Chapter 779: Snatch One More Time

“From the sound of it, you really don’t like her,” Han Jinyi said with a smile, her eyes closed.

“You can’t possibly like her, can you?” Lu Zhixue frowned. “Have you forgotten what she’s done in the past?”

“But didn’t she help out later?”

“You call that helping? She was just using the situation to her advantage, trying to use the Imperial Concubine to crush Qin Xiyue.” Lu Zhixue’s expression soured.

Every time she thought of Qin Xiyue, she was reminded of the events from when she first entered the palace. So many years had passed in a flash. She felt a bit dazed. ‘It’s been so long.’

“That makes sense. It was just a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Han Jinyi said, opening her eyes to gaze at the sky. “She came to me this time mainly because she wants me to help her see the Imperial Consort.”

“And you agreed?” Lu Zhixue asked. “Wait, that’s not right. If she wants to see the Imperial Concubine, she could just go to Hua E Building and request an audience. Why come to you?”

“She probably wants to make a show of her sincerity.”

“What sincerity could she possibly have? She’s only doing this because the Empress Dowager broke her heart, so now she wants to latch onto the Imperial Concubine? Does she really think she’s so important that she can do whatever she pleases?”

Before Han Jinyi could speak, Lu Zhixue continued, “She knows about the relationship between the Imperial Concubine and Lady Zhao, yet she was still seen chatting and laughing with her. Is that sincerity? Besides, weren’t the two of them on terrible terms before? She’s just a two-faced, petty person.”

Han Jinyi looked at Lu Zhixue. “You really despise her that much?”

To be honest, Han Jinyi’s opinion of An Pin was neutral, certainly not one of such disgust. She truly hadn’t expected Lu Zhixue to hate her so intensely.

“What? Is there a problem with that?”

“Of course not.”

‘What could I even say?’

Lu Zhixue snorted. “I just can’t stand the way she operates.”

“I didn’t agree to pass on her message right away. I only said I would help ask.”

“You shouldn’t have even offered to ask.”

“I just feel that An Pin must have some other motive.”

“Whatever her motives are, what do they have to do with us?”

Han Jinyi was left speechless.

Lu Zhixue fell silent as well.

After some time, Lu Zhixue finally spoke again. “An Pin nearly died this time. She must have realized the Empress Dowager is unreliable and wants to find a new backer. Her intentions are never pure. Don’t you go causing trouble for the Imperial Concubine.”

“I know.”

“Whatever her goal is, it’s fine as long as she doesn’t try to plot against us.” Lu Zhixue sat up and scanned the area, spotting An Pin just dismounting her horse. Her body had only just started to recover, so she certainly couldn’t ride for long.

She watched as An Pin led the horse back to the stables, then sat alone at the edge of the grassy field, staring into space.

‘She looks pitiful, but what’s that got to do with me?’

‘I was pitiful once, too.’

‘Who hasn’t been a poor, pitiful thing at some point?’

Meanwhile, Feng Yi took Yun Zhao for a ride around the field. When they finished, he lifted her down and looked at her legs with concern. “Do you feel any discomfort?”

“I’m not made of glass,” Yun Zhao laughed. She hugged Feng Yi’s neck as she landed on the ground, then took his hand to begin a slow walk across the vast grassy field.

The surrounding guards all lowered their heads, averting their gazes.

Feng Yi squeezed her hand in return. “What do you think of this place?”

“It’s wonderful. Even better than I imagined. I thought it would just be a designated riding ground, similar to the ones in the Capital City. I never expected it to be this huge.” It was the first time Yun Zhao had seen such a vast field of grass; it stretched on as far as the eye could see.

“The grasslands of Beiming, outside the border, are even larger.”

Song Yunzhao laughed so hard she had to bend over. “That would be amazing! I hope one day you can take me outside the border to ride horses and feed sheep.”

Hearing Yun Zhao’s laughter, Feng Yi felt a surge of spirited determination. ‘Who says it’s impossible?’

“If you travel north from here for a day, you’ll reach a border city. In a few days, I’ll be taking Ji Yunting, your cousin, and a few other courtiers to inspect the border. The round trip will take about seven or eight days. While I’m gone, you can stay and amuse yourself at the traveling palace with the other concubines.”

“Can we leave the traveling palace?” Yun Zhao asked, recalling that someone had wanted to venture out in disguise.

“Where do you want to go? Do you want to come with me to inspect the border?”

Yun Zhao froze. Before she could answer, she heard the helpless tone in Feng Yi’s voice. “I would love to have you by my side, but inspecting the border is an arduous task. It requires riding hard the entire way. Your body wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

The route passed through over a dozen border cities and their strategic passes. Covering them one by one in just seven or eight days was indeed a tight schedule.

“I wasn’t asking to go with you,” Yun Zhao said with a smile. “I admit the thought crossed my mind, but I know it’s not realistic. I would only slow you down. In the future, after we’ve brought Beiming into the fold, you can take me traveling. We’ll each have our own horse and take our time.”

Realizing he had misunderstood, Feng Yi gently squeezed Yun Zhao’s palm. “Then where is it you want to go?”

“Just to stroll around outside the traveling palace. To take everyone out in disguise for a bit of fun. Don’t worry, we’ll take guards and we won’t go far. It’s a rare chance for everyone to get out. We ought to see the world outside, to be part of the human world and experience the bustle of everyday life. That’s what living is all about.”

Feng Yi thought for a moment before replying, “Alright. Go if you wish. But you must take plenty of guards. You know what they say—remote and impoverished lands breed unruly people. It may be a traveling palace, and it’s safe inside, but I can’t say the same for what’s outside.”

“I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to protect myself and everyone else. We only live once, and I still want to grow old with you.”

Feng Yi’s grip on her hand tightened slightly. “Good. As long as you know.”

‘It’s like she’s grown wings, always wanting to fly away.’

‘But he was the Emperor. He had to sit upon his high throne, and he couldn’t let her fly wherever she pleased. She could only spend her days with him in the confines of the deep palace.’

‘But just as she said, with an opportunity like this, he wanted to make her happy.’

“Should we head back?”

The two of them had been walking along the edge of the field for a long time. When Yun Zhao grew tired, she plopped down onto the grass to rest.

Feng Yi sat down beside her. “Let’s rest a while longer.”

“Okay.” Yun Zhao quite liked these moments when it was just the two of them. With only each other for company, she could forget she was an Imperial Concubine of the Dynasty.

“If you hadn’t entered the palace all those years ago, did you ever think about what your life would have been like?” Feng Yi asked, turning his head to look at her.

Yun Zhao smiled. “Haven’t you asked me this before?”

“That was then. I’m asking again now,” Feng Yi said.

Yun Zhao thought about it seriously. Without looking at Feng Yi, she gazed at the distant field and said slowly, “If it’s the me of today answering, then I’d hope my past was you, my present is you, and my future will be you, too.”

Feng Yi’s stern expression instantly softened. “Is that so?”

“And you?” Yun Zhao asked in return, still not looking at him.

“Then I’d just have to steal you all over again.”

Yun Zhao burst out laughing.

Feng Yi laughed along with her.

Yun Zhao turned her head and gave Feng Yi a quick kiss on the cheek. “I just love it when you’re so domineering!”

Feng Yi pulled her into his arms and looked down at her. Bathed in sunlight, her smile was almost dazzlingly bright, but he loved this side of her.

That smile seemed to burrow its way right into his heart.