A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 476 - 478: Third-rank Marquis Zhongyong

He could hardly believe it when Li Shengan reported with overjoyed excitement, "He’s back, he’s back! He’s at Zheng Qianhu Manor right now! I heard he’s... sustained severe injuries!""Zheng Qianhu is searching the entire Capital City for a doctor!"

It took Zhao Junyao a moment to recover his senses. His eyes were bloodshot, and his facial muscles trembled with excitement.

"Damn it, this kid! I knew he was still alive!"

"Who is Zheng Qianhu? Bring him to the palace..."

"Forget it. It’s not easy to move a patient, so let him stay there. Send for an Imperial Physician to go to him!"

"Remember, have Imperial Doctor Zhang go!"

Li Shengan hurriedly reminded, "Your Majesty, in the Imperial Medical Bureau, Imperial Doctor Chen is the one who treats injuries to muscles and bones..."

Zhao Junyao waved his hand impatiently. "Whoever it is, as long as they can cure him, just have them hurry over. Quickly! Right now, immediately!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!" Li Shengan ran out like the wind.

As he left the palace, his own face was filled with happiness.

What wonderful news, truly great news! he thought. Commander Xia isn’t dead. Some scoundrels must be having a tough time now!

This remark was about Commander Xia’s peculiar parents. Even Li Shengan couldn’t bear to watch their antics.

Who ever heard of parents whose son dies, and instead of searching for him, they’re thinking about how to get rewards, how to break off a marriage, and how to sever ties! Anyone with a shred of humanity wouldn’t do such things. Fortunately, these scandalous matters have long since spread like wildfire; no one could claim ignorance. I’ll just wait and see how the Xia couple will handle this! Hmph! Just you wait and see!

「Zheng Mansion.」

Xia Tingfeng lay unconscious in bed.

Imperial Doctor Chen came to examine him and, after making a diagnosis, said, "Commander Xia’s main injury is on his back. It’s a large gash that looks like it was made by a knife. He’s unconscious due to excessive blood loss! It’s fortunate he was discovered early. Otherwise, he might have..."

Tiger’s eyes were already red-rimmed. "Thank you, Imperial Physician! Hurry and write the prescription! My older brother will surely recover!"

"Yes!" After speaking, Imperial Doctor Chen wrote out a prescription, mainly to promote wound healing and replenish his blood and energy.

Rat ran swiftly to fetch the herbs.

Monster, his eyes long swollen from crying, wailed, "Brother, you’re finally back! You have no idea how we’ve managed through these days!" He wept bitterly as he spoke.

Men do not easily shed tears; only when they reach the depths of sorrow.

Tiger’s eyes also reddened. He turned his head and roughly wiped away his tears with his sleeve. "Damn it! If I find out who harmed my brother, I’ll mince them into paste and feed them to the dogs!"

Monster stopped crying too. "Right, right, Brother! We absolutely mustn’t let them off easily!" After saying this, he resumed crying.

When Imperial Doctor Chen returned from outside the palace, he was summoned to the Imperial Study Room by the Emperor.

Zhao Junyao didn’t bother beating around the bush and asked directly, "How is Commander Xia’s injury?"

Imperial Doctor Chen dared not conceal anything and replied, "Your Majesty, Commander Xia is unconscious due to excessive blood loss! There’s a gash on his back, more than a foot long, stretching from his neck to his waist! If he hadn’t been discovered early and his wound promptly bandaged, he would have been dead by now!"

Zhao Junyao’s expression gradually turned grim and menacing. After a moment, he asked again, "How is he now? When will he wake up?"

Imperial Doctor Chen said, "It could be a few days, or as long as half a month. Commander Xia’s condition has stabilized, so Your Majesty need not worry too much."

Zhao Junyao finally felt relieved and waved his hand. "For the next few days, you need not attend your duties in the palace. Focus on taking care of Commander Xia. If you manage to heal him quickly, I will reward you handsomely. But if there’s any mishap..."

Imperial Doctor Chen’s expression stiffened. "This subject will dedicate all his efforts!"

Zhao Junyao nodded. Imperial Doctor Chen took his leave.

There was essentially no turmoil within the palace. The concubines in the Harem went about their days as usual. The only difference was... for the past two days, the Emperor seemed to be in a particularly good mood.

Why? Because, for no apparent reason, the Emperor had bestowed rewards for two consecutive days. The first day, he rewarded each person with several dishes. The second day, each was rewarded with Silver, jewelry, and clothing, apportioned according to rank. Everyone received something, even the seventh-rank Ladies! All the women of the Harem were very happy.

Xia Ruqing looked at the pile of rewards on the table: two sets of clothing, a set of headdresses, a box of Zhen Zhu, and a case of loose Silver Taels.

Her heart was filled with confusion. What’s this... Did the Emperor stumble upon some joyous occasion?

Zi Yue, while tallying the items, said with a smile, "The Emperor has been very busy lately; he hasn’t visited the Harem in over half a month! Little Zhuzi mentioned that the lights in Zhaochen Palace have been staying on late into the night! I suppose the Emperor must have solved some major problem!" Zi Yue didn’t elaborate.

Xia Ruqing smiled and didn’t inquire further. There was no point in asking about matters of the court, and besides, the Emperor didn’t need to report everything to her, did he?

With that thought, Xia Ruqing instructed, "Put these things away."

"Yes!" Zi Yue acknowledged and went out.

As June arrived, the weather grew hot, and she became even less inclined to go out. She continued to spend her days with Little Bun, teaching him to write, read, and narrating stories.

Then, surprisingly, Zhao Junyao suddenly appeared in the afternoon.

Having not seen him for half a month, she was startled by his appearance. "Your Majesty, how come... you look so scruffy? And you’ve lost weight too?"

Zhao Junyao felt a bit awkward. Unsure whether to tell her, he just mumbled vaguely, "I encountered some issues and was worried for a while, but thankfully, they’ve been resolved."

Xia Ruqing offered him a cup of tea with a smile. "You’ve worked hard, Your Majesty."

Zhao Junyao took the tea and sipped it. It was the familiar taste. He smiled. "Mm."

Seeing how weary he looked, Xia Ruqing asked with concern, "Your Majesty, have you eaten? Are you hungry? Should I get something for you to eat?"

Zhao Junyao shook his head. "No need."

Xia Ruqing asked again, "Then, Your Majesty, are you feeling hot? Would you like me to add more ice?"

Zhao Junyao still shook his head.

Xia Ruqing pondered for a moment, and something suddenly occurred to her. Just as she was about to speak, Zhao Junyao stopped her. He swept her into his arms, holding her tightly as he walked towards the bed.

"Ah!" Xia Ruqing felt her feet leave the ground and cried out in surprise. When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on the bed.

Blushing, she protested, "Your Majesty, it’s broad daylight!"

With a wave of his large hand, Zhao Junyao pulled down the bed curtains. "So what if it’s broad daylight?" With that said, he lay down.

They lay very close, each able to hear the other’s heartbeat and breathing.

Xia Ruqing thought he was about to do something more, her body tensing, not daring to move a muscle.

However, after Zhao Junyao lay down, he merely held her in his arms. "Qingqing, I’m tired. Sleep with me for a while."

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright!"

Sleeping was good! The anxiety in her heart finally subsided. She closed her eyes peacefully and soon fell asleep.

Zhao Junyao did the same; he closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.