Chapter 628 - 406: Feng Yi Returns to the Capital

Chapter 628: Chapter 406: Feng Yi Returns to the Capital

The sound of autumn rain pattering on the eaves made Yun Zhao feel drowsy. She leaned against the large daybed by the window, gazing outside. She was utterly exhausted, yet for some reason, she simply couldn’t fall asleep.

’My body is exhausted, but my spirit is wide awake.’

She covered her eyes with her handkerchief and began counting sheep.

One sheep, two sheep, three sheep... She lost count of how many, but still couldn’t find sleep. Through the fine, misty rain, she faintly heard footsteps. Each fall of the steps seemed to land right on her heart, matching its beat.

Song Yunzhao’s heart leaped. She shot to her feet and rushed outside. Striding quickly to the outer hall, she pushed open the doors and looked up to see Feng Yi just stepping under the covered walkway.

Feng Yi was also taken aback.

Song Yunzhao’s mind went blank. She followed her heart and threw herself at him.

Feng Yi quickly caught her. "Zhaozhao..."

Song Yunzhao buried herself in his arms, clinging tightly to Feng Yi’s waist. Only then did she truly believe he was back and that she wasn’t dreaming.

Meng Jiuchang and the others quickly lowered their heads, bowed, and retreated to the side.

Even though Meng Jiuchang was holding an umbrella for the Emperor, the quick pace of their walk had splashed the hem of Feng Yi’s robes. A damp chill clung to him, seeping into Yun Zhao’s clothes as well.

Song Yunzhao felt the world turn upside down as Feng Yi swept her up into his arms. He strode quickly into the hall and kicked the door shut behind them.

Meng Jiuchang clicked his tongue. ’Lady Ming really is something else,’ he thought. ’She didn’t even have to say a word to lure the Emperor inside.’

He had been traveling with the Emperor through the night, and the jostling ride had left his old bones feeling like they were about to fall apart. Seeing that he wouldn’t be needed for a while, he went to the tea room to warm himself by the fire and grab a bite to eat.

Nanny Yu quickly ordered several little palace maids to attend to them, sent word to the kitchen to prepare a meal, and had hot water brought over. With the Emperor’s return, Yaohua Palace instantly came alive with activity.

The palace attendants moved about on light feet, the joy in their expressions impossible to conceal.

Inside the hall, Feng Yi pressed Song Yunzhao down onto the daybed. Their long separation was like a fire, wrapping them in its tight embrace. Afterwards, Song Yunzhao truly fell into a deep sleep, utterly spent.

Feng Yi lowered the bed curtains. He first bathed and changed his clothes, then had a meal. Yun Zhao was still asleep, so he summoned Zhang Maoquan to ask in detail about what had happened during his absence.

Just as he finished his questions, Feng Ze woke up and came looking for his mother. The first person he saw was his father, the Emperor.

He froze for a moment, tilting his head to study him for a long time before suddenly rushing over.

’No wonder he looks a little familiar. My father, who’s been gone for so long, is back.’

Feng Yi was overjoyed to see his son. As the boy charged toward him, he bent down and swept him into the air. Feng Ze instantly broke into delighted, unending laughter.

In the bedchamber, Song Yunzhao groggily heard the sounds, but she was too tired to open her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

’Feng Yi is back now,’ she thought. ’I can finally be at ease.’

Feng Yi played with his son while listening to Zhang Maoquan’s report. Meng Jiuchang attended to them from the side, inwardly astonished. ’So much has happened in the palace in such a short time.’

"How is the investigation into the Marquis Wuxin Mansion coming along?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are no results yet," Zhang Maoquan replied, a bit anxiously.

Feng Yi reached out and took a piece of the Lu Ban Lock from Feng Ze, who was about to put it in his mouth. Without looking up, he said to Zhang Maoquan, "Go see Xu Anchen directly. Just say it’s my will, and he’ll know what to do."

Yunzhao had told him that she’d already spoken with Xu Anchen and his wife. At a critical moment like this, it was time for the couple to contribute. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

A chill ran down Zhang Maoquan’s back. He immediately said, "Yes. I will go at once."

"Come back," Feng Yi stopped him. "Make another trip to the Three Yuan Building. Have Xie Jinshu release the story about An Xiaoyi and Noble Lady Xu."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Maoquan didn’t dare to breathe. He hastily nodded his assent and backed away.

Cold sweat began to prick Meng Jiuchang’s palms. ’What does the Emperor mean by this?’

’If this story gets out, both the Marquis Wuxin Mansion and Gu’en Houfu will be utterly disgraced. And the Emperor didn’t tell Zhang Maoquan to separate the Empress Dowager from it... This...’

Meng Jiuchang didn’t dare to think any further.

Feng Yi watched as Feng Ze dismantled the Lu Ban Lock into a scattered mess. The boy had no patience to put it back together, and when he failed, he threw a tantrum, sweeping all the wooden strips to one side.

Such a little person, yet such a big temper.

Feng Yi pulled his son into his lap, then took the boy’s hands and patiently taught him how to reassemble the Lu Ban Lock.

When he was very young, he had seen his own father hold his favorite sons, had seen him teach them with a gentle expression, had seen him personally take his older brothers riding. But he could only watch from a distance.

Now that he had a son of his own, he would not let him experience the same disappointment and heartache, nor the envy and jealousy he had felt toward his older brothers.

When Song Yunzhao woke up and came out, she found the father and son playing happily. The large daybed by the window was covered in wooden strips lying every which way. An entire box of various Lu Ban Locks had been completely ravaged.

Hearing footsteps, Feng Yi turned his head.

Yun Zhao felt a little self-conscious. Though they had been together for years, she had never seen Feng Yi so eager and impatient as he had been today.

Noticing her expression, Feng Yi pulled her down to sit beside him. He pointed to their son, who was busy piecing together wooden strips. "This little rascal can’t sit still. When he gets a bit older, we’ll need to properly temper his disposition."

’He’s destined to be the Crown Prince someday; an impatient nature won’t do.’

Song Yunzhao immediately passed this hot potato. "In that case, I’ll have to entrust this matter to you, Your Majesty. I can no longer handle him."

’This child is a little terror. The moment I let him go, he’s off, and I can’t control him at all.’

’I’d like to be a strict mother, but I’d have to be able to catch the boy first.’

Feng Yi chuckled at her words. "Deal. I’ll be the one to discipline him. But when I get strict, you’re not allowed to feel sorry for him."

Song Yunzhao said, "Unpolished jade is worthless. I certainly won’t feel sorry for him."

’Out of sight, out of mind. When the time comes, I’ll just toss the boy into Taixi Hall and make sure I’m not around to see it.’

Hearing his mother’s voice, Feng Ze turned and broke into a brilliant smile. Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but smile in return.

Feng Yi watched them, noting that the mother and son had the same goofy, happy smile, and he laughed along with them.

The moment he saw his mother smile, Feng Ze pushed aside what he was holding, scrambled nimbly to his feet, and ran toward her.

Song Yunzhao quickly caught her son, only for Feng Yi to smoothly pull the boy into his own arms.

Feng Ze looked up at his mother, then turned to look at his father. ’How did I end up in Father’s arms?’

He was too little to figure it out.

Song Yunzhao and Feng Yi both laughed.

This only confused Feng Ze more, and his brow furrowed.

Watching their son go back to his Lu Ban Locks, Song Yunzhao leaned against Feng Yi and asked softly, "Have you been to Shouci Palace yet?"

Feng Yi replied, his expression unchanged, "Not yet. There’s no hurry."

Song Yunzhao tilted her head, looking at him.

Feng Yi met her gaze and gave her waist a little squeeze.

Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words.

"I’ve sent Zhang Maoquan to take care of something," Feng Yi said. "We’ll discuss it after he returns."

Song Yunzhao was taken aback. "What did you send him to do?"

"To give Xu Anchen a message."

Song Yunzhao’s eyes widened in shock.