[{"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-1026":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},411317,676,"Chapter 1026: Thankless Task","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1026",1026,"\u003Cp>As soon as he entered, he saw Xia Ruqing lounging on the kang, grinning foolishly at the falling leaves outside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression was enough to make him both laugh and cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingqing, you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the footsteps, Xia Ruqing quickly turned her head, exclaiming in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, you’re here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have good news to tell you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she got off the kang without performing a courtesy and pulled him to sit properly on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao was a bit curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What good news, I haven’t even had breakfast yet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, listen first and then eat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she recounted how she gathered all the concubines in the morning to discuss donations for the disaster victims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, she looked at him with an expression seeking praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao was stunned, incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re willing to donate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why wouldn’t they!\" Xia Ruqing was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao paused in disbelief, then couldn’t help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t you afraid they’ll talk about you behind your back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Doing thankless tasks like this, only you would dare!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not afraid of anything!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I repeatedly emphasized it’s not mandatory; they donated voluntarily!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao pinched her cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You yourself donated five thousand taels first; who wouldn’t dare donate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, nobody could not donate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing then told him how much everyone had donated, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Zhao Junyao pondered for a moment and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Consort Hui and Consort Cheng don’t have much at home, and a thousand taels is basically all their savings!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those at the concubine level who donated five hundred taels probably found it a bit tough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for those Honored Ladies below, giving even one or two hundred taels is probably their best effort!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao knew the petty matters in the palace better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lower they were, the harder life was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing could relate deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s true indeed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back when I was a favored Honored Lady, I couldn’t save much silver myself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also a group of Palace Attendants to support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the rewards were too few, people would gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Kitchen needed to be greased, or you wouldn’t get decent meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Internal Affairs needed greasing, or next time, you’d get a pile of old unusable items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tailoring department especially needed greasing, or you wouldn’t even have decent clothes to wear, only old and ugly garments made for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly calculated, at the end of the month, there wouldn’t be much left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few hundred taels were really asking for too much...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever she thought of, she suddenly looked up at Zhao Junyao with a gaze full of jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, are you feeling sorry for them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also donated all my savings!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five thousand taels, she had saved for a long, long time, okay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already felt sorry for his little wives before anything even happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao was amused by her about-to-explode look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I be feeling sorry for them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m thinking about you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If those women below were unhappy, they’d likely cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’d be better to provide them with good food and drinks, it’s not like I can’t afford it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they live well and behave, the harem will remain peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing gave it a thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It does make sense, I didn’t consider it thoroughly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking so, she lowered her head, looking guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, upon reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a generous allowance, didn’t need to curry favor with anyone, and no one dared to shortchange her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without savings, it didn’t affect her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those women were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were so many expenses in the harem, and much greasing needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why Zhao Junyao was always generous with them, providing ample allowances and ensuring their sustenance was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rules were strict; the Ministry of Internal Affairs didn’t dare to shortchange anyone lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the women in the harem, though not favored, didn’t cause trouble over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With good food and drinks, everyone managed to get by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now she had drained their savings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This... was indeed not good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking on this, she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if... we return their donations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao looked at her with a half-smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just some silver; our Great Chu Dynasty isn’t that impoverished!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything will be fine with me here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With him as Emperor, there was no need for Qingqing to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been years since anyone was promoted!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After this flood disaster is over, let’s promote them one by one at the end of the year as a reward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just to ensure they live well!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing was no longer jealous and tugged on his sleeve, giggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, you’re wonderful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had many concubines, she didn’t consider him unfaithful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, she thought he was responsible and caring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to be harsh to the other women just for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would make him appear narrow-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a person, placed in the 21st century, would surely be considered a perfect man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this made her heart itch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I really want to bring him to modern times!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She truly wanted to see what life, as an ancient emperor, he would have in today’s world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he, like her, need to work because he lacked skills?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haha, what an anticipation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After discussing serious matters, breakfast was served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it had been getting colder lately, it was time to put on some autumn weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao had been busy for half a year and had lost quite a bit of weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she prepared a ginseng chicken soup, a red date pork rib dish, and stewed venison. All were health-enhancing delicacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, there were light vegetable dishes of stir-fried baby cabbage, crispy salted peanuts, and shrimp with winter melon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Porridge choices included slow-cooked millet porridge and red bean and mixed fruit porridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Main dishes featured egg yolk buns, vegetarian pan-fried buns, and fresh meat dumplings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last dish was Xia Ruqing’s favorite shrimp dumplings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shrimp in them were whole and burst with flavor in each bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xia Ruqing looked at the dishes on the table, her fingers itched to start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, these soups are all stewed for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing, with her mouth watering, served Zhao Junyao some soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your drool is almost in the bowl!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing, annoyed, turned red and raised her spoon to hit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao instinctively dodged a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two then looked at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, your concubine is guilty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingqing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao’s voice shook slightly, a hint of joy in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had just been playfully bickering, like a common couple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was heartwarming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao leaned in to embrace her, and their eyes locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance closed, just as they were about to kiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, childish voice suddenly sounded from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father! Mother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two hastily pulled apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance, Yue Er was already running over on her little feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, Mother, Yue Er is hungry too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing, amused and exasperated, bent down to pick up her daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You little thing, you’ve learned to time your meals like your father?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The food Wetnurse Nanny makes isn’t good enough? Do you have to come and mooch off your mother’s?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Er, eyes sparkling, looked at the table and said in a babyish voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother’s food smells so nice!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Look, even our daughter knows you’re a glutton!’\u003C\u002Fp>",1261,"2026-05-30T07:41:33.085Z","2026-06-01T04:30:40.316Z",1,"novelbin.me","0957085f4afd1876c795c62e6864998466da3fe81911a87351a822eab8d584b7","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1157","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1156",1204,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-cover.jpg"]