Chapter 1507 - 1505: News at Last
Chapter 1507: Chapter 1505: News at Last
Chapter 1505
The street vendor was driven away by city officials, taken away along with her belongings. She repeatedly pleaded poverty and lamented her situation to save her possessions.
To survive, she truly did all kinds of jobs.
So what’s this little hardship in front of her worth?
Zhao Junyao thought she might have recalled those painful childhood memories, feeling guilty inside.
Qingqing has suffered so much, yet he brought up her painful memories again.
Thinking about it made him uncomfortable.
He furrowed his brows and lowered his head, with his hands folded behind his back, his expression very somber.
Xia Ruqing didn’t know what he was thinking and assumed he was unwilling to live in such a place, so she hurried forward to comfort him.
"If, husband, you really don’t like it, then we can choose another place!"
Indeed, he was raised pampered since childhood.
In the palace, he was always the center of attention, enjoying the best of everything.
Why should she expect him to be like her?
She couldn’t just consider herself and disregard his feelings, could she?
Zhao Junyao was both amused and exasperated.
"I’m afraid you won’t like it!"
"Forget it!"
He waved his hand.
She didn’t seem to dislike it.
Since there was no objection, since she accepted it willingly, why should someone with thick skin like him not accept it?
...
On the first night after moving in, Xia Ruqing instructed the kitchen maid to prepare a table of seasonal fresh vegetable country meal.
Eating rice and greens, drinking milk and pumpkin.
Watching the vine clamber over the big tree, the bamboo fence at the front yard, and finally watching the sunset slowly fall.
Xia Ruqing was very comfortable.
She sat on a high stone stool, holding a bowl of rice, swinging her legs, with eyebrows and eyes full of smiles.
Zhao Junyao sat in the courtyard chair drinking tea.
The chair was temporarily brought here; this yard only had one big tree, not even a pavilion.
Despite this, he did not mind.
Wherever there was her smile, there was the most beautiful scenery.
The meal was quickly finished, Xia Ruqing handed the empty bowl to Zi Yue and jumped off the high stool, snuggling up to Zhao Junyao.
"Look how beautiful the sunset is, let’s watch together!"
"Okay!"
The servants wisely retreated, leaving the two alone in the courtyard.
The brilliant fiery red sunset glow spilled on their graying hair, giving a golden sheen to their frost-dyed strands.
Their figures snuggled together, romantic and poignant.
"Zhao Junyao!"
Xia Ruqing softly called him.
"Hmm?"
His voice was a bit old, no longer magnetic, but in her ears, it sounded so pleasing.
"Are we stealing a half-day’s leisure from life?" She leaned her head on his shoulder.
Zhao Junyao reached out and held her head.
"Yes!"
Xia Ruqing smiled sweetly and said nothing more.
...
It is said that even the most beautiful times must eventually end.
Just as the two inside were enveloped in love, suddenly an intruder arrived outside.
It was Li Deming.
Aside from Li Deming, who dares to be so bold?
Zi Yue and Zi Ning couldn’t stop him and didn’t dare, so they just let him in.
Thus...
When Li Deming appeared in the small courtyard, the two inside were clinging to each other like glue.
"Taishang Huang..."
He didn’t mind and reported rashly, realizing his mistake only after these three words slipped out and couldn’t be withdrawn.
He was taken aback for a moment, immediately lowered his head, feeling both annoyed and fearful, embarrassed.
Wishing he could disappear into the ground.
Zhao Junyao and Xia Ruqing had already noticed someone coming.
The two quickly separated and turned to face Li Deming.
Zhao Junyao was slightly impatient but eventually spoke patiently.
"What’s the matter?"
Li Deming, feeling extremely regretful, didn’t dare delay anything and quickly knelt down to answer.
"Reporting to Taishang Huang!"
"It’s the Emperor!"
Zhao Junyao suddenly startled and immediately stood up.
"What? Chenchen?"
Li Deming trembled.
"It’s...it’s the Emperor who sent me, saying there are issues he can’t handle, asking Taishang Huang to go over!"
Zhao Junyao originally thought Chenchen had returned, feeling pleasantly surprised.
But Li Deming’s response quickly extinguished his last bit of hope.
The implication was that there might be trouble in the city again, the Emperor was absent, so Taishang Huang had to step up.
Zhao Junyao’s expression returned to calmness, turning to look at Xia Ruqing.
"Qingqing..."
Xia Ruqing quickly nodded.
"Since Chenchen asked you, hurry to assist him!"
Guangnan affairs are unprecedented in a hundred years; only father and son can support each other quickly to relieve and solve problems for the people.
Xia Ruqing had that kind of heart.
She nudged him.
"You quickly go, I’m also tired, just going to eat, drink, and return to the room to sleep!"
"If you can’t come back tonight, stay with Chenchen, I’m fine on my own!"
If she can’t contribute, then she should be understanding.
Zhao Junyao hesitated and then nodded.
"Qingqing, thank you!"
Xia Ruqing, amused and exasperated, pushed him towards the outside.
"Alright, alright, don’t keep Chenchen waiting, I’m really okay..."
Zhao Junyao, having no alternative, agreed to her.
He hurriedly changed his clothes and left with Li Deming.
...
After Xia Ruqing saw him off, she indeed felt tired.
She wandered the courtyard front and back, left and right with Zi Yue and Zi Ning, feeling a bit worn.
Yawning, she bathed, dressed, and went to sleep.
As for Zhao Junyao, he was far from leisure.
Upon arriving at Zhao Qichen’s former residence, Li Deming immediately knelt before him.
"Taishang Huang!"
Zhao Junyao’s face instantly turned serious.
"Is there any news?"
Li Deming no longer concealed, revealing all the facts.
"Reporting to Taishang Huang!"
"General Chen, the trusted aide of the Emperor, reported that an Hidden Guard of the Emperor was found on the coast of South Sea State."
"When found, he was covered in injuries, having been rescued from the sea, his wounds were all festering, he uttered a few words before passing away..."
Zhao Junyao’s pupils contracted sharply, his tone immediately sank.
"What did he say?"
Li Deming felt a sense of despair.
"He said... the Emperor was attacked in the sea, requesting support..."
Zhao Junyao didn’t wait for Li Deming to finish and waved his hand.
"Let General Chen come to see me!"
Such matters require a conversation with the involved party to gather more details, transmission by others is unreliable!
Li Deming dared not say more, swiftly left to report.
Two incense sticks later, General Chen, accompanied by the soldier who discovered the Hidden Guard, met with Taishang Huang.
Zhao Junyao dismissed the servants, leaving only General Chen and the soldier for a private conversation.
For a full half Shi Chen, the door to the room finally opened again.
During this time, Li Deming kept watch outside, forbidding anyone from approaching.
Seeing Taishang Huang emerge.
Li Deming quickly stepped forward to assist.
"Taishang Huang, do you need me to prepare anything?"
Zhao Junyao ordered.
"Go find some coroners in the city, remember to keep it discreet!"
Li Deming accepted the task and swiftly left.
Zhao Junyao followed General Chen all the way to the military camp.
If there’s news, and if there are wounds, there must surely be other clues.
Everything awaits his personal confirmation.