A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 782 Return

The days in South Garden were carefree.

The only complaint was that it kept snowing.

When they departed on the twenty-ninth, Xia Ruqing still felt some regret.

"I never got to go out for a walk!"

Zhao Junyao could only comfort her. "Wait until the weather warms up before you leave the palace. It’s not suitable now!"

Xia Ruqing knew there was no room for argument, so she didn’t say anything more.

The carriage was silent. Fortunately, a charcoal brazier inside provided enough warmth; otherwise, it would have been unbearable.

I wonder how the two Little Buns are doing?! Do they miss me?

Zhao Junyao pinched her cheek.

"Why should they miss you? Just two little rascals!"

Xia Ruqing pouted. "Emperor, you haven’t chosen their names yet. You promised to name them when they were a full month old! It’s been delayed until now. Haven’t you thought of any yet?" she pressed, clearly dissatisfied.

Zhao Junyao smiled radiantly and took her hand. He wrote a few characters on her palm. "I’ve thought for a long time, but I’m not sure which ones are good."

"How about we pick the first and the third ones?"

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment and then asked, "Zhao Qiheng and Zhao Qiye?"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

After pondering for a while, Xia Ruqing felt these names were indeed excellent and said with a smile, "Thank you, Emperor!"

Although it had been delayed for so long, at least the children now had good names. It wasn’t easy!

She mulled over the meanings of these two names in her mind.

The Emperor’s eldest son, Little Bun Zhao Qichen.

The second son, born to Consort Cheng Pin, was named Zhao Qihong.

Next were her two Little Buns.

Zhao Qiheng and Zhao Qiye... hmm, nice.

You could tell a lot of thought had gone into them. Wonderful!

The more Xia Ruqing thought about it, the more satisfied she became, her face breaking into a silly smile.

Zhao Junyao watched her silly smile all the way.

And he didn’t find it tiresome at all?

He must be bewitched!

「」

By the time they returned to the palace, it was already past noon.

Zhao Junyao went straight back to Zhaochen Palace.

As for her, Li Shengan had sent Little Zhuzi to escort her back.

Qingya Residence had received the news early on.

As she entered the gate, she saw a large group of people kneeling in the courtyard.

"Welcome back to the palace, Your Highness!"

Xia Ruqing was startled. Although she occupied a high position, having so many people kneel before her was still something she found difficult to get used to.

"Please, rise quickly!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Xia Ruqing said no more and led the group inside.

In the main hall, the Wetnurse Nanny and the Sisters were also kneeling.

They were caring for the Little Princes, so it was inappropriate for them to go out; thus, they knelt there instead.

Seeing this, Xia Ruqing quickly bade them rise.

"You may all withdraw for now. Allow me to change my clothes."

"Yes!"

The Sisters withdrew.

Xia Ruqing returned to the inner chamber, accompanied only by Zi Su and Zi Ning.

"Quickly, help me take off this fox fur cloak! I’m dying of heat!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Zi Su covered her mouth, smiling.

"Your Highness, the Emperor treats you so well, always fearing you’ll get cold!"

Xia Ruqing’s face flushed instantly.

Does he treat me well? she mused. More like he’s trying to cover up his ’crimes’! After all, if I fell ill, it would be indefensible, wouldn’t it? Even if only the Imperial Physician knew, his dignity would suffer!

But... Why is my face so hot?!

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?" Zi Su asked again.

Xia Ruqing was startled back to her senses.

"Nothing... It’s nothing!"

With that, she hurriedly turned to finish dressing. Then, she asked Zi Yue to bring her a bowl of cooling tea to quench her thirst before sitting down on the soft couch.

Sister Huang came in with a few other Sisters, smiling as she reported.

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has gone to the Study Room. The Third Prince and Fourth Prince have been fed and are now asleep."

"These past few days, the three Princes have been eating well and sleeping soundly. Your Highness can rest assured!"

Xia Ruqing smiled upon hearing this.

"With Sister Huang here, I have nothing to worry about."

"By the way, today is already the twenty-ninth. Hasn’t the Tai Fu in the Study Room taken a holiday yet?"

Sister Huang replied, "The adults took their holiday early this morning. It’s just that our Prince is eager to learn and still insists on getting up early to go to the Study Room."

"He says his tutor asked him to review his studies!"

Xia Ruqing frowned.

"Review his studies?"

"Can’t he do that at home? The snow has been so heavy lately!"

Sister Huang laughed again.

"His Highness says he can only concentrate in the Study Room. After all, there are two Little Princes here at home!"

"Usually, as soon as His Highness returns from the Study Room, he stays by the Little Princes’ side to watch over them!"

"He looks so delighted!"

Xia Ruqing’s smile grew even brighter.

"Well, Chenchen is their older brother. Being studious is a good thing!" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

After confirming that those around him were her confidants and that her son would not suffer the slightest grievance, Xia Ruqing felt more at ease.

She truly sympathized with her son, having to endure such hardships at such a young age.

But... who asked him to be born into the Royal Family?

A carefree childhood is certainly a good thing.

But as the Crown Prince, if he grew up lacking virtue or talent, he would surely become a laughingstock, wouldn’t he?

Wouldn’t that be even more painful for him then?

Well, if it can’t be changed, one must adapt. After all, it’s not as if they could just leave, could they?!

「」

After Sister Huang finished reporting about the children, Xia Ruqing went to look at her sleeping children.

Not wanting to wake them, Xia Ruqing only held them gently and kissed their cheeks lightly.

Then she left, glancing back every few steps.

Her two little babies, three to four months old, were at their peak of cuteness. Dressed in bright red chest aprons, they were chubby, with fair, rosy skin.

If she didn’t leave then, she feared her heart would completely melt for them.

Coming out of the west wing, Xia Ruqing summoned Xiao Xizi and asked, "Has everything been peaceful in Qingya Residence these past few days?"

"How are those Wetnurse Nannies doing?"

The incident with the Wetnurse Nanny’s poisoning had ended with only a few Palace Attendants from the Imperial Kitchen being held accountable, and no further action. Noble Concubine Shih had not been implicated.

That was what displeased Xia Ruqing the most.

Of course, that was also why Zhao Junyao had taken her out to distract her.

Now that she had returned from her outing, it wasn’t good to bring up old grievances.

After all, Zhao Junyao’s heart was still with her, and he wasn’t a man without discretion.

So... at this time, she too could only feign ignorance.

When Xiao Xizi heard her question, his expression immediately soured. After hesitating for a moment, he fell to his knees with a THUD.

"Your Highness!"

"This servant... This servant has failed in my duty!"

"Hmm?" Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow.

Her mind instantly raced. Was someone courting death again?

She hadn’t been in the palace, and only her children were in Qingya Residence—who could be so devoid of conscience?!

Her fists clenched, a chill flashing in her eyes.

"What’s wrong? Speak!"

No longer holding back, Xiao Xizi kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, after you left, the Noble Consort sent over three Palace Maids, claiming we didn’t have enough help here!"

"The Noble Consort presented her reasons so plausibly that this servant couldn’t refuse!"

"The Noble Consort also said that if Your Highness didn’t approve of these Palace Maids, it would be tantamount to looking down on her, the Noble Consort!"

"She added that they could only be sent back if Your Highness personally went to see her!"

Before he even finished, Xia Ruqing slammed her hand on the table.

"Presumptuous!"

"My Qingya Residence is not a place where she, Noble Concubine Shih, can call the shots!"