A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 834: I Only Love You

The palace meals have nothing new, yet the Emperor still eats them, right?

Xia Ruqing thought carefully again, but still shook her head.

"No need!"

"This is enough!"

After speaking, Xia Ruqing got up and left.

Zi Yue found it difficult to say anything more.

Inside the chamber, Zhao Junyao was still writing.

It wasn’t just one sheet, there must have been three by now.

He sat there, still writing, with focus and precision, stroke by stroke.

From being out of the zone at first, to gradually reaching a state of harmony.

His mind grew increasingly calm.

He didn’t even notice when Xia Ruqing came in.

Finally, he filled a good ten pages before putting down his brush.

The handwriting on the paper was as usual, strong and vigorous, the power penetrating through, with spirited grace and style all embodied in it.

Xia Ruqing looked at it, unable to get enough.

"Your Majesty, your handwriting is truly beautiful!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at her and slightly curled his lips.

"I wonder when Qingqing became so interested in Buddhist scriptures?"

Usually, she loved those storybooks the most.

Xia Ruqing was taken aback, her eyes darted around, and she lightly coughed a couple of times.

"Well... isn’t it because you’re in a bad mood!"

"They say that Buddhist scriptures can calm the heart, so I..."

"If Your Majesty doesn’t like them, I can burn them right away!"

She knew that Zhao Junyao was just like her regarding these things.

Indifferent.

"No need, I’ll give them to you!"

Zhao Junyao carefully folded the pages and handed them to her.

His fingers were long and strong, with distinct joints.

Xia Ruqing felt a bit moved as she watched.

"Yes!"

Then she took them carefully and with a bit of delight.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

She happily stored them away in a wooden box.

And then said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, it’s getting late, you must be hungry, let’s have a meal!"

Zhao Junyao calculated for a moment, it seemed he indeed hadn’t eaten much these past two days.

So he nodded.

Then...

The large table filled with sumptuous dishes that Xia Ruqing prepared was presented.

Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty, almost every flavor was there.

Main dishes, side dishes, snacks, desserts, and soups, whatever you could think of.

Zhao Junyao was utterly astounded.

"Qingqing, what are these bizarre things?!"

He hadn’t seen almost any of the dishes.

They smelled alright, but looked... quite unappetizing!

If the palace meals were made like this, heads would surely roll.

However, Qingqing always had a passion for such things.

His limited understanding told him.

The strange items Qingqing prepared didn’t seem inedible!

With this thought, he let down his guard a bit and grew more curious.

Xia Ruqing introduced each dish one by one.

What it’s called, where it’s from, what it’s made of, how it tastes, how delicious it is, and how much the locals love it...

Her eyes sparkled as she described each dish as if they were treasures.

Even Zhao Junyao, along with Zi Yue and Zi Su, were amazed.

The two exchanged glances, silently conversing.

’How did the mistress remember everything after just one hearing?!’

’I don’t know either, I could only remember two or three, even with all my might!’

’The mistress truly is a genius!’

Zi Yue lowered her head with silent regret.

’The mistress seems carefree and not ambitious, but she’s indeed brilliant...’

’Just a pity... that her intelligence is squandered on food!’

’It’s not that it’s bad, just... somewhat lacking in elegance!’

’Luckily though, the Emperor likes it! It’s not bad!’

Zhao Junyao indeed liked it.

The position of an emperor was too lonely, the height isolating.

One needed to be smoked and scorched by mundane life to feel grounded.

This kind of grounding was warm and lively, bustling with vigor.

His hollow and cold heart was soon filled with this fiery bustle.

The Emperor and Empress Consort dismissed all the servants, dining alone in the room.

This time, no serving dishes, no waiting upon.

Removing fish bones, peeling prawns, serving rice, serving soup, everything was done by themselves.

Zhao Junyao went from being restrained at first to competing for food.

The two laughed and even started playfully bickering.

An hour later.

The two lay on the couch with their bulging stomachs, gazing deeply at each other.

"Your Majesty, did you overeat too?"

"Hmm!"

"Your Majesty, was it delicious?"

"Hmm!"

"Your Majesty, are you no longer upset?"

"Hmm!"

"Your Majesty, do you..."

Xia Ruqing almost asked, do you like me?

But the words never left her mouth, even she was startled.

How could she ask that!

Zhao Junyao looked at her abruptly stopping, and seriously nodded.

"Hmm!"

I like you.

I only like you!

Xia Ruqing blushed and lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.

Silently grumbling in her heart.

’How does it always feel like he can read minds and knows what I want to say!’

Zhao Junyao also lowered his head, a smile on his lips.

’Silly girl!’ What’s there to guess?

That night.

After their fill, they were both stuffed.

Zhao Junyao took her for a long stroll in the Imperial Garden.

And then took a bath in the hot spring pool.

They frolicked for half the night before going to sleep.

Li Shengan and the others finally let out a long breath of relief.

’This hurdle has passed, right!’

’Noble Consort Xian, you saved my life!’

...

Outside the palace.

A few major events from inside the palace couldn’t be concealed this time and directly spread outside.

The Rong Family and the Shih Family were directly exiled.

In one day, the noble circles in the Capital City were in an uproar.

They speculated about the reasons while fabricating various justifications.

Some rumors were even quite detailed.

However, rumors are just rumors, not to be taken as truth.

The only impact was that this incident taught all the nobles in the Capital City a lesson.

’Don’t think marrying your daughter into the Imperial Palace is a shortcut to rapid advancement!’

’Once she’s in the palace, your daughter is your daughter, but not really your daughter!’

’If you dare to displease the Emperor, regardless of being the Empress Dowager’s family, the Emperor will decisively deal with it!’

So, for a time.

Families with daughters participating in this year’s selection were filled with regret.

’If only we hadn’t let our daughters enter the palace!’

’Marrying into a better family to form an alliance is better than sending her into the palace!’

In any case.

Rumors fly high, nobles in disarray.

Yet life goes on as usual.

For every fallen noble, there are countless families scrambling to climb up.

A small portion of them will become the new nobility.

The cycle never ends, life continues.

History never halts for the absence of anyone.

On the contrary, it can do without anyone.

...

Outside, the turmoil continues, while inside the palace it’s dead silent.

To emerge at this time spells death.

So no one dared to make a move.

Even the usually lively Imperial Garden was quiet these past two days.

Xifu Palace.

Noble Concubine Shih woke up two days later.

Her back covered in wounds, fever not subsiding, if not for the Imperial Physician’s all-night care, she might not have survived.