CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 18 MY FIRST KISS

Although the Imperial Kitchen didn’t understand why the Emperor suddenly wanted such a dish, they still followed the instructions and prepared it with the utmost speed, presenting it forthwith.

A bowl of gleaming noodles, topped with shredded pork, chili sauce, and pickled long beans, carried the tangy scent of rice vinegar straight to her nostrils.

The soup was savory and delicious, the noodles perfectly al dente. Xia Ruqing could barely contain her excitement; her mouth was watering.

"Your Majesty, this is so delicious! Why don’t... you also try some?" she offered tentatively, as if presenting a treasure.

Zhao Junyao frowned.

His Etiquette Sister had taught him since he was ten not to indulge in the pleasures of the palate, nor to eat such... strongly-flavored things. Consuming them would leave a lingering smell on his body, which was undignified.

A gentleman values maintaining his appearance and decorum, acting appropriately, and speaking elegantly.

If a refined and elegant gentleman were to reek of spicy hot pot, the mere thought... was simply unthinkable!

Zhao Junyao chuckled. "I shall not. You enjoy it."

"Yes!" Xia Ruqing chuckled sheepishly.

She felt a bit embarrassed. He’s so elegant; I shouldn’t lead him astray... Better if I just eat it myself!

Zhao Junyao retired for his afternoon rest. Xia Ruqing, delighted, finished her noodles and was then attended to by palace attendants, who helped her bathe and change.

Then she lay on the couch in the small room, wrapped in a blanket, and sweetly fell asleep.

Outside the window, the autumn rain drizzled gently. By evening, it had turned into a heavy downpour, but she was still asleep.

In the evening, after returning from discussing state affairs, Zhao Junyao found her sleeping soundly, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly.

This girl, living in Zhaochen Palace, truly feels no pressure whatsoever. She can eat and sleep so freely.

Zhao Junyao imagined for a moment: if Consort Ning or Consort Yun were to stay in Zhaochen Palace for a day, then... what an act they would put on!

Ugh... Zhao Junyao shuddered, goosebumps rising on his skin.

Best to drop it. There’s nothing wrong with being able to eat and sleep well! Eating when hungry, laughing when happy—that’s quite nice!

After removing his outer robe, Zhao Junyao sat on the edge of the couch and casually picked up a book.

On the couch, a certain someone was fast asleep!

Suddenly remembering something, Zhao Junyao’s lips curled. "The first time I saw you, you were sleeping right here. Are you particularly fond of this spot?"

"Mmm..." She turned over, murmuring softly.

She turned, slinging an arm around Zhao Junyao’s sturdy waist, and nuzzled against him like a cat.

Then... with a satisfied expression, she continued sleeping.

Zhao Junyao froze, stunned, as if turned to stone.

It felt as if a soft feather were lightly sweeping across his heart—a touch so faint, yet maddeningly ticklish.

He felt an indescribable, pleasurable sensation, as if his heart were about to melt!

Li Shengan, standing not far away, wished he could bury his head in his chest. I didn’t see anything! I saw absolutely nothing!

Having lived for so long and served by the Emperor’s side for many years, he, who prided himself on being worldly-wise, had never encountered such a scene!

It was enough to blind his "titanium alloy dog eyes"!

Zhao Junyao simply tossed the book aside. He stretched out an arm, lightly supporting her back, and leaned in to kiss her.

Just as his lips were about to touch hers, Zhao Junyao suddenly stopped.

Wait a second! What exactly am I doing? A kiss? He had never understood this intimate, mouth-to-mouth act and had, in fact, been quite repelled by it in the past. If his consorts wanted to kiss him? Apologies, but he would simply turn away with a flick of his sleeve! But why did he suddenly want to do this now? How puzzling! And yet... seeing the rosy pink lips before him, he really, really wanted to... kiss them...

In the end, his male instincts triumphed over reason, and he kissed her.

In that instant—sweet, soft—his entire being seemed to tremble as if struck by lightning!

Then... he couldn’t stop.

Xia Ruqing vaguely felt someone kissing her. Opening her eyes, she saw an enlarged, handsome face, looking utterly intoxicated!

His eyelashes are so long... He’s so handsome... Waking up to a handsome guy taking liberties? Not a bad deal at all!

Li Shengan fled faster than a rabbit. Could he not run? It’s a matter of life and death!

Standing on the veranda, watching the torrential rain, Li Shengan wiped the sweat from his forehead. Little Zhuzi hurriedly offered him a handkerchief and leaned in to ask,

"Master, has the Emperor called for his meal?"

"Meal, my foot!" Li Shengan rapped him on the head. "Can’t you see they’re busy in there?"

"Busy?" Little Zhuzi scratched his head.

The Emperor has already returned from the Imperial Study Room, he wondered. It should be time for his meal, right?

"Go! Hurry up and leave! We’ll come back later!" Li Shengan instructed.

"But, Master, if the Emperor calls for his meal and no one is around..."

"Stop blabbering! Just go when I tell you to!" Li Shengan rapped him on the head again, frustrated by his density.

My foolish apprentice! How can he be so dense! He just doesn’t get it! But then again, who would dare to even imagine such a thing if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes?!

Li Shengan understood one thing clearly.

Lady Xia is a special existence. From now on, we must treat her with the utmost respect and never cause her any trouble!

With that thought, Li Shengan also left, even shooing all the palace attendants to a distance of at least three zhang!

The Emperor has been busy all day and wants to relax. As the Chief Steward attending to His Majesty, I must cooperate fully!

That night, the Emperor’s dinner was delayed by a full two Shi Chen past the usual time!

The heavy rain poured all night long. As a result... Xia Ruqing stayed another day in Zhaochen Palace.

It wasn’t until the fifth watch of the third day that someone was finally sent to take her back.

After that incident, the staff from the Imperial Kitchen and the Ministry of Internal Affairs were even more courteous to Zhaohua Pavilion!

Not only did no one dare to skimp on her monthly allowance, but she also received many extra items.

Xia Ruqing hesitated to accept them, but the person delivering them quietly assured her, "Don’t worry, Honored Lady, these items won’t be recorded!"

Xia Ruqing nodded and then accepted them.

One must play the part to the fullest, after all. She was, for now, just an "out of favor" Honored Lady.

In mid-September, a swift horse carrying family letters, silver notes, and some jewelry sped from the Capital City directly to a location in Jiangnan.

Zhuoshui County, a small county in Jiangnan, was neither particularly large nor small, neither affluent nor impoverished. It was free from natural disasters, yet its people found it difficult to prosper.

Xia Yu, also known as Old Master Xia, had served as the County Magistrate here for over ten years, his career achievements having stagnated. With neither remarkable achievements nor significant faults, a demotion was unlikely. But a promotion? No chance!

Therefore, since taking office, he had encountered an Imperial Censor from the Capital City only once: the year he passed the imperial examination, when the Ministry of Personnel issued his appointment order.

More than a decade had passed. When he learned an Imperial Censor was coming, he was so overcome with emotion that tears of joy streamed down his face, and he went outside the city gates early to await the arrival.

"Xia Yu, Seventh Rank County Magistrate of Zhuoshui County, pays his respects to the Imperial Censor!"

Since I’ve committed no errors, it can’t be a dismissal order, he thought. Therefore, it must be a promotion!

"Old Master Xia, please rise," Imperial Censor Zhou said politely, though his expression remained impassive.

Old Master Xia, now middle-aged and rather portly, pushed himself up from the ground, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Imperial Censor, your journey must have been arduous. This humble official has prepared a banquet to welcome you and help you recover from your travels!"

Old Master Xia might have been somewhat pedantic, but having navigated official circles for over a decade, he was well-versed in these customary formalities!

"There is no need. I am pressed for time on this journey from the Capital City, so I shall not impose on you, Magistrate Xia," said Imperial Censor Zhou. "Should I require anything, I will call on you personally."

With that, without waiting for Old Master Xia to say another word, he mounted his horse and rode off, disappearing in a cloud of dust.