A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1327: Chapter 1325: Feeling Wronged

"She doesn’t give up on herself, so I naturally can’t say anything either!"

Xia Ruqing helplessly spread her hands.

"So I can only leave her be!"

"She’s currently both studying and practicing martial arts!"

"She keeps herself so busy every day that I can’t even see her!"

Xia Ruqing’s tone was somewhat forlorn.

Ni Manxue quickly joked with a smile.

"Could it be the Fourth Princess was born in the wrong body!"

"Is she aiming to become a heroine among women?"

Xia Caiying also chuckled.

"Big sister-in-law is right. If the Fourth Princess were born a man, she might indeed become a historic hero!"

Xia Ruqing was simply speechless.

"You all make it sound so nice!"

"If she really were a man, it would be fine!"

As a man, she wouldn’t have to worry so much; after all, men always have to venture out.

But as a girl, what’s she getting all stirred up for!

"If she were half as gentle as the Eldest Princess, I’d be satisfied!"

She sighed dreamily.

Ni Manxue paused, suddenly remembering something, and said.

"Speaking of which, Your Ladyship, don’t say!"

"If the Fourth Princess were as gentle as the Eldest Princess, you’d have other worries!"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat confused.

"What would I worry about?"

As a princess of the Royal Family, no matter how gentle or weak, she has the Emperor backing her; who would dare trouble her?

Ni Manxue turned to look at Xia Caiying, asking in a low voice.

"Second sister, have you heard?"

Xia Caiying was also puzzled.

"Heard about what?"

Ni Manxue was somewhat frustrated.

"About the Tao Hanlin family matter!"

Xia Caiying was still quite bewildered.

Ni Manxue continued.

"I heard about it before I went to Jiangnan six months ago!"

"Wasn’t the eldest son of Tao Hanlin’s family married to the Eldest Princess?"

"Initially, it was said that the Tao family was very respectful towards the Eldest Princess and acted appropriately!"

"But after so long, seeing the Eldest Princess only gave birth to two daughters without a son for the Tao family!"

"Their thoughts began to stray!"

"When I came back half a month ago, I deliberately inquired and found that the Tao family had already given the Prince Consort two concubines!"

"Upon further inquiry, it turned out the Eldest Princess had agreed to it!"

"Alas, being so weak, what does it matter even if she’s a princess; marrying into her husband’s family, she still suffers grievances!"

Xia Ruqing’s expression turned serious as well.

"Is their family really that excessive?"

Xia Caiying was completely shocked.

"I’ve never heard of a Prince Consort taking concubines before!"

Since the founding of the Chu Dynasty, through each era, the princesses, no matter legitimate or not, have always held a high status.

Their roles represent not just themselves, but the entire Royal Family.

So...

As a rule, the Prince Consort should not be allowed concubines.

After all, even if the Emperor doesn’t like this daughter, he still values his reputation and cannot disregard the face of the Royal Family.

So allowing the Prince Consort to take concubines is akin to slapping the Emperor’s face.

Is the Tao family reckless with their lives?

Ni Manxue sighed again.

"But then again, since the Eldest Princess agreed, what can be done?"

"The Tao family indeed has a reason, and...our Great Chu Dynasty truly doesn’t have a law stating that the Prince Consort cannot take concubines!"

Without explicit regulations, it can’t be considered a legal issue.

Xia Caiying sighed deeply.

"This is quite the dilemma!"

"I wonder what the Emperor would think if he knew?"

She and Ni Manxue both stared at Xia Ruqing, watching her reaction.

After pondering for a while, Xia Ruqing finally spoke.

"Actually...!"

"This matter can be considered big or small depending on the Emperor’s attitude. I can’t be sure right now!"

"Let’s wait and see; the truth will eventually come out!"

The news will inevitably leak out one day, and then the conclusion will naturally unfold.

"Anyway, I can’t foolishly go tell the Emperor directly right now!"

Especially considering her complex relationship with the Eldest Princess, particularly her mother.

And she truly doesn’t have the extra energy to save everyone one by one.

She isn’t a saint!

What if the Emperor doesn’t care about this matter? What’s there to gain?

"You’re right!"

Ni Manxue smiled.

The three of them chatted about other things for a while, had their lunch, drank some tea, rested for a bit, and then parted ways.

...

Before dinner, Xia Ruqing lay dazed on the couch.

Her mind was a jumbled mess, filled with countless thoughts.

Zi Yue came in to ask what she wanted for dinner, calling her a few times without response.

"Your Ladyship!"

She waved her hand in front of her eyes, bringing Xia Ruqing back to attention.

"What’s the matter?"

Zi Yue sighed with a smile.

"I asked what Your Ladyship would like for dinner so the maids can prepare it!"

Xia Ruqing lazily replied.

"Anything is fine!"

Zi Yue gave a look to Zi Ning.

After Zi Ning left, Zi Yue asked.

"Your Ladyship, what are you thinking about? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

"No!"

"I’m not feeling unwell!"

Zi Yue asked again.

"Then you..."

Xia Ruqing was silent for a while before answering.

"Zi Yue, I’m just suddenly a bit scared!"

"Scared?"

Zi Yue’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"What could you be scared of?"

Xia Ruqing sighed deeply.

"Luckily, I let Yue Er practice martial arts back then!"

"Luckily, I didn’t restrain her!"

"Luckily, she’s now doing what she wants and is very happy!"

If she had intervened more back then, perhaps... the result would have been the same.

She was quite fearful.

If Yue Er had been confined by her like a fool and ended up like the Eldest Princess, only to be bullied after marriage, what then?

Thinking about it, she felt gratitude for herself.

Thankfully, she held onto the Emperor’s support and didn’t let go in those years.

And thankfully, she treasured her life, avoiding demise in the harem’s manipulative whirlpool.

She was fortunate to become the Empress, making her children the most noble of the Royal Family’s Little Masters.

Otherwise... she feared she’d be left with regret.

In the past...

Xia Ruqing thought.

"In the past, I was so laughable!"

All she wanted was her little life!

How naive!

Zi Yue patted her on the back.

"Don’t overthink, Your Ladyship!"

"We have it so well now!"

"The Little Masters are all safe and happy, and the Emperor has always cherished you!"

"With four other consorts managing the harem’s affairs for you now, your only task is... to relax!"

"Live the life you want!"

Xia Ruqing let out a long breath.

"Yes, that’s all I can do!"

It’s truly laughable.

When circumstances didn’t allow it before, she lived so happily, foolishly.

Now she has everything, yet not the mindset she once had.

"Those days were so wonderful!"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but reminisce.

"Back then, a chicken leg, a few packs of candy, a plate of fresh pastries could make me happy for so long!"

"Now... it’s really different!"