Chapter 529 - 307: The Most Gorgeous Flower in the Harem

Chapter 529: Chapter 307: The Most Gorgeous Flower in the Harem

The Emperor first received his court officials in the front hall. Only after the entire set of procedures was complete could he enter the harem.

This time, Consort Shu did not lead the concubines to Shouci Palace, and the group did not see the Empress Dowager’s procession at the palace gates.

’The Empress Dowager didn’t even come!’

Song Yunzhao was quite surprised, but on second thought, it made sense. The Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s mother; as an elder, she naturally didn’t have to attend.

Today was Song Yunzhao’s first public appearance since giving birth. Aside from Han Jinyi and a few others who often visited her, the other concubines couldn’t help but stare in astonishment when they saw Song Zhaoyi.

’How is it that Song Zhaoyi’s waist looks almost the same as before she gave birth? Even if one recovers well after having a child, it should still take half a year, right?’

The crowd’s gazes lingered on Song Yunzhao’s waist, but she pretended not to notice.

’It’s not like I actually dieted. Did I even need to?’

’With all the Empress Dowager’s devious moves, I spent my entire confinement doing nothing but engaging in a battle of wits with her. How could I not lose weight?’

’The process is a long and complicated story, but the outcome was worth celebrating, so I guess it was fine.’

Now, dressed in her finest attire, she was still the most dazzling flower in the harem.

Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan stood at the very front, neither showing any intention of speaking. When the other concubines saw this, they naturally couldn’t chat amongst themselves either, so the group just stood there like wooden statues.

Song Yunzhao quietly shifted her weight. Standing for a while never used to bother her, but having just finished her postpartum confinement, it was indeed a bit trying. However, she didn’t let any of it show on her face.

’Even a paper tiger is still a tiger. I can’t let my prestige falter.’

Fortunately, after about a quarter of an hour, the Emperor appeared with Meng Jiuchang. Watching Feng Yi from a distance in his Dragon Robe, Song Yunzhao somehow felt he had looked more handsome when he was all dusty and travel-worn.

"Your subjects greet the Emperor. Long live Your Majesty!" the crowd proclaimed in unison as they bowed.

Song Yunzhao’s current position was just below the two senior consorts, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her was Wang Zhaorong. Wang Zhaorong was truly reluctant to stand next to Song Yunzhao. Being beside such a beauty made for a rather brutal comparison.

This was someone who had just given birth and finished her confinement, yet she still outshone her. How could Wang Zhaorong not feel vexed?

Perhaps because Wang Zhaorong’s gaze was a little too intense, Song Yunzhao glanced at her and offered a brilliant smile. Wang Zhaorong’s expression stiffened even more.

Feng Yi’s eyes swept over the crowd, happening to catch the small interaction between the two. A hint of a smile touched his eyes. "You have all endured. My dear consorts, you may all rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the crowd replied in unison.

Feng Yi had no desire to waste time making small talk with everyone under the hot sun. He remembered that Yun Zhao had just finished her confinement and hadn’t fully recovered her strength. Thus, after a few pleasantries, he dismissed the crowd on the pretext of visiting the Eldest Prince and left with Song Yunzhao for Wangyou Palace.

Consort Shu wasn’t the least bit surprised. After seeing the Emperor off, she turned and left immediately.

Princess Consort Wan glanced at the Emperor’s departing figure, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but she too left along with Consort Shu.

Wang Zhaorong invited Han Jinyi and a few others to her palace to play tiles. The group departed with a rustle, and the remaining concubines exchanged glances before dispersing as well.

An Fangyi had only taken a few steps when she heard someone catching up from behind. She glanced to the side and saw it was Qin Wanyi.

Qin Xiyue looked at An Fangyi and said with a smile, "I find myself with nothing to do. I wonder if I might trouble Fangyi for a cup of tea."

An Fangyi stopped and turned to look at Qin Xiyue. After a pause, she said, "Qin Wanyi, please."

A few people from Qingyan Palace were walking the same way, but halfway there, they turned onto another path and left.

Inside Wangyou Palace, Song Yunzhao was recounting to Feng Yi, in detail, the events of the day she gave birth and her struggles sparring with the Empress Dowager during her confinement.

She left out no complaints that needed to be made and spared no grievances that needed to be aired. Song Yunzhao knew that Meng Jiuchang must have already reported everything to the Emperor, but hearing it from her own lips was naturally different from hearing Meng Jiuchang’s report.

After listening, Feng Yi’s expression grew dark. "You have truly been wronged."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao let out a long sigh of relief inwardly, but she said aloud, "It’s not that I distrusted the people sent by the Empress Dowager. I just didn’t dare take the risk. I carried this child for ten months and risked my life to give birth to him. Naturally, I must protect him with the utmost care."

At her words, Feng Yi looked at his soundly sleeping son. Swaddled in his blankets, he was so tiny. Though his eyes were closed, one could see a faint resemblance to him in the contours of his features.

It was like looking at a miniature version of himself, born to the woman he loved. Feng Yi found it hard to describe his current feelings, but at this moment, he understood Yun Zhao’s insecurity and anxiety.

’This is my son,’ he thought. ’I wish I could give him all the best things in this world. How could I possibly let him face even the slightest danger?’

Besides, the Empress Dowager’s intentions weren’t entirely pure. Yun Zhao’s precautions were not without reason.

"You did the right thing. This is our child; no amount of caution is too much." Feng Yi reached out and gently touched his son’s cheek, then immediately pulled his hand back, afraid of hurting him. The more he looked, the more he adored him.

"The child is already a month old and still doesn’t have a name. Has Your Majesty thought of one for him?"

"I have. Feng Ze. What do you think?"

"Feng Ze?"

The sage thereby perceives the mysteries of the world.

Song Yunzhao thought it was a fine character. She smiled and said, "A name chosen by Your Majesty is naturally the best. Feng Ze..." Looking at her son, she added, "You have a name now, my little man."

Feng Yi smiled. Seeing Yun Zhao and his son together filled his heart with a unique feeling.

He was a father now, with the woman he loved by his side.

"We didn’t hold the third-day bath ceremony. We’ve wronged the little one," Feng Yi said softly.

"It’s just the third-day bath feast. It’s no big deal that we didn’t have one. To be honest, you were still away back then, and I was worried sick every day. I was in no mood to hold a celebration for him," Song Yunzhao said in a low voice. "But we must hold the full-month banquet. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Of course," Feng Yi nodded. "And your rank should be raised as well. A promotion for giving birth to a Prince is only right and proper."

Song Yunzhao didn’t ask what rank she would be promoted to, only smiling and nodding. "Alright, I’ll listen to Your Majesty."

"You don’t want to ask what your new title will be?"

"What title I receive doesn’t matter. What matters is that Your Majesty is always with me. Nothing else is important."

Hearing this, Feng Yi squeezed Yun Zhao’s hand. She was someone who would usually fuss over the smallest things, yet she was so magnanimous about a major event like this.

"Let’s set the full-month banquet for the day after tomorrow. It really should have been today," Feng Yi said with some regret.

"A day earlier or later makes no difference. Without Your Majesty here, what’s the point of a full-month banquet?" Song Yunzhao replied.

Feng Yi pulled her into his arms. Song Yunzhao struggled for a moment, then first called the wet nurse to take the child out.

After the wet nurse had left, Feng Yi couldn’t help but smile at Yun Zhao’s slightly flushed face. He pulled her back into his embrace and whispered in her ear, "The Imperial Physician said you’re still a bit weak and need to recuperate properly. We’ll wait until you’ve fully recovered."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’What is he trying to say? He’s making me sound like some ravenous wolf.’

’He was the one being misleading!’