A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1429 - 1427: It’s Just a Dream

"Nothing is perfect!"

A complex look flashed in Zhao Junyao’s eyes.

For example, he’s acquired the empire and a beauty, but can’t also have... good health?

Perhaps that’s the case.

But what the heavens have given is already plenty, and he’s satisfied.

Xia Ruqing walked briskly into the courtyard, glancing around.

After taking a good look, she finally revealed a contented smile.

"Emperor, let’s spend New Year here!"

"Ah?"

Zhao Junyao was taken aback.

"For New Year? Aren’t we returning to the Capital City?"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"Yes!"

"The climate here is warm, and the air is humid, good for your health!"

"You’ve been coughing a lot, I am quite worried!"

Zhao Junyao quickly waved his hand.

"What’s there to worry about?"

Xia Ruqing cast a sideways glance.

"Of course I’m worried about your health. With these temperature changes, I’m afraid you can’t handle it!"

A flash of guilt appeared in Zhao Junyao’s gaze, fleeting.

He laughed heartily.

"Fool!"

"What does it matter if it’s hot or cold? The hardships I’ve endured are far greater than now!"

"That’s different!"

Xia Ruqing insisted.

At a certain moment, Zhao Junyao really wanted to ask if she had heard something.

Yet, seeing her innocent face, he felt she was unaware.

So... he didn’t ask.

Just told her not to overthink and turned into the room.

Putting away her confused, innocent look, Xia Ruqing worriedly watched his back, her eyes instantly reddening.

’Zhao Junyao!’

’I’ve been with you for so many years. How could you hide your condition from me?’

’How much longer are you going to keep it from me?’

...

The first day at the Temporary Palace Annex.

Xia Ruqing dismissed all the servants and personally cooked for Zhao Junyao.

She planned to prepare two dishes plus a bowl of noodles.

Perhaps it was too long since she last cooked; her movements were very clumsy, and she’d forgotten much of the process.

The small, delicate kitchen was nearly set ablaze by her.

Several kitchen maids broke out in a cold sweat.

They rushed to help but were chased away by Xia Ruqing.

"Go, go, go! Everyone out!"

"I can handle it alone!"

The kitchen maids left with worried faces.

Leaving Xia Ruqing alone, clanging away.

Who knows how long had passed.

Two bowls of noodles plus two dishes finally graced the table.

...

Inside the study, Zhao Junyao was initially reading.

But age slowed him down, and feeling weary, he nodded off as he read.

Ultimately, the aroma of food woke him back up.

"Emperor, Emperor?"

Xia Ruqing handed over a hot towel.

Zhao Junyao accepted and wiped his face, lightly coughing.

"I... accidentally fell asleep!"

Xia Ruqing giggled.

"No worries, it’s my fault, I’m not very skilled at cooking, took too long!"

"Don’t fret, practice makes perfect, I’ll be better in a few days!"

Zhao Junyao tapped her forehead, unable to resist teasing her.

"You always say that!"

"I no longer believe you!"

Xia Ruqing panicked a little.

"Don’t say that!"

"Emperor, you don’t understand, I’m actually quite good at cooking!"

"Otherwise, why not stay here a month or so while I practice until I get it right!"

Zhao Junyao was taken aback, a month or so?

She truly wanted him to stay.

Seeing her earnest gaze, Zhao Junyao suddenly softened.

Along with it came a sense of unease, as if... she really did know something?

"There’s no other reason!"

"I’m just too lazy!"

"Emperor, celebrating New Year is extremely tiring. Can’t we take a break this year?"

"You can say I’m unwell and need to recuperate outside, can we not return?"

After all these years.

This was the first time she made such a request.

That pitiful gaze made Zhao Junyao’s heart soften.

Xia Ruqing saw the opportunity and pressed on.

"Ah!"

"I’m getting older, reached the time to enjoy life!"

Though the children’s issues remain unresolved.

But...

"I don’t have much time left!"

Rarely did Xia Ruqing act so coy.

Zhao Junyao lightly patted her head.

"What nonsense are you saying? You are destined to live a long life!"

Xia Ruqing stuck out her tongue.

"What’s the use of living long?"

"I might be immobile by sixty!"

"Emperor, just grant me this one request, let me be lazy!"

Zhao Junyao saw her heartfelt wish and nodded helplessly.

"Alright then!"

"But I can’t promise one hundred percent!"

"If there’s nothing urgent, fine, but if there’s something, we must rush back!"

"Yes, yes!" Xia Ruqing’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Let’s eat!"

Zhao Junyao smiled slightly, feeling speechless.

...

The table held a pitiful selection of four dishes.

Compared to the exquisite, delicious meals of the past, the difference was quite stark.

Yet Xia Ruqing didn’t mind, energetically introducing each dish.

"This one is braised pork with preserved vegetables! I stewed it for ages, it’s very flavorful! Not only has preserved vegetables, but also dried beans! Smells delightful!"

"This one’s called Mapo Tofu!"

"Though it’s vegetarian, it’s full of flavor! The tofu’s smooth and tender, perfect with rice!"

Xia Ruqing pointed to the soup pot beside.

"Though the dishes aren’t great, soup is essential!"

"I asked someone to buy fresh winter radish from the market!"

"Radish stewed with ribs, this soup is nourishing!"

"As for the two bowls of noodles, I didn’t quite do them right after so long!"

"Emperor, please bear with it!"

Xia Ruyi believed she was being humble.

Yet... why did Zhao Junyao across the table furrow his brow?

Was it not tasty? She wondered.

Zhao Junyao mouthed, expressing: indeed not tasty!

Xia Ruqing’s forehead had a row of black lines.

’You must eat it even if it’s not tasty!’

...

For Zhao Junyao, accustomed to the cooking skills of the kitchen maids at Duanning Palace.

These dishes were genuinely hard to stomach.

But seeing Qingqing eating so relishly, he forced himself to swallow the bowl of noodles.

Having eaten to their fill.

The two soaked in the hot spring for a while before retiring to rest.

Xia Ruqing leaned against the bed head, gazing out at the stars through the glazed window.

She couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

"Emperor!"

"Do you think... there’s another world out there?"

Zhao Junyao patted her back.

"No!"

"Or... maybe there is!"

He was unsure as well!

Xia Ruqing mumbled.

"I often dream of things from another world, do you think..."

Do you think I’m going back?

She dared not finish the latter half.

They were both of a certain age, and she didn’t want to scare him.

"It’s just a dream!"

Zhao Junyao said calmly.

Xia Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief and added softly.

"I dreamt in that world, you can’t see stars in winter!"

Zhao Junyao stirred curiously.

"Why? Not even at night?"