Chapter 473 - 251: Stunning All the Courtiers

Chapter 473: Chapter 251: Stunning All the Courtiers

Once the thought occurred to her, Consort Shu felt she must be going mad.

’How could Song Yunzhao possibly know about these things? What good advice could she give me? I must be so desperate I’m not thinking straight.’

However, when she recalled Song Yunzhao’s past actions, she wondered if she was underestimating her.

This internal conflict made Consort Shu hesitate for two days. In those two days, a lot changed out front. The Minister of Revenue, Cao Dingwen, acted shamelessly and passed the buck entirely.

The Ministry of Revenue had no money because the government treasury hadn’t repaid its debts.

As the Minister of Revenue, he lived a frugal life, only to be cursed at all day. It was utterly frustrating. It was even said that he had burst into tears before His Majesty, stunning all the courtiers.

The officials who had remained in the Capital City now began arriving at the traveling palace one after another. Among them was Song Nanzhen, whose injuries were just beginning to heal.

This was Song Nanzhen’s first assignment after his promotion to Assistant Minister. After all, he had been promoted due to his injury. He had just recovered and hadn’t even had a chance to catch his breath before his colleagues from the Capital City dragged him to the traveling palace.

It was only on the way to the traveling palace that Song Nanzhen learned what was truly happening and realized he had been tricked onto a pirate ship.

Especially after discovering that the Minister of Revenue himself had personally insisted he be brought along, what else could he say?

Minister Cao wanted to drag him in to share the risk. His daughter was the Emperor’s concubine. Even if His Majesty’s anger was directed at the Ministry of Revenue, if they pushed him forward, they hoped the Emperor would show leniency for Yun Zhao’s sake.

Song Nanzhen cursed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do. However, after arriving at the traveling palace, he claimed that the hurried journey had caused his leg injury to relapse and refused to leave his quarters.

Cao Dingwen: ...

Song Yunzhao only received the letter from the matriarch of her family after her father arrived at the traveling palace. When she learned he was here, she was instantly delighted.

’I haven’t seen Father in so long. I really miss him.’

Reading in her aunt’s letter that her father was using his injury to stay secluded almost made Song Yunzhao die laughing. ’My father has quick wits and isn’t afraid to go all in—the perfect makings of an official.’

So, Song Yunzhao asked Feng Yi for permission to visit her father.

Feng Yi was naturally aware of Song Nanzhen’s behavior. He asked with concern, "Do you want me to accompany you?"

"There’s no need. Your Majesty has been busy with the National Treasury and the government treasury lately. How could I distract you with such a small matter?" Song Yunzhao refused. If Feng Yi came along, how could she and her father speak privately?

Feng Yi asked again, "How is your father’s leg injury? Should I have an Imperial Physician go take a look?"

"My father said it was just from the rushed and bumpy journey, which caused the newly healed wound to split open just a tiny bit. But he’s already seen a doctor, and it should be fine after a few days of rest," Song Yunzhao said. Then, she added with a hint of worry, "I’m afraid he’s lying to me, so I want to see for myself. He always reports the good news and hides the bad."

"Then you should go. Have Zhang Maoquan accompany you." ’We can only be this casual at the traveling palace,’ Feng Yi thought. ’If we were in the Capital City, it would be much more inconvenient for Yun Zhao to return to the Song Family.’

"Should I report this to the Empress Dowager?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking up at Feng Yi.

’I’d rather not deal with the Empress Dowager. Ever since the last incident, she and An Shutong have been lying low in the traveling palace, not making a single move. Of course, I’m glad they aren’t causing trouble, but knowing the Empress Dowager’s personality, this silence must mean something, which is all the more reason to avoid her. It’s not that I’m afraid of her. It’s that the person in her position can’t be treated lightly or harshly. It’s like she has a permanent damage-immunity buff; unless an attack is fatal, it’s no more than a tickle. I really don’t want to exhaust myself to death only for the Empress Dowager to emerge unscathed. She might just be waiting for me to make a move so she can retaliate. Therefore, it’s best to have the Emperor’s personal approval for this family visit.’

"The Empress Dowager is currently recuperating and focusing on her health. We shouldn’t disturb her with such mundane affairs," Feng Yi said with a straight face.

Song Yunzhao was overjoyed. ’This is great! Isn’t this just a roundabout way of restricting the Empress Dowager’s authority?’

’What wonderful news!’

"Then I will listen to the Emperor." Song Yunzhao’s voice became several degrees sweeter. Not having to deal with the Empress Dowager was truly a blissful affair.

Since Feng Yi was staying for a meal, a rare occasion, Song Yunzhao had the kitchen prepare some light dishes. Lately, she had taken a liking to the kitchen’s cold noodles, which were cooled in mountain spring water and tossed with sauce and greens. The cool sensation upon eating them was exceptionally pleasant.

Seeing Yun Zhao eat with such gusto, Feng Yi couldn’t help but have an extra half-bowl himself. He smiled and said to her, "It seems the food at the traveling palace suits your appetite."

Song Yunzhao nodded. "The chefs from the Imperial Kitchen are truly skilled."

Standing to the side, Meng Jiuchang grumbled to himself, ’This is the Emperor’s personal kitchen; of course it’s good. Only Song Zhaoyi is fortunate enough to have her meals come from the Emperor’s kitchen.’

"If you like them, you can take them with you when we return to the palace," Feng Yi said casually.

Song Yunzhao was taken aback. She looked up at Feng Yi and suddenly felt that in this moment, he was possessed by the spirit of an overbearing CEO from a romance novel. She hesitated.

Seeing the hesitation on Yun Zhao’s face, Feng Yi was amused. "What are you thinking about?"

Song Yunzhao said, sounding troubled, "Won’t there be negative consequences if I take them away?"

Feng Yi shook his head. "What negative consequences could there be? The Imperial Chefs who serve at the traveling palace only get to be on duty for a month or two a year. To be able to follow you back to the palace, they’d have to kowtow to you in gratitude."

Meng Jiuchang silently agreed. ’For a servant, if you can’t get noticed by your master and be remembered, what chance do you have of getting ahead in life? This Imperial Chef’s skills are appreciated by Song Zhaoyi. Being able to follow her back to the capital to serve her is a favor worth kowtowing for. We servants aren’t afraid of hardship or exhaustion; we’re afraid of never getting a chance to be seen.’

Song Yunzhao was actually quite willing to have her own person in the Imperial Kitchen. And since this person was a gift from the Emperor, they would be tied to her boat. That meant the safety of her future meals would skyrocket. Of course, she wouldn’t refuse and immediately agreed.

Hearing Song Zhaoyi agree, Meng Jiuchang immediately seized the opportunity to step forward and say, "The Imperial Chef is named Chen Ran, nicknamed Chen Yidao. He will certainly want to come and kowtow to you."

Song Yunzhao found Meng Jiuchang much more agreeable now than before. Hearing his words, she looked at him and said, "Then, Manager Meng, please tell him there’s no need to kowtow. Just serve well."

’Though I’m not a great gourmand, good food always lifts my spirits.’

After lunch, Yun Zhao wanted to take a short nap. As her pregnancy progressed, she found herself growing increasingly sleepy. She didn’t have any morning sickness, and Nanny Yu often said she was having a very smooth pregnancy and was truly blessed.

Feng Yi had no time for an afternoon nap. He had to return to the front hall to handle matters after lunch. Before leaving, he said to Yun Zhao, "Have you heard about the situation with the National Treasury?"

Yun Zhao paused, looked up at the Emperor, and gave him a suspicious look.

Feng Yi knew Yun Zhao’s way of thinking was often unconventional. He looked at her and asked, "If it were you, what would you do?"