A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1172: Truly Seasoned and Ruthlessly Decisive

With a roguish grin, Zhao Junyao scooped her up.

"You must keep me company!" he declared.

"Ah!" Xia Ruqing gasped in surprise as she suddenly felt weightless. In the blink of an eye, he had lifted her and placed her onto the bed.

...

Zhao Junyao’s many years as emperor had certainly honed his skills.

His command over his wrist was both adept and decisive.

Following the Great Chu Dynasty's successful development of cement, he curtly dismissed the king of Portland Country along with his seven unsightly, corpulent daughters.

While it might have seemed like burning bridges, who could blame him? He abhorred being cornered.

The truly unfortunate part was this:

The king of Portland Country never grasped the reason why:

The precious gray mud, once so desired, suddenly became unwanted.

The reason?

Zhao Junyao certainly wouldn't reveal it.

After all, admitting to such a calculated, self-serving maneuver wouldn’t sound impressive, would it?!

Ahem!

Let’s just let the matter rest.

...

April melted away, and May soon dawned.

A stifling heat descended upon the entire capital city under the relentless sun.

Ever since the envoy from Portland Country had departed,

Zhao Junyao had commanded the Ministry of Works to refine the cement formula, striving for ultimate perfection.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, the Ministry of Works plunged into research day and night.

The Great Chu Dynasty was blessed with numerous skilled artisans, who rapidly grasped the function of each component material.

Not only that,

they also devised precise mixture ratios, ensuring the cement would be exceptionally solid and durable.

Zhao Junyao surveyed the impressive research outcomes presented by the Ministry of Works.

His delight was evident as he immediately issued praise, his joy overflowing.

"Rewards!"

"Every member of the Ministry of Works shall receive substantial rewards!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Shengan relayed the Emperor's command.

Swiftly, a cascade of commendation decrees traveled from Zhaochen Palace to the Cabinet, and subsequently from the Cabinet to the residences of various ministers.

A wave of thunderous applause swept through the capital.

The homes of the honored officials radiated dignity and prestige, their influence soaring.

Even those not directly rewarded felt an infectious sense of elation.

The common citizens, too, rejoiced heartily.

After all, if the persistent floods in Jiangnan could truly be contained effectively,

the price of grain and rice would inevitably plummet, a direct boon to the populace.

Secondly, officials would no longer face the peril of losing their positions—their black gauze caps—due to disasters impacting the people.

Previously, numerous officials stationed in Jiangnan had suffered demotions, some facing lifelong consequences, because of such calamities.

If these issues were to cease, wouldn't career advancement become within easy reach?

Lastly, and most crucially: the Emperor was joyous!

The Emperor, typically as stoic and imposing as a glacier, had not displayed such evident happiness in years.

How rare was such an occasion?!

A happy Emperor meant their lives were immeasurably better!

All officials were filled with excitement.

Whether attending court sessions or departing afterward, their work became more diligent, ensuring they caused the Emperor no distress.

Consequently,

both within the capital and the imperial court, a vibrant atmosphere of harmony, vitality, and flourishing prosperity prevailed.

The harem was no exception.

As the Emperor had been in high spirits recently, he bestowed numerous gifts.

Every individual received their due proportion based on their rank, with a dazzling array of items.

Luxurious fabrics, exotic spices, precious artifacts, ancient treasures, gold, and silver—all were distributed.

The consorts, who had languished 'out of favor' for so long, finally experienced the Emperor's attention, naturally leading to great excitement.

As the old saying goes, it's not poverty that breeds discontent, but inequality.

If one person possessed something another lacked, jealousy would surely arise.

However, when everyone received a share, it fostered a sense of harmonious kinship, and for a time, the harem was suffused with peace and joy.

Early this morning,

Zhao Junyao concluded his morning court duties ahead of schedule. After reviewing the memorials, he hummed a cheerful tune and proceeded to Duanning Palace.

As he arrived, Yue Er was playfully doting on Xia Ruqing.

Upon entering, he witnessed the mother and daughter, one with a look of gentle exasperation, the other pouting as if her affectionate display had failed to elicit the desired response.

"What seems to be the matter?" Zhao Junyao inquired.

Hearing his voice, Xia Ruqing quickly rose to greet him.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao helped her to her feet, then turned a serious gaze upon Yue Er.

"Have you upset your mother again?"

Yue Er pouted, feigning innocence.

"No! I haven't!"

Without waiting for Xia Ruqing to respond, she furrowed her brow and launched into a complaint.

"Father, Yue Er wishes to learn horseback riding, but Mother refuses!"

She stated this with conviction.

She cast a furtive glance at her mother before looking expectantly at her father.

"Horseback riding?"

Zhao Junyao, usually doting towards his daughter, frowned at this particular request.

"How old are you? Why horseback riding?"

"You’re so young, you probably can’t even mount a horse!"

"Don’t turn around, and then fall off after failing to learn horseback riding!"

Yue Er was quite spirited.

Upon hearing her father ‘belittle’ her, the little girl immediately teared up.

"I won’t!"

"I’m not that silly!"

"Father is underestimating me!"

She shot an angry glare at Zhao Junyao.

Her face flushed with indignation, tears welling in her eyes, yet she managed to hold them back.

Zhao Junyao felt a pang in his heart and secretly praised her;

’Indeed, she’s worthy of being my legitimate princess. So bold at such a tender age, she truly inherits my traits!’

However… she’s too headstrong; one can’t indulge her in everything.

Thus, he maintained a stern expression, his gaze softening slightly.

"Don’t make trouble!"

He finished speaking, then gently coaxed her.

"Once you’re a bit older, how about letting your big brother teach you?"

Yue Er pouted, feeling wronged.

"Brother says the same thing!"

"But Father, look at me, I’m so young?! Who knows when I’ll finally grow up?!"

"Can’t I visit the drill grounds before I’m grown?"

Zhao Junyao was quite troubled by his daughter’s stubbornness.

He had no choice but to reluctantly comfort her.

"Doesn’t your brother take you out to play whenever he has free time? And accompany you on horseback?"

Yue Er felt even more aggrieved.

"Brother is so busy, where would he find the time!"

"Father, please find a small horse for your daughter!"

"One with a gentle disposition, and have someone help your daughter learn. Father…"

Zhao Junyao’s face turned stern.

"No!"

"Anything else is acceptable, but this is absolutely not!"

Yue Er: "…"

The tears she had held back now spilled forth, her large eyes brimming with them, like shattered pearls falling uncontrollably.

She raised her small fist and hit her father’s leg, exclaiming in anger.

"Father is bad!"

With that, she stomped away.

Zhao Junyao: "…"

Xia Ruqing: "…"

After Yue Er’s figure disappeared from view,

Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow and helplessly spread her hands: "You’ve spoiled her this much?"

Saying this, she entered the inner chamber.

Zhao Junyao rubbed his nose, let out a helpless sigh, and followed her inside.

Xia Ruqing took a seat on the bed.

Zhao Junyao leaned in repeatedly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"Qingqing, you’ve worked hard!"

Xia Ruqing took a sip of tea, her demeanor calm and composed.

"I’ve gotten used to it by now!"

"Yue Er is such a stubborn little girl! Once she sets her mind on something, she won’t change it easily. I think…"

"No!"

Zhao Junyao quickly interrupted.

"A horse, no matter how gentle, is still a beast!"

"If she were to get hurt, that would be a grave matter!"