Chapter 754 - 531: A Huge Uproar

Chapter 754: Chapter 531: A Huge Uproar

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yi, momentarily at a loss for words. ’This man is a true master of changing his tune to suit the situation.’

Feng Yi had just spoken too quickly. Besides, it was perfectly normal for men to take concubines. Someone like him was the one who wasn’t normal.

’But he was happy with it, so what if it wasn’t normal?’

Having come this far together, he truly couldn’t bear to see Yun Zhao unhappy over such things.

He thought back to the past. After the three concubines had entered the palace, he had never once wondered if they were happy.

’Happy or not, what did that have to do with him?’

But when it came to Zhaozhao, he felt differently.

’See, all men are like this. The one held in their heart is a treasure; the one they don’t care for is just a weed.’

Feng Yi held Yun Zhao’s hand and looked at her. "I was just talking about other men. It has nothing to do with me. You see, so many women have entered the harem, and I haven’t given a single one a second glance."

"Not giving them a second glance still means you gave them a first one."

Feng Yi: ...

’Really? She’s going with that?’

"I definitely won’t show up for the next concubine selection."

"But wouldn’t the people outside just curse me even more fiercely?"

Feng Yi: ...

’Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. It’s so hard being the Emperor.’

Perhaps because Feng Yi’s expression was so vivid, Yun Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.

Feng Yi sighed. "Then we just won’t have a concubine selection next time."

’That would save him the anxiety, and Zhaozhao wouldn’t be unhappy either.’

Song Yunzhao was taken aback. "Can you even do that? Won’t those old traditionalists at court bombard you with memorials of impeachment?"

"A particularly fiery one might even try ramming a pillar to remonstrate, just to get their name in the history books."

Feng Yi simply said, "There are plenty of things they don’t agree with."

Song Yunzhao said nothing. Of course she didn’t want a concubine selection every three years, with all the turmoil it brought. Although she was confident now, who knew what things would be like in another eight or ten years, once her youth began to fade.

If they could truly stop the selections, it would be wonderful news for her.

However, Yun Zhao also knew that while Feng Yi could make this decision on his own, she couldn’t be the one to push him toward it.

While their feelings for each other were strong, Feng Yi naturally wouldn’t mind. But what if, one day, things changed?

’Would he point a finger in my face and curse, "It was you who egged me on and bewitched me back then!"?’

’That was blame she was unwilling to bear.’

Yun Zhao remained silent, and Feng Yi didn’t bring up the topic again. Some things were easier said than done.

’Besides, empty words were meaningless.’

’When the time for the next selection came, Zhaozhao would naturally understand his sincerity.’

The two then spoke of the matter concerning Changning Marquis. Feng Yi said he would ask Princess Fuke what was going on.

So, Yun Zhao dropped the subject.

Neither of them slept well that night. When Feng Yi rose early the next morning for court, he left as quietly as possible. As he departed, Feng Ze tagged along.

The two figures, one large and one small, father and son, disappeared down the path from Yaohua Palace. Yun Zhao watched them from her window and took a deep breath. ’I should have been happier last night, but for some reason, I just feel so dispirited.’

Perhaps it was because too much had been happening lately, one thing after another, making it impossible for her to feel at ease.

Just as she was thinking of taking it easy for a few days, she received a note from the senior Madam the very next day.

Yun Zhao was surprised to see the note. "Did my eldest aunt send any other message?"

Zhang Maoquan shook his head. "Madam Ning Anbo only said she wished to come and pay her respects to Your Highness. She said it has been a long time since she last saw you and that she misses you dearly."

Yun Zhao knew her eldest aunt’s personality. If that was what she said, Yun Zhao feared it meant there was something inconvenient to relay through a messenger.

"Then invite my eldest aunt to the palace tomorrow to speak." Yun Zhao wasn’t feeling her best today; she was afraid her aunt would worry if she saw her like this.

Zhang Maoquan left the palace to deliver the message. For the moment, Yun Zhao couldn’t guess why the Madam was coming, so she could only put the matter aside. She would find out tomorrow.

No sooner had Zhang Maoquan left than Yunshang, an attendant to Consort Shu, arrived.

"This servant greets the Imperial Consort. May Your Highness be well," Yunshang said, stepping forward to curtsy after entering the hall.

Yun Zhao looked at her. "You may rise. Does your mistress have some business with me?"

Yunshang rose and said respectfully, "In reply to the Imperial Consort, my mistress asked me to inform you that a letter from the Zhao Family has been delivered. She wishes to know if it should be sent to Huayang Palace."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected a reply from the Zhao Family so quickly. Since she had already run the matter by Feng Yi, she had no intention of opening their letter. "Just send it directly," she instructed.

Yunshang acknowledged the order and took her leave.

Yun Zhao felt her head grow even heavier. After asking, she learned that Feng Yun had gone to play in the gardens again, so she didn’t concern herself further. With Anshun and a group of eunuchs following him, his safety was well assured.

Yun Zhao returned to her bedchamber and lay down, falling asleep a short while later.

Xiangxue quietly lowered the bed curtains and stood guard outside, telling the other Palace Attendants of Yaohua Palace to be careful not to disturb the Imperial Consort.

Yun Zhao slept very soundly. Her dream was a chaotic phantasmagoria. It seemed she had returned to her past life in the modern world, scenes from her old days flashing through her mind like a movie. She chased after them desperately, but no matter how fast she ran, she could never catch up.

Yun Zhao’s eyes flew open. She saw Feng Yi sitting by her bed, holding her hand while reading a memorial with his other. She froze for a second, the line between dream and reality blurring.

"Feng Yi, why are you here?"

Hearing her voice, Feng Yi whipped his head around. "Zhaozhao, how are you feeling?"

"I’m fine, I just had a dream." Yun Zhao tried to sit up, but having slept so long, she felt a wave of dizziness. "Why are you here?"

Feng Yi explained, "I didn’t sleep well last night, so I thought I’d come back to get some rest. I didn’t expect you to be asleep too. You looked like you were sleeping restlessly, so I stayed to watch over you. Were you having a dream?"

Song Yunzhao nodded. Leaning on Feng Yi’s arm for support, she sat up and rubbed her temples. "I had a very long dream. I’m exhausted. I took a nap to recover, but I feel worse than if I hadn’t slept at all."

"Let’s get up and take a walk. Would you like something to eat? The Palace Attendants said you barely touched your breakfast," Feng Yi asked with concern.

Yun Zhao was indeed a little hungry. She had practically run a half-marathon in her dream; it had utterly exhausted her.

Feng Yi called for attendants to help her change and ordered a meal to be served. The hall immediately bustled with activity.

Feng Yi watched Yun Zhao being fussed over by her attendants and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. The memory of her trapped in a nightmare just moments before had truly given him a fright.

’If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have teased her yesterday. I must have touched on something she was truly worried about, which is why she had a nightmare.’

Yun Zhao ate a little. She felt famished, yet she didn’t eat very much.

Feng Yi then took her for a walk in the gardens. As Yun Zhao stepped out of Yaohua Palace, the brilliant sun on her skin seemed to sweep away the gloom from her dream, and she felt herself relax a little.

Feng Yi discreetly watched Yun Zhao’s expression. When he saw a smile return to her face, he finally let out a small breath of relief. Grasping her hand, he began to walk, saying, "This year, let’s go to the traveling palace to escape the summer heat. We won’t bring anyone else—just the four of us. How does that sound?"

’What?’

Yun Zhao turned her head to look at Feng Yi. ’Did something happen at court this morning to set him off?’

’Taking her and leaving the Empress Dowager behind in the palace? That would cause an absolute uproar!’