A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1431 - 1429: I Just Like You

Looking at the stovetop filled with fresh ingredients.

She was in an incredibly good mood.

In her past life, she followed her grandmother and learned to cook at a very young age.

Back then, her biggest dream was to graduate, find a job, and save enough money to open a small restaurant.

Create an elegant and poetic environment and cook for people who truly appreciate good food.

If she became famous, one day she could proudly put up a sign.

’Limited to 100 servings, first come, first served, while supplies last!’

By then, she could leisurely become a little landlady.

Earn money, drink tea, read books, and live the most poetic life.

Xia Ruqing thought, that was the pinnacle of life.

The more she thought about it, the more pleased she became, and she couldn’t help but get carried away.

As a result, the meat in the pot got burnt.

"Your Grace!"

The two kitchen maids spoke in unison.

Xia Ruqing snapped back to reality.

"Ahem, sorry!"

She apologized instinctively.

The two kitchen maids, frightened, quickly knelt.

"This servant deserves to die, we startled Your Grace, please forgive us!"

Xia Ruqing froze for a moment and then laughed, waving her hand.

"It’s nothing, you can get up, it was my fault!"

The two kitchen maids became even more uneasy.

"Please forgive us, Your Grace, this servant is terrified!"

Xia Ruqing looked at them, pausing before realizing she had misspoken.

This isn’t the 21st century, and they have no status here!

Saying something so polite would only increase their guilt.

So Xia Ruqing waved her hand.

"I forgive you, you may all stand."

Only then did the two kitchen maids look relieved, and they thanked her before getting up.

...

The meat was burnt, and quite some time had passed.

With no time to start over, Xia Ruqing sighed, looking at the braised beef in the pot.

"Let’s just make a bowl of beef noodles!"

"Tasty and time-saving!"

Although just a bowl of noodles seems too simple for the Emperor’s dinner, but...

She really had no other option!

A kitchen maid came over with a suggestion.

"Your Grace, there’s also some venison braising on the small stove, fresh from the Capital City this morning!"

"I started braising it early this morning and sealed it in a small jar; it should be tender and flavorful by now!"

Another kitchen maid also chimed in.

"Your Grace, I also have several jars of pickled country vegetables!"

"Though not grand, they’re local delicacies, and you probably haven’t seen them before. They’re very fragrant; would you like to try some?"

Xia Ruqing nodded repeatedly.

"So you all kept stashes!"

There’s a saying, ’No chef ever starved to death!’, and it’s so true.

With Xia Ruqing’s approval, the kitchen maids happily went to prepare.

Finally, dinner was served.

Aside from the bowl of beef noodles she made, the rest were all the maids’ private stashes.

A dish of braised venison, tender and flavorful.

Several local-flavor pickled vegetables, and even a jar of plum wine of unknown vintage.

The two of them ate with unprecedented satisfaction.

Xia Ruqing indulged in nostalgia.

These country snacks tasted almost like what her grandmother used to make.

After not having them for years, they felt especially close to her heart.

Zhao Junyao found it all novel.

Although the taste wasn’t that great...

But fortunately, he’s not picky, and to be honest, these were quite appetizing.

With a side of pickled sweet and sour peanuts, he ended up having another half bowl of rice.

...

After the meal.

The servants cleaned up the dining table, and the two of them cozied up in the warm inner chamber, appreciating the paintings they created during the day.

The dim candlelight covered the room with a warm orange glow.

Having just eaten their fill, their faces looked rosier, expressions serene, their eyes sparkling with the peace of the moment.

From their expressions, it seemed like they had traveled back in time many years.

Xia Ruqing leaned against Zhao Junyao, thinking.

’How nice, let’s spend the rest of life like this!’

Looking at the man beside her, recalling her many experiences over the years, she could only find it amusing.

When she first found out she had transmigrated, she was completely bewildered.

Later, she forced herself to adapt, adapting to a man having hundreds of concubines, she herself found it unimaginable.

As time went on, he treated her better and better, taking her under his wing, carefully tending and nurturing her as if learning how to love like a child who had just learned to walk.

Yet she, all the while, kept him at arm’s length.

Yes, she didn’t love him, not because she didn’t want to, but because she was afraid.

Subconsciously, she always felt he would one day lose interest and abandon her ruthlessly.

So she built a thick wall around her heart to guard against getting hurt.

But year after year, she had never been hurt.

At this point, with both being over forty, what was left to guard against?

Zhao Junyao wasn’t lustful and certainly wouldn’t go for a young girl in her late teens.

So...

Had she guarded in vain all her life?

Xia Ruqing smiled wryly.

Should she be happy or sad about this?

"Emperor!"

"Hmm?"

Xia Ruqing asked absentmindedly.

"Why are you so good to me?"

"I can’t play musical instruments, or play chess, or write, or paint, I’m not the prettiest either, and my family background isn’t that good!"

"Thinking back, I’m not sure what I did to deserve your favor?"

Zhao Junyao was silent for a moment, then suddenly teased her with a smile.

"Because you’re silly!"

"Huh?"

Not satisfied with this answer, she pouted unhappily and turned away from him.

Zhao Junyao held back his laughter, turned her head back towards him, teasing further.

"Are you mad?"

"No!"

She replied, against her true feelings.

"If you’re not mad, then give me a smile!"

"I’m not smiling, I’m a fool, I don’t know how to smile!" she retorted angrily.

Zhao Junyao found her puffed-up expression amusing and couldn’t help but laugh again, asking.

"Do you really want to know?"

Xia Ruqing glanced at him, ignoring him.

"Then if I tell you, don’t get mad!"

Xia Ruqing looked at him once more, still ignoring him.

Zhao Junyao, helpless, pondered for a moment and then said seriously.

"Because I’m lazy!"

"Huh?"

Xia Ruqing was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but hit him.

"Can’t you speak properly?"

Zhao Junyao didn’t dodge, and let her hit him a few times on his chest, then laughed again.

"I’m telling the truth, if you don’t believe it, so be it, why hit me!"

"Cough, cough!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

He coughed a few times, deliberately making it seem serious.

Xia Ruqing was worried and quickly went to support him, looking tense.

"Are you okay? I didn’t mean it!"

"Should I call the Imperial Physician?"

Seeing her worried look, Zhao Junyao was secretly pleased, and while she was off guard, he flipped over, pinning her beneath him.

With a wave of his large hand, the lights went out, and the next second, he kissed her lips.

Their breaths intertwined, the room growing warmer like spring.

"Hey! Mmm!"

Not knowing how long it lasted, she was breathless from the kiss, desperately hitting his chest.

Only then did Zhao Junyao reluctantly let go of her.

In the dark, he stared at her with burning eyes, his tone filled with dominance.

"I just like you, there need not be so many reasons!"