Chapter 1174: Chapter 1174: I Want to Dress as a Man

Yue Er’s shocking words.

Left both the Emperor and Empress speechless for a long time.

Xia Ruqing took it relatively well.

Zhao Junyao only felt a chill in his heart.

This was his precious Little Princess that he doted on with his life.

Yet now she is so eager... to part ways with them?

She was like a little fledgling eagle still raised in the nest.

One day.

When her wings are strong and her feathers are rich, she will spread her arms wide to embrace the sky and fly to a vast world.

Leaving the two old eagles guarding the nest far behind, never to return.

The more Zhao Junyao thought about it, the colder his heart became, and he couldn’t speak for a long time.

The only thought in his mind was: This little ungrateful one!

Xia Ruqing watched Zhao Junyao’s face turn from green to purple, from purple to black, from black to white, and then from white to green.

She couldn’t help but laugh without malice.

"Emperor!"

"Well... let’s eat, hurry and eat!"

Zhao Junyao glanced at Yue Er lightly.

"It’s fine!"

"You can go now, go eat with your Sister, with your group of servants, and those few cats and dogs!"

Yue Er was only four years old.

She couldn’t hear any other meaning in her father’s words at all.

Immediately nodded obediently.

"Yes, Father Emperor!"

Then she hopped away gleefully.

Zhao Junyao’s face darkened even more.

Xia Ruqing could no longer hold back and scrambled for excuses!

"Emperor, she is still young!"

"She doesn’t understand things yet?!"

"It must be that I’ve been too strict with her normally!"

"When she heard we were going out, there was finally no one to manage her, that’s why she’s happy!"

As she spoke.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t continue, the more she thought, the more her heart ached.

’Is Yue Er experiencing a rebellious phase before the age of five?’

’What kind of little padded jacket is this, it’s clearly... a little debt collector!’

Zhao Junyao didn’t speak at all.

After the evening meal, he sulkily read a book on the kang.

Xia Ruqing felt a sigh in her heart.

’A man heartbroken by his little lover, is not to be messed with!’

...

The matter of going to Jiangnan was thus decided.

The next morning.

Zhao Junyao, with a black face, personally announced the decree in court.

"As for the Jiangnan River Dike issue, I will personally oversee it!"

"During my absence from the Capital City, the Crown Prince will preside over the government! The Cabinet and all ministers must assist fully!"

All the ministers received the decree and knelt down in a large group.

"We accept the order!"

"Rise, then!"

Zhao Junyao waved his hand casually, his expression still frighteningly dark.

The ministers hurriedly gave thanks.

But their hearts couldn’t stop beating with confusion and worry.

Why is the Emperor’s face... so poor?!

Did something happen again?

Could it be that someone in Jiangnan angered the Emperor?

No!

Jiangnan hasn’t had any major floods this year?

But there’s nothing else either.

Yesterday, the Emperor seemed fine at court?!

Everyone speculated, but to no avail.

Zhao Junyao couldn’t be bothered with them.

Seeing that there was nothing else, he directly waved his hand.

"Court is adjourned!"

At this point, even those with things to say dared not mention them, and returned to figure things out themselves first!

Without hesitation, they all knelt down again.

"Farewell to the Emperor!"

When they looked up again.

The Emperor had already left, not even his back could be seen.

...

In the Fifteenth Year of Jiayuan, in late May.

The Emperor and the Empress went incognito to visit Jiangnan.

Early in the morning, just as the sky was lightening.

A few inconspicuous carriages departed from the corner gate of the Imperial Palace, heading directly towards the city gate along the Capital City Street.

This trip was kept as simple as possible.

Whether it was the accompanying Palace Attendants or the luggage, everything was simplified several times over, ensuring no unnecessary burden before setting out.

The first carriage was slightly larger, carrying both the Emperor and Empress.

Though not as spacious as previous carriages, it wasn’t cramped either.

Xia Ruqing dressed as a common woman, with simple silver attire and jewelry, as ordinary as could be.

Zhao Junyao wore a sky-blue long shirt, holding a folding fan, resembling a refined scholar.

Their outfits transformed them from traveling merchants to a more ordinary young couple.

The second carriage was smaller.

Also only seating two people, Zi Su and Li Shengan.

Zi Yue’s calm nature made leaving her in Duanning Palace reassuring.

Zi Su, being bold and dramatic, was more suited to say and do things that others dared not.

As for Li Shengan, he was more like Zhao Junyao’s personal Butler, indispensable.

The two of them also posed as a young couple for this trip.

Appearing like the companions and household servants of a regular family.

All in all, they looked like just an ordinary family.

The third carriage carried the luggage, neither much nor valuable, just some ordinary household items.

How ordinary, you ask?

If they encountered bandits while traveling through the mountains, there wouldn’t be much temptation to rob them.

Risking life and limb for a beheading crime but reaping little profit.

Such an unworthy venture wasn’t worth undertaking!

Of course, this was all for appearances.

Behind the scenes.

The Imperial Forest Army, Hidden Guards, accompanying Scouts, Imperial Censors, Ministry of Works’ officials, et cetera, were all fully present.

In fact, more people than any previous visit accompanied them!

After all, the safety of the Emperor and Empress was more important than anything else!

...

Capital City.

After the Emperor and Empress left the palace.

State affairs were handed over to the Crown Prince and the Cabinet ministers to manage jointly.

The administration of the harem was fully entrusted to the four concubines.

Anyway, nothing significant was anticipated.

If all goes as expected, this period would naturally be stable and peaceful.

Although the concubines were somewhat envious of the Empress.

Fortunately, everyone didn’t go.

The Emperor took no one but the Empress.

That made them feel at ease and continue with their daily lives.

The harem is like this.

As long as everyone is the same, they can find peace of mind and not cause trouble.

If one loses favor, they all lose favor together.

If a reward is given, everyone gets a reward together.

If they stay in the palace, they all stay in the palace together.

Nothing brings harmony to the harem more than treating everyone equally.

...

Outside the palace.

Since the Ministry of Works had already sent people with mortar to repair the river dike, the Emperor and Empress did not need to rush.

They could slowly take their time enjoying the scenery on the way.

However, in the scorching heat, there was little mood for leisure.

They had no choice but to travel while cooling off along the way.

A month later.

The Emperor and Empress finally reached the territory of Jiangnan.

In the carriage, Xia Ruqing was a bit sluggish.

"Emperor, Jiangnan is even hotter than the Capital City!"

Her lips were dry, and she was drowsy, being someone who gets sleepy in the heat.

Zhao Junyao gave her a drink from a canteen, softly reassuring her.

"Just bear it a little longer!"

"In two or three days, we’ll be in the city!"

"Then we can find the largest inn by Qinhuai River to relax for a few days, how about that?"

Xia Ruqing perked up after a few sips of water.

"That sounds great!"

"When the time comes, I want to disguise myself as a man and listen to the latest tunes on the river barges!"

Zhao Junyao found her request mildly amusing but agreed.

"Alright!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled happily.

Imagining the scene of a flock of beauties surrounding her.

Even though everyone was a woman.

But who doesn’t like beautiful things?

Even if just for eye candy, it’s worth it!