Chapter 266 - Chapter 266: The Empress’ Invitation
Chapter 266: The Empress’ Invitation
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yu Yunxi’s eyes glinted coldly as she said, “Alright, I understand.”
“Also, Princess Consort, the imperial palace just sent a letter saying there’ll be a banquet for the Imperial Preceptor tonight. The Empress Dowager wants you to attend the banquet,” Qian Jiao said.
‘Attend the banquet? This means that I’ll meet the Imperial Preceptor tonight..
Five years ago, Yu Yunxi did not have the ability to fight against the Imperial Preceptor. Now, she was no longer frightened, and she wanted to see what the Imperial Preceptor was up to.
At this moment, a soft voice called out, “Mother.’
Yu Yunxi looked up and saw the little bun running toward her with his short legs. She quickly reached for him and picked him up. She asked softly, “Junjin, did you read today?”
After Yu Junjin learned to read, Yu Yunxi began to assign him a book to read every day.
“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ve already finished reading the book,” the little bun said proudly as he patted his chest. Then, he looked at Yu Yunxi with a yearning and expectant expression as he asked, “By the way, Mother, I heard that you and Father are going to attend a banquet tonight? Can I come along?”
After all, the little bun had never attended a banquet in the imperial palace before.
Seeing the expectation on the little bun’s face, Yu Yunxi thought about it for a moment before agreeing. She said, “Alright, you can come with us tonight.
However, you must stay by our side, understand?”
“Yes, I understand, Mother,” the little bun said excitedly, clapping his hands.
Seeing how happy the little bun was, the corners of Yu Yunxi’s lips could not help but curl up into a smile. However, in the next moment, she yawned, feeling exhausted.
“Mother, are you tired?” the little bun asked worriedly.
“A little. I don’t know why, but I get tired and sleepy easily recently. I guess I’ve been too busy. I’ll rest well after tonight’s matter is over,” Yu Yunxi said, patiently comforting the little bun.
“Alright! Mother, this is for you,” the little bun said. At the same time, he hung a little wooden tiger around her neck.
“This is…” Yu Yunxi lowered her head and looked at the little tiger carved from wood with a puzzled expression on her face.
“Previously, during our journey back to the capital from Xinan, we saw a wooden carving like this, and you said you liked it a lot. At that time, I said that I’ll learn how to carve from Brother Qian Ji and that I’ll carve Little White for you,” the little bun explained seriously.
Yu Yunxi looked confused upon hearing this. She asked in a strange tone, “Junjin, did I really say that?”
The little bun frowned, looking sad. “Mother, you, you don’t remember?”
At this moment, Qian Jiao stepped forward and said, “Princess Consort, are you alright? I remember that you did say that to the little prince…”
“Mother, you…”
Yu Yunxi let out a light laugh and freed one hand to rub the little bun’s head before she gently said, “Silly boy. Mother was just joking with you. Of course, I remember. I like the little tiger very much. Thank you.”
The little bun giggled when he heard her words. “I knew it. It’s impossible for you to forget such a thing…”
Following that, the little bun’s stomach growled.
“You must be hungry,” Yu Yunxi said as she put the little bun down. Then, she said to Qian Jiao softly, “Qian Jiao, bring Junjin to eat…
“Yes, Princess Consort.”
As Yu Yunxi watched Qian Jiao lead the little bun away, her eyes gradually dimmed. She had lied to the little bun and Qian Jiao; she had no memory of that at all.
‘What the hell is going on?’
At night.
Two carriages pulled up in front of the residence, and Luo Xiuran alighted from the carriage in front.
“Yunxi, Yili asked me to bring you and Junjin into the palace.”
Hearing the commotion, Yu Yunxi held the little bun’s hand and walked out.
They were dressed appropriately; their clothes were neither ostentatious nor
simple. After all, they did not know what danger they had to face tonight so it was better to keep a low profile. However, as soon as they appeared, the surroundings seemed to dim in comparison. The little bun, in particular, looked very eye-catching. His face resembled that of Feng Yili so greatly that Luo Xiuran felt a slight sense of oppression when he looked at the little bun.
“Where’s the Prince Regent?” Yu Yunxi asked in a low voice.
Luo Xiuran scoffed before he said through gritted teeth, “The Emperor ordered him to reorganize the imperial army before the banquet begins because it’s supposedly not safe in the capital.”
Luo Xiuran felt that the Emperor had taken advantage of the Imperial Preceptor’s return and had deliberately sent Feng Yili away. After a moment, he reminded solemnly, “Yunxi, Yili has arranged everything. Jiang Ying, Jiang
Chuan, and the others are all in the palace. You and Junjin can rest assured. However, Yili also asked me to remind you to be careful tonight.” After all, the Imperial Preceptor was not a kind person.
Yu Yunxi’s expression also turned solemn as she nodded. “Alright, I understand.”
Soon enough, Yu Yunxi and the others arrived at the imperial palace.
There were already many ministers and their families gathered at the entrance of Fuyang Hall. They saw Yu Yunxi and the little bun coming down from the carriage, and when they saw the little bun’s face, they were shocked. They had long heard that a young heir had suddenly appeared in the Prince Regent’s Residence. Initially, they did not take it seriously, but it was different now that they saw the little bun who resembled Feng Yili greatly.
A few of them reacted first and quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Princess Regent, Little Prince.”
“There’s no need to be so polite,” Yu Yunxi said with a slight nod. Faced with so many people, she was not flustered at all.
At this moment, a few palace maids walked over, and one of them said respectfully, “Princess Regent, Her Majesty the Empress requests an audience with you.”
‘The Empress?’
Yu Yunxi’s eyes glinted coldly. Previously, the Empress had wanted to meet with her several times, but she was not bothered. However, after listening to
Yu Zhongcheng’s words at the Yu Residence, she wanted to meet the Empress.
After all, they did not know if the Empress had set up a trap.
When the ministers heard Luo Xiuran’s words, they hurriedly lowered their heads and pretended like they did not hear him. However, the truth was all of their ears were pricked up at this moment. They had long heard that the Prince Regent did not have a good relationship with the Empress, but they had no idea it was to this extent.
“Luo Xiuran, help me to look after Junjin. I’ll go to Fengyi Palace,” Yu Yunxi said calmly.
“But…” Luo Xiuran frowned. He wanted to protest, but when he saw Yu Yunxi’s determined gaze, he quickly nodded and said, “Okay, don’t worry. I’ll look after
Junjin.”
The little bun also nodded obediently to reassure Yu Yunxi.
“Let’s go,” Yu Yunxi said to the palace maid.
“Yes, Princess Regent,” the palace maid replied.
Inwardly, all the palace maids sighed in relief. They assumed that Yu Yunxi would refuse them like before so they were prepared to be punished by the Empress when they returned. Unexpectedly, Yu Yunxi agreed so easily this time.
When Yu Yunxi arrived at Fengyi Palace and walked in, she saw another person whom she did not want to see even more..