A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1205: Is It Really You?

The chamber was steeped in profound darkness.

Xia Ruqing, wrestling with her surging fear and anxiety, stepped forward with limbs that trembled from the cold. Unwary of the door frame, she stumbled with a loud thud, nearly pitching forward. "Slow down!" Zhao Junqi’s hand shot out, catching her just in time. Ignoring him, Xia Ruqing violently wrenched herself free, tears streaming down her face as she pressed onward into the gloom. Her body felt chilled, but she focused, holding her breath, desperately searching for any sign of him amidst the oppressive blackness. Alas... nothing greeted her but an intensifying scent of blood permeating the air. With each advancing step, her heart grew colder. 'Zhao Junyao, could it truly be you? It can't be, can it?'

A solitary beam of sunlight pierced the narrow window. Rather than dispelling the darkness, it served only to accentuate the dismal interior, creating a stark contrast with the vibrant, bustling world of flowers and trees just outside. This made the room feel even more desolate and chilling. The confined space contained little else save for a simple, four-legged wooden plank. Upon this platform lay a corpse, concealed beneath a white cloth, the source of the pervasive odor of blood. The crimson fluid had spilled so profusely that it stained not only the white shroud but also the ground surrounding the plank with gruesome splotches. It appeared precisely as Zhao Junqi had grimly described: 'smashed into a meat patty.'

Xia Ruqing shuddered uncontrollably, her knees buckling as she sank to the floor. "Emper..." she began, her voice barely a whisper. "Emperor?" she questioned, her tone laced with a profound tremor and hoarseness. "Is it really you?" She collapsed onto the ground, succumbing to an overwhelming wave of grief, sobbing uncontrollably. Her face, already pale, became a picture of disarray after her fall; her hair had come loose, her clothing was disheveled, and the wound on her hand had reopened, bleeding through the gauze and soaking her sleeves. She presented a truly pitiable sight!

Xia Ruqing wept without restraint. Though she had always harbored the greatest fear of the dead and corpses, she now found herself devoid of any sense of fear. She remained kneeling on the ground, shaking his lifeless body while letting out heart-wrenching sobs. "Zhao Junyao, you scoundrel!" she cried, her voice raw with anguish. "Wake up!" "My life has been unbearable without you!" "Look at the pitiful state I'm in!" "Weren't you the one who cherished me the most? Come back quickly!" "If not for me, think of the children!" "You doted on Yue Er above all else; who knows what will become of her when she learns of this!" "She is your most beloved daughter! You promised you would personally teach her to ride a horse!" "Zhao Junyao, come back to me..."

For the very first time, Xia Ruqing truly comprehended the meaning of utter despair. Her heart had long since turned to stone from the sheer intensity of her pain, and she had become desensitized to the stench of blood. The only thing she could not bear was the crushing reality of a life without him. Overcome by a torrent of sorrow, Xia Ruqing clutched at her aching wound, and then, with a sudden, violent spasm, vomited a mouthful of fresh blood. Unable to bear witnessing her torment any longer, Zhao Junqi moved to support her. Xia Ruqing violently flung his hand away, her bloodshot eyes burning with malice and a fierce protectiveness. "Don't touch me!" she spat, her voice trembling with emotion. "Whether he lives or dies, I belong only to him. You'd best abandon any foolish hopes you harbor!"

A sharp glint flickered in Zhao Junqi’s eyes, but he swiftly withdrew his hand, his voice softening. "Don't be angry!" he said gently. "I won't hold you. I simply feel sorrow seeing you in such distress. I shall leave you be for now!" With that, Zhao Junqi indeed turned and departed. Xia Ruqing’s weakened body, which had been clinging to consciousness, instantly went limp. After weeping for a while longer, she wiped her tears and turned her gaze back to the figure lying beneath the white cloth. After a moment's hesitation, mustering her remaining courage, she slowly lifted the cloth. Grasping his ice-cold hand, a stiff, almost unnatural smile spread across her pale, bloodless face.

"Zhao Junyao," she began, her voice soft and hesitant. "Do you know?" "The very first time I laid eyes on you, I thought you were remarkably handsome!" "Although... you had so many consorts, and during those times you were with countless women, I never truly put up any resistance!" "Mostly because I was too afraid, considering you held my very life in your hands." "And a small part... perhaps I genuinely liked you!" "Haha..." "Do you think I'm completely mad, to actually harbor feelings for a man with so many women!" Xia Ruqing let out a few hollow chuckles, idly playing with his hand as if engaged in an ordinary conversation. After a brief silence, she continued, her voice filled with a newfound, melancholic clarity. "I was truly so foolish back then!" "I didn't even realize I had fallen for you, merely viewing you as a means to secure my survival!" "All my thoughts were focused on currying your favor." "Because I desperately wished not to die. I yearned to live, to have enough to eat and clothes to keep me warm!" "My life had been far too bitter; living comfortably was paramount above all else!" "And so..." Xia Ruqing's voice broke as she began to weep anew. "I flattered and pleased you for so many long years!" "I always believed you merely favored me slightly more than the others; I never imagined you would genuinely love me with such earnestness throughout those many years!"

"I believed you only concerned yourself with your empire and not matters of the heart; I never imagined you would sacrifice your life for me!"

"I foolishly thought our youthful bond would eventually fade; I never expected you to depart before I did!"

"Zhao Junyao, I deeply regret that it took me so many years to truly comprehend your heart!"

"I am so foolish, you must feel incredibly disappointed in me!"

After uttering these words, she shook her head once more.

"No, I have always been foolish. I was not merely foolish, but also lazy and gluttonous, detesting study, yet you never once looked down upon me!"

"Look at what I have done!"

Xia Ruqing suddenly found her past self utterly ridiculous.

Did people in ancient times not understand love?

Was there no love to be found in feudal society?

Just because he possessed three thousand beauties in his harem, was it impossible for him to experience love?

Was this some kind of paradox?

Was it his error to be born during ancient times?

Was it his fault for being an emperor?

Was amassing all those women genuinely his own volition?

Not at all!

Then why did he not deserve love!

To those who claim that ancient people with multiple wives do not understand love, do you believe modern individuals grasp love any better?

If everyone genuinely understood love,

Why would so many young women opt to remain unmarried for their entire lives rather than enter into matrimony!

If everyone truly understood,

Then why do so many toxic viewpoints persist, such as 'Men inevitably change for the worse once they become wealthy, living extravagantly, and women must learn self-love,' and similar sentiments.

If everyone understood,

There would not be such a multitude of resentful couples, driven by love that curdles into hatred, even leading to tragic ends.

So... what was his transgression?

Were men of the modern era significantly purer or more virtuous than he was? How utterly laughable!

Xia Ruqing repeatedly covered his cold hands, attempting to coax a flicker of warmth back into them, but alas... it was to no avail.

...

Following the passage of half a Shi Chen.

As Zhao Junqi grew increasingly impatient from the prolonged wait.

Xia Ruqing finally emerged from the chamber, her countenance dazed and vacant.

The brilliant daylight outside assailed her senses, causing her head to spin and her vision to blur.

Zhao Junqi hastened forward, offering his support.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Xia Ruqing silently and deliberately pulled her arm away.

"I am perfectly fine!"

"I feel weary and wish to retreat to my room for some rest!"

Zhao Junqi responded without delay.

"Very well! Allow me to escort you back!"

With a vacant expression, Xia Ruqing offered no verbal reply, slowly following behind him.

They passed through several winding corridors; the journey felt interminably long.

Eventually, they reached her personal residence.

A diligent maid attended to Xia Ruqing as she reclined upon the bed.

Zhao Junqi settled himself by the bedside, his expression gentle.

"Rest peacefully. I shall return later to see how you are faring!"

Xia Ruqing, desiring no further interaction with him, closed her eyes in quietude.