A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 465 - 467: Suppressing Bandits 1

Zhao Junyao pinched her waist. Hmm, it was already quite firm. Then, he said casually, "It’s not like we have the morning court now!"Having said that, he kissed her on the chest.

"AH~~"

Compared to just before, her body was exhausted and powerless to resist. She was so tired and weary, but with him wreaking havoc on her chest, she couldn’t sleep.

Seeing that he was about to come at her again, Xia Ruqing sleepily kicked out.

"Emperor, I don’t want this!"

Who would have thought Zhao Junyao wouldn’t be kicked? Instead, he captured her little foot and gave a naughty smile.

"Don’t want what?"

Xia Ruqing pouted defiantly.

"I don’t want anything!"

Zhao Junyao asked again, "Really don’t want anything? Truly nothing at all?"

Thoroughly annoyed, Xia Ruqing simply closed her eyes.

"Yes, yes, yes! I don’t want anything!"

"Then do you want to sleep or not?!" Zhao Junyao teased wickedly.

"I don’t!"

「...」

The room’s ambiance grew intimate again. Zhao Junyao nipped at her earlobe, breathing warm air.

"Fine! We won’t sleep!"

Then, lifting her legs, he thrust his hips and entered her once more.

Xia Ruqing felt like crying but had no tears.

"Again..."

The naive Xia Ruqing had no idea that after this time, there would be another!

It was no surprise. Zhao Junyao, after being abstinent for so long, had finally encountered a perfect opportunity. How could he not seize it?

He kissed her neck, murmuring softly, "The others don’t serve well; I like you the most!"

Xia Ruqing wasn’t listening at all. She was uncomfortable and so sleepy that she could only kick her little feet around in protest.

Zhao Junyao didn’t care and continued to kiss her. His member below was stirring up a storm within her.

At first, it was very good. Gradually, however, she became too weary. Her waist and back ached, and in the end, Xia Ruqing passed out completely.

Zhao Junyao only stopped around the fourth Shi Chen, when he was finally sated. By that time, dawn was nearly breaking.

There was no chance of sleep anymore; he had to rise for the morning court at the fifth Shi Chen. So, he simply lay there, eyes half-closed, holding her.

Xia Ruqing had long since fallen into a deep sleep. Curled up in his arms, she looked exhausted yet sweet.

Zhao Junyao carefully stroked her firm back and slender legs, as if caressing a rare piece of art.

There were many beautiful women in the Harem. Many women schemed and maneuvered, hoping to serve him. Even more women artfully tried to please him in bed. But he liked none of them. He only liked her!

He wanted to dine with her, read and write with her, play with Little Bun with her, and watch sunrises and sunsets together. He even liked the touch of worldliness about her, her cute, greedy expressions, and watching her dig for wild vegetables in the soil. He liked eating the food she cooked and watching her laugh. He liked...

Zhao Junyao finally, belatedly realized that his fondness for her wasn’t just about enjoying physical intimacy! His doting on her wasn’t just because she was good in bed!

Then, what is it? Is it merely because she’s likable?

Zhao Junyao suddenly became very wary. Could it be, I’ve really fallen into what is called ’romantic attachment’?

His father, the Late Emperor, had told him, ’The moment you are born into the Royal Family, once you become the Crown Prince, once you’re the Emperor, you must never touch this "emotion" in your life! The entire world can indulge in personal feelings, but you cannot! The moment a man has feelings, his judgment becomes clouded. He’ll ignore the Harem, neglect the Imperial Court, and his mind will be filled only with that one woman! Absurd!’

I am the Emperor; I must be ruthless. I should, like the Late Emperor, distribute my favor evenly in the Harem and be fair and incorruptible in the Imperial Court, ensuring that the people live in peace and work happily.

Although many of the Late Emperor’s decrees did not seem entirely correct to him, the lifelong achievements of the Late Emperor could not be denied. He was like a helmsman who, though not highly skilled, managed with the clumsiest methods to steer the Great Chu Dynasty safely through decades. He had no great achievements, but certainly no great faults.

Therefore, the wise words of the Late Emperor were by no means groundless. But... the more I think about it, the more it seems wrong! Must one really choose between the empire and personal desires? Can I really not have a woman I like? After all... there’s no connection! Why must the reckless deeds of men throughout the ages be blamed on women? Why insist on saying ’beautiful women are a calamity’? It takes two to tango. If a man isn’t lecherous and conducts himself properly, a frail woman certainly can’t force him. In the end, it’s the men who are to blame! So, not all sages of the past were correct. The Imperial Court is a man’s battlefield; what does it have to do with women?

Lost in thought, Zhao Junyao fell asleep without realizing it. His mind gradually emptied, but his hand instinctively held on tightly to the woman in his embrace, showing no intention of letting go.

After sleeping for about half a Shi Chen, Zhao Junyao was woken by a Palace Attendant to attend the morning court.

When he got up, Xia Ruqing was still asleep. He curled his lips into a smile, gently ruffled her hair, tucked the thin blanket around her, got dressed, and left the room.

Before leaving, he did not forget to instruct, "Do not wake her!"

Zi Yue, Zi Su, and the others respectfully and properly sent off the Emperor, just as they did every day. Everything was exactly the same, no different from any other day.

「...」

Xia Ruqing slept peacefully until broad daylight. As usual, she dressed and did her makeup before the mirror, went to Jiaofang Hall to pay her respects, and then returned for breakfast.

Just as the meal was served, Zhao Junyao returned. By the looks of it, he seemed quite happy.

"Your Majesty, have you encountered some good news?"

Zhao Junyao just looked at her, staring for quite a while and smiling the entire time. Xia Ruqing grew frightened.

"Your Majesty, what’s the matter?" she asked, waving her hand in front of his eyes.

Finally realizing his lapse in composure, Zhao Junyao quickly adjusted his expression and cleared his throat softly. "Oh... AHEM! Nothing!" he said. "It’s just... your eldest brother sent back good news. He said he has found the bandits’ lair and even drawn a map for Us. We... are happy..."

Xia Ruqing watched him ramble, looking self-indulgently happy, and found it very strange.

The bandits haven’t even been captured yet, and the Emperor is already this happy? This is somewhat abnormal. The Emperor usually isn’t so excitable.

Pushing down the suspicions in her heart, Xia Ruqing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please have your meal."

No elaborate service was needed, as their interaction had become very natural and ordinary.

「...」

Zhao Junyao finished his breakfast and left. Xia Ruqing watched him go, genuinely puzzled.

"Zi Yue, do you two feel that something’s a bit off with the Emperor today?"

Zi Yue and Zi Su exchanged a glance, and both shook their heads. "Not at all, Mistress. Perhaps you’re mistaken!" Zi Yue said.

"Yes, the Emperor was just like he always is, wasn’t he?" Zi Su added.

Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe... I am mistaken!" she mused.

"Well, no use dwelling on it! The weather is nice today. Let’s take advantage of the cool air and take Little Bun out for a walk. He shouldn’t always be cooped up in the room!"

"Yes, Mistress!" Zi Yue and Zi Su replied with a smile.

「...」

「In the palace.」

The Noble Consort and the Empress couldn’t stand the sight of each other and were subtly competing. For everyone else, life went on as usual.