A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 708: Chapter 708: Getting a Share of the Pie

”If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave!”

After saying these words, she turned and flitted away gracefully. She was like a small, snow-white spirit fox, vanishing amidst the sea of flowers. Then, like a flower fairy, she seemed to ascend to the heavens in the next instant.

How adorable and lively she was!

If he hadn’t learned her name, he might even have thought that night was nothing but a drunken dream.

What a pity... it was not a dream.

She was human, a woman, the Emperor’s woman!

Zhao Junqi entered the palace and went to the Imperial Study Room to discuss politics with the ministers.

After having someone inquire and hearing Zhao Junqi’s description, Zhao Junyao finally began to understand the basic situation of the Southern Ocean and Lvsong. He also grasped a preliminary understanding of their purpose in crossing the distant ocean to attack the Great Chu Dynasty.

As it turned out, Zhao Junqi, disregarding the Imperial Court’s laws and regulations, had privately opened trade ports to these two small countries. Their ships brought in goods, which often translated into a sizable amount in taxes. This allowed Zhao Junqi to taste the sweetness of profit. Therefore, the number of trade ports expanded from one to three, and later to five, then ten.

More and more people from the Southern Ocean and Lvsong witnessed the prosperity of the Great Chu Dynasty. Some of them didn’t even want to go back once they came.

Gradually, their courts became aware of the situation. They learned that a place of prosperity lay thousands of miles away across the ocean. There, the people had vast expanses of land, cultivating thousands of acres of crops, allowing them to survive on more than just fish and fruit. Their clothes were smooth, soft, and brightly colored, unlike their own, which were made only of tree bark, leaves, and rough hemp fabric. That land had mountains, water, and seemingly endless, inexhaustible territory.

That place was simply a paradise on earth!

If they could reap even a tiny bit of benefit from them, it would be enough for their people in the Southern Ocean and Lvsong to live a prosperous life. Therefore, even at the risk of certain death, they wanted to give it a try. In short, they wanted a share of the wealth.

Understanding their motives, Zhao Junyao looked at Zhao Junqi with a darkened face.

”You’re really something!” he said. ”You managed to invite over enemies from a distant ocean thousands of miles away!”

Facing the Emperor’s and several ministers’ sharp gazes, Zhao Junqi wished he could just find a hole to crawl into.

”Imperial Brother, your brother knows his mistake...”

Seeing his demeanor, Zhao Junyao knew he had no more tricks up his sleeve, so he waved his hand.

”You may leave for now. Uncle Prince Yan’s health is not well; let’s keep this matter from him for the time being!”

These were just a few small countries, far across the distant ocean and ignorant of their own limitations, hardly enough to cause Zhao Junyao to panic.

Zhao Junqi looked at his Imperial Brother and nodded eagerly.

”Yes! Yes!” he exclaimed. ”Thank you, Imperial Brother! I shall take my leave now!”

After speaking, he bowed to the other ministers and then departed.

Once he left, Zhao Junyao discussed further with the ministers. He also sent people to gather more information. Anticipating that there would be no significant changes for the time being, he temporarily set the matter aside.

After everyone had left, he went to Qingya Residence.

He was so tired!

「It was evening.」

Little Bun had just returned from school not long ago and was currently bathing Yellow Bean with Xiao Xizi and the others in the backyard.

Xia Ruqing’s belly was already six months along. Because she was carrying twins, her belly was even bigger, and she was starting to have difficulty sitting still. Her will to live was strong, yet she feared death. Fearing difficulties during childbirth, she took every chance to follow the Imperial Physician’s advice and walk around. Thus, despite her large belly, her limbs remained slender, and her body did not seem overly cumbersome.

”The Emperor arrives!”

Accompanied by the eunuch’s announcement, Zhao Junyao entered the gate.

Upon hearing the call, Xia Ruqing hurriedly came out. Before she had even steadied herself, she was pulled to Zhao Junyao’s side.

”It’s cold outside at night; why aren’t you coming inside quickly?” he said.

Xia Ruqing just smiled. ”Emperor, it’s almost May now. The Start of Summer has already passed; summer is here!” How could it be cold!

Zhao Junyao was startled. ”Is it that fast already?”

Xia Ruqing smiled as she looked at him. ”You couldn’t possibly be unaware, could you?”

Zhao Junyao then laughed. ”I have been somewhat busy lately and forgot all about it!”

Xia Ruqing looked up carefully and indeed saw a faint stubble on Zhao Junyao’s face. She reached out and gently touched it, asking in a soft voice, ”Have you encountered some trouble?”

Zhao Junyao, talented in both letters and arms, upright, and in the prime of his youth, was filled with vigor and rarely showed such signs of fatigue! Unless... there were significant matters at the Imperial Court.

He stared at her blankly, gazing at her concerned face with clear, lucid eyes. After looking at her intently for a while, he suddenly buried his head in her chest.

Xia Ruqing instinctively struggled, but he suddenly tightened his arms around her.

”Qingqing, don’t move!”

Xia Ruqing dared not move any longer. She glanced at Zhao Junyao’s expression and began to wonder.

What could have happened?

Could it be that there’s truly trouble at the Imperial Court?

It was not known how much time had passed when Zhao Junyao finally regained his usual demeanor. He sent the servants away and took Xia Ruqing’s hand, saying solemnly,

”Qingqing, I want to go south for a look!”

”Ah?” Xia Ruqing was very surprised. ”Emperor, was your earlier distress because of this matter? You are the Emperor; who would dare say anything about wherever you wish to go? To tell you the truth, if it weren’t for the children in my belly, your concubine would also wish to accompany you!”

Zhao Junyao was taken aback and then laughed. ”Right, I only took you to Jiangnan that first year. It’s been so long since we’ve been on a long journey!”

”Wait until next year. Next year, I will leave all these little rascals behind and will only take you with me, just you!”

”Really?” Xia Ruqing’s eyes were full of an ’I’m taking you seriously’ expression.

Zhao Junyao was amused and exasperated.

”I am The King; when I give my word, a team of four horses cannot chase it back!”

Xia Ruqing finally felt joyful. ”That sounds more like it! Next year I must go out and enjoy myself properly!”

”Good!” Zhao Junyao looked at her fondly.

Just a small matter had made her so happy. How nice!

When could he be as happy as she was?

After talking for a while, the sky darkened.

Xia Ruqing called for a large table of dishes. Being pregnant with twins, she ate a lot: a mix of meat and vegetarian options, rich and plain dishes. After eating a bowl of noodles, she also ate several small cornbreads before she put down her chopsticks contentedly.

The cornbread she ate was different from what common people ate. It was made from grain ground extremely fine, with the coarse particles sifted out, leaving only fine flour. Afterward, some white flour was added to make these cornbreads. Unlike ordinary cornbread, these small ones had a delicate, grainy fragrance unique to cereal, without the roughness that caught in the throat. Xia Ruqing ate three of them in this meal alone.

Zhao Junyao also tried some and nodded repeatedly in approval.

After the evening meal, Xia Ruqing, with her belly as high as her chest, lay on the couch and chatted idly with Zhao Junyao.

”Emperor, your concubine has gained quite a bit of weight!”

Zhao Junyao, too, was squinting, and smiling as he touched her soft belly, said, ”You haven’t gained weight; you are even more lovable this way!”