A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1215: Taking Only a Sip

A ruler of a nation, with three thousand beauties in his harem, yet his focus remained singular.

Zhao Junyao couldn't recall the last time he had shown favor to another woman.

Whether she was beside him or not, he never harbored such desires.

When she was present, it seemed he had grown accustomed to her presence, not giving it much thought.

And now…

After all this time, she still occupied his heart.

Upon careful reflection, he found this realization astonishing, even to himself.

Could it be that he was truly… maintaining his chastity?

To think of an emperor abstaining for a woman was one thing, but

even ordinary men lacked such self-awareness.

Zhao Junyao felt an urge to erect a monument in his own honor.

Ahem!

Drawing his thoughts back, Zhao Junyao called out cautiously once more.

"Qingqing..."

Seeing his tentative demeanor, Xia Ruqing couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, I'll let this slide this time!"

"But..."

Her lovely eyes held a glint of playful mischief, and with a soft roll, she glared at him.

"If there's a next time, I won't be so lenient!!"

Zhao Junyao visibly relaxed and quickly assured her,

"There won't be a next time! Absolutely not!"

Xia Ruqing sensed something amiss and fixed her gaze on him intently.

"Not what?"

Not sending me away, but leaving me to escape alone?

(Indeed, the hearts of women are truly inscrutable; no matter what he said, she seemed unsatisfied! o(╯□╰)o)

Zhao Junyao's eyes became resolute and firm.

"I will never allow you to face danger again!"

A wise individual, despite utmost caution, is prone to error; he was not a deity and could not guarantee absolute perfection.

However, to fall into the same trap twice would undoubtedly mark him as a fool!

Zhao Junyao believed he was not foolish to such a degree.

"This time, I was indeed careless!"

"I never anticipated Zhao Junqi colluding with Portland Country, let alone bringing gunpowder!"

Next time…

Zhao Junyao's mind suddenly recalled something.

His eyes lit up as he looked toward Xia Ruqing.

"Qingqing, I realize now you were right!"

"Ah?" Xia Ruqing appeared slightly perplexed.

"What is it?"

A faint smile touched Zhao Junyao's lips as his eyes narrowed, recalling the past.

"The first time we visited Guangnan!"

"I remember you showed great interest in those foreign customs!"

"At that time, you suggested we should learn from their ways, advocating for understanding both ourselves and our potential adversaries!"

"Regrettably, I failed to grasp your meaning then, always believing that given the vast distance, it was best for everyone to mind their own affairs, making such efforts unnecessary."

"Looking back, you were absolutely correct! I am deeply ashamed of my shortsightedness!"

He was unlike those narrow-minded emperors who envied talent and resented seeing others, particularly women, surpass them.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

He readily acknowledged his faults and praised her wisdom.

And he openly embraced her counsel.

Setting aside all else, this magnanimity alone was worthy of profound admiration.

Xia Ruqing felt a surge of pride within her heart.

The ancients often harbored a tendency towards isolationist policies, a mindset passed down through generations, and Zhao Junyao could hardly be faulted for it.

Yet, for him to recognize this flaw so swiftly through such an ordeal was already commendable.

"Your Majesty, the fact that you've come to recognize these matters signifies your exceptional capabilities!"

Xia Ruqing offered her sincere praise.

Zhao Junyao nodded with a smile.

"Are you no longer upset?"

Xia Ruqing's bright eyes sparkled, her red lips forming a slight pout.

"My anger is one thing, my praise is another!"

"..."

Zhao Junyao found himself momentarily speechless.

But as long as Qingqing remained by his side, he felt a profound sense of contentment.

Ah!

The sun shone brilliantly, the leaves were a vibrant green, and the flowers emitted a sweet fragrance.

It felt as though his world had finally transitioned from monochrome to a full spectrum of vivid colors.

Everything felt exquisitely wonderful!

...

Xia Ruqing no longer wished to remain in Guangnan, nor did she ever want to return; the place had become a personal nightmare for her.

Her immediate desire was to depart at once.

However, she was still recovering from the shock and sustained multiple injuries.

The Imperial Physician advised against long-distance travel.

Consequently, Xia Ruqing reluctantly stayed behind to recuperate.

During this period,

Zhao Junyao took swift and decisive measures to eradicate the remaining insurgents.

Those deemed unimportant were eliminated.

The key figures were all apprehended and transported back to the capital.

Once all matters were settled, Xia Ruqing's health saw significant improvement.

The main entourage then commenced their journey back to the capital.

...

Due to her delicate condition, the convoy's pace was necessarily slow, resulting in a leisurely journey.

Thus, the return trip to the capital spanned an entire month.

It was not until the beginning of December that the party finally arrived back in the capital city.

News had already reached Duanning Palace. They were aware that something had befallen Zi Su, and the Empress had nearly met her demise.

A collective hush fell over the palace, with everyone kneeling, their eyes rimmed with red from weeping. As Xia Ruqing entered and witnessed the somber scene, her own eyes welled up instantly.

"Everyone, please rise!" Her voice carried a slight tremor.

"Thank you, Empress!"

Zi Yue and Zi Ning immediately stepped forward to assist her. Zi Su was gone. Zi Ning, who had originally been tasked with managing the storeroom, now had to assume additional duties, as the Empress could not be left unattended.

Xia Ruqing changed into fresh attire and reclined upon the elegant couch positioned by the window. Her gaze shifted between Zi Yue and Zi Ning. Without uttering a word, her eyes began to redden once more. Zi Yue quickly offered words of comfort.

"Your Highness, please do not grieve; Sister Zi Su would not wish to see you so distressed!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head, a faint, bitter smile gracing her lips. "There is no need to console me! Zi Su was by my side for such a long time! I cannot allow her sacrifice to go unacknowledged! Xiao Xizi, you will depart the palace later to seek out her family, so that I may bestow appropriate rewards upon them."

She continued, her voice tinged with sadness, "Furthermore... I dispatched people to search for her, but they found no trace. Take some of her garments from when she was alive and find a place with auspicious feng shui to establish a burial mound for her clothes."

"Yes!" Xiao Xizi, rubbing his tear-filled eyes, knelt in acknowledgment.

Xia Ruqing nodded, then turned her attention back to Zi Yue. "Have all affairs within the palace been in order these past few months? Has Yue Er caused any disruptions?"

Zi Yue promptly replied, "Rest assured, Your Highness! All matters within the palace are well. The Princes and Princesses are also unharmed. These recent events... the young masters are unaware of them."

A sigh of relief escaped Xia Ruqing. "That is for the best! It is indeed preferable that they remain ignorant! Ensure your silence is absolute, and do not speak of this again in the future."

"Yes!" Zi Yue affirmed with a nod.

Having assigned her tasks, Xia Ruqing felt the weight of exhaustion. She consumed a light meal to settle her stomach before retiring to rest.

...

Upon returning to the palace, Zhao Junyao did not proceed directly to the harem. He first paid his respects to the Empress Dowager at Ningshou Palace. Afterward, he made his way directly to the Imperial Study to convene with his ministers.

Within Ningshou Palace. Observing Zhao Junyao's determined departure, the Empress Dowager's fingers, which grasped her prayer beads, tightened until they turned slightly white. 'He has actually returned!' 'Did the plan falter?' 'It appears Junqi's life is hanging by a thread!' The Empress Dowager, kneeling before the Buddha statue, trembled violently. Suddenly, her vision darkened, and she collapsed, losing consciousness.

"Empress Dowager?!" "Empress Dowager! What is amiss?" The palace maids, eunuchs, and Old Sister descended into a state of panicked disarray, swiftly moving the Empress Dowager to a couch. A flurry of activity ensued, involving physicians and the administration of medicine. Following a session of acupuncture, the ingestion of potent remedies, and the application of pressure to her philtrum, the Empress Dowager finally stirred from her darkened state.

Upon opening her eyes, she beheld the Empress, accompanied by the concubines, diligently attending to her within the hall. Witnessing Xia Ruqing completely unharmed, her heart was seized with shock, and she fainted once more.