A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1080: Secret Letter

Days flowed on in their usual manner.

On that particular day, Zhao Junyao finished court proceedings and headed toward the Imperial Study.

Suddenly, Xia Tingfeng walked up to him, brows deeply furrowed, expression firm and determined.

With a kneel on one knee, he cupped his fist in salute.

"Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao felt a jolt of surprise.

"What is it?"

Xia Tingfeng scanned the surroundings, his face filled with hesitation and unwillingness.

Zhao Junyao instantly grasped his meaning.

Silent, he turned and marched straight back into the Imperial Study.

After sending away all the attendants, Zhao Junyao gave a faint chuckle.

"What’s going on? So mysterious!"

Suddenly dropping to one knee, Xia Tingfeng drew a letter from within his robes.

"Emperor, I got this secret letter just this morning!"

"It’s... from Western Xia!"

Zhao Junyao's face stiffened for a second.

"Western Xia?"

Without thinking, he snatched up the letter.

Fire lacquer sealed the letter, bearing tiny script: ’For Zhao Junyao, Emperor of Great Chu, open personally!’

The signature in the lower right corner: Princess Haitang of Western Xia.

Princess Haitang, the trueborn princess of Western Xia?!

Why send a letter? What makes it so hush-hush?!

His countenance darkened as Zhao Junyao boldly ripped open the seal.

Just a single thin sheet lay within.

Pulling out the sheet, Zhao Junyao swiftly read over its contents.

Then... his look turned more and more intricate.

Anxiety gripped Xia Tingfeng.

"Emperor, what's wrong? Is it..."

Did Haitang face some crisis needing Great Chu's assistance?

Zhao Junyao shared it openly, thrusting the paper into his hands.

"See for yourself!"

Xia Tingfeng wavered briefly before accepting it.

Moments passed.

Abruptly, he lifted his gaze.

"Western Xia's King Jin comes to Great Chu next month to visit Princess Hai Feng, and Haitang warns us to stay vigilant?"

Gravity settled on Zhao Junyao's features.

"The alliance marriage between nations makes it natural for King Jin to see his daughter!"

"Whatever happens, blocking him is impossible, yet..."

"What exactly does Haitang urge caution over?"

Xia Tingfeng shared the confusion.

Studying the paper repeatedly yielded no answers, leaving him to guess.

"Perhaps..."

"King Jin plots something sinister against our Chu realm?"

Shock rippled through Zhao Junyao.

"Could that be?"

"What scheme could he possibly hatch?"

Troops? Lands or cities?

Forget King Jin's advanced years—his vitality, might, and cunning pale against mine.

Status and authority aside.

King Jin holds only princely rank in Western Xia.

He's no sovereign himself! What forces could he muster?!

Besides,

Western Xia's Emperor Hai Zhentian ranks rare among outsiders for upholding loyalty and honor.

His administration runs cleanly; he cherishes subjects like kin, renown echoing afar.

In battles staking tens of thousands of lives,

he'd never launch one without cause.

Thus...

King Jin evading his emperor, crossing vast distances to scheme on Great Chu.

Sheer delusion.

Emperor's consent aside.

Does Zhao Junyao fall short?!

Over a decade on the throne,

he's forged an golden age of 'mighty state, formidable forces, bountiful populace in harmony and bliss.'

No way he'd yield an inch in statecraft!

Hence...

Zhao Junyao genuinely puzzled over the threat.

Xia Tingfeng pondered briefly before chiming in.

"To me, Haitang wouldn't risk sending a covert missive unless vital!"

"She spotted something off but lacks proof, so she alerted us!"

Zhao Junyao nodded in agreement.

"You're spot on!"

Turning, he placed hands behind back at the window.

Narrowing eyes toward the firmament, he mused deeply before eyes flashed open.

"Looks like... western bandits raged wildly this year!"

Xia Tingfeng sprang up promptly.

Clangs rang from his iron armor.

Bowing head in reflection momentarily, he snapped it up.

"This issue... truly reeks of oddity!"

"Those bandits aren't mere rabble!"

Folk with plenty to eat and wear wouldn't spark uprisings.

Regret surged as Xia Tingfeng knelt on one knee.

"Emperor, my failure leaves this unresolved till now!"

The end result:

Bandits quelled, masses soothed, serene times rolled on!

Zhao Junyao squinted his eyes sharply.

"This is not your fault!"

Without clues pointing to insiders, outsiders are likely behind it.

Zhao Junyao lifted his robe, spun around to take a seat, and started drafting an edict.

Commanding border generals to bolster defenses, drill rigorously, and fortify the frontiers.

Also ordering the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Revenue to make complete preparations for the welcoming.

Lastly, directing officials across the land to remain vigilant; report any hint of unrest at once, denying foes any chance to strike.

Zhao Junyao let out a faint sigh.

"Under the present situation, this is the utmost we can achieve!"

Xia Tingfeng dropped to his knees and kowtowed deeply.

"The Emperor is wise!"

"These thorough safeguards should ward off all troubles!"

Zhao Junyao laughed softly and flicked his hand.

"Alright!"

"No strangers around, get up!"

With that, he rose as well, circled the imperial desk, and clapped Xia Tingfeng on the shoulder.

"Don't fret too much over things that haven't occurred!"

"Manage affairs as they come!"

Nothing to dread!

Should true war erupt, with Great Chu's mighty national strength now, how could defeat be possible?!

Xia Tingfeng erupted in a booming laugh too.

"Yes!"

…

Half a month following Haitang's letter arrival.

Zhao Junyao got an official diplomatic note from Western Xia.

Matching precisely what Haitang outlined in her message.

Hai Xiangjin, pretending to see his daughter, aimed to enter the Chu Dynasty.

Zhao Junyao fixed his gaze on the document endlessly before grasping his imperial brush to pen a response.

Its essence included 'We warmly welcome your visit,' 'Please remain for many days,' plus other polite expressions.

Zhao Junyao commanded the invitation's dispatch.

Then swiftly sent envoys to notify Fifth Princess Consort Hai Feng.

In reality, Hai Feng already knew about her father's coming visit.

Still, she acted shocked, brimming with boundless thanks.

"Many thanks to the Emperor!"

Her look bordered on sincere appreciation.

Once done thanking, she elegantly presented a bulging pouch to the young eunuch.

She then instructed her servants to politely escort him to the gate.

This deferential and refined manner clashed sharply with her past haughtiness.

The young eunuch felt rather baffled.

He couldn't dispel the suspicion that something felt off—the shift was far too sudden!

Why did it seem… so artificial?

After brief reflection yielding no insight, he shook his head.

"Never mind, time to head back and report!"

Harboring this idea, he hurried off.

The sensation the young eunuch failed to pinpoint.

Goes by 'cover-up draws more attention,' 'no silver three hundred taels,' and 'oddity signals evil.'

…

From the moment the Emperor's edict arrived.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Revenue plunged into hectic preparations.

Border generals and vital interior strongholds ramped up drills and shored up defenses.

Additionally, Zhao Junyao covertly placed Hidden Guards along the capital route, across the city, and inside Prince Zhe Mansion.

Making certain no stir evaded his watchful eye.