CHAPTER 254: CHAPTER 253 THE LITTLE BROTHER IS FULLY HEALED AS WELL

After speaking, his gaze swept over them one by one like a knife.

Everyone suddenly felt a chill around their necks.

Even if they had matters to report, none dared to speak up now.

Li Shengan promptly called out, "Court is dismissed!"

Zhao Junyao emerged from the court as the sky cleared to a brilliant blue. He took a deep breath of the early spring air and felt completely relaxed. Those old officials had finally been dealt with.

「...」

He returned to the Imperial Study Room. Rarely were there only a few thin documents to review. Zhao Junyao read through them carefully, and at last, he had some free time. He lay back in his lounge chair, eyes half-closed. Li Shengan promptly brought over a cup of tea, and Zhao Junyao drank it, sighing deeply.

He was human, not a god; he too grew weary. Just like now, his mind clamored for rest, crying out for it. This New Year’s celebration had been exhausting. More so than in previous years; he hadn’t even made it to the South Garden. The court, the Harem—not a single place allowed him a moment’s peace. Every single one of them was relentlessly stirring up trouble, none content to stay quiet.

Outside the Imperial Study Room, the Empress sought an audience.

Li Shengan hesitated before entering to announce her.

Zhao Junyao opened his eyes and said, "Let her in!"

"Yes!"

The Empress arrived, holding a bowl of soup. Seeing that the Emperor was not reviewing documents but lying on the lounge chair, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you must be tired after court!"

As she spoke, she set down the bowl of soup and gently moved behind the Emperor. Her hands found his temples.

Zhao Junyao frowned slightly, unaccustomed to this, but ultimately did not refuse.

The Empress gently massaged his temples and said, "I’ve prepared a list of the Fine Ladies. Please review it when you have time, Your Majesty."

Zhao Junyao did not like to make a grand show of selecting new consorts. Typically, a number of suitable daughters from official families were pre-selected before entering the palace, and he would retain those who caught his eye. Usually, not many were chosen. The first selection three years ago had brought just over twenty girls into the Harem. This time, the list was about the same.

Zhao Junyao said, "Leave it aside for now!"

The Empress dared not press the issue further.

She was massaging his temples, and all was well, but then the Empress noticed that the Emperor’s hair crown had become somewhat loose. Sister Ji had been teaching her daily to foster more marital intimacy with the Emperor. With that thought, the Empress said, "Allow me to comb your hair, Your Majesty. You must have risen early; your hair crown has loosened a bit!"

Zhao Junyao frowned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, and said indifferently, "That won’t be necessary!"

A pang of bitterness welled in the Empress’s heart, but she was used to it by now. She was about to continue massaging when Zhao Junyao subtly pushed her hand away.

"I still have matters to attend to, Empress. You may leave if there’s nothing else."

The Empress’s expression stiffened, but she could only agree.

Leaving Zhaochen Palace, the Empress still felt the bright sunlight was wonderful. No matter what, she was still his Empress. The other women in the Harem, no matter how capable, could never surpass her. She alone had the right to visit the Emperor in the Imperial Study Room. So, there was nothing to fret about. All that’s left is to wait for one of them to bear a child. I’ll take the child, arrange for the mother’s ’timely’ death by ’illness,’ and then everything will be perfect.

「...」

「Before lunch,」

Zhao Junyao went to Qingya Residence. Rarely did he have such leisure, and he wanted to see what she did during the day.

Upon entering, he saw Xia Ruqing sitting under the grape arbor in the courtyard, basking in the sun with a limp leg. Zhao Junyao approached with a cold expression. "The first month is barely over; don’t you find it cold?"

Xia Ruqing turned, and seeing it was him, struggled to rise and pay her respects. Zhao Junyao firmly held her down, his expression stern. "So restless! Can’t you let me have a moment’s peace?"

Xia Ruqing gave an adorably innocent smile. "Your Majesty, I was about to grow moldy! It’s such rare, fine weather today!" Noticing Zhao Junyao’s displeased expression, Xia Ruqing cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, what’s wrong?"

What’s wrong with me? Zhao Junyao wondered.

"Your Majesty, you seem a bit unhappy!" Xia Ruqing observed.

"Why would I be unhappy?" Zhao Junyao asked, somewhat puzzled. He didn’t even know himself. By rights, now that the storms have passed, with the court settled and the realm at peace, I should be happy. But... I just can’t feel happy!

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment. "Could it be that the matter concerning my brother has troubled Your Majesty?"

Zhao Junyao patted her lightly. "Don’t talk nonsense! No one will speak of that matter in the future."

However, perhaps it’s really worth considering establishing a martial examination to select outstanding martial talents from the populace. The court could even establish some martial schools. That way, the Great Chu Dynasty might produce many excellent military generals in the future. We wouldn’t need to rely on the scions of noble families to join the military and go to war. Are the scions of noble families necessarily superior? Not really. Just look at the Fan family’s two sons.

Thinking of this, Zhao Junyao’s mood suddenly brightened.

Seeing Xia Ruqing still looking utterly bewildered, he rubbed her head. "Don’t overthink. I’ll join you for lunch!"

Xia Ruqing immediately cheered up. "Great!"

Lunch is perfect! This is my chance. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. What a golden opportunity! As a Palace Consort, my primary duty is to win his favor, isn’t it? Absolutely!

Seeing her as happy as a child, Zhao Junyao felt his heart grow warm and full, as if something had filled it. This woman has never asked me for anything. She doesn’t contend or grasp, doesn’t weep or cause scenes. Give her a little warmth, and she could make the whole world light up. Her simplicity tugs at my heart. I truly wish I could make her smile constantly.

Xia Ruqing, with her injured leg bone and sprained foot, couldn’t move. She sat obediently in her chair, reading a storybook. Engrossed in the plot, she would giggle from time to time. Not far off, bees buzzed, occasionally landing on a few budding flowers. The air was tranquil and carried a sweet fragrance. Zhao Junyao felt his weariness dissipate all at once.

"Qingqing."

"Mm?"

"Qingqing?"

"Mm!"

He called; she answered. She’s here. She’s always been here. How wonderful it would be if time could freeze at this very moment.

「...」

The noon meal was sumptuous.

Xia Ruqing instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare several of the freshest small dishes, ensuring they were refreshing. She also had Zi Su prepare a sweet tremella and lotus seed soup for dessert. Additionally, the spinach and lotus roots from the vegetable garden were still fresh. Xiao Zhu Zi had dug them up and prepared a chilled spinach salad and tender lotus root slices with ginger and honey. It was quite a complete lunch.

The Imperial Kitchen provided ten dishes. Some were formal main courses, while others were fresh small dishes like spicy wood ear mushrooms, tender sautéed bamboo shoots, ginger-steamed fish, and matsutake beef. They were all delicious and light. Moreover, the chilled spinach salad and tender lotus root slices, freshly dug from the earth, were incredibly crisp and refreshing.

A bowl of rice, steamed to fragrant perfection, was glistening and translucent, exuding a rich, grainy aroma. Zhao Junyao ate two full bowls. He barely touched the main courses but finished every last bit of the small dishes.

After lunch, he took a nap. In the afternoon, he read for a while, and at night, he held Qingqing as he slept.

The next day, he was fully revitalized.

Of course, it wasn’t just Zhao Junyao who was fully revitalized; his... "little brother" was too.