A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 532: Qingqing, don’t cry...

Her eyes dropped. Suddenly, she saw a hint of bright yellow behind the swing. Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat. Could it really be him?She hurriedly stood up to show respect. Zhao Junyao pressed down on her with one hand.

"Don’t move, sit tight, I’ll swing for you!"

His voice was deep, magnetic, and carried a hint of long-lost indulgence. Xia Ruqing’s heart stirred, and her nose tingled. For some reason, she really wanted to cry.

Obediently, she sat on the swing, neither rising nor moving. She softly said, "Okay!"

Behind her, Zhao Junyao’s lips gently curled. A pair of eyes usually filled with frost now became exceptionally tender, like a warm spring delicately trickling under the sunshine, gentle and soothing.

The autumn breeze remained chilly. Xia Ruqing’s skirt fluttered behind her in the wind, clinging tightly to Zhao Junyao’s Dragon Robe. Their garments entwined recklessly in the breeze, just like their hearts.

"Emperor, your concubine knows her mistake!" she said softly.

Zhao Junyao gently swung her, cradling her, holding her in his arms.

"Mhm!"

"I was wrong, too. I shouldn’t have bullied you like that!"

Before he finished speaking, her eyes reddened. Tears ran down her cheeks, falling one by one.

Zhao Junyao grew a little flustered and quickly moved in front of her. With his warm yet coarse hand, he wiped away her tears, one by one.

"Qingqing, don’t cry..."

"Don’t cry, I know I was wrong!"

Li Shengan, standing not far away, felt his world explode. His heart felt as if someone had thrown a string of firecrackers into it. CRACKLING, it shattered all the preconceptions he had ever held.

The Emperor apologizing to Concubines!

Who has ever heard of such a thing? Anyway, he had served in the palace for most of his life and had never heard of it!

It’s as rare as ascending to the skies!

No, rarer than reaching the heavens!

So, without thinking, he buried his head towards his knees and slipped away. Run far, run fast, and don’t listen to a single word!

「Meanwhile.」

Xia Ruqing cried harder and harder, her words muffled through sobs. "Emperor, your concubine shouldn’t have kicked you!"

Zhao Junyao held her in his arms, his heart aching with tenderness. "It’s not your fault; I was the one who bullied you first!"

...

Li Shengan had run off. Zi Yue, carrying pastries, emerged just in time to overhear this snippet of conversation. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NoveI-Fire.ɴet

Kicked you?

Her master meant... she kicked the Emperor?

...

Zi Yue, pale as a sheet, turned around with the pastries. Zi Su and Zi Ning were baffled.

"Sister Zi Yue, why did you come back..."

Zi Yue put down the pastries and firmly ordered, "From now on, no one is allowed in the courtyard! Zi Su, go tell the Wetnurse Nanny not to leave her room. The rest of us will go to the back courtyard!"

"Yes!"

Zi Su hurried off.

As they passed the front courtyard, they saw from afar the Emperor and Her Ladyship speaking near the swing. What they were saying was unclear, and they didn’t dare to look, lowering their heads as they headed to the back courtyard.

「Next to the swing.」

After Xia Ruqing had cried her fill, she began to speak between sobs, "Emperor, can you tell me why you were angry?"

After all, they had enjoyed a delicious meal together just before going to bed. It made no sense for him to be angry right after getting into bed! She just couldn’t understand.

Zhao Junyao was silent for a moment, then he voiced his thoughts. "You neglected me! Ever since our son was born, your attention hasn’t been on me at all! When we go to bed, you’re still listening with perked ears... Listening for what? Your mind clearly isn’t with me."

As soon as Zhao Junyao said this, Xia Ruqing thought for a moment and then lowered her head.

It seemed... it was really true... She no longer acted coquettishly toward him as before, or clung to him. She no longer thought of making him delicious food. Even lying in bed, she had become distracted. Before, she would have snuggled straight into his arms.

How long had he... endured these little, subtle changes? He must have felt very disappointed every time he came.

Yes, playing with Little Bun was warm and sweet for the three of them. But Little Bun still knew to lie in his father’s arms, giggling and making a fuss. She, on the other hand, had her eyes glued to Little Bun all the time. How long had it been since she had properly looked at him?

The more she thought about it, the redder Xia Ruqing’s face became, and she bowed her head lower.

Zhao Junyao hadn’t just stormed off but had endured for so long. It must be true love, right... Genuine affection! I’m really courting disaster!

Seeing her like this, Zhao Junyao’s arms tightened around her. "Don’t be afraid. No one will dare to harm the child. I am his father too!"

When appropriate, you could pay more attention to other things, like... me! Such a brazen thought was naturally not suitable to voice at this moment.

Xia Ruqing was teary-eyed. "Emperor, but..."

"Since I gave birth, I’ve been too embarrassed to act coquettishly with you, always feeling..." ...it’s inappropriate!

She feared he might say, ’You’re a mother now, can’t you be more composed?’ Or perhaps, ’What nonsense are you always thinking about?’ So, she felt quite embarrassed too.

Actually, I also feel that... even after having a child, one doesn’t have to be so serious. Who says that after having a child, one can’t be coquettish or cute? Who says that after having a child, one has to act old and stodgy? Who says that after having a child, one can’t have a life of their own? Must one’s whole day revolve around the child?

Regret suddenly stirred in Zhao Junyao’s heart. If only I had spoken out earlier, could this conflict have been avoided? It turned out she disliked that way of life too.

Zhao Junyao held her and gently kissed her forehead. "Come! I’ll take you somewhere!"

After saying that, he pulled her up. She instinctively panicked, subconsciously thinking of Little Bun. But then... she hesitated for a moment and held back. Those people were chosen by the Emperor; they could be trusted.

So... she just smiled and hooked her arm through Zhao Junyao’s. "Alright!"

She followed his steps.

Little Bun, be good at home, and Mom will bring you some delicious treats back! HAHA!

Thinking this, the smile on her face became even more brilliant.

After leaving the Harem, the couple went to Zhaochen Palace to change their clothes.

「Just before leaving the palace.」

Zhao Junyao instructed Li Shengan, "Keep a close watch on the Little Prince. If he loses even a single hair, bring me your head!"

Li Shengan was terrified and quickly assured compliance. This time, Xia Ruqing completely relaxed.

...

Having changed into casual attire, Zhao Junyao rode a horse with her nestled in his arms, and they galloped out of the palace. Wrapped in a rose-red cloak, Xia Ruqing leaned against him, not feeling the cold, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

"Emperor, I understand now!"

The wind whooshed past their ears. Zhao Junyao was in high spirits, his robes fluttering.

"What do you understand?"

"The Prince shouldn’t be spoiled. Care is necessary, but it must be in moderation. We have to let him learn independence..."

Children in ancient times were utterly different from those in modern days. In ancient times, children began their education at three, formally attended school at five, and started learning martial arts at seven. They had to wake up before dawn for their studies, regardless of the summer heat or the freezing winter, day after day, rising with the roosters. By fifteen, they were considered adults, old enough to marry and have children.