A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1217: All Things Await Renewal

Zhao Junqi's mind finally began to clear. He saw with a startling revelation that all his previous endeavors had been misguided. The path to ascending the throne should have inherently favored legitimate heirs, with precedence given to seniority. Although his father was the younger legitimate son, he held no true advantage. Without adhering to proper etiquette, benevolence, and the sacred ancestral traditions, any attempt to seize the throne was doomed to fail, merely a futile struggle.

Recalling those past years, the incident where his father fell from his horse was undoubtedly a carefully crafted scheme against the late Emperor. As the burning hatred subsided, reason emerged like a rock from the ocean depths, asserting its dominance. Zhao Junqi first erupted into hearty laughter, then clutched his face, tears of bitterness streaming down.

"Preposterous!"

"Utterly preposterous!"

"Hahaha... how absurd!"

When would the cycle of vengeance end? How much longer would insatiable greed plague them? The throne could only accommodate one ruler, yet two brothers vied for it. Regardless of who ultimately reigned, the other would inevitably face death – what a twisted reality!

Zhao Junqi finally understood his true feelings: he had never genuinely desired the throne. From his earliest childhood, the prospect of becoming Emperor had never crossed his mind. He had witnessed firsthand the hollowness of fame and fortune. He was accustomed to the treacherous, deceitful nature of the royal family, a place where broken teeth, stained with blood, were swallowed in silence. He harbored no desire to remain ensnared in this putrid mire.

His heart yearned to escape this suffocating environment. He dreamt of finding a secluded mountain beside tranquil waters, constructing a humble pavilion for his retreat. There, he would cultivate a dense bamboo grove, perhaps plant a few delicate magnolias, nurture exotic birds, and divert a gentle stream to meander through his sanctuary. He envisioned inviting kindred spirits for occasional gatherings, composing poetry amidst the gentle breeze, appreciating the ephemeral beauty of lotuses beside his pavilion, gazing at the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival, or seeking the resilient charm of plum blossoms hidden beneath the winter snow. In quieter moments, he would practice calligraphy and poetry alone, immerse himself in reading and painting, wander by the soft glow of candlelight, or simply cherish the company of a beloved companion!

Truly, as the saying goes:

"Spring brings a hundred flowers, autumn the moon, summer the cool breeze, and winter the snow."

"When the heart is free from worldly cares, the world itself becomes a good time."

He was, after all, a member of the royal family. His Imperial Brother, ever benevolent towards his kin, would surely never trouble him. He would ascend to the status of the most leisurely and revered prince in the history of the Great Chu Dynasty. Possessing more wealth than the idle, more influence than the affluent, and more contentment than those in power, how could anyone in this world truly attain more than he? Was this not the ideal existence?

He could not comprehend his father's relentless pursuit of the throne. Even more perplexing was why his father, harboring a lifetime of resentment, would demand such a sacrifice from his own son. How incredibly cruel, did his father never grasp this?

"Imperial Brother!"

Zhao Junqi suddenly spoke, his voice ringing clear.

"I offer you this cup!"

Without waiting for Zhao Junyao to even lift his own chalice, Zhao Junqi drained the wine in a single gulp. Zhao Junyao regarded him with a flicker of confusion. However, realizing that all goodwill had evaporated beyond retrieval, a profound melancholy settled in his heart, and he saw no point in further words. Reluctantly, he took a sip of wine, found a pretext, and departed.

Zhao Junyao had no desire for protracted discussions or to hear any words of remorse. Rebels must face the consequences of their actions; Zhao Junqi had forfeited any chance he might have held. Having occupied the Dragon Throne for many years, his heart had become unyielding. He could never afford Zhao Junqi a second opportunity, nor allow himself the potential for another downfall. He was the Emperor, and his responsibility to himself was intrinsically linked to his responsibility to his people. A soft-hearted ruler, he knew, was simply unworthy of the throne.

...

After departing the prison cell, Zhao Junyao did not venture elsewhere, proceeding directly back to Zhaochen Palace. His spirits heavy, he wished to avoid alarming Qingqing. Therefore, he occupied himself by perusing some books alone within Zhaochen Palace before retiring for the night.

However, in the depths of the night, a sudden series of knocks echoed through the chamber. It was Li Shengan.

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, please awaken!"

Zhao Junyao stirred, a hint of impatience coloring his voice. "What is it?"

Li Shengan pushed the door open and entered, his report delivered with grave urgency.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince Yan has committed suicide!"

Zhao Junyao's pupils dilated sharply. "What?!"

Li Shengan repeated the statement, leaving Zhao Junyao utterly aghast. "Suicide?" "What… what does this signify?"

Li Shengan swiftly retrieved a sealed note and presented it. "Your Majesty, this was discovered by the servants within the Crown Prince's cell!"

Zhao Junyao hastily took the parchment and unsealed it. Upon the delicate paper, a single sentence was inscribed:

'Imperial Brother, I have departed. If fate permits, may we be brothers once more in another life!'

In that next life, he vowed, he would surely live a life of his own choosing, unbound and true.

Zhao Junyao held the letter, gazing at its contents for a considerable time, his heart deeply stirred. After a long moment, he moved to his writing desk. With deliberate weight, he picked up a brush and inscribed a single word upon the paper: Good!

The strokes were bold and vigorous, reminiscent of a dragon's flight and a phoenix's dance. Each character conveyed a complex tapestry of emotions and profound, weighty promises. Following the inscription, Zhao Junyao meticulously dried the ink himself. He then held the fragile paper to the flickering candlelight, watching with quiet solemnity as it transformed into delicate ashes. A faint smile graced Zhao Junyao's lips.

A reply was certainly expected!

...

Zhao Junqi met his end within the prison cell.

The execution slated for the following day was, of course, called off.

Having been condemned for treason, Zhao Junqi was stripped of his royal status, leaving the matter of his final resting place unresolved.

Typically, such individuals would be relegated to a common burial site or perhaps become prey for wild dogs.

Nevertheless, he retained a connection to the imperial family, and even feeding his remains to animals would require an official decree.

Consequently, the Steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs sought guidance from the Imperial Study Room.

"Your Majesty, concerning the disposal of the body..."

Zhao Junyao issued a casual command.

"Procure a burial location with favorable feng shui. A tombstone is not to be erected!"

"Understood!"

The Chief Steward departed with a respectful bow.

A wave of complex emotions washed over Li Shengan.

'To forgo a tombstone is not negligence, but rather a shield.'

'The Emperor, in his ultimate benevolence, wishes to avoid pushing matters to an irrevocable extreme!'

...

Following Zhao Junqi's interment.

This insidious yet significant act of treason was effectively buried.

The Jiangnan region was thoroughly implicated.

Both officials and affluent merchants found themselves entangled in the investigation, leading to house searches and asset confiscations.

The once prominent three great families of Jiangnan vanished entirely.

Even larger commercial enterprises succumbed, seized by the imperial treasury and ultimately collapsing into bankruptcy.

As for the officials, the consequences were far more severe.

Although house searches and confiscations proceeded with some leniency, reports circulated of numerous officials and their extended families facing the executioner's blade.

Tsk, tsk!

The populace experienced a period of considerable unease.

Fortunately, with the New Year festivities drawing near, the court expedited the conclusion of its affairs and halted further actions.

Subsequently, envoys were dispatched to pacify the citizens.

Measures included distributing essential grains, stabilizing market prices, and proclaiming a three-year exemption from taxes and levies for the Jiangnan region!

The people, filled with joy, promptly set aside concerns about corrupt officials.

They began preparations for the New Year celebrations with enthusiasm.

Ushering in a new year heralded new aspirations, and the general atmosphere became one of renewed vitality.

...

Once Jiangnan had been revitalized and regained its former splendor,

The palace also buzzed with renewed activity.

After all, the New Year was approaching, and the Emperor had returned safely.

The various consorts were once again filled with excitement.

Even if the Emperor did not bestow his favor upon them personally, he had not indicated any disinterest in the affairs of the Harem.

Certain concubines still had the opportunity to encounter the Emperor occasionally.

Moreover, consorts like Consort Cheng, who had borne children, could even share meals with the Emperor from time to time, a prospect that filled the rest of the harem with envy.

They pondered when their own favorable circumstances might arrive.

The harem was abuzz with anticipation.

The ambiance within Duanning Palace, however, remained persistently somber.

With Zi Su's departure, Xia Ruqing found herself without a close confidante.

The Steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs presented several groups of palace maids for the Empress to consider.

Xia Ruqing reviewed them repeatedly, yet none possessed the forthrightness or agreeable demeanor she sought.

After numerous attempts yielded no suitable candidates, she lost the desire to continue the selection process.