A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 894: The Second Young Lady Is Engaged

Chapter 894: Chapter 894: The Second Young Lady Is Engaged

Zhao Junyao teased her a few more times.

He continued until her cheeks turned red as blood.

He held her tightly.

"In the blink of an eye, I’ve been on the throne for a full eight years; am I not a good Emperor?!"

Xia Ruqing rubbed her flushed cheeks, thought for a moment, then nodded.

"You are!"

Wouldn’t it count after exhausting himself like this?

Moreover,

Even though she couldn’t gather much news of the court in the harem,

The fact that peace reigned across the Great Chu Dynasty, and the seasonal calm of the rivers and seas was known to everyone, was indisputable.

A young man in his twenties achieving such accomplishments.

It wasn’t just about ability; it required a great deal of dedication.

If this isn’t what a good Emperor should be,

Then what is?!

Zhao Junyao, hearing this, indeed felt quite pleased.

"In that case, I can finally rest assured beneath the Underworld, knowing that I can report to my late father!"

When His Majesty the late Emperor handed over the Great Chu Dynasty’s throne to him,

He gave thousands upon thousands of instructions.

’Make sure to guard it well, guard it tight!’

Now, eight years have passed, and he has fulfilled his promise then.

Today’s Great Chu Dynasty is already a realm with strong armies, wealthy and thriving citizens, and a peaceful populace.

The first eight years passed without turmoil, and henceforth it will continue even more so.

He wouldn’t permit it!

If someone must bear the weight of this kingdom for the nation and its people,

He’d rather it be himself.

At least the others can live a bit more freely.

After all, no one knows better than he does, what it means to shoulder the whole nation.

No one would know either, that the throne everyone fights tooth and nail for isn’t that enjoyable to sit upon!

Xia Ruqing didn’t know how to respond.

She snuggled against the blanket, mumbling.

"I have been in the palace for eight years as well!"

It’s been seven years since she time-traveled over from the 21st century.

Time flies indeed.

All the experiences flashed before her eyes like scenes in a play.

Everything seemed to have happened just yesterday.

Zhao Junyao held her, pondering.

’If not for her, how would I have passed these years?!’

With court affairs so busy and the harem cold and indifferent, how would he have endured.

Thinking about this, he hugged her tighter.

"Qingqing, thank you for being here!"

Xia Ruqing was also silently reciting this sentence in her heart at this moment.

’Zhao Junyao, thank you for being here!’

For her, meeting him was after all fortunate.

At least she didn’t have to wander homelessly.

At least her life was free from worry over these eight years.

At least her life was abundant in clothing and food.

At least she has been cared for all this time, without suffering grievances!

Way too much, way too much.

If it were someone else instead of Zhao Junyao, she wouldn’t dare to imagine what she might encounter.

So she felt grateful.

"Glad to have you!"

Both of them were equally thankful.

They almost had the ’Holding hands, tearful gaze, but no words; so choked with emotion’ feeling.

Xia Ruqing smiled and complained lightly.

"When I entered the palace back then, I was only sixteen, and now I am the mother of three children, already old..."

"Afraid I might become an eyesore to the Emperor in the future!"

Calculating the age, this body is only twenty-four!

Old is out of the question!

However, in ancient times, it was different.

Women in ancient times were truly not valued once past twenty.

Looking over history, women who remained favored after turning twenty-five were truly one in a million.

If that is the case, can she only remain favored for another year?!

Zhao Junyao slapped her butt firmly a few times, looking fierce.

"Nonsense!"

Xia Ruqing cried out in pain, covering her backside with an ’ouhc.’

Zhao Junyao showed no concern, still wearing a stern face.

"Still talking nonsense?"

Xia Ruqing quickly begged for forgiveness.

"Emperor, I dare not, I shall never dare again!"

Zhao Junyao’s expression finally softened.

"That’s more like it..."

Xia Ruqing finally let out a sigh of relief.

Thinking to herself: ’Why is he still so hard to deal with!’

The two cuddled for a while longer, as the sky began to darken.

Outside, the rain started to fall faintly, and the wind turned brisk and chilly.

Zhao Junyao was reluctant to leave.

It’s been too tiring lately.

Today, he truly didn’t feel like doing anything.

Xia Ruqing frowned in deep thought for quite a while, then happily suggested.

"It’s raining outside, how about we have hotpot?"

"Chef Jiang from the Chuan Region can make it, even better than what I used to cook!"

There’s nothing much to do anyway, right?!

Zhao Junyao facially indifferent, but indeed looking forward to it in his heart.

Hotpot? Oh, that thing he had tried before!

A bit spicy but, it seemed, quite tasty!

After ’considering’ for a while, he nodded.

"Okay!"

Xia Ruqing instantly beamed with delight.

She quickly got up and dressed, then trotted off to make arrangements.

Zhao Junyao watched her rabbit-like figure.

And laughed again.

"Old? How could it be? She looks exactly the same as when she was sixteen!"

That night.

Zhao Junyao and Xia Ruqing sat together on the platform.

Using a small red clay charcoal stove and enjoying hotpot with wine leisurely.

Lamb, beef, beef tripe, duck blood...

None of these common dishes were missing.

And truly, Chef Jiang’s dishes were authentic and true to the Chuan Region.

Much better than Xia Ruqing’s previous haphazard attempts.

Thus, she couldn’t get enough!

This pot lasted till the Hai Hour came before ending.

After dinner, they digested for a while.

The two went to bed, sleeping soundly through the night.

The next day.

When Xia Ruqing awoke, it was almost noon.

Zhao Junyao by her side was long gone.

She was startled.

"What’s happening, how could I sleep until this hour?"

Zi Yue smiled and said.

"Madam, you were drunk last night!"

"What?!"

Xia Ruqing could hardly believe it.

"That was grape wine, how could I get drunk!"

"No drunken antics, right?"

Zi Yue shook her head.

"No, you were just a little dizzy!"

"Before the Emperor left, he specially instructed us not to wake you, letting you sleep well!"

Xia Ruqing finally sighed with relief.

"Good thing!"

After saying that, she crawled out of bed.

Seeing the strong winds and heavy rain outside, she became a bit worried.

"With this weather, did Chenchen go to school?"

Sister Huang laughed and said.

"Madam, you needn’t worry; His Highness the Crown Prince traveled in a warm sedan chair!"

"Alright!"

Xia Ruqing was no longer worried.

The school had everything.

The Royal Family’s Offspring were generally not taught by women.

So she truly couldn’t interfere much.

Sure enough, just being a bit lazy meant not even seeing her son’s face!

Xia Ruqing shook her head and simply stopped thinking.

Her stomach grumbling with hunger.

She was about to call for a meal.

Suddenly hearing a commotion outside, she frowned.

"Who is it? What’s going on?"

Xiao Xizi hurriedly ran in.

"Reporting to Noble Consort, it’s Miss Dong’er from the household of Lady Hou requesting an audience!"

Xia Ruqing was taken aback.

She took a while before realizing it was someone from her sister-in-law’s household.

Arriving at this time, surely had been heading to the palace since early morning!

What urgent matter could it be?

With no time to think further, she quickly called someone in.

Moments later, Dong’er came in, first bowing in greeting.

Xia Ruqing waved her hand, granting her to rise.

"No need for formalities!"

"What happened?"

"Reporting to the Noble Consort, Madam sent this servant to the palace to share good news!"

"The second young lady from our household has been betrothed to the eldest son of Minister Yang’s family!"