Chapter 61: Chapter 43: A Turtle Chanting Scriptures, Not Listening, Not Listening
She stepped over the threshold and saw how strangely quiet it was. ’Why is no one here?’
Song Yunzhao lifted her hem and stepped onto the stone stairs, looking all around. ’Could I have gone the wrong way?’
’That can’t be right. The palace maid said the flower hall, and this looks like a flower hall to me.’
Just as she reached out to push the door open, she suddenly heard someone shout, "Who goes there?"
Song Yunzhao jumped in fright. She whipped her head around and saw a eunuch hurrying over, his expression unfriendly as he stared at her.
By now, Song Yunzhao had guessed she had probably come to the wrong place, but she had no idea where she had ended up.
"I am a concubine candidate. I asked a Palace Attendant, and they said I could come to the small flower hall to eat. I’m just here for a meal," Song Yunzhao explained at once, not wanting to be misunderstood.
"A meal?" The man’s expression held a trace of surprise and something... odd.
Song Yunzhao secretly studied his expression and knew her guess was probably right. Outwardly, however, she feigned ignorance. "Yes. Isn’t this a place to eat?"
"Let her in."
Song Yunzhao was startled to hear a familiar voice and thought she was hearing things. She immediately turned to look at the person emerging from the long corridor.
It was him, indeed. Mr. Zhe Shan.
Feng Yi met Song Yunzhao’s utterly astonished gaze and felt a flicker of amusement. His features relaxed into a smile as he said, "What a coincidence. We meet again."
Song Yunzhao wasn’t a fool. For Mr. Zhe Shan to appear here, he couldn’t be an ordinary person. But looking at his attire, she couldn’t guess his identity for a moment. He wore a simple, light blue straight-robe; aside from the exquisite embroidery of its patterns, there were no other signs of his status.
"It is quite a coincidence," Song Yunzhao replied dryly.
The eunuch was none other than Zhang Maoquan, who served by Feng Yi’s side. Seeing His Majesty greet this young lady so familiarly—they clearly knew each other—he was so shocked his jaw dropped.
Zhang Maoquan’s eyes darted about before his expression changed completely. A wide smile spread across his face as he said, "My lady, please come in."
With that, he immediately scurried a step forward and opened the door himself.
Song Yunzhao immediately looked at Mr. Zhe Shan and said with a serious expression, "I asked a palace maid where to eat, and I only came because she said I could have a meal in the flower hall. But I think I might have come to the wrong place."
Feng Yi’s expression betrayed nothing. "There are indeed flower halls for dining, but there’s more than one. This one is just a bit more secluded, is all. It can still be used."
Again, Song Yunzhao was no fool. Her last words had been a deliberate test, and sure enough, she had come to the wrong place.
She was a concubine candidate now; she couldn’t afford any incident that might damage her reputation. Even if she knew Mr. Zhe Shan, meeting him privately here was improper. Thus, she decided to slip away at once.
’He’s handsome, sure, but anyone who can enter a place like this and order a eunuch around obviously comes from a powerful family. What a pity. This fine-looking cabbage is clearly not meant for me.’
"That won’t be necessary. I should go back and find my companions," Song Yunzhao said, her tone serious once more. "I didn’t expect to run into you here today, sir. Thank you for your guidance. Farewell."
Song Yunzhao turned and left, not even bothering with a "we’ll meet again" this time.
’If we’re not fated to be, it’s better not to see each other at all.’
"Wait." Feng Yi was taken aback for a moment. He hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to leave so abruptly. ’Her temper seems even fiercer than when she was outside the palace.’
Song Yunzhao hesitated but stopped and looked back at him. "Is there something else, sir?"
"I have been ordered to oversee matters in Jincui Garden. It is my official duty, so you need not worry, my lady."
Song Yunzhao breathed a small sigh of relief. ’So that’s how it is. Still, to be in charge of Jincui Garden, this man must carry some weight with His Majesty.’
Although Song Yunzhao wasn’t as nervous anymore, she still had no intention of getting involved with him here. Just as she was about to take her leave again, she heard him say, "Have a meal sent over. Please have the young lady eat before she leaves."
"That’s not necessary," Song Yunzhao refused at once.
Feng Yi turned to look at Song Yunzhao. "This is truly a place where you can eat. Besides, if you go back now, there might not be a seat left for you. You might as well eat here before you go."
Song Yunzhao didn’t believe him. ’The book said the concubines wouldn’t hand in their work until the appointed hour, and there’s still a whole hour to go.’
’Although I’ve met Mr. Zhe Shan a few times, we have no real connection to speak of. We’re mere acquaintances. I don’t know him well and have no idea what consequences might arise from accepting this meal.’
"It’s fine, I can just wait. Still, thank you for your kind intentions, sir. I’ll be on my way." Song Yunzhao gave a curtsy, and without waiting for a reply, quickened her pace and ran off.
Feng Yi: ...
Zhang Maoquan watched the scene in astonishment, then quickly lowered his head. ’Is this something I should be watching?’
’His Majesty was actually rejected!’
’Even more unexpectedly, His Majesty already has a concubine he fancies—and one he knew from outside the palace! This is truly shocking news!’
’After all, for so many years, their Emperor had never given any of the countless beauties in the palace so much as a second glance.’
Zhang Maoquan was so emotional he could have almost wept. ’Has His Majesty finally come to his senses? Perhaps we’ll have a little prince to hold soon!’
Feng Yi turned his head and saw Zhang Maoquan’s foolish expression. It was quite an eyesore, but considering the eunuch had served him for so many years, he didn’t say anything.
"Your Majesty." Seeing His Majesty walking away, Zhang Maoquan hurried to catch up. "Your Majesty, should this servant go and check on her?"
"Meddlesome."
Zhang Maoquan: ?
’So do you care or not?’
Feng Yi strode away, thinking to himself that she was quite the cunning little fox. ’A pity she’s such a fast runner.’
After leaving, Song Yunzhao asked for directions again. This time she found the right place. When she went inside, she was surprised to see a familiar face.
He Lan Yun watched Song Yunzhao walk in and eyed her suspiciously. "Where have you been? You left before me, but you arrived after me?"
Song Yunzhao: ...
’Are we that close?’
’Don’t you know what our relationship is?’
"I took a wrong turn and just found my way back." Song Yunzhao, still rattled by her encounter with Mr. Zhe Shan, was in no mood for mind games with He Lan Yun and gave a casual reply.
He Lan Yun sneered. "How stupid can you be? It’s just a short walk, how could you get lost?"
Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered to deal with her and quickly asked a palace maid for her meal.
A palace maid soon arrived with a food box. Song Yunzhao looked at the four dishes and one soup set on the table: Shredded Chicken with Cucumber, Pearl Tofu, Hundred-Flower Duck Tongue, and Three-Delicacy Meatballs, with a side of Assorted Tofu Skin Soup and a bowl of congee. The spread looked quite good.
Song Yunzhao was genuinely hungry. Ignoring He Lan Yun, she lowered her head and began to eat slowly.
He Lan Yun grew angry at the sight and spoke to Song Yunzhao in a snide tone, "Eating like a starving ghost reincarnated. Have you never had good food before?"
Song Yunzhao: ...
’A tortoise chanting scriptures—I’m not listening, not listening!’
’And this is supposed to be good food?’
’Eating was paramount. I’ll deal with He Lan Yun after I’m done. What if a fight breaks out now and she flips the table? What will I eat then?’
Just as she was thinking this, a shadow fell over her. A figure sat down directly across from her. "Song Yunzhao, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?"
’Picking a fight right at someone’s dinner table? This is just bullying!’
