A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1042: Weakness

The scene below was indeed much more lively than above.

Wearing plain clothes, the four of them walked amidst the crowd without attracting much attention.

When it comes to traveling incognito, it doesn’t mean the Emperor leaves the palace alone.

There is a substantial number of plainclothes guards from the Imperial Forest Army accompanying on either side, ensuring absolute safety.

Four adults were taking two children.

They strolled casually through the bustling and lively street, their eyes gradually attracted by the myriad new things.

However, having seen the world, they still managed to remain composed.

Xia Chenghui was also fine.

Having lived outside the palace and being a boy, Xia Tingfeng had taken him out before.

Yue Er was different.

The little girl was leaving the palace for the first time and encountering these civilian customs for the first time.

As she looked to the left, the right seemed quite lively too, so she turned her head.

While looking to the right, a cheer erupted from the left.

In Zhao Junyao’s arms, she twisted left and right, not knowing what to do.

Xia Ruqing gently rubbed Yue Er’s head, amusement evident.

"Why do you look like a little rattle drum?"

"Is that little head of yours needed anymore?!"

Yue Er, too anxious to pay her any mind, looked around eagerly.

"Father! Father, I want to be lifted high!"

Xia Ruqing was further amused to laughter.

"Do you think it’s still not high enough?!"

With no choice, Zhao Junyao raised his arms ever so slightly, not daring to lift too high for fear she’d attract too much attention and it wouldn’t be safe.

Yue Er glanced around and still wasn’t satisfied.

"Father, a little higher!"

Xia Ruqing quickly held her.

"No, it can’t be any higher!"

Yue Er pouted her lips, looking rather discontent.

But in the next instant, her gaze was drawn to all kinds of lanterns.

Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao, with Yue Er between them, walked in front, while Xia Tingfeng and Ni Manxue fell half a step behind.

Xia Tingfeng couldn’t afford to be distracted, he kept his full attention on everything around the imperial carriage.

To ensure that, if there were danger, he could be the first to rush forward.

Ni Manxue, on the other hand, carried Xia Chenghui in her arms, following behind Xia Tingfeng.

Behind her was a wetnurse nanny.

Yet Ni Manxue was worried something might happen, insistently carrying the child herself—ultimately, such is the heart of parents everywhere!

...

The night market was buzzing.

Passing by the circus, Yue Er decided to sit atop Zhao Junyao’s shoulders, watching eagerly as though wishing she could sprout wings and fly.

Ni Manxue was interested in the lantern riddles.

She correctly guessed several in succession, winning not only a few delicate lanterns but also some pastries as prizes.

Xia Ruqing found little interest in these things.

Sitting by a stall, she ordered several plump, white tangyuan and held the bowl in her hands.

Warming her hands whilst eating was undeniably pleasant.

All of them found joy except Xia Tingfeng.

There he stood, alert behind Zhao Junyao, seemingly forgetting even his own wife and child.

Observing this, Xia Ruqing walked over to accompany Ni Manxue in browsing the lanterns together.

No matter the situation, it’s essential not to make her sister-in-law feel uncomfortable.

Truthfully, Ni Manxue was already clear-minded.

Her husband’s primary duty as Commander by the Emperor’s side naturally is to guard the safety of the Emperor.

She and the child were merely women and children, not conspicuous at all, especially given the multitude of Hidden Guards surely surrounding the Emperor.

Safety was certainly assured; she had nothing to worry about.

Moreover, she herself was born into a military family.

Though not adept with martial techniques, she still had some skills—protecting oneself isn’t too difficult if there were real danger.

Still, she appreciated the Empress’s kind gesture.

As a result, her face blossomed into a deeper smile.

By now, everyone was enjoying themselves and satisfied.

...

When Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao took Yue Er back to the palace.

The carriage was loaded with numerous items.

There were foods and drinks, things to use and play with—all sorts of small trinkets not found in the palace.

Yet even so, as they were about to leave, Yue Er was still reluctant.

Squeezing into her father’s arms with a grievance on her face, she asked.

"Can we leave the palace again someday?"

Seeing his daughter like this, Zhao Junyao, soft-hearted, of course, couldn’t refuse; he thought for a moment before agreeing.

"When Yue Er grows a little older, we can."

Yue Er blinked and asked.

"How much older?"

"Father, Yue Er is almost three years old already, isn’t that old enough?"

Zhao Junyao shook his head.

"Not old enough! You’ll need to be... at least five years old!"

He intended to say ten or eight years old, but upon seeing the tear-filled look in his daughter’s eyes, his heart softened.

Gritting his teeth, he compromised at five years.

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing was shocked.

"Your Majesty... Isn’t that too young? Wouldn’t she be vulnerable outside the palace?"

Zhao Junyao too felt a bit regretful, but once a gentleman gives his word, four horses can’t chase it back.

Having spoken, how could he retract it?

So he nodded.

"Don’t worry, I’ll have the time to take our daughter out myself!"

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing was relieved.

With the Emperor accompanying her, there was nothing to worry about.

However, Zhao Junyao wasn’t entirely at ease.

Although he was an all-powerful ruler, he and Qingqing only had this one daughter. If, heaven forbid...

As he pondered over this, Zhao Junyao suddenly froze:

When had he become so fretful and anxious?

Wasn’t he once fearless and undaunted?

When the nation snatched a few small cities at the border, he resolved to annihilate their entire clan.

The power struggle amidst shifting undercurrents in the court was something he handled with ease.

Yet now...

Embracing his daughter, however, he began to fear.

Indeed, Qingqing’s words were quite true.

When someone nurtures a true love, they gain armor and simultaneously acquire a vulnerability.

He was no longer invincible.

He had a weakness! An utterly fragile one, which, if lost or hurt, would instantly claim his life.

The carriage swayed; Yue Er drifted into sleep.

Zhao Junyao, embracing his sleeping daughter, refused to let go.

Quite envious herself, Xia Ruqing resigned to placing a thick blanket over Yue Er.

Zhao Junyao’s expression was changeable and uncertain, lost in thought.

Xia Ruqing remained silent.

Leaning against the carriage wall she closed her eyes to relax, and before long slumber carried her away as well.

The entire day had passed without rest, truly exhausting!

...

Finally, they returned to the palace.

When Xia Ruqing awoke, she groggily opened her eyes to find herself nestled in Zhao Junyao’s arms.

As she sobered up, she looked left and right.

"Where’s Yue Er?"

"Asleep; Sister took her away!"

Xia Ruqing relaxed.

"Let’s go, then. Your Majesty... Where shall you reside tonight... Ah!"

Before she finished speaking.

She exclaimed in surprise as she twisted her ankle, nearly tumbling out of the carriage.

Lucky for her, Zhao Junyao was quick to react, pulling her up and holding her close again.

"What’s the rush?"

The tone was reproachful, yet his gaze was full of affection.

Xia Ruqing glanced around, noticing palace attendants kneeling in reception.

Immediately her face turned red, embarrassed as she pulled away from his embrace.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I’ll walk myself!"

With so many people present, she felt somewhat inhibited.

Yet Zhao Junyao wouldn’t have it.

He lifted her up and carried her into Duanning Palace.

Surrounding palace attendants lowered their heads even further.

’I saw nothing, none of this happened!’

...

That night, naturally, the Emperor stayed at Duanning Palace.

Of course, it was fitting and rightful.

The fifteenth day of the Lantern Festival is a day meant for the Empress!