Chapter 375 Hunting

Hua Cha was right.

Honored Lady Jiang didn’t care about the Emperor at all.

Born with a beauty that outshone even the most luxurious flowers, her exceptional looks stood out even amidst the splendor of the Harem. From a young age, she took great pride in her beauty. Furthermore, she was an official’s daughter. She was raised in luxury with fine clothes and delectable food and had received some education in poetry and literature. Consequently, she grew arrogant. The matchmakers practically wore out her doorstep with proposals, but she looked down on all of them.

She had never imagined becoming anyone’s concubine in this lifetime, not even the Emperor’s.

With all his lesser wives, how could he possibly be worthy of me?

However, man’s plans cannot compare to Heaven’s, and she ended up in the palace after all.

Fortunately, the Emperor did not seem to fancy her. He had shared her bed just once without touching her.

This is excellent; I have no desire to serve him anyway.

Unless it was someone completely devoted to her, she would not easily yield her body.

Living a pure and untainted life like this doesn’t seem too bad.

I’m a Honored Lady, I have food and drink, I don’t offend anyone, and life isn’t too difficult.

Of course, even if it were a bit harder, it wouldn’t matter. I don’t care; I only want to maintain my purity.

After picking flowers for a while, she returned with Hua Cha.

The incident with the Emperor in the Imperial Garden didn’t weigh on her mind at all.

But unbeknownst to her, others had taken notice.

「...」

Qingya Residence

When Zhao Junyao arrived, Xia Ruqing had yet to wake up.

The more advanced her pregnancy, the more she loved to sleep.

"How long has she been asleep?" Zhao Junyao asked Zi Yue and the others.

Zi Yue calculated the time.

"My Lady fell asleep after walking for half a Shi Chen following her lunch. She woke up once in between and has now been asleep for less than another Shi Chen!"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

Almost one Shi Chen should be enough,

he mused, gently patting her face to wake her.

"Qingqing..."

"Wake up, it’s time for your meal!"

Zhao Junyao called her several times before she sleepily opened her eyes.

She was dazed for quite a while before coming to her senses.

"Emperor... What brings you here!" she said, attempting to rise.

Zhao Junyao helped her sit up, touched her forehead, then her belly. Relieved, he smiled and said, "What, can’t I come?"

Xia Ruqing paused to gather her wits, then grinned.

"Of course, you can!"

Zhao Junyao coaxed her, "Get up and wash your face. See, it’s already dark!"

Xia Ruqing looked outside, still dazed, and was slightly shocked.

"How did I sleep for so long? It really is about to get dark!"

With that, she hastened to get up.

Zi Yue had already brought in water, and she washed her face with it.

After drinking half a bowl of plain water, her throat felt less uncomfortable.

Xiao Xizi had already gone to fetch the meal.

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment and also sent Li Shengan to pass on the meal order.

"Bring up some light and tasty dishes; skip the elaborate ones!"

Li Shengan agreed and went off.

In truth, one person could never finish the amount of food served.

But that was the custom in the Harem. The imperial meal was served at Qingya Residence. Since Xia Jieyu’s meal couldn’t be dismissed, their meals were combined.

In the end, after picking and choosing, the leftovers would be rewarded to the Palace Attendants.

It wasn’t wasteful.

Despite the continuous simplification, the evening meal still ended up covering a large table. There were meat and vegetarian dishes, soups, other vegetable preparations, pastries, and fruits—everything one could wish for. Although all dishes were chosen for their lightness and simplicity, when laid out together, the spread was still dazzlingly exquisite.

Xia Ruqing particularly loved a dish of tender bok choy stewed in chicken broth. It was tender and fresh, each bite crisp, savory, and delightful. She finished the bok choy and poured the remaining broth over her rice. Eating it with a small spoon, she savored each mouthful, clearly enjoying her food.

Though her manners might seem a bit unrefined, her enjoyment was genuine and far preferable to the pretentious and affected airs some others put on.

Watching her, Zhao Junyao’s smile never waned, and he even found himself eating an extra bowl of rice.

After dinner, Xia Ruqing didn’t dare to remain seated. She took a stroll around the courtyard.

Her belly, at nearly eight months, was indeed quite large, making walking very strenuous. But Xia Ruqing, for the sake of a smoother delivery, had been forcing herself to exercise. She moved around after meals and exercised early in the morning. Despite sleeping and eating a lot, she surprisingly hadn’t gained much weight. Her slender calves, in particular, hadn’t thickened in the slightest from all the walking. From behind, you couldn’t even tell she was pregnant.

Zhao Junyao walked with her, slowly accompanying her.

Incidentally, he told her about his plans to leave the palace and go hunting with the Military Generals.

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised.

"Emperor, is my brother going too?"

Zhao Junyao nodded, then reassured her. "Don’t be afraid. Li Shengan will remain in the palace, so no one will bully you. Just wait obediently for my return!"

Xia Ruqing was still a bit worried.

I’m so far along in my pregnancy, and both the Emperor and my brother are away... I can’t help but feel a little uneasy.

Zhao Junyao, seeing her genuine unease, laughed and said, "If it’s really troubling you, why don’t you come with me?"

Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head. "I’d rather not! It’s better to stay in the palace!"

Zhao Junyao touched her stomach and warned it in a stern voice, "You behave as well! If I find out you’re bullying your mother, I’ll spank your little bottom!"

Xia Ruqing looked down at her belly, about to laugh, when she suddenly felt a sharp pain.

"OUCH!"

"What’s wrong?" Zhao Junyao’s brow furrowed.

"He... he kicked me!" Xia Ruqing clutched her belly, frowning.

Thankfully, the pain passed quickly. Xia Ruqing soon felt normal again.

Zhao Junyao gave her belly a cold glance.

He said solemnly, "Little rascal, so you won’t even listen? Just wait until you’re out, then I’ll deal with you!"

Xia Ruqing was caught between laughter and tears. "Emperor, you’ve scared the child!"

Zhao Junyao’s brow remained furrowed as he said, "If it’s a little brat, wait and see how I deal with him when he’s out!"

Xia Ruqing asked, amused, "And what if it’s a girl?"

Hearing the words "a girl," Zhao Junyao’s heart instantly melted. His frown smoothed, and his eyes softened into pools of tenderness.

A daughter...?

he thought, his heart turning incredibly soft.

"If she wants to hit someone, she can hit me. She mustn’t hit you!"

The difference in treatment between a son and a daughter is just too vast!

Xia Ruqing thought.

They strolled outside for a while longer. As the night air grew cool, the two returned indoors.

After a simple wash-up, they went to bed early.

Zhao Junyao spent one night at the Qingya Residence.

For the next two nights, he remained at Zhaochen Palace, going nowhere else.

「...」

Three days later, early in the morning, all the Military Generals were waiting at Dexuan Gate to receive the Emperor.

Commander Xia led the Imperial Forest Army in attendance. The Military Generals were arrayed on both sides. Upon seeing the Emperor, they knelt on one knee and acclaimed, "Long live Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao, dressed in a black riding suit and mounted on Chaser of the Wind, his Sweat Blood Precious Horse, emerged from Dexuan Gate at a leisurely pace.

"My loyal subjects, please rise!" he said with a smile.

He then glanced around. Noticing that since he had chosen not to bring any female companions, the Military Generals had also come without theirs, he was quite pleased. This was good too. It was a straightforward affair with only men present, meaning they could return sooner. He was, after all, somewhat worried about Qingqing back in the palace.

「...」

The Emperor had arrived, and the assembly was complete.

All the Military Generals mounted their horses.

The procession departed the palace, taking the main road of the Capital City towards the outskirts.