A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1072 - 1073: Not Jealous at All

As evening descended, Zhao Junyao arrived.

Exhausted from a full day of labors, he looked utterly drained.

Upon entering, he switched into fresh attire and reclined on the lounge with eyes shut.

Xia Ruqing offered him a cup of tea, inquiring with curiosity.

"Has something happened?"

Zhao Junyao stayed quiet briefly before speaking.

"The Northwestern brigands grow ever more audacious, resisting all suppression efforts. Lately, there have been numerous cases of bandits pillaging and setting fires, but oddly..."

"The western region has seen no calamities for two years now; folks have plenty to eat and wear, so why stir chaos? Where do these bandits really originate?"

Typically, only relentless disasters that make life unbearable push people to band together and rebel.

Even turning to banditry, surviving through theft and extortion for sustenance and coin.

Absent disasters, content in their lives, who would idly choose the bandit path?

Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes.

No matter the angle, this felt profoundly suspicious.

Xia Ruqing nodded in contemplation.

"The Emperor is spot on!"

"Folks cherish tranquil times!"

"Unprovoked troublemakers surely hide something fishy!"

Yet...

The exact nature of this oddity remains unclear; clues are scarce, judgment tough, so vigilance must continue.

Xia Ruqing nodded once more.

"Your Majesty, fret not excessively; the Southwest Commander is seasoned and won't let the populace endure hardship."

Zhao Junyao showed no worry.

"Hardship won't occur!"

"However, fear and unrest breed nothing good!"

Xia Ruqing grew intrigued.

"Could these bandits be scheming with foreign tribes to plunder?"

Those nomadic tribes dwell in the icy northwestern wastes, where winter blizzards leave the land barren all year.

No forage means starving herds, and famine for the people.

In desperation, they eye the Great Chu Dynasty's riches.

In former years, they snatched some gains.

Lately, Great Chu has surged in might and wealth.

Borders stand fortified solidly.

The vast power gap compels their retreat.

Hence... they plot covert alliances.

Zhao Junyao gazed at Xia Ruqing, chuckled, and caressed her hair.

"Enough!"

"Such affairs are mine to handle!"

"You remain safe and sound in the palace!"

Xia Ruqing pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.

"The nation's fate concerns us all!"

"I too belong to Great Chu!"

Zhao Junyao laughed lightly.

"Fine, fine!"

"Great Chu's Empress! Night deepens; shall we retire?"

Xia Ruqing flushed red and swatted his hand.

"After all these years, how are you still so brazen?"

Zhao Junyao, shameless as ever, calmly countered.

"Being intimate with my Empress is entirely proper; where's the impropriety?"

Xia Ruqing blushed deeper and shoved his hand.

"It's improper, I say so... Hey..."

Her words cut short.

Strong arms pulled her into an embrace and carried her to the bed.

Beneath the Mid-Autumn full moon, the sky's orb gleams perfectly round, mirroring the earth's joyful unions.

Husband and wife clung fiercely, akin to devoted mandarin ducks vowing eternal bond.

...

Dawn saw Xia Ruqing rise early.

Henger and Yeye prepare to depart in days.

Xiao Xizi, Xiao Zhu Zi, and the maids bustle packing belongings.

After freshening up and donning fine garb, she went to oversee, wary of oversights or damages.

At that moment, Little Zhuzi approached to pay homage and bowed low.

"Greetings, Empress!"

Xia Ruqing smiled, gesturing him to rise.

"Up you go, what's the news?"

Little Zhuzi stood with an eager grin.

"Eunuch Li dispatched me to relay!"

"The Emperor plans breakfast here; kindly prepare!"

Xia Ruqing acknowledged.

"Got it!"

Lately, Zhao Junyao skipped shared meals.

His visit today suggests lighter duties, perhaps?

She pondered little.

Instructing Xiao Zhu Zi to guide Little Zhuzi away, she added reminders before dismissing.

...

Back in the main chamber, Xia Ruqing picked Zhao Junyao's favored fare.

"Add tiger-skin eggs, smashed cucumbers, rice wine dumplings, plus two bowls of mushroom chicken soup noodles; handle the rest, but keep it hearty and savory!"

The robust Emperor shuns sweets; she knew this well!

Tasks assigned.

Roughly half a Shi Chen passed before Zhao Junyao strode in.

Formal salutes exchanged.

Xia Ruqing held her belly, feigning complaint.

"At last you're here; serve the food quick, I'm famished!"

Zhao Junyao grinned.

"Qingqing, you've endured much!"

He scanned about.

"Where is Yue Er?"

"Yue Er finished eating and dashed happily to the Imperial Garden with Wetnurse Sister to chase butterflies!"

Xia Ruqing answered, helpless expression.

Acquainted with his daughter's wild spirit, Zhao Junyao dropped the topic.

Chopsticks in hand, they shared the morning meal.

Signature dishes retained their familiar delight; a few mouthfuls earned his nod.

"Delicious!"

Xia Ruqing slid forward Chef Jiang's latest noodle creation.

"Your Majesty, sample this?"

"It features Sichuan pepper oil—numbness without heat, like your tongue tingling in delight!"

One taste hooked her instantly.

Zhao Junyao eyed the noodle bowl.

Creamy white broth resembled polished jade, noodles perfectly separated, elegantly arranged.

Slender chicken slices bobbed amid gossamer mushroom slivers.

Leaning close, the stewed chicken-mushroom scent tantalized, stirring appetite.

He inhaled deeply, then plucked a noodle strand with chopsticks for trial.

Soon, his face lit from neutral to impressed.

"Excellent!"

Noodles offered subtle yet profound savoriness.

Sipping broth revealed freshness, silkiness, depth, dominated by earthy mushrooms.

Zhao Junyao dove in heartily, palate pleased, heaping acclaim on the dish.

"Wonderful!"

"Only at Qingqing's do I savor meals truly to my palate!"

Xia Ruqing playfully wound a noodle, grinning.

"Harem holds countless consorts!"

"Should the Emperor seek, other delights await surely!"

Zhao Junyao laid down utensils, tweaking her nose.

"Jealous, are we?"

Xia Ruqing steadied herself, feigning poise.

"No!"

"Jealousy? I'm the Empress—why bother?"

Zhao Junyao smirked slyly, silent.

Inside, smug satisfaction swelled.

’Not jealous?’

’Then whose sulks have I witnessed lately?’

Xia Ruqing:

’Beats me; certainly not mine!’

...

Breakfast concluded.

Xia Ruqing joined the group heading to the Imperial Garden for her daughter.

Meanwhile, Zhao Junyao headed to the Imperial Study for paperwork.

Upon the study desk.

A tidy pile of reports from across the realm.

Clad in everyday dragon robes, Zhao Junyao gripped the crimson imperial pen.

He pored over each document intently, then inscribed notes diligently.

The vermillion strokes flew like soaring dragons and soaring phoenixes across the pages.

Piles of reports dwindled rapidly.