Chapter 458 - 236: You Can’t Hide in Your Shell Forever

Chapter 458: Chapter 236: You Can’t Hide in Your Shell Forever

Seeing that Song Yunzhao didn’t intend to elaborate, Xie Linlang didn’t press the matter. However, she made a mental note of it to ponder later on her own.

’Still, I can tell from Yun Zhao’s attitude that she doesn’t dislike Princess Fuke. That makes things easier.’

The group didn’t get to relax for long. Soon, someone came looking for them with an invitation for Princess Ming’an to go horse racing.

He Lan Yun had learned by now that she couldn’t always act on a whim, so she asked Yun Zhao if she wanted to go watch.

Song Yunzhao shook her head. With Feng Yi not by her side, it was hard to say whether it would be dangerous for her to be in a crowded place. "I’ve been out for a while. It’s time I went back. You go have fun. Enjoy yourself."

He Lan Yun laughed. "It’s not about being happy or unhappy. It’s just for fun." She then looked toward Song Yexi and the others. "Are you guys going?"

Song Yexi nodded. "Let’s go watch. We don’t have anything to do if we go back, and it’ll be an eye-opening experience."

Song Yunzhao fully approved, cautioning Song Yexi, "You all must not separate, and don’t casually send your attendants away."

"I know. Don’t worry." Song Yexi had been warned by her mother many times, so of course she didn’t dare to be careless.

But she couldn’t just lock herself up at home and never go out. She still had to learn and do what was necessary.

She couldn’t be a coward hiding in her shell her whole life, could she?

Song Yunzhao parted ways with them and returned directly to the traveling palace to rest. She was, in fact, a little tired.

He Lan Yun led Song Yexi and the others to the racecourse. The grounds were teeming with people, making it a perfect opportunity to socialize. Song Yexi knew she had made the right decision to come; there was no place better than this for gathering information.

Song Yunzhao took a short nap and woke while the sky was still bright. She changed into a light summer robe, rolled up her sleeves, and sat in the courtyard eating a peach. It was crisp, sweet, and had been grown on the mountain behind the palace.

She was halfway through her peach when the Emperor arrived.

Song Yunzhao rose to greet him. Noticing his face was beaded with sweat, she asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, where have you come from?"

A second glance revealed that Meng Jiuchang, who stood behind the Emperor, was also covered in dust and looked rather wretched. Song Yunzhao called for Anshun and had him take Meng Jiuchang away to wash up.

Meng Jiuchang quickly bowed his thanks and only left after receiving the Emperor’s permission.

Song Yunzhao had already retrieved a change of clothes for Feng Yi and had someone bring water into the room. "You should wash up, Your Majesty. It can’t be comfortable to be covered in sweat on such a hot day."

Feng Yi had the same idea. He took the clothes and went into the washroom.

By the time he came out, Yun Zhao had already set out fruit chilled in cool water in the courtyard. He sat down and ate a piece. The refreshing coolness instantly made him feel comfortable.

"This peach is delicious," Feng Yi said with a smile.

"The Imperial Kitchen had them picked and sent over a whole basket," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. "If you enjoy them, Your Majesty, you can have more tomorrow. The mountains are full of them."

Seeing Yun Zhao in such high spirits, Feng Yi said with a smile, "Are you happy to have seen your old friend?"

"Very happy," Song Yunzhao nodded. "Your Majesty knows I don’t have many friends. My friendship with Princess Ming’an was forged through our squabbles, which is a rare thing."

Feng Yi chuckled. "I imagine Princess Ming’an complained to you quite a bit."

"Your Majesty is truly brilliant to have guessed that," Song Yunzhao immediately praised him, playing along.

"That hardly requires any thought. With Prince Zhenbei heading south, Princess Zhenbei, who remained in the capital, must have received his orders to settle Princess Ming’an’s marriage first." As he spoke, Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. "You’re worried for her, too, aren’t you?"

"How can my concern be the same as her family’s? Even as friends, we have boundaries," Song Yunzhao said.

Feng Yi smiled. "So, has she found anyone she fancies?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head.

The smile on Feng Yi’s face froze. "Then I’m afraid Prince Zhenbei will be disappointed when he returns."

Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Song Yunzhao asked tentatively, "Don’t tell me Prince Zhenbei has asked Your Majesty for help as well?"

Feng Yi looked troubled. "Not exactly. It’s just that Prince Zhenbei is deeply concerned that his daughter either doesn’t want to marry or won’t be able to."

’Spoken like a true father,’ Song Yunzhao thought. What else could she say?

"Does Your Majesty have any suitable candidates in mind?"

Feng Yi was troubled by this as well. Prince Zhenbei had spoiled his daughter rotten, and she clearly wasn’t the type to meekly become someone’s wife. If he were to decree a marriage casually, it would be hard to tell if it would be a blessing or a curse.

"Not at the moment."

Song Yunzhao thought of Duke Cao, but she swallowed the words before they left her lips. It was just her own idea, and since she hadn’t asked He Lan Yun, she couldn’t just bring it up casually.

"If there’s no suitable candidate for now, Your Majesty can put the matter aside for the time being. On that note, I have something I’d like to tell you and ask for your opinion on."

"What is it?" Feng Yi looked up at her.

"Princess Ming’an told me that Princess Fuke wants to ask Princess Zhenbei to arrange a meeting with me. Should I see her?"

After she spoke, Song Yunzhao watched the Emperor. Seeing not the slightest hint of surprise on his face, she knew he had likely anticipated this move from Princess Fuke. ’It’s a good thing I asked him first.’

"Do you want to see her?"

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yi. "It doesn’t make much difference to me whether I meet her or not, but I’m afraid that seeing Princess Fuke might reflect poorly on Your Majesty."

"Then you should meet with her," Feng Yi said with a smile, amused that Yun Zhao worried about the potential negative consequences for him even when just meeting someone.

"But I can’t imagine why Princess Fuke wants to see me, and I wouldn’t know what to say to her." Song Yunzhao looked troubled. "Perhaps Your Majesty could offer this concubine some guidance, so I know what to expect."

Feng Yi actually gave it some thought before replying seriously, "Princess Fuke is most worried about Princess Duanjing’s marriage. If she asks you to plead with me to decree a marriage for her, you should agree."

"What?" Song Yunzhao looked shocked. "How can I agree to such a major affair just like that? If I dare to agree, wouldn’t I truly become the ’Evil Concubine’ in Princess Fuke’s eyes? No, absolutely not. Is that something I can even promise?"

Seeing Yun Zhao shrink away as if from the plague, Feng Yi chuckled. "I would agree even if Princess Fuke asked me directly. Her asking you is a way to test your importance to me. Just agree to it."

Song Yunzhao...

’Her feelings were a little complicated. She had actually guessed as much but had pretended not to know. She hadn’t expected Feng Yi to lay it all out for her so clearly.’

’Her conscience pricked her a little.’

"Then I will do as Your Majesty says," Song Yunzhao agreed, looking perfectly obedient. "I’ve heard that Princess Fuke’s relationship with the Empress Dowager isn’t very good. Your Majesty, if I meet with the princess, do you think the Empress Dowager will direct her anger toward me?"

’Song Yunzhao hadn’t forgotten that the Empress Dowager still wanted to shove An Shutong into the harem. She wouldn’t be soft-hearted now that she had a chance to sow some discord.’

Feng Yi looked up at Yun Zhao. Seeing her worried expression, he paused for a moment before saying, "If you become friends with Princess Fuke, the Empress Dowager will not interfere lightly."

’That word, "lightly," was quite telling.’ Song Yunzhao now understood.

"Then I’ll send word to Princess Ming’an and arrange to meet with Princess Fuke."

"Tomorrow, I’ll take you for a walk at the foot of the mountain. You can arrange to meet her there," Feng Yi said.

Song Yunzhao looked up at Feng Yi. ’Meeting outside the palace,’ she thought. ’Now that’s interesting.’