A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Don’t You Already Know How?

Lady Yao was adept at currying favor and pleasing others. She served him attentively, making him comfortable and content. She had borne him a son and a daughter, and she was younger than him. So, Old Master Xia had always favored her.

But favor did not mean he could tolerate a woman poisoning his own offspring. In fact, in such ancient times, a man could remarry, but the continuation of his lineage was paramount, especially the children born of his legitimate wife. There were many who favored concubines over their wives, but who had ever heard of someone favoring a wife to the extent of harming their own children?

He had always believed it was his children who were disappointing, resenting him for remarrying, rejecting Lady Yao, and causing all the trouble.

It turned out that wasn’t the case at all!

It turned out Lady Yao was so malicious.

No man liked a woman with a heart like a venomous snake, and Old Master Xia was no exception.

So, Old Master Xia felt a sudden surge of guilt towards Xia Ruqing and her brother.

”It’s all my fault...”

Xia Ruqing hurriedly wept, exhibiting a demeanor of filial piety as she generously expressed her forgiveness to her father.

In reality, she was rolling her eyes internally:

Pah! Now you realize your neglect? What were you doing before? Didn’t you know you brought a stepmother to your son and daughter! Always thinking about your own base desires, have you ever considered your son and daughter?! Scum!!

Xia Ruqing cursed Old Master Xia hundreds of times in her heart before she felt somewhat relieved.

If it weren’t for me occupying your daughter’s body, cursing you would be like cursing myself. I would have cursed your ancestors back eighteen generations! Humph!

Seeing his daughter being so understanding, Old Master Xia felt heartfelt gratification. He ordered someone to serve her tea and another to prepare a sedan chair for her.

Holding an oil-paper umbrella and taking Zi Yue’s hand, Xia Ruqing was about to step into the carriage. Suddenly, she turned back and tearfully said to Old Master Xia, ”Daughter is returning to the palace this time, and I don’t know when I will see Father again! Jingfeng is studying in the Academy; I hope Father will take good care of him. And if... if anything happens to Jingfeng, I will not want to live either!!”

Old Master Xia broke out in a cold sweat! ”No! It won’t happen! Qingqing, you can rest assured!”

Xia Ruqing nodded in satisfaction before heading into the sedan chair.

But, after she settled into the sedan chair, she suddenly lifted the curtain again. ”Father!”

”Ah? Qingqing, is there something else?”

With tears welling in her eyes, Xia Ruqing looked earnestly at Old Master Xia. ”And there’s Maternal Aunt Wen. Also, my second younger sister has been accustomed to hardships. I hope Father will take good care of them. After all... my eldest brother has also reached the age for marriage; his situation must not be too unseemly!”

Old Master Xia nodded repeatedly! ”Yes! Qingqing, you are right!”

Seeing Old Master Xia agree so readily, Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but smile.

She let down the sedan curtain. ”Lift the sedan!”

Old Master Xia wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to go back inside.

This little terror... I simply daren’t offend her in the slightest! She said she wouldn’t want to live? Wouldn’t that be the death of me!

「...」

Lady Yao, after being beaten, created an uproar at home. That night, when Old Master Xia returned, instead of appeasing her as usual, he went to Maternal Aunt Wen’s place. Maternal Aunt Wen had already gone to sleep and was overjoyed to see the Old Master. She couldn’t even remember when he had last visited.

Lady Yao was so angry she nearly tore down the door of that dilapidated courtyard.

The first night was like this, and so was the second. It went on like this for a long time thereafter.

In less than half a year, Lady Yao’s authority as the butler was also revoked. Within the Xia Residence’s rear courtyard, everyone managed their own affairs, and no one had the right to interfere in others’ matters.

Angered, Lady Yao created a ruckus several times. The last time, Old Master Xia drafted a divorce document on the spot. Lady Yao was scared stiff and trembled all over; fortunately, Maternal Aunt Wen intervened in time.

After that incident, Lady Yao became much more subdued. Although she still schemed in secret, her life was much better than before.

「These are all matters for another time, so let’s not dwell on them for now.」

More than half of the three-day period had passed. Zhao Junyao hadn’t taken this matter too seriously. After all, they were just a few human traffickers. As despicable as they were, capturing them, rescuing the children, and then sentencing them accordingly would be the end of it. There was no involvement of political conspiracies or the like. Even a County Magistrate not particularly adept at handling cases would have enough time in three days.

So, during these three days, Zhao Junyao thought more about his Qingqing.

I wonder if Qingqing is living well in the Xia Residence, and if she’s vented her anger yet!

On this final day, Zhao Junyao practiced his swordplay, his thoughts on Qingqing. He mused that after tonight, Qingqing should be returning.

Suddenly, a youth appeared in a corner, his eyes fixed intently, watching every move and form Zhao Junyao practiced. His gaze held a strong yearning. His eyes clung to Zhao Junyao’s movements, his hands and feet unconsciously mimicking them.

Zhao Junyao had noticed him early on. He had initially planned to stop, but as he continued practicing, he didn’t.

Since he likes it, what’s the harm in letting him learn a few moves!

After a full set of swordsmanship forms, Zhao Junyao’s back was completely soaked with sweat.

The youth, realizing he had stopped, turned to run.

Zhao Junyao tapped his toes to the ground, flipped, and landed before him as lightly as a swallow. ”What’s this... sneaking a look at My swordsmanship and then just leaving? That’s not quite proper, is it!”

They both knew each other’s identities, so there was no need for two grown men to beat around the bush.

Xia Tingfeng knelt on one knee with a THUD, clasping his fist. ”Your Majesty, please forgive me! This commoner did not intend to offend!”

Zhao Junyao sized him up. Though he came from humble beginnings, his bearing and every move still possessed an air of dignity. Zhao Junyao was quite satisfied.

He didn’t tell him to rise but instead directly tossed the sword to him. ”Since you’ve sneaked a look, why don’t you perform it for Me!”

Then, he added, ”If you perform well, I will teach you this set of swordsmanship. If you perform poorly, I will... punish you for your offense!”

These terms could be described as quite domineering.

Yet Xia Tingfeng was overjoyed. He caught the sword, his eyes shining. ”This commoner thanks Your Majesty!”

With that, he leaped from the ground with the agility of a dragon and the pounce of a tiger. He performed several somersaults in the air before landing in an open space in front of Zhao Junyao.

He clasped his fist. ”Please excuse my humble performance!”

Saying so, he slowly raised the sword and began to execute the swordsmanship set Zhao Junyao had just practiced. Each move flowed into the next, smooth and seamless, executed in a single, fluid motion.

The slender sword, like a silver serpent glinting in the light, danced flexibly through the air, darting left and right. Under the sunlight, it occasionally traced an exquisitely beautiful arc.

Zhao Junyao was genuinely appreciative. ”Truly a genius, what a promising talent!”

A quarter of an hour later, Xia Tingfeng, panting slightly, landed before Zhao Junyao. His eyes were full of confidence and a challenging spirit, as if to say,

Look, I did it!

Zhao Junyao slowly stepped forward, applauding. ”Excellent!”

He paused, then continued, ”However... in My opinion, you’ve already mastered this swordsmanship. So, there’s... no need to teach it, right!”

Xia Tingfeng was stunned for a moment. He looked at Zhao Junyao, somewhat incredulous. ”Your Majesty intends to go back on his word?”

”Haven’t you already learned it?”