Chapter 394 - 172: Too Ashamed to Face Anyone

Chapter 394: Chapter 172: Too Ashamed to Face Anyone

Feng Yi felt the woman in his arms tremble. As long as he’d known Song Yunzhao, he’d never seen her like this; she had always been so full of fighting spirit.

It was true. The oppression of her low birth and status was a force she currently had no power to resist.

When he first ascended the throne, wasn’t he, the Emperor, also kept in check by those old ministers?

He knew that feeling of grievance, bitterness, and helplessness all too well. So now, seeing Yun Zhao looking so wronged, he not only understood but his heart ached for her even more.

One day, thanks to him, Yun Zhao would have nothing to fear.

Song Yunzhao knew not to overdo it. Her performance over, she immediately took out a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes, then adopted a lighthearted tone. "There’s something else you might not know yet, Your Majesty."

"What is it?" Feng Yi played along, changing the subject with a smile. "Don’t tell me you’re short on silver again?"

Song Yunzhao: ...

Seeing the shocked look on Yun Zhao’s face, Feng Yi burst out laughing. "I’m just teasing you. Go on, tell me what it is."

’This is so infuriating,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’The Emperor can be such a scoundrel.’

’It seems my ’poor girl’ persona is a resounding success,’ she mused. ’Even though the Emperor gives me a little extra whenever he thinks of it, he still thinks I’m destitute.’

’In reality, not only am I not poor, but my personal coffers are starting to fill up quite nicely.’

’But I’m not about to tell him that.’

"It’s about Consort Zhuang wanting to host a birthday banquet for Miss An. I was thinking, this is a major event, and Miss An is your cousin, after all."

Hearing the hint of jealousy in Song Yunzhao’s voice, Feng Yi fixed his eyes on her for a moment.

’I have to keep a straight face and hold my nerve,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’I’m pregnant and can’t share his bed. Showing a little jealousy right now is completely reasonable.’

’As his favorite concubine, one who has enjoyed his exclusive favor since entering the palace, if I don’t get jealous, how can I show the Emperor that my love for him is pure and ardent? I have to make it clear that I won’t tolerate another woman by his side.’

’My stance has to be made clear. What the Emperor does with it, well, that I can’t predict.’

’The key is my attitude.’

’Given the Emperor’s loveless upbringing, a little harmless possessiveness, as long as it’s not too over-the-top, should please him rather than disgust him.’

Sure enough, Song Yunzhao saw the Emperor’s expression soften. The corners of his mouth lifted, his eyes crinkling into crescents, and his gaze upon her grew even more tender.

’Heh. Men.’

Feng Yi had always disliked it when people played petty games in his presence. But right now, hearing Yun Zhao’s unabashedly jealous tone, he wasn’t annoyed in the slightest. On the contrary, it put him in a marvelous mood.

So, Feng Yi cleared his throat and said, "While Miss An is my cousin, I have never had any dealings with her, and there is no bond between us. It is just a minor birthday; Consort Zhuang is making too much of it. You are with child. You needn’t trouble yourself with such trivialities."

Song Yunzhao’s eyes instantly brightened as she looked at the Emperor, the joy on her face impossible to hide. Still, she feigned an obedient posture, the irrepressible delight bubbling up in her voice. "Of course, I obey Your Majesty."

’Ah, the sweet taste of being a manipulative little actress,’ Song Yunzhao thought, ’I’ll drink it all up!’

Seeing her adorably awkward act made Feng Yi’s mood even better. "Enough about these unimportant matters. I’ve been busy with state affairs lately and haven’t been able to look after you all the time. How have you been feeling?"

’Hearing the Emperor call An Shutong’s birthday an unimportant matter makes me genuinely happy,’ Song Yunzhao thought with a sigh. ’I guess I really am just a supporting character, nowhere near as virtuous and magnanimous as a proper heroine.’

"With Your Majesty’s favor, the Imperial Kitchen wouldn’t dare neglect me, and the Imperial Physicians are always on call. I am in excellent health—I can eat three bowls of rice at every meal! I will take good care of myself and make sure you don’t have to worry about me on top of your busy schedule," Song Yunzhao said with firm conviction.

’I have to express my gratitude for everything the Emperor does for me. I need to let him know I’m a grateful person.’

’Sigh. It’s not easy living in the harem.’

Feng Yi was naturally pleased to hear her words. He stayed to have dinner with Yun Zhao before preparing to leave Wangyou Palace.

Before he left, he saw her reluctance to let him go and squeezed her hand. "You’re still in the early stages of your pregnancy. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to stay the night. It wouldn’t be good for you."

Song Yunzhao: ?

’That’s not what I meant at all!’

’I was just trying to show I’d miss him, but his mind went somewhere completely indecent! My reputation!’

Seeing Yun Zhao’s face flush crimson at his words, Feng Yi just smiled, refrained from teasing her further, and turned to leave.

Song Yunzhao’s face went pale, then red, then ashen—a veritable rainbow of mortification.

She returned to her chambers and covered her face. ’My pristine reputation! Ruined!’

’Do I look like the kind of person who’s obsessed with... that sort of thing?’

’I’ve decided. I’m not going to speak to the Emperor for half a month. I’m too embarrassed to see anyone!’

With Zhang Maoquan and Meng Jiuchang keeping an eye on Ying Chun’s case, Song Yunzhao didn’t involve herself further, instead remaining quietly in Wangyou Palace.

A day later, Lu Zhixue came to visit. Her very first words were, "There’s news about Ying Chun’s family."

Song Yunzhao turned to Lu Zhixue. "Sit down and tell me."

Lu Zhixue studied Song Yunzhao’s expression, unable to guess if she already knew. Finally, she just asked directly, "Did you know?"

Song Yunzhao nodded. "Chief Steward Zhang told me."

At the mention of Zhang Maoquan, Lu Zhixue felt a pang of envy, but it quickly passed.

"Then what should we do? That golden bracelet showing up in her brother’s possession could not have come at a worse time."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Lu Zhixue. "What is there to be afraid of? Yan Gongzheng was there, and Wanqiu said it herself: An Fangyi only lost one golden bracelet, which Wanqiu found in Ying Chun’s room. Besides, neither Han Jinyi nor Ying Chun acknowledged the golden bracelet Wanqiu was talking about. After all, Wanqiu went in to search by herself. With no proof and no witnesses, it can’t be considered evidence."

"That’s true, but if Ying Chun’s brother insists that she gave him that golden bracelet, she’ll still have to explain where it came from," Lu Zhixue said.

Song Yunzhao knew what Lu Zhixue was worried about. She hadn’t realized Lu Zhixue was so invested in Han Jinyi’s matter. After a moment of thought, she said, "The Emperor has already sent people to investigate. All we have to do is wait for news."

Lu Zhixue: ...

’If I’d known the Emperor sent people to investigate, what was I so anxious for? No wonder Song Yunzhao is so calm.’

Seeing the shifting expressions on Lu Zhixue’s face, Song Yunzhao was both exasperated and amused. She pretended not to notice and said slowly, "I only just found out myself. I figured it was best not to spread the word, so I didn’t send a message to any of you. I didn’t want to tip our hand."

Lu Zhixue saw the sense in that, and her earlier awkwardness vanished. She cleared her throat and said, "It doesn’t really matter whether you told us or not."

’If your face had been even the slightest bit calmer a moment ago,’ Song Yunzhao thought, ’I might have actually believed you.’

"So when will the Palace Justice Department get to the bottom of this?" Lu Zhixue asked, looking away from Song Yunzhao, still a little uncomfortable.