A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

”Since the beginning of this year, Guangnan has been hit by fierce winds and rain, followed by flash floods. Some mountains couldn’t withstand the erosion of rainwater and collapsed, burying entire villages of people living in the mountain valleys...”

Zhao Qichen grew heavier at heart as he spoke.

Zhao Junyao shook his head upon hearing this.

”A rare disaster that occurs once every hundred years!”

He asked again.

”How do you plan to solve it?”

Zhao Qichen knew he couldn’t hide it, nor did he intend to. So he revealed his decision to personally go for disaster relief.

He explained further.

”Even though it’s the riskiest option, it’s also the most reliable for the people! Father, what do you think?”

Zhao Junyao’s expression gradually grew solemn.

This wasn’t for any trivial reason, just because he understood the situation in Guangnan too well.

Guangnan is located in the far south of the Great Chu, close to the sea.

On the other side of the sea are numerous island nations, all of which covet the wealth of Great Chu with greedy eyes.

The trade routes alone no longer satisfy their ambitions; they want more.

Currently, with Guangnan facing disaster, they must be aware.

Secret interference is almost inevitable, and those people employ despicable means. They won’t consider the people or casualties; they will only consider themselves.

And these are merely external factors.

Internally.

Displaced disaster victims, clothed in rags and unable to eat, could spark a riot at any time.

Moreover, Guangnan’s hot and humid climate means improper handling of corpses could lead to the outbreak of an epidemic.

These are internal factors,

The situation is dire in Guangnan, attacked from the inside and outside.

No matter how thorough the preparations, and no matter the number of people taken along, there’s always the possibility of never returning.

Thus, Zhao Junyao’s concerns were far from unfounded.

He looked seriously at his son and asked solemnly.

”Have you truly made all the preparations?”

”Even if it means never coming back again?”

Zhao Qichen paused for a moment and then responded without hesitation.

”Ready!”

”Father, if I don’t return, please do... whether it’s my third brother or fourth brother, or whoever else!”

”In any case, don’t let the people of the Great Chu Dynasty suffer!”

His request was that simple!

As Zhao Junyao gazed at his son’s determined eyes and listened to the resolute courage in his voice, he felt quite moved.

’My son has finally grown up, his shoulders are sturdy enough to support the entire kingdom.’

’Good! Very good! I am very satisfied!’

Suddenly he smiled and patted his son’s shoulder.

”Don’t worry.”

”Father will support you!”

Just as Zhao Qichen was about to express his gratitude, he was completely stunned by his father’s next words.

Because his father said.

”Your mother and I will go to help you, you won’t be coming back alone.”

”But don’t rely on this, because this will be the last time we help you!”

Now knowing the truth, Zhao Qichen turned his head away, the iron-willed emperor’s eyes suddenly reddened.

Yet he turned back, forcing a smile and asked.

”Why? What about later? Where are you planning to go?”

Zhao Junyao took a sip of tea and then patted his shoulder sternly.

”You greedy brat, can’t we retire even as we age?”

”We might travel or find a secluded place to live a carefree life. In any case, don’t bother us anymore!”

Zhao Qichen’s eyes turned red again.

What carefree life, clearly Father is lying!

That morning.

The father and son discussed the matter of Guangnan extensively.

Zhao Junyao agreed with Zhao Qichen’s idea, and Zhao Qichen also agreed for his father and mother to go along.

Everyone reached a consensus quite tacitly.

You don’t hinder me, I won’t hinder you. We face difficulties together, we bear the hardships together.

You fulfill me, I fulfill you.

In the end, when Zhao Junyao left.

Zhao Qichen watched his father’s relaxed and joyful back and sighed in his heart.

’Surely, ginger gets spicier with age!’

He was almost unable to hold back his emotions, yet his father managed with ease.

He didn’t know this.

After Zhao Junyao returned to Duanning Palace, he felt utterly lost.

Xia Ruqing, unaware of the previous matters, was a bit puzzled.

”How come you’re like this after going out?”

”Who upset you?”

Zhao Junyao stared at her oblivious face for a long time and finally decided to tell her everything.

He said, ”Guangnan is struck by disaster, it’s severe, Chenchen is going!”

He said, ”That child is unfortunate, suffered from an early age, now must put himself in danger!”

He added, ”I want to help him! But I don’t know...”

He didn’t know how long he could help him, perhaps this would be the last time.

Of course, Xia Ruqing understood what he was saying.

She contemplated for a moment, and then tears began to stream down.

She started sobbing at first, but soon collapsed into his arms, crying loudly.

Her heart ached, but she didn’t know who exactly it ached for.

Chenchen didn’t live a single day peacefully since childhood, so young, his hands and face were not as they should be, at eleven or twelve, he behaved and spoke like a little adult.

Now he’s only in his twenties, yet hasn’t married, and must face these struggles.

Her heartache was overwhelming, indeed! He is her child!

As for Zhao Junyao.

She couldn’t even reach his heartache, she knew he was ill, very ill, and she knew his illness was due to years of overwork.

He devoted his entire life to the Great Chu Dynasty, even sacrificing his own body.

Now, even in old age, he must continue to serve with a hunched body.

He is a good emperor but also one who evokes sympathy.

The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached and felt pained, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Zhao Junyao patted her back, soothing her with sweet words.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t resist but accepted his kindness, wiped her tears, and then resolutely said.

”If you want to go, then I must go with you!”

In any case, they’ll live and die together.

Zhao Junyao rarely responded so promptly.

”Good!”

”Even if you didn’t say so, I’d bring you along!”

Because I can’t bear to be without you!

With time dwindling, he grew even more reluctant to part, unwilling to miss a single moment.

Xia Ruqing laughed through her tears.

”That’s more like it!”

Sitting in his arms, she placed her finger on his nose, commanding.

”If you leave me in a stone cave like the last time, I’ll die before your eyes!”

Zhao Junyao brushed her finger aside and kissed her.

”Rest assured!”

”As long as you don’t find me a burden!”

With that, he leaned in to kiss her.

Xia Ruqing ’pretended to be annoyed,’ turned her head, and slipped out of his arms.

”It’s getting late, you should eat and take your medicine!”

The Imperial Physician advised strict adherence to timing!

Zhao Junyao could only comply.

...

The matter of Guangnan was thus settled.

Since both the Emperor and Supreme Empress Dowager were going, and with pomp instead of incognito, they needed to bring far more than before.

The palace began bustling with preparations.

These continued until early August, gradually getting ready.

Departure was set for mid-August, around the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Xia Ruqing felt a bit emotional.

”Clearly a day for reunions, yet we have to leave, and leave for such a long time!”

Long enough that they may never return.

Zhao Junyao said.

”If you want to return, we can come back anytime!”

Xia Ruqing giggled.

”That depends on whether or not I want to leave!!”