A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 308: Chapter 307: Climbing into Bed!

At night, Zhao Junyao couldn’t bear to leave. He wanted to sleep with Xia Ruqing; not just to sleep, he also yearned to *do that*.

He was almost suffocating from desire. For so many years, he had never felt such an intense craving for it. At first, it was the palace maid who shares the emperor’s bed, arranged by the Empress Dowager, who instructed him in carnal matters. Later, he had concubines in the Eastern Palace, then Consorts, and finally, he married the Crown Princess Consort. His retinue of women grew, yet his interest in them dwindled. They were all the same: lying there like dead fish. It was as tasteless as chewing wax, but chew he must; he was full of youthful vigor, and not doing so would make him ill. It was only after meeting Qingqing that he realized: so, women could also feel pleasure during *that act*! The first time he ever looked at a Spring Palace Painting, it was for her. Unlocking more positions and such... it was utterly explosive. But now, she was pregnant. Heaven knew how he had endured these past months. When he truly couldn’t bear it any longer, he would summon a comely woman to ’chew wax,’ his thoughts still fixated on her. This feeling of wanting her, yet being unable to have her, was driving him mad.

He pinned her to the bed, panting as he called her name, ”Qingqing...”

Xia Ruqing resisted vehemently. ”Emperor, my belly is so large! Can you not find someone else?”

Zhao Junyao was intensely frustrated. ”They are not as good as you!”

Once a starving wolf has tasted fresh meat, who would want to chew wax again?

Xia Ruqing was speechless. No wonder those wretched men loved to frequent brothels. No wonder, in ancient times, the principal wife was often unfavored.

She grew anxious. With her large belly, it was absolutely out of the question; she had to refuse him verbally. ”Emperor, Your Concubine is nearly five months pregnant. We mustn’t be reckless!”

For the child’s sake, they truly couldn’t be reckless! Besides, her primary reluctance stemmed from the fear that while this man might change his heart in the future, the child in her womb would not.

Zhao Junyao touched his nose. ”Qingqing...”

In the end, he did not force her. And so, Zhao Junyao resumed his monk-like existence.

「In the blink of an eye, it was late June.」

During the hottest period, the sun blazed with a venomous heat, as if flames were raining down from the sky. Standing beneath it for even a moment made one’s skin burn. Of course, midday wasn’t the worst of it. The most unbearable time was dusk, when the ground itself radiated heat, making walking feel like being inside a steamer.

In the palace, everyone of the Sixth Rank and above had access to ice, so most chose to remain indoors.

Lady Shih initially had no ice; it was the Empress Dowager who shared some of her own with her. Lady Shih, thinking the Empress Dowager benevolent, began to visit her even more frequently.

However, whenever the Empress Dowager saw her, she felt a suffocating tightness in her chest.

All the newly arrived Honored Ladies have attended the Emperor and been formally acknowledged; only she remains!

Sister Qing tried to counsel her, ”Empress Dowager, this matter cannot be rushed!”

Primarily because rushing would be futile! Surely, they couldn’t tie the Emperor up and force him onto the bed!

The Empress Dowager mused, ”Then can we not devise some plan?”

Sister Qing shook her head. ”We cannot, Your Majesty. The Emperor is the ruler of the nation!”

Drugging him was absolutely out of the question!

The Empress Dowager shot Sister Qing a sharp look. ”It’s not what you imagine. But... perhaps if he drank a little more wine... or something...”

Sister Qing considered this. ”Having him drink more wine... that might be feasible!”

The Empress Dowager nodded. ”Then arrange it so.”

Sister Qing withdrew.

Sooner rather than later; they would act that very night.

The Empress Dowager instructed the small kitchen in Ningshou Palace to prepare several fresh dishes and had a jar of fruit wine, brewed years ago by Sister Qing, unearthed from the cellar.

The Empress Dowager smiled. ”It has been many years; This One has never brought herself to open it!”

Sister Qing chuckled. ”There is still plenty more, Your Majesty. We can brew more once this is finished!”

The banquet was arranged beside Taiye Pool, where it was cooler.

When Zhao Junyao arrived, the Empress Dowager had already personally set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Although he felt somewhat disconcerted by the Empress Dowager’s uncharacteristic warmth, he reminded himself that, after all, she was his mother; he had to show her due respect. Moreover, ever since the debacle of the consort selection, he had scarcely visited Ningshou Palace. Reflecting on it now, he felt a twinge of regret. Now that his mother had taken the initiative to yield, his dignity was preserved, and there was no need for him to remain aloof.

With these thoughts, Zhao Junyao took his seat.

The Empress Dowager smiled. ”Imperial Son, it is rare for you to join This One for a meal. You must have been exhausted these past days!”

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s benevolent expression, the last vestiges of Zhao Junyao’s displeasure dissolved. ”Thank you for your concern, Mother. Your son is well.”

The Empress Dowager continued, ”These dishes are all your childhood favorites, and this jar of wine is the fruit wine you always loved to drink! This One recalls a time when your Father Emperor forbade you from drinking it, and you secretly ran to This One’s chambers to sneak a few sips!”

As the Empress Dowager reminisced about his childhood escapades, she smiled and placed food on his plate.

Zhao Junyao felt himself relaxing further. ”Back then, Mother always hid tasty food and drinks from Father Emperor for me, never daring to let him find out!”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager chuckled heartily. ”Does the Emperor still remember?”

Zhao Junyao smiled. ”Naturally, I remember!”

This meal, shared just between mother and son, was filled with reminiscence over simple dishes. Zhao Junyao was in high spirits and drank several extra cups. As the saying goes, ”Wine does not intoxicate; it is people who intoxicate themselves.”

When he finally departed, his gaze was already somewhat hazy.

Under the Empress Dowager’s arrangement, Lady Shih escorted the Emperor back.

Then, she attended to him for the night.

In his drunken haze, he mistook her for Xia Ruqing, calling her name over and over.

After an unknown period, the sound of something shattering pierced the tranquility of Zhaochen Palace.

Li Shengan’s legs nearly gave out in fright, and he hurriedly called from outside the door, ”Emperor!” He was on the verge of bursting in.

「Inside the room.」

Zhao Junyao stared at the kneeling Lady Shih, his expression terrifying.

Lady Shih was petrified. Naked, she kowtowed repeatedly. ”Emperor! This servant admits her fault! Emperor, this servant admits her fault!”

Zhao Junyao, incandescent with rage, kicked her to the ground. ”Shameless wench! How dare you attempt to climb the dragon bed?”

Lady Shih was sent flying by the kick, her head striking something, and a gash quickly began to gush blood.

Zhao Junyao watched, unmoved and without a shred of pity. ”Li Shengan!”

”Your servant is here!”

”Have someone send her back. She is not to be clothed!”

After all, the Harem was filled only with women and eunuchs; there was nothing particularly shameful about it. Besides, if she wasn’t ashamed to climb into his bed, what did this matter?

Li Shengan didn’t dare to look. Closing his eyes, he summoned a few Palace Maids, who swiftly escorted Lady Shih away.

Zhao Junyao, still seething, went to the bathing chamber and washed himself twice before finally lying down again.

He felt utterly repulsed. It had always been him who chose the women he slept with; never before had a woman dared to climb into his bed uninvited. If she, a virgin, was already so audacious, who knew what she would become in the future!

The emperor, his mind clouded by rage, could only focus on his anger at such women.

Little did he realize that the one who had sent the woman to his dragon bed was none other than the Empress Dowager, who, just hours before, had been so warmly playing on their mother-son bond. Zhao Junyao could never have fathomed that a mother would treat her own flesh-and-blood son in such a manner!