Chapter 662 - 440: Playmate and Study Companion

Chapter 662: Chapter 440: Playmate and Study Companion

Qingyao Palace was shaded by wisteria and filled with fragrant, competing flowers. In a corner of the wall, a pomegranate tree with gnarled bark was a luscious, vibrant green. At this time of year, the pomegranates on the tree were already the size of a child’s fist, but it would be some time before they were truly ready to eat.

Beneath the tree, Feng Ze was playing a game of "jumping stones," which was similar to Chinese checkers of later generations. Anshun and a few other eunuchs were accompanying him, while Yun Zhao sat on a nearby stone bench, fanning herself with a round fan and watching them play.

He was the only child in the entire Imperial Palace. Feng Ze didn’t even have a single playmate his own age. ’This won’t do,’ she thought.

Yun Zhao felt this was a major issue. A child’s youth shouldn’t be incomplete.

Finding a playmate for the boy was an urgent matter. She decided she had to discuss it properly with Feng Yi.

’Keeping an eye on Qin Xiyue is important, of course, but I can’t neglect my son’s happy upbringing.’

At noon, Feng Yi came for lunch, and Yun Zhao brought the matter up with him.

Feng Yi paused, looking up at Yun Zhao. "I was originally planning to find him some study companions next year when he begins his formal education."

"Next year is a long way off. It’s so boring for Feng Ze to play all by himself right now. Even if Anshun and the others can play with him, they’re still adults. Plus, they all let him win, coddle him, and spoil him, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Only by playing with children his own age will he learn what the fun of childhood truly is."

"You have a point. Do you have any particular family’s child in mind?"

Song Yunzhao drew a blank.

Feng Yi explained, "Choosing a playmate is different from choosing a study companion. For study companions, I would mostly select from families whose elders are deeply learned. The children raised in such families are unlikely to be lacking in knowledge, making them the best choice to study with Feng Ze. As for playmates, the criteria are simpler: a respectable family background and upright character are sufficient."

Song Yunzhao was silent. ’Those requirements aren’t low at all.’

The family background requirement alone would eliminate the vast majority of people. The character requirement would then weed out another portion. How many would even be left?

"Of course, the most important thing is that they come from a family with close ties to yours. They could be a source of support for Feng Ze in the future."

Song Yunzhao looked up at Feng Yi, her heart suddenly skipping a beat.

"As a playmate, the child shouldn’t be the same age as Feng Ze. They should be at least two or three years older, so they can play together but also look after him."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’I hadn’t thought that far ahead.’

Seeing her expression, Feng Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t worry about this matter. If you have a suitable candidate in mind, just let me know, and I’ll see if they’re a good fit. If not, I’ll select a few to enter the palace and accompany Feng Ze for a while to see how it goes."

"It’s a pity the Song Family doesn’t have any suitable children. That would have been ideal."

Song Yunzhao’s cousin’s child was still in Princess Duanjing’s belly. ’My own younger brother isn’t even married yet—there isn’t even a whisper of a wife, let alone a child.’ 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Speaking of which, Mrs. Cai is truly derelict in her duties as a mother. Her heart is entirely focused on Song Qinghan, and she has spent the last few years constantly meddling in her affairs, completely neglecting her son’s marriage prospects. With Song Bu Yue unmarried, Song Buming, who is next in line, can only wait. Aunt Che is probably cursing Mrs. Cai endlessly in her heart.’

’However, I have no intention of getting involved in these matters. Song Buming has Aunt Che and Song Jinxuan helping him; they’ve probably already chosen a candidate in private and are just waiting for Song Bu Yue to marry before bringing it up with their father. As for Song Bu Yue, I want to avoid the subject of his marriage like the plague. If I so much as ask a single question about it, I can just imagine Mrs. Cai flying into a rage.’

The Song Family was out of the question. The only option was to see if any of the closely-affiliated families wanted their child to enter the palace and accompany Feng Ze.

Becoming a playmate for a prince... some families would be overjoyed, but others would avoid it at all costs.

The position offered both fortune and danger. If the child got along well with the prince, the benefits to their family would naturally be great. But if the prince grew to dislike or resent the child, then the dangers would be just as numerous.

Besides, some families were unwilling to use such a position as a path to advancement, fearing it would tarnish their family’s reputation.

So, while it sounded simple, making a selection was actually quite difficult.

In situations like this, relatives by marriage were actually the best choice, as they were natural allies.

Song Yunzhao knew nothing about the ages or temperaments of the various families’ children, nor the characters of their parents. In a situation like this, it was naturally best to leave it to Feng Yi, lest her uninformed meddling make things worse.

Feng Yi agreed with Yun Zhao. "I’ll look into it myself later and find a few good candidates for Feng Ze."

Song Yunzhao immediately showered him with flattery, leaving him in high spirits. After their midday nap, Feng Yi left with his son, and Yun Zhao finally had a rare moment of peace.

She summoned Xiangxue to ask about Qin Xiyue.

"Qin Wan Yi’s movements are very predictable. She basically goes to pay respects to the Empress Dowager with An Xiaoyi every morning. Afterward, she usually stays at Pingyun Pavilion to admire the scenery and drink tea, and occasionally plays chess with other concubines to pass the time. Sometimes she’ll stroll through the gardens with a few companions. It’s rare to see her alone."

’Tsk. She’s a tough one. So cautious.’

’This just proves that the more cautious she is, the greater her ambitions.’

Song Yunzhao nodded. "Keep watching her. And the same rule applies: don’t tip her off."

"Your Ladyship can rest assured," Xiangxue replied with a nod.

Since there was no movement from Qin Xiyue’s side for now, she asked, "What about the Imperial Awakening Temple?"

"There’s been no unusual activity from Xu Ji at the Imperial Awakening Temple, either. She did meet with the Marchioness Wu Xin yesterday, but our people reported back that Xu Ji didn’t mention a single thing about the palace, nor did she ask the Marchioness to do anything for her. It was as if it were truly just a simple visit."

Song Yunzhao: ...

Seeing her mistress’s displeased expression, Xiangxue quickly added, "Your Ladyship, Chief Steward Zhang has already assigned more people to secretly watch the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. Please don’t worry."

Yun Zhao trusted Zhang Maoquan’s work. Hearing Xiangxue’s words, she understood that even though Zhang Maoquan had received news that Xu Ji and the Marchioness Wu Xin hadn’t said anything significant, he was still being cautious because they were mother and daughter. His diligence eased Yun Zhao’s mind considerably.

Feeling frustrated and vexed by the lack of progress, Yun Zhao decided to leave Qingyao Palace and head directly to Lu Zhixue’s residence.

Back in the palace, Lu Zhixue had often visited Yaohua Palace. But ever since they had moved to the garden estate, and Feng Yi had started visiting Qingyao Palace frequently, Lu Zhixue no longer came over.

Song Yunzhao understood Lu Zhixue’s reasoning. She was afraid of running into the Emperor if she visited. An encounter like that would be awkward, and Lu Zhixue was also likely being considerate, worried that Yun Zhao might get the wrong idea.

A smile touched Yun Zhao’s lips as she thought about it. ’See? When everyone gets what they need, it can form a solid alliance. Those who are on good terms with me have already realized it isn’t that I’m a jealous person; rather, they’ve discovered that Feng Yi himself has no interest in favoring other concubines. He and I have reached a delicate equilibrium. Unless one of us takes the initiative to break it, no one else can interfere.’

When she arrived at Lu Zhixue’s residence, she heard the sound of laughter and conversation before she even stepped inside.

A palace attendant immediately went in to announce her. Lu Zhixue came out shortly after, followed by Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin. At the very back, Wang Zhaorong’s face also appeared.

They all greeted Yun Zhao and welcomed her inside.

Lu Zhixue said, "What wind has blown Lady Ming here today? You’re quite the rare guest."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered with her teasing tone and retorted directly, "The east, south, west, and north winds."

Everyone immediately burst into laughter.