A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1201: Fool, Don’t Come Over!

"Emperor!"

A few Hidden Guards heard the order and moved to Zhao Junyao’s side, intending to take Zhao Junqi away.

However, Zhao Junyao suddenly waved his hand.

"No need!"

"I have changed my mind!"

"I have decided to kill him myself!"

He suddenly felt a twinge of regret.

He should have learned from the Emperor Father to be cold and ruthless!

He should not have spared him just because of their blood ties.

The Royal Family is not a place for familial affection; he shouldn’t have softened.

Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes and slowly raised his arm, pressing his sword against Zhao Junqi’s chest.

His gaze was cold and his voice was deep.

"For the sake of our cousinhood, I will grant you one last favor and leave you a whole corpse!"

With that, he squinted his cold eyes and stabbed forcefully.

At this moment, Zhao Junqi suddenly shouted loudly.

"Wait!"

He arrogantly pointed to the cave halfway up the opposite mountain.

"Imperial Brother!"

"Look over there!"

Zhao Junyao’s pupils contracted.

"No, Qingqing!"

"Hahaha..." Zhao Junqi suddenly burst into laughter.

"Imperial Brother, oh Imperial Brother!"

"You’re only realizing it now; isn’t that a bit too late!"

"I have already set an ambush there."

"Oh right, there’s also Gunpowder to assist."

"Imperial Brother... do you dare go over and die?"

"Zhao Junqi!"

Zhao Junyao’s fury erupted like a volcanic eruption.

He looked at him in disbelief.

"You are so despicable, not even sparing a woman!"

Zhao Junqi disdainfully knocked his sword aside and snorted coldly.

"I am despicable?!"

"No matter how despicable, I can’t compare to you and your father!"

"No matter how despicable, I haven’t crippled anyone’s life!"

"What right do you have to accuse me?!"

Zhao Junyao had no interest in arguing with him, instructing two Hidden Guards.

"Bind him and take him away!"

After speaking, he lightly tapped his toes and hurriedly flew towards the cave on the other side.

...

In the pitch-dark cave.

Xia Ruqing and Zi Su huddled together in a corner.

They could see nothing and dared not leave, only pressing down their anxiety and waiting patiently.

When the loud noise hit, they were both scared stiff.

"What was that sound?" Zi Su was alert.

"I don’t know... it sounds like something collapsed!" Xia Ruqing was a bit bewildered.

"Master, could it be our courtyard that collapsed?"

"It shouldn’t be, right!" Xia Ruqing was startled.

Seeing her master scared, Zi Su dared not speak further.

She moved closer, and the two huddled even tighter.

After a while.

Zhao Junyao suddenly returned, covered in dust.

Upon entering, he said nothing and grabbed her to rush outside.

"Hey! Emperor, what’s wrong?"

"Slow down!"

Xia Ruqing was pulled by her clothing, staggering and almost falling.

"No time to explain, hurry up!"

Zhao Junyao bent down, picked her up, and dashed out!

Zi Su was bewildered, but quickly followed them.

Unfortunately...

The three of them hadn’t even left the cave when thundering sounds erupted outside.

In an instant, the entire cave felt as if the sky was falling, the earth collapsing.

The ground beneath kept shaking, and rocks from above continuously tumbled down.

Half an incense stick’s time passed, then a full stick...

The overwhelming rumbling sounds still hadn’t stopped.

Rocks from above fell one after another, quickly blocking most of the cave’s entrance!

It looked like...

"What’s going on!"

"What should we do?"

"If this continues, we won’t be able to get out!"

Xia Ruqing panicked completely, her voice with a sob.

She couldn’t help but look up at Zhao Junyao.

He appeared calm, his eyes sharp, surveying all around.

Her heart inexplicably settled instantly.

’With him here, what is there to fear?’

Looking around, Xia Ruqing suddenly spotted a passage behind and her eyes lit up.

"This passage might be an escape route, should we try hiding there first?"

Zhao Junyao immediately refused firmly.

"No way!"

The passage contains Zhao Junqi’s men.

If he could find this place, he could find the other side too.

Perhaps that side has even more Gunpowder.

By the time they rush there, this entrance would be sealed.

Trapped from both sides, they’d be stuck here.

So...

"The only option now is to break through from here!"

Zhao Junyao turned to look at the rapidly closing cave entrance ahead.

"Qingqing!"

Zhao Junyao suddenly looked at her with deep emotion.

"Let’s go, I will get you out!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t find anything unusual and nodded immediately.

"Okay! If that’s the case, let’s hurry and go!"

Zhao Junyao nodded and turned to instruct Zi Su.

"Protect your master well!"

Zi Su’s eyes were determined.

"I swear to do anything for my master, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao gave a nod of approval.

He stared ahead, letting out a long, drawn-out breath.

Shifting his arms to cradle Xia Ruqing, he used his other arm to shield her head.

Zi Su guarded her mistress with one hand while propping up her own head with the other.

The trio bolted from the collapsing structure amid a rain of falling debris!

Rumble...

Rumble rumble...

Several thunderous impacts reverberated from above.

More stones began to descend.

Their sheer volume made evasion a near impossibility.

By sheer luck, the exit was within their grasp.

Xia Ruqing felt a surge of excitement.

"Keep pushing, Your Majesty, we are so close to escaping!"

Zhao Junyao increased his speed.

As they neared the cave's opening, Zi Su continued to shield her master.

"We're safe at last!"

Xia Ruqing exhaled a massive sigh of relief.

"However, the opening is rather narrow – only one person can pass through at a time!"

She had barely finished speaking when it happened.

Zhao Junyao hoisted her up and shoved her towards the exit.

"Qingqing, exert all your strength and crawl out!" Zhao Junyao's voice was laced with urgency.

Xia Ruqing felt a pang of reluctance.

"You are the Emperor; you ought to be the first to exit!"

"Stop wasting precious time!"

Zhao Junyao's tone resonated with a low, cold intensity, bordering on anger.

Xia Ruqing was taken aback.

She seldom witnessed Zhao Junyao expressing such displeasure.

Daring not to argue further, she scrambled out with everything she had, using both hands and feet!

Zhao Junyao held her in place, ensuring she maintained her balance.

Meanwhile, Zi Su warily scanned their surroundings, vigilant against any falling rocks.

Their collective focus was on aiding Xia Ruqing's escape.

Fortunately, Xia Ruqing's slender build and adequate strength allowed her upper body and one leg to clear the opening quickly.

With just a little more effort, freeing her other leg would mean complete escape.

Xia Ruqing gathered all her remaining might to continue her struggle.

But at this critical juncture...

She saw it – a rock, the size of a basketball, hurtling down directly towards her leg.

Her eyes widened in stark terror.

If struck, she would face lifelong crippling.

In this moment of dire peril.

Zi Su suddenly lunged forward.

"Master, take cover!"

Xia Ruqing frantically halted her movement.

"Don't come closer, you'll be killed!"

Losing a leg would be one thing, but if the rock struck Zi Su's head, the outcome would be dire...

Tears streamed down Xia Ruqing's face as she screamed with all her might.

"You fool, stay back!"

"No!"

"Don't!"

Alas, it was futile. Zi Su used her own body to deflect the falling rock.

A cry escaped her lips as she collapsed onto the ground.

The rock landed with crushing force directly upon her chest.

"Puff!"