Free Web NovelChapter 184: Chapter 78: The Emperor Wants to Settle Old Accounts
Song Yunzhao couldn’t recall any specific details about the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, so she decided to take things as they came. She did, however, make a mental note of it.
For the next few days, the palace was calm and tranquil. Even after her promotion to Concubine, Song Yunzhao still had no intention of showing off. She remained in Wangyou Palace, happily engrossed in her storybooks.
She recalled her previous plan and decided to write a few short storybooks—the kind meant for the Emperor.
So, for the next few days, she worked late into the night, rushing to finish two new volumes. She then had Anshun deliver them to Xie Linlang.
The name Bu Guike had now gained some renown in the Capital City. As soon as Yuquan Building announced she had a new story, the restaurant was fully booked.
Zhang Maoquan had been keeping a close watch on this matter. The Emperor had given specific instructions: if Yuquan Building released a new story, it was to be bought and sent to the palace immediately. The moment there was a stir at Yuquan Building, he sent someone over.
The story Song Yunzhao wrote this time was a lighthearted, sweet romance—a rather traditional love story. A young master and a young lady of comparable family background, looks, and talent have a chance encounter on their way to offer incense. The young master falls in love at first sight, and the young lady also develops a fondness for him. The plot primarily revolves around how the young master courts the lady and eventually wins her hand.
The key takeaway: how to court a lady.
After finishing the story, Feng Yi didn’t pay it much mind and casually tossed it aside. ’Something like love is utterly ridiculous,’ he thought. ’Especially within the Royal Family. There’s no such thing as true affection.’
After finishing his memorials, Feng Yi glanced up and saw the storybook he had tossed to the side of his desk. He initially thought to have Zhang Maoquan send it to Wangyou Palace, but then reconsidered, thinking of Song Yunzhao’s temperament, and decided against it.
’What if she actually expects me to follow the script in this book?’
Feng Yi had no time to play games of love with his concubines, so he simply tossed the book into a drawer.
Meng Jiuchang, seeing the Emperor’s foul mood, thought for a moment before stepping forward with a smile. "Your Majesty, the Imperial Etiquette Bureau has prepared a new musical dance. Shall I summon them to provide you with some amusement?"
Feng Yi raised his eyes to look at Meng Jiuchang.
Meng Jiuchang’s smile remained fixed, but a cold sweat began to form in his palms.
"There’s no need." Feng Yi rose and started walking out. ’For Meng Jiuchang to even mention it, the dance must just be a pretext,’ he mused. ’It’s highly likely someone is trying to present a new beauty to me.’
Meng Jiuchang hurried to follow the Emperor out, sighing inwardly with relief. ’Thankfully, the Emperor didn’t press the matter. Now that it’s off the table, I’ll have to return the silver I accepted. What a shame.’
Feng Yi exited Taiji Palace and began to stroll aimlessly along a palace path. The summer palace grounds were abloom with flowers and shaded by lush trees. A breeze scattered petals to the ground, blanketing them in the colors of the evening clouds. From a distance, the view was stunning, but Feng Yi’s expression showed no signs of softening. The forbidding aura in his eyes only seemed to grow stronger.
"Your Majesty, it is getting late. You should head back," Meng Jiuchang said, mustering his courage to step forward and remind him.
Feng Yi didn’t look at him. His gaze fell to the lotus pond before them as he spoke slowly, "Back then, the Highly Noble Princess Consort was at the height of favor, and her son, the Ninth Prince, was also adored by the Emperor, my father. That winter, it was right here that my ninth brother pushed me into this pond. I almost died. It was you who jumped in and pulled me out."
Meng Jiuchang hurriedly spoke, "It was only this servant’s duty. This servant deserves to die for failing to protect you, my lord."
Feng Yi let out a soft chuckle. The sound made a chill run down Meng Jiuchang’s spine, and he bowed his head even lower.
He was the first person assigned to serve the Emperor. ’His Majesty was just a child then, and I wasn’t much older,’ he recalled. ’At the time, the Empress Dowager was consumed with how to regain favor. Although she cared for her son, the Emperor, her thoughts were mostly for herself.’
’The Emperor was thwarted at every turn, and as his attendant, I was frequently targeted as well. That winter was exceptionally cold. Prince Ji sent me away on a pretext and then pushed His Majesty into the pond. Luckily, I hadn’t gone far and, sensing something was wrong, immediately rushed back.’
’I remember it with perfect clarity: Prince Ji stood by the lotus pond, smiling with delight as he watched His Majesty struggle in the water, completely unafraid that His Majesty might drown.’
’I was terrified and immediately jumped in to rescue the Emperor. His Majesty spent the rest of that winter on his sickbed.’
’But Prince Ji was never punished by the former Emperor. In fact, the Highly Noble Princess Consort turned the tables, falsely accusing His Majesty of speaking rudely to Prince Ji, which she claimed was why the boy had "accidentally" pushed him into the pond.’
’Prince Ji got away without a scratch, while His Majesty was sick all winter. The Empress Dowager not only failed to protect him, but she also vented her anger on me for failing in my duties, having me beaten half to death. If it weren’t for His Majesty, I would have lost my life.’
As these memories resurfaced, Meng Jiuchang broke out in a cold sweat. ’Why would the Emperor bring this up all of a sudden?’
