A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 776 A Short Stay in the Southern Garden

Chapter 776: Chapter 776 A Short Stay in the Southern Garden

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Emperor, you truly understand me! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

She hadn’t wanted to go. But seeing Zhao Junyao’s face filled with anticipation, she found herself at a loss for words and could only manage,

"Alright!"

"However... judging by the weather, I’m afraid it will snow tomorrow. Emperor, will you still take me?"

Zhao Junyao chuckled softly in her ear.

"Of course!"

"Not only will we go, but we will also stay for a few days. Qingqing, we..."

He gazed at her with infatuated eyes. The affection in them overflowed, gradually enveloping her.

She felt as if her body were enveloped in the warmest feathers, warming her completely.

The warmth slowly parched her mouth and tongue until, face flushed, she had no choice but to lower her head.

"Emperor, what... what are you thinking of doing?!"

When Zhao Junyao saw her blush and lower her head, as shy as a blooming water lily, he suddenly felt his own throat go dry.

Excitement, passion, and joy surged and leaped through his heart, his blood, his very limbs and bones.

Of course, there was also an overwhelming tide of desire.

That desire was truly scorching, gradually setting him ablaze.

His eyes turned a deep red as he tightly grasped Xia Ruqing’s hand, placing a kiss by her ear.

He whispered breathlessly,

"I... naturally want to do what needs to be done! Qingqing... don’t you?"

She had given birth on the sixteenth of August, and now, in the middle of the twelfth lunar month, a full four months had passed.

Although it was a long time, he had asked the Imperial Physician.

She had borne two children, and her body was greatly weakened. Even a year and a half of convalescence would not be excessive.

Therefore, Zhao Junyao had not dared to touch her until now.

But now, he could no longer bring himself to look at other women.

He was a healthy man. If he restrained himself any longer, he would go mad!

Initially, he had considered finding another woman for release. Even if it were just to ease an urgent need, anyone would do.

But whenever they stripped naked and lay before him, the image of Qingqing would invariably appear in his mind.

Or, the pained expression on Qingqing’s face.

After that, there was nothing. Without Qingqing, he couldn’t bring himself to sleep with anyone else.

This was driving the young emperor insane. It was surely the cruelest punishment he had received from childhood to this day!

He was the Emperor, master of a harem of three thousand beauties.

When it came to the number of women, no one in the Great Chu Dynasty could compare to him.

No one else, no matter how licentious, would keep hundreds, even thousands, of women in their residence.

So, while anyone else might go mad with frustration, it simply wasn’t possible for him! It wasn’t his turn!

But now...

Zhao Junyao massaged his forehead and looked to the sky, deeply contemplating before arriving at a conclusion.

Indeed, some things shouldn’t be said too early!

Just then, Xia Ruqing looked at him with a sympathetic expression.

"Emperor, I am still recuperating. The Imperial Physician said, no overexertion!"

"The Imperial Physician also said, no..."

Having said that, she gave Zhao Junyao a mischievous glance. Her expression was as if she had a powerful talisman, as if to say: I just won’t. What can you do about it? It’s not like you can make me!

Zhao Junyao squinted his eyes and smiled at her.

"Qingqing... what you permit or forbid doesn’t count!"

"I... I am the one who decides!"

Xia Ruqing quickly frowned.

"Emperor, you wouldn’t disregard my health, would you!"

"Of course not! Qingqing, just you wait!"

Having said that, Zhao Junyao ruffled her hair and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Xia Ruqing felt utterly confused.

Ah well, no matter, she thought. She was tired anyway; she would sleep for a while and think about it later.

「Later that evening.」

When Xia Ruqing awoke, the sky had already turned to dusk.

Zi Yue and Zi Su seemed to be packing something.

Xia Ruqing got up, slumped on the couch, and asked,

"What are you two doing...?"

Zi Su hurried over to explain.

"My lady, the Emperor has decreed that he will take you to the South Garden tomorrow. He has told us to prepare well!"

Xia Ruqing was stunned. Just as I expected, she thought.

Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she quickly commanded,

"If that’s the case, hurry up. The Little Princes have many things; don’t miss anything!"

Having said that, she dashed down without even bothering to put on her shoes.

Fortunately, Zi Yue reacted in time and caught her.

"Your Highness, the Emperor only said he would take you, not that the three Princes could go as well!"

"What?"

Xia Ruqing was truly surprised this time.

After hesitating for a while, she asked,

"Could it be a mistake? How could I be at ease leaving the children behind in the palace?"

"The Emperor said that even if you’re not at ease, you must be!"

"The Emperor also said that Your Highness has been downcast because you devote too much energy to the Little Princes!"

"Therefore, he said that this time, you can bring whomever you like, but the only ones you cannot bring are the Little Princes!"

"What?"

Xia Ruqing was completely shocked.

"Are you sure?"

A deep voice came from outside the door.

"I am certain!"

Zhao Junyao, dressed in a black cloak, swept in like a gust of wind!

"Qingqing, you couldn’t bear to leave them, could you?"

"They are Princes! They should not be overindulged!"

Xia Ruqing turned to look at the rocking cradle in the west chamber, then back at Zhao Junyao.

Finally, with great reluctance, she nodded.

Zhao Junyao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"That’s a good girl!"

Xia Ruqing managed a forced smile.

「The next morning.」

Several carriages were already waiting outside the palace.

Xia Ruqing, accompanied by Zi Yue and Zi Su, along with two chests containing simple belongings, boarded the carriage headed for the South Garden.

The journey to the South Garden would take half a day, even traveling slowly. So that morning, Xia Ruqing’s most notable achievement was dozing off in a certain gentleman’s arms.

The carriage swayed gently, and Xia Ruqing, lost in a daze, slept soundly.

"Emperor... you said... why am I not happy?"

Zhao Junyao touched her cheek, feeling somewhat ashamed.

"Qingqing, I have wronged you!"

Xia Ruqing muttered drowsily again,

"What’s the use of apologies? You and your Noble Consort grew up together as childhood sweethearts!"

"Even if she commits a grave mistake, you can forgive her!"

"You indulge her time and again, turning a blind eye to her misdeeds!"

"You are indifferent to the injustices others suffer!"

"Emperor, I might say I don’t mind on the surface, but deep down, it hurts terribly!"

Xia Ruqing pounded her chest as she spoke.

Lost in her drowsiness, she thought she was dreaming, so she spoke without restraint.

Words she wouldn’t dare utter normally came out unimpeded now.

After a pause, she continued,

"The Empress Dowager is your birth mother. You can overlook it when she bullies people. But what about the Noble Consort?"

"What right does she have to bully my children?!"

"Emperor, I’m so afraid!"

"All three children are very young. I’m afraid I can’t protect them myself!"

"I’m truly afraid!"

Before, when it was just her, the worst that could happen was she’d have to risk her life, fighting to the death.

But what about now?

If one day the Emperor stopped helping her, stopped doting on her, she truly wouldn’t know what to do!