A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1104: Driven Into a Corner

Above stretched a sky of deep azure, resembling a vast blue lake suspended in the heavens.

Fluffy white clouds floated lazily across the sky, soft as cotton and close enough to touch.

Endless chains of mountains rolled out below, their peaks capped with eternal snow that gleamed like silver rims.

Twisting gray-blue slopes mimicked a masterful ink wash painting, grand and vividly toned.

A rugged desert nearby was dotted with rocks of all sizes, colors, and forms—some upright, others tilted.

In the heart of this expansive wasteland, a slim trail barely a yard across snaked in from the distance.

After enduring a harsh month-long trek, pushing relentlessly onward.

Prince Jin at last arrived in Western Xia’s Capital during late February or early March.

Not akin to the thriving magnificence of the Great Chu Dynasty.

The Capital of Western Xia featured flatter ground and more crowded dwellings.

Yet beyond that, it blended seamlessly with the surrounding wilds—gravel-strewn, bumpy, and coarse.

Sunny days of March.

In the Great Chu Dynasty, spring’s vibrancy had fully bloomed; youths in bright spring garb ventured out in small bands to boat on rivers and savor the fresh verdure.

Western Xia Kingdom, however, presented only bleak emptiness.

Situated in the northwest, its climate stayed frigid year-round, mountain snows unmelted. Grasslands greened only by midsummer, then rapidly grazed bare by herders’ flocks.

This in good years.

During harsh snow calamities, roots froze solid, yielding no green all year—a stark, lifeless vista.

Prince Jin’s group advanced further.

Streets held few walkers, mainly elderly women and kids, young adults nowhere in sight!

No trees lined the ways, no gardens bloomed, no floral spring splendor; just ochre earth, stark and forsaken.

Lacking energy, devoid of spirit, like the aftermath of a massive famine.

Complexity deepened in his stare.

Raw hatred and blazing fury in his eyes could no longer stay hidden, cascading like a mighty flood!

"Such a Western Xia, expansive with brave warriors, how does it measure against the Great Chu Dynasty?"

Rumors held Great Chu’s Capital lacked scenic charm.

Jiangnan was the real prosperous haven of fish and rice.

Pavilions by waterways, rich soils, along the Qinhuai River amid singing birds and fragrant blooms.

What poetic vistas were these?

Prince Jin narrowed his gaze; no matter his effort, such scenes eluded his imagination.

Fist balled tight, ambition flared in his eyes like a spark kindling an unstoppable blaze.

Oh heavens!

So blind are you!

Then I shall remake it all!

I crave Western Xia’s fighters claiming that lush territory, its folk basking in abundance.

Force those worthless scholars to endure eternal hunger’s agony!

Change must come now!

Oh heavens, your errors—I’ll set them right!

…

Western Xia Imperial Palace.

Timeworn halls aligned neatly, towers soaring amid lower wings in balanced array.

Though buildings outshone those of common folk slightly.

Clothes and meals a touch finer than the masses’; otherwise, little variance.

Barren and forlorn, just the same.

No throngs of palace maids or servants!

No vast pools fringed by crystalline blue waters!

No sprawling Imperial Garden dwarfing the palace itself!

No alluring concubines in vibrant silks and jewels.

Every hall and attendant diverged sharply from Great Chu’s splendor.

Within King Western Xia’s chambers.

Struck by a recent chill, King Western Xia lay abed, eyes shut in repose from his cold.

Hai Tang lingered nearby, bowl of medicine gripped tightly, face grave and mood somber.

Unhidden worry shone in her gaze.

King Western Xia hacked a few coughs, eyelids lifting gradually.

"Tangtang..."

Hai Tang set the bowl aside swiftly and hurried close.

"Father, you’re awake; feeling better? Any pain left?!"

Her tone quivered faintly, anxiety searing her chest, desperate to bear his suffering herself.

That ‘father’s’ death had felt like losing her world’s most precious soul.

Agony tore at her heart.

Truth unveiled now, she’d reclaimed her true sire.

At last together, father and daughter poised to revel in their bond.

Yet throughout the years, her father had exhausted his vitality in the endless search for her.

Prince Jin had seized most of Western Xia's political power and influence.

Chaos gripped the court, with brothers locked in bitter conflict.

Western Xia today bore no resemblance to the kingdom it once was.

Her Crown Prince Brother had forever been weak and ill, incapable of enduring heavy labor or training in martial arts, and despite years of wedlock, he remained childless, holding no sway in the court.

As a woman absent for so long, she possessed zero influence in court.

How could they possibly ascend without any backing?

Barring some divine intervention, turning the tables was utterly hopeless.

Facing such dire straits, they had no choice but to proceed step by step.

Reflecting on it now.

Without their heartfelt father-daughter reunion, her father would have been devoured entirely by Prince Jin ages ago!

From this perspective, their present circumstances weren't entirely dire.

With withered hands, King Western Xia extended them toward her, his features beaming with paternal affection.

"Tangtang, don’t worry!"

"Father... is fine!"

In uttering just those two phrases, King Western Xia panted for breath thrice, thick phlegm churning persistently in his throat.

Hai Tang's eyes brimmed with tears.

"Don’t speak any more, rest a while longer, your daughter is right here, not going anywhere!"

Exhaustion led King Western Xia to shut his eyes, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Yet he refused to release Hai Tang’s hand.

Fearing that once he did, his daughter might vanish once more.

"Where is Yueyue?"

King Western Xia inquired once more.

Hai Tang offered a gentle smile.

"Brother is well in the Crown Prince’s Palace, Father, you don’t need to worry!"

King Western Xia gave a nod, then sealed his eyes shut anew.

Moments later.

Right as Hai Tang believed he had drifted into slumber.

King Western Xia’s frame trembled abruptly, jolted awake as from a terrifying dream.

"Tangtang!"

"Father, I’m here!" Hai Tang hastily replied.

King Western Xia reopened his eyes, beaming upon sighting her.

"Tangtang!"

"Now that both you and your brother are here, I am at ease!"

"But it’s my fault as a father, for believing in the wrong person..."

His half-brother Prince Jin had supported him through the harshest ordeals.

Diligently aiding in the rule of Western Xia for countless years.

Repelling formidable foes, broadening domains, guiding vast multitudes of people to discover water, relocate livestock, evade blizzards, and aid those struck by calamity.

In court, he commanded tremendous respect, the sole bastard-born prince elevated to Regent Prince.

The depth of his faith in him had been profound.

Yet that trust unveiled a ruthless hunger and vicious cunning hidden beneath a facade of benevolence.

Regret consumed him, guilt gnawed at his soul, but enlightenment dawned far too late.

Alas, the moment had passed; no words could alter the course!

The vast conspiracy had unfolded, the balance irrevocably tipped.

Regardless of efforts, reversing the momentum proved impossible.

He and his two children were cornered without escape...