Chapter 203: Chapter 94: Has Something Happened That She Doesn’t Know About?
The moonlight on the night of the Qixi Festival wasn’t particularly bright. Anshun led the way with a lantern while Song Yunzhao strolled slowly behind, accompanied by Xiangxue and Qingfeng.
She was mentally calculating the time. ’The Emperor has always been a man of efficiency, spending most of his time on state affairs and a small portion on studying governance strategies, leaving very little time for the harem.’
’Such diligence was standard for a male lead—a classic case of "if he doesn’t succeed, who will?"’
’So, a man like him would never waste time taking a scenic detour through the gardens. He’d definitely take the shortest route.’
Soon enough, Song Yunzhao heard the sounds of a eunuch clearing the way. She stopped in her tracks. When the eunuch saw her, he was startled for a moment, but then hurried forward to greet her. "This servant pays my respects, Lady."
"You may rise," Song Yunzhao said.
In the time it took for this exchange, the Emperor’s procession appeared at the end of the path. Song Yunzhao ignored the bowing eunuch, took two steps forward, and then stopped.
The eunuch immediately turned and ran back. From a distance, Song Yunzhao saw him kneel and report something, undoubtedly that he had encountered her.
Soon, she saw a familiar figure striding toward her. Song Yunzhao didn’t move.
Feng Yi strode forward under the moonlight. As he drew closer and saw the person standing there, he couldn’t help but pause.
Under the hazy moonlight, Song Yunzhao’s robes fluttered, shimmering with a soft glow. She looked like a celestial fairy descended from the heavens.
He knew she was beautiful, but today, she was exceptionally so from head to toe.
The corner of Feng Yi’s mouth twitched. He understood why in an instant. Suppressing a laugh, he took a few more steps to get a closer look. His eyes swept over her slender waist, and when his gaze slid over her chest, he was taken aback. He then took another look. ’It seems a little different from usual.’
Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Song Yunzhao laughed inwardly. ’My efforts weren’t in vain, after all.’ She curtsied and said, "This concubine pays my respects to the Emperor."
Feng Yi snapped back to his senses. He gave a light cough to cover his lapse in composure, then stepped forward to help Song Yunzhao up. "My dear concubine, there’s no need for such ceremony."
Song Yunzhao used the strength of the Emperor’s hand to rise, simultaneously lifting her head slightly to look at him, her face breaking into a perfectly timed smile of surprised delight.
Feng Yi was momentarily dazzled by Song Yunzhao’s smile. Beneath the moonlight, framed by her elegant coiffure and golden hairpin, she was even more bewitching. Her eyes, in particular, shone like a blazing fire.
’Is she really this happy just to see me?’
Feng Yi didn’t let go of Yun Zhao’s hand, pulling her to his side. He smiled and asked, "Why are you only just leaving now?"
"Does Your Majesty wish to hear the truth or a lie?"
Feng Yi found the question quite familiar. He paused for a moment before looking at Yun Zhao and asking, "What’s the lie?"
"This concubine was adorning myself for the one who delights in me; that is why I was delayed."
"And the truth?"
"This concubine wanted to wait and walk with Your Majesty."
After speaking, Song Yunzhao felt the hand holding hers tighten slightly. She squeezed the Emperor’s fingertips and swayed their hands gently, blinking her large eyes as she gazed at him. "Your Majesty, do you prefer the truth or the lie?"
Feng Yi stared into Yun Zhao’s eyes, their gazes locking. Seeing her joyful expression, which held a hint of smug satisfaction, he couldn’t help but smile. "Which one does my dear concubine wish for me to like?"
Song Yunzhao put on a shy expression, but inwardly she was cursing. "Whichever Your Majesty prefers, of course. This concubine would never dare decide for you. Oh, the hour is growing late! We should hurry, Your Majesty."
Feng Yi felt a gentle tug from Song Yunzhao and followed her lead. He noticed that although she was smiling, she didn’t seem as happy as before.
Feng Yi himself didn’t even realize it, but his focus on Song Yunzhao had already surpassed his usual self-discipline.
Song Yunzhao sensed the Emperor’s gaze fixed on her, but naturally pretended not to notice. ’His attention is far better than no attention at all. The only problem is, I still can’t figure out where he places me in his mind. In any case, I can’t let myself be stuck in the position of a human Roomba. I have to move up, no matter what.’
’So, this will require some careful planning. That’s why I plan to test the waters a little tonight.’
When they reached the outside of Qinghua Hall, Song Yunzhao proactively let go of the Emperor’s hand, stopped, and positioned herself half a step behind him.
Feng Yi glanced sideways at her.
Song Yunzhao smiled at him. "Your Majesty, etiquette must not be neglected."
’If I dared to walk in side-by-side with the Emperor, those old men in the court would bury me in memorials of impeachment by tomorrow.’
’I’m flamboyant, not reckless.’
Feng Yi stared at Yun Zhao for a moment before looking away. He gave a slight nod. "Let’s go in."
Song Yunzhao followed behind the Emperor. Before they even entered the hall, she could hear the sound of laughter and conversation from within.
Meng Jiuchang, ever the quick-witted one, stood outside the hall and announced loudly, "The Emperor has arrived!"
The corner of Song Yunzhao’s mouth twitched. ’No wonder he’s the Grand Steward.’
’I had faintly heard my own name mentioned from inside, but with Meng Jiuchang’s booming announcement, any chance of eavesdropping is gone now.’
Meng Jiuchang kept his head lowered and said nothing. He could certainly feel Song Jieyu’s gaze on him, but he had to do it, even if she was displeased. It was a festival day, and nothing could be allowed to happen that might displease the Emperor.
Song Yunzhao followed the Emperor inside and saw the three concubines leading the others in greeting him.
"We pay our respects, Your Majesty."
They spoke in unison, their voices quite imposing.
"You may dispense with the ceremony."
As Feng Yi’s voice rang out, the crowd thanked him and rose.
Only then did Song Yunzhao step forward to greet the three concubines. It was at this moment that everyone realized Song Yunzhao had arrived with the Emperor. As their eyes fell upon her, their expressions all shifted slightly.
Song Yunzhao pretended not to see. ’Look at all the beauties in this hall. It’s truly a garden of a hundred blooming flowers, each vying for attention. Every single one is dressed more beautifully than the last.’
Her eyes swept the room, found her seat, and she walked over to sit down.
In this palace, with the Imperial Concubine deceased and no Empress, not even the three concubines could sit with the Emperor.
Her rank was just below the three concubines, so her seat was quite near the front. Across from her were Princess Consort Wan and Consort Lu, and in front of her was Princess Consort Zhuang. In previous years, Consort Lu would have certainly sat in Princess Consort Zhuang’s position, but this year her title had been stripped. Although she was still one of the three concubines, she had no title, so her seat was naturally the worst among them.
Thus, Song Yunzhao was seated directly facing Consort Lu. To her left was An Fangyi, and across from An Fangyi was Qin Xiyue. Further down were Lu Zhixue, Fan Qingru, Han Jinyi, Feng Yunjin, and the others, all arranged in descending order of rank.
Song Yunzhao’s gaze swept past several unfamiliar faces. ’They must be the ones from the same group as the three concubines who were demoted after losing a power struggle.’
Song Yunzhao’s eyes met Han Jinyi’s for a moment. The two exchanged a small smile before looking away.
At that moment, Princess Consort Zhuang spoke up. "Your Majesty, for the Qixi Festival today, the Music Department has prepared a skills competition. We invite Your Majesty to watch."
Song Yunzhao was a little surprised. ’A skills competition right off the bat? I remember the book saying it started with singing and dancing.’
"Princess Consort Zhuang, the skills competition is an old routine. The Emperor must be tired of it. Why not try something new?" Princess Consort Wan suddenly interjected.
Song Yunzhao immediately perked up. ’Well, this is a surprise. Why are Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan clashing already? Did something happen that I don’t know about?’
’Is this the prelude to some drama?’
’I love it.’
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