Chapter 731 - 509: Uniquely Beautiful

Chapter 731: Chapter 509: Uniquely Beautiful

Feng Yi did not head to Yaohua Palace. He still had court affairs to handle, so after escorting Yun Zhao back, he had to return to Taixi Hall.

"I’ll be back tonight. Wait for me."

Hearing Feng Yi’s pointed words, Song Yunzhao couldn’t stop a blush from creeping onto her face, no matter how hard she tried to keep her expression neutral.

Feng Yi stared at her and smiled.

Song Yunzhao stepped out of the Imperial Carriage and walked straight away. ’There’s something different about Feng Yi now,’ she thought. ’He’s not quite the same as he used to be.’

Over a dozen new concubines had been chosen this time, but only a few of them were truly outstanding. Yun Zhao was well aware of this; now, she was just waiting for the Emperor to bestow their initial ranks.

’In the palace, the positions of Imperial Concubine and the three concubines are all filled. Below them is the tier of the nine concubines, and below that, the rank of Concubine. Both of these tiers are currently empty. Further down, however, nearly all the positions are occupied.’

’Feng Yi is rather stingy when it comes to granting ranks. Some positions are held by more than one concubine. Over the last few selections, a few concubines have been lost, but far more have been added.’

’No matter what initial ranks Feng Yi decides on, the Empress Dowager wants to promote Zhao Ling’e. But after what I told the Emperor today, she probably won’t get her wish.’

The Zhao Family wanted to establish itself based on a flawless reputation, but last year they couldn’t help but make a few small moves. Yun Zhao had some dirt on them, making it easy to speak ill of them to the Emperor.

’Thinking back on Zhao Ling’e, whom I saw today, she isn’t just beautiful; her beauty is distinctive.’

’Beauties are common, but captivating ones are rare.’

Yun Zhao knew she was beautiful, but was she the most beautiful one in the harem?

’No.’

’So why was I the one who captured Feng Yi’s heart?’

’Beauty is the entry ticket; whether you can last depends on your skill.’

Feng Yun was brought in by his wet nurse, and Yun Zhao no longer had time to think about the other beauties. She turned her attention to playing with her son.

Feng Yun was practicing his walking and had gotten quite good at it. The only issue was his laziness. He would take a few steps and then demand a rest. After a few rounds of this, he’d refuse to move at all.

’She thought of Feng Ze at that age. If he could run, he wouldn’t walk, and if he could walk, he wouldn’t stand still.’

’But my Feng Ze... after witnessing his father lead a military campaign, his personality has become much more subdued.’

In Yun Zhao’s eyes, he was still just a child. But it was clear that children of the Royal Family could not be seen as mere children.

Feng Yun tugged her hand, wanting to go outside. Since it was rare for him to take the initiative, Yun Zhao followed him out of the hall.

Feng Yun seemed to be in high spirits today, babbling a few words here and there, though none of them were very clear. Mother and son communicated through a silent understanding, getting along perfectly.

After leaving Yaohua Palace, Feng Yun darted into the Imperial Garden, where they ran into Lu Zhixue strolling with Noble Lady Qin.

The two women paid their respects to the Imperial Concubine. Lu Zhixue then smiled at the Second Prince and took over for the boy’s mother, holding his hand and leading him around.

Feng Yun was quite familiar with Lu Zhixue, so he didn’t mind at all.

Yun Zhao sat down in a stone pavilion to watch them, with Qin Xiaoyin standing cautiously by her side.

"You should sit, too. Why are you standing?" Yun Zhao said with a smile.

When Qin Xiaoyin first entered the palace, she did so with an exceptionally beautiful face. She had always been terrified that her looks would displease the Imperial Concubine, so she usually kept a low profile.

She hadn’t expected to run into the Imperial Concubine today, and her heart was filled with anxiety. She knew she would never catch the Emperor’s eye, but she still worried the Imperial Concubine would be displeased just by the sight of her face. That was why she kept her head lowered.

"It’s not like I’m going to eat you. Why are you keeping your head down?" Song Yunzhao was exasperated by Qin Xiaoyin’s timid, browbeaten expression.

Hearing the Imperial Concubine speak to her, Qin Xiaoyin was so startled she quickly raised her head. "I... I wouldn’t dare," she stammered.

Song Yunzhao paused. ’I haven’t done anything particularly cruel. How did I manage to frighten her this badly?’

’Then again, it’s not like I have anything to talk about with them. It’s just awkward.’

Still, she had a reasonably good impression of Qin Xiaoyin. With a small smile, she turned her head to watch Lu Zhixue and Feng Yun.

Lu Zhixue had a somewhat wild personality, but she was surprisingly patient with children. She held Feng Yun’s hand the entire time, a beaming smile on her face no matter what the little one did.

At that moment, Qin Xiaoyin quietly raised her head to study the Imperial Consort. She had never been this close to her before. Now that she could get a good look, she realized the Imperial Consort’s skin was as smooth and fair as a peeled egg. She then glanced at her midsection and noticed she had a perfectly flat stomach, even while sitting.

She had seen many women who had given birth, and their stomachs were always a little plump afterward. Even the few concubines in her own father’s household were the same. But not the Imperial Consort.

Qin Xiaoyin’s thoughts began to drift. She remembered going to see Du Wanneng one day. Coincidentally, several other concubines were also there. They all got along fairly well, so they spoke with fewer reservations than usual.

One of them had wondered aloud if the newcomers from this selection would fare any better than they had.

There was a hint of resentment in her tone. They had been in the palace for so long, yet they only ever saw the Emperor at official banquets. On any other day, he was nowhere to be seen.

How could they hope to win his favor when they couldn’t even see him?

After a few years, everyone had calmed down and become more resigned. They gradually realized it wasn’t that the Imperial Consort was using some secret scheme. Rather, the Emperor himself was single-minded, heading straight for Yaohua Palace every single time he entered the harem.

What could anyone do?

Nothing.

After all, no one was bold enough to try and intercept the Emperor outside Yaohua Palace.

Qin Xiaoyin then recalled the catty remark of another concubine. Weren’t they all just hoping these newcomers could finally break the pattern?

Before, Qin Xiaoyin hadn’t been so sure. But now, looking at the Imperial Consort right in front of her, she suddenly felt that the others were doomed to be disappointed once again.

When Feng Yun had played his fill, he returned to his mother. Lu Zhixue carried him into the pavilion, and Yun Zhao took him into her arms. "Did you have fun this time?" she asked with a smile.

Feng Yun simply leaned against his mother’s chest without a word, looking unbelievably docile.

Lu Zhixue felt her heart melt just watching him. ’How could any child in the world be so good?’

Seeing it was getting late, Yun Zhao decided to take her son back. Before she left, she looked at Lu Zhixue and said, "When you have a free day, bring Noble Lady Qin to visit me at Yaohua Palace."

Qin Xiaoyin froze.

Lu Zhixue smiled and agreed. "Your Highness should head back. I think the Second Prince looks thirsty."

They had left in a hurry, so Yun Zhao hadn’t brought many supplies. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Seeing that Feng Yun was indeed pursing his lips, she nodded and departed.

Once they were gone, Qin Xiaoyin let out a faint sigh of relief.

Lu Zhixue heard the sigh and laughed. "What are you so afraid of? The Imperial Consort doesn’t bite."

Qin Xiaoyin blushed, unsure of what to say.

"Come on, let’s head back too. What should we have for dinner tonight? We should go see Consort Zhuang. She’s been experimenting with cooking lately, so there’s bound to be something delicious."

Qin Xiaoyin followed behind Lu Fenyi. When she looked up, she saw Du Wanneng and a few other concubines strolling in the distance.

They were chatting and laughing under a sky painted with rosy sunset clouds. ’Days like this aren’t so bad, actually,’ she thought.

Song Yunzhao had just returned to Yaohua Palace when Zhang Maoquan hurried up to her, looking as though he had something to report. She had the wet nurse take Feng Yun to change and get some water, then led Zhang Maoquan into the main hall. "What is it?"