Chapter 1194: Chapter 1194: Assassin Alert!

The master and servant pair slowly walked inside, with several other servants following behind ready to serve at any time.

Upon entering the courtyard gate, Xia Ruqing observed carefully.

She found that although the courtyard was quite ordinary, it was kept very clean and neat.

Looking closely, it even had a bit of a hidden retreat vibe.

In front of the courtyard was a winding, twisting path leading up the mountain, paved with blue stone slabs, looking rather flat despite being less than a zhang wide.

Behind the courtyard was a chicken coop and vegetable garden.

A few old hens were leisurely strolling inside the coop, while the garden was planted with lush green vegetables.

In the backyard stood a huge pagoda tree.

A dense row of fences surrounded the courtyard, entwined with various wildflowers.

The entire courtyard was very small, with the area not even as large as a main hall in the palace.

But this is exactly what gives it a rustic charm.

It’s like someone who has been used to delicacies suddenly finds sorghum bread surprisingly tasty.

Xia Ruqing circled the big pagoda tree two or three times, feeling quite excited. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"When I was a child, our family in the countryside also had a pagoda tree like this, and in April and May, the courtyard would be filled with the fragrance of pagoda flowers!"

"Harvesting the flowers with a hook, you can steam them or fry them, and they’re delicious. One tree is enough for half a month!"

Zi Su covered her mouth and laughed.

"Mistress, you’re still only thinking about eating!"

Xia Ruqing’s face was full of pride.

"Food and sex are natural instincts! It’s human nature!"

"Dare you say you don’t love to eat?"

"Anyone who says they don’t like to eat is hypocritical!"

No matter how well-raised, a person cannot erase their nature!

"Fine, fine!"

Zi Su was both crying and laughing!

It is said that people are easily bought with food, and these servants all loved to eat the things made by the mistress.

Thinking carefully, the mistress is right, it’s better not to argue.

The master and servant chat for a while, noticing the time is late, they return to their rooms.

In the blink of an eye, evening falls and it’s time for dinner.

Due to limited conditions, only one kitchen maid was brought, so there wasn’t much to eat.

Xia Ruqing instructed.

"The vegetables in the backyard look nice, make a few fresh dishes to taste!"

Zi Su respectfully passed on the message.

In no time, the small courtyard was filled with the gentle aroma of food.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t stay inside the house, so she stood at the courtyard gate.

Casually gazing into the distance, she could just make out the small fishing village.

In the darkness, the tiny lights looked like the brightest stars in the night sky.

Under each lamp.

Perhaps a woman looking forward to her fisherman’s return.

Perhaps a mother awaiting her son’s homecoming.

Or perhaps a family leaving a lamp to guide someone home.

No matter which one, the lights in the dark always warm the heart.

She couldn’t help but think of her childhood.

Whenever she stayed out playing late, Grandma would always leave a lamp for her.

Seeing the lamp meant Grandma was waiting for her.

That sense of security couldn’t be replaced or compared by anything.

Thinking about it, Xia Ruqing felt like crying.

She missed Grandma so much, she really missed her!

Grandma was the one who loved her most in the world, without a doubt.

Even Zhao Junyao was wonderful.

He loved and protected her so much, even to the point of not touching any other women in the harem.

What an enormous sacrifice and concession? He was, after all, an emperor of ancient times!

But!

There’s always a "but".

Because he was the Emperor, and she depended on him for survival.

Everything she had was given by him: status, power, offspring, luxury, glory, etc.

Thus, their relationship was fundamentally unequal.

Without equal status, what soulmate could there be?

It’s said that beauty ages while favor wanes first.

When the favor truly ends one day, aside from relying on her children’s noble status to maintain her position and striving not to live miserably, what else can she do?

Living in a feudal past, she has always been clear-minded.

All the women here depend on men to live, and the relationships between men and women here will never be equal.

The situations in those time-travel novels where heroines effortlessly engage in court politics and power struggles simply do not exist.

In the real ancient times, women truly had no status whatsoever!

Although the Great Chu Dynasty had very open-minded customs.

But the humble reliance of women on men still existed.

She was also a woman, naturally subject to the same treatment, even with a changed soul.

Therefore...

No matter how much she admired and liked Zhao Junyao, deep down she always left a bit of caution for herself.

To ensure she can live honorably even if he one day truly forsakes her.

She knew she wasn’t wrong.

Looking at the women doing well in the palace, which one truly counted on the emperor’s love?

She cannot be too complacent!

Staring at the twinkling lights in the distance, a multitude of thoughts crossed her mind.

Lost in thought, suddenly a voice sounded behind her.

"What are you thinking?"

Xia Ruqing was startled, and turned around to see Zhao Junyao behind her.

Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief, patting her chest and laughing.

"Nothing, just idly daydreaming. That little fishing village is so beautiful, and the lights there are very warm!"

Zhao Junyao followed her gaze.

The twinkling lights reflected in his deep eyes, looking especially beautiful.

After a moment, he suddenly laughed.

"Indeed, very beautiful!"

"But it’s windy here; you’re not strong, better go back inside!"

With that, he led Xia Ruqing inside.

Xia Ruqing did not object and obediently followed behind him, a feeling of sweetness rising in her heart.

She finally understood the meaning of that phrase.

’If you treat me with unwavering kindness, I will stand by you till life and death!’

’If you love me from day to night, we shall both find joy each day and night!’

These lines are so beautifully written...

The dinner was very simple.

Even simpler than the simplest palace meals.

But with this courtyard, scenery, and atmosphere, it carried a bit of rustic charm.

Both ate happily.

Xia Ruqing picked a green vegetable for Zhao Junyao.

"How did you find this place, Emperor?"

"This is the backyard greens, try it!"

Zhao Junyao merely smiled, and sent the greens into his mouth.

Finding it delicious, he helped himself to two more bowls of rice.

After dinner, Xia Ruqing continued to inquire.

"How did you find this place?"

"It doesn’t look like a farmhouse but rather a retreat of some hermit!"

Zhao Junyao laughed heartily.

"What retreat!"

"It’s just a normal courtyard, I had it renovated!"

Xia Ruqing was more puzzled.

"But what about these vegetables? They’re clearly maintained for a long time!"

"And the chickens!"

Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow.

"They were all relocated!"

"Didn’t you notice the soil on the ground is freshly turned?"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Well, she really didn’t notice.

She always thought it was traces of tilling and fertilizing.

She was about to ask more.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew from the backyard, and those hens began screaming as if mad.

Immediately, someone shouted.

"Assassin!"

"Protect the mistress!"