"What do you mean by ’what’?"
Xia Ruqing blinked with a smile, looking utterly harmless.
Zhao Junyao’s lips curved slightly.
"Not much, just..."
He suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, kissing her fiercely.
"Just missed you, that’s all..."
He raised an arching brow, mischief glinting in his eyes.
Xia Ruqing’s face immediately turned red.
"Your sons are still here."
When it came to thick skin, she was no match for him!
She glanced down inadvertently.
The two children were squeezed between them, their chubby faces twisted, looking utterly despondent.
She burst out laughing.
"Emperor, look at what you’ve done to your sons!"
Zhao Junyao glanced down, his face muscles twitched before he quickly released her.
"Ahem!"
"It’s getting late; time for lunch!"
As he spoke, he stood up and ordered the children to be taken away.
At this moment, Xia Ruqing also got up and asked with a smile.
"Emperor, what would you like to eat?!"
Zhao Junyao wasn’t hungry, he frowned slightly.
"I’m not really in the mood for anything, just bring whatever you like!"
Xia Ruqing noticed his face appeared a bit thinner and shook her head.
"It’s almost October, and it’s getting cold; you should eat more!"
"Okay!"
Zhao Junyao rubbed his forehead absentmindedly.
Xia Ruqing saw he wasn’t in the mood to talk much.
Not saying more, she thought: better order something myself!
After some thought, she got up to bring Xiao Xizi over to choose some delicious dishes.
Only then did she re-enter the room.
Inside the chamber.
Zhao Junyao leaned with closed eyes on the couch, supporting his forehead with his arm.
Seeing his tired expression, Xia Ruqing didn’t have the heart to disturb him.
She sat beside him and picked up her needlework dutifully.
Actually...
Though she seemed skilled, the things she embroidered...
As Zi Yue would say:
"Noble Consort, you have great potential!"
Xia Ruqing wasn’t annoyed.
After all, idle time was idly spent, why not pass the time?
When in a bad mood, she’d angrily stab the embroidery cloth.
When in a good mood, she’d earnestly embroider.
Bringing forth an artwork not so offensive to the eyes.
After waiting for about half a Shi Chen, lunch was finally served.
Xia Ruqing smelled the fragrance from afar, immediately put down her embroidery frame and went to look.
Zi Yue smiled and said.
"Noble Consort! Everything is ready!"
Xia Ruqing took a look.
"A dish of stir-fried beef with green peppers, grilled spicy lamb chops, spicy stone-pot fish, well... nice!"
They looked authentic and smelled delicious.
"These are appetizers; in autumn and winter, they help whet the appetite!"
"What about those? Were they added specially?!" she pointed at several other dishes and asked.
Zi Su next to her smiled and said.
"Noble Consort, these were made by Chef Su, fearing that the Emperor and you might overheat from the spicy food!"
"This is lotus seed soup, this is white fungus soup, and this is honey pear soup! All nourishing and moistening!"
Xia Ruqing nodded.
"Not bad! Well-balanced!"
Then asked.
"What about the main courses?"
Zi Yue smiled.
"There’s rice and noodles, but Chef Su specially made a bowl of whole grain noodles!"
"It’s said to be a specialty from her hometown!"
Xia Ruqing’s interest was piqued.
"A specialty? How come I’ve never heard her mention it before?"
Zi Yue explained.
"It’s harvest season now, all the grains have just come down, Chef Su crushed fresh mung beans and sorghum, mixed them into flour, and made noodles!"
"The servants happened to be there when it was ready, and I thought you might like it!"
Xia Ruqing suddenly understood.
"Not bad, indeed worthy of being from the Land of Fish and Rice!"
While praising, Zhao Junyao emerged from inside.
Hard to say if he came out smelling the aroma, but the fatigue on his face had significantly faded.
Xia Ruqing hurried forward.
"Emperor, let me serve you lunch!"
She summoned someone to bring in water.
Xia Ruqing personally served him, cleaning his hands and face.
The warm water and soft touch were thoroughly enjoyed by Zhao Junyao.
He sat down at the table after freshening up.
He saw the table filled with odd-looking dishes again.
Then... the same as before.
He, with appropriate majesty, pretending reluctance but in reality eager, enjoyed an average commoner’s meal.
Predictably, it ended with him being perfectly satiated.
No, perhaps eleven-tenths full—he certainly overate.
Leaning comfortably on the couch, Zhao Junyao was exceedingly content, eyes closed.
Thinking: It’s nice being a normal commoner.
As long as one has money.
You can eat whatever you want, drink whatever you want, go wherever you like, and have as many women as you wish. (Notice the ’less’ instead of ’more!’)