A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 595: If

The outer robe came off, layer by layer.

Zhao Junyao suddenly felt much lighter.

It was as if he were a tiger, finally breaking free from its cage, relaxed and at ease.

As Xia Ruqing turned to fold his clothes, he embraced her from behind, breathing warmly, kissing her earlobe.

"Qingqing..."

His hot breath sprayed on her neck, turning her face instantly red to the base of her throat.

"Emperor, have you... have you eaten yet?"

Zhao Junyao’s eyes grew even more dazed, and he subconsciously kissed her again.

But his stomach chose that moment to growl twice.

"No!"

His gaze was a bit frustrated. After three rounds of banquets, he still hadn’t eaten his fill. Mainly, the dishes were not to his liking, and the weather was cold, making them greasy quickly upon serving. So he had spent the whole time drinking without eating.

Xia Ruqing frowned. "How can you endure this!"

"Emperor, you had soup just now. I have some rice and side dishes here, would you like some?"

Zhao Junyao, not completely out of his senses, glanced at her, then at the dishes on the table.

"The dishes look good. Bring me a bowl and chopsticks!"

Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Once the bowl and chopsticks were brought in, Zhao Junyao ate two large bowls of rice, accompanied by a table full of light dishes.

With food in his belly, his eyes cleared up a lot, and the alcohol buzz faded substantially.

"Qingqing..."

"Hmm?"

"Were you happy seeing your family today?"

Speaking of seeing her family, Xia Ruqing smiled. "For that, I must thank the Emperor!"

It would be false to say she wasn’t moved. Every time Xia Ruqing thought of it, her heart felt warm. It was like being cherished in the palm of someone’s hand.

"Emperor, I am very happy!"

Zhao Junyao then smiled. "It’s good that you’re happy!"

"Oh yes!"

"I brought you some wonderful things!"

Having said that, he summoned Li Shengan.

Li Shengan hadn’t dared to stray far. He was waiting just in the adjacent room. When the Emperor called for him, of course he understood what was meant. He promptly called for Little Zhuzi.

"Go, bring the things quickly, the Emperor is asking for them!"

Little Zhuzi ran off like a shot. Soon, he returned with another Little Eunuch, carrying a chest between them.

"What’s this?" Xia Ruqing was a bit astonished.

Zhao Junyao teased, "Why don’t you open it and take a look?"

Xia Ruqing opened it carefully and found the chest filled with an assortment of items. There was a mercury mirror, gleaming diamonds, and a set of lace outerwear. It also contained something resembling a Western clock, along with other assorted small items she couldn’t name.

"This is...?" Xia Ruqing asked, her face a picture of surprise.

Zhao Junyao smiled softly. "It’s no surprise you don’t recognize these. They were gifts from a missionary from the Southern Ocean!"

"He claimed that neither our Great Chu nor the surrounding nations possess them. These things are only found in their lands, far across the Distant Ocean, in the Southern Ocean!"

"I found these objects quite novel and thought that you, Qingqing, love novel things, so I had them brought over!"

"This whole chest, it’s all for you!"

After saying this, Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes, looking like a child waiting for praise. His gaze seemed to say: Proud, content, triumphant.

Xia Ruqing looked at him, then again at the contents of the chest.

Her heart was suddenly struck by a massive wave of happiness, and she was left speechless for a long moment.

"Emperor..."

「...」

After they removed the dinner table and had bathed and changed, the two lay on the bed.

Xia Ruqing lay silent, burying her head in Zhao Junyao’s chest.

Zhao Junyao felt that at this moment, she was like a wounded little kitten: sensitive, fragile, vulnerable to the slightest blow.

He patted her shoulder, his concern gentle.

"Qingqing, what’s wrong?"

"I know you’ve seen your family and are overwhelmed with emotions!"

"Don’t worry. As long as you wish to see them, I will find a way for you in the future. Be good!"

Xia Ruqing’s heart was already sour and heavy.

Hearing his words, she couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into tears with a WAH.

"Emperor..."

"Zhao Junyao!"

Zhao Junyao was stunned. She was the first woman who dared to call him by his full name. If it were ordinary times, such insolence would be a capital offense! But now... he wasn’t angry at all. In fact... there was even a hint of happiness in his heart. A bit moved, somewhat contemplative.

As a man, he naturally hoped the woman he married was one of flesh and blood. He didn’t want someone who only obeyed or, worse, engaged in constant scheming and rivalry. With Qingqing, he felt like an ordinary man. No Emperor, no Concubines, no power, no court, no Harem. He was just her husband, that was all.

He patted her shoulder, his voice even gentler now.

"Don’t cry..."

"Qingqing, please don’t cry!"

Xia Ruqing’s crying grew louder. She burrowed into his embrace, her snot and tears flowing everywhere, yet he didn’t mind at all.

The only thing that bothered him was... he was a bit confused.

Xia Ruqing sobbed heart-wrenchingly, as if trying to pour out all the grievances accumulated inside her.

"Emperor..."

"No one... no one has ever cared for me like this!"

"Emperor, why are you so good to me! No one has ever been this good to me!"

"Emperor..."

...

Xia Ruqing cried as if her heart would break, and Zhao Junyao was a bit bewildered.