Chapter 514 - 292: There’s No Wool That Song Yunzhao Can’t Shear

Chapter 514: Chapter 292: There’s No Wool That Song Yunzhao Can’t Shear

Having constantly battled wits with Song Yunzhao, Consort Shu’s mind was much sharper than before. She knew from Song Yunzhao’s words that she had no intention of attending the banquet and was even using this visit to feign illness—clearly, she wanted Consort Shu to lie for her in front of the Empress Dowager!

How infuriating was that?

There wasn’t a sheep Song Yunzhao couldn’t fleece!

Wang Zhaorong’s mind worked faster than Consort Shu’s. She, too, was a bit surprised by how quickly Song Yunzhao thought on her feet. The moment Consort Shu arrived, Song Yunzhao had already found a task for her.

’It’s no wonder I lost to her. Her mind is truly sharp.’

The three of them entered the hall and sat down. Wang Zhaorong took a lower-ranking seat, her expression composed and showing no hint of discomfort.

Consort Shu had to hand it to her. ’If I were in her shoes, I might not be able to manage that. After all, I care about my dignity.’

The atmosphere became a little awkward. Song Yunzhao’s gaze swept over the two of them, but she didn’t initiate the conversation.

Wang Zhaorong lowered her head and remained silent, avoiding Consort Shu’s smug gaze.

Consort Shu was genuinely quite happy at that moment. Her rival of many years was now a step below her.

Her mood lifted, and she looked directly at Yun Zhao. "You understand perfectly well why the Empress Dowager is hosting this banquet, don’t you?"

"I don’t," Song Yunzhao said, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Please, enlighten me, Lady Shufei."

Consort Shu: ...

"What are you pretending for with me?"

"I’m not pretending. I truly don’t know."

"Heh, you don’t know who the Empress Dowager is hosting at the banquet?"

"I do know that. But what does it have to do with me?"

"How does it have nothing to do with you? This is a Beauty who will soon enter the palace. Aren’t you afraid?"

"First, the Emperor has not issued a decree. Second, I haven’t seen for myself whether she’s beautiful or not, and I am quite confident in my own looks."

Consort Shu: ...

Wang Zhaorong: ...

Looking at Song Yunzhao like this, Wang Zhaorong felt a wave of frustration. ’Losing to her is hardly a glorious affair.’

Consort Shu was so angry she stood to leave. Before she left, she looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "Go on, act tough. Just don’t come crying to me later."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship."

Consort Shu left with a dark expression on her face.

’To think I once believed Consort Shu and Song Yunzhao had a decent relationship,’ Wang Zhaorong thought. ’If this is what ’decent’ looks like, I’d rather do without.’

Wang Zhaorong had no desire to be manipulated by Song Yunzhao, so she immediately stood up, bid her farewell, and also hurried away.

’In any case, Consort Shu will be the one making excuses for Song Yunzhao to the Empress Dowager. As a mere Zhaorong, it’s better for me to keep a low profile.’

After the two left, Song Yunzhao tsked. ’The Empress Dowager’s move is so obvious and disgusting, but I’m not falling for it.’

Even without this Beauty from the Southern Border, there would be another selection in a year. New women would always be entering the palace. If she had to fight every single one, she’d be exhausted to death.

Besides, what was the point of fighting with other women? They came in one wave after another. Capturing the man’s heart was the most important thing.

With this in mind, Song Yunzhao had Nanny Yu order a bowl of ginseng soup from the kitchen. When the soup arrived, she had Xiangxue deliver it to Taixi Hall on her behalf.

’A new Beauty is entering the palace. I should help the Emperor build up his strength first!’

After doing all this, Song Yunzhao went straight to sleep. The banquet, the new Beauty—once she thought it through, none of it seemed like a big deal.

Feng Yi stared at the bowl of ginseng soup on the table and fell silent. He hadn’t drunk ginseng soup in a long time. He was young and full of vigor, but with Yun Zhao pregnant, he had no desire to torture himself.

He knew Song Yunzhao’s personality well. For her to suddenly send ginseng soup, something was definitely up.

Feng Yi didn’t drink the soup. It wouldn’t kill him, but it might as well.

He summoned Zhang Maoquan and questioned him in detail about whether anything had happened at Wangyou Palace.

This immediately energized Zhang Maoquan. How could there be nothing?

It was big news!

So, doing his best to maintain a calm and impartial tone, Zhang Maoquan reported on the Empress Dowager’s banquet and how Consort Shu and Wang Zhaorong had gone to "comfort" Song Zhaoyi.

Feng Yi was stunned after hearing the report.

His expression darkened. After a long moment, he looked at Zhang Maoquan and asked, "What is Song Zhaoyi doing now?"

"After Lady Shufei and Wang Zhaorong left, the Zhaoyi had someone stew soup for the Emperor and send it over. Then, she went to sleep," Zhang Maoquan replied with his head bowed.

’She went to sleep?’

’In broad daylight...’

Feng Yi’s expression soured even more. He couldn’t help but misdirect some of his anger toward Consort Shu and Wang Zhaorong. If they hadn’t gone, things might have been fine. But their "comforting" had apparently sent the person straight to sleep.

Feng Yi waved his hand, dismissing Zhang Maoquan.

Seeing that the Emperor neither got up to head for Wangyou Palace nor gave him a message to relay to Song Zhaoyi, Zhang Maoquan couldn’t help but feel anxious. ’Is the Emperor angry with Song Zhaoyi?’

’Then again,’ he thought, ’the Southern Border sending a Beauty to the capital is a matter of state. Song Zhaoyi really isn’t allowed to be unhappy about it.’

Feng Yi continued to work on his memorials, periodically summoning courtiers for questioning. By the time he finished a portion of his work, the sky outside was already growing dark.

Feng Yi checked the time and then stood up and walked outside.

Meng Jiuchang, who had just returned from delivering a decree, immediately followed him.

Feng Yi walked directly toward Wangyou Palace through the twilight. From a distance, he could see Anshun leading people to light the lanterns. Wangyou Palace was as bustling as ever, seeming no different from usual.

As Feng Yi walked in, the sounds of greetings and salutations were endless, but he paid them no mind and strode past.

Song Yunzhao was dressed in her everyday clothes. Since she wasn’t attending a banquet or going out, she didn’t want to dress too elaborately. ’It’s tiring and hot, so why should I suffer just to look good for others?’

Hearing the continuous sounds of greetings from outside, Song Yunzhao was stunned for a moment before rising to go and welcome the visitor.

The moment Feng Yi entered, he saw Yun Zhao looking so disheartened that she couldn’t even be bothered to do her hair or makeup, and he couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Song Yunzhao looked up and saw Feng Yi frowning. ’Who upset him?’ she wondered. Just as she was contemplating how to show her concern, she heard his footsteps quicken as he came to stand before her. "You’re this angry?" he said.

Song Yunzhao was completely bewildered. She had no idea what was going on. ’What happened?’

Though that was what she was thinking, she didn’t let it show on her face. She simply tilted her head slightly and looked at Feng Yi without a word.

Seeing her reaction, Feng Yi concluded she really was angry. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Grabbing Yun Zhao’s hand and holding it in his own, he said, "I didn’t expect them to be such gossips. Don’t take this matter with the Beauty from the Southern Border to heart."

Song Yunzhao understood instantly. Her expression immediately turned serious as she said in a righteous tone, "I am not taking it to heart."

Feng Yi didn’t believe her. He looked at Yun Zhao and said, "You’re not angry?"

"The Emperor has not personally told me that a Beauty is entering the palace. No matter what anyone else says, I won’t believe a word of it. I only trust the Emperor."

Feng Yi was taken aback.

Song Yunzhao took the opportunity to link her arm with Feng Yi’s, asking with a grin, "Did the Emperor come because you heard I didn’t attend the Empress Dowager’s banquet? Were you worried about me? If so, I’m truly overjoyed."

Feng Yi looked down at Yun Zhao’s beaming face and said softly, "I was planning to tell you in a day or two, once everything was arranged. I didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to be so impatient as to host a banquet."

Hearing his tone, Song Yunzhao figured her guess was likely correct. She looked at Feng Yi, feigning ignorance. "What was it that Your Majesty wanted to tell me?"