A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 526: She Didn’t Mean to Start an Argument

Zhao Junyao doted on another woman and even deliberately spread the news for everyone to know.

Xia Ruqing sighed and headed to the backyard garden.

...

Xia Ruqing’s eyes carried a faint sadness.

Xiao Xizi took a ladder to prune the grapes, with Xiao Zhu Zi following.

"Master, let’s also plant some spinach. You like it the most!"

Xia Ruqing nodded. "Indeed!"

"And plant a variety of radishes, cabbages too, and for the rest, you decide!"

"Yes!" Xiao Zhu Zi answered.

Then she carefully suggested, "This servant was thinking, should we reserve a small plot of land? This plot of land, close to the well, is good for wild vegetables!"

"Wild vegetables? Shepherd’s purse?"

Xiao Zhu Zi said with a smile, "All sorts!"

Xia Ruqing smiled and nodded. "Good, wild vegetables are tasty too!"

Xiao Zhu Zi agreed.

The sun grew stronger, casting down its light intermixed with the faint, fresh scent of recent rain.

Da Bai led Little White, lazily moving with the graceful and lethargic steps of a cat. Little White was clingy and mischievous. It was drawn to the muddy lotus pond, filled with withered lotus leaves, seed pods, and various insects; the slightest rustle of grass sent it into a frenzy of excitement. With its fluffy little head, big round eyes, high-pricked ears, and raised tail, it looked utterly adorable.

Da Bai watched it with a mix of indifference and helplessness. He could only stand by, basking in the sun and waiting.

After a while, having had its fill of play, Little White emerged with a dirty head and muddy paws.

Da Bai... glanced coldly, as if to reprimand.

Da Bai reluctantly approached to lick Little White clean. Little White seemed to know its mistake and lay obediently on a pile of fallen leaves, squinting its eyes and enjoying Da Bai’s grooming.

The scene was truly heartwarming.

Watching this, Xia Ruqing’s eyes curled into a smile, her lips arching upward.

She walked slowly along the path by the vegetable garden, lost in thought.

...

「Zhaochen Palace」

Zhao Junyao followed his routine: attending the morning court session, leaving the court, and then reviewing petitions.

During the court session, when Li Shengan called for memorials to be presented, the civil and military officials below were somewhat frightened. they wondered.

After their silent musings, they began to ponder.

Under the fear of being beaten, those officials who usually approached with trivial issues just to make their presence felt now held back, not daring to utter a peep.

Therefore, the morning court session, which normally lasted more than a Shi Chen and sometimes even two, now ended in less than half a Shi Chen.

The petitions sent to the Imperial Study Room were also considerably fewer. Li Shengan counted them. There were only a little over twenty. Usually, there were at least fifty, and at most, there had been up to a hundred.

Zhao Junyao was surprised by the small number of petitions that arrived, but he didn’t say anything. As usual, he drank a cup of tea and began reviewing them.

He had finished reviewing the petitions before it was even time for lunch. Zhao Junyao felt irritable and couldn’t concentrate on his reading. So... he took his entourage and rode out of the palace.

Having left the palace gate, Zhao Junyao suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Li Shengan, "Where’s Little Seventh?" (This was Seventh Prince Zhao Junyan.)

Li Shengan quickly replied, "The Seventh Prince should be at the school at this hour. Does the Emperor wish to call the Seventh Prince?"

Zhao Junyao turned and continued forward. "There’s no need!"

Li Shengan, not daring to say more, followed behind the Emperor, riding a gentle horse at a slow pace.

Upon leaving the palace, Zhao Junyao headed straight to the Suburbs of the Capital. Without stopping for lunch, he rode at full speed. Li Shengan couldn’t keep up, so Zhao Junyao ordered him to wait at the military practice grounds in the Suburbs of the Capital. Li Shengan didn’t dare disobey and went there with a few little eunuchs.

Only a squad of Hidden Guards and Commander Xia accompanied Zhao Junyao.

Xia Tingfeng had no idea what was bothering the Emperor.

The group galloped across the countryside.

As ever, for men, there is nothing that relieves worries better than galloping on a horse with full vigor.

Two Shi Chen later, his troubles felt somewhat alleviated. Zhao Junyao, along with Xia Tingfeng and others, turned towards the military practice grounds in the Suburbs of the Capital.

...

The military practice grounds were where the prominent soldiers of the Capital City were stationed. Whether infantry or Cavalry, all the troops there were the most elite. The sounds of martial practice in the military practice grounds were deafening. Troops were arrayed in neat order, training with perseverance.

Zhao Junyao inspected the area and felt very satisfied; his spirits lifted even further.

Xia Tingfeng, glancing at the sky, reminded, "Emperor, it’s time to start your journey back to the palace!"

Zhao Junyao looked around, thought for a moment, then patted his shoulder. "Let’s go! I’m quite hungry. Time to drink!"

With that, he strode forward, making no mention of returning to the palace.