A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 533: Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion

The Princes of the Royal Family, at this time, must stand on their own.If it’s the Crown Prince, it’s only more exhausting.

Just look at Zhao Junyao.

He was made Crown Prince at ten and ascended to the throne at nineteen.

By the time he was enthroned, there was already a group of women in the harem.

If he was lucky, or if the women in the harem were well-behaved, he likely already had a bunch of children by then.

And upon his enthronement, he had to rule personally, managing the affairs of the whole world.

All decisions had to be made by himself.

He had to match wits with the Imperial Court Officials, controlling the ever-changing political climate.

He had to have a discerning eye to distinguish the loyal ministers from the sycophants.

He had to be brave and resolute; he had to have both courage and strategy. Read full story at novelFɪre.net

In short, he had to shoulder the entire kingdom.

So... there wasn’t much time for him to grow up.

In contrast, the modern era is different, with kindergarten, primary, middle, and high school.

University entrance exams at eighteen, graduation at twenty-two after four years of college.

After so many years of school, upon entering society, one would still need to continue to gain experience.

By the time one has learned enough, they’re practically approaching thirty...

COUGH COUGH!

Approaching thirty? In ancient times, one could be a grandfather in their thirties—terrifying!

All along the way, Xia Ruqing pondered a heap of things, feeling even more that what she had done was wrong.

In the future, I should let him stand on his own!

An overindulgent mother leads to a failed child.

My son, you must not lose at the starting line!

I don’t expect you to be the Crown Prince or Emperor, but even as a Prince, you can’t be a fool, can you?

「Half a Shi Chen later, they finally arrived.」

Upon dismounting, Xia Ruqing was surprised.

"Emperor, where is this? What a grand mansion!"

Zhao Junyao smiled faintly.

"Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion!"

She was stunned for a good while before she reacted, realizing what Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion signified. Her face immediately lit up with surprise.

"My brother?"

"Emperor... my brother, how come..."

She was visibly embarrassed.

Zhao Junyao, as usual, ruffled her hair and said with a smile, "For the suppression of bandits, he almost lost his life! This title of Marquis Zhongyong is his due reward!"

Xia Ruqing nodded, thinking it made sense, then continued to survey the mansion.

"Emperor, may I enter?"

Zhao Junyao gave a slight nod, but said with a smile, "You have just a quarter of an hour’s time! There are still craftsmen inside waiting to work!"

Xia Ruqing nodded and hurriedly entered.

Wearing a veil, she was not afraid of people seeing her face, and she was following the Emperor. No one dared to stare at her recklessly.

This mansion was left by a princess from an ancestral generation who wasn’t much favored. Among the many princess’s mansions, it was considered small. But for a mere Third-rank Marquis, it was already sufficiently grand. It was exceptionally good. After all, it was a genuine mansion. The earlier ones purchased for several hundred taels of silver were at most... a courtyard. Or maybe... a house.

In a quarter of an hour, one could only tour the front courtyard.

The front courtyard was large, with a study, bedroom, kitchen, tea room, and even servant’s quarters and a storeroom. All were sizable, clearly positioned, with distinct boundaries. Though the building was ancient, it also exuded precision. It reflected the meticulousness inherent in royal rules.

"Emperor, such a big place, my brother living alone... Is the back courtyard even larger?"

I really want to see it...

However, she could not overstep her bounds. It was already against the rules for Palace Consorts to leave the palace. Whether in an ordinary prominent household or among nobility like a marquis, concubines were not expected to be seen in public. Going out and showing one’s face was even worse. Following one’s husband outside once or twice was fine, but too often and she would not be well-received. Thus, she wore a veil when going out so as not to appear frivolous.

Alas, there are so many rules!

Zhao Junyao looked at her with a smile.

"It’s quite large, with over a dozen courtyards, large and small, all being renovated. It’s not suitable for visiting!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t mention it again.

"Emperor, when is my brother’s wedding?"

She couldn’t attend, but it was still possible to send some gifts.

Zhao Junyao frowned.

"I only know it’s in the twelfth month, no specifics!"

Indeed, he didn’t know when his subjects were getting married.

Xia Ruqing was speechless. She quickly went forward obsequiously.

"The Emperor manages myriad affairs; there’s no need to remember deliberately. Someone will remind you when the time comes!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled.

"You sly thing. Let’s go!"

After saying that, he took her and left.

Xia Ruqing felt somewhat reluctant. Had a quarter of an hour just... passed like that?

It was also precisely noon, and she was indeed hungry. Her stomach was even grumbling.

Zhao Junyao gently patted her a few times, then said with a laugh, "Let’s go, time to eat!"

"Mm!"

Xia Ruqing nodded and exited the mansion, mounting her horse and riding for a while.

They reached a bustling street.

As soon as she dismounted, her gaze was drawn to a string of stalls by the roadside. Sesame seed cakes, wontons, candied haws, fried New Year cakes, fried dumplings, fried dough sticks... The array was dazzling.

Xia Ruqing’s mouth was practically watering.

"My lord..."

Zhao Junyao was a bit puzzled.

"What’s the matter with you?"

Xia Ruqing pulled at his sleeve coquettishly.

"My lord, let’s eat at a street stall! I want to eat sesame seed cakes!"

Amidst the noisy crowd, Zhao Junyao didn’t hear her clearly and looked bemused.

"What illness?"

Xia Ruqing looked at him with wide eyes, half laughing and half crying.

"Sesame seed cake!"

She pointed to a vendor not far away. The small oven, plastered with red mud, was shaped into a large dome. A male vendor and a woman worked together; one kneaded dough, the other stuck the kneaded cakes into the oven. Beneath was fire, harnessed with a curved interior to focus the heat, baking the cakes to perfection. Xia Ruqing had seen this type of sesame seed cake in modern times too; it was both crispy and flaky, absolutely delicious!

"That one over there!"

Zhao Junyao, seeing her excitement, didn’t quite understand what it was all about but still decided to accompany Qingqing.

Xia Ruqing was overjoyed.

"Thank you so much, my lord!"

Zhao Junyao’s lips curved in a smile.

"Let’s go!"

Saying this, he took Xia Ruqing’s hand and walked toward the vendor.

"Oh, dear customers, what would you like to order?"

Xia Ruqing crisply replied, "Two sesame seed cakes!"

"Right away!"

The vendor was quick and agile, swiftly taking out two sesame seed cakes from the oven, wrapping them carefully in wax paper, then sprinkling a layer of sesame seeds on top.

"Madam, your sesame seed cakes!"

Xia Ruqing was delighted.

"How much are they?"

The vendor’s wife smiled warmly.

"Madam, two sesame seed cakes cost four cash."

Xia Ruqing was a bit stunned. Four cash... how much is that? Is that the same as four copper coins?

She looked at Zhao Junyao with a puzzled face.

Zhao Junyao knew the answer; he wasn’t the kind of oblivious emperor who would ask, "Why don’t the people eat meat paste?" His whole heart, from childhood to adulthood, was dedicated to the Great Chu Dynasty. So, of course, he knew everything about the people’s livelihood and major state affairs.

He said, "’Four cash’ means four copper coins!"

Qingqing, coming from a large and well-off family, a sheltered young lady, was naturally unfamiliar with such matters; it was not strange for her not to know.

Xia Ruqing was then bewildered; this was too cheap.

Four copper coins, how to give that? She only had several taels of Small Pieces Silver on her.