A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 477

Finally, he could get a good night’s sleep. He had forgotten how long it had been since he slept well.「...」

Zhao Junyao was well experienced. He had not experienced even a slight disturbance in the palace. But outside the palace, it was still a hotbed of gossip. The common people would talk about all sorts of things over tea and meals, especially when they found out that Young Master Xia was not dead, but simply injured and rescued by someone. The topics for the common people became even richer. Some said that Miss Ni and General Xia were a perfect match of talent and beauty. Others said that one was shameless and the other was worthless! In short, there was all kinds of talk. A huge stir arose, with one wave of controversy greater than the last. Miss Ni and Xia Tingfeng were caught in this maelstrom and could not extricate themselves for a long time.

However, having experienced life and death, would Miss Ni still be afraid of these things? Besides, such rumors would hardly dare to be maliciously spread to General Xia’s manor. That is to say, Miss Ni couldn’t hear any of it at all!

When she returned, she had only sustained minor injuries. Lady Ni, holding her daughter, wept and then called for the doctor to examine her, but did not blame her too much. She merely punished the Maid named Dong’er.

Lady Ni said sternly, "If you dare to indulge the young miss in such reckless behavior again, I will have no choice but to sell you!"

Dong’er kowtowed, admitting her mistake and begging for mercy, while Miss Ni also hurried to her defense. In the end, Lady Ni did not punish her severely but was extremely frightened inside.

Ni Manxue, seeing the overnight aging faces of her parents, had moist eyes. "Mother, I’ve been an unfilial daughter!"

Lady Ni sighed. "It’s good that you are back. You must not do this again!"

"Yes!" Miss Ni nodded.

「...」

Parents are all the same.

The Xia Family had a completely different attitude towards the safe return of Xia Tingfeng, their son born of a concubine.

When Lady Yao received the news, she panicked. "What did you say? He’s still alive?"

Lady Yao grabbed the collar of the Servant boy who brought the news and asked fiercely.

The Servant boy, terrified, nodded tremblingly. "Yes, Madam, the eldest young master is not dead!"

Furious, Lady Yao pushed the Servant boy away and shattered many teacups in the room. "That bastard, he’s certainly hard to kill! He’s been missing for so many days and still isn’t dead. Is this some kind of trick?!"

The Emperor bestowed so much gold, silver, and jewelry as compensation! Will he take it back? And that shameless Miss Ni, is she still going to marry into our family? If Xia Tingfeng finds out we never even looked for him, took the reward money, and then forced the breaking of the engagement, what will he do?

Lady Yao didn’t dare to think any further! Seeing the Servant boy still kneeling on the ground, she yelled impatiently, "Get out!"

Then, she stormed out to find Old Master Xia!

「...」

In the front courtyard study, Old Master Xia also received the news. He felt deeply uneasy.

Son of a concubine or not, he is, after all, my son. Maternal Aunt Wen has been with me for most of her life, bearing me children. And he is her only son. I’ve been so heartless; truly too cold-blooded. If I had sent people to search, who knows, he might have been found, right?! Now, someone else found him and brought him back, not even to our home, but to Zheng Qianhu Manor. This is a slap in my face! What’s more, I don’t even have the standing to claim him. We didn’t even bother to search, so what right do we have to demand his return?!

The more Old Master Xia thought, the guiltier he felt, his face burning with shame.

Just then, a Servant boy suddenly came to report, "Old Master, Madam has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Xia immediately grew angry. "Her timing is impeccable!"

With a dismissive wave of his hand, he said, "Let her in!"

"Yes!" The Servant boy, sensing the tense atmosphere, acknowledged and ran off like a puff of smoke.

A moment later, Lady Yao stormed in. Without beating around the bush, she got straight to the point. "Old Master! That boy is still alive!"

Old Master Xia slapped her. "What ’that boy’? He is my son! A son born of a concubine is still my son!"hey wouldn’t have received a warm welcome!

「...」

Imperial Doctor Chen was ordered to treat Commander Xia’s injuries at the Zheng Mansion. Every day, he adjusted the prescription according to Commander Xia’s injuries and condition. The medicines were all precious items bestowed from the palace, extremely potent. To prevent sweating and infection in his wounds, the Emperor had even specially bestowed ice! In the modest room, four or five basins of ice were laid out, keeping it very cool.

After taking the high-quality medicines for six or seven days, Xia Tingfeng showed signs of waking up.

Imperial Doctor Chen was delighted. "I had thought he’d wake up in about ten days, but to think he would awaken in just six or seven! He truly is young!"

"That’s right! Who do they think our Big Brother is?"

"As the saying goes, those who survive a great disaster are destined for future fortune. Our Big Brother is meant to achieve great things!"

The three brothers were full of pride.

The envoy sent by the Emperor also guarded him day and night and was very pleased.

Is he finally going to wake up? The Emperor will surely reward us generously when we return! Silver is secondary; the main thing is the honor!

The more they thought about it, the happier everyone became!

「...」

Indeed, by the early morning of the next day, Xia Tingfeng opened his eyes.

First, there was pain—pain all over, especially his back, which burned as if it had been cut with a knife and then sprinkled with salt. Then, a profound weakness! His blood felt drained, leaving him limp; he couldn’t muster any strength in his limbs. Lastly, thirst! His throat felt like it was on fire, parched and rough.

He furrowed his brows tightly, calling out subconsciously, "Come... someone... water..." His voice was low and hoarse, so weak it was almost inaudible.

Fortunately, people were always on guard outside, paying close attention. When they heard the movement inside, someone immediately rushed in.

"Has he woken up?" The one who asked was Rat.

Imperial Doctor Chen wasn’t there, but his attendant was on duty. The attendant immediately lit the lamp to take a look and confirmed, "He’s awake!"

That single sentence, those two words, brought tears streaming down their faces. Three grown men cried out loud, tears and snot mingling—it was quite a spectacle.

The attendant jumped in shock and muttered to himself, He’s woken up, not dead!

Rat wiped away his tears and scolded angrily, "Get out! Stop talking about death! Go, go, go!"

The attendant: "..."

With a shake of his head, he had to leave. These masters are too much! I can’t afford to offend them!