A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1247: Leaving the Palace

Shih Wanxin smiled mysteriously.

"Being stuck in the deep palace, you can’t rely on anyone, so naturally, I have to find some other ways out, right?"

The Empress Dowager gave her a deep look.

"Although I don’t know where you learned these crooked ways from! But..."

"Fortunately, you have these!"

Shih Wanxin smiled smugly.

"So! I count as having some skills and something to rely on! Am I not?!"

The Empress Dowager forced a slight smile, her lips barely curving, and said no more.

...

Time passed swiftly, and by mid-April, the weather began to heat up.

The rumors in the Capital City faded with time, and Zhaochen Palace had been quiet for a long time.

The Empress Dowager pondered, thinking that the Emperor had likely been subdued by her once again.

Indeed.

After all, she was his ’real mother’; no matter how excessive, what could he really do to her?

He just repeatedly suppressed her, daring not to harm her in the slightest.

Thinking this, the Empress Dowager felt smug again.

She recalled that Wanxin’s suggestion a few days ago was quite good.

So she immediately sent people to Zhaochen Palace and Duanning Palace to convey the message.

That she wanted to go to a temple outside the city to burn incense and pray, they wouldn’t dare to refuse.

Sure enough.

Zhao Junyao really agreed, and the Empress didn’t object either.

The matter proceeded so smoothly it was unbelievable.

In her delight, the Empress Dowager hastily had people prepare things, and the next day, she left the palace hurriedly with Shih Wanxin.

She wore plain clothes, sitting with Shih Wanxin in a simple carriage.

They exited through the side gate of the Imperial Palace, heading straight along the Capital City Street to the temple outside the city.

As the carriage passed Capital City Street.

The Empress Dowager gently lifted the curtain, observing the bustling, lively scene outside.

She couldn’t help but express heartfelt emotion.

"It’s so different from when I entered the palace back then!"

Shih Wanxin asked faintly.

"What’s different?"

After thinking for a long time, the Empress Dowager came to a conclusion.

"I think the common people here have become much richer!"

"I remember when I entered the palace back then, passing here in a sixteen-carrier bridal sedan, this road was still a dirt road!"

"Now...this road is so wide, and it’s paved with blue bricks!"

"It’s really different now!"

She sighed lightly.

It seems Zhao Junyao is indeed a good Emperor!10 Over a decade on the throne, he truly has done so much for the people.

Yet!!

There’s always a ’yet’!

He is a good emperor indeed, but his father was not!

Who made him frame Prince Yan those years ago? Who made him separate them? Who made him take her child away?

Clearly, she was Junqi’s mother, yet she spent a lifetime being called the Empress Dowager.

Who can understand the pain in her heart?

She cares nothing about grand principles, she only knows she has suffered too much in this life!

She wants to take back everything that belongs to her!

Zongcheng, Junqi, everything you’ve lost, I will strive to get back for you.

Even if I can’t, I will certainly avenge you.

For those with a life, take their life, for those without, settle the debt! What they owe us must be repaid tenfold, a hundredfold!

...

In the palace.

In Duanning Palace, Xia Ruqing was wearing a simple, water-blue, light gauze dress, sitting on a Taihu Stone under the shade by the pond in the backyard.

Her long, black hair was casually tied up with a pin, the rest cascading like a waterfall down her back.

Zi Yue followed by her side, providing shade and fanning her.

The mistress and maidservant chatted idly.

"Mistress, why did the Empress Dowager leave the palace?"

Xia Ruqing adjusted her light gauze shawl blown by the wind and replied casually.

"Isn’t it said she went to burn incense and pray to Buddha?"

Beside them, Xiao Xizi raised an eyebrow sarcastically.

"Mistress, do you believe that?"

Xia Ruqing glanced at the two of them, couldn’t help but laugh, and said.

"Why wouldn’t I believe it?"

"Even the Emperor doesn’t care; why should I?"

Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi exchanged a glance, both fell silent.

Xia Ruqing looked around at them, and finally turned her gaze elsewhere, continuing to enjoy the scenery.

Yet in her heart, there was an inexplicable sense of loss.

For some reason, she had been dreaming of Zi Su lately.

If that girl were still around, she would have been jumping up and down by now.

Zi Su was not the most rule-abiding, but she was the only one who would go to great lengths to seek justice for her.

Of course, it’s not that Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi aren’t loyal enough.

It’s just that.

Zi Yue is mature, reliable, and rule-abiding; Xiao Xizi, since becoming Chief Steward, wouldn’t be reckless either.

Zi Ning, even more so, is on a par with Zi Yue, reliable but quiet.

Someone like Zi Su, who disregarded everything else and always rushed to defend her, wouldn’t be found again!

She gazed at the pond water.

Imagined the scene of Zi Su jumping to defend her.

A gentle breeze swept by, and her eyes turned red!

"The Emperor is here!!"

A Little Eunuch announced loudly.

Xia Ruqing snapped back to reality, hurriedly using a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi quickly helped her up to greet him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Qingqing!"

Zhao Junyao helped her up with one hand.

"What’s wrong?"

He stared at her reddened eyes, his expression somewhat stern.

"Who bullied you?"

His tone was even a bit intimidating.

Xia Ruqing shook her head hastily.

"No... no one bullied me! Your Majesty, what are you thinking?"

"Then, it’s...?"

Zhao Junyao inquired.

"I just... suddenly remembered the girl called Zi Su by my side!"

Zhao Junyao looked understanding.

"Oh, a Palace Maid!"

"It’s nothing of worth, if you like, I can have some more like her chosen for you, how about that?"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

"You..."

"Is this something that can be replaced?"

She wiped her tears, looking at Zhao Junyao.

"Alright! Enough of this!"

"Your Majesty, why have you come so early today? It’s not even time for lunch yet!"

Zhao Junyao smiled.

"There are fewer things lately!"

"The preparations for the imperial examination are largely complete, just waiting for it to begin, to grade, and to announce the results!"

Xia Ruqing’s expression brightened greatly, playfully saying.

"Really?"

"That’s great!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty for gaining another batch of pillars of the state!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at her.

"Alright, is there need for such polite words between us?"

Xia Ruqing smiled broadly, saying no more.

The two sat on the Taihu Stone by the pond, watching the leisurely waters and the few carefree goldfish swimming inside.

Xia Ruqing suddenly asked.

"Right, how’s Yue Er?"

"That girl has not come to greet me for two days! Has she become too preoccupied with play?"

Zhao Junyao frowned slightly.

"What, isn’t she staying here?"

Xia Ruqing seemed a bit helpless.

"She spent the night at Chenchen’s place last night, even taking her bedding over, saying she wants to stay for two more days!"

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment, um... it didn’t seem improper, and he smiled.

"Don’t worry, she’s well!"

"General Shi was in the Imperial Study Room earlier praising her for being clever!"

"That’s good!"

Xia Ruqing relaxed.

Clever or not, as long as she doesn’t cause trouble.

The two sat for a while longer, had lunch, and then took a noon break.