[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace":3,"chapter-a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1008":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},411293,676,"Chapter 1008: Phoenix Crown","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1008",1008,"\u003Cp>March went by in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By April, after the Spring Equinox, the weather gradually warmed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shedding thick clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Er learned to walk in February and can now chase Yellow Bean all around the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a small garden in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao had transplanted a few plum blossoms, and under Xiao Zhu Zi’s careful attention, they thrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing stood under the veranda, dressed in casual clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the lush greenery, her mood was exceptionally bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked Zi Yue and Zi Su to bring the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone under the grapevine in the courtyard, ready to paint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, last month our courtyard was full of blooming flowers, why didn’t you paint then, but now you want to paint?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These flowers have all wilted, what are you going to paint?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Busy setting up the paper, Xia Ruqing didn’t even look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who told you I want to paint our courtyard?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue was even more puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re not painting the courtyard, what are you painting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue pointed to a stack of books nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop asking, just wait and see!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Empress may not write well, but she’s quite good at painting!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s true!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two have grown quite bold, daring to tease me to my face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue and Zi Su giggled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, hurry and paint!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two laughed while attentively laying out the paper and grinding the ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing lightly tapped both of them on the forehead, then lowered her head to pick up a book, turning the pages one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she reached the folded pages, she stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a few strokes, she sketched on the scroll, then continued flipping, repeating this several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about half a Shi Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outline on the rice paper before her gradually became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, is this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this a piece of headwear?\" Zi Su examined it closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing shook her head to correct her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a Phoenix Crown!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next month is the Dragon Boat Festival, the palace will host a banquet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I’ll have to wear that thing again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the last ceremony when she was crowned Empress, she wore the Phoenix Crown for a day and it nearly caused her to faint from its weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it goes on like this, her body surely won’t be able to handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, she wants to redesign her Phoenix Crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao agreed as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She borrowed many jewelry design books from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, looking for inspiration for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She marked all the pages with details she liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, she was improving on these details, blending them into her design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And voilà.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her efforts, the outline nearly emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remains is detailing and color matching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su stared in wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, this looks quite similar to the previous Crown!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue quickly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Phoenix Crown naturally looks this way; do you expect to change it into a flower?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it’s already changed a lot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pointed out several places, explaining each to Zi Su.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing also smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zi Yue pays attention to detail, Zi Su, you should learn from her!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su felt a bit embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, your servant has learned!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue asked from beside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, you haven’t colored it yet? Which color do you like?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talking about colors, Xia Ruqing also felt quite troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She put down her brush and gazed into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When it comes to colors, it’s not simple!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My initial intention in redesigning the Phoenix Crown was to lighten the weight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To lighten the weight, the material is key!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the material changes, the color will be different; hence, the color must follow the material!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue and Zi Su said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This... is too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Empress doesn’t know, they won’t chime in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing leisurely sat on the stool, unhurriedly pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, she already had ideas in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wanted to see if there might be a better way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zi Su, go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and find their most experienced jewel craftsman!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember, don’t ask for the steward, but the craftsmen who do the work and have experience!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su responded quickly and went off at a brisk pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the craftsman was found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an elderly master with greying hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being an old man under broad daylight, there was no need to avoid any impropriety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Xia Ruqing, he knelt from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Servants pay respects to Empress, wishing Empress prosperity and safety!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His manners were quite proper; clearly, he’d served in the palace for most of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing smiled and quickly bid him rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have a seat, Zi Yue, get him a chair!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue responded, about to fetch one, but the old master knelt again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Servants thank Empress for the grace!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing said nothing, simply waved for him to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, instructed Zi Su to give him her drawings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I called you here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mainly to ask, if this design for the Phoenix Crown, can be made as light as possible!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With respect, the old master took the drawings and carefully reviewed them under the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a tea lamp’s time, he set down the drawings to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reporting to Empress, to lighten the weight, the material must be changed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Among the jewelry, brass is the lightest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All made from brass will cut the weight by more than half!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old master hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say what you really think!\" Xia Ruqing encouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master felt embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, traditionally, the Phoenix Crown is crafted from pure gold, befitting your distinguished status!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Changing the material...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If people find out, it’s disrespectful and undignified! How could the Empress wear a worthless crown without ridicule?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hence... we need the Ministry of Internal Affairs to keep it secret!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\" The old master was dumbstruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You crafted it, you know its weight better than me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Worn too long, fear it might ruin the neck!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s more important, my dignity, or my well-being?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beads of sweat appeared on the old master’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a craftsman; he didn’t understand this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He racked his brains, left and right, unable to utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he rose to kneel on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Servants will follow Empress’s benevolent decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing finally smiled with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have only three requirements!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, lightness. Second... the material change must be unnoticeable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the third, secrecy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In essence, it should look like solid gold, yet feel much lighter, and must remain unknown!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old craftsman wiped sweat from his brow, trembling as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress, rest assured, the old servant will strive to accomplish it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing nodded contentedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you succeed, you will be well rewarded!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she signaled to Zi Yue with her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue timely handed over a package of silver ingot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is for you from the Empress; accomplish the task and there is more reward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Empress!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1197,"2026-05-30T07:41:33.085Z","2026-06-01T04:30:40.316Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c4efd2a4b8032b93420a78725f01969f7dc4f1cce71d5383ed51f4aeb850179","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1009","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1007",1204,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-cover.jpg"]