A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1427 - 1425: All in the Family

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

"I don’t want to look anymore!"

She was worried, not in the mood to look!

Zi Yue urged again.

"Madam, should I bring you the portraits?"

"Lady Hou sent some new ones, and the Lady of the Minister’s Residence also sent a few, all are famous ladies of noble families in the Capital City, would you like to take a look?"

Xia Ruqing nodded casually.

"Alright."

Zi Yue nodded and quickly brought over rolls of portraits.

Xia Ruqing flipped through them casually, glanced at the introductions, and shook her head.

"I don’t like any of these women myself, let alone Chenchen?"

Zi Yue was left speechless.

"Madam, then what kind would you prefer? Why not have them inquire more?"

"The thing is, I don’t know what kind Chenchen likes!"

She only knows what he doesn’t like, right?

Though these women are beautiful, well-read, knowledgeable, and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, proficient in various arts.

But Chenchen doesn’t need a talented woman; he needs someone in harmony and resonance with him.

She could be a girl from a humble family, possibly the daughter of a minor official, or even a merchant’s daughter.

Those things don’t matter.

The most important thing is, that Chenchen must feel relaxed and happy with her.

They must understand each other, have a natural connection.

She can have a bit of cleverness to survive in the vast harem.

He can have a bit of temper, they can bicker occasionally, but soon reconcile after.

They support each other and care for one another.

In the cold Royal Family, in the harem that devours one whole, they should be able to find solace in each other, draw even a shred of warmth from each other.

That’s a good companion.

However, how easy is it to find such a woman?

Compromise? Or not compromise? It’s a timeless dilemma.

...

Xia Ruqing was fretting when Chenchen suddenly arrived.

He was dressed in a dark cloak, with Black Cloud Shoes on his feet and a Purple Gold Crown on his head, his delicate and striking features radiating with youthful wit.

Upon entering the inner chamber, he removed his black feathered cloak, and sat down beside his mother.

Xia Ruqing looked him up and down. Seeing his weary expression and the dark shadows under his eyes, she felt a pang of tenderness.

"Did your father Emperor dump all the memos on you again?"

Zhao Qichen curved his lips into a smile.

"To worry for the Emperor is a son’s duty!"

"Mother, why say such a thing?"

Xia Ruqing pursed her lips.

"But it’s important to know your limits!"

Zhao Qichen smiled again.

"Father has aged, his spirit and strength are waning. I, as the younger one, naturally should be more considerate for him!"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat disgruntled.

"Don’t be deceived by your father’s exaggeration!"

"I think he’s just being lazy!"

Zhao Qichen bowed his head, smiling softly, staying silent.

Mother and son chatted idly for a while.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t hold back and spread out the thick stack of portraits she had collected before Chenchen.

"These are the candidates for Crown Princess Consort. Do you like any of them?"

"Although..."

She hesitated and said.

"I truly hope you meet someone you like!"

"However, you are the Crown Prince, sometimes..."

She struggled to articulate and changed her phrasing.

"In the future, you will have three thousand beauties in your harem, you won’t lack finding someone you like!"

"But for the Crown Princess Consort, you might need to compromise a bit!"

Zhao Qichen paused for a moment, then shook his head nonetheless.

"Mother!"

"I... still hope to find someone who moves me!"

Xia Ruqing was at a loss, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Son, then, hurry and find her!

"Alright!"

She softened, agreeing.

Zhao Qichen felt a bit guilty but remained firm in his tone.

"Mother!"

"I know you and Father are worried!"

"But I am not afraid!"

"Whether it’s the Eastern Palace or the emperor, marriage is a family matter, unrelated to the realm!"

"I will undertake all my responsibilities, but what I should not bear, no one can force upon me!"

"Alright!"

Xia Ruqing was astounded.

She never expected Chenchen would have such strength.

Even Zhao Junyao back then conformed to societal expectations, marrying Lady Wei as the Empress, yet now his son actually...

This is truly surpassing the master.

"Good, Mother supports you!"

Zhao Qichen was touched, stood up and saluted.

"Thank you, Mother, for understanding!"

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

"No need for thanks, Mother only wishes you happiness!"

"Alright!"

She breathed a long sigh, putting those portraits away.

"Since that’s the case, I’ll stop meddling!"

"In the future, it all depends on you!"

Zhao Qichen thanked her again.

While mother and son were chatting, Zhao Junyao walked in from outside.

"Cough, cough!"

His face was slightly pale, rubbing his hands uncontrollably upon entering.

Xia Ruqing quickly handed him a hand warmer and wanted to help him remove his cloak.

Zhao Junyao held tightly onto it, shivering slightly.

"No, no!"

"Not yet, let me warm up a bit first!"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but tease him.

"Since when have you been afraid of the cold?"

"The Ground Dragon in this room is so strong, it’s not cold at all!"

A flicker of bitterness flashed in Zhao Junyao’s eyes, disappearing swiftly.

"True, it’s not cold here, but it’s cold outside!"

He said with a smile, his eyes just as gentle as always.

Zhao Qichen saw his father has arrived, saluted him and retreated.

Only the Emperor and Empress were left in the room.

...

Zhao Junyao sat for a good while to finally dispel the chill from his body.

When his expression returned to normal, he reluctantly removed his cloak.

Xia Ruqing handed him a bowl of Red Ginger Water with a smile.

"It’s cooked personally by the small kitchen, try it; it’s best for warding off the cold!"

Zhao Junyao never used to drink these.

But somehow, in the past couple of years, he’s been drinking more and more.

Now, he even takes initiative to drink a bowl to drive away cold upon entering.

Xia Ruqing joked about it.

"Indeed, with age, living habits change!"

Zhao Junyao glared at her silently, drinking the ginger soup without a word.

...

After settling everything, the two sat by the window reading.

Xia Ruqing asked.

"Emperor, are you not busy lately again? Did you hand over the memos to Chenchen again?"

Zhao Junyao replied expressionlessly.

"What’s this ’again’!?"

"Shouldn’t he help share my burden?"

Xia Ruqing was rendered speechless.

The words from this father and son are so alike.

"Cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough!"

He wanted to say something else, but his body wouldn’t allow it.

He suddenly started coughing, and it increasingly worsened.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat frightened.

"Why isn’t this getting better after a month?"

"Someone, summon the Imperial Physician!"

Zhao Junyao’s face was slightly pale, he soothed his chest and quickly grabbed her.

"No need!"

"The Imperial Physician said it’s old wear and tear, it will recover with good rest!"

"Don’t make a fuss!"

"Really?"

Xia Ruqing was scared, her gaze fixed sternly on him.

"You’re not lying to me? Is it really just old wear and tear?"

Zhao Junyao raised his brow.

"Why would I lie to you?"

"After all, I’m someone who’s trained in martial arts for years; it’s normal for my body to have wear and tear!"

"We live together day in and day out, I wouldn’t be able to deceive you anyway!"