Chapter 496: 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 ca with a smooth bamboo stick, similar to a lollipop.
In ancient tis, 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 elents beneficial for children’s growth and developnt. It was sowhat 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 won, scholars, and court officials had taken them three days.
"’So slow!’" they lanted 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 Sumr Resort. Nestled against mountains and beside water, it boasted beautiful scenery. Most importantly, the climate was pleasant. While it was sowhat 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, soone from the Empress’s side arrived. The main ssage conveyed was, "There’s no need to be overly formal. While we’re away from the palace, you don’t have to co 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 soone beside her.
Xia Ruqing imdiately 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
hold you for a while."
Xia Ruqing was sowhat 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 mont before speaking directly. "Xia Tingfeng!" Then he added, "Hmm, Yang Chenyi, and so 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, suprely handso 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 road over the unbelievably handso man’s body, touching, caressing... Oh yes!
The Emperor’s physique is truly perfect! She couldn’t be blad for her shaless, roving hands!
As she continued her exploration, Xia Ruqing felt that sothing wasn’t quite right. How co... it’s getting hotter and hotter? The Sumr 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... ti 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 beco 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 ca up, Zhao Junyao sighed. "Your brother... he can really hold his liquor. As for ... 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 mont. During that ti, 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 Sumr Resort, the rules were more relaxed, and eting 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 so... 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 !
With a sweep of his large hand, the bed curtains fell. The bed curtains began to sway rhythmically.
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