A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1212: Empire and Beauty

In the center of the courtyard, Xia Ruqing found herself securely bound by Zhao Junqi.

Witnessing her plight, Zhao Junyao's heart ached profoundly.

She was his wife, the very woman he had cherished and protected with all his heart over the years.

Her arms, now bruised and battered, were once caressed with his gentle kisses.

Her disheveled hair, which now fell around her face, had previously brushed softly against his own.

Her eyes, reflecting utter despair, had once gazed upon the most beautiful sights in the world.

Her neck, adorned with dark hues and purples, had once been his most cherished place of comfort.

He had held her delicately, cherishing her like a precious gem.

He had kept her within his heart, loving her as he loved his own life.

And now.

The delicate bloom he had shielded for so long was being subjected to torment, manipulation, and threats by another man.

How could his heart not be shattered?!

Zhao Junyao's eyes instantly became as cold as ice, his gaze hardening like a frost-covered pane.

Standing at the entrance, clad in a dark, sweeping robe and holding a magnificent sword, he exuded an aura of palpable dread.

He was like a drawn sword of ice, poised to strike; like an Asura from the deepest hell, ready to unleash instant death; like a lion pushed to the absolute brink of its rage.

"Release her!"

His command was a single sentence, his eyes unwavering.

The utterance carried a terrifying threat, one that even caused Xia Ruqing to tremble.

However, Zhao Junqi remained entirely unfazed.

He casually waved the gunpowder fuse he held in his hand.

"Imperial Brother!"

"You managed to escape last time!"

"This time, it won't be so simple for you, will it?"

Xia Ruqing, her gaze darting around with palpable anxiety, cried out loudly.

"Zhao Junyao, don't come any closer!"

"There's gunpowder right in front of you!"

Zhao Junyao's advance halted for a brief moment, his brow furrowing as he surveyed the surroundings.

Xia Ruqing pleaded desperately.

"Don't come over! You'd better leave, don't worry about me!"

"There's gunpowder everywhere, you..."

Zhao Junyao shot her a sharp, commanding glare.

"Enough of this foolishness!"

"I would rather perish than abandon you!"

To abandon one's wife and flee was an act unbecoming of even an ordinary man, let alone an emperor.

If he were to do such a thing.

He would forfeit any claim to being a man.

Xia Ruqing fell silent immediately.

Though her heart was consumed with frantic worry, a sweet warmth bloomed within her.

"Hahahaha!"

"What a perfectly matched pair of desperate lovers!"

"Qingqing, if I cannot possess you, then I shall be forced to destroy you!!"

"I will not permit something I desire to fall into the hands of another!"

"And naturally..."

He cast a malevolent gaze at Zhao Junyao.

"I shall ensure that you are no longer able to live in peace and happiness either!"

"They say the life of an emperor is a lonely one, but I see you are far from lonely!"

"You possess both the empire and exquisite beauty!"

"Zhao Junyao, is it not a little too fortunate that everything falls into your lap?"

Zhao Junyao, standing resolutely in his dark robes, met him with a sarcastic, chilling retort.

"They say... that one sees in the world what they hold within their heart!"

"Perhaps your heart is filled with darkness, hence why everything appears dark to you!"

"I was born the legitimate heir, and I rightfully claimed my position. Why should I yield it to you!"

"Do you truly believe... that the world owes you something?"

These words struck a chord, and Xia Ruqing found herself wanting to applaud.

However, glancing at Zhao Junqi's expression beside her, she mused that it would be wise not to add fuel to the fire.

If this man were to fly into another rage.

It would invariably involve either herself or Zhao Junyao.

Nevertheless.

Even without her applause, Zhao Junqi's patience and restraint were already wearing thin.

He was teetering on the edge of outright madness.

"Born mine to claim!"

"Indeed, you are your ruthless father's perfect son!"

"All of you are worse than beasts—despicable and utterly shameless!!"

A storm of rage brewed within Zhao Junyao's heart, yet he maintained a facade of outward control.

His gaze swept coldly over the surroundings.

Observing the disturbed earth around the courtyard, which suggested the presence of gunpowder, he hesitated to act rashly.

Lowering his head, he furrowed his brow, contemplating the best course of action to rescue her.

Zhao Junqi, mistaking his silence for hesitation, began to lose his temper.

His eyes narrowed, and he raised the fuse in his hand.

"Have all your men retreat three miles, or... I will kill her!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Junyao's frown deepened.

"Don't listen to him!" Xia Ruqing cried out in alarm.

This man was unbelievably shameless; if Zhao Junyao's men withdrew, it was highly probable that neither of them would escape!

"No!"

"Zhao Junyao, you are the Emperor, you cannot perish!"

"Zhao Junyao, you..."

Zhao Junyao suddenly fixed his gaze sharply upon her.

"Insolent!"

"As a woman, do you presume to have the authority to interfere with my decisions?"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

She was momentarily stunned, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

'You scoundrel, trying to act all stoic at a moment like this!'

'Can't you be more aware of your position as Emperor? You cannot die!'

'You must live!'

Nevertheless, Zhao Junyao issued the command.

"Everyone, withdraw!"

"Retreat three miles and wait! Without my command, no one is permitted to approach!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, reconsider this!"

"Your Majesty!"

Imperial Censor Zhou and Commander Xu both bowed deeply!

Xia Ruqing wept as if rain was falling.

"No!"

With Zhao Junyao and so many others, there was still hope.

If he were left alone, they were surely doomed!

How shameless and deranged Zhao Junqi was, she did not even wish to remember.

She cried out in helplessness, shaking her head in desperation, her entire body trembling.

Yes, she was genuinely terrified.

Were it not for her, Zhao Junyao would not be in this situation.

Had he not come, he would not be in peril.

She feared death, but feared even more that all would perish because of her.

Guilt gnawed at her!

Yet, Zhao Junyao remained undaunted, standing tall with a composed demeanor. Once everyone had withdrawn.

He calmly sheathed his sword and stated with collectedness.

"What is it you desire? As long as it is within my power, I shall grant your wish!"

Zhao Junqi erupted into laughter upon hearing this.

"What do I want?"

"Hahaha..."

"I want you to experience all the torment I have endured for half my life."

"I want you to feel the agony of a father's crippling injuries, to know the sting of losing what you hold most dear!"

"Are you willing?"

"Today, all that unfolds is your karmic debt, it is your punishment!"

"Once you are gone, my father's spirit may finally find peace!"

Zhao Junyao's expression turned icy, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"His paralysis is a consequence of his own actions!"

"If you wish for others to remain ignorant, one must first refrain from wrongdoing!"

"You are to shut your mouth!" Zhao Junqi suddenly bellowed.

Zhao Junyao's gaze burned with intensity, a profound sense of urgency gripping him.

"State your demands plainly, I have no patience for circumlocution!"

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Junqi guffawed once more.

"You cannot be bothered with pleasantries, you are feeling remorse, are you not!"

"This is a rare spectacle, Zhao Junyao actually experiencing guilt!"

"From your infancy, you were born under a fortunate star, destined to be the Crown Prince, with everyone fawning over you."

"The finest delicacies, the most exquisite playthings, the most coveted possessions!"

"All were rightfully yours!"

"Even now!"

"Even the most desirable woman is yours!"

Xia Ruqing: "..." The most desirable? He's completely lost his mind!

Zhao Junyao remained stoically silent.

Zhao Junqi continued his impassioned tirade.

"Since you inquire about my desires, I shall not hold back!"

"I desire the throne!"

"If you promptly issue an decree to yield the crown to me, then I shall release her, and you may live out your days in bliss, how does that sound?"

"The kingdom and your beloved, you cannot possess both, can you?"