Chapter 1487 - 1486: Not Wanting to Be Left in the Dark
Chapter 1487: Chapter 1486: Not Wanting to Be Left in the Dark
The reluctance is because all their memories of this life are almost entirely here.
But they are willing, because they still have a future.
Although it’s unsure how long that future will last, walking out together was always their shared desire.
Though it’s not much, it’s very important.
Zhao Junyao patted her head.
"Shall I listen to you then?"
Xia Ruqing dodged slightly but continued to smile.
"Alright!"
...
Zhao Qichen was set to depart on August 10th.
Xia Ruqing felt a bit regretful.
"In the end, I can’t spend the Mid-Autumn Festival here!" She wanted to see the lanterns in the capital city.
Zhao Junyao thought for a moment.
"If you’d like, we can leave a bit later, just not too late!"
Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up.
"Really? How about we leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
"It’s only a few days, I just want to see the lanterns!"
Though somewhat helpless, Zhao Junyao agreed.
"Alright!"
Seeing her joy like a child’s, Zhao Junyao shook his head with a helpless smile.
"Cough, cough, you’re already a grandmother, and yet you’re still like a child?"
Xia Ruqing retorted softly yet firmly.
"What’s wrong with being a grandmother and still acting like a child?"
"Besides, this is called maintaining a childlike heart!"
A black line appeared on Zhao Junyao’s forehead.
"Alright!"
"The childlike Empress Dowager, it’s getting late, we should have a meal!"
Only then did Xia Ruqing realize she was already hungry.
Outside, Zi Yue had already prepared the meal.
The two of them went out hand in hand to have their meal.
...
On August 10th.
Zhao Qichen departed from the capital city with several trusted officials and a small troop of the Imperial Forest Army.
Originally, the officials had prepared a thousand-strong Imperial Forest troop and an extravagant procession arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
A dozen imperial physicians, dozens of accompanying palace attendants, and hundreds of carts loaded with all kinds of supplies, etc.
But Zhao Qichen found it troublesome and cut it all down.
He only brought Li Deming, two other close eunuchs, five or six chefs, two imperial physicians, and some rough palace maids, leaving just a hundred-strong Imperial Forest troop.
Apart from the officials’ carriages.
The Emperor’s cavalcade was only about a dozen or twenty carriages, with over a hundred horses.
With such a configuration, even a slightly larger merchant convoy would have more than this.
Moreover, the accompanying officials were personally selected by Zhao Qichen.
Seeing the Emperor being so frugal, they had no choice but to bring even less.
So when the Emperor’s convoy left the capital, it caused no sensation at all.
Although it wasn’t a secret journey, Zhao Qichen didn’t like showing off in front of the people.
Firstly, it saved silver, and secondly, it reduced some danger.
His identity would be revealed after reaching Guangnan; meanwhile, maintaining a low profile was preferable.
...
Five days after Zhao Qichen left, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived as scheduled.
Because the Emperor visited Guangnan to provide disaster relief, and because numerous people in Guangnan were displaced by disasters.
This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival was particularly quiet.
The officials dared not make a fuss, fearing the Emperor’s scrutiny.
The commoners also refrained from getting too lively, fearing Imperial Court attention.
Even the smallest vendors were reluctant to set up stalls because the streets were so quiet.
They thought it better to rest at home than to endure the cold wind on the street.
Xia Ruqing clearly did not anticipate this situation.
After wandering the desolate streets, she was almost in tears.
"If I had known, we would have left with Chenchen!"
Zhao Junyao coughed lightly.
"If you like lanterns, why not hang some in the palace?"
Xia Ruqing quickly shook her head.
"Forget it, that’s no fun!"
For street vendors, the hustle and bustle is the true entertainment.
Even if the streets are lined with lanterns, what’s the use if there are no people?
"Husband, let’s go back!"
She tugged on Zhao Junyao’s arm with a pleasing smile.
Zhao Junyao glanced at her lightly, reminding her.
"Two streets ahead is Yue Er’s Princess’s Mansion. We’re leaving tomorrow, do you want to..."
The mention of their little daughter tugged at Xia Ruqing’s heart.
She who had planned to leave without saying goodbye suddenly felt a faint pang.
"Yue Er... I haven’t seen her in days, I wonder how she’s doing!"
"If you go see her, you’ll find out, won’t you?" Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow.
But Xia Ruqing still shook her head.
"Forget it!"
"The little grandson just turned a hundred days, Yue Er is probably busy!"
"We wouldn’t be able to help, only cause disruption!"
"Besides, didn’t Yue Er say she’d come to find us later?"
Seeing her unwilling, Zhao Junyao said nothing further, just held her close and said.
"If you don’t want to, then let’s go back!"
Not visiting their daughter wasn’t due to hard-heartedness.
Quite the opposite, they feared that one more look would strip them of the courage to leave.
Yue Er was their beloved, a child they had cherished since childhood, how could they not love her?!
They were avoiding the pain of separation.
Experiencing such heart-wrenching upheavals, it’s better not to go through them.
"Let’s go!"
Xia Ruqing nodded, burdened by her thoughts.
...
Two days later, the two of them shared a carriage and discreetly left the palace.
With Zhao Qichen making such a fanfare of his departure, there was no need for them to bring all those things.
A fast and light carriage was enough to catch up to the main troop.
Even if they couldn’t catch up, they lacked nothing and could reach Guangnan quickly enough by traveling leisurely.
Sitting in the spacious and soft carriage.
Xia Ruqing wore a somewhat dazed expression.
Her mind was filled with scenes of the servants in Duanning Palace kowtowing before she left the palace.
Xiao Zhu Zi cried and said.
"Empress Dowager, please be careful on your journey! I will surely take good care of the rear garden!"
"All the fresh vegetables you like are in our home; you must come back soon!"
Qiu Ye, now a second-class maid, wept bitterly on her knees.
"Mistress saved this servant from great peril, treating me kindly my whole life!"
"I have nothing to repay you, but I will keep Duanning Palace spotless, waiting for your return!"
The kitchen maids also wiped their tears.
"Mistress, we servants are illiterate, so we’ve had someone write a recipe book for you. If you wish to eat certain dishes, have someone cook them for you!"
"And the pickled snacks you like, we’ve packed all of them; don’t forget to bring them!"
Also...
Thinking of their words and actions brought tears to Xia Ruqing’s eyes.
Who says there’s no genuine affection in the palace?
Time reveals a person’s true colors, and if treated with kindness, even if ninety-nine out of a hundred betray, there is bound to be one true heart in return.
So... always treat others kindly no matter the occasion.
"Sigh!" She sighed lightly.
Living in the palace was so nice! There were so many genuine people around.
If she were to retire in the palace, she’d certainly live comfortably and peacefully.
But...
She herself didn’t even know why, but she just wanted to leave.
It was as if a mysterious force was pulling her away, making it impossible not to go.
Zhao Junyao glanced at her and spoke lightly.
"Sighing again!"
"Stop overthinking, why not take a nap!"