Chapter 701 - 479: What Else Can You Do Besides This Move?

Chapter 701: Chapter 479: What Else Can You Do Besides This Move?

News soon reached Song Yunzhao, who was playing with Feng Yun. A baby changes day by day after the first month, and he was now fair, tender, and chubby—utterly lovable to behold.

In the past, Feng Ze would play with Yue Guanlan and Yang Weiqing until dark after his lessons before returning to Yaohua Palace. Now, however, the moment his studies were over, he would race straight back to see his little brother.

Consequently, Yun Zhao also saw Yue Guanlan and Yang Weiqing, who had come running back with him. The two boys were a year older now; Yue Guanlan seemed even more composed, and Yang Weiqing had lost some of his flightiness.

Both boys were older than Feng Ze, and they cut quite a proper figure by his side.

The Yang and Yue families were related by marriage, and the two boys were always well-mannered and polite when they saw Consort Ming. But now that they visited more often with the Eldest Prince, they were less reserved than before.

Yun Zhao had refreshments prepared for them, knowing they must be hungry after returning from their lessons.

In the past, the two had been too shy, but now that they knew Consort Ming was a very kind person, they had loosened up. Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, they would join the Eldest Prince in watching the tiny Second Prince, finding it all quite amusing.

Yun Zhao had also noticed that Feng Yun had a quiet disposition, but he always became a little more lively than usual whenever his older brother brought his friends home.

She had the wet nurse watch from the side and let the older children amuse Feng Yun. When she saw Nanny Yu return, she rose and went to the main hall.

The moment Consort Ming left, Yang Weiqing nudged Yue Guanlan and said with a wide grin, "The Imperial Consort is so kind. And the Eight Treasures Cake today was delicious! Our cooks at home could never make it taste this good."

Yue Guanlan’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. He shot Yang Weiqing a glance and said stiffly, "It was a gift from Her Ladyship. Of course it would be the very best."

Yang Weiqing pouted. ’This guy is so boring.’

Yue Guanlan thought to himself that Yang Weiqing’s personality really needed to be reined in. ’He’s well-behaved enough when the Imperial Consort is here, but the moment she’s gone, he’s ready to run wild.’

The Eldest Prince alone was already enough of a headache for him.

By now, Yang Weiqing was at the Eldest Prince’s side, talking about the next day’s horsemanship lesson and gesturing with excitement. Yue Guanlan let out a soft sigh.

When the Eldest Prince began his formal education this year, the plan had been to add two more study companions. Countless families outside the palace had hoped to send their children in, and the Emperor had even asked for the Eldest Prince’s opinion, but the Eldest Prince had refused.

The Eldest Prince refused, yet surprisingly, the Emperor didn’t get angry. He didn’t choose anyone else either, merely saying that he would send more companions whenever the Eldest Prince asked for them.

Being slightly older, Yue Guanlan could now understand what this implied.

As His Majesty’s Imperial First Son, the Eldest Prince’s future status was bound to be extraordinary.

Furthermore, Consort Ming had given birth to the Second Prince and had been promoted to Imperial Concubine. If she were to advance even further in the future, the Eldest Prince’s status would become even more distinguished.

Therefore, anyone who could remain by the Eldest Prince’s side now was certain to have a bright future ahead of them.

Yue Guanlan could already sense people deliberately trying to inquire about the Eldest Prince. Such attempts would only become more frequent in the future.

His parents had written to him in the capital, ordering him not to utter a single word about the palace upon returning to their residence. His grandparents had also repeatedly impressed upon him that palace matters were not to be disclosed to outsiders.

He understood the stakes.

Looking again at the carefree Yang Weiqing, Yue Guanlan wondered about the situation in the Yang Family. It was probably much the same as his own.

Before the palace gates were locked for the night, the two boys left the palace together.

Outside the palace, their families’ carriages were already waiting. Yang Weiqing waved to Yue Guanlan and cheerfully climbed into his own.

Yue Guanlan also boarded the Yue Family’s carriage. As dusk fell, it disappeared into the encroaching darkness.

After Song Yunzhao finished her business, she found that both Feng Ze and Feng Yun had fallen asleep. The two brothers lay with their heads nestled together, a wet nurse watching over them carefully.

She smiled, instructing the wet nurse not to move them and to leave just a single night lamp lit. Only then did she return to her own bedchamber.

Feng Yi had not yet returned. Xiangxue and Shizhu, along with other attendants, undid her hairpins, combed out her hair, and helped her change into her nightclothes. By the time she emerged from her bath, Feng Yi had entered the adjacent room to change.

Wreathed in steam from his bath, Feng Yi sat down beside Yun Zhao and wrapped an arm around her. "Have you heard about your eldest cousin?"

Song Yunzhao nodded. "Zhang Maoquan told me. It must have been Your Majesty’s intention; otherwise, he would never have dared to deliver such a message to me."

Feng Yi smiled. "What are your thoughts?"

Song Yunzhao tilted her head to look at Feng Yi. "Does Your Majesty want to hear the truth or a pleasantry?"

Feng Yi raised an eyebrow. "You’re actually thinking of trying to fool me?"

Song Yunzhao laughed. "I was just teasing. The court officials all have two faces, so why can’t I have a way to protect myself?"

Feng Yi was left speechless.

Her words really hit where it hurt.

"Just tell me the truth." Feng Yi pulled Yun Zhao to lean back against a soft pillow. He had spent the entire day reviewing memorials, and his back was sore. It felt good to recline lazily against the cushions.

"I’m not entirely clear on the specific circumstances, but for things to escalate to the point of killing a man to make a statement, it’s clear that the officials in the south, both high and low, are extraordinarily audacious. There must have been an intense conflict with the court’s imperial envoy."

Hearing how her words subtly defended her cousin, Feng Yi smiled. "That makes sense. What else?"

Song Yunzhao ignored Feng Yi’s laughter and continued, "The history books often say that desperate times call for harsh measures, and there’s some truth to that. Beyond that, I am but a woman of the inner quarters with little worldly knowledge, so I couldn’t say."

’A fine "I couldn’t say,"’ he thought. ’Even while claiming ignorance, isn’t she still defending Song Buran?’

Feng Yi squeezed Yun Zhao’s hand. "I didn’t expect him to dare to kill someone, either."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao sighed as well. "I didn’t expect it either. I was in shock for a long time after getting the news. My cousin is a scholar, too weak to even truss a chicken, yet he was forced into killing a man. It just shows how dire his circumstances must have been."

That was the end of that conversation. Feng Yi stood, swept her up by the waist, and tossed her into the curtained bed.

Song Yunzhao was left speechless.

’Is this the only move you know?’

After a satisfying round of lovemaking, Feng Yi finally felt his mood improve. Staring up at the bed canopy, he said to Yun Zhao, "Ding Xian’s memorial pleading for punishment has arrived in the capital. Only now do I realize how thoroughly rotten the bureaucracy is over there, from top to bottom."

Song Yunzhao listened quietly.

"The local officials have been colluding with powerful clans to seize land, conceal population figures, and even tamper with the court’s tax revenues. The accounts are such a mess they’re impossible to audit. When Song Buran beheaded the local magistrate, it served two purposes. First, it was a deterrent. Second, with the man dead, the slate is wiped clean—it was also a way of taking a step back."

Just from listening, Song Yunzhao could imagine how dangerous the situation was. If they had persisted in the confrontation, the personal safety of neither her eldest cousin nor Ji Yunting could have been guaranteed.

The assassination of an imperial envoy was not without precedent in past dynasties. For the sake of profit, those people were capable of anything.

Yun Zhao rested her head on Feng Yi’s chest. "Lord Ji has seen the battlefield, and my eldest cousin is also a man of firm resolve. I’m sure the two of them will not fail to live up to Your Majesty’s high expectations."

Feng Yi told Yun Zhao, "With Ding Xian helping them, the task will be difficult, but it can be done."

In the end, Song Yunzhao didn’t ask how the Emperor planned to deal with Ding Xian. However, the implication was clear: he was being allowed to atone for his crimes through meritorious service.

Although Yun Zhao was still displeased with Lady Ding’s past actions, Ding Xian was, by all accounts, a good official. ’I’ll just let it go,’ she decided.

They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

「The next day」

Feng Yi went to the morning court as usual. To her surprise, Yun Zhao received a formal card from Princess Fuke and sent for the princess to be admitted into the palace.

Princess Fuke curtsied upon seeing Yun Zhao. Yun Zhao sidestepped the gesture slightly and quickly helped her to a seat, smiling. "To what do I owe the honor of the Princess’s sudden visit?"