A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1189: You Seriously Underestimate the Empress Dowager

A prolonged silence hung in the air.

Zhao Junyao managed a strained smile.

"It's nothing!"

"How can it be nothing?" Xia Ruqing's eyes suddenly misted over.

"You've been acting peculiar since last night, and now you appear so unwell!"

"Are you keeping something from me?"

A memory suddenly surfaced for her.

It was ever since she uttered the words, 'How could a mother not worry about her child,' the previous night.

His demeanor had been decidedly off!

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Your Majesty, I... I didn't mean to!"

It was common knowledge that his relationship with the Empress Dowager was strained.

Uttering such sentiments must have dredged up painful childhood memories for him.

"Your Majesty, I..."

Just as Xia Ruqing was at a loss for words, Zhao Junyao clasped her cool hand.

"Stop overthinking. It's not your fault!"

Xia Ruqing gazed at her hand within his, then at his face, which was gradually regaining warmth.

She finally let out a breath of relief.

"You must be hungry. Let's eat!"

She offered a strained smile, hesitant to broach any other topic, speaking only these words.

Zhao Junyao reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek.

Outside the window, the crisp, clean air that followed the rain swept in. The verdant sycamore canopy unfurled magnificently, with every flower and tree, each blade and leaf, presenting an unparalleled beauty.

Yet, none of this could compare to the face before him.

Her countenance remained as radiant as ever, her eyes as clear as they were back then, her heart as consistently pure and transparent.

She was still untainted.

Like the brilliant winter sun, she illuminated and warmed his ice-cold heart.

After all these years, she was still just as wonderful.

Zhao Junyao embraced her with deep affection.

"Qingqing, it is a blessing to have you!"

Xia Ruqing felt a sense of disorientation, unaware of the hardships he endured in his childhood.

Even the normally invincible Zhao Junyao had become this way, which underscored how inadequate the Empress Dowager was as a mother.

She paused for a moment before slowly reached out to return his embrace.

"Your Majesty..."

"Don't speak. Let me hold you for a moment!"

Xia Ruqing remained still, following his request.

The warm autumn sunlight streamed through the lush green sycamore canopy outside the window, lending the view an even more ethereal and distinct quality.

Glistening dew clung to the emerald sycamore leaves, catching the sunlight and reflecting iridescent hues.

The air carried the refreshing, earthy fragrance of the post-rain atmosphere, a soothing sensation with each deep inhale.

The passage of time became uncertain.

Zhao Junyao finally released her gently.

His expression settled back into tranquility, his gaze regained its characteristic depth and sagacity, and the icy aura surrounding him gradually dissipated, replaced by the warmth of the sun outside.

Xia Ruqing felt a measure of relief.

"Your Majesty! Are you... hungry?"

She refrained from mentioning anything about his mother and son, not even posing a single question.

Zhao Junyao remained silent, making no mention of the matter.

"You're hungry, aren't you! Let's go eat!"

With that, he took her hand and led the way.

Xia Ruqing secretly let out a sigh: Finally, things seem to be improving!

She followed him to the meal without uttering another word.

...

Since the anticipated intelligence had not yet been acquired.

Zhao Junyao found himself with little to occupy him for a short period.

On the first day, he conducted a tour of the Wei River region.

The Wei River, during the flood season, had risen considerably, causing repair work to halt entirely.

Nevertheless, neither the laborers nor the officials from the Ministry of Works dared to abandon their posts.

They diligently inspected the river embankment each day.

Their aim was to swiftly identify any signs of danger and devise immediate solutions, thereby minimizing the flood's impact on Jiangnan.

Zhao Junyao took a leisurely walk along the river embankment.

Observing the churning waters, the swirling eddies, and the occasional large fissures in the embankment, he experienced a persistent sense of unease.

'This year's flood season appears more severe than ever before!'

'Fortunately, I dispatched personnel in advance for repairs; otherwise... the river might not have held up by now!!'

'Such intense flooding, if the riverbank were to breach...'

Zhao Junyao dared not contemplate the potential consequences.

He felt a sense of thankfulness; at least half of the repairs were completed, and despite the cracks, the situation was not yet critical.

This summer might... pass without major incident.

In the days that followed.

He remained at the inn, venturing out infrequently.

He convened with Imperial Censors and Secret Investigators periodically to receive updates.

On occasion, he accompanied Xia Ruqing on outings, indulging her curiosity.

The remaining time was dedicated to quiet reading.

He delved into the secrets of the royal family, studied the history of the Chu Dynasty, and even perused reports on envoys from neighboring nations.

Thus, half a month elapsed.

The Capital City had transitioned into autumn, and the summer heat in Jiangnan began to gradually wane.

Zhao Junyao suddenly received a dispatch from a Secret Investigator.

"Zhao Junqi's whereabouts have been ascertained in Guangnan!"

A wave of shock coursed through Zhao Junyao.

Indeed, Guangnan was the established stronghold of Prince Yan.

Their connections there had been cultivated over decades, encompassing both their influence among the populace and their established network.

Such abundant resources were not something Zhao Junqi would readily forsake.

Yet, what truly astonished him was how Zhao Junqi managed to elude his exile to the desolate borderlands and reach Guangnan.

Xia Ruqing ventured a guess.

"Someone must have aided him in secret!"

Zhao Junyao's eyes narrowed into a cold glare.

"Assistance is definitely involved, but what bewilders me is that Zhao Junqi has an accomplice on the inside!"

"What?"

Xia Ruqing found this hard to believe.

"Surely that's impossible?"

Treason is punishable by death; who would dare risk such peril to help someone facing insurmountable odds?

The situation was clearly hopeless, a futile endeavor.

Zhao Junyao let out a cold laugh.

"Zhao Junqi's influence within the court was never substantial, but you mustn't forget!"

"Within the court, there are still individuals loyal to the Empress Dowager!"

Xia Ruqing's eyes widened in astonishment.

"But, Your Majesty, how can that be? The Empress Dowager no longer concerns herself with palace affairs and has even ceased her consorts' bi-monthly audiences..."

Zhao Junyao shook his head.

"You underestimate the Empress Dowager!"

Xia Ruqing intended to interject, but upon opening her mouth, found no suitable words, and opted to remain silent.

Zhao Junyao's icy demeanor intensified, his fist clenching as his gaze became as piercing as a torch.

"Mother, could it truly be you?"

Aside from the Empress Dowager, he could not fathom who else within the court possessed the connections and willingness to orchestrate Zhao Junqi's transfer from the Northern Frontier to Guangnan.

Who else had the capability to shroud everything in secrecy!

Which minister could achieve this?

Even those serving directly under the Grand Secretary lacked such extraordinary influence!

If not the Empress Dowager, then who else?!

Xia Ruqing asked hesitantly.

"Your Majesty, is escaping as a convict truly that difficult?"

Zhao Junyao let out a scornful laugh.

"What do you think?"

"They cannot use official routes and are forbidden from entering any cities; if they wish to flee, they must travel along obscure paths!"

"While land travel might be manageable, water routes necessitate lengthy detours!"

"Such immense hardship..."

"In the Great Chu's over a century of history, escapes by convicts are exceedingly rare!"

"Most perish either at the frontier or en route back from it!"

Consider the treacherous terrain, the abundant wild beasts, and the isolation without any support!

Surviving such an escape was virtually unheard of.