A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1206: Worse Than a Beast

True, exhaustion weighed her down. Yet, sleep eluded her.

Every time she shut her eyes, only his image and feelings filled her mind.

His voice, his smile, his final words spoken in the cave, and the powerful shove that propelled her to safety—these memories brought tears to her eyes.

'Zhao Junyao!'

'Tell me, you won't die!'

'I refuse to believe that was you!'

'It wasn't you, was it?'

Even seeing the body, ruined as it was, perhaps it wasn't him? she thought.

Could Zhao Junqi have simply found a substitute? Considering the notorious cunning of father and son, anything was possible.

Xia Ruqing clung to this fragile shred of hope.

Lost in these desperate musings, a sudden realization struck her. With considerable effort, she reached inside her robes.

Ignoring propriety and shame, her bandaged hands fumbled clumsily within her clothing.

After a tense moment, a spark of triumph ignited in her eyes.

'Found them!'

It was the trio of potent medicines she had procured earlier. One vial contained a potent Sleeping Draught, capable of rendering a person unconscious for three full days and nights. Another promised temporary male impotence, a safeguard against unwanted advances. The final vial held a deadly poison, a last resort when all other options vanished.

A satisfied smile touched Xia Ruqing's lips as she clutched the three pouches of powder. 'Thank goodness you're with me!'

'With you all, I fear nothing. At worst, there's always death, isn't there?'

'While it's often said a good death is preferable to a difficult life, sometimes a clean end is more vital than mere existence.'

For the first time, Xia Ruqing felt a surge of pride in her own foresight and wisdom. She had acquired them as a precautionary measure, never truly expecting to need them. What a turn of fate!

She closed her eyes, exhaling a long, slow breath of relief.

Perhaps it was her depleted state, but exhaustion finally claimed her, and she drifted into sleep.

As instructed by Zhao Junqi, no servant dared to interrupt her slumber.

Consequently, when Xia Ruqing stirred groggily, darkness had already enveloped the room.

A lamp cast a soft glow, yet the maids were nowhere to be found. Only Zhao Junqi sat by her bedside, his gaze fixed upon her with an unnerving intensity.

An inexplicable wave of revulsion washed over Xia Ruqing.

She turned her head away sharply, unwilling to meet his eyes or offer a response.

Zhao Junqi, unfazed, offered a gentle smile.

'Qingqing!'

'Your hand wounds have reopened. I had the servants re-bandage them for you!'

'Be still and don't move excessively, or it might lead to permanent complications!'

Xia Ruqing let out a cold, humorless laugh but remained silent. Her mind echoed a single proverb: A fox visiting a hen on New Year's Day signals ill intentions.

Noticing her silence, Zhao Junqi continued, 'Don't fret. Once I ascend the throne, you shall still be my Empress!'

'Even with a multitude of beautiful consorts in my future harem, you will forever hold the highest position; no one will ever surpass you!'

'Isn't that wonderful?'

Furious to the point of sputtering, Xia Ruqing whipped her head around and spat towards him defiantly. 'I scoff!'

'Don't be so smug; he will not die!'

Zhao Junqi blinked in surprise, not anger, but rather bewilderment. 'You...'

'Cease your nonsensical talk. You even saw the body!'

'Rest assured, he was my own cousin after all. I shall grant him a proper burial!'

'If all else fails...' Zhao Junqi added with a slight hesitation. 'You may observe a mourning period for him. After all... you were once married.'

'While I pledge to surpass him in all aspects, I do not wish for you to perceive me as heartless!'

'Qingqing, my sincerity towards you is absolute!'

'What truly is there for you to lose?!'

Xia Ruqing trembled with rage at his triumphant air, disinclined to engage further. Yet, one point nagged at her, demanding clarification. After a moment's thought, she inquired, 'There's something I cannot comprehend!'

'What is it?' Zhao Junqi asked, eagerness coloring his tone.

'Whatever you wish to know, I shall reveal!'

'The gunpowder discovered on the mountain,' Xia Ruqing asked point-blank, 'where did you procure it?'

Although this era was purely fictional, the governmental structure of the Celestial Empire remained consistent. Logically, gunpowder should have originated within the Celestial Empire and then disseminated outwards. Yet, she had never heard of its existence among the common populace. Therefore, such gunpowder ought not to be present!

However, Zhao Junqi raised an eyebrow at her question. 'Such things are not uncommon. Why fret about acquiring them?'

Xia Ruqing's brow furrowed in confusion. 'Not uncommon?'

Zhao Junqi nodded with a smile. 'Hunters have long utilized crude pellets for their pursuits, but those primitive munitions lacked such potent capabilities.'

"The ingredients I acquired naturally came from overseas!"

"From which country?" Xia Ruqing probed further.

Although her education was limited, her grasp of history was even weaker; she barely retained any knowledge of China's past, let alone the ancient history of gunpowder.

Consequently, she wouldn't fully comprehend the nuances, yet her curiosity about the outcome remained strong.

Zhao Junqi did not withhold information from her, stating plainly,

"Portland Country!"

Xia Ruqing was taken aback.

She had a premonition, a sense that it wouldn't be straightforward.

Cement was first invented in Portland Country, an indication that this nation placed significant value on such advancements.

Gunpowder, cement, and similar innovations.

Xia Ruqing appeared somewhat bewildered, lamenting inwardly:

As expected, this era is unlike ancient times; the world's trajectory and structure are simply too peculiar!

Regardless, the immediate concern was paramount.

Xia Ruqing fixed her sharpest gaze upon Zhao Junqi.

"You colluded with them?"

Zhao Junqi continued with an air of smug satisfaction.

"Precisely!"

"They professed to seek protection, yet their ultimate aim was still wealth!"

"They developed these technologies solely to acquire a substantial amount of silver!"

"Therefore, I readily agreed, promising them unlimited silver as long as they aided me in ascending to the throne!"

"I could even arrange a marriage with the King of Portland's own daughter!"

Xia Ruqing was utterly astonished.

At this juncture, what remained unclear to her?

Previously, those women had sought to marry Zhao Junyao but were coldly rebuffed by him.

The King of Portland, who had initially intended to profit from the Great Chu Dynasty, found his schemes completely thwarted by Zhao Junyao.

In the end, not a single piece of silver was gained, and they were summarily dismissed.

Portland's subsequent fury was entirely understandable.

But Zhao Junqi...

Xia Ruqing scrutinized him with a deep, penetrating look.

A shiver coursed through her entire body, and her heart turned ice-cold.

Zhao Junqi was a terrifying individual.

This man harbored immense ambition, possessed a heart as unyielding as stone, and was utterly devoid of scruples in his pursuit of objectives.

First, he had conspired with various Southern Ocean countries in Guangnan, committing acts of treason.

Then, in league with Portland, he had joined forces to plot the murder of his own cousin.

Most horrifyingly, he had disregarded all moral principles to covet his cousin's wife.

In a feudal society characterized by strict hierarchy and rigorous education, such actions were utterly preposterous.

Xia Ruqing clenched her teeth.

"There truly are beasts disguised as humans in this world!"

"No, he is even more depraved than a mere beast!"