TSNCWEM Chapter 43.2

The reason she remembered that place was because Song Qinghan had once framed the original protagonist there.

Suddenly, sensing a gaze on her, Song Yunzhao turned her head and met Helan Yun’s expressionless big eyes.

She twitched her mouth, realizing she had forgotten that Helan Yun was about the same as her in terms of needlework—just average.

She also expressionlessly withdrew her gaze and continued stitching.

As the sun moved from east to west, Song Yunzhao began to feel hungry, but no one mentioned anything about eating.

She quickened her pace and soon finished her work, feeling quite satisfied with her creation.

Song Yexi looked at Yunzhao in surprise and whispered, “Are you done with your embroidery?”

Song Yunzhao nodded.

Song Yexi craned her neck to take a look, and then… nothing else.

Song Yunzhao maintained her smile.

Song Yexi didn’t know what to say and continued her embroidery.

Song Yunzhao didn’t want to be hungry again today, like she was yesterday. She immediately stood up and respectfully said, “Madam, I’ve finished my embroidery. May I submit it?”

Everyone in Qiushui Pavilion looked up at her. Song Yunzhao remained calm.

The matron in charge was clearly surprised. It was unexpected for a candidate to proactively stand up and submit her embroidery early, but it wasn’t forbidden. So, she had a palace maid take it and said to Song Yunzhao, “You may leave, Young Lady.”

Song Yunzhao quickly nodded and said to Song Yexi, “Sister Yexi, I’ll go ahead.”

Song Yexi, feeling concerned, reminded her, “Don’t wander around; go back early.”

Song Yunzhao cheerfully ran off after responding.

Going back wasn’t an option; she had to eat first.

Seeing that Song Yunzhao had left, Helan Yun sped up her work, wondering why no one had told her she could submit early. If she’d known, she wouldn’t have dawdled.

Song Yunzhao left Qiushui Pavilion and stopped a palace maid with a friendly smile, asking, “Sister, could you tell me where I can have a meal?”

The palace maid paused and respectfully replied with a smile, “Miss, just go through here to the Small Flower Hall where you can eat.”

“Thank you”, Song Yunzhao said and hurried off. The book didn’t mention meals, but she figured the palace wouldn’t let them go hungry, and indeed, there was a place to eat.

The importance of eating is paramount.

She walked through, and indeed saw a flower hall, though it didn’t look small—perhaps the palace’s idea of “small” was different from her imagination.

She crossed the threshold, noticing the place was strangely quiet. Why was there no one around?

Lifting her skirt, Song Yunzhao stepped onto the stone steps, looking around. Had she come to the wrong place?

That couldn’t be right; the palace maid had mentioned a flower hall, and this seemed to be it.

Just as she was about to push the door, she suddenly heard someone shout, “Who is there?”

Startled, Song Yunzhao quickly turned and saw an eunuch hurrying over, looking quite unfriendly.

At this point, Song Yunzhao guessed she might have indeed come to the wrong place, but she didn’t know where she was.

“I’m a candidate participating in the selection. A palace maid told me I could have a meal at the Flower Hall. I’m here to eat,” Song Yunzhao quickly explained, not wanting to be misunderstood.

“Eat?” The man’s expression showed a hint of surprise and oddity.

Song Yunzhao secretly observed his expression and knew she might have guessed correctly. However, she maintained an innocent look. “Yes, isn’t this the place for meals?”

“Let her in.”

Song Yunzhao suddenly heard a familiar voice, thinking her ears were playing tricks. She turned to see the person walking out of the corridor.

Sure enough, it was him, the folding fan gentleman.

Facing Song Yunzhao’s astonished gaze, Feng Yi seemed a bit amused. His eyebrows relaxed, and he said, “What a coincidence, we meet again.”

Song Yunzhao wasn’t foolish. For the folding fan gentleman to appear here, he was definitely no ordinary person. However, judging by his attire, she couldn’t immediately guess his identity. He wore a light blue robe, and except for the intricate embroidery, there was no other indicator of his status.

“It is quite a coincidence,” Song Yunzhao replied dryly.

The eunuch was none other than Zhang Maoquan, who served by Feng Yi’s side. Seeing the emperor so familiar with this girl and greeting her clearly indicated they knew each other, surprising him so much that he couldn’t close his mouth.

Zhang Maoquan’s expression changed, and he immediately put on a full smile, “Miss, please come in.”

He then stepped forward to open the door personally.

Song Yunzhao immediately looked at the folding fan gentleman and said seriously, “I asked a palace maid for a place to eat. She said I could have a meal at the Flower Hall, but I think I might have come to the wrong place.”

Feng Yi showed no change in expression, “There is indeed a flower hall for meals, but there are multiple ones. This one is just a bit secluded, but it’s still usable.”

Song Yunzhao wasn’t really foolish. She had intentionally tested with that statement and realized she had come to the wrong place.

Now, as a candidate for the selection, she couldn’t afford to get a bad reputation. Even though she knew the folding fan gentleman, meeting him privately here was inappropriate. So, she decided to leave immediately.

Although he was handsome, his ability to enter such places and command the inner supervisors indicated that his family had power and influence. What a pity this impressive “cabbage” had no fate with her.

“No need. I’ll go back to find my companions,” Song Yunzhao said seriously. “I didn’t expect to meet you here today. Thank you for your guidance. Farewell.”

Song Yunzhao turned to leave, not even bothering to say they’d meet again.

Destined to have no fate, it was better not to meet again.

“Wait a moment”, Feng Yi was also stunned, not expecting Song Yunzhao to leave so decisively. Her temperament seemed even fiercer than outside the palace.

Song Yunzhao hesitated but stopped and looked back. “Sir, is there anything else?”

“I am tasked with overseeing matters in Jincui Garden. This is my duty, so there’s no need to worry.”

Song Yunzhao felt a bit relieved. So that was it. But being in charge of Jincui Garden showed that this person held some weight in the Emperor’s eyes.

Although Song Yunzhao wasn’t that nervous anymore, she still didn’t want to have any further interactions here. Just as she was about to bid farewell again, she heard him say, “Have someone bring some food. Let this young lady eat before leaving.”

“No need”, Song Yunzhao immediately refused.

Feng Yi looked at Song Yunzhao and said, “This is indeed a place where you can eat. If you go back now, you might not find a seat. It’s better to eat here before you go.”

Song Yunzhao didn’t believe it. The book mentioned that the candidates only submitted their work when the time was up, and there was still half an hour left.

Although she had met the folding fan gentleman a few times, they were just acquaintances, and she didn’t know him well. She wasn’t sure if eating this meal would have any consequences.

“No worries, I’ll wait. Thank you for your kindness. Goodbye”, Song Yunzhao said, bowing slightly. Without waiting for a response, she quickened her pace and ran off.

Feng Yi: …

Zhang Maoquan was stunned by the scene and quickly lowered his head. Was this something he should be witnessing?

The Emperor was actually rejected!

What was more surprising was that the Emperor seemed to have a favored candidate, someone he had known outside the palace. This was indeed shocking news.

After all, their Emperor, for so many years, had never shown much interest in the numerous beauties in the palace.

Zhang Maoquan was so excited he almost shed tears. Was the Emperor finally enlightened? Maybe soon, there would be a little prince.

Feng Yi turned and saw Zhang Maoquan’s foolish expression, finding it very annoying. However, considering his many years of service, he said nothing.

“Your Majesty”, Zhang Maoquan hurriedly followed the emperor, “Shall I go and check on her?”

“Mind your own business.”

Zhang Maoquan: ?

So, do you care or not?

Feng Yi left with large strides, thinking that she was quite the cunning little fox. Too bad she ran off so quickly.

After leaving, Song Yunzhao asked for directions again and got the right place this time. When she went in, she saw a familiar face.

Helan Yun looked at Song Yunzhao suspiciously and asked, “Where did you go? You left before me and got here later?”

Song Yunzhao: …

Are we close?

Don’t you know our relationship?

“I took a wrong turn and circled back,” Song Yunzhao, still shaken by the folding fan gentleman, replied perfunctorily, not in the mood to spar with Helan Yun.

Helan Yun sneered, “You must be really foolish to get lost in just a few steps.”

Song Yunzhao didn’t bother to reply and quickly asked the palace maid for some food.

The palace maid soon brought a meal box, and when Song Yunzhao saw the four dishes and a soup set on the table—shredded chicken and cucumber, pearl tofu, hundred-flower duck tongues, three-flavored meatballs, assorted tofu skin soup, and a bowl of porridge—she thought the meal looked pretty good.

Song Yunzhao was indeed hungry, so she ignored Helan Yun and started eating slowly.

Helan Yun, seeing this, got angry and sarcastically said, “Eating like a starving ghost who was reincarnated, haven’t you eaten anything good before?”

Song Yunzhao: …

Ignore it!

Was this even considered good food?

Song Yunzhao prioritized eating, planning to deal with Helan Yun after she was done. If they argued now and she overturned the table, what would she eat?

Just as she was thinking this, her view was suddenly blocked, and someone sat down opposite her. “Song Yunzhao, I’m talking to you, can’t you hear me?”

Arguing at someone else’s dinner table was just a bit too much. It was really unfair!

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TLs note: The eunuch totally made me LOL. Finally a character that’s funny