CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER 82: RETURN TO THE PALACE 1

Zhao Junyao didn’t answer. After a pause, he suddenly said, "I’ve brought you something nice, but it’s still on the way."

Xia Ruqing’s eyes suddenly lit up. "What something nice?"

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment, his expression suddenly a bit complicated. He then said, "Delicious food..."

Xia Ruqing was so happy she felt like rolling on the ground. She hadn’t served him in vain for so long; after all, there was finally something in return, wasn’t there?

Then, Xia Ruqing began to fantasize...

The Royal Family’s ancestors hailed from Yuhang, a place in Jiangnan rich in resources. Vegetables definitely couldn’t be brought back, but as for other ingredients... Anything the Emperor brought would certainly be of the finest quality, something rare and coveted!

Yes!

Perhaps she would indeed get to taste the legendary delights of Jiangnan and see what this ancient, culturally rich land had to offer...

Although this body’s original owner was also from Jiangnan, her memories were filled with the struggle to even eat her fill, let alone enjoy delicacies!

Lost in thought and savoring her blissful fantasies, Xia Ruqing didn’t notice the strange smile on Zhao Junyao’s face! When she looked up, his expression had returned to normal.

"I rode back and I’m starving..."

Xia Ruqing had no choice but to order a meal to be served.

「...」

Zhao Junyao traveled to and from Jiangnan on horseback; the royal carriage was merely a decoy. This trip was for tomb-sweeping and ancestor worship. It was also an opportunity to travel around and observe the people’s conditions. To govern the country well, he naturally couldn’t just sit in the palace as a lofty ruler, listening to the empty talk of his ministers. He had to come out personally, to see with his own eyes, to hear with his own ears... A mere three or five days was far from enough!

In June, he intended to tour the south, and in September, he would head north. Two years after his ascension, he had overcome great difficulties. Finally, the realm was initially pacified, and the people’s hearts were temporarily at ease! He had set ambitious goals, determined to bring a prosperous and thriving era to the vast lands of the Great Chu Dynasty!

Of course, these were matters for the future!

Right now, before him were...

Several servings of vegetarian dumplings. In addition to the fillings Xia Ruqing had requested, the chefs from the Imperial Kitchen had also prepared a few additional flavors. A plate of each type was boiled. There was also fish head and tofu soup, lotus leaf congee, and steamed buns...

The few slightly richer dishes had been cleverly added by Xiao Xizi, who instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare them last minute. There was an oil-braised prawn dish, soy-sauce beef, a small bowl of steamed meat, and a plate of glistening red-braised pork... Additionally, a few types of cold-dressed wild vegetables had been ordered. The steamed dishes were no longer available, and new ones couldn’t be prepared instantly, so Xiao Xizi didn’t request them.

However, this spread was already excellent. The dishes were brought out one by one, filling the table.

Xia Ruqing finished dressing and was about to step forward to serve him when Zhao Junyao suddenly stared at her. He frowned. "Why have you lost so much weight?"

The few pounds she had just gained, gone in the blink of an eye?

Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue didn’t dare to interject, so Xia Ruqing had to say, "It’s been raining these past two days, and I caught a chill. Last night, I even had a fever. I’ve been ill, so I haven’t had much of an appetite!"

Zhao Junyao’s expression suddenly turned sour. Whenever she fell ill, his heart would pound. He’d feel anxious and irritable!

Seeing that something was amiss, Xia Ruqing hastened to explain, "The Imperial Physician said my health has improved a lot. With a bit more recuperation, I’ll be completely well!"

Zhao Junyao looked at her again, his expression grim. "Is that truly so?"

Xia Ruqing, feeling cornered, could only nod.

Zhao Junyao’s expression softened slightly, and he commanded, "Sit down and eat!"

"Yes!" she answered cautiously.

After the meal, Xia Ruqing looked at the almost clean-swept table, her expression one of astonishment.

Emperor, you really can eat a lot...

Zhao Junyao, however, thought: We practically ate in the wind and slept in the dew on the journey. Now that there are hot meals and warm dishes, is it strange that I’m eating so much?

In fact, the imperial entourage had everything prepared. Unfortunately, once Zhao Junyao left the Capital City, he no longer traveled with the imperial entourage! Instead, he took a few trusted confidants and rode south... The tomb sweeping took only a day; he spent the rest of the time on the road.

「...」

After the meal, Zhao Junyao again summoned the Imperial Physician. He wanted to find out how long she would continue to be so prone to illness.

The Imperial Physician arrived quickly. Zhao Junyao didn’t show himself, remaining seated behind a screen. It was the same Imperial Physician who had previously prescribed her medicine.

Xia Ruqing had just eaten. Lying in bed and feeling warm, she began to get drowsy. But remembering that the Emperor was still there, she forced herself to stay awake.

The Imperial Physician took her pulse and then said with a smile, "Honored Lady merely caught a chill. Now that she has taken her medicine and the fever has subsided, she is much better..." He continued, saying, "As long as her diet remains light, there will be no major issues..."

Xia Ruqing then asked, "Can I stop taking medicine?"

The Imperial Physician replied, "You can stop the previous medication. This humble servant will prescribe a gentle, nourishing tonic for you..."

Xia Ruqing was speechless. More medicine again!

Zhao Junyao, however, allowed the corners of his mouth to curve. No major issues means she’s fine, then...

However, a persistent worry troubled him. She was so frail; he couldn’t bear the thought of her conceiving and giving birth too early... Giving birth to a child could drain a woman of so much of her vital essence and blood; in more severe cases, it wasn’t uncommon for it to even claim her life.

He... was somewhat reluctant...

It’s still early, far too early. We should wait another couple of years. It would be best to wait until she’s fully recovered and has put on some more weight!

But what should he do? If she found out, would she misunderstand him?

In fact, Xia Ruqing also had thoughts on the matter, but she didn’t know how to bring it up. She was afraid he would misunderstand, thinking she was unwilling to bear his children...

Both of them were worried!

「...」

The Emperor entered the palace quietly; the news didn’t leak, and no one was aware. After having a meal at Xia Ruqing’s residence and staying for a while, he returned to Zhaochen Palace. This matter was not mentioned further...

「...」

The next day, Zhao Junyao was still in the same clothes, riding his horse at the very front of the imperial convoy. In the carriages behind him were the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince. Behind Zhao Junyao was a smaller, date-red pony. The eight-year-old Seventh Prince sat bolt upright upon it, his expression also stern. At the very end of the procession followed several more carriages. These had no canopies but were wooden cages covered with cloth, concealing what was inside. With the surrounding guards and Palace Attendants, the procession was indeed vast and mighty...

The late Emperor had a total of seven sons. Zhao Junyao was the third oldest and the only legitimate son born of the Empress Dowager. The remaining sons were born to Imperial Noble Consorts or Imperial Concubines. The eldest, Prince Jing; the second, Prince Zhuang; and the fourth, Prince Wu, had all come of age and gone to their fiefs. Currently, only the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Princes remained. The eldest among them, the Fifth Prince, would only turn ten after the New Year celebrations. Being underage, they were all still being raised within the palace. These young Princes also accompanied him to the Imperial Mausoleum for the tomb-sweeping.

Along the way, the Emperor’s procession appeared vast and imposing, but in reality, it primarily featured these three young princes!

「...」

The Emperor’s imperial procession returned to the palace.

The Empress led the Concubines to welcome him at the palace gate. Except for Noble Concubine Shih, who was nurturing her pregnancy, all the others were present—even the Ladies who rarely made public appearances!

When Zhao Junyao dismounted, everyone swarmed forward—performing salutations as required, kneeling if necessary.

After the greetings, everyone followed the Emperor to the Empress Dowager’s Ningshou Palace. It was, as expected, another round of exchanging pleasantries.

Xia Ruqing walked with unsteady steps, her head bowed, merely following the large group. Despite this, by the end of half a day, she was exhausted.