A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1480: Chapter 1478: A Lifetime’s Longing

The room fell into silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Junyao sighed, walked up, and tightly embraced her in his arms.

"Stop saying foolish things!"

"We have to leave!"

Xia Ruqing looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Why?"

Zhao Junyao wiped her tears with disdain as he spoke calmly.

"Because it’s the thought that’s been in your heart all your life!"

"Because now is not the past, and we can’t go back..."

Xia Ruqing stopped her tears, lowered her head in silence, and after a while, nodded.

"Alright then!"

"I was just being impulsive, can I stop talking about it?"

Zhao Junyao cast her an annoyed look.

"You’re already an old lady, still acting like a spoiled child; how embarrassing if someone sees it?"

Xia Ruqing pouted and wriggled out of his arms.

"Hmph! There’s no one around anyway!"

"And even if there was, what’s wrong with acting spoiled in front of my own husband? Is it shameful?"

Zhao Junyao had gotten used to the various strange phrases that came out of her mouth.

But the word ’husband’ still took him by surprise.

"What kind of address is that?"

Xia Ruqing stuck out her tongue and quickly corrected herself.

"Wrong, it’s ’my lord’, my lord~"

Zhao Junyao thought she had just insulted him, so he couldn’t help but tweak her cheek.

"See if you dare to talk nonsense next time!"

Xia Ruqing was tongue-tied and had to forcefully defend herself.

"No way! It won’t happen next time!"

...

The couple joked around for a while.

When it was time for lunch, Zhao Qichen came over again.

"Father, Mother, the kitchen maids here are still the ones Mother liked before!"

"During your time away from the palace, they temporarily served at the front; now I’ve brought them back for you!"

Xia Ruqing was a bit surprised and asked with a smile.

"The front? Do you like them too?"

Zhao Qichen lowered his head, indicating his agreement.

Xia Ruqing smiled.

"That’s good, now I’m relieved!"

Zhao Qichen thought his mother was relieved that he and his brothers were being well fed.

But the next thing his mother said was.

"When I’m gone, they’ll have somewhere to go..."

Zhao Qichen: "..."

Alright, his mother’s thinking is always different.

He had to hold it in, he couldn’t get angry.

The lunch was sumptuous, and the taste was very familiar.

Xia Ruqing ate with great satisfaction, even feeling the urge to weep with joy.

Others could never comprehend a foodie’s feelings for delicious food.

At least Zhao Qichen couldn’t.

Seeing his mother’s red eyes, he even started to doubt himself.

He wanted to ask what was wrong, but then he saw his father acting like he hadn’t noticed a thing.

So he held back, focused on eating, and didn’t ask much.

After the meal.

Zi Yue, as usual, brought over two bowls of steaming, bitter-smelling medicinal soup.

"My lady, here’s the freshly brewed medicine, please drink it while it’s hot!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

Competently, she picked up a bowl, sniffed it, and handed one to Zhao Junyao, while she drank the other herself.

Their actions had been repeated for two years now, like a tea after a meal.

They were so familiar with each other.

But for Zhao Qichen, it was very foreign.

He asked with a grave expression.

"Father, Mother, is this... Has your old illness not been cured yet?"

Xia Ruqing was about to answer but was stopped by Zhao Junyao.

"It’s just daily tonic, since we’re getting older. The Imperial Physician said it’s good for the body to take some regularly!"

He said it so lightly, as if it were true.

But he forgot that there is a connection between father and son.

They understood each other too well, and besides, Zhao Qichen was not so easily deceived.

He clearly didn’t believe what his father said and turned to his mother.

"Is this true? You’re not lying, are you?"

Xia Ruqing was startled, feeling awkward, and quickly nodded.

"Of course, it is!"

"I originally said I didn’t want to drink it, but your father insisted on me accompanying him. I’m obviously in great health!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at her, slightly complaining.

"My health is good too, so why do you insist on making me drink it?"

"What is it? Am I the only one getting old, and you are not?"

Xia Ruqing protested upon hearing this.

"I’m not aging; it’s you who’s getting old. I drink the tonic only to accompany you!"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

He frowned, indicating: I’m not going to argue with a woman.

After that, he drank all the medicine at once, stood up, and said he was tired, then went back to his room to rest.

Xia Ruqing made a funny face at his back and then turned back to her son to complain.

"Your father’s temper is getting worse by the day!"

"It’s just a tonic, and he managed to twist it into whether we’re getting old. I really can’t deal with him!"

Zhao Qichen’s eyes flashed, feeling something stir inside him.

He raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Mother, don’t be upset; Father was just saying it lightly!"

"As long as you and Father are healthy, I’ll be content!"

Xia Ruqing smiled and waved her hand.

"Don’t worry, we’re doing well!"

"We’ll stay here for a while, and once it gets cooler, we’ll go to Jiangnan for some sightseeing!"

Looking at his smiling mother and then at the father lying inside the room.

He paused and also smiled.

"That’s good!"

"It’s getting late, I still have things to do, Mother, have a good rest!"

Xia Ruqing nodded, urging him to take good care of himself and rest whenever he can.

Zhao Qichen agreed to each point, got up, and left.

...

After Zhao Qichen left, Xia Ruqing got up and returned to the room.

Only then did she notice Zhao Junyao was already asleep.

But his hands were pressed against his chest, his face slightly pale, looking as if he was sleeping uncomfortably.

Xia Ruqing quickly woke him up.

"Husband? Husband? Wake up? Can you wake up?"

His body was weak and much thinner.

Coupled with the wind and sun outside, he was much darker now, long gone from his youthful and vigorous days.

But in Xia Ruqing’s eyes, he was still so handsome, still the person she loved and admired the most.

So, she subconsciously believed he wouldn’t fall.

So now, she was very scared...

"Husband, wake up!"

How could he still be asleep when he seemed so uncomfortable?

Weren’t you always the lightest sleeper? Wouldn’t any slight noise keep you awake?

What is going on!

As extreme fear and anxiety began to flood her mind.

Zhao Junyao suddenly awoke.

Slowly, he raised his hand and wiped away the few tears she shed.

With a pale face, he weakly mocked.

"You’re a grandmother now, and you’re still crying!"

"Look at you, not pretty anymore!"

Xia Ruqing looked at him with delight, instantly turning tears into laughter.

"You’re awake, you’re finally awake, you scared me to death!" She ’heavily’ punched his chest.

"Ouch!"

Zhao Junyao cried out exaggeratedly, then clutched his chest pretending to be in pain.

It was vivid and realistic.

Xia Ruqing, knowing his health isn’t good, panicked and leaned in to check him.

"What’s wrong, where are you hurt? Let me see!"

Zhao Junyao suddenly smirked and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Hurt in the heart~"