Chapter 424 - 202: The Emperor Stays the Night

Chapter 424: Chapter 202: The Emperor Stays the Night

Song Yunzhao was a little displeased. ’The Empress Dowager sent someone over so early. What is she trying to find out?’

’Oh, right. The Emperor stayed here last night. The Empress Dowager must be getting anxious.’

With this in mind, Song Yunzhao deliberately put on a tense, worried look. She didn’t glance at the Emperor, fixing her eyes on the window instead. The smile faded from her face, leaving only a troubled expression.

Feng Yi looked up and saw Yun Zhao’s expression. He paused, the words he was about to say dying on his lips. Remembering the events of yesterday’s banquet, he thought, ’Yun Zhao must be a little frightened.’

With that thought, Feng Yi’s expression darkened. He looked at Zhang Maoquan and said, "Send her back. Zhaoyi is unwell and needs to rest."

Song Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat. ’If his words reach the Empress Dowager, I’ll have an excuse to decline any future banquets she wants me to attend.’

Thinking of this, she turned around, a worried look on her face. "Emperor, is it really all right to respond to the Empress Dowager this way?"

At that moment, Feng Yi suddenly missed the old Song Yunzhao, the one who feared nothing in heaven or on earth. He didn’t like this new version of her, constrained by the Empress Dowager at every turn, forced to tread so carefully.

"It’s nothing. Besides, it’s the truth. The Imperial Physician did say you need quiet rest," Feng Yi said, glancing at Zhang Maoquan.

Zhang Maoquan immediately bowed and withdrew. ’There’s nothing to misunderstand here,’ he thought. ’The Emperor is making a statement, and it’s also a clear sign of his displeasure with what the Empress Dowager did yesterday.’

Song Yunzhao watched Zhang Maoquan’s retreating back, her gaze drifting out the window. A sudden, fierce squall had washed the stone slabs until they gleamed. Flowers had been battered from their branches, and their vibrant petals, scattered on the ground, looked like a colorful coat for the earth.

A light rain was still drizzling. Song Yunzhao had no plans to go out today. She simply had Xiangxue style her hair in a simple bun, adorned with white jade hairpins on each side. After a light application of Rouge, a touch of red on her lips instantly brightened her complexion.

She got up to find Feng Yi. He had already changed into a cyan, wide-sleeved robe with a dragon motif and was sitting under the eaves, watching the rain. Song Yunzhao’s quarters overlooked a large man-made lake. As the rain fell from the roof, water and sky merged into one. The lake was shrouded in mist, making it seem as if he were cloaked in a river of frost and stars.

Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but stop. Usually, she was so conscious of him being the Emperor that she would subconsciously forget something important: ’This Emperor is the male lead, and his looks are absolutely top-tier for a protagonist.’

The thought made Song Yunzhao chuckle. Hearing her laugh, Feng Yi turned. Through the misty rain, he saw Yun Zhao smiling at him in her peach-pink dress. Even the dreary rain seemed to soften.

Song Yunzhao walked over and sat down beside Feng Yi. "Emperor, what are you doing out here all by yourself?"

"I wanted to listen to the rain."

"Then I’ll keep you company." Song Yunzhao’s laughter was like a silver bell. She leaned against Feng Yi and reached out to catch the falling raindrops. "I wonder how long this rain will last. Won’t staying here delay your work, Emperor?"

Feng Yi shook his head. "If anything important happens, Meng Jiuchang will report it."

Song Yunzhao’s voice was bright. "Then can you spend the whole day with me, Emperor?"

"Alright." Feng Yi nodded. Yun Zhao’s joy was infectious. He rose and helped her to her feet. "Let’s go have breakfast first."

He didn’t want her to feel sick again from going hungry for too long.

Song Yunzhao followed Feng Yi back into the main hall, saying as they walked, "I’m perfectly fine now, you don’t need to worry. I promise I won’t let myself go hungry again."

"I’ve already instructed Zhang Maoquan to keep an eye on you."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Is this what they call the Emperor’s domineering affection?’

’I love it!’

...

The rain drizzled on. Many people had not slept well that night. Word of the Emperor’s actions had already spread throughout the traveling palace. For the sake of a mere Song Zhaoyi, he had completely disregarded the Empress Dowager’s dignity.

The Empress Dowager had intended for An Shutong to perform at the banquet and make a name for herself, but it had ended like this. It inevitably reminded people of the last time An Shutong was sent home from the palace. Thinking about it, this Miss An’s luck was truly awful.

An Shutong hadn’t slept a wink all night, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She didn’t bother covering them with Rouge, only lightly penciling her brows before heading to the Empress Dowager’s quarters with a gloomy expression.

Yourong saw An Shutong and hurried over to greet her. "Miss An, the Empress Dowager is not yet awake. The rain fell all night, and Her Highness did not sleep soundly."

An Shutong asked with a look of concern, "Her Highness didn’t sleep well? Has an Imperial Physician been called?"

Yourong shook her head. "There was such a commotion over at Song Zhaoyi’s residence. I’m afraid all the Imperial Physicians have gone there."

An Shutong’s heart sank. She knew Yourong was saying it on purpose. Plenty of Imperial Physicians had accompanied the imperial tour. With the Emperor at Song Zhaoyi’s residence, the ones sent to diagnose her would certainly be the most skilled, but it was impossible that *all* of them had gone.

Yourong was deliberately trying to fuel her resentment toward Song Zhaoyi. An Shutong had no choice but to play along, her expression turning sour. "My aunt’s health is also very important. I’ll wait here. Please be so kind as to inform me when she wakes."

Yourong smiled. "Miss An, you should go back and rest for now. This servant can see you haven’t rested well either. When the Empress Dowager awakens, I will convey that you came to pay your respects."

Her objective achieved, An Shutong smiled and took her leave.

Instead of returning to her room to sleep, she turned and began to walk slowly along the covered walkway. In the distance, she spotted a figure that looked like Qin Wanyi. Her expression flickered, and she quietly changed her course to a different path.

"Qin Wanyi."

The sound of the rain had kept Qin Xiyue from sleeping, so she had come out early for some fresh air. Startled by the sudden call, her face paled. She turned to look at An Shutong, a flicker of annoyance deep in her eyes that she quickly suppressed.

"Miss An," Qin Xiyue said, "I didn’t expect to run into you here. Are you also out enjoying the rain?"

An Shutong shook her head. "I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, but Her Highness didn’t sleep well last night and hasn’t risen yet. With nothing to do, I decided to take a walk and was surprised to see you, Qin Wanyi. Forgive me for calling out so abruptly."

"Not at all. I’m happy for the company," Qin Xiyue smiled. "There’s a pavilion up ahead. Shall we go and sit for a while?"

An Shutong nodded and followed Qin Xiyue into the stone pavilion. A curtain of rain connected heaven and earth, and the damp air clung to their skin, making them feel unpleasantly cold.

"Last night, before falling asleep, the Empress Dowager instructed Nanny Yao to visit Song Zhaoyi this morning. But she was sent back by the Emperor before she even got to see anyone," An Shutong began, her face a mask of worry. "I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will be upset when she wakes and learns of this."

Qin Wanyi froze, staring at An Shutong. "Miss An, are you saying the Emperor spent the night at Song Zhaoyi’s residence?"

An Shutong knew Qin Xiyue would take the bait. Pretending not to notice her urgency, she nodded slowly. "That’s what I heard from Nanny Yao. Song Zhaoyi was unwell yesterday, so it’s only natural that the Emperor was concerned."