A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 923: Passing Away

But just as she finished speaking.

Xiao Xizi hurriedly came in from outside.

"Madam, there’s news!"

Xia Ruqing immediately stood up.

"What? Now?"

"Yes!"

"All the other madams are going to Jiaofang Hall, we should prepare quickly!"

Xia Ruqing looked down at the two Little Buns.

She secretly frowned.

Why choose such a time?

Picking the New Year is one thing, but even at mealtime!

Thinking about it, she could only give orders.

"Zi Yue, you come with me alone, that’s enough!"

"Zi Su, you stay!"

"Sister Jiang, Sister Liang, take the children for dinner first!"

"Later, when Sister Huang and Chenchen return, have the small kitchen make something else!"

"Don’t worry about me!"

She spoke as she hurriedly put on her cloak!

Zi Yue assisted her on the side, handing her a hand stove and warm sleeves!

In half a cup of tea’s time, she was finally dressed.

Xiao Xizi had the warm sedan chair ready outside too.

Xia Ruqing took Zi Yue out the door, hurriedly heading to Jiaofang Hall.

Jiaofang Hall

Xia Ruqing got out of the sedan chair, and sure enough, saw a large crowd standing at the entrance.

It seemed everyone was already here, except her.

Seeing her arrive, the concubines came forward to pay respects.

"Greetings, Noble Consort Xian!"

Xia Ruqing glanced indifferently and waved her hand.

"Rise, all of you!"

The crowd thanked her and stood up.

Xia Ruqing’s eyes moved across the crowd.

Unintentionally, she caught sight of Consort Ning, who had a look of smugness in her eyes.

She chuckled coldly inside.

This fool, what’s there to be proud about?!

She just lifted her grounding and brought the Princess back not long ago, and now she’s about to fall ill again?

Or does she think that a half-dead Empress can support her?!

Xia Ruqing said no more.

She leisurely walked up to stand at the front of the line with the others, waiting for the imperial return to the palace.

Darkness was falling.

Snow had just fallen a few days ago, and the night north wind was extremely fierce, causing many to shiver.

Luckily, Xia Ruqing was dressed warmly.

Wrapped in a thick cloak, holding a warm stove in her hands, she felt no chill at all.

They waited for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, when footsteps gradually approached in the distance.

Then came the high announcement from the eunuch.

"Empress, the imperial return to the palace!"

The crowd hurriedly knelt down.

Xia Ruqing was no exception, respectfully kneeling on the cold ground.

Luckily she wore deerskin knee pads.

A warm kneeling, otherwise, this kneel would surely leave a sickness behind.

"Greetings to the Empress!"

The crowd lowered their heads, collectively paying their respects.

But what awaited them was only the howling north wind.

The imperial carriage passed in front.

Yu Lan escorted on the side, passing by the madams as.

She knelt and kowtowed three times, then rose again to attend to the imperial carriage.

The party of the Empress and her maids made no sound!

They waited until the imperial carriage entered Jiaofang Hall.

Then someone came to call them to rise.

"Madams, please rise!"

The voice unexpectedly belonged to Li Shengan.

Xia Ruqing rose and frowned, asking him.

"What’s going on here?"

Li Shengan’s expression was somewhat complex, but he still smiled and said.

"Report to Noble Consort Xian!"

"The Empress... is unconscious!"

"The Emperor’s decree, the madams have kowtowed outside as a form of greeting, no need to disturb further!"

Xia Ruqing listened in surprise.

Wow! Could it really be serious illness?!

Thinking this, her expression became ’grave’.

"If that’s the case, then I won’t disturb the Empress’s recovery!"

"When the Empress’s health improves, I shall pay my respects again!"

Her words were dignified and proper.

Li Shengan quickly bowed in salute.

"Ah! Madam, you are wise!"

"The servants bid farewell to Madam!"

Xia Ruqing nodded, took Zi Yue, and turned to leave.

The others saw the Noble Consort depart.

Naturally, there was nothing more to see, and they all left as well.

Consort Ning felt quite disappointed.

’Could the Empress really be unable to make it?!’

’Hopefully not, or else the harem will be the domain of Lady Xia?!’

Thinking this, she hurried her steps back to the palace.

She wanted to go offer incense to the Buddha, pray for the Empress’s speedy recovery!

The concubines quickly dispersed.

Upon returning, Xia Ruqing.

Following the usual routine, ate, washed, looked at the books out of boredom, then went to sleep.

Zi Su seemed somewhat puzzled.

"Madam, aren’t you worried?"

Xia Ruqing appeared a bit confused.

"Worried about what?"

Even if the Empress returned healthy, she couldn’t do anything to her, could she?

Not to mention the situation now.

Zi Su thought for a moment.

"True!"

"Then I am reassured!"

Zi Yue, a bit amused, teased.

"What are you reassured about?!"

Zi Su felt some embarrassment, stomped her foot.

"Zi Yue!"

"Madam, look at her!"

Zi Yue laughed.

"Oh dear sister, I won’t dare again!"

Zi Su, thin-skinned, wanted to hit her.

Zi Yue quickly ran.

The two of them started to play around.

Xia Ruqing watched them with delight, smiling as she burrowed into bed to prepare for sleep.

No matter what happens elsewhere, she was unaffected here.

Still filled with laughter.

Just wasn’t to be heard elsewhere.

After all, at this time, shouldn’t it be sorrowful?

Elsewhere in the palace.

At Consort Hui’s place, her thoughts always calm and steady.

Upon returning, she too was quietly composed, eating ritually.

Calmly comforting her daughter to sleep.

The Second Princess was also very sensible.

Before sleeping, she asked.

"Mother Consort, did Mother Empress return? Did you see her?"

Consort Hui gently smiled.

"Mother Empress returned, but she is ill and cannot summon Yi An!"

"You must behave well, or Mother Empress will punish you, okay?"

Yi An quickly burrowed into the blankets, cautious.

"Mother Consort, Yi An has always been good!"

The Empress was previously too intimidating.

The young ones in the palace, Yiming, Yi An, and even Yijing, were all afraid of her.

Consort Hui’s words were highly effective!

"Good! It’s good that you’re obedient!"

"Mother Empress will surely like you!"

Yi An nodded.

"Mother Consort, how’s elder sister? I haven’t seen her in days, is she being forced to learn needlework again by Consort Ning?"

Consort Hui tapped her nose.

"You, so young, why are you more worrying than the Sisters!"

"Consort Ning is elder sister’s mother consort, she would only cherish her, why force her?"

Yi An’s big eyes swirled about.

"Mother Consort, don’t lie, elder sister told me personally!"

Consort Hui scolded her with a look.

"Will you sleep or not, if not, I’ll leave and won’t mind you!"

Yi An quickly tucked her head in.

"Sleep, Yi An will sleep now!"

At Consort Ning’s place, upon returning she indeed went to the small Buddha hall to pray for the Empress.

She truly wished for the Empress’s early recovery, for one simple reason.

For years, she had followed the Empress’s lead.

That friendship wasn’t something outsiders could compare to.

If the Empress re-emerged, she would be the biggest beneficiary.

Unfortunately... her hopes were likely to be dashed.

This time the Empress was truly ill, and deeply so.

Next day, New Year’s Eve banquet.

Because of the Empress’s serious illness, the atmosphere was not good.

Although no one really cared about the Empress’s life or death.

Yet, appearances had to be maintained.

Even Zhao Junyao couldn’t celebrate extravagantly, pretending to be indifferent.

The Empress fell unconscious and never awoke.

From before the New Year, all the way past it.

On the fifth day of the new year, finally burnt out, she passed away.

It was in the middle of the night.

In the palace, the mourning bell rang, the court and harem received news first-hand, the entire court grieved!