Chapter 725 - 503: I’m Willing

Chapter 725: Chapter 503: I’m Willing

Hearing those words, Song Yunzhao’s restless heart instantly calmed.

The sound of Feng Yi’s breathing filled her ears. His arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, and she was nestled in his embrace, completely surrounded by his scent.

For some reason, the rims of Song Yunzhao’s eyes turned red.

After the Emperor entered the hall, Nanny Yu and the others bowed and withdrew. With quick thinking, Xiangxue also carried the Second Prince away.

Feng Yun had no idea what was happening. He had very little memory of his father, the Emperor.

"What took you so long to come back?"

Song Yunzhao had always considered herself a strong person, and she had thoroughly prepared herself mentally for Feng Yi’s return.

But his simple words, "Zhaozhao, I’m back," caused all the sorrow in her heart to come pouring out.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Song Yunzhao wanted to get a handkerchief to wipe them away, but she couldn’t move.

Hearing her question, Feng Yi loosened his hold on Yun Zhao slightly. He looked down and saw her eyes were red and her face was covered in tears.

He reached out to wipe her tears away, then took her hand and led her into the inner chamber. They sat close together on the heated couch. Feng Yi held her and said, "Don’t cry. I only have fifteen minutes to speak with you. I have to go back to the front hall in a bit."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’I thought things in the front hall were finished, but it turns out he just snuck away to see me.’

"If you only have this little time, why did you run back and forth?" Song Yunzhao asked softly, gazing at him. She forgot her own grievances; seeing the exhaustion on Feng Yi’s face, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.

"I wanted to see you," Feng Yi said, gazing at Yun Zhao. "I originally planned to return to the palace early to see you, but officials began presenting their reports before I even reached the Capital City. I haven’t had a moment’s peace this whole trip."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but smile. ’So Feng Yi wanted to sneak back and see me, but he was intercepted by the courtiers. With everyone watching, he never got a chance to slip away.’

Seeing Yun Zhao smile, Feng Yi let out a breath of relief. "Make sure you eat well tonight. I’ll be back later. Xu Sixi told me some things about the palace. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it."

Song Yunzhao was taken aback.

Feng Yi pinched her cheek. She had lost weight, which made her eyes seem even larger.

’During the days he was away from the Capital City, Yun Zhao must have had a hard time.’

Outside, Meng Jiuchang coughed lightly, a reminder to the Emperor that his time was up.

Feng Yi sighed and stood up. "I have to go."

Song Yunzhao rose with him. "Don’t worry about me. I’ll make sure to eat. You should go and attend to your business."

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao, gave her a light peck on the lips, and said, "Wait for me."

Song Yunzhao’s face flushed. Watching Feng Yi stride away, her heart pounded in her chest.

’You’re so hopeless.’

Song Yunzhao didn’t see him out. She sat back down, leaning against a soft pillow, her face burning.

After she had calmed down, she called for her meal to be served. It was only then that she remembered her son.

’Feng Yi came all this way back and left without even a single glance at our second son.’

’What an irresponsible father.’

Seeing their mistress’s mood improve, Nanny Yu and the others were happy as well and cheerfully served the meal.

She had dinner with Feng Yun and played with him for a while. Once he started yawning, she had his wet nurse carry him back to be put to bed.

Feng Yi still hadn’t returned. Song Yunzhao sat by the window, flipping through the account books for Baozhuang Building while she waited.

After another hour or so, she finally heard some noise outside.

Song Yunzhao got up. Hearing the shouts of "Long Live Your Majesty" outside, she started toward the entrance to greet him. Before she could even reach the doorway, Feng Yi strode into the hall.

Just as Song Yunzhao was about to speak, Feng Yi swept her into his arms.

The moment they saw this, Nanny Yu, Meng Jiuchang, and the others quickly bowed their heads, closed the doors to the hall, and withdrew.

Song Yunzhao blushed and gave him a light push. "What are you doing? Everyone was watching."

Feng Yi reeked of alcohol; it was clear he had drunk a lot tonight.

"Zhaozhao, I’m just so happy. The army returned in triumph, and you should have seen the looks on those old courtiers’ faces at court! I get a thrill just thinking about it. They were probably waiting to see me make a fool of myself, hoping for another chance to get me under their thumb."

Song Yunzhao knew Feng Yi was a bit drunk. He had probably been bottling up these feelings for a long time. Now that he was finally triumphant, he couldn’t help but let it all out the moment he saw her.

"Let’s go inside to talk."

Feng Yi released Yun Zhao and followed her deeper into the palace. Once inside the bedchamber, he pulled her into his arms again. "The grain you had Ling Yunhe deliver saved us. If not for those supplies, I fear the campaign would have been jeopardized."

"Didn’t the supplies from the Ministry of Revenue arrive soon after? Your Majesty acted in accordance with the will of heaven and the people, driving out the Beiming to protect the hundreds of thousands of citizens in the border cities of Great Chu. Your great deeds are certain to be recorded in the pages of history."

Feng Yi laughed loudly, cupping Yun Zhao’s face in his hands as he gazed at her. "You never try to claim credit, and you act as if what you’ve done is nothing. But, Zhaozhao, I remember everything. I know you did it all for me."

’Only she would think of him like this. Of all the concubines in the harem, who else would do these things for him?’

’Only his Zhaozhao.’

Song Yunzhao rose onto her tiptoes and lightly kissed Feng Yi on the lips. "I was happy to do it."

Feng Yi swept her up by the waist and strode toward the canopied bed.

Song Yunzhao wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as they tumbled together onto the high bed, sinking into the soft pillows and luxurious brocade covers.

The bright yellow, gold-threaded bed curtains fell, sealing them off from the chill of the late spring night. Feng Yi’s hands roamed over Yun Zhao’s slender waist. After being apart for so long, all their former restraint was gone...

When their passion subsided, Yun Zhao was utterly exhausted. Seeing that Feng Yi still had enough energy to call for water, she clicked her tongue in her mind. ’And he’s supposed to be the one who just got back from a long journey?’

Feng Yi turned and met Yun Zhao’s smiling eyes. He reached out and scooped her up. "I’ll take you to bathe."

Song Yunzhao immediately pushed him away. "I’ll go by myself."

’If I go with him, will I even get to bathe properly?’

’It would definitely turn into a lovers’ bath.’

Feng Yi laughed.

Ignoring him, Song Yunzhao wrapped an outer robe around herself and went to the bathing chamber.

When they both returned from their baths, the bed had already been made fresh.

Yun Zhao was not so easily flustered anymore. She pretended not to notice the fresh sheets and simply lay down to rest. Feng Yi nestled against her, pulling her into his arms. It was only then that exhaustion finally caught up to him. With his eyes half-closed, he murmured, "Sleep."

Song Yunzhao was exhausted and fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.

In the middle of the night, Feng Yi felt the woman in his arms stir. He opened his eyes. By the light of the moon, he could see Yun Zhao trying to wriggle free, as if she was too warm being held by him.

Her movements had pushed her nightgown askew, revealing a smooth, fragrant shoulder. The sight of her jade-like skin shimmering before him made Feng Yi lean in instinctively. A primal possessiveness surged through him. He pulled her back into a tight embrace, turning to press his lips against hers in a gentle caress. His large hand slipped beneath her gown, tracing a path up her spine.

Startled from her sleep, Song Yunzhao was swept away by Feng Yi into another wave of bliss before she could even open her eyes...

Moonlight filtered through the latticed branches, scattering mottled shadows across the ground.

Song Yunzhao was wide awake now, with only one thought echoing in her mind: ’Feng Yi really is ravenous.’