Chapter 429 - 207: You’re the God, You’re the Devil; As Expected of You

Chapter 429: Chapter 207: You’re the God, You’re the Devil; As Expected of You

Song Yunzhao had been secretly observing the Emperor’s expression the whole time. After she finished speaking, she saw that he wasn’t angry. Instead, he looked torn between laughter and exasperation, and the heavy weight on her heart instantly lightened.

The Emperor wasn’t angry, which meant that as far as he was concerned, the situation was tipping in her favor—at least for now.

But it was hard to say just how much. The main issue was the Emperor’s so-called "obsession with cleanliness." It likely stemmed from the deep-seated trauma the late Emperor had left him with. On top of that, none of the concubines in the harem were women he had chosen himself; most were daughters of courtiers who had been forced upon him. This made him inherently wary and resentful, which was why he could refrain from favoring them with his attention.

It was hard to say what he would do once he held full power in his own hands, but for now, Yun Zhao felt she had a significant advantage.

She had a very favorable impression of Feng Yi. As an emperor, she would give him a score of ninety out of a hundred. As a husband, however, he used to be in the negative, though he had finally crossed into positive territory.

’And as for the future... who could know?’

Right now, Song Yunzhao’s goal was to give birth to her child safely. Ideally, she needed to ensure no other imperial heir was born from another woman’s womb for the next few years.

She couldn’t bring herself to commit the evil act of harming a child, so her only option was to monopolize the Emperor herself under the guise of being his favored concubine.

’Life is just getting harder and harder.’

At this thought, Song Yunzhao turned away slightly, covering her face with her hands. Looking thoroughly embarrassed, she whispered, "Your Majesty, please just pretend you didn’t hear that. My mind is a bit muddled so early in the morning. I’ve heard other women say pregnancy addles the mind, and I’m starting to see a lot of truth in that."

Feng Yi was speechless.

’One moment a saint, the next a devil. That’s her to a T.’

He knew what Yun Zhao was worried about. She had been pregnant for so long and had never made a single outrageous demand. But after being repeatedly targeted by the Empress Dowager and the other concubines, she had grown fearful. That was why she wanted him to stay by her side at all times.

Yes, Feng Yi didn’t believe Yun Zhao had any other motive for asking him to stay with her. He was convinced she was simply afraid of being plotted against again and was clinging to him for protection.

Thinking of it this way, Feng Yi’s heart couldn’t help but soften. "Things will be more relaxed at the traveling palace than back in the capital. I’ll come and stay with you whenever I have time."

’Huh?’

Song Yunzhao was pleasantly surprised. Although the Emperor hadn’t said he wouldn’t visit anyone else, promising to spend more time with her was a tacit agreement.

"Really?" Song Yunzhao spun around, her eyes shining as she gazed at the Emperor.

"Really." Feng Yi reached out and pulled her back into his arms. "Stop overthinking things and get some sleep."

With such good news, Song Yunzhao’s entire body relaxed. She closed her eyes and was asleep almost instantly.

Feng Yi was speechless again.

’Well... that was unexpected. She really doesn’t let things weigh on her mind.’

He suddenly felt a twinge of envy.

Early the next morning, Song Yunzhao awoke to find the man beside her still fast asleep. When she didn’t hear Meng Jiuchang’s morning call, she remembered they were at the traveling palace, so there were no court sessions to attend.

She noticed the dark circles under Feng Yi’s eyes. ’It’s not easy being the Emperor,’ she thought. She quietly slipped around him and out of bed, draping an outer robe over her shoulders as she walked into the outer chamber.

Xiangxue was on duty that morning. Seeing Song Yunzhao emerge, she hurried to greet her. "My Lady, why are you up so early?"

As she spoke, she moved to call for servants to help her wash, but Yun Zhao waved her off. "First, go to the kitchen and have them prepare a few fresh dishes for breakfast."

Xiangxue understood at once—it was for the Emperor. "I’ll go right away. Yesterday, I heard Chief Steward Zhang mention that the kitchen received some game hunted in the mountains by the Imperial Guard."

"Good, then go on." The thought of wild game whetted Yun Zhao’s own appetite. "Have them add a dish of stir-fried diced rabbit," she added.

Xiangxue smiled and agreed, then turned and headed for the kitchen.

Qingfeng and another servant brought a copper basin, a towel, and soap to help her wash. Yun Zhao slowly washed her face and hands, then dressed in a lake-blue, narrow-sleeved long gown that Yulu had chosen for her. On a day like this, the very color was refreshing to the eye.

With Xiangxue away, Yun Zhao simply defined her eyebrows in the mirror and applied a thin layer of Rouge to her lips before stopping. ’In the Emperor’s eyes, I’m still half an invalid. I can’t afford to look too rosy-cheeked.’

Just as she finished, she heard a sound from the inner chamber. Yun Zhao rose and went inside, and sure enough, she saw Feng Yi emerging with a robe thrown over his shoulders. She smiled and went to greet him. "Your Majesty, you’re awake?"

"Why are you up so early?" Feng Yi had slept soundly and without interruption, leaving him feeling completely refreshed. Seeing Yun Zhao looking so fresh and well-dressed, his spirits lifted as well.

"I heard the kitchen received some wild game, so I sent Xiangxue early to order a few fresh dishes for you," Yun Zhao replied with a smile.

In the blink of an eye, Meng Jiuchang entered with attendants to help the Emperor wash and dress. Yun Zhao, feeling her pregnant belly was in the way, discreetly withdrew to the outer chamber to wait.

Feng Yi smiled as he watched her leave. ’Ordering extra dishes for me... how interesting.’

Breakfast was indeed sumptuous. There was pheasant soup, diced rabbit, and two dishes of wild greens—one stir-fried and one served cold. In addition, an array of various porridges, pastries, and side dishes covered the table.

Yun Zhao truly was hungry. She first ladled a bowl of the pheasant soup for the Emperor. "When I saw the dark circles under your eyes this morning, Your Majesty, I was worried. You can’t just focus on matters of state; taking care of your health is just as important. Drink some soup to restore your strength. I’ll have someone tell the kitchen to stew a portion for you every day."

Standing to the side, Meng Jiuchang listened to Song Zhaoyi’s words, inwardly stunned. ’Song Zhaoyi’s nerve is growing by the day,’ he thought. ’She even dares to interfere with the Emperor’s personal meals.’

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao and said, "Let’s make it a portion every three days. Every day would be too much."

Song Yunzhao met Feng Yi’s meaningful gaze, and her face instantly flushed red.

’So indecent this early in the morning!’

It was true. The Emperor was young and virile; drinking that kind of restorative soup every day would indeed be... too much. She lowered her head, avoiding his eyes.

Inwardly, however, she was already pondering how to handle this situation.

She couldn’t very well make the Emperor remain abstinent for a whole year. She would have to ask Nanny Yu later. Having been in the palace for so many years, Nanny Yu would surely know what to do.

She had never been married or had children in her past life, so there was much about pregnancy she didn’t understand. Besides, people in this era were so conservative. There were some things she couldn’t possibly ask the Imperial Physician. If word of it got out, how could she ever show her face again?

Song Yunzhao focused on eating the stir-fried diced rabbit, refusing to look up at the Emperor.

Seeing her expression, Feng Yi deliberately placed some food in her bowl. "Zhaozhao, you must eat more," he said, his tone teasing. "You need to get your strength back."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’This damn Emperor,’ she fumed inwardly. ’He never lets himself be at a disadvantage.’

After breakfast, before Feng Yi could have a cup of digestive tea with Yun Zhao, Meng Jiuchang arrived to summon him.

Song Yunzhao quickly saw him off. After he was gone, she let out a long sigh of relief. Then she turned and instructed Anshun to send a message to the Song family, asking her eldest uncle’s wife to bring Song Yexi and the others to see her the next day.

She had some matters to discuss with Han Jinyi and the others today. With that in mind, she sent Yulu to invite them over.