Free Web NovelChapter 152: Chapter 68: Song Yunzhao’s Silk Cave
Then he thought of the recent memorials impeaching the Song Family Brothers. Fortunately for her, Song Yunzhao’s father held an unimportant post. Her uncle, however, was not so lucky. The Salt Transporting and Supervision Bureau was a contentious place, and countless people were desperate to get in.
Feng Yi’s gaze sharpened. ’I’ve been ruling personally for five years, yet these old fools still think they can manipulate me. Heh.’
Meng Jiuchang and Zhang Maoquan watched, stunned, as His Majesty stared blankly into space. The two instinctively exchanged a look before quickly looking away from each other.
The Director of the Sleeping Bureau grew anxious, his hand holding the tray starting to tremble. He could only grit his teeth and endure.
"Your Majesty..." Meng Jiuchang began softly.
Feng Yi snapped out of his daze. His gaze fell upon Song Yunzhao’s tooth card, and he pointed at it.
Zhang Maoquan was overjoyed but dared not show the slightest hint of it in front of Meng Jiuchang. Maintaining a neutral expression, he said, "I will deliver the imperial decree at once."
Feng Yi gave a slight nod.
Meng Jiuchang stared hard at Zhang Maoquan for a moment before finally looking away.
When the decree arrived at Wangyou Palace, the entire household immediately began preparing in a flurry of joy. Facing Zhang Maoquan, who had delivered the news, Song Yunzhao put on a perfectly calibrated expression of shock and delight, and even had someone reward him with Silver.
Zhang Maoquan offered a few auspicious phrases before hurrying back to report to the Emperor.
Xiangxue rushed her mistress to the vanity, arranging the prepared jewelry in her hair. Shizhu brought over the selected gown to help her change. Meanwhile, Nanny Yu led the staff in tidying the hall, both inside and out, making sure everything was spotless and perfectly arranged. Even the incense burner was filled with a fresh fragrance.
Watching everyone bustling about, Song Yunzhao let out a long, internal sigh of relief.
’I suspected there was a high chance he’d choose me, but I wasn’t a hundred percent certain. Still, I was confident that my confrontation with the others in the Imperial Garden a few days ago would score me some points. It seems I was right.’
As the sky slowly darkened, a eunuch’s loud announcement finally rang out from outside, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Song Yunzhao immediately led her palace attendants out to receive him. Standing outside the hall entrance, she curtsied. But before she could even offer the customary auspicious greeting, she looked up and froze.
’Oh, my poor heart!’
The Emperor arrived under the moonlight, dressed in a smoky-blue robe. With every unhurried step, the golden dragon embroidered on it shimmered, its threads catching the faint light. The night breeze gently billowed his clothes. In the quiet, moonlit night, each footfall seemed to land directly on Yun Zhao’s chest, matching the frantic beat of her heart.
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
’That damn Emperor definitely dressed up on purpose!’
Song Yunzhao’s dumbstruck expression clearly delighted Feng Yi. He smiled and said, "My dear concubine, there is no need for such ceremony. You may rise."
Song Yunzhao was speechless once again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." For once, Song Yunzhao blushed. ’So embarrassing,’ she thought.
As the Emperor followed her into the inner hall, he finally got a good look at her. Outside, with the light behind her, he hadn’t been able to see her face clearly. Now, her meticulously prepared appearance was on full display.
She was already a natural beauty, with dark, sparkling eyes. The blush lingering on her cheeks from their earlier exchange only made her more stunning. The faint hint of red at the corners of her eyes, in particular, was so alluring it made one want to reach out and touch her.
Feng Yi clasped his hands behind his back. As his gaze met Song Yunzhao’s clear, bright eyes, he suddenly felt a wave of unease.
Song Yunzhao quickly composed herself. ’Well, since I’ve already made a fool of myself, I might as well use it.’ She decided to lean into the role. A calculated mix of thirty percent coyness and seventy percent nervousness. The blush on her face was a timely bonus, perfectly setting the stage for her performance tonight.
To Feng Yi, Song Yunzhao’s eyes now seemed to be filled with shattered starlight, brilliant and dazzling. Combined with her already exceptional beauty, the effect was breathtaking. And yet, mixed in with that beauty was a girlish innocence and coyness.
This was not the Song Yunzhao that Feng Yi knew. The one he knew was sharp and thorny, always ready to prick anyone who got too close.
This Song Yunzhao, the one before him now, was soft and limpid. Feng Yi felt a pang of regret. ’I shouldn’t have come.’
But if he left now, how would Song Yunzhao ever secure her footing in the palace?
Song Yunzhao observed Feng Yi’s expression, her mind racing. ’Something’s not right with his look. He really is the fastidious emperor from the book. Is he thinking of backing out?’
’Did I perform too well and scare him away?’
’That won’t do at all.’
’Once he’s entered my Silk Cave, the Emperor can forget about getting out unscathed.’
Maintaining a bashful expression, Song Yunzhao walked right up to the Emperor. She tilted her head up, her jade-like face flushed a delicate pink. Her dewy eyes, soft and shimmering, gazed intently at the man before her.
