Chapter 471 - 249: A Person Always Needs Some Face

Chapter 471: Chapter 249: A Person Always Needs Some Face

Song Yunzhao found listening to the storyteller boring. The storytellers at the traveling palace all told the same old tales, none as fresh or interesting as the storybooks in the Capital City.

It was better than nothing, just a way to pass the time.

She could feel Feng Yi’s gaze landing on her from time to time, but she pretended to be so engrossed in the story that she didn’t notice.

’Yes, both He Lan Yun and Xie Linlang have been injured. My reputation for being domineering and fiercely protective is probably a bit too well-known, and now everyone inside and outside the traveling palace is watching to see what I’ll do.’

’Why should I be the monkey performing on a stage for everyone else’s entertainment?’

She wouldn’t make a sound, wouldn’t do anything, and wouldn’t hold anyone accountable. She would just wait for Marchioness Yongjia to clear her daughter’s name.

’This time, I’ll see what kind of trouble this incident stirs up without me muddying the waters!’

After this Chapter of the story was finished and the storyteller had withdrawn, Song Yunzhao finally put on a look of boredom and pretended to complain to the Emperor, "The stories at the traveling palace aren’t as interesting as the ones in the Capital City. If Your Majesty weren’t here with me, I would have fallen asleep."

"If you find it boring, just have them write new ones." Feng Yi didn’t think it was a big deal.

"Please don’t," Song Yunzhao refused at once. "My reputation isn’t very good right now. If I do that, who knows what people will say about me behind my back. Your Majesty knows I’m just bored and want new stories, but those who don’t know will curse me for being spoiled by your favor and making trouble for others."

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. "This doesn’t seem like your personality."

Song Yunzhao sighed. "A person has to maintain some dignity."

Feng Yi: ...

’That’s an understatement.’

Seeing Yun Zhao looking listless, Feng Yi stood up and walked to her side. "Shall I accompany you for a walk?"

"It’s so hot out, let’s not," Song Yunzhao refused. Although the traveling palace was cooler than the Capital City, going out to enjoy the scenery at 1:00 PM was not something most people would do.

Seeing that Yun Zhao was lethargic, Feng Yi was at a loss. The breeze from the lake blew into the pavilion, making it quite comfortable and pleasant. He sat down beside Yun Zhao. "About the spooked horse incident... do you have no thoughts on it?"

’The Emperor finally asked,’ Song Yunzhao thought. But on the surface, she still feigned surprise. "What thoughts could I have?"

Feng Yi looked at her. "You’ve always been fiercely protective. They were injured this time, and you’re not going to do anything?"

Song Yunzhao put on a look of sudden realization, a pleasant smile on her face, and slowly said, "I’m really not going to do anything."

"Why?" Feng Yi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Song Yunzhao said with a straight face, "So many people out there want to see me use this as an excuse to cause trouble. I simply won’t grant them their wish."

Feng Yi: ...

’That does sound like something she would do.’

"Aren’t you afraid they’ll be at a disadvantage?"

"Your Majesty must be joking. With the County Princess there, who could put her at a disadvantage? Princess Zhenbei isn’t just for show," Song Yunzhao said gleefully. "With Princess Zhenbei around, what do I need to do? I can just sit back and watch the fun. The one who’s most anxious right now is Marchioness Yongjia. The one who most wants to find the real culprit is also Marchioness Yongjia. The one who most wants justice is Princess Zhenbei. Our Linlang comes from a humble family; she’ll be content just to pick up some benefits in their wake."

’The logic was sound, but why did it sound so strangely sarcastic coming from Song Yunzhao?’

Feng Yi didn’t quite believe her, but Song Yunzhao really wasn’t doing anything.

He looked at her and said again, "Is that what you really think?"

"Is Your Majesty doubting my words?" Song Yunzhao put on a hurt expression.

Feng Yi immediately said, "Of course not. I was just thinking that it would be right for you to stand up for Miss Xie."

"I don’t want to drag Your Majesty down because of my bad reputation. From now on, I must be doubly careful and cautious." Song Yunzhao placed a hand on her stomach again, her tone firm. "Besides, I’m going to be a mother soon. I have to set a good example for my child."

Feng Yi glanced at Yun Zhao, then glanced at her again. ’Does she really think I’m that easy to fool?’

But since Yun Zhao had said so, and he had no proof to the contrary, he could only accept it.

Feng Yi wanted to continue enjoying the cool air with Yun Zhao, but Meng Jiuchang came and summoned him away. Feng Yi had no choice but to leave. After all, he was a diligent emperor who loved his people.

The moment Feng Yi left, Song Yunzhao immediately called for Anshun. "What’s the situation?"

Anshun reported that the Song Family had sent an invitation that was rejected by Madam Ji, and also mentioned that Marchioness Yongjia had gone to visit Princess Zhenbei.

Song Yunzhao didn’t have much of a reaction to what Madam Ji had done. ’People in this world are all like that. Why would a human care what an ant thinks?’

’To the Ji Family, the Xie family is just an ant.’

’As for the Song Family... Madam Ji comes from a noble and prestigious family and is married to the Left Minister. She has been proud her whole life. Even if the Song Family had a glorious past, that was a matter of their ancestors. Now, neither my eldest uncle nor my father holds a high position in the Capital City, so of course Madam Ji would look down on them.’

’It’s more or less what I expected.’

Marchioness Yongjia visiting Princess Zhenbei first was a bit of a surprise to her. She had thought the Marchioness would start with the matter of the horse swap.

’Teaming up with Princess Zhenbei is indeed much better than fighting alone.’

’How to make this fire burn brighter?’ Song Yunzhao thought she needed to add some fuel to it.

Thinking of this, she looked at Anshun and said, "Spread the news that Wang Yunhua and An Wenying are close friends."

Anshun was taken aback. "My lady, release it now? But we don’t have any concrete evidence."

"Who needs evidence? Even at court, one can report matters based on hearsay." Song Yunzhao sneered. "Wang Yunhua certainly wasn’t thinking about justice when she made her move."

"Yes." Anshun immediately agreed.

’My lady wants me to release the news. The person who needs this information most right now is Marchioness Yongjia, so it’s enough to get it to the ears of someone in Marquis Yongjia Mansion.’

Anshun hurried away and ran right into Zhang Maoquan. The two nearly collided.

Zhang Maoquan gave Anshun a light kick on the leg. "You brat, running around like a headless fly. If you don’t value your own life, don’t drag others down with you."

Anshun quickly apologized, saying with a grin, "I was just in a hurry to carry out my duties, which is why I was so careless. I hope Chief Steward Zhang can overlook my offense."

Hearing that Anshun had an urgent errand, Zhang Maoquan knew it must be an order from Song Zhaoyi and said, "Get lost."

Anshun quickly scurried away. Zhang Maoquan snorted. ’This little rascal is getting slicker and slicker.’

’Teach the apprentice everything and the master starves. I can’t be too good to this kid in the future.’

Zhang Maoquan hurried to see Song Zhaoyi. He had official business as well.

"Princess Zhenbei requests an audience?" Song Yunzhao was quite surprised. Princess Zhenbei had never come to see her with such fanfare before.

"Yes. Princess Zhenbei said she was entrusted by someone to deliver a message to you, my lady," Zhang Maoquan said.

Song Yunzhao’s brow furrowed slightly. ’Entrusted by someone?’

’Who?’

"Show her in." Song Yunzhao had a good impression of Princess Zhenbei. ’The person who convinced her to deliver a message must be extraordinary.’

Princess Zhenbei arrived quickly. Yun Zhao received her directly in the pavilion.