Chapter 538 - 316: Feng Yi Is Asserting Her Prestige

Chapter 538: Chapter 316: Feng Yi Is Asserting Her Prestige

All evening, Song Yunzhao and the Empress Dowager were locked in an invisible tug-of-war. Though no sharp words were exchanged and they even seemed to be at peace, everyone else felt the situation was all the more precarious.

Ming Fei had never been one to let things slide. If she suffered the slightest grievance, she was certain to seek satisfaction on the spot. After all, even the other high-ranking concubines had suffered setbacks at her hands in the past.

Before the banquet was even half over, the Empress Dowager departed.

Song Yunzhao didn’t care in the slightest. ’The Empress Dowager’s schemes are so petty. If she could move against me openly, she wouldn’t resort to such despicable tactics.’

While Song Yunzhao was unconcerned, Consort Shu was furious. She immediately ordered the singers and dancers to perform, and the hall instantly grew lively again.

Consort Shu’s move surprised many of the noble women. Lady Lu kept her head down, remaining silent. ’My daughter has always had a sharp tongue, but after spending so much time with Ming Fei, she’s become even more unwilling to be slighted. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.’

’It’s strange, really. Their personalities are so alike, yet somehow they manage to get along so well.’

In the hall, singers filled the air with song while dancers accompanied them, a flutter of colorful skirts and swirling sleeves. A crowd of noble women gathered around Song Yunzhao, chatting and laughing, and the same was true for Consort Shu and Consort Wan.

The once-prominent Wang Zhaorong was the most neglected person at the banquet. With the Wang Family fallen and her high rank lost, who would give her the time of day?

Wang Zhaorong, having experienced the fickleness of court favor, paid it no mind. Lu Zhixue, however, couldn’t bear to see it. She pulled Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin over to chat with her. The sight of the four of them gathered together gave onlookers much to speculate about.

Wang Zhaorong said in a low voice, "You all didn’t have to come over. I truly don’t mind these things."

Lu Zhixue huffed. "What’s all this ’minding things’? We just wanted to talk to you."

Wang Zhaorong chuckled softly. ’I used to think Lu Zhixue was genuinely foolish, but now I realize she might be the one living the happiest life of all.’

Just as the banquet was drawing to a close and the guests were preparing to leave, the Emperor unexpectedly arrived, carrying Feng Ze. A flurry of motion swept through the hall as everyone scrambled back to their seats to rise and pay their respects.

Feng Yi walked directly to Yun Zhao before turning to the crowd and saying, "You may rise."

The guests rose and returned to their seats.

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. "Ze’er was making a fuss to see you and wouldn’t settle for his wet nurse, so I had no choice but to bring him myself."

Song Yunzhao reached out to take her son, only to find him wide-eyed and perfectly behaved in his swaddling clothes. She was inwardly amused but maintained a serious expression as she said, "I’m usually the one looking after him. He probably got anxious not seeing me for so long today."

"Let’s go." Feng Yi wrapped an arm around Yun Zhao’s waist, leading both mother and son out of the hall.

Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words.

’He must have found out about the Empress Dowager’s petty moves and come to back me up.’

She obediently followed Feng Yi out of the grand hall with their son in her arms, a sudden wave of contentment washing over her.

The crowd in the hall watched the Emperor leave with Ming Fei and their son. He claimed the Eldest Prince had been crying, but they hadn’t heard a peep out of the baby since he arrived. It was clearly just an excuse to come and escort Ming Fei home.

Mrs. Cai turned her head, her gaze fixed on the retreating figures of Song Yunzhao and the Emperor, and on the swaddled Eldest Prince she had yet to see up close. In that instant, her thoughts drifted to her other daughter, who was struggling just to survive in the Marquis Wuxin Mansion.

’They were sisters, yet their lives were worlds apart.’

Seeing Mrs. Cai’s expression, the Madam could guess what she was thinking. ’I can’t be bothered with her anymore. As long as she doesn’t do anything improper, maintaining a peaceful facade is enough.’

The palace banquet soon ended. Consort Wan was the first to depart, while Consort Shu went to speak a few words with her mother before leaving.

The noble women filed out in twos and threes. Princess Fuke exchanged a nod with the Madam before taking her leave.

On the way out of the palace, Mrs. Cai was unusually quiet. The Madam, exhausted from the day’s events, had no desire to speak either, and they continued on in silence.

「Meanwhile, in Wangyou Palace」

The atmosphere was warm and lively. Yun Zhao bathed and changed into a comfortable gown, then removed the ornate jewels from her hair, pinning it up with only a simple jade hairpin. By the time she emerged, Feng Yi had already lulled their son to sleep, and the wet nurse was just entering to carry the baby away.

Song Yunzhao went over to look at him for a moment before allowing the wet nurse to take him to the adjoining room to be settled for the night.

Xiangxue and the other servants bowed and withdrew, and the hall instantly fell silent.

Song Yunzhao sat down, leaning against Feng Yi. Even after her bath, she could still smell the faint scent of wine on him.

Feng Yi pulled her into his arms, leaning back against the soft pillows. After a long moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "I’m thinking of moving you to a different palace. What do you think?"

Song Yunzhao paused, taken aback. "Move where?"

"To Yaohua Palace."

Song Yunzhao turned to look at Feng Yi. Yaohua Palace... that was where the late Consort Chu had lived. "Why the sudden urge to move me?"

"I can’t keep letting you be treated unfairly."

’Of course, Wangyou Palace couldn’t compare to Yaohua Palace in size, grandeur, or luxury. Moreover, Yaohua Palace was in a much better location, closer to Changle Palace.’

’Feng Yi’s suggestion to move her to Yaohua Palace wasn’t just compensation. Once she lived there, she would implicitly become the foremost among the high-ranking concubines.’

’After all, a former Imperial Concubine had resided there.’

"You don’t want to go?" Feng Yi asked, looking down at her when she didn’t respond.

’Of course I want to go!’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’What have I been fighting my way up the ranks of the harem for all this time?’

’It’s all been to advance my position, to ensure I’m no longer at the mercy of others.’

’Moving into Yaohua Palace, the residence of a former Imperial Concubine... even though I’m not one yet, everyone would understand the implication. Sooner or later, I will ascend to that rank.’

’Feng Yi is bolstering my authority.’

"I do!" Song Yunzhao replied decisively. She met Feng Yi’s gaze, her expression serious. "Before, it wouldn’t have mattered to me whether I moved or not. But now that I have our son, and with the Empress Dowager targeting me at every turn, I need to become stronger. I know you’re doing this for my own good. Since I was just promoted, another immediate promotion is out of the question, so this is your way of protecting our son and me."

Feng Yi knew Yun Zhao would understand his intentions. He let out a long breath. "It’s not that I couldn’t just name you Imperial Concubine directly. But doing so would inevitably draw criticism and put you in danger. It’s better to proceed one steady step at a time."

’Throughout history, no matter the dynasty, whenever an emperor broke the rules for his most favored concubine and provoked widespread opposition, she never lived a long life.’

’He wanted Yun Zhao to be by his side, safe and sound. The rank of Imperial Concubine was nothing—it wasn’t that he couldn’t grant it to her. But he couldn’t let her take such a great risk.’

Song Yunzhao gazed at Feng Yi, a little dazed. ’This man,’ she thought, ’when I first entered the palace, he used me as a tool to clean up his messes. Now, he’s going to great lengths to ensure my safety.’

’Things were different now.’

’The longer they spent together, the deeper their feelings grew, and the stronger their bond and understanding became. It was difficult to even recall how they’d felt at the very beginning. Continuing on this path together... it felt right.’

Song Yunzhao suddenly launched herself at Feng Yi, pushing him back onto the couch and kissing him fiercely.

Feng Yi was left speechless.