Chapter 412 - 190: I Can’t Believe My Eyes

Chapter 412: Chapter 190: I Can’t Believe My Eyes

Meng Jiuchang had followed the Emperor as he sprinted into Wangyou Palace, thinking some major disaster had occurred. But the moment he stepped through the door behind him, he looked up to see the Emperor pulling Song Zhaoyi into his arms.

Meng Jiuchang: ...

’He could hardly believe his eyes!’

’The Emperor had rushed over like a whirlwind just to hug Song Zhaoyi?’

It wasn’t just Meng Jiuchang who was stunned; Song Yunzhao was also startled in Feng Yi’s arms.

’What’s wrong?’

But she could clearly sense that Feng Yi was in a foul mood, so she didn’t move, allowing herself to be held obediently in his embrace.

She leaned against him quietly, unmoving, only raising her arms to hug the Emperor back.

Meng Jiuchang felt like he’d been dealt a critical blow. He hastily bowed and excused himself, even thoughtfully closing the door on his way out, blocking Xiangxue and the others outside.

It might have been a moment, or it might have been an eternity. When Song Yunzhao finally felt Feng Yi’s breathing calm, she spoke with a warm laugh. "How did Your Majesty know I was missing you? You see, our hearts must be connected. The moment I started thinking of you, you arrived."

Listening to Yun Zhao’s soft, sweet words, Feng Yi’s tense expression softened considerably. He released her and asked in a low voice, "Are you all right? I think I was holding on a bit too tightly just now."

"I’m fine, perfectly fine." Song Yunzhao tilted her head up, her face wreathed in smiles as she gazed at Feng Yi. She then took his hand and led him to a seat. "Did something unpleasant happen, Your Majesty? If it’s not a state secret, you could tell me about it. I can help you think it over. Who knows, I might be able to ease your worries."

Feng Yi smiled. He gazed into Yun Zhao’s smiling eyes. No matter when he saw her, she was always so cheerful, her eyes holding a light that he deeply yearned for.

Though both of their lives had been so unhappy, she always possessed an irrepressible vitality that seemed to pull him along, helping him grow stronger too.

In that instant, Feng Yi suddenly felt a great urge to confide in her. "Han Imperial Censor informed Us that Duke Dingguo and Grand Tutor Qin have been meeting frequently in private."

Song Yunzhao froze, taking a moment to process the connections.

’Han Imperial Censor is Han Jinyi’s father, and Duke Dingguo is An Fangyi’s father.’ Her heart trembled, and the surprise on her face was entirely genuine. "Grand Tutor Qin and Duke Dingguo? Is it because of the incident where someone from An Fangyi’s side framed someone from Han Guipin’s?"

Feng Yi turned his head to look at Yun Zhao. "What do you think?"

"Do you want the truth or a pleasant lie?"

"What is the truth, and what is the lie?"

"The pleasant lie is that Wanqiu framed Ying Chun out of jealousy. The truth is that An Fangyi harbored malicious intentions for reasons unknown."

Feng Yi: ...

Song Yunzhao gazed at the Emperor with a smile. ’You’re the one who asked. It would be a waste of this golden opportunity not to expose this mess.’

Feng Yi sighed. "I knew I shouldn’t have asked you."

Yun Zhao was good friends with Han Guipin; of course she would stand up for her.

Song Yunzhao chuckled. "Your Majesty, by asking me, weren’t you giving me an opportunity? I feel so terribly wronged on Han Guipin’s behalf."

In truth, Feng Yi didn’t care whether Han Guipin felt wronged or not. Han Guipin, like all the other women in the harem, was the same to him.

Only Zhaozhao was different.

But, because Zhaozhao felt wronged for Han Guipin, he had lifted the lid on this issue.

"Zhaozhao, what do you want to do?"

"The Palace Justice Department has already closed the case, with Wanqiu taking full responsibility for all the accusations. The verdict can only be overturned if we can produce evidence that Wanqiu lied. But her family all work for the Duke Dingguo Mansion, so it’s a vicious cycle. There’s nothing I can do. Han Guipin and Ying Chun will just have to endure this injustice."

Song Yunzhao sighed softly. To overturn the case, they would have to target the Duke Dingguo Mansion. But the Duke had staunchly supported the Emperor during his ascension. If the Emperor were to punish the Duke’s household over such a small matter now, what would the courtiers think of him?

If Feng Yi earned a reputation for burning the bridge after he’d crossed it, who would dare to serve him loyally in the future?

Weighing the two, Song Yunzhao naturally stood with the Emperor. It wasn’t that Han Jinyi’s justice shouldn’t be sought, but that it had to be postponed.

She met Feng Yi’s gaze. His dark, turbulent eyes were bottomless, something seeming to churn within them. Song Yunzhao knew that people like them, with their dispositions, did not trust easily.

Feng Yi’s earlier embrace, and now his question, were already a concession on his part.

"In my heart, no one is more important than Your Majesty."

Feng Yi’s pupils contracted slightly.

At that moment, Song Yunzhao’s words were truly from the heart. She faced the Emperor without the slightest hint of retreat.

Feng Yi’s heart pounded in his chest. Meeting Yun Zhao’s clear and pure gaze, he knew she wasn’t lying.

He said nothing, simply pulling Yun Zhao back into his embrace.

Listening to the Emperor’s somewhat rapid heartbeat, Song Yunzhao had a fleeting thought. ’If only they weren’t the Emperor and a concubine. If they could marry as husband and wife outside the palace, perhaps they could truly have a wonderful marriage.’

But the "profession" of being emperor held too many uncertainties. Yun Zhao didn’t dare to gamble.

Even if the Emperor was deeply affectionate toward her at this moment, she still had to leave herself an escape route.

’Perhaps she was just that kind of innately cold-hearted person.’

A flicker of guilt suddenly pricked her.

Feng Yi’s visit was as swift as his arrival. Before leaving, he looked at Yun Zhao for a long moment. She felt he had something to say to her, but in the end, he said nothing.

After seeing him off, Song Yunzhao’s mood soured slightly.

After thinking it over, she sent someone to invite Han Jinyi over.

Han Jinyi arrived quickly. Not only her, but Feng Yunjin and Lu Zhixue came along as well. It turned out they had been at Han Jinyi’s place and decided to come together.

After having them sit, Song Yunzhao said with a smile, "Your timing is perfect. It saves me the trouble of sending for you."

Hearing this, Lu Zhixue glanced at Song Yunzhao. ’Such pretty words. If I hadn’t been shameless enough to tag along, she definitely wouldn’t have thought to invite me.’

Feng Yunjin studied Song Zhaoyi’s expression, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Has Zhaoyi encountered some good news?"

Song Yunzhao knew Feng Yunjin was clever. Hearing her question, she nodded. "You could call it good news." Then she turned to Han Jinyi. "Han Imperial Censor has reported that Grand Tutor Qin and Duke Dingguo are meeting privately."

Han Jinyi froze, not yet processing it, while Feng Yunjin’s face already lit up with joy. "Zhaoyi, is this true? Then what are the Emperor’s intentions?"

At Feng Yunjin’s question, Han Jinyi and Lu Zhixue also understood, and joy appeared on both their faces.

The result of the Palace Justice Department’s investigation had been truly infuriating. But with Wanqiu taking the blame, they had no evidence of An Fangyi’s involvement and could only swallow their anger.

Earlier, when the three of them were talking at Han Jinyi’s place, Lu Zhixue had even gone to make a few snide remarks outside An Fangyi’s Feishuang Hall. But no one came out from Feishuang Hall to rebuke her.

What did that prove?

It proved that An Fangyi had a guilty conscience.