A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 761: Chapter 761: Can’t Be Beheaded Anymore

Sister Qing truly didn’t bring it up again.

But the Empress Dowager couldn’t control herself from thinking about it! She was distracted and distressed all day. Normally, she would have meals with the Third Princess, but this time she didn’t call for her. From morning to night, she was in a daze the entire day.

After dinner, the Empress Dowager really couldn’t let it go and finally spoke.

”You... go find out, what exactly is happening?”

”Is it really going to... be an execution tomorrow?”

She choked up before she could finish her sentence.

Sister Qing didn’t move but responded directly.

”This servant has already sent someone to inquire!”

”It’s said... the case hasn’t been concluded yet. They definitely won’t be able to carry out the execution tomorrow!”

”Ah?” The Empress Dowager was very surprised. Wasn’t it said that after the trial ended today, the execution would be tomorrow?

”They won’t be able to execute him?”

”Yes! They won’t be able to execute him!”

Sister Qing nodded and continued, ”The Emperor was at the Ministry of Justice for the trial. It wasn’t even halfway through when Prince Yan arrived, and soon after, the Emperor left!”

”As of now, there hasn’t been a definite word from the Emperor’s side. I’m afraid there has been a change!”

”Perhaps our Master Prince will be saved after all!”

After listening, the Empress Dowager pondered and quickly asked, ”What was the Emperor’s expression when he returned?” If he seemed pleased, that would be one thing, but if he was...

Sister Qing thought for a moment, then said, ”You can’t tell by his expression. As you know, the Emperor has never shown his emotions on his face since he was young!”

Unless it was something earth-shattering, Zhao Junyao’s face would remain absolutely expressionless. Trying to discern anything from it would be futile.

The Empress Dowager thought for a while and agreed, so she didn’t ask further. However, the worry on her face finally eased a bit.

Junqi is his child, after all. How could he be so heartless!

I knew it; he couldn’t possibly be that cruel!

Now that he’s intervened, maybe there’s hope for Junqi!

Thinking this, the Empress Dowager brightened up.

”Come, accompany me for a walk outside!”

Sister Qing laughed.

”You’ve finally come back to your senses!”

”They are all family. The Emperor wouldn’t truly be so ruthless; he just needed a way to de-escalate the situation!”

The Empress Dowager stood up and huffed.

A way to de-escalate? Wasn’t my pleading enough of a way for him?

”Oh, it’s not the same!” Sister Qing said.

”You are the Emperor’s mother. When the Emperor sees you treating others even better than your own son, how can he feel good about it?”

”Regarding this matter, anyone could have come to plead, but it shouldn’t have been you!”

”Just you watch, His Highness Prince Yan will definitely be able to save the Master Prince!”

The Empress Dowager walked slowly, nodding thoughtfully.

What you said seems to make sense!

It seemed she hadn’t paid much attention to the Emperor herself.

But...

The Empress Dowager touched her belly, and her expression froze for a moment.

Seeing this, Sister Qing quickly took her hand away.

The master and servant exchanged a glance, their eyes complex and turbulent, as though harboring countless secrets.

The Empress Dowager took a stroll outside. When she returned, she felt a bit hungry.

Sister Qing quickly ordered some snacks and then served the Empress Dowager half a bowl of porridge.

Finally, she attended to the Empress Dowager as she went to rest.

Only then did Sister Qing retreat from the inner chambers.

She looked at the Empress Dowager’s main hall and then in the direction of Zhaochen Palace.

Her face was clouded with worry, her distress unconcealed.

She stood there, lost in thought for a long while.

In the end, countless words turned into a single deep sigh, and that was that.

Sister Qing turned and left, quickly disappearing into the night.

「...」

「At this very moment, inside Zhaochen Palace.」

The Imperial Study Room was brightly lit.

Zhao Junyao sat before his desk with a worried expression.

In front of him lay a letter of admonishment from Prince Yan’s Mansion.

The letter wasn’t lengthy, but its content truly troubled him.

Prince Yan’s meaning was simple: he wanted to die in his son’s place.

His reason was that he felt he hadn’t educated his son well and needed to atone with his death.

Moreover, he intended to go to the Underworld to apologize to the Late Emperor.

They say a son pays for his father’s debts, but now, was this a case of a father paying for his son’s debts?

The more Zhao Junyao thought about it, the more troubled he became.

Under normal circumstances, he would certainly reject the memorial and simply disagree.

But now, this memorial felt as heavy as a thousand catties, leaving him unsure how to proceed.

There was only one reason.

The Late Emperor, before his death, had entrusted him with a task.

No matter what Prince Yan demanded, as long as it did not defy natural justice, harm the common people, corrupt public morals, or go against the will of Heaven, he had to agree.

It wasn’t a matter of ”trying his best”; it was a ”must.”

There was no room for negotiation.

This was truly distressing.

Colluding with the enemy and betraying the country was a grave crime; even if Zhao Junqi died a hundred times, it would not appease the anger of the sacrificed soldiers.

What’s more... what if he didn’t die?

Furthermore, if he were to decree the death of his own uncle—his imperial father’s only biological brother—how would he face his ancestors in the Underworld?

Wouldn’t that be unfilial!

Prince Yan... This family of his, honestly...

Zhao Junyao felt an almost maddening frustration.

After pondering for most of the day and failing to find a solution that would satisfy both sides, he simply put down the memorial.

”Let’s go! To Qingya Residence!”

Li Shengan hurriedly followed.

”Proceed to Qingya Residence!”

By the time his words faded, Zhao Junyao was already far away.

「...」

The weather in September had grown cool in the mornings and evenings.

Xia Ruqing had not yet finished her postpartum confinement.

At this moment, she was reclining on her bed, watching Zi Yue and the others play with the Little Prince.

After returning from his studies, Chenchen had first written fifty characters, then taken Yellow Bean out for a stroll.

He didn’t return until it was time for the evening meal. After dinner, he finally had some leisure time.

Now, he lay beside the small cradle, gazing lovingly at his two younger brothers.

Occasionally, with childlike curiosity, he asked questions that were both amusing and exasperating.

”Mother, was I this small when I was a baby?”

”Mother, how can they grow up faster?”

”Mother, I want to take Yellow Bean out to play with them!”

”Mother, look, Da Bai and Xiao Bai like them too!”

Xia Ruqing followed his little finger and looked towards the other side of the cradle.

There, Da Bai sat on the table with an aloof expression, seemingly deep in thought as he gazed downward.

That expression seemed to say: Hmm, these two little ones are not bad, quite to my liking!

Xiao Bai, nearby, was much gentler.

Her beautiful eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, gazed at the babies in the cradle, sparkling with an overflowing radiance.

Warm, fragrant congee sat on the table.

Beneath the window were palace maids and Sisters, who were to her liking and treated her extremely well.

Next to the cradle were the three children—one big and two small—each exquisitely beautiful, making it hard to look away.

Not far away lay a meek, yellow-furred dog, snoring contentedly.

Above, nestled two adorable cats.

Under the warm yellow lamplight, all this warmth and happiness seemed as if it was about to overflow.

Qingya Residence was cozy and lovely.

Xia Ruqing took a couple of sips of her fragrant congee. The more she thought about it, the happier she felt! Just as she was basking in her happiness, she heard an announcement from outside.

”The Emperor has arrived!”

Xia Ruqing smiled, quickly put down her bowl, and sat upright.

Zhao Junyao had already entered from the outer hall.

Ignoring the Palace Attendants who had knelt in a wide area, he came straight to her bedside.

He skillfully sat down at the small table beside the bed.

”Your Majesty!”

Zhao Junyao gently pressed her down with one hand, then said, ”Everyone, rise!”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Xia Ruqing settled back comfortably in her bed.