The Qixi night was not particularly bright. The moonlight was gentle and pale. Anshun led the way with a lantern in hand, while Song Yunzhao strolled leisurely behind, flanked by Xiang Xue and Qing Feng.
She was silently calculating the time. The Emperor was known for his efficiency. Most of his day was devoted to state affairs, and even his spare moments were spent studying governance. He left very little time for the harem.
Truly the archetype of a diligent male lead. If he didn’t succeed, who would?
So there was no chance he’d dawdle along scenic detours; he would, without a doubt, take the most direct route.
Sure enough, not long after, Yunzhao heard the sharp, practiced call of eunuchs clearing the way. She paused in her tracks. The moment the eunuch saw it was her, he froze, then quickly stepped forward to salute. “This servant greets Jieyu.”
“You may rise,” Song Yunzhao said calmly.
While they exchanged those few words, the imperial procession appeared at the far end of the path. Yunzhao ignored the bowing attendant and stepped forward a few paces before stopping once more.
The eunuch quickly turned back and ran ahead. Yunzhao saw him kneel and report something, surely informing the Emperor that he’d encountered her.
Before long, she saw a familiar figure striding toward her. Yunzhao stood motionless.
Feng Yi walked briskly under the moonlight. As he drew closer and caught sight of the figure waiting quietly in the silver glow, his steps faltered ever so slightly.
In the hazy moonlight, Song Yunzhao’s flowing robes shimmered like stardust. She looked like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.
Feng Yi had always known she was beautiful, but tonight, from head to toe, she was radiant beyond words.
His lips twitched in amusement. Stifling a smile, he stepped closer, eyes lingering on her slender waist. As his gaze drifted higher across her chest, he paused, clearly caught off guard. He even stole a second glance, since something seemed different than usual.
Yunzhao noticed the change in his expression and smiled to herself. So all her efforts hadn’t been in vain. She curtsied gracefully. “Your Majesty, this concubine greets you.”
Feng Yi snapped out of it, giving a light cough to hide his lapse, then stepped forward to help her up. “Beloved, there’s no need for such formality.”
Yunzhao rose with the strength of his offered hand, and as she did, she tilted her face just enough to meet his gaze, her expression lit with the perfect touch of surprise and delight.
That smile dazzled Feng Yi. Under the moonlight, her face framed by cloud-like hair and golden hairpins, she looked more stunning than ever. Especially those eyes, alight like flickering flames.
Was she truly this happy just to see him?
Feng Yi didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he pulled her gently closer, chuckling. “Why are you only just leaving your quarters now?”
“Would Your Majesty prefer the truth or a lie?”
The line rang familiar in his ears. After a beat, he asked with interest, “What’s the lie?”
“This concubine is late, because I wished to be beautiful for the one who delights me.”
“And the truth?”
“This concubine wanted to wait and walk with Your Majesty.”
As she spoke, he unconsciously tightened his grip. Yunzhao playfully wrapped her fingers around his, gently swaying their joined hands. Her wide eyes blinked sweetly up at him. “So, does Your Majesty prefer truth… or lies?”
Feng Yi locked eyes with her. And in that gaze, catching the joy and mischief dancing on her face, he couldn’t help but smile back. “Which one does my beloved wish me to prefer?”
Song Yunzhao appeared bashful, though inwardly she was muttering curses. “Whichever Your Majesty prefers. This concubine dares not presume to decide for you. Oh, the hour’s getting late, we should hurry,” she said breezily.
She gave Feng Yi a gentle tug, and he followed her lead. But as he watched her, though she smiled, something about her didn’t seem as joyful as before.
At that moment, Feng Yi didn’t yet realize that his attention toward Yunzhao had already surpassed his usual boundaries of restraint.
Yunzhao noticed his eyes staying fixed on her but pretended not to. His attention, after all, was better than his indifference. She still couldn’t quite decipher how he intended to define her role, but she had no intention of staying permanently stationed at the bottom rung of palace ranks. She needed to rise.
Which meant tonight, a bit of subtle probing was in order.
Upon reaching the entrance of Qinghua Hall, she deliberately let go of the Emperor’s hand and took half a step back, creating a polite distance between them.
Feng Yi turned to glance at her.
She gave him a calm smile. “Your Majesty, decorum must be observed.”
If she dared walk in beside the Emperor, she’d be buried under memorials from those old ministers by morning.
She was bold, but not reckless.
Feng Yi held her gaze for a beat, then gave a small nod. “Let’s go in.”
Song Yunzhao followed behind him, and even before stepping fully into the hall, she could already hear laughter and conversation drifting from within.
Meng Jiuchang was sharp, he promptly stepped outside the hall and announced loudly, “His Majesty has arrived!”
Song Yunzhao’s mouth twitched. No wonder he’d made it to the rank of Grand Steward.
She had faintly overheard the people inside mentioning her, but with Meng Jiuchang’s booming declaration, there was no chance of eavesdropping now.
He kept his head down and said nothing, but of course, he could feel Jieyu’s gaze landing on him. Still, her displeasure aside, it had to be done, this was a festival day, and no one wanted to provoke the Emperor’s displeasure with drama.
Song Yunzhao followed the Emperor inside, where the three consorts stepped forward to lead the assembled concubines in saluting him.
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”
Their voices rang out in unison, full of decorum and force.
“You may rise,” Feng Yi said.
Everyone offered thanks and stood.
Only then did Yunzhao approach the three consorts to pay her respects. It was in that moment that the others realized she had entered with the Emperor and when their eyes landed on her, expressions shifted ever so slightly.
Yunzhao pretended not to notice. She glanced across the room where there was an array of beauties in full bloom, each more extravagantly dressed than the last.
She scanned the room, quickly locating her seat and making her way to it.
With the Imperial Noble Consort deceased and no Empress in place, not even the three consorts were permitted to sit beside the Emperor.
Yunzhao held a rank just below the three consorts, so her seat was positioned quite close to the front. Across from her sat Consort Wan and Consort Lu. In front of her was Consort Zhuang. In years past, Consort Lu would have taken that prominent spot, but this year her title had been stripped. Though still officially one of the three consorts, without a title, her seating was naturally downgraded.
That left Yunzhao sitting directly across from Consort Lu. On her left was An Fangyi, opposite whom was Qin Xiyue. Further down sat Lu Zhixue, Fan Qingru, Han Jinyi, and Feng Yunjin, all arranged by rank.
With a glance, Yunzhao spotted several unfamiliar faces, likely those demoted after losing in palace struggles alongside the three consorts.
Her gaze briefly met Han Jinyi’s. They exchanged faint smiles before looking away.
Just then, Consort Zhuang spoke: “Your Majesty, in celebration of the Qixi Festival, the musicians have prepared a ‘Skills Showcase’ for your viewing pleasure.”
Yunzhao was a bit surprised. Starting off with the showcase? She distinctly remembered the book had it opening with dance performances.
“But Consort Zhuang,” Consort Wan interjected suddenly, “those skill competitions are old tricks by now. Surely His Majesty must be tired of them. Why not try something fresh for a change?”
Yunzhao instantly perked up. This was unexpected. Were Consort Zhuang and Consort Wan crossing swords already? Had something happened behind the scenes that she hadn’t heard about?
This had all the makings of palace drama.
And she was ready to enjoy the show.
