A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 470 - 472: Sorry, the General is Not a Gentleman!

Their nation wielded the mightiest army, and no one dared to insult it lightly.Their Emperor, no matter what, would always protect his common people!

This was trust—the trust of a dynasty in its monarch, the trust in their homeland!

Watching columns of soldiers pass by, the entire Capital City seemed invigorated, with cries that shook the heavens.

Upon the city walls, Zhao Junyao could only muster a bitter smile.

"Xia Tingfeng, all of this should have belonged to you!"

"You damned fool, if you don’t come back soon, I will have to bestow your rewards on someone else!"

As he thought, the young Emperor’s eyes reddened.

...

The bandits were completely eradicated by the Imperial Court, and the people’s lives returned to peace.

No one noticed that there was one less guard by the Emperor’s side.

Nor did anyone notice that the unremarkable Xia Family was missing one of its children born of concubines.

Everything reverted to its most ordinary state. However, one cannot wrap up fire with paper!

Zhao Junyao dispatched team after team of Hidden Guards to search, but they found no trace.

And in the Capital City, whispers gradually began to surface.

「In a certain teahouse.」

A group of people were leaning in close, discussing gossip.

"Hey, hey, hey, have you heard? Miss Ni from the Fourth Rank General’s Mansion—her fiancé, the one who served as a guard in the palace—he’s gone!"

"What?"

"Is it that guard, the one with a sister who’s a Favored Consort in the palace?"

"Yes, yes, that’s right!"

"Which Miss Ni?"

"It’s Miss Ni from the Fourth Rank General’s Mansion. They say she’s both beautiful and virtuous, with a gentle character, just... a bit too selective!"

"She’s already eighteen and only just discussing marriage arrangements. After finally finding a suitable family, for such a thing to happen!"

"The guard is gone? Is he dead or what?"

"It’s said that he drowned in the river during a bandit extermination a while back!"

After saying this, the person lowered their voice and continued, "They say his body still hasn’t been found!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a shocked sadness.

"Ah, what a pity!"

"Truly a pity. Such a well-matched couple, how could they just..."

"Exactly!"

The news spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred.

In just a few days, it was the talk of the Capital City.

Some people were kind. They merely lamented that the young general was ill-fated and that Miss Ni was also unlucky, having just arranged a marriage when this tragedy occurred.

Others would simply sigh, "Life is unpredictable, and fate mocks us," and say no more. These people were naturally good-hearted.

But there were others who were incredibly malicious.

They spoke as if their mouths were full of venom, their words lethal upon utterance.

One moment they would discuss how Miss Ni was cursed with a hard fate, capable of dooming her husband before even crossing his threshold.

The next, they would speculate that the guard was too stupid. Why else would he be the only one to meet with disaster while others were fine?

It clearly showed his martial skills were lacking.

Gradually, the flames of gossip even reached inside the palace.

It was said that this Guard Xia possessed no real ability. He had supposedly climbed the ranks only through his sister’s connections at court.

After all, his sister was a Favored Consort, and he himself was the Prince’s maternal uncle.

The Emperor’s partiality was thus understandable.

Rumors ran wild, spreading exponentially, eventually becoming detailed and vivid.

Even those who were initially clear-sighted began to believe and waver.

The so-called fear of public opinion is precisely this. Truly, slander wounds like a chill in June!

...

Communication between the palace and the outside world was cut off. Coupled with Zhao Junyao’s deliberate concealment, the Harem remained untouched by rumors and gossip for the time being.

Xia Ruqing was completely unaware of events in the outside world, much less her brother’s situation.

She was well-protected.

All the gossip, malice, and rumors couldn’t hurt her.old her daughter about the malicious words circulating outside, nor allowed anyone to gossip carelessly in her presence.

And so, she persisted for several days.

As May was drawing to a close and June approached, the rumors and gossip outside only grew worse instead of subsiding.

Lady Ni felt despair welling up from the depths of her heart.

One day, she knelt in the small Buddhist hall, tearfully praying and beseeching Buddha.

She was about to make some vow, praying for Buddha’s blessing and protection.

But before she could finish her prayer, a young maid came rushing in.

"It’s terrible, Madam! Miss Ni has disappeared!"

Lady Ni was stunned, instantly panicked.

"What did you say?"

Not bothering with questions or further thought, Lady Ni lifted her skirts and hurried out in a frantic rush.

"Manxue..."

"Manxue!"

She opened the door to the boudoir to find it utterly empty.