A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1481: Chapter 1479: Already This Weak?

Xia Ruqing was already used to his antics and didn’t say much, just shot him a glance.

"You’re a grandfather now, yet you still think you’re a young lad!"

Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Who says a grandfather can’t kiss a grandmother?"

"Who set that rule?"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat speechless, knowing she couldn’t win the argument, she simply stopped talking.

Yet her heart felt sweet.

She found that this guy was completely different from when he was young.

Back then, he always liked to keep a stern face, looking displeased with everyone, practically expressionless.

Now that he’s older, he laughs a lot more.

She herself has become more sentimental.

But he always finds ways to make her laugh, and sometimes his temper is quite quirky, like a little old kid.

She shook her head with a smile, kicked off her shoes, and climbed to the inner side to lie down.

Pillowed on the familiar cushion, looking at the familiar patterns on the canopy, feeling the continuous cool air emanating from the ice blocks in the corners of the room.

She sighed comfortably.

"Home is still the best!"

Everything is here, everything is familiar, everything is perfect, it’s so good!!

Zhao Junyao took the opportunity to wrap his arm around her shoulder and said softly.

"Sleep!"

No matter how much she wanted to stay at home, he would find a way to take her out.

After all, this was her lifelong wish.

If it’s not fulfilled now, maybe...there won’t be a chance later!

Xia Ruqing nodded, closed her eyes sleepily.

The two cuddled together, gradually drifting into dreamland.

...

Xia Ruqing had a dream.

The dream was very long, and most importantly, somewhat strange.

In the dream, there was a woman who kept crying, searching for something as she cried.

She wanted to go over and ask what the woman was looking for, if she could help.

But her feet seemed to be weighted down with lead, no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t move an inch.

She could only watch helplessly.

For some reason, she felt heartache for the woman, not the kind of heartache between strangers.

But rather that kind...dull ache as if it etched into her bones.

Why?

A big question mark popped into her mind.

"Why am I hurting for a stranger?"

She didn’t even know the woman?

No matter what she’s searching for, if she can help, that’s their fate; if not, so be it.

But why does she feel so distressed?

Xia Ruqing unconsciously struggled, her expression very much in pain.

Zhao Junyao instinctively pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back, murmured a few words.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here!"

The voice was very small, but she seemed to hear it.

The whole person calmed down, and her expression also eased a lot.

She continued dreaming, just not as heart-wrenching as before.

...

When she woke up, it was already evening.

When Xia Ruqing woke, Zhao Junyao was still asleep.

She instinctively turned over, only to unintentionally end up straddling him in a somewhat awkward position.

"..."

Instantly startled, her forehead cascaded with black lines, and she quickly withdrew her hands and feet, feeling quite embarrassed.

But upon looking over at Zhao Junyao, she was a bit shocked that he hadn’t woken?

He used to sleep so lightly, and yet now he didn’t wake?

"Hey!"

She poked his arm.

"It’s already dark, how come you’re still asleep?"

Zhao Junyao: "..."

He remained still with his eyes closed.

Xia Ruqing was filled with alarm, worried something was wrong, quickly clambered up to move the lamp closer to check his complexion.

Seeing his complexion was fine, breathing even, and looking peacefully asleep.

She only then breathed a sigh of relief and continued calling him.

"Hurry up and get up, it’s already dark!"

"If you don’t get up now, you won’t be able to sleep tonight!"

Zhao Junyao: "...", still remained asleep.

"Hey!"

"Hey!!"

"Wake up! Wake up!" Her voice carried a tremble, inexplicably afraid.

The force in her hands gradually increased.

"Zhao Junyao, hurry and wake up!"

After much effort in calling him, Zhao Junyao finally opened his drowsy eyes.

A massive load on Xia Ruqing’s heart finally lifted, and she exhaled heavily.

’So long as you’re awake!’

Zhao Junyao slowly sat up, looking exhausted, gazed blankly at Xia Ruqing in the dim light.

It took a full minute before he gradually came to.

"What’s wrong?"

Seeing Xia Ruqing’s face pale and her expression panicked, he instinctively asked, also pulling her into his arms.

"Were you scared?"

He asked again.

Xia Ruqing rested her cheek against his chest, hearing his real and steady heartbeat echoing in her ears, she almost burst into tears.

But she held it back and mustered a smile.

"It’s nothing!"

"You were so lazy, sleeping till it’s dark!"

"I was just a bit scared, you know I’m afraid of the dark!!"

Zhao Junyao ruffled her hair, chuckling lightly.

"I think you’re probably hungry!"

Xia Ruqing stifled her tears and nodded fervently.

"I haven’t had Chef Jiang’s dishes in ages, I’m hungry and scared, you’re just too mean!"

Zhao Junyao tapped her forehead lightly.

"Grown up and still fussing over a bite to eat?"

"If you like, we can take her with us, how about that?"

"Alright!"

Xia Ruqing immediately straightened her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

"Really?"

"Of course! It’s not a big deal!"

Zhao Junyao’s face was full of pride.

Xia Ruqing felt a surge of excitement and continued to press her ear against his chest, greedily listening to his still strong heartbeat, murmuring.

"So good!"

Just like when he was young, still strong and vigorous, it’s so good!

Zhao Junyao glanced at her, pretending to tease lightly.

"Already a grandmother, still a foodie!"

"If you like, we can find you a few more, what kind do you want?"

Xia Ruqing held back her tears and glared at him.

"I want one like you!"

Zhao Junyao found himself in a predicament, as the saying goes... A gentleman stays away from the kitchen.

In the Great Chu Dynasty, men wouldn’t easily step into the kitchen unless they were bachelors and too poor to marry, without cooking, they’d starve!

But then...

He looked at the woman in his arms and began to ponder what was more important, being a gentleman or the lady in his embrace.

After some deliberation, he finally had a decision to make as he prepared to speak.

Xia Ruqing suddenly broke free from his arms.

"Alright!"

"I was just joking, I don’t want to eat your dark culinary concoctions!"

After saying that, she took a deep breath, turned around, and went out to call someone to set the meal.

Zhao Junyao watched her departing back, a mischievous smile suddenly played on his lips.

’Dark concoctions? I’ll precisely make them for you to eat!’

A mental image sprang to mind of him ladling soup, her assisting at the side, with the soup in the pot bubbling hotly.

The scene shifted to the dining table.

She frowned, feigning praise while desperately suppressing the discomfort to swallow.

Her expression was too amusing, so amusing that he didn’t want to miss even a single moment of it.

He was even eager to take her away sooner, to start living such a life earlier.