Chapter 416 - 194: Song Zhaoyi’s Bewitching Soup for the Emperor

Chapter 416: Chapter 194: Song Zhaoyi’s Bewitching Soup for the Emperor

The banquet at Roufu Palace was elevated to a new level by the dishes bestowed by the Empress Dowager. The entire palace was filled with a festive air. The Empress Dowager’s gift was a clear sign of her favor toward Princess Consort Wan, who was glowing with pride and in higher spirits than ever.

Feng Yunjin watched from a distance, her heart tightening with worry. Not far from her, Qin Wanyi was chatting with Fan Pin, and though Feng Yunjin couldn’t hear what they were saying, both wore congenial smiles.

Everyone was so happy. The only one missing was Song Zhaoyi.

They were deliberately ostracizing Song Zhaoyi.

Feng Yunjin knew it perfectly well, but there was nothing she could do to change it; she was powerless.

Lu Zhixue found the meal so vexing that she made an excuse to leave before the banquet had even concluded. Han Jinyi, on the other hand, stayed, but she didn’t join Feng Yunjin. The two of them together would have been too conspicuous, and it would only draw more attention to the fact that Song Zhaoyi hadn’t been invited.

The luncheon was well into its second half when, at that very moment, someone cried out, "Song Zhaoyi has gone to Taiji Palace?"

The cry was so sharp it immediately captured everyone’s attention.

Feng Yunjin’s heart leaped. She and Han Jinyi exchanged a look across the crowd, a hint of delighted surprise in both their eyes.

’What good was it for this crowd to gather here and exclude Song Zhaoyi? She went to Taiji Palace!’

’The Emperor had been so busy with state affairs lately that he rarely set foot in the harem. It was already difficult for them to see him, and now it was nearly impossible. But Song Zhaoyi was different. She could see him whenever she pleased.’

’Not only could she see him, but she could also go to Taiji Palace whenever she wanted. Could they?’

’No!’

Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao was being carried toward Taiji Palace in a soft sedan, feeling rather surprised herself. She hadn’t wanted to lose face and had been contemplating sending a message to the Emperor, asking him to come to Wangyou Palace and keep her company, which would certainly bolster her prestige.

However, she knew Feng Yi had been genuinely busy lately, so she hadn’t yet made up her mind. But before she could, Meng Jiuchang arrived with a soft sedan to escort her.

She had a hunch that Chief Steward Zhang must have told the Emperor about the despicable things that had happened at Roufu Palace.

She arrived at Taiji Palace, her heart fluttering with excitement. Sure enough, Chief Steward Zhang was waiting outside. He immediately came forward and bowed upon seeing her. "This servant greets the Zhaoyi. The Emperor is currently meeting with Mr. Liu and instructed me to wait for you. Please, Zhaoyi, rest in the side hall for a moment."

Song Yunzhao alighted from the sedan and smiled at Zhang Maoquan. "I’m grateful for your trouble, Chief Steward Zhang." Then, turning to Meng Jiuchang, she said, "Manager Meng, please feel free to attend to your duties. I have no other matters here and wouldn’t want to delay you."

Meng Jiuchang did have to report back and couldn’t afford to be delayed. He thanked her with a smile and entered Taiji Palace.

Song Yunzhao followed Chief Steward Zhang into the side hall. After she was seated, she said, "It was you who spoke to the Emperor on my behalf, wasn’t it, Chief Steward Zhang?"

Having done a good deed, how could Zhang Maoquan not seek credit for it? Yet, his expression remained perfectly serious as he said, "You are simply too kind-hearted, Zhaoyi. To see you bullied to this extent... this servant truly could not stand by and watch. I overstepped my authority by taking matters into my own hands. I ask that the Zhaoyi punish me."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Xiangxue, who immediately stepped forward to prevent Chief Steward Zhang from kneeling. "Chief Steward Zhang, what are you saying?" Xiangxue said with a beaming smile. "For you to uphold justice in this way, even this maidservant must thank you."

"Not at all, not at all. This servant serves the Zhaoyi by the Emperor’s decree. It is merely my duty." Zhang Maoquan felt relieved. The worst outcome would be for his efforts to go unappreciated; as long as Song Zhaoyi remembered this favor, it was all worth it.

If he ever found himself in a difficult situation, he hoped the Zhaoyi would remember their rapport and lend him a hand.

She didn’t have to wait long. Soon, Song Yunzhao heard familiar footsteps, and looking up, she saw Feng Yi striding into the room.

She rose to greet him, but before she could even perform the full courtesy, Feng Yi gently pressed her down. "Why are you getting up? Just stay seated."

Song Yunzhao did as she was told and sat back down, looking up at Feng Yi with a face full of delight. "Emperor, my heart is simply overflowing with happiness right now."

Feng Yi seemed slightly discomfited by her words. He cleared his throat. "As long as you’re happy."

Chief Steward Zhang and Xiangxue tactfully withdrew, closing the doors to the hall behind them.

The moment they left, Song Yunzhao dropped all pretense of decorum. She grabbed Feng Yi’s hand and said gleefully, "Emperor, are you doing this to stand up for me?"

Feng Yi was left speechless.

’Did she have to be so blunt?’

"I’m truly so happy," she continued. "Happier than when you first promoted me to Zhaoyi."

Feng Yi fixed his gaze on Yun Zhao. "Really?"

"You hold me in your heart, you know I’ve been wronged, and you’re still willing to stand up for my honor. How could I not be happy?" Song Yunzhao’s eyes began to redden. "I told myself not to care. So what if they deliberately isolate me, try to humiliate me, and want me to lose face so I can’t bear to be seen in the harem? I can endure it."

Feng Yi’s hand, holding Yun Zhao’s, tightened slightly. Just hearing her words made a deep discomfort well up inside him. ’Why should my woman have to endure anything?’

’He, the Emperor, had to endure certain things because he still lacked the power to make his every word an unchallengeable command. But why should the woman by his side have to endure?’

’Can I not even protect her within my own harem?’

’Moreover, Yun Zhao was carrying his child. This was already a difficult time for her, and yet she had to suffer such bullying. He wouldn’t stand for it. That was why he’d had her brought here immediately. He was going to back her, and he wanted everyone to see it!’

"You don’t have to endure anything," Feng Yi said, looking at Yun Zhao. "You’ve done nothing wrong. Why should you have to?"

’Her spirits soared at his words. After being a favored concubine for so long, she’d finally gotten to hear a domineering declaration worthy of a male lead. She loved it!’

"But, I’m afraid of causing trouble for you, Your Majesty," Song Yunzhao said, her expression hesitant. ’Isn’t this just putting on a sweet, innocent act? Who doesn’t know how to do that?’ "The Empress Dowager is already displeased with me. If this causes her to take her anger out on you, I would feel even more uneasy."

’The Empress Dowager deliberately sent gifts to Roufu Palace just to humiliate me. Well then, I have to make sure to lodge a serious complaint with the Emperor.’

’Let’s see how much turmoil this sham of a mother-son relationship can withstand!’

Feng Yi knew the Empress Dowager had sent gifts to Roufu Palace. It was because he hadn’t backed down and had allowed An Shutong to leave the palace. The Empress Dowager, needing to vent her frustration, had directed her ill temper at Yun Zhao.

’So, in a way, Yun Zhao was being implicated because of him.’

"It won’t come to that. I don’t pay any mind to such things, and neither should you," Feng Yi said. "Zhaozhao, I just want you to be happy."

"I am very happy right now! With you here, Emperor, what could possibly keep me from smiling?" Song Yunzhao laughed. Then, with a playful twinkle in her eye, she quickly added, "I’d be even happier if the Emperor were to take me with him to the Summer Palace this year."

Feng Yi was, once again, speechless.

’So that’s what she was really after!’

’She and her bewitching words.’

"Do you really want to go?" Feng Yi asked, looking down at Yun Zhao.

Song Yunzhao’s heart sank. ’It seems the Emperor really is going to follow the path of filial piety and take the Empress Dowager to escape the summer heat.’ Marquis Gu’en’s maneuver had truly hit the Emperor where it hurt. ’How ruthless.’