A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 553: Chapter 553 How is that possible?!

”Not happy?!”

Xia Ruqing acted as if nothing was the matter. ”Not at all!”

Not at all? How is that possible?!

Zhao Junyao, unfazed, pressed, ”Jealous?”

”You are the Emperor, and I am but a lowly concubine. What is there for me to be jealous about?” Xia Ruqing didn’t even realize her tone was undeniably sour.

Alas, what was she being sour about? Jealous of Honored Lady Cheng or the Empress?! But it was wrong to be jealous of anyone! He was the Emperor, after all. A voice inside her head shouted: Stop it! Daring to act petulant with the Emperor, do you have a death wish?! Just endure it, and it will pass! Yet another voice protested haughtily: No! She couldn’t bear it. She was a person, a person with emotions and a temper! Even if there wasn’t deep affection, the two of them had been together for so long—arguing and bickering, crying and laughing, sweet and intimate. She had even borne him a son. It was true he had other women, but she had always been the one closest to his heart. Whatever was good to eat, fun to play with, or any other nice things, she always had her share. She didn’t lack anything compared to anyone else. However, today... she realized he could be just as devoted to another woman! Search everywhere for exotic treasures for the Empress? Release Noble Concubine Shih for the sake of Honored Lady Cheng? Alas... just to shield her from the blow? So! Wasn’t it normal for her to feel upset?

Zhao Junyao, holding her hand, said with a smile, ”Jealous of what? Tell me!”

In the past, he despised the women of the Harem who fought for favor and became envious over petty matters. He favored women who were gentle, courteous, and well-mannered. And yet, now he found himself quite delighted.

Xia Ruqing sat on the couch with her head lowered, saying nothing. In her hands, she twisted a handkerchief, almost tearing it apart.

Zhao Junyao then took the handkerchief from her and continued, ”Are you upset because you see me treating others well?”

Ah, that hit a nerve.

Xia Ruqing thought, So what if I am displeased? So I am a jealous woman, so I am petty, so what!

Seeing her like this, Zhao Junyao found it rather amusing. ”You, you’re really a petty one, unable to bear seeing others gain the slightest advantage. Must only you have it good?”

Xia Ruqing thought to herself: Exactly! Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost!

Zhao Junyao, seeing she was still upset, felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation but had to continue coaxing her. ”There’s no need to mention the Empress; it’s her grand birthday celebration! And Honored Lady Cheng is pregnant, which is good for the Imperial Son and for you! With someone else drawing the Harem’s attention, won’t that spare you a lot of trouble?”

Although... Zhao Junyao said this with a hint of guilt. After all, he still had some sense, right? He just didn’t know where this guilt stemmed from. Why did he always feel like he had wronged Qingqing?

”Qingqing... please don’t be angry, okay? You are all that’s in my heart!”

Even when he learned of Honored Lady Cheng’s pregnancy, his first thought wasn’t joy, but of her. He hoped someone else could divert some of the animosity, allowing her to live more peacefully!

Zhao Junyao’s gaze was filled with sincerity. As he spoke, he took her hand and pressed it against his chest. ”Feel for yourself, my heart is full of you.”

Xia Ruqing’s cheeks reddened, and a sudden heat spread through her neck and body. With her head lowered, she struggled with all her might but couldn’t break free.

Finally, both embarrassed and annoyed, she yanked with all her strength. Zhao Junyao remained unmoved, but she lost her balance and plunged headfirst into his embrace.

”OUCH!” Her teeth struck his shoulder, and tears instantly welled up in Xia Ruqing’s eyes from the pain.

Annoyed and her head spinning, she instinctively bit down hard on Zhao Junyao’s shoulder. She bit with all her might.

Zhao Junyao, however, simply patted her back, not moving an inch.

Eventually, Xia Ruqing stopped biting and, crying, collapsed into his arms, her face pressed against his chest. Her shoulders shook with sobs.

Tears and snot were everywhere, and she was too embarrassed to lift her head. She spoke in fits and starts, ”You... you really haven’t abandoned me?”

Zhao Junyao smiled dotingly. ”Nonsense! How could I abandon you?! After all this time, you still don’t know my heart?”

The two of them, forgetting all propriety, were cooing ”you” and ”I” at each other.

Thinking it over, Xia Ruqing realized he indeed had been good to her all this time. Feeling relieved, her tears gradually subsided.

Suddenly remembering something, she pulled open Zhao Junyao’s robes, revealing his firm chest. She wasn’t in the mood to admire it now.

She hastily checked his shoulder. Sure enough, there was a row of teeth marks, already beading with blood!

”Emperor...”

Zhao Junyao put on a stern face. ”Still looking? Weren’t you the one who bit me?”

Xia Ruqing just gazed at him with her large, watery eyes. ”Emperor, does it hurt?”

The moment Zhao Junyao saw those eyes, his heart immediately softened, but he kept his expression stern. ”It hurts. I’m dying of pain!”

His heart ached for her!

Saying that, he flipped over and pressed down on her.

Xia Ruqing dared not cry out. The Palace Maids and Little Bun were outside; if she made a sound, she would never be able to face anyone again.

”Emperor, we haven’t had dinner yet!”

Zhao Junyao couldn’t care less and directly tore her clothes off. The action was so swift that she only registered the coolness on her skin after it was done.

”Emperor... right here?”

Zhao Junyao’s thin lips pursed. ”Where else! Scared now? Why weren’t you scared when you were biting? I intend to punish you properly!”

When the sounds from within reached Li Shengan and Zi Su, they were stunned.

The Emperor... in the daytime... Heavens, how urgent could this be? Moreover, the Emperor had never been so improper before! This was indeed a first with Consort Xian Pin. Of course, it was the first time as far as they knew; what they didn’t know didn’t count!

The commotion inside continued until the sky was completely dark before finally stopping.

Soon after, calls for water could be heard from within, and Zi Su and Zi Ning hurried inside to attend to them. Li Shengan was also outside, arranging for their bath.

Xiao Xizi pondered, Neither the Emperor nor Her Ladyship had eaten dinner yet; he had to quickly arrange for their meal. Her Ladyship’s preferences were known, but what about the Emperor? He had no idea!

”Greetings, Grandfather Li!” Xiao Xizi scurried over to seek advice.

Li Shengan had just finished his duties when he saw Xiao Xizi approaching with a smile. ”Oh! Isn’t this the young eunuch from Consort Xian Pin’s retinue...”

Before Li Shengan could recall his name, Xiao Xizi quickly stepped closer and said with a smile, ”Grandfather Li, just call me Xiao Xizi!”

Li Shengan sized him up and thought, This eunuch isn’t bad. Though his face was all smiles, it didn’t feel too forced, unlike some whose grins were clearly plastered on.

”Not bad! You’re a capable one!”

Xiao Xizi was overjoyed. ”Thank you for the praise, Grandfather Li!”

The two dared not exchange too many pleasantries, so Xiao Xizi got straight to the point: the matter of the Emperor’s meal.

”Should His Majesty dine with Her Ladyship, partaking of the dishes from the Grand Imperial Kitchen, or... should we request a meal from the Zhaochen Palace’s own Imperial Kitchen?”

Zhaochen Palace had a small kitchen that managed the Emperor’s daily meals.

When Li Shengan heard the latter suggestion, he immediately frowned. ”That won’t do at all!”