A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1156: May the Believer of the Shih Family... Have Her Wish Fulfilled!

Zhao Junyao mulled over the matter, but no answer came to him.

He rose abruptly and issued an instruction.

"Prepare the imperial carriage at once for Ningshou Palace!"

A considerable time had passed since his last visit to the Empress Dowager. Perhaps... it was indeed an opportune moment to pay his respects.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Shengan responded with haste and swiftly departed to make the necessary arrangements.

...

Ningshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager, clad in a simple, unadorned brown Phoenix Robe, had her silvering hair meticulously arranged in a bun. A plain glass hairpin and an antique jade ornament in a similar hue adorned her coiffure.

Around her neck rested a string of 108 carved rosewood Buddhist prayer beads.

In her hands, she clasped a delicate gypsophila bracelet, also meant for prayer.

At this very moment.

She knelt in devout prayer before the Buddha, her lips moving silently as she conveyed her supplications.

Moments ticked by, each a testament to the passage of time, as she shifted the beads through her fingers.

A profound tranquility pervaded the small Buddhist hall. The air was thick with the lingering scent of sandalwood incense, punctuated only by the soft rhythm of her breathing and the faint whisper of falling ash.

This was the scene that greeted Zhao Junyao upon his arrival.

He chose not to advance and disturb her devotion, nor did he withdraw. Instead, he remained by the side, maintaining a silent vigil.

Unbeknownst to him how long he stood there.

After completing another recitation of the "Vajradhara Sutra," the Empress Dowager slowly straightened herself.

Turning, her gaze fell upon the Emperor standing beside her. To Zhao Junyao's observation, she showed no flicker of surprise.

She carefully placed her prayer beads and wooden fish aside, smoothed her robes with a gentle gesture, and then, with a soft smile, proceeded from the small Buddha hall.

"My Imperial Son, to what do I owe this honor?"

A smile of utmost sincerity graced her features, her eyes holding a subtle, captivating gleam.

He recognized that particular smile, yet it had never been directed towards him.

A sense of unease stirred within Zhao Junyao, prompting him to clear his throat with a couple of polite coughs.

"I have come to visit you, Mother!"

The Empress Dowager's smile widened, radiating even more warmth.

"The wind is rather brisk outside; do come in, my Imperial Son..."

Zhao Junyao offered no further words, instead accompanying the Empress Dowager as they proceeded towards the main hall of Ningshou Palace.

...

Observe the benefits that arise from refraining from open conflict.

At any given moment, in any place, one can cast aside all past grievances and rekindle connections forged across eight centuries.

Smiles are exchanged freely, conversations flow with laughter, and the most convincing facade of filial devotion is put on display.

It is as if the unpleasant incidents, the intricate schemes of the past, had never transpired.

Yet, the most chilling realization is the absence of any alternative but to participate in this charade.

The Empress Dowager signaled for attendants to serve tea and refreshments.

Her demeanor was exceedingly warm, reminiscent of the way she used to arrange for Junqi and him to enjoy delectable treats during their childhood.

That very expression, the subtle nuances of her eyes, the gentle curve of her smiling lips—they were precisely as they had been before.

Zhao Junyao stifled the surge of discontent within him, compelling his lips to form a smile that was both strained and unconvincing.

"Thank you kindly, Mother!"

The Empress Dowager waved her fan dismissively, her gesture elegant.

"My Imperial Son, why such formality!"

"As your Mother, there is no need for such politeness!"

"These are the very snacks you cherished as a child!"

"I prepared them all myself. Please, do try them and tell me if they still taste as delightful as they once did?!"

Her voice was tender, her face alight with affection.

Time marches onward, and the years have swiftly passed.

The cadence of her speech had perceptibly slowed, and the silver strands at her temples were now quite apparent.

Furthermore, he was no longer the innocent, easily swayed child he once was.

Therefore... was it truly possible for these snacks to taste the same as they did in the past?

Zhao Junyao offered a faint smile.

"I am not feeling particularly hungry at the moment, Mother!"

"These are tasks best left to the servants; there is no need for you to exert yourself!"

The Empress Dowager merely shook her head, a smile tinged with gentle resignation gracing her lips.

"It is merely a way to pass the idle hours!"

"Lately, my thoughts have been dwelling on your younger days!"

"I distinctly recall how much you adored the homemade snacks I used to make when you were just a boy!"

"Lotus seed cakes, lotus root spheres, cakes wrapped in lotus leaves, pearl pudding, almond-infused honey..."

"And for savory delights—chicken fat rolls, shrimp ball soup, white jade tofu soup, corn and rib soup..."

The Empress Dowager recounted each item with remarkable familiarity and vivid detail.

Zhao Junyao's own mind began to drift back to his childhood days.

However... reflecting on those memories now only served to highlight his own past naivety and his regrettable tendency to place undue trust in others.

"Mother!"

"Might you be feeling fatigued?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head gently.

"Not at all!"

"However, with the recent cold weather, you must ensure you wear warmer clothing. Be careful not to catch a chill..."

Zhao Junyao gave a slight nod.

"You should take the same precaution!"

The Empress Dowager's smile was soft and comforting, akin to the gentle warmth of spring water—not scalding, but pleasantly soothing.

There is an old adage that advises against confronting someone who greets you with a smile.

Zhao Junyao inquired with patient restraint.

"How has the Shih family been faring recently?"

His question pertained to Shih Wanxin, yet it was uttered not out of genuine concern, but merely as a casual remark to fill the otherwise silent void.

A flicker of sadness crossed the Empress Dowager's face, a subtle hint of mourning in her expression.

"Not well at all!"

"She seems to be unwell and constantly asks for you!"

"I had no choice but to have her reside in a separate courtyard! My Imperial Son, surely you don't hold this against me?"

Zhao Junyao felt utterly unmoved by her words.

It was as if the matter was of no consequence to him.

As if the person in question was a stranger, completely irrelevant.

"No!"

Zhao Junyao's reply was dismissive, lacking any genuine interest.

...

After a brief display of maternal affection, a silence fell between them.

The quiet stretched for a moment before Zhao Junyao finally spoke.

"Mother, you are aging. If you feel unwell, you must summon the Imperial Physician immediately. Do not try to endure it alone!"

His voice was clear and utterly devoid of any emotion.

It was akin to the steady flow of a mountain spring – neither warm nor cold, neither harsh nor gentle.

A chill coursed through the Empress Dowager upon hearing his words.

'Unwell' was simply a euphemism for 'ill,' was it not?

He had used her supposed illness as a pretext to isolate her, confining her to Ningshou Palace for years.

Only recently had she been permitted limited freedom, always under the watchful eyes of palace attendants.

It was abundantly clear that he maintained constant surveillance, harboring deep mistrust.

And now... he brought up the topic of 'illness' once more.

What was his intention? Another veiled threat?

The Empress Dowager responded with a practiced, nonchalant smile.

"Thank you for your concern, my Imperial Son!"

"My days are now spent with Buddhist scriptures, gently tapping the wooden fish, living a life of tranquil simplicity, and I find myself remarkably at peace!"

"I am quite comfortable, both physically and mentally. I am not unwell!"

Zhao Junyao observed her for a prolonged period before a slow smile finally graced his lips.

"In that case, you simply reassure me, your son!"

Indeed.

Zhao Junyao was issuing a threat.

His unspoken message was: If you do not behave.

Just as I made you fall ill once, I can do so again!

A sense of unease stirred within the Empress Dowager.

However, she dared not reveal any hint of her apprehension, maintaining an air of serene indifference.

Finding her feigned piety tiresome, Zhao Junyao rose to his feet.

"It is getting late. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave. We shall meet again another day!"

The Empress Dowager exhaled a silent breath of relief, quickly rising as well.

"My Imperial Son, please take care!"

"You are busy managing state affairs, ensure you look after your health, and do visit me often!"

"Certainly!"

Zhao Junyao departed without a backward glance, his steps quick and purposeful.

...

The Empress Dowager watched his figure recede into the distance, a cold sweat breaking out on her brow.

This man was truly too dangerous.

After all these years of her efforts, she had inadvertently raised an ungrateful son.

He dared to threaten her once more!

He truly dared to sever all familial ties!

He truly dared to harden his heart!

It was undeniable that the imperial family harbored the coldest of hearts!

Truly!

Her steps slow and heavy, the Empress Dowager made her way back to the Buddha hall.

Picking up the wooden fish and grasping the prayer beads, she gently closed her eyes, commencing her prayers once more.

"May the Buddha's blessings be upon the faithful Shih family... may their wishes be fulfilled!"

With Empress Dowager Zhen's expulsion from the palace.

The immediate threats surrounding her had temporarily receded. If... if everything went according to plan, it should be successful, right!