Chapter 58 Return before the palace gates are locked
She maintained composure, lowered her eyelashes, and spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, last night there was a thunderstorm. I was awakened by the thunder in the side hall. Worried about Your Majesty's health, I ventured to the main hall to check on you. Seeing Your Majesty sleeping soundly, I... I was so sleepy that I actually fell asleep on the couch. I have entered the main hall without permission and disturbed Your Majesty. I deserve death. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
She cleverly avoided the core issue and shifted the focus to her own "improper behavior".
Xiao Jin's gaze lingered on her lowered face for a moment, and the corners of his mouth curled up in an ambiguous arc: "Oh? You mean... you're worried that I'm afraid of thunder, so you came here to protect me?"
Yun Zhao was furiously complaining in his heart: [Tsk! Isn't it true? The way he looked last night, he was only one step away from peeing his pants!]
His face was solemn, and his words were earnest: "Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, and your might shakes the world. The might of thunder is not as great as the might of heaven. How could you be afraid of a mere thunderclap? I am foolish, and I am worried that Your Majesty will be affected by the night cold, so I have acted in an unruly way."
Xiao Jin listened to her high-sounding "divine power" and then listened to her ruthless "scared to death" in her heart, and an indescribable depression was stuck in his chest.
He looked at her deeply, his eyes were complicated and difficult to read, and finally turned into an almost inaudible cold snort. He closed his eyes again, but the air pressure around him obviously dropped.
She treated him as just "Your Majesty" after all.
This realization instantly cooled the warmth that had just risen from her presence by his side.
Inside the chariot, all that was left was the monotonous sound of the wheels rolling over the wet palace road, and the invisible yet increasingly clear gap between the two people.
The warmth of the Zichen Palace was completely blown away by the cold wind outside the Xuanwu Gate.
Yun Zhao wrapped himself tightly in the old cloak that smelled of agarwood, standing behind a line of guards and under the shadow of the emperor's majesty, and could only gaze from afar.
My father Yun Chongshan's figure appeared particularly tall and straight in front of the solemn and murderous military formation.
He was forty-two years old, the prime age for a military general. His black armor reflected the light of the sky, and his awe-inspiring aura soared into the sky.
Behind him was the iron-blooded army that was about to rush to Jingxiang to quell the rebellion. It was solemn and silent, with only the battle flags making dull fluttering sounds in the wind.
Xiao Jin lifted the golden cup, his voice piercing the whistling cold wind, carrying the heroic spirit and unquestionable expectations of an emperor, inspiring the entire army. Each word resonated, yet it struck Yun Zhao like a cold stone in the heart.
The army's marching horn sounded, and the heavy footsteps rolled across the earth like thunder, raising smoke and dust.
She could only watch her father climb onto the horse, and the familiar, mountain-like figure merged into the rolling iron stream, gradually moving farther and farther away, and finally disappearing at the end of the official road.
The tragic scene of the family being torn apart and people dying in the previous life flashed through his mind uncontrollably. At this moment, his father put on his armor again. Will the future be good or bad?
A great sense of uncertainty gripped her.
Civil and military officials bowed to see him off, and the atmosphere was solemn.
Xiao Jin turned around and prepared to return to Yanying Palace to discuss matters.
Yun Zhao lowered his head and followed silently at the end of the team, feeling heavy in his heart.
Suddenly, Xiao Jin's voice came clearly, breaking the silence of the queue:
"Yun Zhao."
"Your mother and brother are still waiting outside. I authorize you to escort them back to the palace. Return and report before the palace gates are locked."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's attention instantly focused! The emperor was so considerate of his subjects' families! Several old ministers stroked their beards and nodded, praising in a low voice: "Your Majesty is benevolent!"
Yun Zhao sneered in his heart: [What a 'benevolent' thing! It's just a whitewashing trick for others to see!]
He did not dare to be negligent, but stepped forward quickly and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" His voice was filled with just the right amount of gratitude.
She turned quickly and trotted through the crowd almost excitedly. Even her heavy cloak could not hide her eagerness and joy.
Xiao Jin sat in the sedan chair, his eyes looking through the gap in the curtains, just in time to catch the moment when she was almost jumping for joy as she ran towards her family.
The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, then he returned to his stern expression.
"Ah Zhao!" Yunfeng, with his sharp eyes, was the first to spot his sister running towards him. Surprised, he went up to her and shook her hand. "Why are you here? Will His Majesty let you go?"
Yun Zhao panted, smiling brightly: "Your Majesty, please be merciful and let me take you back to the palace. Just go back before the palace gates are locked. My father is going to the war, and he has to pretend to do something to appease his subjects!" She lowered her voice with a hint of cunning.
Her mother, Zhao Yuanying, immediately patted her arm in a scolding tone and whispered, "Be careful with your words! Thunder and rain are all grace from the emperor. This is Your Majesty's kindness and compassion! You have such a bad temper, and you can't control yourself in the palace!"
Yun Zhao stuck out her tongue, took her mother's arm, and nuzzled it affectionately. "I know, mother! I admit my mistake! I only dare to say this in front of you and brother. Outside of the house, I won't dare say a word!"
"Sister!" Yun Feng, the little brother who had always been ignored, squeezed to the front in dissatisfaction, looking up, "You didn't even see me!"
Yun Zhao laughed and quickly squatted down, rubbing his brother's furry head. "How could I not see my most handsome little Afeng? How is school going lately? Is anyone bullying you?"
Yun Feng immediately puffed out his chest, his face beaming with pride. "Great! They all know that my elder sister is the most powerful female official by His Majesty's side! She's so polite to me!" He clenched his fists, his eyes sparkling. "When I grow up, I want to be a high-ranking official by His Majesty's side! Even more powerful than my elder sister! Let's see who dares to look down on us!"
"You have ambition!" Yun Zhao smiled and pinched his cheek, her eyes gentle and encouraging. "Remember what I said, children of our Yun family don't cause trouble, but they're not afraid of it either! If someone is so blind as to dare to bully you, tell me, and I'll be the first to get it back for you!"
Returning to the familiar Duke's Mansion, the moment the door closed, it seemed as if I was isolated from the wind and frost of the outside world.
The charcoal fire in the hall was burning brightly, driving away the autumn chill. The family was reunited for a rare occasion, filled with joy and temporarily forgetting the sadness of separation and the intrigues of the court.
While Yun Feng was being taken away by the nanny to eat some snacks, only his mother, brother, and himself were left in the hall. Yun Zhao suppressed his smile, his expression became serious, and he lowered his voice and said:
"Brother, there is something I need to tell you in advance."
Yunfeng and Zhao Yuanying looked over immediately.
"After the palace banquet last night, His Majesty privately mentioned... his intention to grant you a marriage."
Yunfeng was slightly stunned.
Yun Zhao continued, "The candidate is the granddaughter of Yu Ge Lao who has just been rehabilitated and returned to the capital. His Majesty said that she is 'well-matched and gentle', but this matter will be put on the agenda sooner or later. Brother,"
She looked at her brother earnestly, "If you have someone you like, or a family you're interested in, you must make plans and arrange a marriage as soon as possible to avoid being passive later."
She paused, her brows furrowed slightly, a trace of worry in her eyes. "We've never met this Miss Yu before. Lord Yu was deposed many years ago, and his granddaughter must have grown up in the countryside. Her character and upbringing are completely unknown. Your Majesty, while this marriage is a gesture of favor, it... ultimately affects my brother's life, so caution is advised."
The hall fell silent for a moment, the charcoal fire crackling.
Yunfeng's eyes were calm, his fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the teacup, obviously digesting this sudden information.
Arranged marriage can be both an honor and a shackle.
The unknown nature of Miss Yu casts an elusive shadow over this possible marriage.
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