Chapter 759 - 536: Young, But Wild at Heart

Chapter 759: Chapter 536: Young, But Wild at Heart

Breakfast was simple—less soup and more filling fare. After Zhang Maoquan reported that the retinue from Shouci Palace was preparing to depart, Yun Zhao left Yaohua Palace with Feng Yun in tow.

The designated assembly hour had long since been announced, and everyone was gathering at the palace gates. Yun Zhao arrived a step ahead of the Empress Dowager. The three concubines and the rest of the retinue welcomed the Imperial Concubine, and then, under her lead, they welcomed the Empress Dowager. Afterward, they boarded their carriages in succession. The wheels rumbled over the stone-paved roads, gradually leaving the Imperial Palace further and further behind.

They were to rendezvous with the Emperor outside the city. The concubines were originally supposed to travel with the Emperor, but leaving the Imperial Palace involved numerous procedures for him. This meant Yun Zhao and the others would have to wait for the imperial procession under the blazing sun. Naturally, he couldn’t bear to see Yun Zhao and Feng Yun suffer, so he arranged for the concubines to board their carriages first and meet up with him later.

The official road outside the city had already been cleared, and the concubines’ carriages arrived one by one at their designated positions.

That’s right—which carriage, belonging to which concubine from which palace, would be stationed where had all been decided in advance.

Meng Jiuchang handled the arrangements, saving Yun Zhao from having to take the blame and risk one person’s dissatisfaction or another’s displeasure.

The Imperial Concubine’s carriage was quite spacious. Mother and son sat inside on thick cushions, and an ice basin in the corner ensured they felt no discomfort whatsoever.

They arrived just at the beginning of Si hour, but the Emperor’s procession didn’t reach them until Noon. Fortunately, Yun Zhao had experience and had eaten a filling breakfast, so she wasn’t hungry. She took out some snacks to feed Feng Yun, but the little one only ate a few bites before stopping. He snuggled into his mother’s arms, looking a bit sleepy.

The moment the Emperor’s procession arrived, the convoy set off. The carriage began to sway, and before long, Feng Yun was fast asleep.

Yun Zhao finally had a moment to ask Qiancao, "Where is the Eldest Prince?"

"Zhang Maoquan just returned to report that the Eldest Prince is riding with the Emperor," Qiancao said.

Yun Zhao fell silent for a moment before instructing, "Have Zhang Maoquan pass a message to Meng Jiuchang. Don’t let the Eldest Prince ride for too long."

’If he rides for too long, a child’s body is too tender. I’m afraid his thighs won’t even feel like his own anymore.’

Fortunately, Feng Yi was considerate. After an hour, he had someone bring Feng Ze back.

Feng Ze was a bit unhappy. As soon as he came in, he said to his mother, "I could have kept riding, but Father Emperor insisted I come back."

Yun Zhao looked at Feng Ze and deliberately put on a stern face. "What? Your father told you to come back and accompany your mother and brother, and you’re not happy about it?"

Seeing his mother’s stern expression, Feng Ze immediately replied, "Of course not! Mother, I missed you so much. It’s just a shame my little brother is asleep and can’t hear how much his big brother missed him."

Yun Zhao couldn’t hold back a smile. Although the boy acted more mature in front of others, he was still just as mischievous with her.

"Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

Feng Ze shook his head. "I’m not hungry at all. Mother, I saw my uncle, but not my grandfather."

The ’uncle’ Feng Ze mentioned was actually her eldest cousin; she wasn’t surprised he was part of the imperial escort. "Your grandfather had to stay behind in the Capital City. The Six Ministries can’t be left empty—someone needs to remain on duty."

Feng Ze said, "That’s a real shame. I was hoping to race horses with Grandfather on the grasslands. Father said that this time, not far from Yong’an Palace, there’s a huge pasture that would be perfect for it."

Yun Zhao listened as her son told her about the world outside, describing his longing and eagerness to see it all. He was still so young, yet he already wanted to spread his wings and fly.

Looking at her son’s excited little face, she couldn’t bear to dampen his spirits. She resolved to have a serious talk with Feng Yi later and make sure he kept a close eye on the boy. ’This kid may be small, but he has a wild heart.’

There were many stops on the road from the Capital City to Yong’an Palace. Feng Yi would sometimes halt the procession to receive local officials, which slowed their progress. It took them more than half a month to finally arrive at Yong’an Palace.

They arrived at dusk. In the distance, a sprawling complex of palaces rose and fell against the horizon. Streaks of sunset clouds decorated the sky like bolts of five-colored silk, shimmering with a glassy luster. The vast, open sky seemed to make one’s own heart expand in an instant.

The Emperor’s Imperial Carriage had already stopped, but the procession carrying the harem concubines continued onward, passing through the palace gates and heading deep within the complex.

The architecture of the traveling palace was vastly different from that of the Imperial Palace in the Capital. It was built on a grander, more spacious scale, with a bold and open design that was both refreshing and liberating to the spirit.

Lifting the curtain of her window, her view was filled with flowers and trees winding their way into the distance. Yun Zhao had never seen many of the flowers before; they looked fresh and beautiful.

After passing through several more palace gates, the carriage finally halted. Yun Zhao’s carriage had stopped outside Hua E Building.

’Yun Zhao hadn’t expected to be staying here. Come to think of it, she hadn’t lived in a multi-story building since she’d arrived in this ancient world. Even though it was just a small, two-story structure, it felt novel.’

Hua E Building was five bays wide, with the same layout on both floors. The ground floor served as the main hall for receiving guests, while the second floor was converted into living quarters. A room had been set aside for Feng Yun, but he was still little, and she worried he might get into trouble crawling around. After some thought, she decided it was best to settle him on the ground floor.

Nanny Yu was already directing the servants in unpacking their belongings. They took out all the necessities they had brought from the Capital City and put everything in its proper place.

Yun Zhao took her son’s hand for a stroll around the area and soon discovered something interesting. Her residence was separated by only a single palace gate from Leaping Dragon Palace—the main hall where Feng Yi would be staying.

’The distance was... incredibly close.’

Song Yunzhao’s weariness from the long journey vanished in an instant. A path from the back of Hua E Building led to the nearby Dragon Pool. The surface of the pool was vast and misty, its ripples shimmering like gold in the twilight. A cool breeze drifted over the water, making even little Feng Yun stare in awe.

It was the first time he had ever seen such a large lake.

’This one is even bigger than the lake in Jincui Garden.’ Thinking this, she scanned her surroundings and suddenly realized something.

’It seemed she was the only one housed on this side of the lake. Everyone else was on the other side.’

’If she wanted to meet with the three concubines, it would probably be faster to take a boat across than to walk all the way around.’

In that moment, Yun Zhao instantly understood Feng Yi’s subtle intention. He was using this arrangement to show everyone that her place in his heart was unique.

’Only she was allowed to live so close to him.’

Her mood soaring, Yun Zhao watched the lake with Feng Yun for a long while before they started back. Halfway there, she spotted Feng Yi walking toward them in the distance.

Yun Zhao stopped in her tracks. Still holding her son’s hand, she watched Feng Yi’s figure draw closer.

The sunset clouds on the horizon haloed his silhouette in golden light. That golden glow drew nearer and nearer, until it stopped right in front of her.

Yun Zhao tilted her head up to look at him.

Feng Yi stood backlit by the fading sun, his head slightly lowered as he gazed down at her.

In that instant, neither of them spoke a word, yet it felt as if everything had been said.

It was Feng Yun who finally broke the silence. "Father Emperor, hold me."

Feng Yi bent down to lift his son into his arms. Then, with his other arm, he pulled Yun Zhao into his embrace as well, whispering softly in her ear, "Do you like the place you’re staying?"

Yun Zhao blinked playfully. "Anywhere with you is paradise to me. As long as you’re here, I’m happy no matter where we stay."

Feng Yi pressed his forehead against hers and chuckled.

Feng Yun grew displeased. He reached out to push his father’s face away and pointed at a boat on the lake, his little body wriggling with excitement.

’I want to ride the boat!’

Feng Yi was speechless.

’Maybe I should just pawn this son off on his older brother.’