CHAPTER 618: CHAPTER 618: REALLY GOOD

Zhao Junyao was also happy. "If you like it, I still have some more at my place..."

"Li Shengan!" Xia Ruqing hurriedly interjected.

"Emperor, there’s no need... Just that much, I can’t possibly eat it all!" That’s reserved for your personal use; it’d be embarrassing to consume it all.

Zhao Junyao paused, then said seriously after a moment, "Qingqing, I have given these things only to you, and will give them only to you! There’s only that little bit, and it’s not enough to share. Deciding who gets what would only cause issues. It’s better to just give it privately to one person. She would be happy, and so would I."

Xia Ruqing was taken aback. She knew it was a misunderstanding. Did he think she was jealous? Hmm... actually, not at all?! With so many delicious foods, why be jealous and make things unpleasant for oneself? But... Xia Ruqing blinked. She didn’t want to explain. Her big, watery eyes sneaked a glance. Eh? He seems to care a lot.

"Thank you, Emperor..." Xia Ruqing giggled, feeling very pleased. The Emperor has given it to only her—that’s a good thing!

Zhao Junyao smiled too and gently patted her, chiding, "Food hoarder!"

Xia Ruqing then continued, "Well, who doesn’t love good food? I wouldn’t give away tasty things to anyone else..." That’s the truth!

In the world of food lovers, delicious food always comes first. If the Emperor were to say that he shared the lychees with others, she would certainly feel a pang of disappointment. This is why in ’Dream of the Red Chamber’, Lin Daiyu asked, ’Did you give these flowers only to me, or do the other sisters have them too?’. The same principle.

Zhao Junyao was somewhat helpless. But he felt it was rather nice that way. Whatever she thought, she said it openly—it was refreshing. Growing up in the palace and seeing all kinds of truth and deception, an honest word felt incredibly precious.

He smiled and sat down on the large kang bed by the window. After a short while, the evening meal was served.

The Imperial Kitchen’s fare and Qingya Residence’s meals were arrayed across the table once again. The Imperial Kitchen’s cuisine, needless to say, boasted grand variety and exquisite presentation. Qingya Residence’s dishes were the usual: all light fare, such as sautéed tender loofah, cold-dressed cucumbers, lean meat and preserved egg porridge, steamed vegetables, and a few other porridge items. The only meat dish was the saltwater duck Xia Ruqing had recently taken a liking to.

The chefs from the Imperial Kitchen had somehow prepared the duck meat to be deliciously salty and chewy, yet not greasy at all, making it very refreshing. It was perfect with porridge, and Xia Ruqing had enjoyed it so much after trying it once that she ordered it again. So, tonight, she ordered porridge and this saltwater duck.

Compared to the Emperor’s Imperial Kitchen feast, her simple selection of dishes seemed almost inconspicuous on the table. But when it came time to clear the plates, it was these few dishes that were almost completely consumed.

Zhao Junyao ate a large bowl of porridge with the plate of hand-torn saltwater duck. Then, with a few light dishes, he ate a large bowl of rice. This amount of food, though it didn’t make him uncomfortably full, was still half more than his usual intake.

Xia Ruqing also overindulged a bit, her belly becoming somewhat rounded. "Oh dear! Summer is just around the corner; it won’t do to keep eating like this!" she said with a touch of worry. "I had said I wanted to lose some of this fat!"

Zhao Junyao glanced indifferently at her waist. "You finally put on some weight. Why bother losing it?" he said. "Let’s go see Chenchen!" Without waiting for her to respond, his large hands grasped hers, and they headed for the side chamber.

「In the side chamber」

Little Bun was already asleep. The chubby baby, although sun-tanned, still had good-looking facial features and eyes. When they entered, the Wetnurse Nanny was sitting by the crib, fanning the Little Prince to keep mosquitoes away. Little Bun wore a bright red bellyband, lying on the bed and sleeping soundly and sweetly.

Zhao Junyao looked at the robust Little Bun, who resembled a little Tiger, and felt very happy. But on the surface, he still feigned disdain. "How did he get so tan!"

Xia Ruqing, however, didn’t mind and even said happily, "Being tanned means he’s healthy! It’s already good that he hasn’t been sunburned; he only goes out at dusk! If it weren’t for the Sisters’ intervention, I’m afraid he would dare to go out even in the midday sun!"

By now, she had found out that her son was tough as iron, impervious to cold and, seemingly, heat as well. Such is a child!

Zhao Junyao didn’t say anything else, just stared at Little Bun, watching as though he could never get enough. His eyes conveyed disdain, happiness, and pride all at once. Xia Ruqing took one glance and dared not look any longer, afraid to expose the Emperor’s little secret.

In truth, the Emperor might not dislike it. It’s just... he might not be able to accept such a tanned child for the time being, especially since he himself was so handsome. However, Xia Ruqing was still determined. After all, her own child was the one she cherished. Enduring hardship now would allow him to adapt better in the future. The life of a Prince is so tough; she didn’t want her son to be unable to cope. Moreover, apart from being a bit dark, her son wasn’t ugly at all. Not in the slightest! When he grows up, he’s sure to become another handsome man! She had that much confidence. So, Xia Ruqing wasn’t worried at all.

A sleeping child isn’t much to look at. The two of them stayed for a short while before leaving. They then wandered around the courtyard outside to help digest their meal. Returning, they washed up, bathed, and went to bed.

The bed curtains were drawn. Zhao Junyao turned over and pinned Xia Ruqing beneath him.

"Emperor, you..."

Zhao Junyao gave a sly smile. "How can a walk help digestion? To really digest, we need to do something else!" Then... he buried his head and kissed her lips.

He, who had once disliked and never kissed a woman, now possessed very advanced kissing skills. He easily pried open her pearly teeth and made a deep incursion. His hands were busy, and so was his lower body; nothing was idle. Xia Ruqing was quickly devoured.

As pleasure surged, Xia Ruqing also lost her senses, turning over and pinning the Emperor beneath her. Her body trembling, she ground against and nibbled his lips until they were swollen and bleeding, unwilling to let go. "Emperor..." Her voice was muffled.

Zhao Junyao squinted, experiencing the ultimate pleasure stemming from the union of their souls. "Qingqing..."

Xia Ruqing bit him again, gently nuzzling his ear. "Zhao Junyao!" She was calling his name.

Zhao Junyao’s squinted eyes suddenly blazed with an ink-like intensity; he was delighted. He tightly wrapped his arms around her waist. "Qingqing... Qingqing..." With forceful arms, he gripped her waist. He entered her body fiercely, as if wanting to release everything within him into her.

This position... ugh, it caused a bit of a stomach ache. But that ultimate, mind-numbing pleasure made her unable to stop. In the end, sounds that were a mixture of pain and pleasure escaped continuously from her throat.

The two embraced, reaching their peak together. All was disheveled—breathless, enveloped in hugs and passionate kisses. In this moment, they were just like the most affectionate couples among common folk, basking in worldly delights.