A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1111: Sorry

Zhao Junyao held her tightly, his embrace a fortress.

"I understand everything! I know it all!"

"Qingqing! Please calm yourself!"

Unable to escape his hold, Xia Ruqing pounded his chest with all her might.

"I can't calm down!"

"You villain! You absolute scoundrel!"

With that, she fiercely bit down on his shoulder, putting every ounce of her strength into it!

A groan escaped Zhao Junyao, his brows knitting slightly in discomfort.

Yet, his arms around her remained unyielding, his embrace as steadfast and warm as ever.

“If this bite can soothe your anger, Qingqing, I gladly offer myself!”

“Qingqing, how could I possibly not understand your pain? How could I not feel it just as deeply!”

After all, this is his child too—how could he not be hurting!

But he is the Crown Prince!

To wear the imperial crown, one must first bear its immense weight!

Others in this world may find peace, but not him!

He himself endured such trials in the past; no one could comprehend that agony better than he.

Xia Ruqing bit down with ferocious intensity, exhausting nearly all her energy.

It was only when her mouth filled with the coppery taste of blood that she realized his crimson robes were stained a dark, wet red.

Was he bleeding?

Why didn’t he react? Didn’t it hurt him?

Xia Ruqing abruptly released her bite.

Zhao Junyao seized the moment, gently pulling a blanket over her and assisting her back onto the bed.

Xia Ruqing thrashed, but her struggles were futile, her face flushing with the heat of anxiety.

"Qingqing!"

"Let me speak first! Hear me out!"

Xia Ruqing bit her lip, her gaze fixed on him, filled with defiance.

"Then speak. Tell me what you have to say!"

Her fury still burned, yet a sliver of her heart began to yield.

She recognized the logic in his words.

She knew her current actions were ultimately ineffectual.

Still, she desperately needed to hear his reasoning!

Zhao Junyao composed himself, his expression grave as he met her eyes, enunciating each word with deliberate care.

"He is my eldest son, the most promising Crown Prince I have meticulously groomed!"

"My hopes for him are boundless, exceeding those I hold for any other child!"

"Qingqing, I know your heart aches, but his departure is essential!"

"If you shelter him now, those who wish him ill will torment him tenfold in the future!"

"Therefore, he must depart to hone his skills and gain experience!"

"His young shoulders must grow strong enough, strong enough to bear the weight of the entire realm!"

"Consider him an eaglet in its nest; once it reaches a certain age, it must be nudged over the cliff's edge."

"Do you comprehend?"

Xia Ruqing crumpled into his embrace, sobs wracking her body.

"I knew it!"

"I knew this was how it would end!"

"I don’t want my child to carry such a burden! I want him to live a life of peace and stability!"

Seeing her eventual acceptance, Zhao Junyao exhaled in relief, drawing her closer.

"Qingqing, rest assured, I give you my solemn promise!"

"He will return to us safely!"

Xia Ruqing's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely certain!" Zhao Junyao affirmed with a nod.

*As long as Xia Tingfeng is by his side, Chenchen's safety is assured!*

Xia Ruqing had no further words, yet deep within her heart, the ache of parting remained.

That night.

She wept for hours before finally succumbing to sleep.

Zhao Junyao, his heart heavy with shared sorrow, found no rest, tossing and turning throughout the long night.

...

The following day.

Xia Tingfeng had already commenced the meticulous selection of his personal soldiers.

With a contingent of only ten thousand men, each one had to be exceptional, a warrior worth ten ordinary men.

Meanwhile, preparations for departure were underway at the Eastern Palace.

The Head Stewardess and the eunuchs bustled back and forth, presenting lists of provisions for review.

These were items intended for the Crown Prince's journey, requiring the Empress's final approval.

It would have been better if Xia Ruqing had not seen them, for once her eyes fell upon the lists, her resolve began to falter.

Sensing the potential for distress, Zi Yue and Zi Su quickly ushered the attendants away.

The two loyal maids took charge of the itemized lists themselves.

They deliberated intently for a considerable time, adding numerous essential items.

After careful consideration and ensuring nothing vital was omitted, they dispatched the revised list.

Inside the chamber.

Xia Ruqing lay in bed, her back turned to the room, her shoulders trembling, signaling she was crying once more.

Zi Su rushed to her side, attempting to offer comfort.

"Empress, our Crown Prince is blessed with great fortune and divine protection; he will undoubtedly be safe!"

Zi Yue chimed in.

"Empress!"

"I heard that Marquis Xiahou is also joining this expedition! And he's bringing ten thousand elite troops with him!"

Zi Su continued earnestly.

"It hardly sounds like a full-scale war!"

"More like a mission to quell some rebellious bandits!"

"The Emperor has apparently dispatched only the Crown Prince and the Marquis, with orders to go undercover!"

“Undercover?”

A shiver ran down Xia Ruqing’s spine.

Zi Yue and Zi Su continued their reassurances, but Xia Ruqing could no longer truly hear them.

Her mind was completely ensnared by the phrase 'undercover patrol'.

Since time immemorial, who has ever undertaken a military campaign undercover?!

In reality.

They would rather claim a hundred thousand troops and report fifty thousand, afraid their reputation isn’t loud enough and the number isn’t big enough to scare the enemy!

So...

This isn’t war?!

Shocking! Unbelievable! Hard to believe!

If it’s really not war, just dealing with bandits, the danger would be greatly reduced, almost no life-threatening risk.

Then what on earth was she doing last night!

Sorrow, fear, and hatred all faded away.

Guilt, regret, embarrassment, awkwardness flooded over her like a tide.

Xia Ruqing’s cheeks grew hotter and hotter, more and more restless.

Finally, she sprang up into a sitting position.

Zi Yue and Zi Su were startled and rushed forward.

"Mistress!"

"Mistress, what’s wrong?!"

"Are you feeling unwell? Shall we call the Imperial Physician?"

The two of them flustered, asking questions from all directions.

Xia Ruqing quickly stopped them.

"Stop!"

"I’m fine!"

"Quickly, help me wash and dress; I want to go to the Imperial Study Room!"

Zi Yue and Zi Su didn’t understand, but they dared not disobey.

They hurriedly assisted their mistress down, carefully attending to her washing and dressing.

...

In the Imperial Study Room.

Zhao Junyao was discussing with Xia Tingfeng about capturing bandits.

Upon hearing the Little Eunuch report.

"The Empress requests an audience! It seems urgent!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at Xia Tingfeng in front of him, thinking it was no outsider, waved his hand broadly.

"Please, let her in!"

When Xia Ruqing entered, she saw her brother was there too, and they exchanged greetings.

She forced a dry smile.

"Brother, why are you here too?"

Xia Tingfeng respectfully answered.

"Reporting to the Empress, the Emperor has important instructions, and I shall await orders!"

Xia Ruqing turned to look at Zhao Junyao.

"What exactly is this important matter? Why did you deceive me!"

"What kind of battle requires undercover visitation?!"

Although she doesn’t handle these affairs.

But it’s okay for a woman confined to the palace to care about her son, right!

Seeing that she had already smartly guessed it, Zhao Junyao candidly disclosed the situation to her.

Xia Ruqing listened, completely stunned.

"You mean..." Prince Jin is plotting a rebellion to attack Great Chu? Also colluding with fake bandits to burn, kill, loot, and commit every possible evil on the borderlines?!

Absolutely unscrupulous! But if the two countries really go to war.

What about Hai Feng? Didn’t they just establish a marriage alliance? He doesn’t even care about his daughter?!

This cunning old fox, what exactly is he thinking?!

Xia Ruqing couldn’t figure it out, nor did she want to!

After roughly understanding the events, she felt full of regret.

How could she... lose her temper without gathering the facts?

Apparently, it really wasn’t a war?!

Danger surely exists, but compared to war, it’s much easier to accept.

Embarrassment!

Awkwardness!

Guilt!

After muttering a few disjointed words, Xia Ruqing left hastily, as if escaping.