Chapter 757: Everyone Who Can Go Will Go

Died suddenly of an acute illness. Song Yunzhao thought about it carefully, but she still had no real impression of the name, only that it sounded familiar.

At this point, there was nothing more for Yun Zhao to investigate. She had already looked into everything she could.

She had already told Feng Yi about the ten thousand taels of silver. She figured Ling Yunhe would be able to investigate it, and perhaps Chu Donghui’s trip south to Huizhou would also yield some results.

Regardless, she had done all she could. All that was left was to wait.

The weather gradually grew warmer, and everyone in the palace changed into light, airy dresses. The flowers in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom. Consort Shu and a few others organized several lively flower-viewing parties for the harem’s concubines, but Yun Zhao didn’t attend.

For one, the matter of the Zhao Family was hanging over her head, leaving her in no mood for festivities. For another, she had plenty of her own affairs to keep her busy.

Once Princess Consort Wan saw she had some free time, she roped her into developing new rouge formulas. The Inner Workshop also frequently sent newly developed little toys for Feng Yun. These were no longer her own designs, but creations the people of the Inner Workshop had devised themselves.

The people who could establish a foothold in the Inner Workshop were truly remarkable. At the very least, these little toys aligned with Yun Zhao’s focus on educational play.

One of them, a bamboo frog, was particularly interesting. You pressed it, and it would leap forward. She couldn’t find any particularly profound mechanism; you just poked it, and it jumped. It was quite fun.

After the sixth month began, Feng Yun’s birthday was fast approaching. Feng Yi had many birthday gifts sent to his son: a gem-encrusted incense ball, a miniature palace carved from a single piece of white jade, and among them, a palm-sized, intricately carved ivory sphere. Holding it up to the light, you couldn’t even count how many layers had been carved into it.

The craftsmanship was delicate and the patterns exquisite. She later inquired and learned that even a master craftsman would need over a year to complete a single one of these ivory spheres.

Yun Zhao didn’t make a big fuss for Feng Yun’s birthday. She cooked him a bowl of longevity noodles and gave him a Hundred Blessings Gold Necklace. Feng Yi laughed, saying her gift was too simple.

Song Yunzhao didn’t mind. She hadn’t celebrated Feng Ze’s birthday this year either; he also just had longevity noodles. She had given him a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The value of the gifts for both brothers was about the same. It was important to be impartial.

Feng Yun could now speak in simple words, but the child didn’t like to talk much. You often had to coax him before he would call someone by name.

Yun Zhao figured she ought to take him out more. Perhaps seeing more of the world would liven up his personality. And so, she decided to go on a summer retreat.

However, if she only took herself and her son, she feared someone in the court would denounce her. She could leave anyone behind, but not the Empress Dowager.

But if she brought the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty would surely want to bring An Shutong, and perhaps Zhao Ling’e as well. If the Empress Dowager made the request and Feng Yi refused, the mother and son’s relationship would grow tense again.

Song Yunzhao thought it over and decided she might as well take everyone. She could even earn a good reputation from it.

Reputation was a difficult thing for her to acquire, but she still had to work on it when she could.

Feng Yi had a clever plan. He first leaked the news that he originally intended to take only the Imperial Concubine on the summer retreat, and then released the news that the Imperial Concubine had pleaded on everyone’s behalf.

The news came from Meng Jiuchang’s own mouth, so it was considered highly credible.

Consort Shu came to see Yun Zhao. “It’s wonderful that we can go on a summer retreat. I feel like the weather is even hotter this year than last. I heard we’re going to a different traveling palace this year. Is that true?”

Yun Zhao looked at Consort Shu. “You’re well-informed. I only just found out myself. His Majesty’s intention is to travel farther north. Yongping Palace isn’t too far from the border city, so he may also intend to inspect the border.”

“I’ve never been that far before. I’ll get to see new scenery this time.” Consort Shu was quite happy. Their Emperor was not one to indulge in pleasures, nor did he go on a summer retreat every year.

An opportunity like this was rare, so of course, she had to prepare well.

Yun Zhao was also looking forward to it. Feng Yi had said he would take her riding. ‘Riding together across the vast grasslands would be a wonderful experience,’ she thought.

“So, is everyone in the palace being taken along?” Consort Shu asked, looking at Yun Zhao.

Yun Zhao looked at her. “Otherwise? Who did you want to leave behind?”

Consort Shu pursed her lips. She wanted to say that troublesome Zhao Ling’e, but leaving her alone in the palace was definitely not an option. The Zhao Family wasn’t just for show; they would surely cause trouble for them.

As for the other concubines, aside from the little mishap with Zhao Liangren, everyone else had been dutiful. It wouldn’t be right to forbid anyone from going.

Just as Yun Zhao said, everyone had to go.

Fortunately, their Emperor didn’t have that many concubines. The lower-ranking concubines would share a carriage between two, while those of Noble Consort rank and above would each get their own. All things considered, it was manageable.

Once the news was out, the harem immediately burst into a flurry of activity as everyone began preparing for the summer retreat.

Over at Shouci Palace, the Empress Dowager had thought the Imperial Concubine would take the opportunity to leave Zhao Ling’e behind, but unexpectedly, she was included.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s displeased expression, Nanny Yao gently tried to console her. “Your Majesty, isn’t this for the best? The Zhao Family came to you begging for Lady Zhao to be allowed to go. This way, you don’t even have to intervene. It saves you the trouble.”

The Empress Dowager’s health had been poor this year, plagued by a series of minor, intermittent illnesses. She didn’t really want to travel, but she also couldn’t bear to see the Imperial Concubine having it all her way.

After hearing Nanny Yao’s words, she suddenly asked, “Is there no news from An Pin?”

Nanny Yao’s smile froze for a moment before she replied, “An Pin came to pay her respects just yesterday. She has only just recovered from her serious illness, so it’s best she doesn’t overexert herself.”

The Empress Dowager hmphed but didn’t expose Nanny Yao’s platitudes. ‘In the end,’ she thought, ‘my niece holds some resentment toward me, her aunt.’

The matter of traveling to Yongping Palace for the summer retreat met with opposition from many courtiers. They argued that it was too far and too close to the border city. What if Beiming made some unusual move?

Feng Yi directly stated his intention to inspect the border, suppressing all opposition and finalizing the decision.

Because the distance was quite far, they would have to depart early.

Yun Zhao was already busy packing luggage—for herself, her children, and Feng Yi. In the entire harem, she was likely the busiest of all.

After Feng Ze’s birthday this year, Feng Yi had wanted him to move into the front halls. But Yun Zhao couldn’t bear to part with him and had planned to put it off until next year.

But this time, Feng Yi told Yun Zhao that he would be taking Feng Ze with him on the border inspection, which gave her a start.

Yun Zhao didn’t really agree. ‘Feng Ze is still so young, what could he do on a trip like that? Is it just to broaden his horizons?’

‘But ancient times are different from the modern world,’ she mused. ‘It’s not easy to go on a trip like this, so it’s understandable that Feng Yi would have this idea. Besides, I can feel that once we return from this retreat, he will definitely make Feng Ze move out.’

‘Her son was growing up; he would eventually grow his own wings. Yun Zhao knew that in this era, a prince had his own path of growth and responsibilities. She couldn’t hold him back too tightly.’

Her only requirement was to ensure her son’s safety. For everything else, she would let Feng Yi have his way.

The day before their departure, Feng Yi returned with Feng Ze for dinner. Feng Ze had grown taller again. She didn’t know what he studied all day, but his face was getting darker from the sun, and he was visibly growing stronger.

When Feng Yun saw Feng Ze, he stretched out his arms for a hug, calling out “Brother, brother!” incessantly.

This made Yun Zhao incredibly envious; her son never called for his mother so eagerly.

Feng Yi let the two little brothers go play, then took Yun Zhao’s hand and led her into the inner chamber.

Yun Zhao knew he had something to say to her, so she followed him inside.