A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 712: Chapter 712: Muster the Troops

The little one performed the salute with such decorum, stirring up even more sympathy in the onlooker.

Zhao Junyao deliberately nodded with a grave expression.

”You may leave!”

”Yes!” Little Bun replied, still very well-behaved.

Xia Ruqing stealthily glared at Zhao Junyao, then called for Sister Huang and the others to come in and take Little Bun away.

Zhao Junyao raised his eyebrows, clearly in a very good mood. He would be leaving soon, making this a rare and precious moment for just the two of them.

After dinner, Zhao Junyao told her about his plan to head south.

Xia Ruqing was greatly shocked. ”Your Majesty, are you going to lead the expedition yourself?”

Zhao Junyao nodded, an indescribable excitement twinkling in his dark eyes. ”It’s been over twenty years. Apart from joining my Imperial Father in battle ten years ago, I haven’t personally led troops since then!”

This time, I must seize the opportunity and truly experience it! Since my Imperial Father passed away, I have not failed his expectations. This vast territory, I have guarded it for seven years. In these seven years, I have transformed from an inexperienced youth into the composed, seasoned, and indomitable True Dragon, The King, that I am today. In the imperial court, I no longer fear any storms. I am like an old, cunning fox, devising strategies in my tent that decide battles a thousand li away. Even those stubborn old ministers, who loved to flaunt their seniority and caused headaches for emperors throughout history, have been thoroughly subdued by me. Only I know how many schemes and power plays I’ve navigated through. But I am, after all, only in my early twenties, the prime age for passionate valor! To have me constantly suppress myself and engage in power struggles with those old ministers—how could I possibly be content with that?! I also want to be like those hot-blooded men, to risk life and limb for my people, for my country! To go to battle, to charge the enemy lines—only then would I not be wasting these vibrant years! Before, the time was not ripe. But now, with such a golden opportunity before me, how can I let it pass?!

Seeing his resolute determination, Xia Ruqing knew it was useless to say more. After a moment of stunned silence, she murmured with some reluctance, ”Then... can you return before the New Year?”

”Our child... is about to be born, you know!” She finished speaking and lowered her head, saying no more.

I can’t stop him from going, but it’s true that I don’t want him to leave. If my Emperor husband leaves, who will protect me?

Seeing her like this, Zhao Junyao’s heart suddenly filled with a complex mix of emotions.

”Qingqing...” Suppressing the ache in his heart, he pulled her into his embrace. ”Don’t be afraid, I will return very soon! I will arrange everything perfectly. All your food, your necessities, even the servants you’ll need—I’ve already arranged for them all! You just need to focus on nurturing your health, take good care of yourself, and wait for my return!”

Xia Ruqing lifted her small face, asking with a hint of doubt, ”Really?!”

Zhao Junyao nodded with great solemnity. His mind instinctively reviewed everything once more, reconfirming that he had indeed made her surroundings as secure as an iron fortress. Only then did he feel truly at ease.

...

They retired early that night.

The next morning, Zhao Junyao also left early. Before leaving, he specifically instructed Zi Yue and the others. He told them not to wake Xia Ruqing, but to let her continue sleeping. Zi Yue and the others naturally had no objections.

Thus, Xia Ruqing slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky.

「Meanwhile, at the front.」

Zhao Junyao had even skipped the morning court session. He rode out of the palace, heading straight for the Three Great Camps in the Suburbs of the Capital. As was customary, as the commander-in-chief, he was to address the generals and dispatch the troops.

Standing on the high platform before the Three Great Camps, listening to the tens of thousands of soldiers below shouting, ”Long live the Emperor!” Zhao Junyao felt his blood boil within his veins. He, who was usually inscrutable, was now so excited he felt somewhat overwhelmed. The earth-shattering cheers lasted for the time it takes to burn a full stick of incense before subsiding. Zhao Junyao’s excitement also gradually calmed.

He looked at General Xiao. Following the prior decision, he first appointed General Xiao as Left Commander-in-Chief, to lead 50,000 infantry to reinforce the front lines. He then appointed General Liang from Jiangnan as Right Commander-in-Chief, to lead 50,000 Navy Forces into battle. The war drums thundered, and beneath the high platform, 100,000 troops stood ready, eager for battle!

Finally, Zhao Junyao also appointed Xia Tingfeng, Yang Chenyi, and other outstanding young talents from the court to accompany the expedition. Even the Little Seventh Prince from the palace was specifically named to go as well. Upon hearing this, the soldiers’ morale soared even higher. Ten thousand drums beat in unison, their sound as stirring to the heart as the thunderous prelude to a summer tempest.

Zhao Junyao, observing the magnificent scene below, couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.

This is the true essence of manhood! It’s just a pity that I am confined to the deep palace and cannot charge into the fray with them!

Zhao Junyao’s regret was not unfounded.

Because even if I were to personally lead the expedition, I would still have to remain in the rear, far from the front lines. Go to the front lines? Impossible! I am the Emperor; I cannot afford the slightest mishap. Reluctantly taking on the nominal title of commander-in-chief and accompanying the army is already the absolute limit. Anything more is fundamentally out of the question!

...

By the time he left the Three Great Camps, it was already approaching noon. Zhao Junyao rode back to the palace.

For the evening meal, a banquet was held in Zhaochen Palace. All the commanders and officers, high and low, were gathered to send off the army. During the banquet, Zhao Junyao was in high spirits and drank a considerable amount of wine. When it concluded, he was somewhat unsteady on his feet, but his heart remained joyful.

After everyone had dispersed, Li Shengan instructed attendants to help the Emperor back to his bedchamber. He then ventured to say, ”Your Majesty, the army departs at dawn tomorrow. Tonight, shouldn’t you perhaps visit the Noble Consort?”

This was something of an unwritten rule. It existed not only within the palace but also in the world outside. When the master of a household was about to embark on a long journey, regardless of his personal favorites, he was expected to spend the preceding night with his principal wife. This served two purposes: first, to discuss arrangements, and second, to bolster the principal wife’s authority.

The underlying message was clear: ’While I am away, everyone is to listen to the principal wife in all matters. No one is to overstep their bounds.’ With this night of favor, the principal wife could hold her head high during the days the master was away. Her words and directives would then carry weight and command obedience. Otherwise... it would be a considerable loss of face. If the master doesn’t even come to you for a discussion before a long journey, your position as principal wife is utterly undermined. Who then would pay you any heed?!

「Meanwhile, in the Harem.」

News that the Emperor would personally lead the expedition had already spread. With the Empress absent, it was the Noble Consort who held authority over the Harem. Therefore, this farewell visit, by rights, should be to the Noble Consort.

But... would the Emperor truly go? The entire Harem waited with bated breath.

Noble Concubine Shih was also very anxious.

Will my cousin come?! One moment she thought: since he entrusted me with the authority to manage the palace, he ought to support my position. The next moment, she worried: the Emperor hasn’t visited Xifu Palace for so long, and I’m not the officially installed Empress. My cousin has always valued propriety; he probably won’t come, will he?

Torn by this uncertainty, the banquet at the front palace had ended long ago, yet Noble Concubine Shih still kept her lamps lit.

”Your Ladyship, please rest. The Emperor is unlikely to come now,” Ying Qiu gently persuaded.

Noble Concubine Shih was still unwilling to give up hope. ”Wait... wait a little longer. Perhaps things over there haven’t concluded yet!”

Ying Qiu felt quite helpless. ”Your Ladyship, it’s the middle of the night. How could it possibly not be over yet?”

Noble Concubine Shih grew impatient with her words. She immediately smashed a cup on the floor. ”Less chatter! I am determined to wait!”

Ying Qiu jumped in fright and dared not utter another word.