[{"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-938":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},411173,676,"Chapter 938: Lantern Festival","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-938",938,"\u003Cp>On the fifth day of the first month, it was the anniversary of the Late Empress’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the harem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the highest-ranking Noble Consort, Xia Ruqing\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>needed to lead the concubines out of the palace to pay respects at the Imperial Mausoleum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They set off before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they returned, it was already pitch dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a day of such exhausting activities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sixth day, things finally settled down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the sun was high, she had no intention of getting up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all the hustle and bustle, she was weary and sore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally having a moment to unwind, she indulged in a well-deserved lie-in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cozily embraced her quilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeezing her eyes shut, she turned back and forth on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Zi Yue and Zi Su understood that she didn’t want to get up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they waited outside, not daring to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing rubbed herself absent-mindedly on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, she felt something furry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Hmm? What’s this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without opening her eyes, she continued to touch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large garment? Not quite!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before sleeping, she remembered Zi Yue had tidied up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it... a sleeve warmer or a muffler? It didn’t quite feel right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh? How come it’s damp as well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing sensed something was wrong and abruptly opened her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only to find her hands covered in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon further inspection, that furry object turned out to be a ’dead mouse!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\" She let out a piercing scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She jumped up in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mouse is probably the thing girls fear the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially a bloody dead mouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it appeared so close to her bedside unexpectedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone in her position would be horrified!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing was no exception, shrinking into the corner of the bed, tears almost falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue and Zi Su heard the commotion and rushed in immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, what’s happened to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing extended her hand, trembling as she pointed to the bed’s headboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mo...mouse!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls were equally terrified, freezing in place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue turned pale with fear, her legs went weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su, however, was a bit braver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the initial fear, she quickly calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam...come down first, I’ll go call for help right away!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she bypassed the dead mouse to support her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing’s legs were wobbly, but she managed to get down, still trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yue also snapped back to reality, clutching her chest in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam...how did this happen, we were guarding outside, how could this be here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing’s mind was half-frozen, she shook her head instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cat meowed from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Meow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They saw Da Bai elegantly perched on the windowsill, looking at them smugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing glanced at it, then at the bloodied mouse on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A realization dawned on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it was you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Bai squinted its eyes, its expression seemed to say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked, here’s a surprise for you, what? You don’t like it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing patted her chest, laughing and crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t like it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Bai was a bit miffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With graceful cat steps, it leaped to the bed, picked up the blood-soaked mouse, and placed it before her once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then raised its white paw and nudged it toward her, as if saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t like it? How could you not? Such a big and plump mouse, surely you like it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a long breath, laughing and crying she crouched down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubbing Da Bai’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I really don’t like it, take it back and eat it yourself, be a good boy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Bai lowered its head, somewhat incredulous, yet somewhat understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubbing its paws, it picked up its prized mouse again, gracefully stepping out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Xia Ruqing and Zi Yue and Zi Su breathe a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it was Da Bai!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su hesitated a moment, then broke out in laughter mixed with tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It...it must have been grateful to you, Madam!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing patted her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t need such gratitude...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But...at least my care for it wasn’t in vain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the animals expressed gratitude in a peculiar way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her Duanning Palace, after all, had some warmth, didn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, maybe animal warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, no matter what, her heart felt warm, just joyous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Da Bai took the mouse away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing spent the whole morning outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Su and Zi Yue, along with a few little palace maids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Removed all the bed sheets and quilts and exchanged them for new ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They opened all the windows to let the bloody scent out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then lit incense to freshen the room’s air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Busy until noon, they finally rearranged everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Xia Ruqing dare enter the room, everything was back to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time flew by, and it was soon the Lantern Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both inside and outside the palace, things became lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every courtyard in the palace was adorned with various lanterns, shining beautifully at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the Capital City streets were even more bustling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Street vendors selling lanterns, roadside stalls selling snacks, from commoners to noble ladies who rarely ventured out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this festival, they all went out to join the fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole Capital City street was abuzz with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In past years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ruqing enjoyed going out with Zhao Junyao to see the lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with the Empress’s position vacant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it just being the anniversary of the Empress’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t really make a fuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palace consorts couldn’t leave the palace at will, which would lead to gossip if seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things like:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress’s anniversary just passed, and the Noble Consort eagerly went out to play, showing disrespect to the Late Empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors spread quickly, they might end up misrepresented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that her three children were somewhat aware of things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she herself was gossiped about, it was one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But dragging the children into it would not be worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this year she didn’t go anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year due to the Empress’s funeral, the entire Royal Family didn’t celebrate properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, they said they would make up for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, on the Lantern Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor decided to host a family banquet at the Empress Dowager’s Ningshou Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Dragon Boat Festival of the previous year, when the Empress Dowager’s attendants were replaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had become quite disheartened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But face was important to the Imperial Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Junyao merely kept her under soft house arrest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her meals, clothing, and daily needs were still lavish, she was not mistreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, Zhao Junyao was the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Emperor must maintain face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it’s just for appearances, he must \"act\" filial, right?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he was \"busy\" managing affairs and had no time, he often sent people to visit his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, the Empress Dowager ignored it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, perhaps she figured something out, she didn’t refuse anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even cooperated, playing the role of a loving mother to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, motherly love and filial piety, all appeared harmonious once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Royal Family banquet was similar to previous New Year’s Eve feasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noble Consort Xian wasn’t qualified, the Empress Dowager was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hosting at Ningshou Palace was just right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being a family banquet, the number of guests wasn’t many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the inner and outer relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from a few old princes and old princess consorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also Empress Dowager Zhen and several other Imperial Noble Consorts.\u003C\u002Fp>",1263,"2026-05-30T07:41:23.310Z","2026-06-01T04:30:40.316Z",1,"novelbin.me","4310f500fb1a985d7589a2eab41658693f8f6b149eee587e595565a480fc1def","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-939","a-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-chapter-937",1204,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-foodie-transmigrated-into-the-palace-cover.jpg"]