A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1216: Seeing You Off

The Empress Dowager felt she was on the brink of collapse.

It was staggering enough that the Emperor had survived.

But then, wasn't the Empress supposed to be captured? How could she possibly be unharmed?

This woman, who hailed from such humble beginnings, presented herself with an unnerving calm. Yet, in mere years, she had ascended to the very position of Empress.

Now, she held the Emperor under her sway, and even Wanxin had fallen victim to her machinations.

It was utterly infuriating!

The Empress Dowager had truly hoped to seize this moment, to eliminate two problems with a single blow and end the Empress's life.

But contrary to her expectations... she was still alive.

Such rage filled the Empress Dowager that she nearly expelled blood, erupting into violent coughing fits.

Seeing this, Xia Ruqing became slightly flustered and hurried forward to 'assist'.

"Empress Dowager, are you unwell? Someone, summon the Imperial Physician at once!"

The Empress Dowager, however, desperately tried to refuse.

Her entire body still throbbed from the previous acupuncture, and the thought of this woman summoning the physician to prick her again felt truly malicious.

"No... cough cough! There is no need!"

Without a word, Xia Ruqing gently pressed her back down.

"Empress Dowager, your health is clearly not robust, so naturally, the Imperial Physician ought to attend to you!"

"It would be best to address this fully, lest a lingering illness take hold and prove detrimental!!"

As she spoke, the Imperial Physician had already entered and knelt before the Empress Dowager.

Xia Ruqing promptly moved aside to make space.

"Quickly! The Empress Dowager is still coughing, what kind of incompetent physicians are you all!"

"If you cannot cure her, beware the Emperor's displeasure!"

The Imperial Physician nervously prostrated himself repeatedly.

"Reporting to the Empress!"

"The Empress Dowager suffers from internal blockages; the most effective treatment is acupuncture."

"However..."

The Imperial Physician faltered, his words trailing off.

Xia Ruqing sharply reprimanded him.

"Why do you hesitate? Proceed with the treatment as you know best!"

"The Empress Dowager's esteemed person cannot endure any further delays, can she?"

"Hurry and commence the acupuncture!"

The Imperial Physician's unfinished explanation was completely silenced, leaving only a single word in response.

"Yes!"

Subsequently...

Ningshou Palace echoed with the Empress Dowager's agonizing cries, fluctuating in intensity, from time to time.

It was impossible to say how much time passed before these sounds gradually faded.

The Empress Dowager had long since lost consciousness.

Xia Ruqing then 'anxiously' inquired of the Imperial Physician.

"Is the Empress Dowager quite alright?"

The Imperial Physician quickly lowered his head.

"Reporting to the Empress, the Empress Dowager's meridians have been effectively cleared. Upon waking, she will feel rejuvenated, and with a period of rest, she shall fully recover!"

Xia Ruqing nodded, a look of satisfaction on her face.

"Excellent!"

"Should the Empress Dowager make a full recovery, the Emperor will undoubtedly bestow generous rewards upon you!"

The Imperial Physician let out a sigh of relief.

He thought to himself, as long as my head remains attached, that is reward enough.

Xia Ruqing gestured for him to rise.

She also issued stern instructions to the palace maids, eunuchs, and attendants serving the Empress Dowager.

'Serve her well'

'Do not cause the Empress Dowager any distress'

'Otherwise, this palace will not be lenient.' With these final words, she departed.

From that day forward.

Xia Ruqing made daily visits to Ningshou Palace, under the guise of tending to the Empress Dowager's illness.

Hmm... let's call it tending to her health, shall we.

In truth, it was merely an elaborate scheme to prolong her suffering.

One day, it would be a session of acupuncture; the next, a deep tissue massage. Ostensibly for clearing meridians and promoting circulation to dispel stagnation, but in reality, it was a sophisticated form of torture.

Yet, these methods, ironically, proved effective.

The Empress Dowager endured each miserable day, utterly unable to articulate her torment.

...

During this period, Zhao Junyao found himself immensely occupied.

He was tasked with interrogating and dealing with the remaining loyalists, as well as managing the situation with Zhao Junqi.

While these matters might not have been inherently difficult, Zhao Junyao preferred to avoid any public spectacle.

Consequently, all proceedings were conducted discreetly, demanding far greater prudence than a public resolution would have.

As for the remaining followers.

Once their involvement was clarified through interrogation, they were swiftly executed.

Regarding Zhao Junqi.

Despite being his own legitimate cousin, Zhao Junyao harbored no inclination towards leniency.

On one particular evening.

The north wind howled, and the Capital City in the twelfth lunar month remained steeped in a biting cold.

The following day was slated for Zhao Junqi's execution.

Zhao Junyao intended to pay a final farewell to this cousin with whom he had grown up.

The prison was shrouded in profound darkness.

Zhao Junyao was accompanied only by Li Shengan.

He was enveloped in a black fox fur cloak, its premium pelts shimmering with an oily luster in the faint candlelight.The purple gold-soled boots adorned his feet, and a ruby belt with a matching inset jade pendant encircled his waist. This ensemble, though appearing simple, was each piece immensely valuable, clearly identifiable to discerning eyes. With a distinct metallic 'clank,' the heavy chains binding the cell were unlathed. The grating, suspenseful sound of the chains being released preceded Zhao Junqi slowly opening his eyes, his body slick with blood. He lifted his gaze toward the light source, beholding Zhao Junyao standing directly before him. Zhao Junyao's attire, worth a king's ransom, seemed to gleam even more intensely within the dim confines, a perfect complement to his inherent majestic bearing. Such nobility, such opulence, he looked like a divine being descended from the heavens. And himself? Like a cowering rat in the streets, a wretched vulture, a useless wanderer! How could they both be legitimate descendants, yet such a vast chasm separated them? Why was this so? Everything he possessed, everything that should have been his, now belonged to the other! Why? The unyielding flames of resentment flickered ceaselessly in Zhao Junqi's eyes. He let out a chilling, hollow laugh. "Have you come to gloat? To parade your elevated status, your supposed superiority?" Your ascent was achieved by trampling on conscience and morality; what is there to boast about! Zhao Junyao, retribution will be yours, mark my words! Zhao Junyao, utterly unfazed by the venom in Zhao Junqi's tone, offered a faint smile. "Neither!" He turned, accepted a food box from Li Shengan, directed others to arrange tables and chairs, and personally began to meticulously unpack exquisite dishes! "I've come to bid you farewell!" With those words, he took his seat first. Zhao Junqi appeared momentarily bewildered. "What is the meaning of this?" "Are you attempting to poison me?" Calmly, Zhao Junyao poured himself a cup of wine, tilting his head back to drain it in a single gulp. Zhao Junqi was once again taken aback. "What exactly are you trying to achieve?" "My life is yours to take; kill me, flay me, do as you will. There's no need for these tiresome games!" Zhao Junyao nonchalantly took a bite of a dish. "This was prepared by Sister Qing! Wouldn't you care to sample it?" Zhao Junqi's eyes instantly flared with a furious crimson. "What did you say?" "Sister Qing? Did you not banish her from the Imperial Palace? Did you not drive her to her death?" Zhao Junyao arched an eyebrow! "Nonsense!" "However..." He paused, then continued, "Sister Qing's cooking, it must be said, isn't as flavorful as it once was with her age. If you don't appreciate it, then you needn't eat!" With that, he resumed his meal! Zhao Junqi stared, utterly dumbfounded! Images from his childhood flooded his mind once more. Back then, his heart had not yet been consumed by bitterness. Back then, the Empress Dowager and Sister Qing were also much younger. Back then, he, Wanxin, and his Imperial Brother were still inseparable playmates. Back then, he understood nothing! He recalled the Empress Dowager's profound affection for him, Sister Qing's deep care as well, his Imperial Brother's passion for horseback riding, and Wanxin's cheerful, lovable nature. Everything was so beautiful then! They would fly kites in the third lunar month, chase dragonflies in the fifth, pick lotus seeds in the seventh, and share mooncakes in the eighth. So wonderful, everything was truly so splendid! The intense crimson glow in Zhao Junqi's eyes slowly began to recede. Only memories, profound guilt, and utter disbelief remained. How had things devolved to this point! How could this have happened? Zhao Junyao lifted his wine cup. "A toast, then!" Zhao Junqi remained lost in thought for a long moment, before his trembling hand finally rose to meet the cup, and they both downed the wine in unison. Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow. "Without all this animosity, we could always share drinks like this!" Zhao Junqi scoffed. "You make it sound so effortless!" "If I were in your position, I too could afford such carefree sentiments!" Zhao Junyao offered a faint, sorrowful smile, uttering no further words. There was no turning back now. That lost innocence had long since vanished in the relentless flow of time; there was no path back.