Chapter 638 - 416: Often Shocked by Consort Shu’s Words

Chapter 638: Chapter 416: Often Shocked by Consort Shu’s Words

"Please ask for me, so I can start making plans," Consort Shu said earnestly. "Oh, by the way, I heard Princess Duanjing is pregnant. That’s wonderful news! Princess Fuke must finally be able to rest easy."

Song Yunzhao thanked her, a wide smile on her face. "Yes, my cousin-in-law has been frail since she was young, so conceiving this child was no small feat. I was overjoyed when I received the news."

Consort Shu looked at Song Yunzhao. "Princess Fuke has been making quite a splash in the Capital City recently. I’m sure you’ve heard?"

Song Yunzhao nodded. Princess Fuke and the Emperor were close siblings. Whenever the Emperor needed to do something he couldn’t do openly, Princess Fuke often acted as his spokesperson. She was the perfect person to leak information.

The Song Family had to maintain a low profile, so Feng Yi would not allow them to be drawn into the political maelstrom. But Princess Fuke was different. As the Emperor’s sister, it was much easier for her to handle certain matters, and others did not dare to criticize her rashly.

’In the book, the siblings’ relationship was excellent. Still, she hadn’t expected Princess Fuke to be so willing to put herself on the line for the Emperor, completely unafraid of offending people. Since the Songs were her in-laws, the family was sometimes the subject of gossip because of the princess’s actions. But what did that matter? The two families were in the same boat now. Princess Fuke could do things for the Emperor that the Song Family currently could not. Even if people gossiped, the Song Family would not issue any public statement.’

Seeing Song Yunzhao nod, Consort Shu sighed deeply. "The Capital City is so chaotic these days. What’s that saying? Pandemonium."

Song Yunzhao...

’Consort Shu’s words never failed to shock her.’

"What do you mean, ’pandemonium’?" Song Yunzhao asked.

’Her father is one of the courtiers. Does that make him a demon, too?’

Consort Shu shot Song Yunzhao a look, clearly unwilling to be drawn into a verbal trap. She immediately stood up. "In any case, just ask for me so I can prepare. I have other things to attend to, so I’ll be on my way. Please, stay. No need to see me out."

Song Yunzhao watched Consort Shu scurry away like the wind. She took a deep breath. ’Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. If anger makes you sick, you’re the only one who suffers.’

Nevertheless, Consort Shu’s words left Yun Zhao with a sliver of worry. The "pandemonium" she spoke of wasn’t an exaggeration. Around the New Year, Feng Yi had used the military expedition as a pretext to reform the government. He seized the opportunity to clear up old cases and purge outdated regulations, which undoubtedly angered the courtiers. By threatening their interests, he had provoked them into testing their strength against the Emperor.

Now, Feng Yi had promoted Ji Yunting, forcing the Left Minister to act with more caution. The father-son relationship was far from harmonious. With their differing political views, they often clashed at court. Rumor had it the Left Minister had been so furious he’d wanted to disown his son, only to be stopped by Madam Ji.

’A brilliant move on Feng Yi’s part,’ Song Yunzhao thought. The Left Minister constantly opposed the Emperor, obstructing him on many state matters. Now, with Ji Yunting as a weapon in his hand, the Left Minister was truly constrained.

She heard footsteps outside, followed quickly by Feng Ze’s laughter. Yun Zhao hurried to her feet and went out. Just as she parted the door curtain, Feng Ze burst in with Feng Yi right behind him.

Song Yunzhao bent down to scoop up her son, then looked at Feng Yi with a smile. "What brings Your Majesty here today?"

Feng Yi watched Feng Ze squirming in his mother’s arms and reached out to take him. "Let me. This boy’s gotten heavier; he’s too much for you to hold."

Song Yunzhao let go, ushering the father and son inside. Feng Ze scrambled onto the heated couch, snuggling up to his mother and poking his head out to glance at his imperial father.

Feng Yi...

"Mother!" Feng Ze chattered. Song Yunzhao watched her son’s excited face as he spoke. "I went riding with Father today! It was so much fun! Mother, can you get me a horse?"

Song Yunzhao blinked. ’Feng Yi took Feng Ze riding?’

Meeting Yun Zhao’s questioning gaze, Feng Yi said, "We went to visit the Guard Army, so I took him for a little ride."

Song Yunzhao nodded in understanding. She then turned to her son. "You can’t keep horses in the harem. If you want one, you’ll have to ask your imperial father for help."

Feng Ze’s eyes darted, and he immediately went to his father’s side. Song Yunzhao watched with a smile. ’What a crafty little boy. He probably asked me first just to test the waters. Now that I’ve refused, his father will find it harder to break his heart.’ Sure enough, Feng Yi agreed without hesitation.

Feng Ze was overjoyed and clamored to go pick out a horse immediately. Feng Yi called for Anshun and instructed him to take Feng Ze to Xu Sixi, who would then help them choose one.

Feng Ze happily went off with Anshun. Only then did Feng Yi let out a sigh of relief. "I don’t know who that child gets it from. He’s so energetic all day long."

Song Yunzhao gave the Emperor a pointed look.

Feng Yi...

He suddenly understood what that look meant.

Since it was rare for them to have a moment to sit and talk, Yun Zhao seized the opportunity to ask about the summer retreat. "Summer is just around the corner, and the weather will soon turn hot. I think we need to start preparing. We need a decision on whether we’re going or not. Consort Shu came to ask me about it today as well, but what could I say? I had to come to you for an answer, Your Majesty."

Feng Yi paused. He had been so busy he hadn’t had a moment to think about the summer retreat. He mulled it over for a second before saying, "I’m afraid I won’t be able to go this year. Do you want to?"

Song Yunzhao replied instantly, "I will stay wherever Your Majesty stays. If you’re not going, then neither am I. But what about the Empress Dowager and the other concubines?"

"We’ll follow last year’s precedent. They can go to the traveling palace to escape the heat. You and the boy can go to Jincui Garden. How does that sound?" Feng Yi did not want Yun Zhao and his son to leave, either. If they went away, it would be two months before he saw them again.

Jincui Garden was much more convenient. He could see them whenever he wanted.

"Of course, I’d be willing," Song Yunzhao said slowly. "I just don’t know if Shouci Palace will agree."

"You don’t need to worry about that," Feng Yi said. "I’ll send word to Consort Shu and have her make a trip to Shouci Palace."

’Truthfully, Song Yunzhao did not want to see the Empress Dowager, and the feeling was undoubtedly mutual.’

Feng Yi was a man of his word. As soon as he returned, he had Meng Jiuchang go to Cuiwei Palace to deliver the message.

When Consort Shu received the Emperor’s verbal decree, she was so exasperated she had to laugh. ’That Song Yunzhao is really something else! In the end, I’m still the one who has to swallow her pride and go grovel before the Empress Dowager.’

Still, as long as she could escape the summer heat, she would endure it. Consort Shu first sent a messenger to Shouci Palace. Only after receiving word that the Empress Dowager would see her did she change her clothes and head over.

Upon entering Shouci Palace, Consort Shu saw that An Shutong and Qin Xiyue were also present. ’That’s odd,’ she thought. ’Since when are those two chummy again?’

"I greet Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager. May you be blessed with good health," Consort Shu said, stepping forward to curtsy. It had been some time since she had last seen her, and the Empress Dowager’s complexion was truly awful. It looked as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.

The Empress Dowager waved a hand. "You may rise. It’s a rare occasion for you to visit, Consort Shu. Is there a reason for it?"

Consort Shu pretended not to notice the Empress Dowager’s sarcastic tone and spoke with a serious expression. "I have come regarding the summer retreat. The Emperor wished for me to ask where Your Majesty would like to go to escape the heat this year."

The Empress Dowager’s brow furrowed at her words. ’What is the Emperor playing at?’