A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 773: Sharing the Limelight Equally

Zhao Junyao did not want to prolong the conversation. He left after bestowing the rewards.

Noble Concubine Shih leaned against the doorframe, watching his retreating figure, tears instantly welling in her eyes.

"Cousin, are you truly heartless, or do you harbor feelings for me?"

To call him heartless—yet he had pardoned her time and again, repeatedly showing mercy. To call him affectionate—yet he was so cold and hard, like an icy stone that remained frigid no matter how she tried to warm it.

Oh, Cousin!

...

The year’s end was approaching. In the Harem, Noble Concubine Shih was gaining power, while Consort Xian was favored. For a time, they seemed equally matched, neither daring to offend the other lightly.

However, Noble Concubine Shih, proud and arrogant, increasingly found Xia Ruqing to be an eyesore. She could not tolerate a mere consort, a lowly person in her eyes, aspiring to be her equal. So, relying on her superior status, she took every opportunity to nitpick and cause trouble for Xia Ruqing.

Xia Ruqing viewed these as trivial matters and thus endured them all. After all, Qingya Residence now had its own small kitchen. Her meals were no longer managed by the Imperial Kitchen. The only area where she was still subject to the Noble Concubine’s influence was regarding her allotted supplies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The supplies for a consort’s rank were fixed. Even Noble Concubine Shih would not dare to skimp on her rightful share, so Xia Ruqing could not be bothered to fuss over it.

Only Zi Yue, Zi Su, and the others in her service were filled with indignation. Having served Xia Ruqing for a long time, they were cautious by habit and would not speak rashly. Therefore, life was still relatively peaceful.

Just when Xia Ruqing thought such tranquility would continue, her children’s Wetnurse Nannies, fine in the morning, began to vomit and suffer from diarrhea by midday.

In that instant, Xia Ruqing realized just how naive she had been!

"What exactly is going on? Zi Yue, have you investigated?"

Zi Yue quickly knelt. "Your Highness, the Wetnurse Nannies’ food all comes from the Imperial Kitchen! This morning, as usual, they had two bowls of nutritious chicken soup, a dish of black chicken stewed with blood swallows, and a cup of silver ear fungus stewed with ginseng. Besides that, they only had eggs, coarse grains, rice, wheat noodles, and steamed buns. They ate nothing else!"

Xia Ruqing stood up abruptly. "Nothing else, and yet they ended up like this? Their condition... it’s clear someone wants to harm my children!"

The Wetnurse Nannies fell ill and had no milk to give; wasn’t that the same as cutting off the children’s lifeline? How wicked!

Women are naturally frail, but a mother is strong. Xia Ruqing could endure anything else, but not when it came to her children. She couldn’t bear the slightest grievance against them.

"Someone go, summon the Imperial Physician! We must thoroughly investigate the cause of this illness!"

After saying this, she, along with her entourage, stormed angrily toward the Imperial Kitchen. She was Consort Xian, personally invested by the reigning Emperor with the Second Rank. She had three sons and an entourage of over a dozen palace maids and eunuchs. This time, she brought eight of them, four flanking each side, advancing with formidable momentum.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Kitchen, Steward He immediately came out to greet them. "Oh my, it’s Consort Xian gracing us with her presence! My apologies for not coming out to greet you sooner!"

He Changshou was very adept at dealing with people. During the Empress’s time, he had remained unshakable. Now that the Noble Concubine was in power, he was still thriving, which showed this man was no simpleton.

Xia Ruqing smiled coldly. "Apologies for not greeting me sooner? I dare not accept such a courtesy! It’s been a long time since I last visited the Imperial Kitchen. One might almost think... it has a new master now?"

The implication in her words was profound. Those who understood would naturally understand.

Steward He immediately laughed. "Your Highness jests. I don’t understand a word you’re saying!"

Xia Ruqing retorted, "It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand! By the time you reach the Punishment Department, you’ll understand plenty!"

Having said that, she immediately gave the order. "Men, search!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue and the others received the order.

Just as they were about to lead the Little Eunuchs into the Imperial Kitchen to search, a sudden angry shout came. "Hold on!"

Xia Ruqing turned her head and saw it was Noble Concubine Shih. She laughed inwardly.

Heh! So, we finally clash? The Noble Concubine has been picking faults time and again. I didn’t even want to bother with her, but now, we finally clash? Good! If you are unkind, don’t blame me for being unjust! You cut off my sons’ food source first; this is merely an eye for an eye!

Xia Ruqing sneered.

"The Noble Consort is arriving!" a Little Eunuch announced.

"This consort pays her respects to the Noble Consort!" Xia Ruqing curtsied.

Noble Concubine Shih, supported by Ying Qiu’s hand, walked over slowly. She looked at Consort Xian, who was bowing, and without telling her to rise, merely sneered. "What could have happened in the Imperial Kitchen to warrant Consort Xian herself rushing over? He Changshou, speak up immediately!"

Noble Concubine Shih sharply scanned the room and coldly ordered. After speaking, she turned and found a chair to sit on.

He Changshou glanced at Consort Xian and, seeing no alternative, recounted everything that had transpired at Qingya Residence.

Only when he had finished did the Noble Consort turn to Consort Xian. Feigning surprise and vexation, she slapped her forehead. "Oh dear, it’s my fault! I actually forgot to tell my sister to rise! Consort Xian, my dear sister, please rise!"

Xia Ruqing did not argue, simply replying faintly with a "Yes," and stood up.

Noble Concubine Shih sat on her chair, very pleased.

Hmph, so what if she’s favored? In the end, she still has to bow before me!

With that thought, she smiled and said, "If this matter is true, I certainly will not stand idly by! Sister, you may return and wait. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure you receive justice!"

Xia Ruqing suddenly looked up, her gaze sharp. "There’s no need, Noble Consort. If you wish to investigate, do it now! It’s just a search of the Imperial Kitchen; it will be quick! If the Noble Consort lacks manpower, all those I brought are willing to assist. Please begin the search immediately!"

Her stance was too resolute. Noble Concubine Shih was somewhat annoyed. "Is Consort Xian in such a hurry? I have said I will give you justice, and I certainly will!"

Xia Ruqing, unafraid, spoke with neither servility nor arrogance. "It is urgent! My two children are crying out in hunger, with no Wetnurse Nanny to feed them. Of course, I am anxious! This is such a grave matter, yet the Noble Consort deliberately delays. One has to wonder about your intentions!"

Since she had decided to fight to the end, Xia Ruqing would definitely not concede easily.

"You!..." Noble Concubine Shih was livid.

"Fine! Consort Xian, you have a point! But I must warn you beforehand. The Imperial Kitchen is currently under my management. If something improper is found, it is naturally my fault! But if nothing is found... Consort Xian, my dear sister, you will then be guilty of slandering a Noble Consort, and you will face the punishment of the plank! Consort Xian, have you thought this through carefully?"

Xia Ruqing smiled coldly and said resolutely, "I have. Please, proceed!"

Noble Concubine Shih flung her sleeves and commanded loudly, "Everyone, listen to my order! Men, search! Don’t miss a single corner. Search meticulously!"

"Yes!" All the palace maids and eunuchs knelt in response.

Before everyone’s eyes, the search of the Imperial Kitchen began.