CHAPTER 595: 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.

Hmm, that was a close call, wasn’t it? Seeing the Emperor like this, tonight would be... again... COUGH COUGH! No, please no! I haven’t fully rested yet!

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!"

If the Emperor hadn’t elevated her family, her elder brother and younger brother wouldn’t have their positions today. Nor would she herself have ascended to the rank of concubine. Where would this life she was living have come from? It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that almost all of it was his doing.

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.

A magnifying glass? I’m not sure.

"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: How about that, I’m impressive, right? 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.

Finally, I am not alone anymore. I am just like any other ordinary man, afraid of his wife, scolded by his spouse, bantering and quarreling in affection!

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.

What exactly is wrong with Qingqing? Why is she crying?

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!"

After her grandmother passed away, she was like duckweed, drifting to the corners of the world. No one had cared whether she was cold, hungry, tired, exhausted, or sick. And nobody had worried about her, treated her to delicious food, given her nice things, or thought of her even when drunk. Now, transported to ancient times, she had met the man with the most concubines in the world and had become one of three thousand concubines in his Harem. She had never harbored any improper thoughts; all her efforts were just to stay alive. But why... why was he so kind to her!

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

"Emperor..."

She felt so aggrieved, oh, how aggrieved! She, too, had been born and raised by parents. Why was happiness still so elusive after two lifetimes? In her last life, she hadn’t met the right partner. In this life, she had met him, but they could not truly begin. If only... If only he weren’t the Emperor. If only he liked her too. If they had met in modern times, could they have had a real start? Alas... he was from ancient times; he was the Emperor. He was destined to have many concubines, to father many children to defend and continue the Zhao Family’s empire. So... God, are you toying with me?!

...

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

Have I been too kind to her, and that’s why she’s heartbroken?