Chapter 708 - 486: What the Imperial Concubine Cannot Do, They Can Do

Chapter 708: Chapter 486: What the Imperial Concubine Cannot Do, They Can Do

That night, the two of them slept in each other’s arms.

Feng Yi sat up before dawn.

Song Yunzhao immediately opened her eyes and got up as well. Feng Yi didn’t stop her this time. As the Imperial Concubine, she had to lead the women of the harem in seeing him off.

Song Yunzhao moved to help Feng Yi dress, but he didn’t let her. Meng Jiuchang hurried forward with attendants. Seeing this, Song Yunzhao smiled and went to wash up and dress herself.

Before the two of them were ready, Feng Ze came running in. He was dressed neatly, his little face solemn, devoid of his usual carefree, giggling demeanor.

Feng Yi patted his son’s shoulder. "While your father is away from the palace, you must protect your mother and your younger brother for me. As my eldest son, you must bear your responsibilities."

"I will obey, Father. Please do not worry."

Song Yunzhao emerged from the inner chamber and watched this scene in a daze, momentarily lost in a trance.

Feng Yi turned his head, a familiar smile returning to his face. He came over and took Yun Zhao’s hand. "Come, let’s have breakfast."

Time was short. Song Yunzhao suppressed her complex emotions and accompanied the father and son for their meal. She had no appetite, but not wanting them to worry, she pretended to be hungry and continuously placed food on their plates.

Feng Yi ate every last bite of the food Yun Zhao gave him, and Feng Ze did the same.

After the meal, Feng Yi took Feng Ze to Taixi Hall. Yun Zhao had to wait in Yaohua Palace for the other concubines to pay their respects before leading them to see the Emperor off.

Feng Yi had already visited the Empress Dowager yesterday, so she would not be making an appearance today.

Yaohua Palace soon grew lively, but everyone had heavy hearts today and was in no mood for pleasantries.

The three concubines looked the most solemn. Princess Consort Zhuang, who was usually fond of joking, also wore a tense expression.

A message arrived from Meng Jiuchang. Song Yunzhao rose and led the group out of Yaohua Palace.

Feng Yi met with the assembled women, ordering them to obey the Imperial Concubine’s will and instructing the three concubines to assist her. Finally, he walked up to Yun Zhao, took her hand in front of everyone, and uttered a single phrase, "Wait for my triumphant return."

Tears instantly welled in Song Yunzhao’s eyes. She squeezed Feng Yi’s hand tightly, then performed the proper etiquette to respectfully send the Emperor on his way.

Feng Yi had no more time for goodbyes with Yun Zhao. He gave her one last deep look, then turned and strode away.

The expedition ceremony was waiting for him; he could not be late.

Only after the Emperor’s silhouette vanished at the end of the palace road did Song Yunzhao compose herself and address the crowd. "You may all disperse. Carry on with your duties as usual."

"Yes."

The women answered in unison, bowing as they took their leave.

The three concubines did not leave, instead following Yun Zhao back to Yaohua Palace.

Feng Yunjin and the others did not follow this time, knowing the three concubines surely had matters to discuss with the Imperial Concubine. Instead, their group went to Lu Zhixue’s Yihua Palace to talk.

Han Jinyi’s Liu Hua Palace was shared with An Pin, and Feng Yunjin’s Yanqing Palace with Du Guiji, making neither a convenient place to talk. Only Yihua Palace, home to Noble Lady Qin, was suitable. Although Noble Lady Qin’s beauty was extraordinary, rivaling even the Imperial Concubine’s, she had always been quiet and kept to herself. Even someone with Lu Zhixue’s temperament got along well with her, so the group went to Yihua Palace to speak.

Seeing so many people arrive, Noble Lady Qin hurried to the main hall to greet them. After a few words, she tactfully excused herself. Instead of returning to her own chambers, she went directly to Yanqing Palace to chat with Du Guiji, leaving the space free for her visitors.

Feng Yunjin laughed. "It seems my Yanqing Palace will be lively for a change."

"Noble Lady Qin is very sensible," Han Jinyi added with a laugh.

Lu Zhixue commented nonchalantly, "Is there anyone in this palace who isn’t sensible?"

The ones who weren’t are all sleeping beneath the ground now.

Every time she thought about it, Lu Zhixue felt a wave of relief that she had submitted to Song Yunzhao back then and successfully boarded her ship.

It was strange. Back then, her temper was like a lit fuse, so she had no idea where that sudden flash of cleverness came from. Otherwise, she’d be the one sleeping beneath the ground right now.

’Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey. Someone as kind as me deserves to enjoy this wonderful life.’

This thought inevitably brought Qin Xiyue to mind, and Lu Zhixue felt a flicker of distraction. Their relationship had once been excellent.

Feng Yunjin was the first to speak. "How are things going on your end?"

Han Jinyi replied, "I asked my father about it. The grain shortage isn’t too severe. After Minister Song became Chief of Staff, he has been extremely diligent. Plus, with the successful implementation of the new policies in the south, the Ministry of Revenue has received a lot of back-paid tax grain. The pressure for provisions for His Majesty’s campaign isn’t that great."

"What about medicinal herbs?"

Lu Zhixue took a sip of tea before looking at the other two. "The apothecaries in the Capital City have all been bought out. Luckily, the Imperial Concubine acted first. However, my father and a few other officials have already discussed mobilizing medicinal herbs from across the country. But the timing is uncertain. Nearby prefectures and counties will be faster, but for other places, by the time the decree arrives and the herbs are collected and transported to the Capital City, it won’t be quick."

"It’s natural for the court to be slower in collecting herbs. At a critical time like this, the medicinal herb merchants are definitely hoarding their stock," Feng Yunjin said. The difficulty was how to get it from them.

Merchants prioritize profit; it’s not easy to make them part with it.

And the Emperor has forbidden the government from forcibly requisitioning supplies, which makes things rather troublesome.

"That’s why the Imperial Concubine’s earlier method is worth a try. Do you think we should give it a push?" Lu Zhixue asked, eager to take action.

"Don’t be rash. The risk is huge. If it were feasible, wouldn’t the Imperial Concubine have already done it?" Han Jinyi immediately countered.

As they spoke, both looked toward Feng Yunjin.

Feng Yunjin looked back at them. "It’s not that it can’t be done, but we don’t have the right people for the job."

Both the Xie family and the Ling Family follow the Imperial Concubine’s orders. They couldn’t interfere with the Imperial Concubine’s network, so they would have to find another way.

At that moment, Feng Yunjin and Lu Zhixue’s eyes turned to Han Jinyi.

Han Jinyi: ...

"Why are you looking at me? My father is just the Left Imperial Censor."

"That’s what makes it perfect."

"As an Imperial Censor, he’s bound to have dirt on other people."

Han Jinyi buried her face in her hands.

’These two have no shame at all.’

Lu Zhixue said bluntly, "Don’t think I don’t know. Imperial Censors are bold and black-hearted. Your father surely has information on the shortcomings of many major merchants in the Capital City. We’re just making a deal with them, not raiding their homes. What are you afraid of?"

"You actually dare to think about raiding homes?" Han Jinyi said indignantly. "You’ve got some nerve."

Feng Yunjin tapped her fingertips on the table and looked at the two of them. "Hoarding for profit is one thing, but trying to get rich during a national crisis is practically suicidal. What we’re doing is helping them accumulate good fortune to save their own lives. If anything, they should be grateful. This is something Han Imperial Censor certainly can’t do himself. He just needs to give us the list, and we’ll be the villains."

’The Imperial Concubine is running herself ragged over this, all while trying not to let the Emperor know and worry. We have our status today only because of her immense kindness. How can we not help share her burdens?’

’What the Imperial Concubine cannot do, they can.’

’A reputation is of little use to them anyway. They aren’t competing for the position of Empress.’

’Who needs a reputation?’