A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1021: Unlucky

Xia Ruqing nodded in realization.

"If this were true, Xia Ruyi would be quite unlucky..."

Zhao Junyao smiled but said nothing.

Xia Ruqing thought for a while and asked again.

"Emperor, do you have any opinion?"

He raised an eyebrow and spread his hands.

"No!"

If it weren’t for Qingqing, he wouldn’t care about these matters.

Even if his sixth brother were getting married, Empress Dowager Zhen would handle it.

If not, there is still the Empress Dowager; it wouldn’t be his concern at all.

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Indeed, you are the Emperor, aren’t you?"

Zhao Junyao asked her.

"Qingqing, do you have any opinion?"

If she is willing to consider sisterhood, he is willing to lend a hand; if she is unwilling...

Then it equals not asking.

Xia Ruqing was also a stubborn person and directly said.

"I have no opinion, and I don’t want to care!"

It wasn’t deliberate joy in watching a spectacle or anything.

She had already warned Xia Ruyi at the beginning, but she wasn’t interested.

If she were to intervene now,

Perhaps not only would people not appreciate it, but they would also say she can’t bear to see others live well.

Rather than putting a hot face against a cold attitude, it’s better not to care.

"Then I won’t care either, let them be!"

Xia Ruqing smiled faintly.

A moment later, she shifted the topic elsewhere.

The two talked for a while longer, and seeing that it was late, they went to bed early to rest.

...

The engagement of the Third Miss Xia didn’t cause much reaction in the palace.

Outside the palace, however, it caused quite a storm.

Opinions were divided, and debates were fierce.

Some said:

"The Third Miss Xia is of good birth and good looks, more than enough for the Sixth Prince!"

After all, he is a lame man.

Even if he is granted the title of Commandery Prince in the future, he can only rely on the stipend to live. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He will not have any actual power and is destined not to achieve anything significant.

In other words, his life would be just like that.

Moreover, his descendants will gradually become marginalized by the Royal Family; the current position as Commandery Prince is basically the peak.

The future is destined to go downhill with no prospects.

Others said.

The Third Miss Xia has overreached for the Sixth Prince.

No matter how bad the Sixth Prince is, he is still a member of the Royal Family.

The title of Princess Consort is still quite impressive among the noble women in the Capital City.

Even if he is a cripple needing to marry lower,

in the Capital City, there are countless young ladies from families of the fifth, sixth, even third, or fourth rank officials, who wish to marry him.

And she, Xia Ruyi, what ranks? The daughter of a Seventh Rank County Magistrate?

Even if she is the Empress’ sister, the Young Lady of the Minister’s Mansion’s sister, Marquis Zhongyong’s sister.

But who doesn’t know she and her siblings are at odds?

In the Capital City, with a little stir, nothing can be concealed, and people aren’t blind or foolish.

Who can be fooled by such a thing?

Therefore... the second opinion quickly gained the upper hand.

For a time, whether out of jealousy or disdain, all kinds of gossip like an avalanche poured in.

Xia Ruyi had no power to resist.

She looked venomously at her cautious maid, Pan Zhu, and coldly asked.

"Who exactly is plotting against me? Have you found out?"

Pan Zhu shook her head weakly.

"No, I haven’t..."

"Miss!"

"I ordered someone to investigate, but there are rumors all over the Capital, I... don’t know..."

"Pow!"

Before Pan Zhu could finish, a vicious slap landed on her.

A five-finger mark instantly appeared on her cheek, burning with pain.

She felt more wronged, instantly falling down and covering her face.

"Miss, I..."

Unexpectedly, Xia Ruyi slapped her again.

Pan Zhu’s other cheek immediately swelled up.

"Ah! Miss, I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong!" she cried in fear.

Xia Ruyi’s eyes were sharp, and she snorted coldly.

"I am about to become a Princess Consort, and you, as a close maid, are incompetent and accomplish nothing!"

"I asked you to gather information, and you couldn’t even do that!"

"You’re useless! Why would I keep you?!"

Pan Zhu quickly kowtowed.

"Miss!"

"Miss, please calm down!"

"I know I was wrong, please don’t cast me out!"

"It’s just that the Capital is too big, and we have no social circle, the only way to gather information is to ask Princess Hai Feng, so..."

Pan Zhu’s words revealed the truth, and also Xia Ruyi’s sore point.

She had a low status and indeed few people were willing to associate with her.

Only Princess Hai Feng had helped her from the beginning.

Helped her plan for a way out, helped her try to win over Empress Dowager Zhen, helped her to match with the Sixth Prince.

Without Princess Hai Feng, there wouldn’t be her today.

However...

Xia Ruyi wasn’t stupid.

She had no relation to Princess Hai Feng.

And she had paid such a high price to help her, it couldn’t be explained simply as a good connection.

So, she must also pay some other price.

As for what it is, she doesn’t know yet.

So now she avoids getting too involved! The more debts she owes, the harder they are to repay.

If there comes a day...

’No "if," I must marry into the family!’ Xia Ruyi resolutely decided with sharp eyes.

If Xia Ruqing knew her mindset at this moment, she would surely reflect:

"See? I’ve said, not everyone knows what’s good or bad."

"You can get up!" Xia Ruyi sighed.

Not seeing any intention of Xia Ruyi to expel her, Pan Zhu got up after thanking with more kowtows.

...

The rumors intensified.

Xia Ruyi had no choice but to send others to investigate, but still to no avail.

With no other option.

She had to brave the pressure and invite Ni Manxue and Xia Caiying out.

The meeting place was in the most upscale restaurant in the Capital.

Initially, the two didn’t want to go, but everyone is still family on the surface, so a bit of face had to be given.

So they went.

The most upscale restaurant was indeed luxurious.

As soon as they entered, they could tell it apart.

The tables and chairs in the common hall were all painted red and carved with intricate patterns, exquisite in design.

Around each table, pearl curtains were thoughtfully draped.

There was a sense of luxury and mystery mingling.

Unlike the chaos and noise of small eateries with lively shouting and gaming.

"Tsk, tsk, if the first-floor hall is so elegant, how luxurious could the upper-level boxes be?"

Ni Manxue whispered as they walked.

Xia Caiying’s eyes were already wide open.

"Oh my, there exists a restaurant like this in the world? I have never seen it before!"

"The dishes here must be... no, they must be very expensive!"

Ni Manxue chuckled and pulled her hand.

"Ahem, stay calm!"

"Don’t let anyone see through!"

Just then.

The shop assistant appeared.

"Welcome, ladies, please come inside!"

The neatly dressed shop assistant wore a mild smile with just the right amount of enthusiasm.

No grease, no flattery, different from those before.

Ni Manxue smiled lightly and nodded, walking elegantly inside.

Xia Caiying did likewise, remaining calm.

"Are the two ladies just having meals or staying over?"

Ni Manxue answered indifferently.

"We have an appointment with someone, surname Xia, in the upstairs compartment!"

Upon hearing the surname Xia, the shop assistant suddenly understood and led them over without another word.

After a circuitous route.

The sisters-in-law finally met Xia Ruyi.

Upon meeting.

They exchanged fake pleasantries with forced smiles and took seats.

Ni Manxue looked at Xia Ruyi, seeing her well-dressed and adorned with costly jewelry, she laughed.

"Third sister’s status is now different than before, we haven’t yet congratulated you!"