Chapter 724 - 502: Zhaozhao, I’m Back

Chapter 724: Chapter 502: Zhaozhao, I’m Back

The grand army was returning to the Capital City, and a sea of people had already formed outside the city gates, lining the road to welcome them.

This great victory further enhanced the Emperor’s might.

It wasn’t just outside the gates; the imperial road inside the city was also packed with commoners. There were even members of the Capital City’s prominent and noble families who had booked private rooms in advance to watch the spectacle.

Looking up, one could faintly see high coiffures and magnificent robes in the windows on both sides of the road. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the moment the imperial procession entered the city.

In the palace, Song Yunzhao had risen early. Feng Yi had already sent someone back with a decree stating that the women of the harem were not required to welcome him. Yet, she felt a rare restlessness, constantly glancing outside.

She knew it was still very early. The women of the harem were not required to welcome him, but the courtiers would go outside the city to do so. After all those procedures, who knew what time Feng Yi would even enter the palace gates.

She had risen early to dress and apply her makeup. It was a rare occasion for her to be in full regalia. Nanny Yu and the others were beaming with joy, having cleaned Yaohua Palace from top to bottom until it was spotless.

Feng Ze was not in the harem; he had gone to Taixi Hall to wait.

Song Yunzhao was with Feng Yun. Her son wasn’t even a year old, but his little legs were strong. He could now hold onto things and try to walk slowly by himself. Although he would plop onto the ground after just a few steps, Yun Zhao never forbade him from walking out of fear that he might fall.

The mother and son played in the hall as news from the front continuously arrived.

The Emperor was twenty li from the Capital City.

The Emperor was ten li from the Capital City.

The courtiers had received His Majesty’s procession.

After the courtiers greeted him, Feng Yi did not immediately lead them into the city. There were still procedures to follow. Another two hours passed before news came that the imperial procession had entered the city.

Song Yunzhao was becoming restless.

Another half an hour passed before news arrived that the imperial procession had reached Taixi Hall.

Song Yunzhao felt a rare surge of anxiety and kept looking out the window.

Before she could see Feng Yi, Zhang Maoquan returned ahead of him. He entered and immediately kowtowed to the Imperial Concubine.

Before Song Yunzhao could speak, Zhang Maoquan had the seven or eight large chests he brought with him carried forward. They were all from Feng Yi for the Imperial Concubine.

Song Yunzhao was astonished. The chests filled the entire hall.

"...The Emperor traveled day and night, arriving in the Capital City ten days ahead of schedule. Please be at ease, My Lady. His Majesty still has to receive the courtiers, so he has no time to come to the harem for now. The Emperor said that you should wait for him and not be anxious."

It was no use for Song Yunzhao to be anxious. While telling Zhang Maoquan to hurry off and rest, she also sent someone to Taixi Hall to pass a message to Meng Jiuchang.

’The Emperor probably won’t come until tonight.’

As expected, at noon, the Emperor held a great banquet for the courtiers to celebrate the victory. He also had dishes sent to the harem as a reward.

Feng Ze did not return; Feng Yi kept him by his side.

Feng Yun grew a little sleepy after lunch and was taken by his wet nurse for a nap.

Yun Zhao, still in her magnificent robes, was starting to feel the strain. They were too heavy. Since she wouldn’t be seeing the Emperor for a while, she had her maids dismantle her coiffure and help her change into lighter clothes.

She usually took a midday nap, but today she simply couldn’t fall asleep. She sat by the window in a daze.

’I wonder if Feng Yi has changed at all after these past few months apart.’

"My Lady, this is the inventory ledger. Please take a look."

The contents of the chests that the Emperor had Zhang Maoquan deliver were finally sorted. Song Yunzhao took the ledger and glanced through it. The Northern Land was cold and harsh, so its goods were naturally not as delicate or refined as those from the south.

However, what he had brought back for her were mostly jade ornaments and jewelry, primarily of celadon and white jade. There were also various silks and satins, whose patterns and textures were vastly different from those in the south. They were quite beautiful, just a bit coarser.

In addition, there were porcelain, decorative objects, and other items. A single glance told her they were tributes from officials across the land, which Feng Yi must have selected and set aside for her.

"Besides our palace, have the others received anything?" Song Yunzhao asked without looking up.

"The gifts for you, My Lady, were delivered personally by Zhang Maoquan. As for the other palaces, besides Shoukang Palace which has already received its share, everything else is still piled up in the outer storeroom," Nanny Yu said.

Song Yunzhao paused. "No word from Meng Jiuchang?"

"Manager Meng is so busy he’s running off his feet. I’m afraid he hasn’t had a moment to spare," Nanny Yu replied.

Song Yunzhao said, "Go and ask. If Meng Jiuchang is unavailable, see if Xu Sixi can spare a moment."

Nanny Yu quickly agreed and immediately hurried off.

As the Imperial Concubine, it was her duty to oversee these matters.

Nanny Yu returned quite a while later, bowing as she reported, "Everyone at Taixi Hall is running off their feet. It took me a long time to see Mr. Xu. Mr. Xu spoke with the Emperor, and the Emperor said to have you oversee the distribution, My Lady." With that, she presented a ledger. "This is the one submitted by Manager Meng."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

The items on this ledger were far inferior to what Feng Yi had given her. She distributed them according to the ranks of the women in the harem, trying her best to be thorough and fair.

Her actions quickly stirred the harem into a lively buzz. After all, receiving a reward from His Majesty was a joyous occasion.

The gifts were also mostly various jade ornaments, jewelry, silks, and fabrics, though their quality varied.

She wasn’t even finished when Consort Shu arrived.

"A welcome banquet?" Song Yunzhao looked at Consort Shu. "Whose idea? The Empress Dowager’s?"

Consort Shu nodded. "Yes."

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "The Emperor is at the front, hosting a grand banquet for the courtiers. I’ve received no word about this. However, if the Empress Dowager wishes to hold a welcome banquet, I certainly wouldn’t dare to stop her. As for whether the Emperor will attend, I have no way of getting a definite answer."

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor had always been distant. Those at Shouci Palace didn’t want to send a message directly to Taixi Hall, so they took a roundabout approach by sending Consort Shu to her instead.

’She just wants me to be the one to ask. After all the trouble the Empress Dowager caused during this year’s selection, why should I do her any favors?’

Consort Shu understood Yun Zhao’s attitude. They had received the Emperor’s rewards, and the Emperor had returned to the capital safely. As for whether they could actually see the Emperor himself, it wasn’t important to concubines like her.

After all, what would be the point of seeing him? The Emperor wouldn’t spare them a second glance anyway.

For a welcome banquet, they would have to get all dressed up, wear intricate jewelry and heavy palace robes, and sit like puppets all night. The mere thought of it was exhausting.

"Then I’ll go to Shoukang Palace to report back," Consort Shu said happily. It was for the best if there was no welcome banquet; it would be easier for everyone.

’As for whether the Empress Dowager is happy, what does that have to do with me?’

Consort Shu left cheerfully. Although Song Yunzhao wasn’t bothered, her mood couldn’t help but turn a little sullen.

’The Empress Dowager is targeting me as if she’s possessed. I wonder if someone put a curse on her.’

Last year, because of the incident with Qin Xiyue, the Empress Dowager had seemed ready to coexist peacefully with her. But then she turned hostile in the blink of an eye.

It wasn’t that Song Yunzhao was afraid of the Empress Dowager; she was just tired of this constant tug-of-war.

Now that Feng Yi was back, the matter of the concubine selection still stood in the way of their reunion.

Song Yunzhao’s thoughts were inevitably drawn to this, and her expression slowly darkened.

’The others I can dismiss, but this Zhao Ling’e is truly a vexing presence.’

’The female lead is gone, yet the supporting female characters keep popping up one by one. Can’t I, a character doomed to be cannon fodder, defy the heavens and change my fate?’

Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard the sounds of salutations from outside.

Song Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously rose and started for the door, but before she could reach it, a tall figure strode quickly inside.

Before Yun Zhao could even get a clear look, she was pulled into a broad, strong embrace.

"Zhaozhao, I’m back."