Chapter 496: The Traveling Palace

"You can only have one! No more!"

The maltose candy was personally made by the head chef of the Imperial Kitchen. It came with a smooth bamboo stick, similar to a lollipop.

In ancient times, cane sugar was precious, affordable only for the Royal Family and nobility. However, for children, consuming too much cane sugar was bad for their teeth. The less sweet maltose was just right. Not only did it not harm teeth, but it was also rich in various vitamins and trace elements beneficial for children’s growth and development. It was somewhat like honey. However, it wasn’t very good for children to eat honey. After weighing the options, maltose was still the best.

Little Bun held the candy in his mouth, giggling joyfully. Soon, he was drooling all over the place.

Xia Ruqing eyed him with disdain.

Her son is definitely going to be a foodie in the future.

Thinking this, she took a handkerchief and wrapped it around Little Bun’s neck.

"There, now it won’t drip down your neck!"

Zi Yue, standing nearby, chuckled. "What a great idea, My Lady!"

Exhausted, Xia Ruqing leaned against the small quilts behind her and wailed to the heavens, "When will we ever get there!"

"My Lady, we will arrive by evening!"

Xia Ruqing closed her eyes, deeply missing the high-speed trains, bullet trains, and airplanes of the 21st century. This journey of just over two hundred miles had taken three days.

Three days! She simply could not imagine!

Actually, Zhao Junyao couldn’t imagine it either. Riding a horse, he would have arrived in just one night. Traveling with these women, scholars, and court officials had taken them three days.

"’So slow!’" they lamented in unison, one in the lead carriage and one riding behind.

It was almost dark when they finally reached the temporary palace. This place could also be considered The Summer Resort. Nestled against mountains and beside water, it boasted beautiful scenery. Most importantly, the climate was pleasant. While it was somewhat hot in the south, it was much cooler here.

When disembarking from the carriage, Xia Ruqing recalled two lines of poetry:

’The world’s fragrant April flowers have withered, but the mountain temple’s peach blossoms have just begun to bloom!’

This place was just like the mountain temple described in the verse—tranquil and beautiful.

Of course, the main thing is the coolness!

It was too dark to see what the scenery truly looked like. After Xia Ruqing arrived at her courtyard with Little Bun, they both washed up and went to sleep.

The next day, before she had even gotten up, someone from the Empress’s side arrived. The main message conveyed was, "There’s no need to be overly formal. While we’re away from the palace, you don’t have to come pay respects!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing rolled over and went back to sleep.

She hadn’t slept well for three days; heaven knows how tired she was!

Just as she was dozing off, she sensed someone beside her.

Xia Ruqing immediately woke up. "Emperor?!"

She gasped in surprise.

Zhao Junyao looked weary, his eyes heavy as he struggled to keep them open. A faint scent of alcohol emanated from him.

"Your Majesty, have you been drinking?"

Xia Ruqing attempted to get up, but Zhao Junyao pulled her back abruptly.

"Qingqing... don’t move!"

Xia Ruqing’s nose bumped against his hard chest, the impact bringing tears to her eyes. Zhao Junyao, however, didn’t stir at all, remaining half-asleep, half-dreaming.

Xia Ruqing rubbed her nose and suggested again, "Your Majesty, should I brew you a bowl of hangover soup?"

Zhao Junyao clung to her tightly once more. "No need to go. Just be good and stay still! Let me hold you for a while."

Xia Ruqing was somewhat puzzled, but she dared not move and stayed obediently. She muttered softly to herself,

Is he really drunk or not?

Zhao Junyao stroked her head and said casually, "I’m not drunk."

Xia Ruqing nodded earnestly. "Then, Your Majesty, who were you drinking with?"

Zhao Junyao paused for a moment before speaking directly. "Xia Tingfeng!" Then he added, "Hmm, Yang Chenyi, and some others I’ve forgotten."

Xia Ruqing looked exasperated as she teased him, "You’re definitely not drunk, Your Majesty. You’re just... a bit slow on the uptake, that’s all!"

Zhao Junyao acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued sleeping. Xia Ruqing didn’t dare move and just lay obediently in his arms.

With nothing else to do, she began to size him up. Her gaze started from his perfectly flawless, supremely handsome face, moving down to the robust, hard muscles of his chest. Then to his eight-pack abs, followed by his Adonis belt, and further down...

Ahem.

Actually, she couldn’t see anything below his chest muscles; she had to rely mainly on touch. Her small hands roamed over the unbelievably handsome man’s body, touching, caressing...

Oh yes!

The Emperor’s physique is truly perfect! She couldn’t be blamed for her shameless, roving hands!

As she continued her exploration, Xia Ruqing felt that something wasn’t quite right.

How come... it’s getting hotter and hotter? The Summer Resort is quite cool; at night, you even need a blanket to sleep! It shouldn’t be this hot...

"AH!"

Her lips were suddenly caught in a bite. The next second, the world spun around, and Zhao Junyao, with a surge of strength in his arms, pulled her on top of him.

Xia Ruqing’s cheeks reddened.

Could it be... time for woman on top? Guanyin Sitting on Lotus? Ahem, I don’t think I’m quite up to it! It always takes so long; I’ll be exhausted to death!

Xia Ruqing suddenly had a startling realization:

When had I become so corrupted? That I could even think of such things. But then again, on reflection, he and I have already had a child together, so what’s off-limits? My own husband, can’t I fantasize about him? Which 21st-century girl hasn’t fantasized about a few male celebrities?! None of them could possibly compare to my own Emperor husband.

With that thought, she felt much more at ease.

Actually, Zhao Junyao wasn’t doing anything in particular, just holding her in this strange position. It was unclear whether he was asleep or awake.

Xia Ruqing, utterly bored, started to chat with him intermittently.

When the topic of drinking came up, Zhao Junyao sighed. "Your brother... he can really hold his liquor. As for me... AHEM!"

"He just can’t be dissuaded! Drinking with such a serious injury... You should talk to your sister-in-law later and have her give him a good talking-to!" Zhao Junyao suddenly got gossipy.

But Xia Ruqing was stunned and quickly asked, "Your Majesty, my brother is injured? When did this happen?"

Zhao Junyao answered straightforwardly, "During the bandit suppression!"

Xia Ruqing frowned and thought for a moment. During that time, the Emperor hadn’t entered the Harem for half a month. When she saw him again, his face was haggard. He had lost a lot of weight, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Could it really be... because of this?

Xia Ruqing didn’t dare to ask any more. Matters of the Imperial Court were not for her to inquire too much about, especially concerning her brother’s injury. Asking now wouldn’t yield much. She’d have to find a way to see him to discuss it in detail. Fortunately, now at The Summer Resort, the rules were more relaxed, and meeting her brother wouldn’t be difficult.

Xia Ruqing just obediently lay there, motionless.

Zhao Junyao felt his body growing hotter and hotter. Actually, his little brother had reacted a while ago; it was just that his brain was half a beat too slow. Only now did he realize that he felt the urge for some... activity.

Instantly, while Xia Ruqing wasn’t paying attention, he flipped over and pressed her beneath him.

How could I possibly be on the bottom? I am the Emperor; I would never allow a woman to be on top of me!

With a sweep of his large hand, the bed curtains fell. The bed curtains began to sway rhythmically.