[{"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-1050":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},411376,676,"Chapter 1050: The Selection","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1050",1050,"\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing bowed her head and thought for a while, then said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, you’ve already used that excuse!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if all of Jiangnan flooded, you can’t avoid the selection of fine ladies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he felt like he was being seen through, for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you know?\" He was quite surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petitions suggesting the selection of fine ladies from those civil officials were all kept in his study, unpublished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That matter shouldn’t have reached the harem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a guess!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been so many years, and you have only selected two ladies into the palace!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there’s no selection soon, I’ll become a jealous woman throughout history!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao looked at her with unchanged expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want them to enter the palace?\" His tone slightly deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing didn’t notice, and just helplessly spread her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao’s eyes lit up for a moment, and before he could say anything, Xia Ruqing added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I’m afraid of being a jealous woman!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those daughters from official families are all determined to come in, I can’t stop them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I really stop them, I’m afraid they’d curse me behind my back for blocking their fortune!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao pondered and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those women are willing to make any sacrifice and say anything to enter the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned, feeling helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d trained the women in the harem for so many years, and they had finally realized the reality and lived steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now he’s asked to select new ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows how long the commotion would last, it’s truly unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the Eldest Princess is already fourteen years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking him to accept a bunch of young girls his daughter’s age as concubines, it’s simply...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his father and even the ancestors did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still couldn’t quite accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave Xia Ruqing a cold look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her looking at him with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao felt extremely frustrated, his face immediately turned long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t you help think of a solution?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This little heartless, all those days of affection were in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing laughed with a ’pfft’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor, oh Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What solution could I have? Even if I have one, you wouldn’t want it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao suddenly raised his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What solution!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing leaned secretly closer to his ear and whispered a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao’s face turned green instantly, filled with shock and incredulity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing gave an even more mischievous smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s an ultimate solution, does the Emperor want it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao’s face turned darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you gloating?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suggesting that he was impotent! That was utterly ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just didn’t want to disappoint those young girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to sacrifice his lifetime reputation for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he couldn’t refuse them, let them into the palace, so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re not wolves and tigers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe he couldn’t handle a few women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought, the angrier he became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly picked her up, saying menacingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll know whether I’m impotent or not soon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing was startled, and as realization dawned, she felt a bit guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You asked for a solution!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao’s face was gloomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of nonsense is that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could such matters be joked about randomly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mumbling softly: \"You insisted on me saying it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words were finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was thrown onto the bed by him, pressed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the abrupt warmth of the spring night, the chamber remained cozy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The candle flames on the headboard flickered, casting a shadow of two mingling lovebirds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the red fragrant tent, the scene was enchanting and romantic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed neither fast nor slow into April.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several Jieyu had already moved to new residences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honored Lady Bai and Honored Lady Yang had also moved to Xifu Palace early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eldest Princess and the Third Princess were properly taken care of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, everyone was content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the concubines greeted her, they couldn’t stop thanking her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing smiled and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor is kind-hearted. As long as everyone stays out of trouble, leads a peaceful life, no one will dare to withhold your allowances!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Late Empress’s formal words she couldn’t learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also didn’t enjoy hearing endless flattery from the servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been in the harem for so many years and witnessed countless life and death moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those not smart have grown much more sensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their minds, a clear realization has formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’To live well, one must behave honestly!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Xia Ruqing didn’t want to ramble, simply told them straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behave honestly and you’ll have good days ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people below were happier, naturally flattered her more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t fond of listening, casually chatted about other matters, and dismissed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harem remained harmonious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decree for the selection of fine ladies hadn’t been issued yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as it’s been three years since the Late Empress passed away, and there was neither any disaster nor national crisis, the selection was bound to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families with eligible daughters were secretly preparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing also received many petitions from Ladies of Enjoin outside the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They detailed their daughters’ ages, appearances, conduct, and virtues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also a tradition in the Great Chu Dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families who wanted their daughters to participate in the selection would send a petition to give notice in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor showed intention, the selection wouldn’t be too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families not interested wouldn’t submit a petition, leaving their daughters’ selection up to fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In cases of the second kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Typically, an emperor, despite having a white beard and being an old man, would still hold a selection, and families hesitate over their daughters’ futures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, with someone like Zhao Junyao, young, promising and spirited, ministers in the court were definitely not going to miss this chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petitions around Xia Ruqing were like a flurry of snowflakes, some even sent from borders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It showed the immense allure of the Emperor husband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the piles of petitions filling the desk, Xia Ruqing felt overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are simply too many!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They keep coming, with no end!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she was mentally prepared, it was still hard to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used to think ’thousands of beautiful women in the harem’ was just a poet’s line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turns out, it was for real!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Enjoin status, those who could submit petitions to the palace were already so many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus those ordinary official daughters without Enjoin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Capital City, from outside, Fourth Rank, Fifth Rank, civil officials, military generals, those with titles, those with ranks, etc.!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding all together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of fine ladies in this selection...just thinking about it gave her goosebumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply tossed the petitions aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it, looking at them makes my head spin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll take a break and check on Yue Er!\" She said and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to leave, she heard a report from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor has arrived!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing felt a surge of irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is he here, isn’t he busy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is rare in broad daylight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though puzzled she still greeted him respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao strode in swiftly, gestured her to rise immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingqing! Quickly rise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While speaking, he firmly pulled her into the inner chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey hey hey, Emperor slow down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1237,"2026-05-30T07:41:33.085Z","2026-06-01T04:30:40.316Z",1,"novelbin.me","4c5d4ddc1e5b7209ad9d909b41e8b645abb3e85b2f27c701c7d701e0b0d78c3c","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1192","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-1191",1204,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-cover.jpg"]