Chapter 960: Escaping the Summer Heat

Xia Ruqing sidled over, grinning.

"Emperor, you are the best husband in the world!"

"Since entering the palace, I’ve never gone hungry!"

But, I did go hungry in the past!

How could someone born with a silver spoon like you possibly know that feeling?

Wondering where the next meal will come from, living day by day.

The very thought of it still sends a chill down my spine.

So, in ancient times, a life like mine was truly a rise to the top.

Thinking of it this way, should I thank the heavens?!

Zhao Junyao knew she was reminiscing about the past, so he decided to change the subject.

"Qingqing, would you like to leave the palace to escape the summer heat?"

"I would love to, I dream of it, can I?"

Xia Ruqing’s face lit up with excitement.

Zhao Junyao was just about to reply, but then...

"Ugh!"

"Ugh! Wow!"

Xia Ruqing’s stomach turned.

The lunch she had just eaten was completely thrown up again.

Zhao Junyao patted her back while calling for the Imperial Physician.

So, at the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Imperial Doctor Zhang, who hadn’t even had a chance to sit down, hurried back to Duanning Palace with his medicine box.

Duanning Palace was again in a state of chaos.

Fortunately, after the examination, Imperial Doctor Zhang said.

"This bout of vomiting is different from before!"

"Previously, it was due to pregnancy nausea!"

"This time, it’s because your digestive system is too weak. You ate too much spicy food at once, and it irritated your stomach and intestines, causing the vomiting!"

Xia Ruqing felt weak and tired.

"Then what should I do?"

Imperial Doctor Zhang thought for a moment and said.

"There’s no other way, Your Ladyship, if you’re not nauseous, you can eat again after vomiting!"

"If you repeat this a few times, your stomach will get used to it!"

Xia Ruqing sighed with relief.

Just let her continue with her spicy cravings.

Ever since her pregnancy was diagnosed, her cravings became peculiar.

She actually started craving spicy food!

Zhao Junyao also sighed with relief, and immediately ordered another fish dish for her.

However, this time he specifically instructed them.

’Use only half the spice as before!!’

Though in the end, Xia Ruqing wasn’t completely satisfied with the meal.

But this time, she didn’t vomit!

Especially after drinking some sweet soup to soothe the irritation, she felt completely at ease.

She ate well, drank well, and even had a beautiful nap.

When she woke up again, it was already evening.

Zi Yue and Zi Su were overjoyed.

"Your Ladyship, you’re finally better!"

"If you want to eat anything, just let us know?!"

"The Imperial Physician advised, as long as it’s not too stimulating, it’s fine!"

Xia Ruqing reclined on the bed, both laughing and crying.

"I haven’t thought of anything yet?"

"And I’m not even hungry now!"

Zi Yue laughed.

"That’s alright, Your Ladyship ate late for lunch!"

"If you want to sleep, go ahead and sleep; when you want to get up, just get up! As long as you can eat, we won’t worry!"

Xia Ruqing also laughed, and comfortably turned over.

She was just about to speak when Xiao Xizi ran in excitedly.

"Your Ladyship, good news!"

"The Emperor has given a verbal order for you to leave the palace for a summer retreat once you reach three months!"

"The Emperor said for you to think about where to go, whom to take, and what to bring when you have time!"

Xia Ruqing’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Really?!"

"Absolutely!" Xiao Xizi nodded.

"Yay!"

"I can finally leave the palace!" Xia Ruqing was so excited she was in tears.

If Zi Su hadn’t stopped her, she might have jumped out of bed.

Zi Yue, standing by, patted her chest in relief, laughing through tears as she said.

"Your Ladyship, it’s only been a month and a half, leaving the palace is still a month and a half away!"

"Your immediate priority is to take good care of your health!"

Xia Ruqing was a bit resigned.

"Alright, alright, I understand, I’ll take good care of myself!"

With that, she obediently laid back down!

...

In the following month and a half.

To be able to leave the palace, she indeed behaved herself!

She followed Imperial Doctor Zhang’s instructions to the letter.

If told to go east, she did not go west, if told to go north, she did not take a step south.

So after half a month’s adjustment.

Xia Ruqing’s appetite improved greatly.

Even her figure became more rounded, with a rosy complexion as if she had put on a layer of rouge.

The little fireball in her belly seemed to still be there, but she no longer vomited.

Seeing this, Zhao Junyao decided to take her out of the palace for a summer retreat.

"Have you thought about where to go?" Zhao Junyao asked with a faint smile.

Xia Ruqing thought and said.

"Emperor, do you remember that summer resort we went to during the hunting trip?"

"I want to go there again!"

The environment there is just like nature itself.

Surrounded by mountains and rivers, lush greenery, wildflowers, and beautifully green.

Just thinking about it feels cool.

It’s now June, the peak of summer, unbearably hot.

The sky feels like it’s throwing fireballs down.

She has a little fireball in her belly too.

Feeling roasted every day, and not daring to use ice, life is truly hard.

"Emperor, look, I’m even getting heat rash!"

"It’s even on my face!"

"Even my appetite is decreasing day by day, Emperor, can you bear it!?"

Zhao Junyao pondered for a moment and seemed troubled.

"Qingqing, can we choose another place?"

"That place is over two hundred li from the Capital City and is in the deep mountains!"

"I... can’t stay with you all the time, I’m not at ease!"

He couldn’t leave the affairs of the state to go and live secluded with her for so many days.

If it were closer, he could commute back and forth every day.

Riding a horse wouldn’t take long either.

But two hundred li is just too far, the journey alone would take a whole day.

He felt genuinely helpless.

"Huh?"

Xia Ruqing was a bit downhearted.

"Then..."

"What if I go alone? Could you send some more people with me?"

She really wanted to go.

She didn’t want to stay in the suburb like it was just a casual outing, it felt too monotonous.

Call her willful if you want.

She just wanted to get some fresh air.

Zhao Junyao furrowed his brows tightly, then finally raised his eyes.

"Are you sure? That place is so big, you’ll feel lonely!"

"There are wild animals there, and more..."

Xia Ruqing shook his arm.

"Emperor!"

"Why not... assign my brother to me!"

Upon hearing this.

Li Shengan beside them was almost dumbfounded.

Did he hear wrong?!

Commander Xia was one of the Emperor’s top guards.

Not only responsible for the Emperor’s safety but also his close confidant, conveying important secret orders.

If he were to leave.

Where would you find another guard of such high martial skills and deep trust?!

How could the Emperor’s safety be guaranteed?!

Who would carry out those secret tasks then?

Has Noble Consort Xian become too spoiled? This was too bold!

However...

Zhao Junyao didn’t think that much.

He agreed without much hesitation.

"Alright!"

Xia Ruqing beamed with joy.

"Then let’s have my sister-in-law come too!"

"If possible, I’d also like to bring my sister!"

"We can have a family reunion!"

"Alright!" Zhao Junyao agreed without a second thought.

Xia Ruqing was so excited she almost jumped up.

"Husband, you’re wonderful!"

Zhao Junyao smiled indulgently.

Li Shengan quickly turned his head, feeling his face burning with embarrassment!

The Emperor’s favor towards the consort had reached this level?

Such a slap in the face, indeed!