A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1068: Ready for Battle

He wrinkled his forehead, pondering, "How could you allow your daughter to eat this way without intervening!"

Xia Ruqing responded casually,

"Yue Er is nearly three years old; it's time for her to gain some independence!"

"She ought to at least master using chopsticks!"

Zhao Junyao's face grew a touch somber.

In his mind, "My precious daughter is always surrounded by servants. Not at three years old, but even at thirty..."

Er... thirty might be stretching it a bit!

Zhao Junyao pictured a grown woman of thirty who still couldn't feed herself and required spoon-feeding.

That scene would be utterly mortifying.

Fine, he conceded that Qingqing had a point.

Let her learn it is!

Yet watching Yue Er devour her food like that still tugged at his heart.

Zhao Junyao kept a sullen expression.

Xia Ruqing acted oblivious and joyfully piled more food onto the Emperor's plate with her chopsticks.

"Your Majesty, give this a taste. Today's pounded lotus root is exceptionally delicious!"

"The shrimp filling inside is super fresh and crunchy!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

She appeared so delighted, making him feel small-minded.

Zhao Junyao pressed his slender lips together slightly, grasped his chopsticks, and dined in silence.

Xia Ruqing felt an unexplained surge of cheer.

Haha, a tiny victory at last.

Following the midday meal.

The pair reclined on the bed for a siesta.

Xia Ruqing brimmed with satisfaction, while Zhao Junyao looked troubled.

"Your Majesty, what troubles you?" she asked curiously.

"Don't fret over Yue Er; I understand the boundaries!"

"Or should I simply heed your preference and halt her lessons?"

Noting Zhao Junyao's look, a hint of unease stirred in her.

Zhao Junyao offered a soft smile.

"No need!"

"We'll stick to your approach!"

Xia Ruqing: "..." So why the lack of joy?!

"Your Majesty, is it due to the selection of fine ladies?"

Truthfully, she too wondered why he picked such women!

All of them appeared scheming, far from simple to manage!

Zhao Junyao pulled her into his embrace and chuckled mildly.

"Each serves a purpose!"

"When handling them, show no mercy!"

Xia Ruqing: "..." Naturally!

Those women might stir chaos, but the Emperor's strategies looked mighty!

Maybe it tied into palace schemes?

Such matters lay beyond her grasp!

Xia Ruqing simply giggled.

"Then I'll stop fretting. Their standings are yours to decide!"

Zhao Junyao gave a nod.

"We'll discuss it later. Rest now!"

With that, he shut his eyes in fatigue.

Exhausted!

Floods ravaged Jiangnan, while northwest bandits began stirring, harming countless commoners.

The previous night, a urgent dispatch from the northwest arrived straight at Zhaochen Palace.

He had strategized with key military aides all night long.

The next fortnight demanded immense effort.

The harem could wait; he had no bandwidth now.

Let them simmer; he'd deal when able.

Xia Ruqing held her tongue.

She meekly shut her eyes.

All at once, guilt washed over her.

'Had she misjudged him?'

'As Emperor, Zhao Junyao had beheld every beauty under heaven!'

'From curvaceous to slender, what woman hadn't he encountered or embraced?'

'Would he truly abandon her for these?'

'Furthermore, if his affections had shifted, why choose these? Why not superior ones?'

He avoided fine selections to spare them heartbreak, right?

Reflecting thus, Xia Ruqing felt profound respect and awe for him.

Indeed, heaven's true darling!

Gazing at his weary sleeping visage, her heart ached sharply.

He cared for her so deeply, yet she failed to comprehend.

Far from wrath, he showed such patience!

Xia Ruqing's eyes rimmed with red.

Softly, she extended her hand to caress his firm features.

Her fingers delicately followed the lines of his face.

A deep sigh escaped her.

'If only you weren't the Emperor—what fortune that would bring!'

Alas...

(Perfection in life remains elusive, doesn't it?)

...

As the month neared its end.

The weather hovered mild; skies sparkled clear; osmanthus perfume wafted through the air.

Chrysanthemums burst vibrantly in the Imperial Garden.

Colors rivaled Yunjin brocade, scents drifting afar.

Drawing elegantly attired palace maids to revel there.

Amid the lush blooms.

Two youthful ladies in splendid attire, hair cascading freely, pursued one another with pink fans.

"Second sister, hold on for me!"

"Third sister, quicken your pace; the butterfly will escape!"

Ahead, a grand blue butterfly with white flecks rested truly on a rosy-purple chrysanthemum.

Sunlight dusted the garden in gold.

The butterfly basked in rays, wings fluttering gracefully like a celestial sprite.

The girls held their breaths, creeping closer fan in hand.

At last, they pounced—the butterfly flitted off.

The pair bumped into each other.

Each yelped "ouch," clutching heads with furrowed brows, expressions brimming with dismay.

Nearby attendants hurried forth.

"Princess, are you hurt?"

"Is the princess fine!"

After massaging their bumps till pain subsided.

They waved off maids and eunuchs, dashing off to frolic anew.

...

Close by at Qifang Pavilion.

Consort Zheng and Consort Yun met for tea.

Consort Zheng chuckled.

"The Third Princess in sister's care grows ever smarter and more adorable!"

"No surprise the Emperor graced sister several times last month!"

Consort Yun fanned gently and smiled.

"Several times? He merely dined and departed!"

Consort Zheng laughed promptly.

"Isn't that plenty? I glimpsed the Emperor once last month, without even a meal!"

"Sister ought to cherish it!"

The Emperor and Empress shared an unbreakable bond, known to court and harem alike.

No rivalry could touch them.

Steady living promised smooth sails.

Consort Yun smiled subtly too.

"I'm utterly thankful!"

After years of hardship, reclaiming consort status unexpectedly.

A concubine might head a palace too.

Yet consort outranked concubine worlds apart.

Even allowances doubled!

With principal status and half a daughter, what more could she desire?

Consort Zheng smiled warmly, sipping tea.

After savoring the view awhile, they bantered lightly.

The talk drifted to this year's fine ladies.

Consort Zheng remarked,

"This batch of six stands out remarkably!"

"They appear... quite challenging to manage!"

Consort Yun chuckled.

"Whether simple or tough, it's not our affair!"

"Did they dream of Noble Consort status upon entry?"

Even esteemed Consort Hui and Consort Cheng held mere consort ranks.

What of these fresh palace newcomers!

"Exactly!"

Consort Zheng sipped tea contentedly.

"They'd better stay in line."

"If they stir mischief, may it not reach us!"

Consort Yun beamed.

"And if it does?"

"I'm eager to settle some scores!"

Thus, they shared knowing grins and resumed flower-gazing.

...

Truth be told, caution gripped not just them.

Consort Hui and Consort Cheng stood equally vigilant.

In the palace depths, ascending to consort none lacked wits.

They shunned trouble, yet feared none!

Upon reflection...

Xia Ruqing needn't fret; her underlings could manage just fine!