Chapter 460 - 238: They Didn’t Do Anything Inappropriate

Chapter 460: Chapter 238: They Didn’t Do Anything Inappropriate

The sun shone brightly today—truly a good omen.

After the last incident, the Emperor had issued a special decree allowing Yun Zhao to come and go as she pleased. Now, she didn’t even need to ask the Empress Dowager for permission to leave the traveling palace.

It felt absolutely amazing.

As for whether the Empress Dowager was happy about it or not, what did that have to do with her?

The Empress Dowager certainly hadn’t cared about her happiness when she was plotting against her.

The previous matter concerning the Marquis Yongjia Mansion seemed to have nothing to do with the Empress Dowager on the surface. But Qin Xiyue and Princess Consort Zhuang had always been close to the Empress Dowager. Without her backing, how would Qin Xiyue have dared to act so readily?

Unfortunately, Qin Xiyue was also very clever and didn’t expose the Empress Dowager. Later, when Grand Tutor Qin retired to his hometown, Qin Xiyue had even less reason to offend the Empress Dowager.

Song Yunzhao changed into a dress with narrow sleeves, which would be more convenient for going out.

As she left the traveling palace, she could see the Emperor’s main hall in the distance, lined with imperial guards in their gleaming armor. Turning her head, she saw Chu Donghui hurry into the hall. She averted her gaze, musing, ’Talented people are talented wherever they go.’

’In the book, Chu Donghui was good friends with Ji Yunting and was quite capable. I don’t know if his relationship with the male lead is still good, but his talent has been confirmed. After all, he’s already serving in the imperial court.’

She lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage slowly departed from the traveling palace.

Zhang Maoquan had already sent people ahead to prepare her lodging. When Yun Zhao arrived, she was greeted by a spacious and clean tent. Because she was pregnant, no incense was burned. Instead, seven or eight pots of various flowers were placed around the tent, and basins of ice sat in the corners, making the interior feel exceptionally comfortable the moment she stepped inside.

Looking out from the tent, she could see many figures moving about. Some had changed into riding attire and entered the mountains with bows and arrows. Others were riding horses on the grasslands. There were also many young ladies in groups of two or three, followed by a lively crowd of servants.

In the distance, she heard the galloping of hooves drawing closer to her tent. Yun Zhao looked up and saw He Lan Yun, who had changed into a white riding outfit with a turned-down collar and red trim, cinched with a black belt. Her hair was tied up high, making her look both heroic and dazzlingly beautiful. She was truly stunning.

He Lan Yun turned, stopping before the tent, and dismounted with a flourish. She smiled at Yun Zhao. "I’m going to hunt some game to add to our lunch."

Song Yunzhao smiled back at her. "Are you going alone?"

"No, there are others," He Lan Yun said, looking obviously displeased. She walked over to Yun Zhao and whispered, "I made plans with Linlang and Ye Xi last night. I don’t know who overheard, but they blocked our way early this morning, so we had to go together. They’ve already left. I came to let you know."

Song Yunzhao followed He Lan Yun’s pointed finger and sure enough, saw a large, sprawling crowd of people. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

He Lan Yun said irritably, "Someone must have done it on purpose. If I find out who, I’ll teach them a lesson."

"You were talking about it at the bonfire last night. It’s not surprising that someone overheard." Song Yunzhao had come early precisely because she wanted to wander around the foot of the mountain.

With He Lan Yun and the others heading into the mountains early, it wouldn’t interfere with the timing of Princess Fuke’s visit.

He Lan Yun mounted her horse and left. Song Yunzhao stood on the grassland, watching the large group disappear into the mountains. She looked up at the sky; the blue expanse and white clouds were as clear as if they’d been freshly washed. The grass and trees were a vibrant, lush green, and the mountains behind her resembled a landscape painting. Just standing there improved her mood considerably.

She began to walk forward slowly, and Anshun and Xiangxue immediately followed.

She strolled aimlessly across the grassland. It was the time of year when the water and grass were most abundant. At the foot of the mountain, large patches of unknown flowers bloomed, dotting the landscape and swaying in the breeze.

Song Yunzhao slowly crouched down, plucked a small, pale yellow flower, and examined it in her hand. She didn’t recognize it.

Flower in hand, she continued walking, wondering whether she should venture into the woods. ’It should be fine as long as I stay at the foot of the mountain,’ she thought. Suddenly, she heard the sound of hooves behind her.

She turned to look and was startled by who she saw.

The newcomer was also taken aback to see Song Yunzhao, but he quickly reined in his horse and dismounted. "This humble servant greets Song Zhaoyi."

It was Ji Yunting. The man beside him looked unfamiliar, though Song Yunzhao felt he seemed a bit familiar, she couldn’t recall where she might have seen him.

As for the other person, he didn’t look familiar at all; she was certain she had never seen him before.

"Rise, Lord Ji," Song Yunzhao said lightly.

Just as she was thinking she should leave immediately, she heard Ji Yunting speak again. "This is Duke Qin, Cao Jitong, and this is the Princely Heir of Marquis Yongjia Mansion, Huang Duo."

Song Yunzhao: "..."

’What kind of blessed gathering is this?’

’No wonder Cao Jitong looked a little familiar; she had glanced his way a few times at the racetrack yesterday. As for Huang Duo looking unfamiliar, that wasn’t strange at all. The two of them had never met. They weren’t acquainted.’

Cao Jitong and Huang Duo were also surprised, but they still bowed according to etiquette.

"Greetings, Song Zhaoyi."

"Duke Qin and Princely Heir, you are too kind." ’If I’d known I would run into them, I wouldn’t have come out,’ Song Yunzhao thought. "Are you gentlemen going hunting in the mountains?"

Seeing Song Yunzhao now, Ji Yunting found it hard to reconcile her with the person he had met outside the palace. He also felt a little awkward.

Cao Jitong had always been a man of few words. The woman before him was the Emperor’s favored concubine, and so young and beautiful at that. He knew he should keep his distance to avoid suspicion.

Huang Duo, however, had different thoughts. He knew about the relationship between Song Zhaoyi and his wife, and he had long heard that Song Zhaoyi was exceptionally beautiful. But it had only been hearsay. Seeing her for the first time today, he knew the rumors weren’t exaggerated.

"To answer Zhaoyi’s question, we were indeed planning to enter the mountains. We just didn’t expect to encounter you here. If we have caused any offense, I hope Zhaoyi will forgive us," Huang Duo said very politely.

Song Yunzhao sized up Huang Duo. Seeing his friendly attitude toward her, she found it very strange.

’Everyone says that Huang Duo and Chu Yuying are a deeply devoted couple. After all, their engagement was settled early on, and after Ding Nan Bo remarried, the Marquis Yongjia Mansion offered her much protection. Logically, since Chu Yuying was sent back to the Capital City because of me this time, Huang Duo should have some resentment toward me.’

"Princely Heir, you exaggerate. You all should just go on into the mountains. This Concubine should be heading back as well." Although Song Yunzhao felt the world of the book might be collapsing, she had no real proof. Given her ’side character’ constitution that easily attracted trouble, she decided to avoid all the male supporting characters who could stir up problems for her.

Ji Yunting glanced at Song Yunzhao and frowned slightly. "Zhaoyi, you came out with only two palace attendants? Although this is the foot of the mountain, people have already gone hunting. It’s common for frightened prey to run down the mountain."

Song Yunzhao looked at Ji Yunting. ’What’s his angle?’

’We’re not close. He shouldn’t be using such a concerned tone with me.’

’You’re either suffering from acclimatization issues or getting your engagement broken. You’re a walking disaster magnet, don’t come near me with your bad luck.’

Song Yunzhao immediately said, "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Ji. This Concubine will take her leave now. Please, carry on."

With that, Song Yunzhao turned and left, completely ignoring the strange looks from the three men. A villainess running into a group of righteous characters—the thought alone was terrifying.

Naturally, she beat a hasty retreat.

Watching Song Yunzhao’s departing figure, Huang Duo said quizzically, "Am I just imagining things, or was Song Zhaoyi avoiding us?"

They hadn’t done anything improper.