Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 78: The Emperor Wants to Rake Up the Past
"You just said that things are different between you and me. What’s so different? Tell me," Feng Yi said, sitting across from Song Yunzhao and enunciating each word as he looked at her.
The smile on Song Yunzhao’s face froze. ’Alright, just as I’d expect from the Emperor. He really knows how to get to the point.’
"I want the truth." Feng Yi saw Song Yunzhao’s eyes darting about and knew she was trying to come up with a way to fool him.
Song Yunzhao could no longer maintain her smile. Her mind was racing, practically smoking from the effort, but she spoke with a hint of complaint, "How can you expect me to answer that?"
"Didn’t I tell you to speak the truth?"
Song Yunzhao put on an expression of utter despair and looked up at the Emperor. "Do you want me to start from that time at the Three Yuan Building, when I had my hands on my hips, ready to take on the world? Or should I recount my narrow escape at the Yuquan Building? I was just thinking... Your Majesty has seen me at the two most embarrassing moments of my life. What dignity do I have left in front of you? Despite all that, you’re still willing to protect and dote on me. So of course, what we have is different from what you have with others. Isn’t that right?"
Hearing Song Yunzhao’s explanation, Feng Yi was surprised to find himself thinking she had a point.
Every woman in the harem put on a prim and proper act in his presence, wearing one face in public and another in private. But with Song Yunzhao, he had already seen her true colors before she even entered the palace.
With this thought, the sullen mood that had plagued Feng Yi all day lifted slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. "You certainly know how to flatter yourself."
"Of course. I must have some outstanding qualities, otherwise how could I have possibly caught the Emperor’s eye? Though I’m not entirely sure what those qualities are myself." A wide, proud smile spread across Song Yunzhao’s face, but inwardly she let out a small sigh of relief. ’I guess I passed that test.’
’I wonder what upset the Emperor. He’s just coming here to take it out on me. How rude. So rude.’
"What have you been busy with these past few days?" Feng Yi asked, looking at Song Yunzhao.
’I wonder if the Emperor has read the story I wrote,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’From the looks of it, he probably hasn’t. Anyone who’d read it wouldn’t be questioning me like I’m a criminal.’
"Oh, nothing much," Song Yunzhao said. ’I haven’t figured out what he’s getting at, so I can’t just say anything. It’s better to play it safe.’
Feng Yi knew her words were a half-truth, but he had no intention of pressing the matter. Instead, he said, "Back during the selection ceremony, I knew you didn’t want to remain in the palace."
Song Yunzhao was startled. ’What’s gotten into the Emperor today? Is he trying to dig up old dirt?’
’Is that something you can just bring up?’
’Of course not!’
Alarm bells went off in Song Yunzhao’s mind, but she managed to show just the right amount of embarrassment on her face. "We’ve already talked about this, Your Majesty, there’s no need to bring it up again. It just goes to show my skills aren’t refined enough to hide anything from your discerning eyes."
Feng Yi scoffed. Even if she was flattering him, it was still the truth.
Song Yunzhao felt like her brain was about to go on strike. She put on a serious expression and started to spin her story. "Your Majesty, you’re being a bit unreasonable now. I’m just self-aware. With a personality like mine, if I entered the palace with no one to protect me, I’d probably be reporting to King Yama before long."
Feng Yi looked at her. "Not necessarily."
With a look of utmost sincerity, Song Yunzhao began, "Ever since I was little, I was never favored at home. My own mother, older sister, and even my younger brother treated me like an enemy. Only my father protected me. But he had official duties and couldn’t always keep an eye on the affairs of the inner residence. I suffered a great deal in my early years. How do you think I developed this personality? If I didn’t fight for myself, if I wasn’t a little tougher, I wouldn’t have even survived at home."
Feng Yi frowned slightly at this. "Early years?"
Song Yunzhao wasn’t eager to reminisce. She had arrived in this world as an infant, unfamiliar with its ancient customs and etiquette. She had been too small then, unable to speak or walk. Even when she grew a little older, she was still just a child, and no one believed what she said. Before the age of five, she had truly suffered a great deal.
Feng Yi noticed her somber expression and was about to speak when Song Yunzhao continued, "Yes. Your Majesty might not believe this, but I started forming memories very early on. Even now, I can clearly recall things that happened when I was three. Back then, my mother despised me and took out her anger on me because I wasn’t a son. I remember every single word she said. She thought I was too young to remember, but I understood it all."
"Because she disliked me, my wet nurse neglected me terribly. I often didn’t have enough to eat, which is why I was always so skinny as a child. But they told my father I was just a picky and willful eater who refused her food. My father even scolded me harshly for it once."
