A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1083: Truly, the Younger Generation Is to Be Feared

Chenchen’s birthday had already passed.

November came with repeated heavy snowfalls, making the weather utterly frigid.

Amid these fierce winds and snowstorms.

Prince Jin led the Western Xia delegation into the Capital City.

Early that morning.

Zhao Junyao ordered officials from the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Internal Affairs to greet them at the city gates.

He himself gathered key ministers and imperial clansmen to await inside the Imperial Palace.

Western Xia might be a powerful realm.

Yet its might still lagged behind the Chu Dynasty.

Prince Jin was just a prince, after all.

So Zhao Junyao had no need to welcome him personally; sending officials was enough.

…

At the city gates.

As Prince Jin arrived at the forefront of his over hundred-strong mission.

Ministry of Rites officials and Ministry of Internal Affairs attendants stood waiting already.

They all shivered fiercely in the biting cold but dared not voice any grievance.

Upon their approach, the Ministry of Rites officials rushed forward with utmost courtesy.

"Greetings to Prince Jin of Western Xia!"

"Our Emperor dispatched me to welcome you respectfully, Prince Jin. I’ve been waiting here for quite some time!"

Since this was a foreign dignitary.

No matter their superior rank, the official avoided subordinate phrasing, sticking to 'I'.

Prince Jin spotted no flaw to exploit.

He offered only brief polite replies.

"Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor of Great Chu!"

"You’ve had it tough," and the like!

The Ministry of Rites official then beamed and continued.

"The weather is frigid, but I’ve prepared a carriage already…"

"Please, Prince Jin, board the carriage with me to head to the palace and audience the Emperor!"

Crowds thronged the streets.

Riding horses was no longer an option.

Especially those massive, ferocious Western Xia warhorses—utterly unfit for city avenues.

Prince Jin grasped this and nodded on reflex.

But glancing around, he realized his welcomer was this unknown, apparently minor official.

He scowled instantly, displeasure etching his face.

'How dare Great Chu disdain us by sending such a lowly figure to receive me?'

'This is outright public humiliation!'

The more he dwelled on it.

His rugged, purplish-red face darkened further.

In rage, Prince Jin shook his lengthy wolf-fur cloak vigorously.

Intentionally baring the eerie skull pendant dangling from his neck.

And the elongated, hooked crescent dagger at his waist, glinting coldly with bizarre etchings.

Minister Tang of the Ministry of Rites, a pure scholar at heart, had never witnessed such savage trinkets.

Terror struck him immediately, knees nearly buckling.

Yet to preserve Great Chu’s dignity, he forced his frame rigid and extended the invitation anew.

"Please, Prince Jin, dismount and join me to the palace to meet the Emperor!"

Envoys from sister nations always pay respects to the sovereign first upon arrival.

The Ministry of Rites handles the reception and ushering.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs arranges lodging for the delegation.

With such a large group, not everyone can see the Emperor, so the others must settle at inns beforehand.

After that intimidating display.

Even the Ministry of Internal Affairs personnel began quaking.

All felt the chill and dread! They’d never faced such a spectacle!

Legends say these barbarians slaughter without a second thought.

If perchance…

Chills crept deeper down their spines, thoughts halting there!

…

Right then, Prince Jin glowered at Minister Tang, his words dripping icy sarcasm.

"The two realms are allied by marriage! I’ve journeyed from far away!"

"Fine that your Emperor skipped the welcome, but not even royals appeared!"

"Is this Great Chu’s vaunted Nation of Etiquette?"

Prince Jin’s roar thundered.

Against the shrieking northern gale, it rang even more turbulent.

Dark clouds loomed ever lower, winds howled fiercer, snowflakes began drifting unnoticed.

The snow-dusted wolf-fur cloak billowed wildly aloft.

Minister Tang stood nearly petrified by frost.

Upheld by unyielding resolve, his spine remained ramrod straight.

Wracking his mind for ways to coax this obstinate brute off his mount and into the carriage toward the palace.

Yet…

Prince Jin wasn’t some naive youth swayed by sweet talk.

Brimming with fury, he adamantly refused to dismount.

The tension mounted unbearably.

Right as Minister Tang reached the limits of his patience, with the chaos teetering on the edge of total mayhem.

Zhao Junyan made his entrance.

If Minister Tang's position lacked the weight needed.

Then the Seventh Prince Zhao Junyan's standing would surely carry enough authority.

Zhao Junyan could be seen mounted on a sleek black superior warhorse.

Clad in a yellow robe that marked his royal lineage.

With a golden crown secured by a jade clasp atop his head, a long sword hanging at his side, lips firmly set, eyes gleaming sharply, approaching from afar.

The north wind, laced with snowflakes, howled past with ferocity.

Zhao Junyan's cloak billowed dramatically in the biting gale, resembling an eagle poised for flight into the heavens.

The jet-black horse came to a gradual halt before Prince Jin.

Zhao Junyan leaped down gracefully, offering a courteous smile.

"I apologize for arriving late, Prince Jin, please do not hold it against me!"

Prince Jin eyed him coldly, let out a haughty snort, and demanded.

"Who are you?"

Zhao Junyan kept his composure steady, maintaining a fitting smile while revealing his identity.

Prince Jin let out another mocking sneer.

"So Great Chu Dynasty truly has no one else available!"

"Dispatching a mere brat, fresh out of swaddling clothes, to receive this old man!"

Zhao Junyan stayed calm without a hint of anger, simply smiling as he replied.

"Prince Jin jests, I am fully grown now, how could I be deemed a child?"

With those words spoken, he cast a look toward the sky around them and went on.

"It's bitterly cold out here, Prince Jin has journeyed far, the Emperor has set a lavish feast in the palace to honor your arrival, don't miss the Shi Chen!"

A smile lingered on Zhao Junyan's face, yet his voice held an unyielding force.

The underlying message was clear:

"Don't push our hospitality too far, regardless of your exalted rank, this remains Great Chu Dynasty's domain."

"Enrage our Emperor, and you'll face dire consequences!"

Prince Jin felt a jolt in his chest.

'This young man, what an imposing aura...'

He lifted his gaze for a closer inspection, only to lock eyes with Zhao Junyan's gaze that was half-smile, half-serious.

That look brimmed with arrogance and keenness, akin to the fiercest eagle dominating the vast steppes.

After a brief clash of stares, Prince Jin hastily looked away, as though scorched.

He sighed inwardly.

'What a terrifying young talent!'

'If only he served under me...'

His eyes flicked skyward, masking his covetous intent.

'Never mind, I've traveled this distance with a purpose, I can't afford to stir up real trouble, can I?'

Prince Jin got off his horse.

Passing the reins to an attendant, he climbed into the carriage alongside his loyal followers.

Minister Tang and the Ministry of Internal Affairs officials at last exhaled in relief.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs escorted the delegation to their lodgings.

Zhao Junyan and Minister Tang guided Prince Jin and his group toward the Imperial Palace.

When under another's roof, submission is necessary.

...

Within Zhaochen Palace's grand hall.

Zhao Junyan, at the head of the officials, had everything ready for the feast.

The Fifth Prince and Hai Feng stepped forward first to greet the arrivals.

"Father!"

"Father!"

Despite the strained bond between the pair, they had to maintain appearances before Prince Jin.

Many years had passed since Prince Jin last laid eyes on his daughter.

Upon seeing her, tears welled up in his eyes.

"Fengfeng!"

Hai Feng's eyes brimmed with tears as well.

"Father, you've finally arrived!"

The father and daughter hugged tightly, weeping together.

Prince Jin scrutinized Hai Feng closely.

He noted his daughter's healthy glow on her face.

Not only had her body not wasted away, it appeared a bit plumper, a sign she was faring splendidly.