A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1087: Qingqing Understands My Heart

Once Prince Jin concluded his words, his face bore a look screaming ’I won’t lower myself to mix with you’.

The civil and military officials seethed with maximum fury.

’Hey! We claimed victory legitimately, yet it feels like you’re just giving it away!’

’Western Xia people are truly crafty and devoid of honor!’

Right then, Yang Chenyi abruptly rose to his feet.

He strolled forward unhurriedly, lifted two wine cups, inspected them as he spoke.

"Prince Jin, you mean... this counts as proof?"

Prince Jin eyed him repeatedly, unable to place the unfamiliar face.

Yet, noting the simple attire, he figured this man wasn’t from royalty.

He must hail from some common household at best.

Those silver needles were hair-thin, impossible to spot without expertise.

Thus... there’s no way he could detect the silver needles.

Prince Jin held firm.

"Exactly!"

"Without your deliberate tampering with these items, our fighters wouldn’t have fallen!"

Even without a direct strike, the distraction occurred.

Your doing entirely!

All present were dumbfounded by Prince Jin’s bizarre reasoning.

Everyone itched to counter but held their tongues out of caution.

Yang Chenyi chuckled too.

"Oh?"

"Your fighters are quite unique, scared stiff by mere wine cups..."

"By the way, Great Chu Dynasty boasts plenty of such fighters!"

His words sparked roaring laughter from the crowd below.

Prince Jin’s face flushed deep purple in fury.

"You...!"

"Don’t spout rubbish!"

"I won’t argue further; a win is a win, no need to gloat and play smart!"

Yang Chenyi replied smilingly.

"Prince Jin, no need for anger!"

"I tossed the wine cup myself; spotting something odd, I had no choice but this desperate move, pardon me, Prince Jin!"

Prince Jin responded icily.

"Oh? What exactly did you spot?"

Convinced the man couldn’t identify his silver needles, he boldly posed the question.

Little did he know he was walking right into a meticulously laid snare.

Yang Chenyi then lifted the wine cup close to his eyes.

He angled it toward the light, plucked off an item, and peered closely with narrowed eyes.

Instantly, cold sweat drenched Prince Jin.

’What’s happening? Can he actually see it?!’

’Should he expose it for real...’

For a Western Xia Prince to resort to sneaky hidden weapons in a duel would be utterly mortifying.

Under the gaze of so many, shaming Great Chu like this was pure humiliation.

Prince Jin’s complexion shifted rapidly from green to pale, then to ashen.

After a whirlwind of deliberations, he reached a firm choice!!

Confess!

Defeat in the duel versus exposure of cheating with hidden weapons.

The first paled in harm by comparison, so...

Moving quicker than a page turn, Prince Jin altered his demeanor, leaped up, and berated the warrior fiercely.

"You fool, defeated already, why linger? Get off now!"

"All those years of training, yet you’re still so inept; what a waste of my investment!"

The warrior, aware of his inferiority, hurriedly bowed.

"I failed miserably, please quell your rage, Prince; I’ll retreat at once!"

With that, he cupped his fists toward Zhao Junyan.

"Gratitude to Seventh Prince for the lesson; I’m no worthy opponent!"

Zhao Junyan felt puzzled but, catching Yang Chenyi’s glance, played along.

"No big deal, no big deal!"

Once the warrior retreated, Zhao Junyan followed suit.

Yang Chenyi beamed widely.

He spun the wine cup playfully, grinning.

"Prince Jin, what a jest!"

"Western Xia warriors are robust and adept; they seem born with talent, how unskilled could they be?!"

"My earlier act was merely a harmless prank!"

"Victory or defeat is trivial; friendship endures above all!"

"Wouldn’t you say?"

Prince Jin managed a grin more twisted than a sob.

"Indeed, indeed, Young Master shows such generosity!"

Satisfied, Yang Chenyi nodded and departed.

Prince Jin mopped his brow sweat, exhaling in relief.

’Face preserved at last!’

’A slower wit, and today’s affair would’ve spelled disaster.’

’My daughter spoke true; Great Chu people are sly and devious!’

’Through all this chaos, I lost the duel and came off as sore and graceless!’

’While they secured the win yet proclaimed victory meaningless, flaunting their power and tolerance!’

’As fellow mighty realms, they’ve somehow elevated themselves above us; it’s outrageous...’

Prince Jin ground his teeth in resentment.

’All due to my oversight!’

’Allowing them to exploit it while feigning modesty!’

He threw a glance at his daughter.

Guilt churned within him.

He had misjudged things before, planning to wed her off and then maneuver from both sides...

Now, it was wiser to play the long game!

Right then, Hai Feng sat beside Fifth Master with her head lowered, her face hidden.

The Great Chu Dynasty's officials, after exchanging veiled barbs, shifted back to the core discussion.

All silently dropped the topic, resuming their cheerful chatter.

The banquet's vibe livened up once more.

That day.

The feast dragged on till dusk before wrapping up.

Once the civil and military officials scattered.

Zhao Junyao arranged for Prince Jin and the rest to be escorted to the guesthouse for proper rest.

Come evening, no further amusements were planned, leaving them to their own devices.

Politely put: Worn out from the journey, best not to disturb—get some solid sleep.

In truth... he simply had no desire to deal with them.

…

As night descended.

Dinner had just been set at Duanning Palace when Zhao Junyao showed up.

His face bore a chill and weariness.

Xia Ruqing's heart ached a touch.

After a swift bow, she offered a cup of steaming tea.

"Take a sip of this hot tea!"

Zhao Junyao took it in hand.

Xia Ruqing smiled as she spoke.

"You look beat, Your Majesty—change quickly and let's eat!"

Zhao Junyao gave a nod.

His eyes fell on the table's spread of his beloved dishes.

Light and grease-free, yet bursting with flavor—his weary look eased.

"Qingqing understands me like no one else!"

Xia Ruqing blinked in surprise, then laughed brightly.

"Your Majesty, what brought that on?!"

Zhao Junyao cracked a small smile too.

"Nothing at all?!"

He rose to change, glancing about.

"Where is Yue Er?"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"Yue Er was out playing in the snow today, having the time of her life—I couldn't hold her back. She's eaten and tucked in already!"

Zhao Junyao pictured his little girl in red, frolicking wildly through the snow.

His spirits lifted right away.

"That lively spirit of hers—you shouldn't curb it too harshly!"

Xia Ruqing could scarcely trust what she heard.

"Curbs her?"

"Me, dare to?"

"Keep her inside a single day, and she'd wreck my whole palace!"

"All because Your Majesty pampers her rotten!" A whine tinged her words.

Zhao Junyao let out a hearty chuckle.

"Come now, Qingqing!"

"I know you can't bear to scold her either!"

Xia Ruqing shot him a coquettish glare.

"Eat up, eat up!"

With spirits high, Zhao Junyao snatched a bite with his chopsticks.

"Mmm! This lotus root hits the spot—crisp and refreshingly pure!"

No extra seasonings masked it, letting the lotus root's fresh essence shine through.

For an emperor used to lavish feasts and bold tastes.

Food's raw, honest flavors proved irresistible.

That night.

Zhao Junyao, barely touched by banquet fare, devoured with gusto.

Dish after dish vanished before him!