A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1511 - 1509: The Confrontation

Chapter 1509

She sighed in her heart.

’In the end, she still didn’t tell me everything!’

I always feel there’s something they’re hiding from me.

But since everyone wants to keep it from her, persistently asking seems rather pointless.

She shook her head, drank another bowl of porridge, and then got up.

"Let’s sleep for a while, I’m tired!"

"Ah!"

Zi Yue was overjoyed, secretly wiped a sweat.

The Empress Dowager finally let it go, otherwise... she wouldn’t know how to spin more lies.

...

The heavy responsibility the Taishang Huang gave her was almost impossible to complete!

It turned out.

Zhao Junyao knew Xia Ruqing was smart and hard to fool, fearing her suspicion, so he instructed Zi Yue early on.

’No matter what happens outside, try to avoid telling her the truth!’

The Taishang Huang’s intention was good.

Firstly, to prevent Xia Ruqing from being scared and losing her spirit.

Secondly, he truly didn’t want her to worry.

Zhao Junyao had prepared himself mentally.

Even if she resented him, hated him, he had to do this.

...

Xia Ruqing didn’t think much more and went to take a nap with the Servant’s help.

She never expected.

The husband who was joking with her that morning, at this moment, was going through such an ordeal.

The vast sea stretched endlessly, from near to the horizon where water meets sky.

Near the year’s end, the winter sun was no longer brilliant, shrouded by thick, dark clouds, unseen.

The sea was rough even without wind, with waves crashing onto the shore, making a louder and louder crashing sound.

The entire sea and sky were gray and wandering, somewhat terrifying to behold.

Zhao Junyao, draped in a thin cloak, stood on the deck of the three-zhang-long, two-zhang-high warship.

This warship was currently the finest vessel available within Guangnan.

Although not large, its materials were exquisite, the structure solid, and equipped with advanced weaponry; it was superior to the boastful large ships.

Most importantly, it’s nimble and light.

However, at this moment, Zhao Junyao had no time to think about this.

All he thought of was his own son.

He had already decided that today, no matter what means he had to use, he must rescue his son.

Even ceding city territory, or compensating with silver taels and grain, was no matter.

Compared to the prestige of the Great Chu Dynasty and the emperor’s life, ultimately, face was far less valuable.

At this moment, he frowned, watching ahead, afraid the ship went too slow or too fast, or deviated from the direction thus missing the rendezvous point.

Li Deming advised on the side.

"Taishang Huang, here we have the most skilled sailors, they won’t make a mistake!"

"You should go to the cabin and rest for a while, your health..."

Zhao Junyao frowned and waved him off like shooing a fly.

"No worries, you may withdraw!"

Li Deming was still persistent, advising again.

"Then Taishang Huang, at least drink the medicine, this was made by the Empress Dowager..."

Mentioning the Empress Dowager, the Taishang Huang’s expression visibly softened.

He sighed, gave an order without turning his head.

"Bring it over!"

Li Deming helplessly had someone present the medicine bowl.

Zhao Junyao reached out to take it, drinking it all without looking.

His gaze was always fixed ahead, his eyes strained, wishing he could immediately find the enemy’s ship and rescue Chenchen.

...

"We’ve arrived! I see the enemy’s ship!"

Half a Shi Chen later, Zhao Junyao suddenly heard someone exclaim with joy.

He was somewhat puzzled, continuing to strain his eyes.

But no matter how hard he looked, he could only see a vast expanse of white.

After a while, he realized and felt somewhat lost.

’After all, he’s getting old, incomparable to those young sailors!’

Li Deming, perceiving his thoughts, joked beside him.

’After all, these sailors have sharp eyes; how come Servants like me can’t see anything!’

’Imagine, these professionals, trained for this trade, if they saw as little as I do, who knows how many ships would be wrecked!’

’They wouldn’t see the reefs until they’re upon them and crash into them!’

Zhao Junyao felt slightly better, coughed lightly, continued watching the distance.

Sure enough, after a while, he finally saw a few small black dots on the distant sea.

Tsk tsk, so tiny indeed.

...

Negotiations couldn’t be conducted on ships, too unsafe.

So the Southern Ocean Kingdom found an isolated island to dock.

Zhao Junyao also directed the ship to dock at this isolated island.

The exchange between the two sides was intense.

Zhao Junyao saw a man dressed in robes with a python pattern, adorned with colorful feathers, looking garishly unusual, disembark from the other ship.

Quite unfamiliar, how many Monarchs has the Southern Ocean Kingdom changed?

The other party disembarked and politely stood in an open space waiting for him.

Zhao Junyao was unafraid and disembarked as well.

"The old Monarch of the Great Chu Dynasty, I’ve long heard of you!" the other party initiated.

Only then did Zhao Junyao scrutinize him closely.

Aside from the peculiar attire, the man had noticeably dark (very dark) skin, quite ugly, but otherwise not much different from the people of this dynasty.

(Ridiculous, what’s left?)

He also smiled and stepped forward.

"You flatter me, may I ask your Excellency’s name? I’ve retired for many years, no longer involved in state affairs, and beg the Southern Ocean Monarch’s pardon!"

Upon asking, Zhao Junyao visibly saw the other party roll his eyes at him.

But this didn’t matter.

After all, everyone was just paying lip service, who expected true friendship, haha.

The other party, though impatient, still made a self-introduction.

It turned out the Southern Ocean Kingdom, since a certain war, had changed names; the current Monarch was named Suonobu.

This person, like most Southern Ocean people, was tall, dark, muscular, and ugly.

Watching made Zhao Junyao both envious and disdainful.

He secretly thought: If the people of the Great Chu Dynasty looked like this, wouldn’t they dominate the world?

He was also relieved: If the women of the Great Chu Dynasty looked like this, who could bear it? Wouldn’t the Great Chu Dynasty become extinct? Ahem, let’s not go there.

...

After some flattery, the two found a secluded spot to discuss serious matters.

Zhao Junyao felt uncomfortable.

In his mind, such cardinal state affairs must be deliberated upon solemnly in the grand halls with civil and military officials.

Not sitting round on the ground at the seaside with a rugged man, amidst tortoise tracks, with the fierce sea breeze tossing hair wildly in disarray.

Yet... he glanced at the ’wild man’ beside him, silently thinking: For my son, I’ll endure.

He had researched the history.

The Southern Ocean Kingdom was originally a deserted island, initially a nest for pirates who fled there.

Using it as a base, they continually seized passing ships for supplies, gradually thriving and growing.

How can one expect descendants of pirates to possess etiquette?