A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 231: Chapter 230 Qingqing, I’ll Take You Somewhere 2

That night, a black steed carrying two riders galloped at full speed through Dexuan Gate.

Zhao Junyao wore a Dark Fox Fur Cloud-patterned Cloak.

The cloak was thick and warm, wrapping Xia Ruqing snugly. She sat in Zhao Junyao’s arms, completely bundled up with only her eyes visible.

The night wind whistled past her ears, but Xia Ruqing didn’t feel cold. She kept her large eyes open, curiously watching the scenery rapidly recede behind them. The left side was beautiful, and the right side was lively. Her little head kept turning in his embrace.

”Don’t move!” Zhao Junyao said in a deep voice.

As soon as he spoke, a burst of his warm breath blew onto her, and Xia Ruqing dared not move.

”Emperor, where are we going?”

Zhao Junyao lowered his head to glance at her. ”Out to clear our minds!”

She must have been feeling terribly cooped up after all this time!

Xia Ruqing didn’t ask further.

The wind roared past, and an unknown amount of time passed before they stopped. Xia Ruqing was rocked into drowsiness by the ride.

Zhao Junyao dismounted. Without his support, she nearly tumbled off. Fortunately, Zhao Junyao was quick-handed and caught her in a full embrace.

Her snow-white cloak streamed down beautifully, her moon-colored dress spreading out in the night wind. His dark cloak also billowed in the brisk wind. The two stood there, like a celestial couple who had descended to the mortal realm under the moonlight. In the moonlight, they seemed so perfectly matched.

Xia Ruqing landed groggily and looked up at him.

Yes, that’s right, it was Zhao Junyao. This isn’t a dream.

”My lord, where is this?” Xia Ruqing had just asked.

Zhao Junyao strode forward. Xia Ruqing hurriedly trotted after him.

Even while running, she looked around. There was only a large gate and a long, seemingly endless wall.

”This place looks so desolate. Where is this?”

While she was muttering to herself, Zhao Junyao had already walked some distance. Xia Ruqing had to jog to catch up.

I thought he was taking me to enjoy some romance and beautiful scenery. Or at least, a stroll and some tasty treats would have been nice! This... where is this?

The further she walked, the more Xia Ruqing smelled an indescribable odor.

”My lord... where is this?”

Zhao Junyao turned, saw her lagging far behind, and stopped to wait.

His thin lips parted slightly. ”This is the Training Ground!”

”Ah?!”

During the New Year, in the middle of the night, in this biting cold wind... he brought me to the Training Ground?! Heavens... I have no interest whatsoever in a group of muscular men, wrestling, horseback archery, or hand-to-hand combat! The Emperor... he... he...

Xia Ruqing’s lips quivered, her emotions complex, as she gritted her teeth. ”Emperor, you truly are wise and mighty!”

With that, she forced a smile uglier than crying.

Just then, a rumbling noise suddenly erupted nearby. It was as if a thousand galloping horses and a monstrous wave were right before her.

Xia Ruqing cried out, her face paling. ”Ah... Emperor...”

She was terrified; the sound felt like it could blast a hole in the sky.

Meanwhile, a spark of excitement and thrill flashed in Zhao Junyao’s dark eyes. ”Qingqing, hurry!”

Saying that, he wasted no time, scooping up Xia Ruqing and striding quickly towards the source of the noise. Xia Ruqing was so frightened she clung to his chest, her legs too weak to stand.

...

About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they finally arrived.

The Training Ground was densely packed with people. In the center was a Martial Stage, covered with war drums. The thunderous sound came from the war drums.

So, they were training soldiers in the Training Ground.

Xia Ruqing wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

”Emperor, it’s the middle of the night, and they are...”

”Selecting the Imperial Guards Commander!”

”Imperial Guards Commander?!” Xia Ruqing looked utterly confused.

She suddenly felt a cold gust of wind swirl before her eyes.

So, am I here... just to tag along?

They sat down in a viewing stand not far off. The surrounding curtains were lowered, making it slightly warmer inside.

A hint of dejection crossed Xia Ruqing’s face.

If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have come. What does it matter to me who becomes the Imperial Guards Commander?

Zhao Junyao glanced down at her, a helpless smile touching his lips.

In the distance, on the Martial Stage, pairs of combatants had already begun dueling. The war drums thundered in unison, and below, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people were shouting.

Xia Ruqing took one look and lost interest.

Fighting and killing... I hate it most of all.

Furtively, she glanced left and right, utterly bored.

Zhao Junyao’s gaze was fixed on something in the distance. He remarked casually, ”The position of Imperial Guards Commander has always gone to the most capable! This time, thirty-six masters have been selected from the Imperial Forest Army. Who knows... which one will win the laurels!”

Xia Ruqing gazed at him, her face a picture of bewilderment. ”Emperor, I think they all look very formidable!”

After saying that, Xia Ruqing felt annoyed with herself. Wasn’t that stating the obvious? But I truly didn’t know what else to say.

So, she fell silent.

Zhao Junyao glanced sideways at her again, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. He decided not to continue.

Xia Ruqing grew suspicious. Why does the Emperor keep giving me sidelong glances? Concerned, she asked, ”Emperor, what’s wrong with you today? Is it... something with your eyes?”

Zhao Junyao: ”...”

He felt as if a mouthful of old blood was stuck in his chest, an utterly disagreeable sensation.

Xia Ruqing mused internally, Your Majesty, you’re a straightforward man. It’s understandable that you enjoy this and want me to accompany you. Although I’m bored, I can still watch a fight with you. It’s no big deal. But if it damages your eyesight, that would be a terrible loss.

Zhao Junyao was momentarily at a loss for words. After a while, he realized Qingqing might never notice what he wanted her to notice. So, he decided to say it outright.

”Qingqing, do you truly not recognize your own brother?”

Xia Ruqing: ”???”

Brother?

Xia Ruqing racked her brains. Her eyes finally brightened, and she slapped her thigh in realization. ”Oh, Emperor...”

She immediately dashed to the edge of the stand, her gaze glued to the two individuals fighting. ”My brother? Which one is my brother?”

Her heart was pounding so hard from excitement it felt like it would leap into her throat.

With a darkened face, Zhao Junyao pulled her back. ”Sit properly!”

As if doused with a bucket of cold water, Xia Ruqing’s fiery excitement instantly cooled, returning to normal. Her composure restored, she sidled up to him with a fawning smile. ”Emperor, wasn’t my brother... selected to be by your side only half a year ago?”

Zhao Junyao nodded.

Xia Ruqing pressed on, ”Then...”

Then why?

”Your brother... is a promising talent!”

”Oh...” Xia Ruqing pondered. So my brother managed to defeat over half of Your Majesty’s Hidden Guards?

If her memory served her right, the Emperor had said that anyone who could defeat over half of his Hidden Guards could join the Imperial Forest Army and become one of his Imperial Bodyguards.

Although Zhao Junyao didn’t want to admit it, this was indeed the case. That rascal had joined the Hidden Guard camp and trained in martial arts like a man possessed.

So... he had won.

Having become an Imperial Bodyguard, he was officially part of the Imperial Forest Army. The selection for the Imperial Guards Commander occurred every three years. With Zhao Junyao, the position always went to the most capable. Everyone had a chance, and as it happened, that rascal had made it just in time.

From the several thousand soldiers in the Imperial Forest Army, only the top thirty-six were selected.

And Xia Tingfeng was one of them.