A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 387: Chapter 387: Yes, It’s Time to Bestow Him a Marriage

They had no other choice. They each picked out someone who had caught the most prey, the heaviest prey, and the most dangerous and difficult-to-catch prey. Each person received the highest reward. This time, everyone shouted ”Fairness!” and all were thrilled.

The campfire crackled fiercely. The Imperial Kitchen cleaned and butchered the game, transforming it into various delicious dishes with creative flair. For instance, wild hare was made into roasted rabbit meat. After being smeared with marinade and allowed to absorb the flavors, it was roasted until the surface turned golden brown—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and thoroughly imbued with flavor.

Wild pheasant was stewed into soup. A large pot was hung over the fire, the wild pheasant chopped into pieces, and diced radish, chunks of ginger, salt, spices, and more were added. They filled the pot with water and stoked the fire beneath it until it roared, boiling the contents vigorously. It was cooked until the soup became thick and white, its rich aroma drifting far on the wind, only then was it taken off the fire.

Mutton and venison were cut into pieces and roasted over the flames. Finally, sprinkled with salt and pepper, one bite would fill the mouth with savory juices! As for tiger meat, it was best boiled. After boiling the meat, the bones were used to brew Tiger Bone Liquor; a sip was said to strengthen the body. Of course, Tiger Bone Liquor couldn’t be brewed in such a short time, especially so late at night. However, the various fine wines brought from the palace were more than sufficient.

The crowd sat around the campfire, feasting on large chunks of meat and drinking deeply. There was no regard for official rank, no distinction between members of the Imperial Forest Army and those from the Three Great Camps; no one looked down on anyone else. At that moment, people drank with whomever they pleased.

So...

The two newly bonded ”brothers,” Tiger and Yang Chenyi, were now lifting their bowls, swaying as they drank.

Yang Chenyi drained a bowl and exclaimed with great satisfaction, ”I haven’t drunk like this in a long time! Today is truly exhilarating!”

Tiger also finished a bowl, his eyes narrowing, his tongue beginning to stumble over words. ”Brother Yang... do you... do people control how much you drink?”

Yang Chenyi gazed into the campfire, his eyes hazy. ”My... my dad is very strict!”

”But... tonight, no one can control me!” Having said that, he downed another bowl.

The fiery liquor blazed down his throat, straight to his heart. For men, there was no problem that couldn’t be solved with a bout of drinking to blissful oblivion. If there was, then two bouts would do it! For kindred spirits like Tiger and Yang Chenyi, however, one round was enough.

Tiger matched him with another bowl, looked at Yang Chenyi, and chuckled. ”I... I thought you had a Beautiful Delicate Lady at home keeping an eye on you, so you wouldn’t dare drink too much! Heh heh...”

Yang Chenyi was momentarily stunned. ”Beautiful Delicate Lady?” Then, he let out a hearty burp. ”I... I’m only fourteen years old. What Beautiful Delicate Lady could I have?”

Being just fourteen and underage, he was, in fact, still a child.

Tiger stared intently at Yang Chenyi by the campfire for a moment, his tongue thick as he spoke. ”You really don’t look it, you—” He burped. ”—you’re still just a little squirt!”

Yang Chenyi was bewildered again. ”Little squirt?”

His mind a muddle, he knew nothing. After asking his question, he tossed the bowl aside and collapsed on the spot to sleep.

Tiger looked at him and smiled. ”Brother Yang, get up and drink... Oh no, that’s not right... you’re still just a little squirt. Given our ages, it would be more appropriate for you to call me ’Uncle’... Heh heh...”

With that, Tiger took a swig from the liquor jar, then he too collapsed and fell asleep.

The others were not much better off. They were either sprawling about, toasting and jeering, playing drinking games with forfeits and fist-flashing, or even wrestling on open ground—all sorts of antics were underway, making for a lively scene.

Even those like Xia Tingfeng and Zhao Junyao, who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk and had a bottomless tolerance, had gotten tipsy.

At last, the two of them, supporting each other, wobbled towards their tents...

Zhao Junyao always preferred simplicity in his affairs. This trip was no different, with everything spartan. The food and lodging were not much different from the others.

So, when the two reached two tents that looked similar in appearance and seemed about the same size, they stopped in their tracks. Both of them looked utterly bewildered, looking left, then right, not knowing which way to go.

Xia Tingfeng squinted, staring at the two tents before him. ”Your Majesty... I don’t know why, but I see two tents before us!”

Zhao Junyao was very calm. Apart from being a bit unsteady on his feet, his expression was as icy as ever. If he hadn’t spoken, probably no one would have noticed he had drunk too much. Now, he stood there, staring for a good while before stating seriously, ”It’s said that a drunk person sees double! So, we might be mistaken; perhaps there’s only one tent!”

Sound reasoning and calm analysis, wouldn’t you say?

Xia Tingfeng nodded thoughtfully. ”Hmm, that makes sense!” Then he added, ”Your Majesty, let’s go in then!”

Zhao Junyao nodded, and the two headed towards one of the tents.

Upon entering, Zhao Junyao glanced around at the room’s arrangements and nodded in satisfaction. ”Didn’t I say so? There’s just one!”

Xia Tingfeng also looked around and nodded, not forgetting to flatter, ”Your Majesty is wise!”

Zhao Junyao’s lips curved into a smile.

With Li Shengan not around, a few Little Eunuchs attended to his ablutions. As for what happened afterwards, he himself didn’t know.

Anyway, the next day, he found himself sleeping on the floor. And it was with Xia Tingfeng, the two of them surprisingly close to each other!

Zhao Junyao sprang to his feet in an instant, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot. An emperor’s dignity, so fragile, so easily shattered!

Hearing the commotion, Xia Tingfeng also woke up. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the Emperor’s glare, sharp as a sword, as if wishing to bore a hole right through him!

”Your Majesty?” Xia Tingfeng sprang up like a nimble dragon and subconsciously checked his clothing. Thankfully, it was still the outfit from yesterday.

Zhao Junyao looked at him with utter disdain, his face black as coal. ”What do you mean by that?”

What is this gesture?Would I, the Emperor, harbor such thoughts towards another man?Or could it be that he... towards Me...

Zhao Junyao shuddered with distaste.

Xia Tingfeng: ”...”

Awkward. Extremely awkward. Incomparably awkward.

After the tense silence had lingered for a long while, Xia Tingfeng coughed dryly a few times. ”Ahem... well... Your Majesty, I have matters to attend to. I will take my leave first!”

After saying so, he vanished like a puff of smoke.

Zhao Junyao’s face darkened even more. In his mind, he had already begun to contemplate. It’s time to arrange a marriage for him. Yes, this matter must be put on the agenda!

「...」

After the hunt, everyone rested for the better part of the next day. Over the following two days, they roamed the nearby towns, observing the local customs and culture. It was only on the fifth day that they began their journey back.

An itinerary without women was indeed much faster. By the evening of the fifth day, the imperial carriage had already entered the city.

「At dusk」

Xia Ruqing had already finished her evening meal and was planning to wash up, bathe, and go to sleep. Then, someone from the Empress’s side arrived, saying that the Emperor had returned to the palace and summoned everyone to welcome him; all were required to go.

Xia Ruqing looked at her large belly and gave a wry smile. She had no choice but to comply. What else could she do? Refusing was not an option.