Chapter 833: You Have to Compensate

As for the bedding, there’s even less need to elaborate.

Now that summer is approaching, using a cotton quilt would certainly be too warm.

Xia Ruqing chose a high-quality silk quilt.

Inside it was silk, and on the outside, soft fine silk fabric, which is just another kind of silk.

In short, it was light, soft, breathable, not stuffy, not hot, and extremely comfortable when covering the body.

Even Zhaochen Palace might not be this attentive in its arrangements.

So...

Zhao Junyao had a very restful sleep.

He skipped lunch.

By the time he woke up again, it was already the Shen Hour in the afternoon.

Xia Ruqing had long since awakened.

She was sitting on a large window-side bed, with a calligraphy practice book in hand, practicing her writing stroke by stroke.

Every stroke was neat, calm, and composed.

Unknowingly to her, Zhao Junyao was already standing behind her.

Just waking up, he felt refreshed, his heart’s knots unwinding significantly.

At least it wasn’t so unbearable, and he could gradually digest it internally, rather than feeling suffocated by pain.

"Qingqing!"

He suddenly called out.

Xia Ruqing was startled, her hand trembled, and a massive ink drop fell on a page she had just finished writing.

"..."

"Emperor..."

Xia Ruqing’s eyes were full of grievance.

It’s not the first time, isn’t it?

Zhao Junyao touched his nose, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

But he didn’t know what to say for a moment, making the atmosphere a bit awkward.

Xia Ruqing pursed her lips, aggrieved.

"Emperor, you must compensate!"

Zhao Junyao was somewhat incredulous.

"It’s just a piece of writing, how should I compensate?!"

Xia Ruqing stood up, raising her eyebrows.

"You must compensate with your own writing for me to copy!"

Zhao Junyao was somewhat helpless.

"Haven’t I written plenty for you already?"

"Not enough, I want more!"

Xia Ruqing was completely unyielding, looking up with her big round eyes wide open.

"Alright, alright! I’ll write for you, I’ll write for you!"

Zhao Junyao found it amusing yet exasperating, forgetting even his royal self-reference.

He directly switched to casual "you and I."

Xia Ruqing was delighted.

"Thank you, Emperor!"

After speaking, she hurriedly handed over the papers and brushes with enthusiasm, even shifting the inkstone filled with ink aside.

Making room for him.

Zhao Junyao looked at the freshly laid paper, dipped pen in thick ink.

He shook his head helplessly.

Though not in much of a mood for writing... oh well, write away.

This girl!

Seeing him start writing, Xia Ruqing was overjoyed.

"Emperor, I’ll go order some meals for you, we can eat after you’re done writing!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at her and nodded helplessly.

"Go ahead!"

Thinking inwardly: Why does she only think about eating!

However, he couldn’t help but look forward to it as well?!

"Yes!"

Xia Ruqing happily bent her knees, then hurriedly dashed out.

Once outside.

Zi Yue was quite puzzled, complaining.

"Master, the Emperor is in a bad mood, why do you still act unreasonably, asking the Emperor to write for you!"

Xia Ruqing kept walking, speaking as she moved.

"That’s not just any writing, it’s a scroll of the ’Vajradhara sutra’!"

"The Emperor is feeling troubled, I didn’t know how to console him, but copying scripture and writing might help!"

In fact, as a modern person, she wasn’t interested in these things at all.

But... it’s really a great way to pass the time!

Having something to do, diverting attention, it truly makes one feel much better!

Zi Yue suddenly understood.

"The Noble Consort is indeed wise!"

Xia Ruqing waved her hand dismissively.

"What wisdom! Let’s hurry and order the meals, eating well helps you not miss home!"

Zi Yue was puzzled again.

"Miss home?"

Xia Ruqing realized her slip and didn’t want to explain, so she quickened her pace.

Actually, it’s just an expression.

It means if you’re feeling bad, treat yourself to a good, hearty meal.

When the body feels good, the heart feels a bit better too.

So, whenever she faced difficulties or missed her mother to the point of sadness,

she would eat something nice, take a hot bath, and then have a good sleep.

The next day, seeing the sun rising again, shining on the earth, her heart would brim with hope once more!

Isn’t this wonderful!

Xia Ruqing arrived at the small kitchen but started to worry.

What to eat?

Just enough time, didn’t think on the way here, and now... it’s in such a hurry.

The new kitchen maid from the Chuan region, surnamed Jiang.

Seeing her troubles, she stepped forward to ask.

"Noble Consort, are you dining with the Emperor?"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Indeed, the Emperor is in a bad mood, and I’m not sure what to order, it’s quite difficult!"

She thought of ordering something strong-flavored, but feared Zhao Junyao might not handle it.

After all, this time, it’s not just a simple bad mood.

It’s different from those little tiffs before, she couldn’t mess around!

Chef Jiang suggested with a smile.

"If I may suggest, Noble Consort could order a bit of everything, just to be safe!"

"Then the Emperor can choose whatever he likes, and you can note it down too!"

Xia Ruqing thought for a moment.

"That’s all I can do!"

With that, she called Chef Su over as well.

"The usual palace dishes are not needed. List your hometown’s specialties, and I’ll choose!"

"Also, Jiang, include your snacks. If they taste good, even stall foods are fine!"

The two chefs exchanged glances and both bowed, agreeing readily!

Xia Ruqing smiled with satisfaction, feeling quite proud.

The ancients said: Food and love are human nature.

It means, food and love are innate human instincts, impossible to suppress.

So, she firmly believed that there’s no stomach in the world that can’t be conquered by delicious food!

After one incense-stick time, the menu was presented.

Looking it over, Chef Su’s menu mainly consisted of sweet and sour dishes.

She kept only a crispy sweet and sour fish, not being too fond of the others.

But a few snacks from Yangzhou were quite tempting, so she kept one river delicacy, one dried silk, and one mandarin fish.

Chef Jiang’s menu was mostly spicy and flavorful.

That grilled lamb ribs seemed quite nice, reportedly sprinkled with chili powder, just imagining it makes one drool.

Others included Mapo tofu, boiled fish in chili oil, grilled fish, and simply too tempting to think any further.

Xia Ruqing kept several more dishes.

Then, for congee, it was the most homely preserved egg and lean meat congee, as well as sweet congee, eight-treasure, pumpkin, and sweet potato varieties.

Although these were quite common, seldom eaten by the Imperial family, the congee made was really delicious.

She kept them all.

No need to worry much about desserts; the palace chefs excelled at them.

They made excellent almond tofu and crispy bean pastries.

Besides, Zhao Junyao wasn’t fond of sweets, most went into her own stomach.

No need to overthink tea, what the Emperor liked was already very clear.

Thus, dinner was ordered.

Looking at the finalized menu.

Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up.

"I can’t wait!"

Yet Zi Yue was somewhat apprehensive.

"Noble Consort, are we sure not to include anything from the Imperial Kitchen? These are all new dishes, what if the Emperor doesn’t like them..."

"There should be a backup, right?"