A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1036: A Life of Agony

Xia Ruqing smiled triumphantly.

"Indeed, who do you think your master is?!"

After saying this, without waiting for their responses, Xia Ruqing took the paper.

"Alright, stop looking!"

"I still need to submit a memorial to the Emperor!" She said as she entered the inner chamber.

That night, the Empress’s memorial was presented before Zhao Junyao.

Zhao Junyao reached out, opened it, and skimmed through it, with a smile curving on his lips.

"Not bad!" He raised his hand, tucked the memorial into his sleeve, stood up, donned his robe, and headed to Duanning Palace.

...

Two days later.

It was just the day after the Little New Year.

The Emperor personally issued an imperial decree, promoting the positions of those in the harem.

Of course, besides the decree, lavish rewards were bestowed upon each palace.

The women received the imperial decree and rewards, each one tearfully moved.

Although some were promoted two ranks, some three ranks, and some just one rank.

But for those women who had endured for so many years in the harem without ever being promoted or favored.

It was indeed a huge surprise.

They felt that they still had a tiny bit of presence in the Emperor’s heart.

Yes, all the years of loneliness hadn’t been in vain.

Actually, Zhao Junyao felt a bit guilty.

With so many women entering the palace, he was bound to disappoint them.

It might have been better not to choose so many.

But...

The world isn’t ruled by anyone’s words, not even his as an Emperor could change everything.

The selection of consorts was something he couldn’t avoid.

The only feasible solution was to choose as few as possible.

...

After the imperial decree was issued.

Most people in the harem were jubilant.

Being promoted and receiving rewards, life would be much easier in the future.

It seemed that the silver given to the Empress really wasn’t wasted, haha.

Of course.

There are those who rejoice, and inevitably there are those who despair.

Such as... Consort Shih Pin and Honored Lady Dou.

Both of them had been demoted from high positions before.

This time, their lack of promotion was quite understandable.

Honored Lady Dou was still stuck in that small place, oppressed by Honored Lady Chen.

Being completely overshadowed.

Even if she wanted to stir things up, she would need the capability to do so, right?

Without capability, she could only be stifled.

Consort Shih Pin was different.

The fallen camel is still larger than a horse; even in her despair, she still cared for a princess.

She still had some blood ties with the Emperor.

So in the harem, those palace attendants didn’t dare to make things too difficult for her.

Life could still go on.

In fact, under her intimidation and bribery, she even recruited a few pawns to work for her.

So...

She had the ability to stir things up.

On the day the decree was issued.

She went crazy in her room, smashing everything in sight.

The Third Princess’s forehead was accidentally hit by a shard of porcelain, instantly causing blood to flow.

The young girl immediately burst into tears.

The wetnurse nanny dared not speak, swallowing her anger and taking the princess away.

Afraid to call for the Imperial Physician, she took the golden sore medicine and wrapped it with gauze.

Then she and the Third Princess huddled together in the side hall, trembling.

This wasn’t the first time, nor the second, or the third.

The wetnurse nanny was nearly scared out of her wits, developing nerves.

And what about the princess?

The Third Princess would turn eight after the New Year.

She inherited her mother’s powerful genes, showing signs of striking beauty even at a young age.

However, she seemed to be constantly traumatized, her complexion pale.

Her development was slow, and her eyes appeared vacant.

Usually, she sat quietly alone, not speaking or crying, studying when made to.

Only when severely provoked, she would cry loudly.

By today’s standards, she exhibited signs of autism.

Naturally, ancient people didn’t understand this, and neither did the Imperial Physician.

Consort Shih Pin disliked letting the Third Princess see the Imperial Physician.

So the girl couldn’t even have a calming medicine.

Often being scared like this, it’s odd if no problems occur.

...

Consort Shih Pin received the decree.

Realizing that she was the only one not promoted among the consorts, and that this decree was issued by her cousin.

The image she had painstakingly maintained for so long as behaving appropriately completely collapsed at this moment.

"What do I have to do? What do I have to do?"

"Cousin!"

"What do I have to do for you to forgive me?!"

"Do you really not see the kind of life I’ve been living these years?!"

Consort Shih Pin cried, furiously pounding the table.

Even Ying Qiu dared not step forward.

After a long while, Ying Qiu cleaned the floor while cautiously persuading.

"My lady!"

"You mustn’t grieve!"

"As long as you behave properly, the Emperor will always think of you!"

"Look, you both raised a princess!"

"With what consequence did Honored Lady Dou face for her mistakes?"

"Aren’t we much better than her?"

"My lady, we should be content!"

At this point, Ying Qiu didn’t know how else to console her.

The only thing clear to her was.

If they don’t guard this tiny bit of warmth carefully, they might lose it entirely.

So...

Only by behaving properly can they find warmth.

The master simply couldn’t handle any more turmoil!

Consort Shih Pin was deeply affected, she rose shakily, stumbled to the bed, and lay down flat, closing her eyes.

After some time, she suddenly started laughing.

"Ying Qiu, isn’t it ridiculous!"

"I feel the world has turned upside down, and I don’t understand what good that woman has, for cousin to repeatedly elevate her!"

"She’s merely the daughter of a County Magistrate!"

"Cousin has elevated her illegitimate brother, and elevated her younger brother for her to become Empress!"

"However..."

"Cousin clearly promised at first, that the Empress position would be mine!"

"Are men’s words truly that unreliable?"

"Ying Qiu, tell me!"

"Ah!!"

She both cried and laughed.

Letting her tears flow freely down her face.

Ying Qiu also cried.

"My lady!"

"It’s all fate! It’s all fate!"

"We... we’d better accept our fate!"

"As long as we accept it, there will be a way to live, the Emperor will care for you!"

Consort Shih Pin suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"Indeed!"

"Cousin won’t neglect me!"

"Hungry, he gives me food, thirsty, he gives me water!"

"Like... treating me like a beggar, raising me without care!"

"If it’s like this, what’s the point of living?"

"I’d rather die!"

Consort Shih Pin then got up to rush out.

Ying Qiu hurriedly rushed to her, consequently kneeling on the floor.

The floor was still covered with shattered porcelain pieces.

When Ying Qiu knelt down, blood quickly flowed from her knees.

"My lady!"

"What are you doing!"

"You used to be so noble, so prideful!"

"Even now, you are extremely intelligent, how can you do something foolish!"

Consort Shih Pin was in unbearable pain.

"Foolish deed?"

"I’m not foolish!"

"Living will only make me more foolish!"

"Ying Qiu, let me go!"

She struggled.

Ying Qiu, despite sweating coldly from the pain, desperately clung to her leg.

"I won’t let go!"

"This maid knows nothing, this maid only knows that if you die, everything will be lost!"