A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 812: Till Death or Victory

"Of course, I must help!"

The Empress Dowager sighed.

It’s just a matter of getting used to it.

After all, she herself was once a foolish girl who flew into the flame, wasn’t she?

Even now, isn’t she still flying into the flame?

Rationality?

When love is carved into one’s bones, is there any room for rationality?

For love, one can risk their life, disregard everything, and resort to any means necessary!

No retreat, no surrender!

How terrifying!

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager felt that Shih Wanxin was her reflection.

"Back then, I got Zongcheng drunk, just so I could have him and bear a child for him!"

Imagine, if there were a child.

Their blood flowed within, then all regrets would vanish.

Marry someone else, remarry elsewhere, yet no regret.

"At that time, I truly disregarded ethics and morality!"

"Even death wasn’t feared!"

To cuckold the late emperor, if discovered, wouldn’t that lead to death!

"Yet, even now, I don’t regret it."

The Empress Dowager spoke, shedding tears.

Sister Qing watched, her heart aching.

"Don’t think about it. The Noble Consort and Emperor grew up together; no favoritism is too much!" It certainly wouldn’t violate ethics and morality!

"Indeed!"

"Everyone is happier than us, aren’t they?"

Sister Qing felt helpless again.

"Madam, don’t dwell on it!"

"It’s getting late; it’s better to rest early!"

"Mm!"

The Empress Dowager nodded.

With Sister Qing’s assistance, she washed up and went to bed.

...

On March 9th.

The Third Princess’s birthday banquet.

The Empress Dowager sent a post to the Emperor early in the morning.

All those of Sixth Rank and above in the harem were also invited.

Though the Third Princess had lost her birth mother, she was raised in the Empress Dowager’s palace and was indeed a proper princess.

The concubines in the harem still valued her highly.

They all prepared their birthday gifts early, waiting to bring them to the banquet.

Zhao Junyao.

Although he disliked the Empress Dowager.

Yet she was the one who gave birth to and raised him; with all the hatred, it was time to let it go.

Besides, a child is always innocent.

She was already motherless.

If he, as her father, also ignored her.

Who knows what rumors the gossips in the palace might spread behind closed doors.

How could she stand her ground in the palace in the future?!

It’s best to attend.

A three-year-old child shouldn’t bear such burdens.

Thus, Zhao Junyao instructed Li Shengan.

"Go to the storeroom and choose some suitable gifts for children, prepare them to take over!"

"Yes!"

Li Shengan bowed his head.

Thinking: The Emperor cares for the Princess!

After all, she’s his own daughter, isn’t she? No matter how cold-hearted, he couldn’t leave the Third Princess aside.

The Emperor has a kind heart!

While thinking.

Zhao Junyao finished approving the last document and stood up.

Li Shengan hurried over.

"Emperor, do you wish to have a meal presented?"

Zhao Junyao waved his hand directly.

"No need, let’s go to Duanning Palace!"

"Yes!"

Li Shengan responded while preparing for the journey.

He couldn’t help but marvel.

’Tsk tsk! Ever since Noble Consort Xian moved into Duanning Palace, the Emperor no longer has breakfast in the palace!’

’Back when the Noble Consort was favored across the Six Palaces, it never reached this degree!’

’In the end, Noble Consort Xian is truly favored!’

...

Here in Xifu Palace.

Xia Ruqing was also pondering what to gift the Third Princess!

Last October, during Yi An’s seventh birthday, she gifted a chestnut-colored pony, and Yi An was delighted for quite some time.

But the Third Princess is only three years old now; a pony wouldn’t do.

Perhaps send some other gifts, and choose a small animal to accompany them.

Though she disliked the Empress Dowager and Noble Concubine Shih.

The child is innocent, and it’s not worth holding a grudge even on this matter.

Having thought about it, she gave orders.

"I remember Xiao Zhu Zi saying the Ministry of Internal Affairs recently brought in some rabbits; go select a pair of beautiful ones, and pick something else from the storeroom to send over!"

"Aye!"

Zi Yue smiled.

"Madam is thoughtful; I’ve seen those rabbits too, pure snow white, the Third Princess will certainly like them!"

Xia Ruqing smiled quietly, saying nothing more.

She looked at the sky; it was getting late, just as she was about to call for the meal.

She heard an announcement from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Xia Ruqing, now composed, got up to greet him unhurriedly.

"Greetings, Emperor!"

"Qingqing!"

Zhao Junyao casually supported her, and the two of them sat down together by the window.

Skillfully, Xia Ruqing served tea to him.

Zhao Junyao took a sip, his brows instantly relaxed.

Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing turned to instruct Zi Yue.

"Serve the meal!"

"Yes!"

Zi Yue and others left the room.

Xia Ruqing personally took the cup he had drunk from and placed it aside.

She smiled.

"Today is the Third Princess’s birthday; why doesn’t the Emperor go to see her?"

Zhao Junyao replied indifferently.

"I don’t want to go!"

In just one exchange, like many years of a married couple, their conversation flowed seamlessly and perfectly.

Xia Ruqing asked no more.

That alone was fulfilling the duty, wasn’t it?

Actually, she wasn’t very eager to see the Emperor’s children by other women.

Only because she was a Noble Consort in the ancient harem.

She did what was expected of her role.

Acting purely to feel no guilt.

The breakfast was sumptuous.

Featuring her favorite shrimp dumplings, crystal fried buns, and rich lamb stew.

For some reason, she had recently developed a taste for this.

The tender lamb, cooked until soft, the soup rich and aromatic.

When drinking, sprinkled with spring onions, drizzled with sesame oil, poured with fragrant vinegar, stirred together.

The whole room was filled with fragrance.

If a bolder taste was desired, ginger sesame oil chili sauce could be added.

A fragrant, spicy delight, a spoonful brings sweat, a bowl drenches the body.

After eating, taking a bath, leaving one refreshed and rosy-cheeked; the feeling was indeed delightful.

Watching Xia Ruqing eat, her face flushed, a spiciness making her gasp.

He couldn’t resist sampling for himself.

The fragrant lamb and rich broth, mixed with the nose-burning spicy and sour flavor, surged up to the crown!

His senses went awry.

"Achoo! ... Achoo!"

After several sneezes, Zhao Junyao laughed and surrendered.

"It’s indeed delicious, but the taste... cough cough!"

He coughed, his face red.

Xia Ruqing laughed heartily.

"The Emperor can’t handle this kind of food!"

His taste leaned towards light flavors, with elegant dining habits, rarely eating to fullness, always just satisfied.

So naturally, he couldn’t handle such rich foods!

Zhao Junyao seemed helpless.

He had to put it aside and eat something else.

After breakfast.

Half of the morning had passed, not much time left for anything else.

Xia Ruqing cleared the table bed and called for Henger and Yeye to be brought over.

"Emperor, accompany them!"

Zhao Junyao, with his countless responsibilities, seldom spent time with his children.

Even if he saw them daily, it was simply a brief glimpse.

The time truly spent together was scarce.

Today was an opportunity, spending some fun time together seemed nice.