A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1079: Moving into the Palace

Within less than half a Shi Chen, the Emperor's decree swept across the entire Harem.

Xia Ruqing learned of it first, and she was the first to stand frozen in shock.

"Crown Prince?"

She struggled to express her swirling emotions.

It's like... an event beyond imagination crashes down on you abruptly.

With zero mental readiness, you're thrust into facing it head-on.

She stayed dazed for a moment before snapping back to reality.

A sense of worry then gripped her.

"Chenchen is only ten years old... Chenchen’s birthday is this month..."

"Chenchen... he’s still so young!"

Ten years old—he remains just a child!

Worry surged through her instinctively.

No, it was sheer worry, not delight.

She feared her son would shoulder far heavier pressures from here on.

She dreaded that Chenchen would face stricter imperial schooling.

She agonized that this tender child would endure greater toils and weariness.

Having lived in this ancient world for countless years,

no one grasped it better than her: Emperorship offered no pleasure, Crown Prince the same!

Outwardly, it gleamed with boundless splendor and supremacy.

But the concealed torments were inconceivable to average folk!

Just the thought chilled her to the bone; she couldn't endure it!

As she lingered in bewilderment,

a little eunuch's voice boomed from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Xia Ruqing pulled her wits together and rose swiftly to welcome him.

After formal greetings, Zhao Junyao escorted her to the inner room.

Noting her ashen face, he smiled and inquired.

"Qingqing, what’s wrong?"

Trembling and smileless, Xia Ruqing asked in a quivering tone.

"Emperor..."

"Such a huge decision! Why didn’t you consult me beforehand!"

Her hands grew icy, her visage drained pale.

Zhao Junyao's brow creased right away.

"Why... aren’t you happy?"

He expected any Harem woman to explode in ecstasy at this boon.

Across history,

Harem rivalries invariably targeted this very prize.

To battle for imperial grace, bear a dragon son, claim the dragon seat, grasp supremacy...

All chased this exalted role.

Though Qingqing avoids favor hunts,

Chenchen stands as the rightful firstborn son; she ought to have anticipated this.

She shouldn’t... respond so intensely, should she?

Zhao Junyao felt totally perplexed.

Does Qingqing truly oppose Chenchen as Crown Prince?

Xia Ruqing shook her head, forcing a grin.

"No... not unhappy!"

Zhao Junyao breathed easy.

"Then what’s wrong?"

Xia Ruqing clutched her chest, offered a bitter smile, and replied.

"It was just too sudden, I was scared!"

She'd simply been startled!

Zhao Junyao fully relaxed, heart calming.

Gently stroking her back, he spoke fondly,

"It’s all my fault! Next time, I’ll discuss it with you!"

Tears brimmed in Xia Ruqing's eyes.

’Is there a next time?’

...

Xia Ruqing's shock rippled beyond her; the whole Harem plunged into disarray.

However,

concubines' astonishment faded after the first report.

Once composure returned and thoughts cleared.

"Isn’t this destined to occur eventually!"

"Exactly, as the Emperor's hand-raised eldest legitimate son, prodigious in scholarly and martial pursuits at such youth, who but him for Crown Prince?"

"Indeed!"

"Whether it’s established now or later, it makes no difference to us!"

All grasped this held no bearing on their lives.

Thus, after fleeting turmoil, normalcy resumed.

The Harem at last regained its peace.

...

Concubines settled down.

But the Empress Dowager...

Observing days of Harem frenzy,

the Empress Dowager detected something off.

Thus, she strained every nerve to slip past vigilant gazes, scraping together vital scraps of news.

"The Emperor has installed a Crown Prince!"

Information others obtained effortlessly,

yet she braved endless ordeals for those scant details.

Stunned, the Empress Dowager reeled.

"The Crown Prince?"

"The eldest son of Lady Xia, correct. By the years, that boy hits ten now!"

"At ten, a rightful eldest son merits Crown Prince status indeed!"

A bitter smirk curled the Empress Dowager’s lips.

"The Emperor too, became the Crown Prince at ten, didn’t he!"

This year... he’s already in his thirties.

Time flies relentlessly!

She concealed her fists, gripped vise-tight, within her brown cloak.

By the ornate window lattice, she stared into the horizon.

Distant heavens hosted southward-bound goose flocks; free they soared.

Nearer loomed majestic old trees, warbling birds, drifting leaves; freedom theirs too.

Even nearer,

each grass blade, every bloom, every fish in Ningshou Palace—all free.

But she...

She wasn't a mere plant; she harbored deep emotions. When would she taste true freedom?

Zhao Junyao!

After all, I am your mother—haven't these years of confinement sufficed?

Fortress-like walls and stern guards encircled her.

This sprawling Ningshou Palace blocked her view of people and news, turning it into a tomb for the living.

Desolation, decay, and ruin filled her every gaze...

Ha... when would this tormenting life finally cease?!

The Empress Dowager let out a protracted sigh, mocking her own plight.

In the next instant,

an overwhelming wave of longing consumed her.

She yearned fiercely for Zhao Zongcheng, though he had departed this world.

Fortunately, their son Junqi still breathed, alive and well.

Slowly, the Empress Dowager loosened her gripped fists, a soft, serene smile blooming on her lips.

"Zongcheng, without Junqi, I would have joined you ages ago!"

"Fear not, I'll cherish and protect him!"

A biting gust swept through the window.

She pulled her cloak snugly around herself, pivoted, and retreated indoors.

...

Once Chenchen ascended as Crown Prince,

he promptly shifted from his old quarters to the Eastern Palace.

His prior dwelling lay abandoned.

Zhao Junyao declared.

"Now Henger and Yeye can take it over!"

"It's right by the Eastern Palace, spacious too! With the three brothers so tight-knit, being too distant is impractical!"

Xia Ruqing eyed him briefly, then realization dawned.

"Emperor!"

"You schemed this from the start!"

Zhao Junyao arched a brow with a grin.

"What else?"

Speechless, Xia Ruqing fell quiet.

She landed a playful jab on his chest.

"You plotted it all without a word to me!"

"I nearly died of shock!"

Zhao Junyao made no move to evade.

Her blow resembled a mere tickle; dodging was pointless.

Instead, he drew her close in his arms.

"Enough, Qingqing!"

"I aimed to delight you with a surprise!"

He never imagined you'd skip the joy!

Most women would burst with uncontainable bliss!

But he ought to have realized Qingqing stood apart from those vain, flighty sorts!

After their teasing exchange,

Xia Ruqing perched under the porch, staring at the deserted palace, a pang of melancholy rising.

"Two fewer children will dwell here henceforth!"

"Why does it feel like a chunk of my heart vanished?"

Zhao Junyao's mouth opened, words failing him.

He grasped little of feminine wistfulness.

He couldn't fathom why a mere palace wall's divide sparked such emotion.

The two youngsters thrived perfectly, didn't they?!

Why the hollow ache?

At a loss for reply, he held his tongue.

Silently, the pair contemplated the vista.

A profound tranquility suddenly enveloped Zhao Junyao, his heart swelling with quiet fulfillment.