A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1213: I’ll Take You Away Right Now!

"No!"

"Don’t agree with him, he’s lying to you... Ugh ugh..."

Before Xia Ruqing could finish her words, two maids swiftly covered her mouth.

They had found a piece of rag from somewhere and stuffed it into her mouth with desperate urgency.

Their actions were forceful and rough.

They supported her cheeks, causing the veins on her forehead and the blood vessels on her face to bulge prominently.

She felt as though her cheeks were about to split, her throat was burning with pain, and a wave of nausea rose from her stomach, only to be forced back down into her mouth.

This sensation... instantly brought tears to her eyes.

"Ugh ugh..."

"Woo woo woo!"

Zhao Junyao’s heart ached as if it was being pierced by a knife.

A tempest suddenly erupted in his eyes, and a murderous intent flared within them in an instant.

He clenched his fists tightly, fixing a furious glare upon the two rough maids.

’You dare lay hands on my woman, how very bold!’

’It would be best for you if you had never been born!’

He released his fists and strode forward with firm resolve.

"I agree to your terms!"

"Release her immediately!"

Zhao Junqi smirked with triumph.

"Excellent!"

"Imperial Brother is indeed forthright!"

"Choosing love over the throne... Imperial Brother... you are truly a hero!"

"However..."

He deliberately drew out his words, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Now is not the time!"

"I can only release her once Imperial Brother issues a decree to announce it to the entire world!"

In Zhao Junyao’s eyes, murderous intent surged, and the anger in his chest threatened to boil over.

"You..."

"Ah!"

Zhao Junqi quickly made a placating gesture.

"Imperial Brother, do not be angered. You are still the Emperor. What if I release her and you renege on your word?"

"I must protect my own interests, mustn’t I?!"

Zhao Junyao glared at him with eyes blazing fiercely.

"Bring me paper and brush, I will issue the decree now!"

"Very well!"

Zhao Junqi swiftly instructed someone to fetch the items.

Xia Ruqing was in a state of extreme anxiety, sweat beading on her forehead!

"Ugh ugh ugh..." No! No, he’s lying!

Yet, Zhao Junyao didn’t even spare her a glance.

Xia Ruqing’s emotions were a chaotic jumble.

She felt both happy and unhappy, angry yet unable to express it, utterly conflicted... but she had no time for such internal struggles.

The most pressing need was to stop Zhao Junyao.

What could she do? What was the plan?

Xia Ruqing frantically scanned her surroundings.

Zhao Junqi stood beside her, two sturdy maids flanking her. Her hands and feet were bound tightly, and her mouth was gagged.

What options did she have?

Right! She needed to create a diversion.

There’s a saying about fishing in troubled waters; stir up the water first before attempting to catch the fish.

With a plan forming in her mind, she gritted her teeth and subtly shifted her position.

Seizing the moment Zhao Junqi was distracted.

She timed her movement perfectly and, with a sharp lurch, like a carp leaping from water, head-butted him.

Zhao Junqi staggered back in surprise.

Xia Ruqing quickly shouted with all her might.

"Ugh ugh... ugh ugh..." Attack now, kill him!

Zhao Junqi swayed unsteadily for a few moments before regaining his balance. His gaze instantly turned icy cold.

"How dare you attempt to ambush me!"

"Then do not blame me for showing no mercy! If we are to die, we shall die together!"

"We will have company on the journey to the Yellow Springs!"

With that declaration, he swiftly ignited the gunpowder fuse he held in his hand.

Xia Ruqing squeezed her eyes shut in despair, praying fervently in her heart.

’Zhao Junyao, you must run!’

’You are the Emperor, you cannot die!’

The crackling sound of the burning fuse echoed continuously in the air, and the acrid smell of gunpowder rapidly permeated the surroundings.

Xia Ruqing’s heart felt as though it was sinking slowly into the abyss.

Was this truly the end? Was there no hope of rescue?

Would she meet Zhao Junyao again in another life?

If not, she hoped for a reincarnation into a kind family!

She tightly closed her eyelids, fully bracing herself for the inevitable.

However, strangely.

No explosion followed, even after a prolonged wait!

When she finally dared to open her eyes, Zhao Junyao was standing directly in front of her.

As for Zhao Junqi.

She glanced around; he had already collapsed unconscious onto the ground.

She was briefly stunned into silence.

Was it finally over? Was safety finally within reach?

The sudden transition from the brink of death to safety felt like a leap from hell to heaven, leaving her momentarily unable to process it.

The air seemed to thicken and slow its pace.

After a long moment, Xia Ruqing finally reacted, her body wracked with sobs as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Ugh ugh..."

"Ugh ugh!"

Zhao Junyao swiftly drew his sword and cut the ropes binding her, then removed the gag from her mouth.

Regaining the freedom to breathe fully, Xia Ruqing’s cries intensified.

"Zhao Junyao, you must leave now!!"

"You cannot die!"

"Run quickly!"

She pushed him frantically, like a woman driven mad.

Zhao Junyao held her gently, softly patting her back.

"It’s over now!"

"I’m not leaving!"

"The gunpowder fuse is extinguished!"

"Qingqing, do not be afraid!"

Xia Ruqing was quite unable to believe it.

"He hid so much, how could it possibly be gone?"

"You must depart!"

"Depart swiftly!"

Xia Ruqing seized his hand, thrusting him outward with considerable force.

Zhao Junyao had no alternative but to lift her.

"Very well, we shall depart!"

"I shall convey you far from here!"

"There's no time! Quickly, haste is required, there is gunpowder present!"

Xia Ruqing, trapped as if within a harrowing nightmare, found her thoughts unable to coalesce.

Zhao Junyao ceased his speech, and while holding her, he employed his lightness skills to vault over the courtyard wall.

Imperial Censor Zhou and Commander Xu were awaiting them on the exterior.

Upon witnessing the Emperor's immediate emergence, they promptly dispatched individuals inside to apprehend the remaining insurgents.

The subsequent affairs were of no concern to Zhao Junyao; others would attend to them.

...

This dilapidated courtyard stood not far from Guangnan City.

Zhao Junyao required less than a Shi Chen to escort Xia Ruqing back.

To the very courtyard where their journey had initially commenced.

Zhao Junyao gently laid the now-unconscious Xia Ruqing upon the bed and immediately sent for an Imperial Physician.

The Imperial Physician, realizing it was the long-lost Empress who had returned, did not dare to dally, hurrying in, his breath coming in gasps.

"Your Majesty!"

"Make haste, attend to the Empress!"

Without wasting a moment, the Imperial Physician opened his medical kit, preparing to examine her pulse.

Approximately a quarter of an hour later, the Imperial Physician packed away his kit and submitted his report with deference.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, aside from being startled and sustaining several minor abrasions, the Empress is free from any grave ailments!!"

"With appropriate medicinal treatment and dedicated care, she will undoubtedly make a swift recovery!"

Zhao Junyao, however, still harbored a measure of unease.

"Then why does she remain unconscious?"

The Imperial Physician elaborated further.

"The Empress's spirit has been deeply shaken; after two days of rest, she will naturally regain consciousness!"

Reassured by his pronouncement, Zhao Junyao gestured with his sleeve.

"Depart and prepare the necessary prescriptions!"

"Understood!"

The Imperial Physician, no longer daring to face the Emperor's chilling displeasure, departed with haste, soon preparing the required poultices for external application and remedies for internal consumption.

Two palace maids reverently bore the medications inside.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao spoke with solemnity.

"Set them down; you may all withdraw!"

"Yes!"

...

Once the maids had exited, Zhao Junyao personally administered the oral medicine to Xia Ruqing and applied the ointments.

The act of feeding the medicine was straightforward.

However, the application of the ointment proved to be...

As Zhao Junyao, with his own hands, lifted the dressing from her palm, he was struck as if by a bolt of lightning.

"Someone, attend me!"

"Summon the Imperial Physician at once!"

His countenance turned exceedingly grim, his tone turning ice-cold and commanding, conveying an immediate intent to inflict severe punishment.

The Imperial Physician, who had just settled onto his stool, had barely had time to warm it before being dragged back.