Chapter 461 - 239: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Chapter 461: Chapter 239: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Fine, he had been a bit taken aback by Song Zhaoyi’s beauty, but he wouldn’t dare do anything improper. Surely that hadn’t been enough to scare her off?

Looking at her, it was truly difficult to reconcile this image of Song Zhaoyi with the arrogant, domineering, and ruthless person from the rumors.

You really can’t judge a book by its cover.

Song Yunzhao returned to her tent, thinking, ’If there’s nothing else going on today, I won’t go out again. I’ll just wait for Princess Fuke to arrive.’

’Every time I go out, I run into either a female supporting character or a male one. Plus, we’re in the mountains—a prime location for plot twists. No matter how I look at it, this feels extremely dangerous.’

"Mistress, are you all right?" Xiangxue asked worriedly, noticing her mistress’s pale complexion.

Song Yunzhao waved her hand. "I’m fine. You can go about your duties. I’ll just sit for a bit."

Xiangxue nodded, though she still cast a worried glance at her.

Song Yunzhao pretended not to notice, picking up her teacup and taking a sip of water.

Her thoughts returned to the man from Duke Qin’s family and the Heir of Marquis Yongjia. ’Cao Jitong seems just as taciturn as the rumors say. His looks are a far cry from the heroine’s "white moonlight," Ji Yunting, but with his thick brows, large eyes, and square jaw, he looks very dependable.’

Song Yunzhao’s first impression of Cao Jitong was quite good. ’As long as he doesn’t side with the heroine, he’s a good guy in my book.’

’As for Huang Duo...’

’How should I put this... he was a little surprising.’

’In the book, Huang Duo rarely appeared. He wasn’t considered a major supporting male character, just a minor one.’

’His role was that of Chu Yuying’s fiancé, now husband. His greatest function was to dote on his wife, ensuring her position in the Dingnan Bo Mansion was secure and protecting her from her stepmother’s bullying.’

’He was a rather stereotypical character, but his setup was decent: loyal and devoted, a childhood sweetheart to Chu Yuying, with a smooth engagement and marriage. Overall, the couple didn’t get much screen time in the book. Their appearance rate was highest during the time Song Qinghan spent at the Dingnan Bo Mansion, before she was chosen for the palace.’

’But after seeing Huang Duo today, my memory of him as a one-dimensional character began to change. I recalled how he was the one among the three men who had initiated conversation with me, and how he had even shown goodwill, willing to let bygones be bygones.’

’Because of me, his mother sent Chu Yuying back to the Capital City. According to his character profile in the book, Huang Duo should have been resentful toward me.’

’But he wasn’t.’

’Something’s wrong with his character.’

’So, now that I’ve derailed the plot, have the supporting characters gone off-script too?’

’Is this good news or bad news for me?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t figure it out. She decided she would have to probe a little further.

「At 7:30 AM, Princess Fuke came to visit.」

However, He Lan Yun and the others had not yet returned.

Song Yunzhao personally rose to welcome Princess Fuke. The princess was not extravagantly dressed today. As she was in mourning for her recently deceased husband, her attire was simple and subdued, with only a single jade hairpin adorning her hair.

’Princess Fuke must have truly shared some affection with her husband,’ Song Yunzhao thought as she observed her. Although the princess was wearing face powder, it couldn’t conceal her somber expression. Her features still seemed to carry a lingering grief and longing for her late husband.

This improved Song Yunzhao’s first impression of Princess Fuke considerably. She smiled and said, "Your Highness, upon your arrival at the traveling palace, I should by all rights host a banquet in your honor. However, my current situation is rather inconvenient, so please forgive my lack of courtesy."

Princess Fuke appraised Song Zhaoyi. Her first thought was that she was stunning—an objective, undeniable beauty. She was lovely at first glance, but even more captivating on closer inspection.

Furthermore, observing that every detail of Song Zhaoyi’s dress and adornments was exquisite, she knew this famous beauty’s reputation was well-deserved. She was clearly at the height of imperial favor.

Before her marriage, her father the Emperor had a constant stream of favored concubines. She had seen all kinds and could therefore gauge the depth of imperial favor at a single glance.

"Song Zhaoyi, you are too kind," Princess Fuke said with a look of remorse. "I should have been the one to come to the traveling palace to pay my respects first. Unfortunately, my formal request was declined, so I had no choice but to have someone convey a message, troubling you to make this trip. I feel quite guilty about it."

Song Yunzhao replied, "The Empress Dowager is unwell and thus not receiving visitors. Please do not take it to heart, Your Highness."

Princess Fuke was inwardly surprised. She knew the Empress Dowager treated Song Zhaoyi with great hostility, but she hadn’t expected the concubine to defend her.

She wondered how much of that was true.

After these pleasantries, they gradually moved on to the main topic. Song Yunzhao spoke softly, "Now that you have returned, Your Highness, you will not be leaving again, I hope?"

Princess Fuke nodded. "I left the Capital City for the Prince Consort’s sake back then. Now that he is gone, I only wish to return to my home."

"That is perfectly understandable," Song Yunzhao said with a radiant smile. "The Emperor was overjoyed to hear of your return. He even mentioned to me how much he has missed you all these years. He will surely be delighted that you can now reside in the Capital City permanently. In fact, knowing you were to return, His Majesty has already ordered the Ministry of Industry to renovate the Princess Mansion. You will be able to see it once we are back from the traveling palace."

Princess Fuke was slightly stunned to hear this. She had not been aware that her Princess Mansion was being renovated; the Emperor had never mentioned it. The fact that Song Zhaoyi knew was surprising. ’It seems I must revise my estimation of her importance to the Emperor,’ she thought.

"Is that so?" Princess Fuke said, her expression one of pleasant surprise. "I have troubled His Majesty."

"We are all family, so what trouble is there to speak of?" Song Yunzhao’s eyes curved into a smile. "I don’t see Princess Duanjing. Where is she?"

Princess Fuke chuckled. "Princess Ming’an invited her to go hunting in the mountains, saying they would add a few dishes to the table. Those children are likely having too much fun and haven’t returned yet."

"Princess Ming’an can never sit still. With her there, I’m sure that by the time Princess Duanjing returns from the mountains, she’ll be well-acquainted with everyone."

"That would be wonderful. The child has such a quiet nature; I was worried she wouldn’t make any friends here in the Capital City."

"How could that be? I heard last night’s bonfire was quite lively and that everyone took a great liking to Princess Duanjing."

At these words, a worried look crossed Princess Fuke’s face. "Her two older brothers are already married. But just as it was her turn, her father passed away, and her marriage prospects were delayed. I came to see you today, Zhaoyi, hoping you might help my child by asking His Majesty to bestow a marriage upon her."

’The Emperor really does foresee everything,’ Song Yunzhao thought, recalling what Feng Yi had told her. She immediately replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured. This is a small matter. The Emperor will certainly agree."

Princess Fuke’s eyebrow twitched. ’A small matter?’

She looked up at Song Zhaoyi, who wore an expression of utmost confidence, as if she genuinely considered it a trivial affair. Princess Fuke’s heart instantly lightened. It seemed she had come to the right person after all.

"With your assurance, Zhaoyi, my heart can finally be at ease." Princess Fuke’s eyes grew misty. "Duanjing has not yet come of age, and she must also observe a period of mourning for her father, so there is no rush to arrange the marriage."

’So she really is testing me,’ Song Yunzhao thought. Her expression remained unchanged as she said with utmost sincerity, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Just let me know whenever you wish for the marriage to be decreed. His Majesty places great importance on the bonds of kinship. How could he possibly allow Princess Duanjing’s marriage to be anything less than what you desire?"

’The Emperor will surely be pleased with me for taking charge like this, right?’