Chapter 741: Chapter 518: Every Day, I Love You a Little More Than Yesterday
Perhaps Yun Zhao’s gaze was too forward, as a rare blush crept onto Feng Yi’s face.
Yun Zhao’s smile widened. She walked over, stood on her tiptoes to kiss her son’s cheek, then brushed her lips lightly against Feng Yi’s.
Feng Yi was starting to think his second son was getting in the way.
With one arm holding his son and the other wrapped around Yun Zhao, Feng Yi looked down at her with a smile. "What were you laughing about just now?"
Her laugh was so beautiful, it reached straight into his heart.
Hearing Feng Yi’s question, Song Yunzhao’s face lit up with a pleased expression. "I was laughing at how fortunate I am."
"Oh?" Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao, puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"
"I was just watching Yun’er playing on the rattan mat. He was trying to get the silver bell out of the wooden ball. He tried several times without success, but for such a little child, his gaze was so focused. He wasn’t anxious or impatient at all. Watching him be so serious, I thought, ’What a good child.’ If it were me, I would’ve just thrown the thing away long ago."
Feng Yi was left speechless.
Yun Zhao reached out and gently pinched her son’s little cheek. "Then I thought, what have I ever done to deserve this? To have met the Emperor of this world, who is completely devoted to me. To have given birth to two such precious children. You allow me to open shops and earn my own money, so I have savings and no worries. You’ve promoted my family, allowing me to stand tall.
"Back in my family home, even though my father doted on me, life wasn’t easy. I felt like I was trudging through mud all alone. I was caught in a dilemma, unable to let go of things I couldn’t have, and every step was a struggle, like being fried in hot oil.
"But ever since I met you, my life has soared to the heavens. Every day gets better and more fulfilling. I was just thinking that perhaps all the hardships in the first half of my life were just to lead me to you.
"Feng Yi, I was just thinking... I’m so content with the life I have now. The greatest fortune of my life was meeting you.
"Just the thought of you fills my heart with joy. Every day that passes, I love you a little more than the day before."
Feng Yi gazed at Yun Zhao. Her eyes were shining, and their light seemed to pierce straight into his heart.
He hugged Yun Zhao tightly, his heart overflowing with an affection he couldn’t put into words. Just as he was about to whisper something sweet, his son’s hand slapped him across the face.
Feng Yi...
Song Yunzhao burst out laughing.
Feng Yi heaved a sigh. ’When will this little rascal grow up? Once he’s older, I can just hand him off to his big brother to look after.’
’So he won’t be here getting in my way.’
The evening meal was quite lavish. Noticing that Feng Yi had lost weight, Yun Zhao knew he must have been too busy to eat properly lately.
She served him some soup and placed some food on his plate. Then, she set a bowl of rice porridge in front of Feng Yun, handed him a small silver spoon, tied a small bib around his neck, and let him eat by himself.
Even though they were princes, she insisted they learn to do things for themselves.
At first, the wet nurses were terrified, but they later learned that the Eldest Prince had been raised the same way with the Emperor’s tacit approval. After that, they didn’t dare to question it.
"When Feng Ze was little and just starting to feed himself, he’d get food all over his face and clothes. But look at Feng Yun—aside from his bib and a little around his mouth, he’s perfectly clean. The two boys have such different temperaments. It’s really interesting."
"That’s for the best. The two brothers will complement each other. When Feng Yun grows up, he’ll be able to help his older brother."
If the brothers had personalities that were too similar, they might not get along. But with one so active and the other so calm, they could bring out the best in each other.
Yun Zhao heard the hidden meaning in Feng Yi’s words, but she didn’t press him for details.
Feng Ze was the Eldest Prince. Tradition dictated that the heir should be the son of the Empress or the eldest son. Barring any surprises, Feng Ze would one day become the Crown Prince, which meant Feng Yun was destined to never hold that position.
So, Feng Yi planning different paths for his sons now was also for their own good.
She didn’t meddle in these affairs. What mother would want to see her own two sons at each other’s throats?
The couple chatted and laughed. Once Feng Yun finished eating, a wet nurse came to carry him away.
With just the two of them left to continue their meal, Yun Zhao finally found a moment to ask Feng Yi, "Is the investigation into the military rations going smoothly?"
"Not exactly," Feng Yi said, looking at Yun Zhao. "But I’ve ordered the Three Judicial Departments to conduct a joint investigation. We should have a resolution soon. In a few more days, I’ll be able to spend some real time with you. How about I take you out of the palace to watch the dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival?"
Yun Zhao shook her head. "Let’s not. It’ll be packed with people, and I’m not that interested anyway. If you have the time, why don’t we take a trip outside the Capital City instead? Just the two of us, somewhere quiet and peaceful. Leave in the morning and come back at dusk. That would be much more fun."
"Alright." The smile in Feng Yi’s eyes deepened. ’I knew it. You just want to be alone with me.’ "Both Ji Yunting and your cousin were involved in the military rations case last year. I’m planning to send them to the border city again for this. What do you think?"
"Won’t that be too conspicuous?"
"That’s why I’m including Ji Yunting."
Song Yunzhao blinked. ’So Ji Yunting is just there for cover.’
’Ah, the perfect second male lead from the book. The tragic, unattainable love everyone roots for.’
’With Ji Yunting and Song Buran together, the Left Minister’s hands will be tied.’
"Of course. You should make the decision, Your Majesty. As long as it benefits you, it’s a good plan. My cousin may be young, but he is quite decisive. Since you value him so highly, he will naturally do everything in his power to resolve this case and ease Your Majesty’s burdens." When it came to building up her cousin’s reputation, Song Yunzhao never held back.
’In this generation of the Song Family, Song Buran is the most capable, the most resilient, and the most promising. Whether for her own sake or for her sons’, Yun Zhao naturally had to support him.’
’Having such a capable cousin was a stroke of luck others could only envy.’
’So many noble families had no worthy successors, a truly lamentable fate.’
’The Capital City was full of aristocrats and prestigious families, but only a handful ever managed to rise to prominence. Why?’
’Talent.’
’A family’s prestige is the foundation, but the talent and ability of its descendants are what truly matter.’
This was what Feng Yi loved about Yun Zhao. She believed in promoting the worthy, even if they were family. Whenever he elevated the Song Family, she didn’t just offer blind praise. First, she would assess whether the move would negatively impact him as the Emperor, and only then would she consider the benefits for her family.
In Yun Zhao’s heart, he always came first.
After dinner, Feng Yi, for once, didn’t pull Yun Zhao straight to the bedchamber. Instead, he led her out of Yaohua Palace, and they ambled slowly along the palace path toward the Imperial Garden.
Meng Jiuchang had servants clear the path ahead, personally carrying a lantern to light the way, while a retinue of other eunuchs followed behind.
Seeing such a large entourage, Song Yunzhao said with a laugh, "It’s just the two of us taking a walk in the garden. Tell them all to go back."
Feng Yi knew Yun Zhao found them intrusive, so he dismissed them.
Of course, Meng Jiuchang didn’t dare to actually disappear. He could only follow from a great distance.
Yaohua Palace opened up to the eastern section of the Imperial Garden, which had just been renovated this year. Across from it stood Lu Zhixue’s Yihua Palace, with Han Jinyi’s Liu Hua Palace behind it and Princess Consort Wan’s Roufu Palace in front. To the west lay the uninhabited Changle Palace, the residence meant for the Empress.
Precisely because the surrounding palaces were all occupied by familiar figures, Yun Zhao now often let the nurses, palace maids, and eunuchs bring Feng Yun out to play here.
Now, they walked hand in hand along the silent palace path. In the distance, palace lanterns cast a hazy yellow glow. Beneath the night sky, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world.
Song Yunzhao suddenly stopped and stared toward her left. "Who’s there?" she called out sharply.