A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

”It’s just state affairs...”

Xia Ruqing glared at him straightaway.

In her heart she groused, What are you pretending for? It’s not like you’ve never dumped state affairs on Chenchen before, and now you’re acting like you can’t bear to part with them.

This act is just... really begging for a beating.

If her daughter weren’t here, she’d really want to...

”Let Chenchen handle state affairs, Qingqing, what do you think?” Zhao Junyao’s desire to live was still very strong.

Xia Ruqing gave him a look, then mimicked his tone and spoke lazily.

”A country cannot go a day without its ruler. I can take the children with me to The Summer Resort, there’s no need for Your Majesty to go personally.”

”Chenchen is still young, I’m afraid he can’t manage state affairs yet. Leaving everything to him might not be appropriate! Why don’t I take Chenchen with me instead?”

Zhao Junyao’s heart went ice cold.

Chenchen is young? He’s almost twenty and still ”young”? Back when he ascended the throne, he was only about that age!

Not to mention Chenchen is already well versed in all state affairs; even if he had to ascend the throne now, he could handle it!

How is he suddenly not fit to handle government business?

”Qingqing...” Zhao Junyao frowned, the wrinkles on his face deepening a bit.

He looked quite comical at the moment.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t quite bear it; finally her composure broke and she burst into giggles.

”Alright, alright, I give in to you!”

Back then he was always bullying her, yet now that he’s older he’s actually getting childish.

Even the expressions on his face have become much richer, instead of that eternally frozen poker face he used to have.

At first she wasn’t used to it; now she actually finds it pretty fun.

It’s like a cold, aloof Tiger that suddenly starts acting cute one day—the intense contrast is just impossible to resist.

The way Xia Ruqing looks at him now is exactly like that: surprised, delighted, and thinking he’s a bit adorable.

Zhao Junyao let out a breath of relief.

Seeing her smile, he couldn’t help smiling too.

Fool, I never bullied you before!

It’s just that now, I like seeing you smile even more!

...

Late June, the hottest time of the year.

The Emperor handed over the reins of government entirely to the Crown Prince, while he himself summoned the Ministers to The Summer Resort for a little vacation and hunting trip.

Because the Emperor was ”off-duty,” none of the Ministers who were still seriously working showed up (someone has to stay in the Capital City and actually do the job, right?).

The ones who came were all over fifty, holding some idle sinecure and basically already retired in place, as well as those Marquis and Duke, Lord Duke, and even a few Princes.

On top of that, most of the Military Generals came as well.

In peaceful times, Military Officials are always more idle than Civil Officials, and since the Emperor had already said they’d be hunting, of course they had to come along. They couldn’t be the ones to kill the mood.

So the headcount for this little summer retreat and hunt was still quite large.

One day at the end of June, the mighty convoy set off from the Capital City, and after one or two days of long-distance travel, finally arrived at The Summer Resort at dusk.

Years ago the Emperor had brought the Ministers here once, so for many this was not their first visit.

Still, being able to enjoy the mountain scenery again made everyone’s hearts pound with excitement.

As soon as they stepped out of the carriages, the Ministers quartered in the outer compound rushed straight toward the courtyards they’d stayed in last time.

Those few old Civil Officials were still fighting over the two little farmhouses with thatched roofs and chicken coops, while the Military Generals were busy grabbing the high ground closest to the hunting area.

Xia Tingfeng, with his whole family in tow, blustered off toward the courtyard the Ni Family had used before. The Ni Family, however, hadn’t come this time because Father Ni was getting on in years and in poor health.

As for Zhao Junyao, he took his three sons (yes, he only left his eldest back in the Capital City) to the largest and most luxurious courtyard in the center.

The Consorts followed the Empress to a different villa.

Whether in front or behind, everyone was in high spirits, strolling in twos and threes, chatting and laughing away, the excitement practically boiling over.

The palace that had sat idle for years was bustling once again.

After everyone settled in, night fell as expected,

and after one or two days of travel by carriage, they were all exhausted, so there were no activities planned for the evening.

Each person stayed in their own courtyard to dine, bathe, and rest—no need to dwell on that.

...

Over at Xia Ruqing’s place.

After dinner, she went to the washroom to bathe.

When she came back out, she saw Yue Er in casual clothes, sprawled bonelessly on the soft couch in her room.

The girl looked listless, as if something heavy was weighing on her mind.

Curious, Xia Ruqing walked over and reached out to feel her forehead.

”What’s wrong? Do you have a fever? Not feeling well?”

Yue Er rolled over to face her and shook her head.

”No.”

Xia Ruqing was relieved and sat down beside her.

”Then what’s going on? I’ve never seen you like this before.”

Yue Er stayed silent. After sulking for a bit, she suddenly raised her head.

”Mother, why is it that girls must get married?”

This question...

Xia Ruqing thought for quite a while and finally just shook her head.

”Honestly, I don’t really know either. But in many people’s eyes, only after a woman marries and has children is her life considered ’complete’.”

”Is it really like that?”

”Maybe.” Xia Ruqing herself wasn’t very sure.

Even in the twenty-first century, if a girl doesn’t want to get married, the people around her will still chase her down and hem her in, let alone in this feudal era.

She knew very well that whether you marry or not has absolutely nothing to do with other people.

But she still couldn’t say that out loud.

She couldn’t instill that way of thinking in Yue Er.

Even if she is a Princess, being too shocking and unconventional would still make everyone point fingers at her.

She didn’t want her child to go through that. Even adults can barely stand it, let alone a child.

”Why did you suddenly start asking these things? You’re still so young!” Xia Ruqing was very puzzled.

Yue Er slowly sat up, looking very serious.

”Isn’t it because Yilan is about to have a match made for her?”

”Oh?” Xia Ruqing was a bit curious.

”Matched with which family?”

”Marquis Pingan’s Heir, Nan Yunze.”

Xia Ruqing frowned. This Nan Yunze or whatever, she’d never heard of him; as for Marquis Pingan, she’d only heard the name in passing.

In fact, most matters from the court never made it into the palace, so it was perfectly normal for her not to know.

Yue Er added more details.

”That Nan Yunze has a personality a bit like my fourth brother—his temper is kind of odd! But he probably isn’t a bad person!”

”Yilan’s parents and elder brother all think he’s quite good. They’re about to finalize the engagement!”

”But Yilan says she wants to see this Nan Yunze at least once before they get engaged!”

”As her good friend, of course I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing found it a little funny.

”Then just meet him. It’s not that big a deal.”

”You little girls really do have a lot of ideas, though!”

She didn’t really get it, but she would respect it.

”How are we supposed to meet him?”

”Back in the Capital City, Yilan could at least go out!”

”But now, she can’t even get out the door!”

Yue Er was full of worries.

This trip to The Summer Resort was supposed to be a great opportunity; the two of them had been so excited they couldn’t sleep the whole night.

But looking at it now, they’d been far too naive!