Chapter 427 - 205: My Zhaozhao is the Most Understanding

Chapter 427: Chapter 205: My Zhaozhao is the Most Understanding

Princess Consort Zhuang was stunned. "Surely not? Although Princess Fuke’s relationship with the Emperor is decent, Consort Rong caused the Empress Dowager a great deal of trouble back then. If the Emperor wants to summon Princess Fuke back to the Capital City, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager won’t agree."

"After what happened yesterday, wouldn’t you say the Emperor is displeased with the Empress Dowager?"

Princess Consort Zhuang and her mother exchanged a look, their expressions suddenly turning solemn.

’There are some things the Emperor can’t do himself. But if Princess Fuke returns to the Capital City and wants a better future for her children, she will inevitably have to rely on the Emperor.’

’In that case, Princess Fuke could become a powerful tool for the Emperor to control the Empress Dowager. This would not be a good thing for me.’

"Princess Fuke is of a younger generation, after all. She wouldn’t dare be too presumptuous," Princess Consort Zhuang said.

"But what if she has the Emperor backing her?"

Princess Consort Zhuang fell silent, her expression ugly. One Song Yunzhao was already difficult enough to deal with. Another Princess Fuke would be an even bigger headache.

’A princess who has married out of the family is no great threat. But if that princess has the Emperor’s support, her influence is another matter entirely.’

"Princess Fuke is a very principled person. She probably looks down on Song Yunzhao for fawning on the Emperor to win his favor. Even if she returns to the Capital City, she won’t necessarily speak well of Song Yunzhao," Princess Consort Zhuang said, composing herself. ’If Princess Fuke had been able to rein in her temperament back then, the late Emperor wouldn’t have thrown her out to some remote region.’

’At one time, Princess Fuke was also the late Emperor’s most beloved daughter. One only had to look at her title to know that.’

"We have no way to contact Princess Fuke. If she really is returning to the Capital, it would be best if someone could speak to the Princess beforehand about the situation here. It’s better if she’s mentally prepared," Mrs. Wang said.

Princess Consort Zhuang understood her mother’s meaning. "I understand. I will see to it."

’There was a ready-made candidate: Marchioness Wu Xin could be used.’

Having finished with official business, Mrs. Wang saw that the hour was late and rose to take her leave. Princess Consort Zhuang was a bit reluctant to see her go. "The Empress Dowager has strict rules at the traveling palace, too. It’s not as easy to meet as it used to be. If you are wronged in any way at the traveling palace, you must tell me."

"With your father and you here, how could I possibly be wronged?" Mrs. Wang smiled, reassuring her daughter. "As long as you are well, your mother can be at ease." Before leaving, she warned her daughter, "Qin Wan Yi is not a good partner to cooperate with. You must be extremely careful."

"I know what I’m doing."

Princess Consort Zhuang saw her mother off, momentarily losing her appetite for breakfast. One thing after another, and not a single one went her way.

’She still needed to inquire about Princess Fuke’s situation.’ She called Zhang He over. "Go and discreetly inquire about matters concerning Princess Fuke. Don’t alert anyone."

Zhang He quickly agreed. "Rest assured, Your Highness. I will be sure to find out everything clearly."

"Go on," Princess Consort Zhuang said with a wave of her hand.

Zhang He withdrew.

Princess Consort Zhuang then looked at Yun Dai. "Go to Song Zhaoyi’s quarters. Ask her how she’s feeling right now. I would like to visit her, so see if it is convenient."

Upon hearing this, Yun Dai said, "Your Highness, given Song Zhaoyi’s temperament, she will surely find an excuse to refuse."

"It doesn’t matter. As long as the Emperor knows my intentions, that’s enough." Princess Consort Zhuang didn’t care whether Song Yunzhao would see her or not. She knew the Emperor was still with Song Yunzhao, so sending this message was a gesture for him to see. That was sufficient.

"Yes." Yun Dai opened her umbrella and walked out into the light rain.

Naturally, Song Yunzhao had no intention of seeing Princess Consort Zhuang. She planned to use this opportunity to rest for a few days. Once she had regained her energy, she could stroll around the traveling palace with the Emperor. ’After coming all this way, I can’t just stay cooped up in here the whole time.’

At that moment, Feng Yi was handling official matters. Worried about Yun Zhao, he had simply set up the small front hall of her residence as his study.

Unlike the square, formal layouts of the harem palaces, the buildings at the traveling palace were built according to the mountain’s terrain, giving them a very free-form feel.

With Feng Yi managing his affairs in the front hall, Yun Zhao’s rest in the back was undisturbed. When he had a free moment, he could easily come over to see her, eat with her, or take a short nap, which was very convenient.

Song Yunzhao was very satisfied. ’It’s a pity Wangyou Palace can’t be arranged like this. Once we return to the palace, it won’t be so easy for us to be this close.’

She spent a good part of the day holding a storybook. When Feng Yi returned, Song Yunzhao went out to greet him.

Feng Yi quickened his pace to catch her. "It just rained, the ground is wet and slippery. What are you doing out here?"

"I’m just standing under the eaves," Song Yunzhao said. She was being careful.

"Let’s go inside." Feng Yi shook his head helplessly.

Dinner included a chicken soup made from wild pheasant. Yun Zhao drank half a small bowl, but only had a few bites of the shredded cold chicken before stopping. Due to the summer heat, her appetite wasn’t very good, and she couldn’t eat cold foods. These days were hard to get through.

Seeing Yun Zhao’s listless appearance, Feng Yi thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, I have to patrol the surrounding areas with the courtiers. If you have nothing to do, you can meet with your family."

"You’re leaving the traveling palace, Your Majesty?"

Hearing that Song Yunzhao’s focus was on the first half of his sentence, Feng Yi smiled. ’Zhaozhao really does care about me the most.’ "Since we’re here, I must go and see for myself. I can’t just listen to what the courtiers say. I need to use my own eyes to know what’s true and what’s false."

"Your Majesty is truly a wise ruler. For the common people to have an Emperor like you, they have truly met an enlightened lord."

Listening to Song Yunzhao’s flattery, Feng Yi found it strangely nostalgic. It had been a long time since he’d heard it.

"It’s just a pity that your health is not up to it right now, or else I would take you with me."

"Even if I were well, I wouldn’t go. You’ll be attending to official business with the courtiers. What would it look like, bringing a favored concubine along? An act befitting a wise ruler would be twisted into that of a foolish one because of me. Wouldn’t I be terribly wronged then?"

Feng Yi: ...

’Why did that sound a little like she found the idea distasteful?’

"When I’m better in a few days, let’s the two of us dress in disguise and sneak out to have some fun! As long as no one knows, it’ll be fine. We can have a good time without having to worry about damaging Your Majesty’s reputation. Wouldn’t that be great?"

Feng Yi’s mood brightened instantly upon hearing this. ’I was overthinking it. How could Yun Zhao possibly reject me?’

"We’ll talk about it after you’ve recovered." Feng Yi was unwilling to make a promise so easily. If he agreed, Yun Zhao would definitely pester him to make good on it, but her body truly needed some time to recuperate.

"I’ll listen to Your Majesty."

Feng Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "So agreeable?"

"What do you mean by that? When have I ever been disagreeable?" Yun Zhao was displeased now. Before the Emperor, she was like a spring—there was nothing she couldn’t bend to her will. If something seemed impossible, she would find a way to make it go just as she wished.

"Yes, yes. My Zhaozhao is the most understanding person there is."

Song Yunzhao suspected the Emperor was being sarcastic, but she had no proof.

She decided to drop the subject and returned to the previous topic. "In that case, can I invite all my sisters? Will that be too many people?"

"It’s only three people, isn’t it? That’s fine."

Three people meant Xie Linlang was included. Song Yunzhao hadn’t seen Xie Linlang in a long time, so she was genuinely happy now. "Thank you, Your Majesty! You’re too good to me. If you keep spoiling me like this, I’ll truly become conceited and lose all sense of proportion. What will I do then?"

Feng Yi saw how Yun Zhao’s eyes were practically dancing with joy and felt a sense of relief. ’As long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.’ Hearing her nonsensical words, he couldn’t help but laugh.