A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1093: Seventh Master’s Worries

Listening to the loud praises outside.Bao Tong and several other little eunuchs were so happy that their mouths were almost reaching their ears.

"This is great now!"

"Our master has finally made it!"

"Isn’t it true?"

"Isn’t that what they say? Gold will always shine someday!" Bao Tong said proudly.

"Yes, yes!"

"Master Bao’s got a point!" a little eunuch flattered sweetly.

"With this event, those ladies from the capital city are sure to turn their attention to our master!"

"Of course!" Bao Tong said proudly.

"Our master is a genuine prince after all!"

"Not only is he skilled in both literature and martial arts, he’s also deeply trusted and valued by the Emperor!"

"His future prospects are limitless!"

"And besides!" said one little eunuch, enthusiastically adding.

"Our master isn’t fond of women, not even a chamber maid in the backyard!"

"When the Seventh Princess Consort marries in, she will be the only one enjoying favor!"

"Then the couple will respect each other like guests, raising trays with eyebrows aligned, it’s another lovely tale!"

"That’s right, that’s right!"

The little eunuchs were noisy.

Each one seemed to worry like an old mother.

Eagerly wishing to immediately find Seventh Master a beautiful, knowledgeable, well-born lady to come in as a wife.

...

Seventh Master knew nothing about this.

Every day, as usual, he went to the training ground.

Until... when December came, the rampant rumors in the capital finally caught the Emperor’s attention.

Zhao Junyao, having nothing to do, pondered.

"That’s right!"

"Seventh younger brother will be twenty after the New Year, it’s inappropriate not to talk about marriage!"

Li Shengan hurriedly stepped forward and said.

"Emperor, hasn’t Seventh Master been constantly refusing?"

"Is it because..." there’s someone on his mind? Or perhaps there’s some unspeakable issue!

Otherwise, how could a good man not need someone to serve him?

You know, so many princes, including the Emperor, were served after the age of fifteen.

The Emperor had even married before ascending the throne, with both the Crown Princess Consort and side consorts and concubines!

Li Shengan couldn’t figure it out.

Neither could Zhao Junyao.

He frowned.

"In any case, we can’t let him be!"

As a member of the Royal Family, one cannot behave chaotically. Continuing the family line and offspring is a major affair, and must not be delayed.

After thinking thoroughly.

He immediately made a decision.

"Summon Zhao Junyan to the palace!"

Li Shengan bowed and agreed, swiftly going out to call someone to convey the message.

Half a Shi Chen later, Zhao Junyan entered the palace, dusty from the training ground outside the capital.

In the Imperial Study Room.

Zhao Junyao ordered a good pot of tea, and the two brothers sat facing each other.

He personally poured a cup of tea for Seventh Brother, and casually asked.

"How have you been recently?"

Zhao Junyan held the teacup somewhat at a loss.

After hesitating for a while, he nodded.

"Thank you for your concern, Imperial Brother. Everything is well with your humble brother!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at him casually, not speaking.

After leisurely sipping half a cup of tea, he asked again.

"Have you heard the rumors in the capital?"

Zhao Junyan’s heart skipped a beat, feeling that something was finally coming.

He thought a bit and still nodded.

"I’ve heard a little!"

Zhao Junyao felt a bit speechless.

’Why is this little rascal just like me, so stingy with words?!’

If eye contact can solve a problem, he never opens his mouth.

If one word can solve a problem, he absolutely doesn’t say two words.

It’s really...

Forget it, forget it, business is important.

He lightly cleared his throat, adjusted his mood, and then opened his mouth earnestly.

"You’re not young anymore, it’s time to talk about marriage!"

"Originally, this matter should have been arranged by Mother, but you know the Empress Dowager is not in good health! Let’s not disturb the elder!"

"They say a big brother is like a father..."

"If you have someone you like, or any preferences, feel free to tell your Imperial Brother!"

Zhao Junyan’s face instantly became uncomfortable.

He looked outside the window, it took a while before he finally spoke.

"Sorry for troubling Imperial Brother, it’s... my mistake!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled, punching him heavily on the shoulder.

"What’s there to be shy about!"

"This isn’t like you, where’s your spirited look gone?"

Zhao Junyan felt even more embarrassed.

"Imperial Brother..."

Zhao Junyao took another sip of tea.

"What? You don’t want to get married?"

"I heard you don’t even have a chamber maid in the backyard, could it be..." some unspeakable issue?

Zhao Junyao looked at him scrutinizingly.

Zhao Junyan: "..."

Getting fed up, there’s no need to bear it anymore.

He lightly coughed before finally speaking.

"Imperial Brother!"

"Actually... your humble brother has no unspeakable issue, but fears implicating the lady!"

"Implicating?"

Zhao Junyao was greatly surprised.

His mind took eighteen twists trying to understand, but couldn’t figure out why he would say that?

Thus, he looked at him with an inquisitive expression.

"Implicate what?"

Zhao Junyan smiled wryly.

"Your humble brother has been marginalized and survived many life and death situations since childhood in the palace. If it weren’t for Imperial Brother’s compassion, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have lived to this day!"

"It’s the same even when grown up!"

"Your humble brother has no power, doesn’t partake in court politics!"

"Only looking to practice martial arts well, protect home and country, and repay Imperial Brother’s kindness!"

After speaking, he set the tea cup aside and stood up, standing by the window with hands behind his back.

The armor he hadn’t had time to remove seemed to be smeared with a faint glow in the reflection of the snow outside.

Making his entire figure look tall and his back as radiant as a jewel or gemstone.

"Imperial Brother!"

He suddenly raised his hand pointing directly westward.

"Our Great Chu Dynasty is strong and prosperous, rich and flourishing! The people are well-clothed and living in peace!"

"This is certainly good!"

"But in the eyes of foreigners, we are just a piece of fat!"

"The more powerful we are, the more we attract others!"

"Over there are all sorts of grassland tribes, nomadic people!"

"They rely on herding to live!"

"Enduring hunger and cold all year, even royal family members chew bark and eat grass roots most of the year, facing widespread famine, the entire country goes hungry!"

"And we..."

Zhao Junyan’s eyes suddenly became a bit dim.

"Imperial Brother!"

"Although our Great Chu Dynasty has been peaceful for years, there’s a culture of indolence and luxury in the military!"

"Thinking that with strong national power, no one dares to insult us! Arrogant and underestimating others!"

"This atmosphere is quite dangerous!"

"Your humble brother is worried, but alone can’t change it, can only work diligently for even a slight improvement!"

Zhao Junyao’s eyes gradually grew serious, and he felt greatly moved inside.

He walked over to the window and patted his shoulder.

"Little Seventh, after all these years, you haven’t changed a bit!"

Zhao Junyan’s eyes suddenly brightened: "Imperial Brother!"

Zhao Junyao laughed and said: "I didn’t expect you to be just as stubborn!"

Years ago.

He was the high and mighty, shining Crown Prince, admired by all.

Little Seventh was alone, cold and marginalized in the palace.

Still remember the first time meeting him.

He was like a dying yet fierce little wolf cub.

Although weak in body, his gaze was vicious.

Filled with hostility and rejection towards everything unfamiliar.

That gaze, he will never forget for life.

Later under his care, he finally was no longer bullied.

Little Seventh gradually understood he was being helped.

His gaze slowly transformed from rejection to acceptance, and later to care and trust.