A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1326: Chapter 1324: Children

The second day of the lunar new year.

It’s the day when families from outside the palace visit to see their family members who have become high-ranking concubines, a privilege only enjoyed by those ranked third or above.

As usual, from early morning, the madams of various mansions came to pay their respects.

This was also the tradition.

Since entering the palace, one mustn’t rush directly into the harem; one has to stop by and pay respects, right?

However, Xia Ruqing basically didn’t need to meet them; she merely sent Zi Yue out to offer tea and exchange a few words.

So...

While Xia Ruqing was having breakfast alone, Zi Yue was outside, having already sent off one group of visiting madams after another.

After the breakfast had been cleared away and she had a bowl of bird’s nest porridge, Zi Yue returned wearily from outside.

"Sent all of them off?"

Xia Ruqing carelessly placed the bird’s nest porridge on the table beside her.

"All gone!"

Zi Yue wiped the sweat from her brow.

Xia Ruqing nodded, instructing her to have something to eat and rest for a while, and then asked Zi Ning.

"My elder sister-in-law and Cai Yang will definitely come by. Is everything prepared?"

Zi Ning responded firmly.

"Everything is ready!"

Xia Ruqing nodded in satisfaction.

Half a Shi Chen later, someone reported from outside.

"Lady Hou and the Young Lady of the Minister’s Mansion request an audience!"

Xia Ruqing stood up excitedly.

"Quick, let them in!"

"Yes!"

Zi Ning answered and hurried out to welcome them.

Moments later, several people entered the room together.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, the Empress..."

Before they could kneel, Xia Ruqing helped them up directly.

"There’s no need for such formalities, we’re among family!"

"Have a seat!"

Ni Manxue and Xia Caiying smiled, thanked her, and sat down on the chairs.

After the tea and snacks were served,

the servants retreated, leaving only the three of them in the room.

Xia Ruqing, forgetting even the pleasantries, eagerly started speaking.

"Sister-in-law, did you meet Jingfeng’s... wife? Tell me all about it!"

Ni Manxue chuckled.

"I knew you would ask about this. Look what I’ve brought for you?"

Saying this, she took a small portrait out of her sleeve.

Xia Ruqing was completely stunned.

"Is this her portrait?"

Ni Manxue handed it to her.

"Just open it and see for yourself."

Xia Ruqing was still in a daze as she accepted the portrait.

Although she had long adapted to this ancient era, it was the first time she would know someone through a portrait.

She longed for the QQ and WeChat Moments from the 21st century! Yearned to go back.

The scroll depicted a woman in light clothing, slender, with delicate features.

She stood with a melancholic expression by a red wall, gazing longingly outside.

That sense of longing, helplessness, and despair was palpable even to someone like Xia Ruqing, who had never appreciated paintings.

"So beautiful!" she sincerely praised.

Ni Manxue nodded with a smile.

"Jingfeng painted this!"

"The first time I saw her, I didn’t find her particularly stunning, just that she was too thin!"

"But she wasn’t weak despite her frail appearance!"

"After interacting with her several times, I found that, despite her small stature, she had this resilient and tenacious quality about her!"

"One couldn’t take their eyes off her and dared not underestimate her!"

Hearing such high praise, Xia Ruqing sighed with relief, smiling.

"I also believe that after all Jingfeng has been through, he wouldn’t judge by looks alone..."

Given his current status, with the prominent families in Jiangnan and the Capital City, what kind of beauty couldn’t he marry?

"The girl he picks must be someone much like himself!"

"Humble and courteous in appearance, seeming gentle and unremarkable, but with immense energy within, inspiring admiration and respect!"

Ni Manxue chuckled.

"Indeed, siblings by blood understand each other best. Your Majesty always knows him well!"

"Honestly, after meeting the sister-in-law several times, I gradually discerned her character!"

"But Your Majesty, you judge so directly without even meeting her!"

Xia Ruqing felt a little embarrassed by the compliment.

"It’s actually quite obvious!"

"If he wanted to marry a noble lady, he would have done so long ago instead of waiting until now!"

"True!" Ni Manxue nodded.

Xia Ruqing smiled without saying more.

Seeing the elder sister and sister-in-law quiet down, Xia Caiying put down her tea cup and seriously inquired about Lady Wen’s condition.

"How is my mother?!"

Ni Manxue smiled.

"She’s well! You don’t need to worry!"

"Now there’s no threat from Father, and no one around her can trouble her anymore!"

"Of course, apart from Xia Weifeng!"

Xia Caiying frowned.

"Xia Weifeng?"

"How is he now? Has he not married yet?"

It seemed a bit ridiculous that Xia Ruyi, who was born on the same day as him, had already spent several years in the Sixth Prince’s Mansion.

Ni Manxue disclosed everything she knew about Xia Weifeng.

Finally, she sighed.

"I can tell Father harbors a lot of regrets, but it’s too late for regrets now!"

Spoiled to this extent, what good can regret do?!

Xia Ruqing laughed mockingly.

"With his attitude, looking down on this and that? Honestly, it’s laughable!"

Xia Caiying curled her lips indifferently.

"What does he have to offer?"

Ni Manxue also refrained from saying more.

Xia Ruqing didn’t want to dwell on it either and just waved her hand.

"Forget it, let’s talk about something else. This has nothing to do with us!"

"Right!"

They happily started discussing the children.

"How are Chengze and Chenghui? Did they gain any insights after this trip to Jiangnan?" Xia Ruqing asked expectantly.

Ni Manxue smiled, waving her hand.

"Don’t mention it!"

"Before leaving, they promised to keep up with their studies and martial arts!"

"But who knew there’d be so much fun and intriguing stuff in Jiangnan? The two brothers abandoned everything!"

"When they heard about returning, they rushed to catch up on assignments the entire carriage journey!"

"My husband and I were both angry and amused!"

Xia Caiying laughed as well.

"They’re just kids; you shouldn’t push them too hard, Sister-in-law!"

"Heng Xu and Heng Jie are always running around like wild stallions!"

"Whenever I want to discipline them, my husband always says boys being active is not bad, and doesn’t let me intervene!"

"Over time, I got used to it!"

Ni Manxue pondered for a moment.

"True indeed!"

The three laughed and moved on from this topic.

Then they spoke of Yue Er.

Ni Manxue inquired.

"Is the Fourth Princess still practicing martial arts with General Shi?"

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing felt a headache coming and responded with a mix of tears and laughter.

"At first, I thought she’d give up after tasting some hardships. I thought a little grievance would make her back down!"

"But who would have thought, no matter the injury or the setback, she never gave up!"