Chapter 956: Taking You to Jiangnan

"What can an Imperial Noble Consort do?"

"Moreover, is her son someone anyone can just associate with?"

As Zhao Junyao spoke, his tone was full of disdain.

Xia Ruqing was stunned after hearing this, and only after a while did she murmur.

"Emperor, you’re right!"

"I was really almost muddled with anger!"

Empress Dowager Zhen, with her pride and always valuing her younger son,

would surely choose a well-bred lady from a wealthy family as the Princess Consort for her younger son.

There was no way it would be Xia Ruyi, the daughter of a County Magistrate without any background.

After thinking it through, Xia Ruqing let out a long sigh of relief.

"That’s good then!"

It’s not that she doesn’t want Xia Ruyi to climb higher.

As long as she has the ability, she can marry whoever she wants, and she wouldn’t mind even if she became the Empress in the palace.

But Empress Dowager Zhen is not an option.

After the Cai Yang incident, the Xia family would inevitably become irreconcilable with the three of Empress Dowager Zhen and her sons.

If she knows all this yet insists on marrying,

then she can’t blame her for being rude!

Whether it’s friend or foe, it should be made clear.

"Let’s just watch first!" Xia Ruqing rubbed her temples.

Zhao Junyao said nothing.

He slowly got up and leaned against the side, looking at her with a teasing smile.

The sunset shone on his chiseled profile, making him appear particularly graceful and handsome.

Xia Ruqing saw he didn’t move.

When she looked up, her heart skipped a beat, and a blush silently crept onto her cheeks.

"Emperor?"

"Did you just say... there’s good news?"

Zhao Junyao teased with a slight curl of his lips.

"I thought... my beloved consort had forgotten about it long ago!"

Xia Ruqing felt quite embarrassed.

"Lately, haven’t I been... overwhelmed by troubles?"

Her tone was coquettish and flattering.

Zhao Junyao raised a brow lightly, not pursuing it, only saying.

"Don’t worry!"

"Everything’s in your brother’s hands; what are you worrying about?!"

"Oh..."

Xia Ruqing thought about it and agreed.

Honestly, it’s just the County Magistrate’s children coming to the Capital City.

Apart from Empress Dowager Zhen, Hai Feng, and others who are at odds with her, it takes effort to find out.

Everyone else couldn’t care less!

In the vast Capital City, they wouldn’t cause a ripple.

Thinking about it, she suddenly realized.

’Why am I so concerned about them?!’

’I’m in the palace; they’re outside. Out of sight, out of mind!’

’If Xia Ruyi truly dares to associate with Empress Dowager Zhen, it would just give her a reason to handle it, wouldn’t it be perfect?’

"Emperor, I was really muddled before!"

After taking a long breath, Xia Ruqing smiled.

Her star-filled eyes once again sparkled.

Zhao Junyao said softly.

"You finally figured it out!"

"If you continue like this, I wouldn’t know how to explain to your brother!"

Xia Ruqing wanted to say more, but Zhao Junyao raised his hand to stop her.

"Alright, let’s leave it at that!"

"We don’t need to mention it again!"

Xia Ruqing nodded with a smile.

"Okay!"

Zhao Junyao leaned in, whispering in a voice only they could hear.

"Rest assured, I am here for everything!"

Xia Ruqing blushed.

Wishing she could find a hole to hide in.

...

It was getting late.

The night wind was still a bit cool.

After their discussion, they returned to the room.

After having supper, they cuddled on the kang.

Xia Ruqing hugged his arm, laughing.

"Emperor, what exactly is the good news you mentioned!"

The suspense had been brewing for so long, her heart had long been itching!

Zhao Junyao glanced at her, smiling faintly.

"Originally, I didn’t want to tell you!"

"These past few days, if I don’t come, you forget about me!"

"However..."

"Given that you finally figured it out today, I plan to reward you!"

"How about taking you to Jiangnan?"

These words were spoken so nonchalantly.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t react for a moment.

She paused, carefully recalling his words.

Slowly, she realized.

"Really? Emperor, is this true?" she said excitedly.

"What do you think?!" Zhao Junyao raised a brow.

"Emperor, you’re the best!"

Xia Ruqing pounced over, planting a couple of kisses on his face.

Zhao Junyao embraced her, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Alright, alright!"

"You little minx!"

Already a mother of three, yet still so playful, wanting to go out all the time.

Xia Ruqing didn’t care about any of that, clinging to him, happily asking one question after another.

"Emperor, when are we leaving?"

"Emperor, who will you take from the harem?"

"Emperor, is it just the two of us?"

Zhao Junyao answered each one.

"Pack up and we’ll set off!"

"Just you! Only the two of us!"

Xia Ruqing’s heart was overjoyed hearing this.

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao squinted, letting her nuzzle into his embrace like a cat.

After a while, he lifted her up with one hand.

"Alright! Sit properly!"

"Later if Henger and Yeye see you like this, won’t you be embarrassed?!"

Xia Ruqing shamelessly laughed.

"Not embarrassed!"

"I’ll just cling to you like this!"

Zhao Junyao could only smile wryly, his eyes full of affection.

Xia Ruqing didn’t really cling.

She sat up straight, then quickly dashed down the kang to find two books.

One was a local chronicle about the customs and cultures of various places.

The other was a map she had specially procured previously.

An ancient map certainly can’t compare to modern ones.

However, it still detailed the topography, with place names clearly marked.

For sightseeing, this map would suffice.

In the lamplight.

She eagerly flipped through the books, making a rustling sound.

Zhao Junyao leaned lazily on the side.

Glancing between his casual reading and her, smiling slightly—an amusing scene.

Zi Yue entered with a red lacquer tray, holding a small white jade stew pot.

Inside was her usual milk swallow’s nest porridge.

"Madam, it’s time for the stew!"

Zi Yue placed the stew pot down, reminding her.

Just like usual, Xia Ruqing responded with an ’oh’, instinctively reaching for the pot.

But as soon as she opened it and was about to eat,

suddenly, a wave of nausea hit her, and she leaned over the edge of the kang to vomit.

The pot in her hand overturned, wetting a large area of the kang.

"Madam, what’s wrong?!" Zi Yue was startled.

Zhao Junyao also threw down his book, furrowing his brow tightly.

"Someone, fetch the Imperial Physician!"

Zi Yue helped Xia Ruqing onto the bed.

Then brought a napkin and cloth to clean the mess.

Afterward, she assisted with rinsing and changing clothes.

After all the busyness, Xia Ruqing finally lay peacefully in the bedding.

Zhao Junyao sat beside her, his expression unchanged, but he couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes.

"Feeling better?"

"The Imperial Physician will be here soon!"

Xia Ruqing was puzzled.

"Emperor, I feel much better!"

Her stomach now felt comfortable, with no trace of nausea as if the upheaval just now was an illusion.

Just as she was mulling over this, the Imperial Physician arrived.

Imperial Doctor Zhang wasn’t around; it was another Old Imperial Doctor from the Imperial Medical Bureau, all highly skilled.