Chapter 726 - 504: Is He Implying She’s a Busybody?

Chapter 726: Chapter 504: Is He Implying She’s a Busybody?

The sky was already bright outside when Song Yunzhao opened her eyes. The man beside her was still there, the two of them tangled in a tight embrace.

It was no wonder she could barely breathe.

Sunlight streamed through the latticed window, spilling onto the bed curtains. As her consciousness slowly returned, she recalled their passion from the night before. Suddenly, she didn’t quite want to see his face.

"You’re awake?"

Song Yunzhao jumped. Looking up, she met Feng Yi’s smiling face.

A wave of irritation washed over her. She pushed at him. "Aren’t you holding court today, Your Majesty?"

"Even a donkey at a grindstone gets to rest for a few days. After returning from a great victory, don’t I deserve a day off?"

His words made Song Yunzhao laugh. She curled up in his arms, her body shaking with mirth.

Song Yunzhao didn’t want to move either; her whole body felt as if it had been taken apart and reassembled. ’And at his age,’ she mused, ’Feng Yi is in his prime. He didn’t bring any serving women on the campaign, so of course he’d be like a ravenous wolf upon seeing me.’

She rested her head on Feng Yi’s chest, her hands wrapped around his waist. "Now that you’re back, everyone can finally relax," she murmured. "I worried day and night during the months you were on campaign. See? My waist has gotten thinner."

Feng Yi actually placed his hand on her waist and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It has, indeed," he said with a straight face, before whispering in her ear, "Just like when you first entered the palace."

Song Yunzhao shot him a glare, which only made Feng Yi’s smile widen.

After they had lingered in bed long enough, they finally rose one after the other.

Outside, Meng Jiuchang and the other attendants had been waiting for some time. Only the Imperial Consort could make His Majesty rise so late.

After washing up, the couple shared a late breakfast. Feng Ze had gone to his studies early that morning, while Feng Yun was playing in the adjacent hall.

Once breakfast was over, Feng Yi finally remembered he had another son and went to see him.

Song Yunzhao let out a quiet sneer. Pressing a hand to her aching lower back, she sank onto the soft daybed, not wanting to move an inch.

Before long, Feng Yi returned with Feng Yun in his arms. The moment the pair entered, Feng Yun reached his little arms out to her.

Feng Yi, experienced from raising Feng Ze, tossed his younger son into the air and caught him. Feng Yun was startled for a moment, then broke into a delighted giggle.

As Song Yunzhao watched them play happily, she picked up the account book she hadn’t finished yesterday and resumed her reading. She glanced up at the father and son from time to time, and a thought suddenly struck her. Looking at Feng Yi, she asked, "Shouldn’t you pay a visit to Shouci Palace today, Your Majesty?"

Feng Yi’s expression became distant. "There’s no hurry. The Empress Dowager is likely praying at this hour."

’Song Yunzhao could hear the coldness in his voice, though she didn’t know what had happened between the mother and son this time. She decided not to pry. After all the trouble the Empress Dowager had caused over the past few months, a colder relationship between them was only to her advantage.’

"Very well," Song Yunzhao said. "The Empress Dowager is devoted to Buddha; it would be best not to disturb her. But since you’ve returned, Your Majesty, should we hold a welcome banquet?"

’With so many women in the harem, the Emperor ought to make an appearance.’

"I don’t have that kind of energy," Feng Yi said, feigning complaint. "I’m taking one day to rest with you, and tomorrow I have to hold court. Can’t you just let me relax?"

Song Yunzhao wasn’t falling for his act. "I’d be more than happy to, but I fear others will gossip behind my back, saying I’m monopolizing the Emperor and won’t let him go."

Feng Yi laughed. "But isn’t it the truth?"

Song Yunzhao froze, looking up at him. "What? Is Your Majesty tired of me already?"

Seeing he’d misstepped, Feng Yi quickly scooped his son into his arms and walked over to her. "Hey, I was only joking. Why are you getting angry?"

Even Song Yunzhao found her anger baffling, but she couldn’t suppress the frustration welling inside her. "It’s true, isn’t it?" she couldn’t stop herself from saying. "Soon the new Beauties will enter the palace. I’ve been by your side for so long, Your Majesty must be tired of looking at my face by now."

Feng Yi finally understood. He handed his young son, who was now in the way, to Meng Jiuchang to take out to the gardens. Then he returned to sit beside Yun Zhao. "What’s gotten into you? Are you really this jealous?"

Song Yunzhao lowered her head, remaining silent. ’Zhao Ling’e is already staying in Zhichun Palace,’ she thought. ’I can’t just wait for the Empress Dowager to make her move. I have to strike first.’

The longer she remained silent, the more Feng Yi felt something was truly amiss. Given her temperament, she would normally just tease him a bit and let it go.

This time, it seemed serious.

Feng Yi took Yun Zhao’s hand. "Are you truly angry? How could you not know my heart?"

"What good does it do if I know?" she retorted. "There will always be others who don’t, who assume Your Majesty has grown tired of me and are working tirelessly to find new women for you. All so they can cast me aside and spare themselves the eyesore."

Feng Yi gently caressed her hand. "What has she in Shouci Palace done this time?"

’Song Yunzhao said nothing. She had lodged her complaint; she didn’t need to be the one to spell out what the Empress Dowager had done.’

’When he investigated it for himself, he would understand the Empress Dowager’s true intentions.’

"Stop looking at those account books," he said. "Don’t you have people to handle those for you? Staring at them for too long will strain your eyes."

’Song Yunzhao inwardly scorned his clumsy attempt to change the subject.’ But outwardly she said, "I have to stay vigilant. Over time, people’s hearts can change. If I don’t keep a close watch, all sorts of trouble could arise."

Feng Yi was speechless.

’Her veiled accusation was anything but subtle.’

Feng Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’It seems the Empress Dowager truly angered her,’ he thought. ’This is the first time I’ve ever seen Yun Zhao so insecure.’

’No matter what he said, she wouldn’t believe him until she saw him take action.’

Left with no other choice, Feng Yi said to Yun Zhao, "I’ll pay a visit to Shouci Palace."

Song Yunzhao rose to see him out, but Feng Yi gently pushed her back down. "Just rest. I’ll be back to have lunch with you."

Song Yunzhao watched him leave, a faint smile playing on her lips.

’In the past, she would have complained to him directly. That was when she was simpler, more naive and straightforward.’

’But after so many years in the harem, having borne him two sons, behaving that way would seem contrived.’

’The fewer words she used to lodge her complaint, the more weight it carried in his heart.’

Checking the hour, Yun Zhao sent someone to tell Feng Ze to return for lunch. She then took out the menu and ordered dishes she knew both father and son loved, adding a milk custard for Feng Yun.

He was just starting on solid foods, so Yun Zhao was gradually introducing different things to his diet to ensure he got enough nutrition.

Meanwhile, the meeting between Feng Yi and the Empress Dowager was devoid of any mother-son warmth.

Although the Empress Dowager was all smiles, her true intentions were laid bare the moment she brought up the selection of new concubines.

"Among the newly-selected ladies this year, I’ve noticed several who are quite outstanding," the Empress Dowager said, her words laden with meaning. "You should take a good look, Emperor. The harem needs more Beauties."

Feng Yi’s expression remained impassive. He looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "Since your health is poor, Mother, you shouldn’t trouble yourself with such matters. Your first priority should be taking care of yourself."

The Empress Dowager’s expression faltered. ’What, is he accusing me of being meddlesome?’

"Have you no idea what they’re saying about you outside?" the Empress Dowager said, displeased. "You are the Emperor. How can you be devoted to a single woman?"

Feng Yi met her gaze. "When Father was on the throne, didn’t you wish to be the only one by his side, Mother?"

The Empress Dowager’s face changed dramatically. "Emperor!" she thundered.