Chapter 59 This day is really not easy

Yunfeng is already twenty-two years old, and it is indeed time for him to get married and start a family.

Zhao Yuanying looked at her tall and handsome eldest son, her eyes full of love and expectation. "Afeng, if you have a girl in mind, just tell me. As long as she is of good character and of suitable family background, I will personally arrange a marriage for you! I also look forward to having grandchildren soon and enjoying the happiness of family life..."

Upon hearing this, Yunfeng's resolute face showed a rare trace of embarrassment. He paused, and said in a low but clear voice, "Mother, there is indeed someone. She is the legitimate daughter of the Chengshan Earl's Mansion, Chen Yingying."

"Chen Yingying?" Yun Zhao was genuinely surprised. "Brother, when did you meet? That Miss Chen... I've met her once."

She thought of the beautiful and serene young girl at the manor, "She seems to have been staying at the manor all this time, claiming to be ill..."

Yunfeng's eyes were filled with tenderness as he spoke frankly, "We met three years ago. She...she lied about being weak and needing to rest to wait for me. She avoided the talent show three years ago and has been staying at the manor outside Beijing ever since."

Yun Zhao suddenly realized!

No wonder that day at the manor, when Chen Yingying learned she was Yun Zhao, she was so incredibly friendly and even avoided the Emperor! So that was the crux of the matter!

"Brother!" Yun Zhao's eyes lit up, and his tone was a little anxious. "Then what are you waiting for? Your father is a duke, and you are a general guarding the border. The Chengshan Marquis's family is a little less prestigious now, so they would be more than happy to have such a marriage! You should come and propose marriage as soon as possible!"

A hint of hesitation flashed across Yunfeng's eyes. He looked out the window, as if he could see the biting sandstorms of the northern border. "But I... eventually have to return to the north to garrison. The north is bitterly cold, and the wind and sand are like knives. How could she, a daughter of a noble and respected baronial family, endure that suffering? I... can't bear to let her suffer with me."

"Brother!" Yun Zhao said seriously, with a hint of heartache and reproach, "You only think about not letting her suffer, but have you ever asked her what she wants? She is willing to wait for you for three years, avoid the draft, and live in the countryside. How can this kind of love be ordinary? You like her, and she also cares about you. Mutual love is a great blessing! You should at least ask her if she is willing to share the good and bad times with you! Don't you even want to give her the opportunity to choose? Respecting her feelings is truly caring for her!"

Zhao Yuanying had been listening carefully, and finally spoke, turning his gaze to Yun Zhao: "A Zhao, now that you've met Miss Chen, what do you think?"

Yun Zhao nodded immediately, her tone sincere, "Mother, that Miss Chen is extremely beautiful and has a calm temperament. She is definitely not a frivolous person. Moreover," she paused, emphasizing, "When His Majesty was assassinated last time, we took refuge in her manor in a desperate situation. She took the risk to take us in. Such courage and responsibility are incomparable to ordinary women! I think she is worthy of my brother!"

After hearing this, Zhao Yuanying smiled with satisfaction and nodded slowly. "If that's the case, then Mother is relieved. Afeng, your sister is right. The girl has been waiting for you for three years, and this love is precious. Go quickly and prepare a generous gift, go to the farm in person to meet her, and ask her about her feelings."

"If she's willing to go to Northern Frontier with you, I won't stop her. I'll treat her like my own daughter. If she has concerns... then respect her choice and don't force it. No matter what, you must be courteous and don't let her down. Don't let these three years of waiting go to waste."

As Yunfeng listened to his mother and sister's words, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes finally disappeared, replaced by a bright light.

A warm feeling and irrepressible excitement welled up in his heart. He bowed solemnly to his mother and said, "I understand, son! Thank you, mother, for your help! Thank you, sister, for your enlightenment!" A bright smile, a rare sight in months, appeared on his face. "Son, I will prepare right away and will definitely live up to your expectations, mother and sister!"

He turned around and walked out with light steps, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden, and even his back exuded vitality.

The sunlight shone through the flowers and trees in the courtyard and danced on his shoulders, as if it was also rejoicing for the upcoming happy event.

Zhao Yuanying looked at his eldest son's departing figure, his eyes filled with a gratified smile. He gently patted Yun Zhao's hand and said, "Good boy, it's all thanks to you."

Yun Zhao snuggled up to his mother, feeling this rare, hopeful and warm moment, and his heart was filled with warmth.

As dusk fell, dozens of palace lanterns were lit in Yanying Hall, illuminating the hall as bright as day, but it could not dispel the invisible oppression in the air.

Xiao Jin buried himself in the mountain of memorials, writing with great speed.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip, his brows furrowed slightly. Suddenly, his voice sounded particularly abrupt in the empty hall: "He hasn't come back yet?"

Zhang Fuan, who was standing by, was slightly startled, then bowed. "Your Majesty, it's still early. The Duke's Mansion is quite a distance from the palace. Yun Shangshi doesn't have a sedan chair, so walking might be a bit slow..." He glanced at the emperor's face and added, "Shall I send someone to the palace gate to welcome him?"

Xiao Jin did not comment, but turned his gaze back to the memorial, but the tip of his pen remained lingering for a long time.

Zhang Fuan quietly retreated outside the palace and whispered urgently to a eunuch, "Hurry up and take the lantern to the palace gate to wait for Yun Shangshi! It's getting dark, don't let Shangshi get lost!"

The eunuch took the order and hurried away carrying a bright glass lantern.

Inside the hall, the palace maid in charge of recording knelt at the foot of the imperial desk, her hand holding the pen trembling slightly.

The emperor had just read a handwritten letter when his face darkened. He asked in a cold voice, "You are the chief secretary, yet your handwriting is so awful? Don't you practice calligraphy?"

The palace maid was so frightened that she kowtowed repeatedly: "I know my crime! I will study hard! I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!" Xiao Jin's eyes swept over the letter - it was the one Yun Zhao had recorded, the handwriting was neat and elegant - he slammed the letter on the table in annoyance, but did not throw it away in the end. He just said in a stern voice: "Get out! Don't be an eyesore here!" The palace maid was as if she had been pardoned, and almost crawled out of the hall.

The hall was dead silent, with only the occasional soft crackling of lamp sparks.

Zhang Fuan stood by with his hands hanging down, his eyes frequently glancing at the darkening night outside the palace. His heart was filled with anxiety: "Mister Yun, please come back soon!" All day long, the emperor disliked everything—the turbid incense, the bitter tea, the stale cakes, the greasy food, and now even the secretary had been expelled for his ugly handwriting...

Without that familiar figure, everything about Yanying Palace seemed to be wrong!

Xiao Jin suddenly threw the red brush in his hand onto the table, making a crisp "pa" sound and splashing a few spots of ink.

He suddenly looked up, a smoldering fire in his eyes. "Where is she?! The time for the palace gates to be locked is almost here! If she's craving the comforts of her mansion and doesn't want to return to this deep palace, just say so! I'll grant her wish! Let her go with her brother who's guarding the border! After all, her skills could be of use to the Northern Frontier!"

Zhang Fuan's heart suddenly jumped!

No! Yun Zhao has always been punctual and keeps his promises. He would never delay without reason!

An ominous premonition instantly gripped the old eunuch.

He could no longer care about anything else and fell to his knees, his voice filled with unprecedented urgency:

"Your Majesty, calm down! This old servant dares to say something. Yun Shangshi is definitely not a negligent person! I'm afraid... I'm afraid something went wrong!"

He raised his head, his cloudy old eyes gleaming with brilliance, and spoke very quickly to point out the key points:

"Empress Yun was promoted to the fifth rank only three months after entering the palace, and is now in charge of the four departments of the Imperial Food Bureau. He is unrivalled!"

"In this deep palace, there are many people who are jealous and see her as a thorn in their side, aren't they?!"

"Your Majesty! I'm afraid someone...can't hold it back any longer!"

The anger on Xiao Jin's face froze instantly and then turned into a terrifying coldness!

He suddenly stood up from the throne, his tall figure casting an oppressive shadow under the lamp. His voice was like ice, filled with thunderous fury: "Where is Wang Gui?!"

"Immediately! Dispatch people!"