A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1426 - 1424: The Pupil Surpasses the Master

"Still have to wait until next year! I was hoping to attend your wedding sooner!"

Yilan sighed with a hint of resentment.

Yue Er glanced at her indifferently.

"You’re living quite well now, so why are you still eager to leave?"

"Although Nan Yunze took a concubine, hasn’t he changed? Why are you being unforgiving?"

"What does Maternal Aunt Tan have left to compete with you now?"

Hearing this, Yilan frowned and retorted.

"I haven’t tried to leave!"

"I’m just... still holding onto some anger!"

"You can say I’m being difficult or unappreciative!"

"But I just don’t want to forgive!" She spoke with firm resolve.

No matter what, the injuries she suffered back then were borne alone, with no one to help her.

All those harsh words, mistrust, and deep misunderstandings.

They poured over her like buckets of filthy water, engulfing her.

At that time, who cared about how she endured it all?

Understanding this, Yue Er didn’t say more, offering only a gentle piece of advice.

"As long as you’re happy!"

"But if you still want to be with him, forgive him; if not, then separate!"

"Just lingering like this doesn’t seem good either!"

Yilan shook her head bitterly.

She neither wanted to separate nor reconcile.

Her temper was strong, her heart narrow; she wanted to punish him properly, to return equally all the suffering and grievances she had endured over the years.

Once he had tasted enough bitterness and endured enough grievances, then she’d forgive him.

For now... sorry, she didn’t want to forgive.

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore!"

"How about something cheerful?"

Knowing that saying more wouldn’t help, Yue Er changed the topic, chatting about other interesting events in the Capital City.

She even kept Yilan for lunch until afternoon when they finally parted ways.

...

With spring gone and autumn coming, time flew by in an instant.

The ground of the Imperial Garden was covered with fallen leaves, chrysanthemums in full bloom, osmanthus fragrant in the air.

A flock of birds chirping merrily flitted among the fallen leaves; their crisp, pleasant chirping echoed in the clear and refreshing autumn sky, unknowingly lifting one’s spirits.

Once they were tired of frolicking, they gathered together in flocks and headed south.

When all the birds completed their southern migration, more than half of autumn had passed.

On this day, Xia Ruqing leaned against the window, quietly watching the fallen leaves outside.

Tired of watching, she put aside the scroll she was holding and took a delightful nap.

Waking again, it was already evening.

From time to time, the small kitchen wafted the aroma of dishes, tantalizing the taste buds, making it hard to resist hunger.

Excitedly, she got up, changed her clothes, and was about to go out to dine.

Unexpectedly, she bumped into Zhao Junyao, who was returning from the Imperial Study Room.

"Emperor?"

Zhao Junyao pulled her up.

"Why are you going out at this time!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"The room was a bit stuffy, so I’m stepping out to have a look!"

"I’ll join you!"

Zhao Junyao turned directly, and the two sat side by side on the swing in the courtyard.

They silently admired the orange sunset, more beautiful than any shimmering silk, without a word between them.

After an eternity, Zhao Junyao suddenly asked.

"What have you been busy with today?"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit anxious but still smiled.

"It’s not worrying about Chenchen!"

"Jingfeng was unwilling to marry and dragged on till nearly thirty!"

"I’m really afraid Chenchen will be the same!"

"Even Yue Er is engaged now—how can I not be anxious?"

Zhao Junyao ruffled her long hair.

"Actually..."

"I’m quite anxious too!"

Xia Ruqing thought he was going to comfort her again but unexpectedly heard this.

She burst into laughter.

"What are you anxious about?"

Without thinking, Zhao Junyao replied directly.

"I want to retire quickly!"

"Once the boy marries and has a son, popular sentiment will stabilize more!"

"Then, I can retire and live in seclusion!"

Xia Ruqing was puzzled.

"Why have you suddenly had this thought? You used to always vow to devote your whole life to the Great Chu Dynasty!"

How had your sentiments changed suddenly?

Zhao Junyao didn’t answer immediately, only smiled faintly.

The gaze fixed on the sunset sparkled with complex longing and... sweet memories.

After a long while, he suddenly asked.

"Qingqing, do you remember that little fishing village in Guangnan that year?"

"Of course I remember!"

Xia Ruqing replied firmly.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course I like it! But... those memories aren’t pleasant, and I’d rather not go back there!"

She felt somewhat frustrated.

They nearly faced life and death separation then; such encounters she hardly wished to risk again, so... maybe not.

...

"How about going elsewhere?"

Zhao Junyao suddenly envisioned.

Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled.

"Emperor, what’s wrong with you lately? You’re speaking quite oddly—are you feeling unwell?"

Zhao Junyao smiled.

"No, don’t guess wildly!"

"I’m just... a bit tired, that’s all!"

Xia Ruqing pondered for a long while and finally thought of a good place.

"If you do want to go out, how about Jiangnan? I like the banks of the Qinhuai River; I want to find Jingfeng!"

"Sure!"

"Wherever you say, we’ll go there!"

Xia Ruqing sighed again.

"But... I also want to see Chenchen getting married!"

"It would be even better if there were a grandchild!"

Zhao Junyao laughed.

"Don’t worry!"

"Whatever you want, I’ll find a way to give it to you!"

...

Far away in the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Chen suddenly sneezed several times.

He raised his head from the pile of memorials with a look of doubt, faintly frowning.

’Is someone talking about me?’

Surveying the surroundings, he found the environment unchanged.

The attendant quietly standing by, Palace Maids far in the outer hall, the crisp autumn air outside, and even the leaves seemed unwilling to move.

He finally relaxed.

Once more, he buried his handsome and energetic face into the towering pile of memorials.

Indeed.

His father had aged; most memorials were sent to him.

Only in crucial decisions, when he couldn’t decide, would they be sent to his father.

Now he could skillfully handle most of the court’s affairs.

The saying "the pupil surpasses the master" held true!

He devoted himself entirely to political matters.

Only wishing to bear more responsibility so his father could relax a bit.

As for the matter of marriage, he hadn’t thought much about it.

If his parents insisted on deciding for him, he would comply.

If not, he still didn’t wish to consider it.

After all, for a lifelong partner, he hoped to choose himself.

No matter how late, no matter what time, when fate comes, he’s ready.

...

As autumn turned to winter again.

Again came the dullest season for Xia Ruqing.

After the first snow fell, Xia Ruqing lay by the window, tracing patterns in the mist on the glass with her fingers.

Zi Yue saw this and couldn’t help but suggest.

"Madam, don’t you love reading books?"

"The Crown Prince has sent new ones from outside the palace!"