A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 780: Chapter 780 Tasting Tea

Xia Ruqing caught sight of Zhao Junyao in an instant.

He was clad in a black mink cloak threaded with gold, wearing a white jade headpiece with a dragon motif, and on his feet, black boots adorned with dark purple cloud patterns.

He possessed a tall and statuesque figure, fingers like polished jade, eyebrows like sharp mountain peaks, and lips as finely sculpted as if by a master carver.

At that moment, holding a black oil-paper umbrella, he was strolling down the path in the plum grove, slowly approaching her.

His cloak billowed with his steps, rippling in the wind like water.

His figure, seen from behind, stood firm as a mighty mountain range, substantial yet dashing.

Every gesture he made exuded the nobility and grace of an emperor; he was like a man who had stepped directly out of a painting.

With just one look, Xia Ruqing froze on the spot.

So handsome, just far too handsome...

Beyond ’handsome,’ she couldn’t conjure any other words to describe him.

Even though they met daily, she was still endlessly captivated by him!

”Your Highness, Your Highness!”

Zi Yue knelt on the ground and discreetly tugged at her sleeve.

Xia Ruqing abruptly snapped back to reality, realizing he was already standing right before her.

Behind her, a dense crowd of palace attendants had already knelt.

The realization struck her, and she hastily, flustered, tried to kneel.

”Greetings, Your Maj—!”

”Qingqing!”

He swiftly pulled her up, brushing the snow from her clothes with a frown.

”Standing in the path of the wind without even an umbrella! You don’t take care of yourself at all!”

He was deeply displeased. She showed absolutely no regard for her own well-being. The moment he wasn’t watching, she would immediately run off to play.

What if she caught a cold again?

Heaven knows in what year he could finally end this damned celibate life!

Therefore, she absolutely must not catch a cold; even a slight chill from the wind was out of the question. Zhao Junyao thought with domineering possessiveness.

As he spoke, he positioned the umbrella over her head.

His other hand, almost instinctively, wrapped around her shoulders, as if terrified she would get cold.

Xia Ruqing glanced down at his hand, her heart skipping a beat.

Noticing the snowflakes on her shoulder, she then realized it was snowing again.

”Emperor, this concubine is wearing a wind cap. You should use the umbrella!”

With that, she tried to push the umbrella away.

Zhao Junyao’s gaze suddenly turned icy, and he glared at her.

Xia Ruqing immediately retracted her hand, whispering softly and meekly, ”This concubine... was just musing aloud...”

Why be so fierce?

Zhao Junyao’s eyes flicked to the side, his eyebrows arching slightly.

”It’s good that you understand!”

After saying this, he masterfully took her hand and led her to a nearby pavilion.

There, Li Shengan had already instructed attendants to set up the tea table and brazier.

Thick curtains enclosed the pavilion, and four or five small stoves were placed around the tea table. The stools were also draped with thick cushions, looking exceptionally warm and inviting.

Zhao Junyao pulled her down to sit, pointing to the small stove on the table as he said, ”Qingqing, why don’t you brew it yourself?”

”Today, I am determined to properly taste this tea you’ve mentioned!”

”Me?”

Xia Ruqing was somewhat incredulous.

”I’ve never had it before!”

Zhao Junyao laughed. ”That doesn’t matter, as long as you can brew it!”

”But... I don’t know how to brew tea either!”

Zhao Junyao continued, ”No matter. Take your time. I do not mind!”

Xia Ruqing: ”...”

Unable to refuse, she could only accept, grumbling inwardly in her aggrieved heart.

”But... there’s no water!”

”That’s alright. I’ve already sent out more than twenty people. If that’s not enough...”

Zhao Junyao glanced at Zi Yue and Zi Su.

”You two go and help as well!”

Zi Yue and Zi Su exchanged a look, then replied in unison, ”Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two then departed.

Xia Ruqing watched their retreating figures with envy, a myriad of grievances welling up inside her.

Emperor... I want to go too!

White snow, red plum blossoms... She longed to go pick the flowers, to admire them up close. Not just sit here and merely watch.

”No!” Zhao Junyao refuted her unspoken plea outright.

Xia Ruqing looked at him, her face full of aggrieved sorrow, her almond-shaped eyes seemingly brimming with tears.

Zhao Junyao remained as resolute as ever.

”Feeling aggrieved won’t change anything!”

A chill settled in Xia Ruqing’s heart.

Well, that’s that. No way out!

That day, the palace maids and eunuchs collected three pots of ”Plum Blossom Snow” water.

The first pot was used to brew Molli tea, the second for Dragon Well tea, and the third for the exceedingly precious Da Hong Pao.

None of them were brewed well.

However, Zhao Junyao felt rather pleased as he admired the plum blossoms, all the while watching her dejected, conflicted, and aggrieved expression.

Xia Ruqing, suppressing her frustration, refused to drink any tea, remaining sullen and silent.

It wasn’t until Zi Yue and Zi Su presented a large bouquet of freshly cut plum branches before her that her expression finally brightened!

”Wow! They’re blooming so beautifully! I want to paint them!”

Seeing the beauty’s face light up, Zhao Junyao hurried forward to eagerly offer his attention.

”Qingqing, would you like me to teach you how to paint?”

Xia Ruqing shot him a glare.

”This concubine wouldn’t dare. Your Majesty should continue to enjoy his tea!”

Having said that, she turned to give an order.

”Zi Yue, place them in my chambers. I will paint them when I return tonight!”

”Ah?”

Zi Yue glanced at Zhao Junyao, unsure how to respond.

Zhao Junyao merely suppressed a smile.

”Go on!”

Painting, such an elegant pursuit... to enjoy it as a private pleasure in her chambers... that seems like a fine idea!

Thinking this, the smile on his face became significantly more suggestive.

Xia Ruqing could hardly bear to look.

She hurriedly finished brewing the tea and then fled with her attendants.

When she returned to her room, her cheeks were still burning hot!

Zhao Junyao watched the young woman’s hasty retreat with a chuckle, not taking it to heart.

After savoring the tea for a while longer, he proceeded to the study.

「On the other end.」

Xia Ruqing returned to her room, patted her hot cheeks, and felt somewhat baffled.

”Zi Yue, what’s gotten into the Emperor?”

Hasn’t he summoned countless women in the palace before? Why does he still act so... insatiable, as if he can’t control himself?

Zi Yue, an unmarried young woman, was taken aback by such a question.

After a moment, she didn’t know how to answer.

She could only say, ”Your Highness, the Emperor’s regard for you is surely different from his regard for others. How can they possibly be compared?”

Xia Ruqing frowned in thought for a while before reluctantly nodding.

”Forget it, I won’t dwell on it anymore!”

”Go fetch my paintbrushes. I want to paint!”

Counting on him to teach her was clearly hopeless. And who knew what would happen tonight.

Xia Ruqing felt a deep sense of unease.

That look in his eyes... he practically wanted to devour her on the spot!

Zi Yue turned to fetch the items. Zi Su’s eyes darted about, and then she said with a smile, ”Your Highness, in this servant’s opinion... you need not take the Imperial Physician’s every word as gospel! This servant can see that Your Highness’s health has improved considerably. Perhaps...”

Xia Ruqing’s face flushed.

”Go, go! How can such matters be joked about?”

Truthfully, she did feel much better, almost entirely recovered. But still, she didn’t want to... She didn’t want to be devoured by that hungry wolf so soon, and she also didn’t want...

Xia Ruqing tilted her head, her gaze drifting out the window, her thoughts wandering.

Could it be that I still mind him summoning other women?

But... he’s the Emperor!

Xia Ruqing didn’t dare to dwell on it further. She desperately shook her head, trying to banish the sensitive topic from her mind.

Forget it! Let’s not think about it for now. I mustn’t be jealous, mustn’t be jealous, absolutely not!

「A day passed peacefully.」

Meanwhile, in the study, Zhao Junyao was also busy for most of the day.

Although the official seals had been put away for the New Year festivities, as the Emperor, he still had important memorials that required his personal attention and approval.