A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 157 - 156: Rerouting to Zhuoshui County
Xia Ruqing spoke again.
"Frogs are called field frogs among the common folk!"
"Back when I was a child, many places were poor. Children, who were still growing, craved meat intensely. However, meat was out of reach unless it was a holiday or festival!"
"So, children would catch field frogs to eat!"
Zhao Junyao listened intently, his frown deepening.
No matter what, the thought of eating frogs was still too unimaginable for an emperor.
Zhao Junyao felt an added pressure in his heart.
Thinking it over, he felt he must strive even harder to ensure all his subjects could eat their fill and wear warm clothes.
If possible, he wished for those children to have meat not just during festivals, but on ordinary days as well!
Xia Ruqing nodded earnestly.
"Yes, Milord!"
Zhao Junyao then asked, "Qingqing, have you ever eaten them?"
Xia Ruqing answered without hesitation, "I have!"
As a child in the countryside at her maternal grandmother’s house, mingling with the other children every day, of course, she had.
However, Zhao Junyao misunderstood.
(Author’s note: I’ve found that these two always seem to be on different wavelengths, haha...)
Xia Ruqing then shared some other stories.
Zhao Junyao listened with keen interest.
Gradually, her voice grew softer, until finally, the sound of even breathing came from beside him.
She had fallen asleep.
Moonlight streamed through the small window of the tent, casting its glow on the bed.
Her thick, curling lashes cast fan-like shadows on her cheeks.
She was sleeping sweetly.
Zhao Junyao’s heart was a mix of complex emotions.
He had lived in the Imperial Palace since childhood, and those he interacted with were all members of the Royal Family or daughters of official families. He had imagined the lives of the poor commoners many times, but in the end, he realized that everything was beyond his imagination!
Poverty could drive people to do so many unimaginable things. He simply couldn’t fathom it!
...
While she slept soundly, he could not.
He quietly got up from the bed, dressed, and walked alone to the riverbank.
「That night.」
A figure in moon-white robes sat by the river under the moon for a very, very long time.
...
「The next day, at Chen Hour.」
Everyone had their breakfast.
Just after Chen Hour, the tents were packed up and loaded onto the rearmost carriage.
The caravan continued on its way.
In the carriage, the sleep-deprived Xia Ruqing continued to doze off, nodding her head like a little chick pecking at rice.
Zhao Junyao gently laid her on the carriage’s blanket, allowing her to continue sleeping.
He then went ahead to ride his horse.
Li Shengan caught up from behind, and Zhao Junyao asked, "How long will this detour to Zhuoshui County take?"
Li Shengan counted on his fingers and then said, "Milord, diverting to Zhuoshui County from here will add over a hundred li to our journey!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Junyao didn’t even think twice before giving the order.
"We’ll divert to Zhuoshui County!"
Li Shengan didn’t try to persuade him otherwise and directly went to convey the order.
However, though Li Shengan held back from advising, it didn’t mean others had no doubts.
When the order was given, there were still those who objected.
"The Emperor has been traveling for a while now, and if we delay any longer, I’m afraid it will be too long..."
Li Shengan said, "That may be true, but do you dare try to dissuade the Emperor from his wishes?"
Upon reflection, that person immediately fell silent.
...
By noon, Xia Ruqing woke up and found no one inside the carriage. She lifted the curtain and saw the Emperor riding a horse outside.
She saw Zhao Junyao with a calm demeanor, his legs gripping the horse’s flanks. He held a whip in one hand and the reins in the other. His gaze was strikingly powerful, his expression focused as he looked ahead.
Xia Ruqing was mesmerized.
Xia Ruqing watched in rapture for a while before leaning over inside the carriage and closing her eyes to rest.
In a corner of the carriage, there was a plate of fruit.
They were fresh when put there in the morning, but now they had wilted a bit.
Xia Ruqing picked one that was still relatively fresh and began to eat.
...
That day, the carriage traveled nonstop.
By evening, they finally arrived at a small town.
This town wasn’t large and was nestled in a hollow surrounded by mountains. Fortunately, it had all the basic necessities: food, clothing, lodging, and transport, including inns.
The group settled into the largest inn in town.
Though called the largest, in reality, compared to the Capital City, it wouldn’t even pass for third-rate.
However, in this place, having somewhere to stay was good enough. Who would be picky?
After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms to wash up and rest.
A day on the road was really exhausting!
Even Xia Ruqing was completely listless; she didn’t even feel like eating and just wanted to sleep.
The rooms were assigned.
The Emperor’s was still the largest; Consort Yun’s was the next best.
After them, the quarters for Lady Xia, Honored Lady Lan, and Honored Lady Xi were all the same.
At least, that’s how it was divided on the surface.
In reality, everyone knew that Lady Xia would not be staying in her room.
Indeed, not long after she returned to her room, Little Zhuzi came with a message.
"Lady Xia will serve the Emperor tonight!"
Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi dared not say anything.
Consort Yun was still displeased but no longer dared to make a fuss.
...
Xia Ruqing received the decree and went to Zhao Junyao’s room.
He was changing clothes. He had taken off his white long robe, leaving him bare-chested and wearing only long trousers.
Xia Ruqing stood behind him and saw that his skin was red from the sun on his back and neck.
"Emperor, you..."