Concubine Shih.

But her ’glorious deeds’ appear like sudden summer rain waves at unexpected times.

Yue Er felt curious before too, asking who Noble Concubine Shih was.

But what place was Duanning Palace, who would tell her such things!

She sneaked to ask Father Emperor.

But Eunuch Li revealed nothing either.

She had people ask palace attendants before?!

But those people, having received instructions from the Emperor and Empress, dared not spread these tales.

So Yue Er vaguely knew only the outlines.

Speaking of hatred, a little girl harbors little hatred, nothing to an extent.

Yet this time...

She felt enraged and ashamed!

"So... it’s that group causing trouble!"

"I said why Mother Empress seemed always somewhat downcast recently!"