Chapter 727 - 505: Double Lethality

Chapter 727: Chapter 505: Double Lethality

Feng Yi sat there, facing the Empress Dowager’s fury, yet he remained completely unmoved.

"I still remember how heartbroken you were, Mother, crying in secret. Do you remember? I was only six years old that year. You were framed by Highly Noble Princess Consort Gao, and Empress Lin fanned the flames. Father Emperor reprimanded you and put you in confinement. Then you hid away and cried all by yourself."

The Empress Dowager listened to the Emperor’s words with a blank expression. She had no desire to recall the events of that year. It was utterly humiliating.

She only hated that she hadn’t been ruthless enough back then, that she lacked the venomous methods of others. She only hated her own incompetence.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s indifferent face, Feng Yi grew irritated. He stood up and looked at her. "Others may see us as a loving mother and a filial son, but you, Empress Dowager, should know that is not the truth."

The Empress Dowager’s expression finally changed. "What are you trying to do?"

"Do not force my hand, Empress Dowager. I want to be a good son. But if you insist on acting willfully and recklessly, then I will have no choice but to follow your example and do as I please."

The Empress Dowager: ...

Feng Yi stood up, not sparing the Empress Dowager another glance, and strode away.

He had said all he could. If the Empress Dowager remained obstinate, he, as her son, would not continue to yield.

’The Empress Dowager had suffered such hardships herself. Why couldn’t she let others be? Why did she insist that others suffer as she had before she would be satisfied?’

’But he was different.’

’He would never let the person he loved, or his own children, suffer the same grievances he had once endured.’

’So, his suspicion was correct.’

’The Empress Dowager felt very little motherly affection for him.’

Feng Yi’s steps were heavy on his way back. Meng Jiuchang followed behind, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Halfway there, Feng Yi looked up at the Imperial City, bathed in sunlight.

There had been so many days when he stood alone in a small courtyard, just like this, gazing at the sky.

Back then, his greatest wish was to grow up, leave the palace to establish his own residence, and have a home of his own.

Later, the Crown Prince and the other princes ended up dead or crippled. Only he, the prince disliked by the late Emperor, became the final victor.

He knew the Empress Dowager’s life in the palace had not been easy, so he did his best to bestow glory upon her, allowing her to live comfortably.

Clearly, his and the Empress Dowager’s ways of thinking were completely opposite.

Seeing the Emperor’s expression darken, Meng Jiuchang couldn’t help but worry. He took a deep breath and ventured, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort is still waiting for you to join her for lunch."

Hearing Meng Jiuchang’s words, Feng Yi slowly pushed aside his unpleasant memories. ’That’s right, he wasn’t alone anymore.’

’He had Zhaozhao and two sons.’

Feng Yi strode toward Yaohua Palace. Meng Jiuchang hurried to keep up, secretly sighing in relief.

As soon as the Emperor left, the Empress Dowager was so furious she felt faint. Clutching her chest, she went into her bedchamber and lay down.

Nanny Yao hesitated for a moment before following her in. "Empress Dowager," she said softly, "your health is what’s most important right now. Perhaps you should let the other matters go."

’Why bother with all this? It only displeases the Emperor, and in the end, she’s the one who suffers.’

’Right now, the Emperor holds the Imperial Consort in the highest regard. He won’t be happy if anyone tries to cross her.’

’Let it go?’

’How could I let it go?’

’If I keep letting things go, this harem will belong to the Imperial Consort alone!’

’And I, the Empress Dowager, will be nothing more than a decoration. What’s the point of that?’

’The Emperor promotes the Song Family, yet he shows no favor to Gu’en Houfu.’

How could the Empress Dowager possibly be content?

The Song Family’s background was unremarkable. Wasn’t their current status entirely due to the Emperor’s personal support?

Why couldn’t he promote Gu’en Houfu?

When the late Emperor ascended the throne, he had also granted great honors to the Empress’s family and his own maternal family. Why was it different now that it was her turn?

The more the Empress Dowager thought about it, the more upset she became, and her expression grew gloomier.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s look, Nanny Yao didn’t dare to offer any more advice. She felt uneasy, even considering asking An Pin to come and try to persuade her.

But then she remembered that An Pin had been visiting Shouci Palace less frequently these days. It seemed that ever since Duchess Gu En brought Miss An Ling to the palace, An Pin no longer liked coming to Shouci Palace.

Nanny Yao tucked the Empress Dowager in, then quietly withdrew. Standing under the eaves of the corridor, she felt a wave of worry.

Feng Yi had lunch with Yun Zhao, then took Feng Yun with him to Taixi Hall in the afternoon. The child was so small that Meng Jiuchang and the others were too frightened to even look away from him.

The courtiers who came for an audience fell silent when they saw His Majesty holding the Second Prince.

Song Yunzhao had nothing to worry about. ’A father has to put in the effort with his children for their bond to deepen.’

’Any relationship, no matter what kind, needs long-term maintenance.’

For several days after returning to the capital, the Emperor continued to stay at Yaohua Palace. Consort Ming’s favor remained as strong as ever.

No one in the harem was the least bit surprised.

Some news of the unpleasant parting between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager at Shouci Palace that day had leaked out.

Song Yunzhao didn’t say anything after hearing about it. Feng Yi hadn’t mentioned the details of his meeting with the Empress Dowager, but she could tell from his expression that it had not been pleasant.

’Since it was an unpleasant matter, why should she bring it up?’

The Emperor rested for a day before resuming his busy schedule. Having been on campaign for so long, there was a large backlog of memorials and official duties that needed to be handled one by one.

The concubine candidates in Jincui Garden were still learning the rules. The Supervising Matron there sent word, inviting a few of the consorts to come and inspect them.

Yun Zhao had no desire to go. Even though she was curious about Zhao Ling’e, she wasn’t so curious that she couldn’t wait until the day of the selection.

The three senior consorts, however, found it difficult to refuse. It was part of the process, and they had to at least make an appearance.

When the three returned, they each wore a different expression.

Princess Consort Wan seemed unconcerned, but Princess Consort Zhuang and Consort Shu looked grave.

Princess Consort Zhuang said to Consort Shu, "This is the first time I’ve seen a beauty who could truly compete with the Imperial Consort. In the past, Qin Xiyue and Noble Lady Qin were also exceptionally beautiful. But Qin Xiyue prided herself on being dignified and lacked a woman’s charm. Noble Lady Qin was beautiful, yes, but she lacked confidence. She always seemed to be missing something, despite her lovely face."

"But this Zhao Ling’e is different. She’s not just beautiful; she’s so vibrant."

"The life in her eyes is no less than the Imperial Consort’s."

Consort Shu frowned. "Can’t we just have her nameplate dropped?"

"I’m afraid not. The Empress Dowager at Shouci Palace has already rewarded her and a few other outstanding candidates several times," Princess Consort Zhuang said, shaking her head.

Consort Shu sneered. "The Empress Dowager certainly has a sharp eye. I see she’s not complaining about being unwell anymore."

"Should we inform the Imperial Consort?" Princess Consort Zhuang asked hesitantly.

Consort Shu said, "Of course we should. If we don’t tell her now, she’ll find out when she meets the girl anyway."

’If she’s caught by surprise then, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will be waiting to see Song Yunzhao make a fool of herself.’

After some discussion, the two decided to make a trip to Yaohua Palace first.

What worried them most was that this Zhao Ling’e came from an impressive family—a proper, respected, and noble household.

’Such a family background, combined with such beauty... that’s a double threat.’