Chapter 1088: Tao Hua Blooming Ahead of Time

After the welcoming banquet.

The Western Xia Kingdom’s embassy settled in the guesthouse.

Zhao Junyao knew from the banquet that Prince Jin harbored ill intentions.

But it was impossible for him to be by his side at all times.

So he appointed officials from the Ministry of Rites to accompany Prince Jin on his daily outings.

Moreover, with the Fifth Prince and Fifth Princess Consort, his daughter and son-in-law, nearby.

Prince Jin’s days were not just unboring but rather quite colorful.

Zhao Junyao, to prevent him from causing trouble,

stationed a large number of guards at the guesthouse, under the guise of: protecting your safety.

Additionally, Zhao Junyao dispatched dozens of Hidden Guards to monitor Prince Jin’s activities day and night.

To ensure that he could know immediately if there was any news.

After all this was done, Zhao Junyao could finally rest easy.

However...

Xia Ruqing started to worry.

"What are you worrying about?"

Zhao Junyao walked in and saw her frowning over a stack of books.

Xia Ruqing was startled.

"Emperor!"

Just as she was about to stand up, Zhao Junyao pressed her down.

"Don’t move, just sit!"

Saying that, he also sat down beside her and casually picked up the book beside her hand.

"What is this?"

He asked with a cheerful smile.

Xia Ruqing, seeing his good mood, felt a surge of anger.

She pinched him fiercely and glared at him.

"Worry about what?"

"The harsh winter isn’t over, and the new spring is yet to come; the peach blossoms in your place have bloomed early, making me quite envious!"

"Peach blossoms?"

Zhao Junyao was utterly baffled.

"Qingqing, what peach blossoms!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled.

"Emperor, don’t pretend. How could you be unaware of peach blossoms?"

Zhao Junyao bowed his head in thought for a while, still lost.

"Unaware..."

Speechless, Xia Ruqing tossed the booklet listing the ten beauties gifted by Prince Jin in front of him.

"Then you should take a good look!"

"Each of the ten beauties is a masterpiece in her own right, Emperor must not overlook them!"

Examining the book in his hand, Zhao Junyao came to a realization.

"Oh, so it’s the gift from Western Xia!"

He slapped his forehead.

"How did I forget such a thing!"

He asked eagerly.

"Where are they now? Have they entered the palace?"

He fired off three questions, his tone full of urgency.

Xia Ruqing held back a laugh and teased.

"Is the Emperor so impatient?"

"Worry not; as soon as you give the order, I will have them enter the palace!"

It’s just that she hadn’t yet arranged their accommodations.

Ten foreign women, no matter where they stayed, there would be conflicts.

She was worried about this problem!

"Does that mean they haven’t entered the palace yet?"

Xia Ruqing kept her head down, not answering, clearly sulking from jealousy.

Zhao Junyao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness!"

Thankfully, nothing had gone wrong yet.

Zhao Junyao contemplated.

"It’s fortunate they haven’t entered the palace! Ten women, three to Old Five, three to Old Six, four to Little Seventh. Tomorrow we’ll have them come to fetch!"

Xia Ruqing: "... "

Emperor, is it right to cheat your own brothers like this?

Women gifted by the Fifth Prince’s father-in-law are being pushed into Fifth Prince’s back courtyard.

How will Prince Jin and Hai Feng save face? What if the couple starts fighting?

Moreover, Sixth Master.

A newly married princess hasn’t even been a year, and you’re sending people into her backyard.

If havoc breaks loose in her backyard... cough cough!

Lastly, Seventh Master.

Little Seventh is yet unmarried; it’s heard that he doesn’t even have a maid by his side.

Sending four at once doesn’t seem right either.

Zhao Junyao, however, seemed pleased with his decision.

With an expression that said, ’What’s wrong with sharing good things with your brothers?’

Xia Ruqing was utterly speechless.

Zhao Junyao patted his back.

"Qingqing, you don’t need to worry!"

"I’m just sending a few women over, no mention of any status!"

"If they want them as chamber maids, concubines, or maids, that’s up to them!"

"I’m not getting involved!"

Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, her face full of helplessness.

"Alright, alright!"

"You have plenty of excuses!"

Though she chided him, her heart was as sweet as honey.

’Hehe, finally, I won’t have to compete with foreign women for my husband!’

’Actually, he was afraid Zhao Junyao would become irrational and forget past feelings!’

Xia Ruqing smiled with satisfaction for a long time, then scared herself a little.

’Wait a minute! Affection?’

’When did she have feelings for Zhao Junyao?!’

Xia Ruqing was a little puzzled, speechless at herself.

Must she fall in love with a husband shared by so many women?

She shook her head.

Driving these thoughts away.

Ordered herself: ’No wild thinking!’

She cheerfully put away that stack of booklets.

"Since they’re not entering the palace, I won’t have to fret anymore!"

"They’re still staying at the outside courtyard; the Emperor can arrange someone to fetch them later!"

As she spoke.

Her tone was light, her smile was wide, relief written all over her face.

Zhao Junyao held her close.

"Not angry anymore?"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit shy, lowered her head without a word.

Zhao Junyao lifted her into his arms.

"Since you’re not angry then..."

"It’s getting late; let’s rest early, my Empress?!"

The last four words made Xia Ruqing’s face turn red.

I must say, being the Empress felt really good!

No more feelings of being a ’third party’ or ’destroyer of marriages.’

She and the person in front of her, with heaven as witness, were recognized as rightful husband and wife.

She could face anything head-on!

This feeling was really wonderful!

She lay in his embrace, with her cheek against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.

She gently pressed her hand against his chest, her lips curled with contentment.

’Zhao Junyao, thank you!’

Zhao Junyao clearly hadn’t thought that far.

He placed her on the bed, the silk curtains cascading down layer by layer.

After an indescribable moment between the Emperor and Empress, they nestled in close like the heavenly Biyi Birds and the pond’s splendid mandarin ducks.

...

The next morning.

Having finished the morning court session, Zhao Junyao called Li Shengan to relay the order to his three royal brothers.

After some time, Li Shengan returned and reported the reactions of the three masters one by one.

"Fifth Prince remained unchanged, happily accepting the three women, even rewarding this old servant, asking this old servant to thank the Emperor on his behalf!"

"He also mentioned... planning to enter the palace personally to express thanks on another day!"

Zhao Junyao smiled and nodded.

’Indeed, Fifth Brother is meticulous; this suits his style!’

"As for Sixth Prince, he was quite delighted, repeatedly expressing thanks...the expression..."

Li Shengan felt embarrassed to continue.

Sixth Master’s expression was nearly glued to those women.

It showed he was genuinely grateful.

Zhao Junyao coughed lightly.

"I understand!"

Sixth Brother, well, is just like that, right?

Considering his leg issue, Zhao Junyao couldn’t be too critical.

"What about Seventh Brother?" He asked again.

Li Shengan reported with a smile.

"Seventh Prince’s expression was quite indifferent, as usual rewarded this servant before leading the people inside!"

"There seemed not a hint of surprise!"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

"Alright! I understand!"

Li Shengan bowed, acknowledged, and retreated.

Zhao Junyao let out a long breath.

The burden in his heart eased a little, uh, finally got rid of them.