readytorunbook Chapter 266 Entering the Palace to See the Queen Mother
Chapter 266 Entering the Palace to See the Queen Mother
Looking at the table full of delicious-looking and fragrant delicacies, Zhai Yun's mouth watered.
She hasn't had a proper meal in a long time.
Zhai Yun couldn't wait any longer. She picked up her favorite beggar's chicken leg and started gnawing on it while searching for Feng Chenyi's whereabouts in the room.
Feng Chenyi arrived slowly from outside. As soon as his tall and slender figure appeared at the door, Zhai Yun saw him. Zhai Yun swallowed the beggar's chicken that she hadn't chewed properly, patted her chest which felt choked and uncomfortable, and murmured, "Brother Yi, come and eat quickly."
Looking at Zhai Yun, Feng Chenyi's solemn expression instantly melted into tenderness, and he smiled, saying, "Eat slowly."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and handed the water to Zhai Yun, holding the bottom of the cup as he watched her slowly drink it.
The feeling of food stuck in her chest had barely subsided when Zhai Yun eagerly threw herself into Feng Chenyi's arms, wriggling and acting coquettishly, "Brother Yi, where did you go?"
Feng Chenyi hugged Zhai Yun back, affectionately ruffling the stray hairs on her head, "I went to check on the gifts prepared for the Empress Dowager."
Qi Nuo, who had just stepped inside, saw this scene and was completely taken aback. She turned around and pushed Sheng Er out. Sheng Er, unaware of what had happened inside, saw Qi Nuo's gossipy expression and curiously craned his neck to look inside.
Zhai Yun peeked out from Feng Chenyi's embrace and looked up at him: "A gift from the Empress Dowager?"
Feng Chenyi gently helped Zhai Yun sit down on the stool and patiently explained, "Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager's birthday, so I prepared a gift for her. You will come to the palace with me tomorrow."
Upon hearing that it was the Empress Dowager's birthday, Zhai Yun became excited, "What have you prepared? Why don't you bring out the newest glass wall lamps from Wujin Kingdom, along with century-old mulberry silk, top-grade snow lotus, and the magnificent landscape painting of ten thousand miles of silvery brocade!"
Zhai Yun remembered Feng Chenyi's kindness to the Empress Dowager. There weren't many people who were good to them, so when it came to giving gifts, they naturally wanted to give the best.
Feng Chenyi looked at the excited Zhai Yun, his face full of undisguised smiles. She seemed even happier than he was celebrating his own birthday. Feng Chenyi reassured Zhai Yun, "These are all too eye-catching. I've already prepared the gift, so don't worry."
Zhai Yun deflated instantly. Yes, those were all too conspicuous. They clearly possessed many valuable items that the world would fight over, but to avoid attracting attention, they had to leave them in a corner.
Seeing that Zhai Yun was a little unhappy, Feng Chenyi pulled her onto his lap and sat her down. He hugged her and held her hand, saying, "Yun'er, I'm sorry you've suffered with me. Don't worry, this miserable life won't last much longer."
After saying that, Feng Chenyi stretched out a finger and breathed on it, remembering that when he was a child, Feng Chenyi had done the same thing to make him happy.
As a result, Zhai Yun was tickled so much that she couldn't breathe and eventually had no choice but to beg for mercy.
Zhai Yun, feeling ashamed and frightened, broke free from his embrace and tried to escape, but Feng Chenyi was still determined to tickle her. Zhai Yun had no choice but to run around the table to avoid him.
At this moment, Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi seemed to have returned to the scene of playing and frolicking in their childhood. They chased each other happily, and in the end, Feng Chenyi caught up with Zhai Yun. However, this time Feng Chenyi did not make a move. Instead, he held Zhai Yun, who kept begging for mercy, and laughed heartily.
Qi Nuo and Sheng Er stood at the door, covering their mouths and chuckling. It seemed like the Prince Rui's mansion hadn't been this lively in a long time. Sure enough, no one was disturbing the Prince and the young master's daily life, and the young master and the Prince were both very happy.
On the Empress Dowager's birthday, the palace was busy from early morning. Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi got up very early. Zhai Yun helped Feng Chenyi put on his court robes neatly. Feng Chenyi saw the jade pendant that Zhai Yun had left aside, picked it up and wanted to hang it on Zhai Yun's waist.
Zhai Yun felt the jade pendant, which symbolized Feng Chenyi's identity, was burning hot in her hands. She stopped Feng Chenyi, saying, "No, there are too many people around today. Those people will be very unhappy if they see it."
The first person to be unhappy was Emperor Xing'an. When the other ministers saw the jade pendant on Zhai Yun's waist, they had no choice but to treat her as Feng Chenyi, even though they wouldn't say it.
She would curse Feng Chenyi hundreds of times in her heart.
Feng Chenyi gently pushed away Zhai Yun's hand that was blocking his way, and said softly as he tied her clothes, "Don't worry about them." He wanted those people to know that Zhai Yun was his person, and not someone anyone could bully.
As they left Prince Rui's residence, Lu Tian'er and her personal maid stood anxiously at the gate. Ever since Prince Rui divorced Lu Tian'er, rumors about her had been circulating throughout the capital.
She hasn't dared to leave the house lately. In the past, she could steal the spotlight at all kinds of banquets hosted by high-society families, but now she doesn't dare to go. At those banquets, she's become the subject of ridicule and gossip.
She saw Feng Chenyi excitedly approaching her. This was her last chance. Her aunt, the Empress, said that as long as she attended the Empress Dowager's banquet with Prince Rui today, the rumors would be dispelled.
As always, Lu Tian'er tried to grab Feng Chenyi's sleeve and act coquettishly as soon as she arrived. This time, she clearly encountered many obstacles. Before she could even get close to Feng Chenyi, Qi Nuo and Sheng Er stopped her.
Lu Tian'er felt extremely wronged and began to sob, "Your Highness, you've been angry with me for so long. Even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness. Your Highness, you can't treat me like this!"
Feng Chenyi had finally managed to get rid of her and didn't want to pay any attention to her. He glanced at Zhai Yun and strode into the carriage.
Looking at her, Zhai Yun felt a pang of sorrow. Although Brother Yi had never touched her and she was still a virgin, who would listen to her explanation? Married women, even if they weren't drowned by gossip, would be tormented to death by societal norms.
Seeing that Zhai Yun was still standing still, Feng Chenyi waited on the carriage for a while.
Upon entering the palace, Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi first went to Shou'an Palace to pay their respects. Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday, so it was only natural for Feng Chenyi to visit her.
Many people were already seated in the Empress Dowager's palace. Zhai Yun was not qualified to see the Empress Dowager, but Feng Chenyi protected her, and no one else could do anything about it.
After kneeling and kowtowing three times, the Empress Dowager stared at Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi for a long time. When the Empress and other concubines saw Feng Chenyi bring Zhai Yun, their voices rose and fell.
Before the Empress Dowager could call Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi to stand up, she heard the noisy discussions below and rubbed her forehead. Su Jin, who was beside her, immediately understood and stepped forward: "The Empress Dowager is tired. All the ladies, please step down first. The Empress Dowager needs to rest."
Looking at the old woman who had been with her for half her life, Zhai Yun felt an indescribable sense of warmth and trust.
Everyone else withdrew, but Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi remained kneeling on the ground without permission. The Empress Dowager glanced at the Shou'an Palace, which had finally found some peace, and then gently looked at Feng Chenyi and Zhai Yun with her powerless eyes.
His gaze lingered on the jade pendant hanging from Zhai Yun's waist for a long time. "Get up," the Empress Dowager's weak voice rang out.
Zhai Yun and Feng Chenyi stood up, and the Empress Dowager beckoned to them: "Come here, let me take a closer look."