The Beauties of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 122

Inside Baoci Palace, Wanlan had just sat down with Weixian in her arms when she was stunned by the words of the person opposite her: "Go to Xiangguo Temple?"

Song Huining nodded. "I want to go to Xiangguo Temple to worship Buddha. I might stay there for half a month. Would you like to come with me?"

Wanlan pondered for a moment, then said, "I need to discuss this with Zehua. When does Mother Kou plan to depart?"

"How about we leave in the next two days?"

"But what about Xu'er and Xian'er?"

Song Huining smiled and said, "Xu'er can stay in the palace. I'll have Yuan Niang stay to take care of her. Xian'er can come along too."

Wanlan nodded slowly. "That's not bad either. Zehua will be going back to Qinlan Palace for a meal later. I'll tell him then."

After making this decision, the two chatted for a while longer. When it was time for lunch, Wanlan got up and carried her youngest son back to Qinlan Palace.

Upon entering the inner hall, one sees Zehua sitting on a soft couch, his eyes closed and his face showing exhaustion.

Wanlan turned around and quietly instructed the palace maid waiting at the door to bring the meal, then turned back and walked over.

"Zehua".

Zhao Defang looked up sharply, saw it was her, and smiled faintly, "You're back."

Wanlan frowned and sat down beside him. "Zehua, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. What does Mother want with you?"

"Mother wants to go to Xiangguo Temple to worship Buddha." Wanlan blinked and stared at his face, saying slowly, "She wants to stay there for half a month and wants me to go with her."

Zhao Defang was slightly taken aback, then nodded, "Alright, you can go with Mother."

"But you—"

"I'm fine, I'm just a little tired lately, I'll be fine after some rest."

Wanlan rested her head on his shoulder, her gaze fixed on the polished floor, her voice calm and even, "Zehua, perhaps we shouldn't have come back so soon, but since things have come to this, promise me you won't overthink it. We should let things take their natural course, because even a small action or change could drastically alter the predetermined outcome."

Zhao Defang remained silent.

This time, he did not agree with Wanlan's idea.

He always felt that once he knew something, he couldn't pretend to be completely ignorant.

When are you leaving?

"tomorrow."

"So fast?" He paused, then looked down at her. "Does your uncle know?"

Wanlan sat up straight, glanced at his blank gaze, and shook her head. "Perhaps they don't know. Now, the Imperial Uncle and the Empress Dowager treat you like enemies and have no contact with each other at all. How could outsiders know that they are lovers?"

Zhao Defang frowned, quite disapproving. "How can the Emperor not know that the Empress Dowager is going to Xiangguo Temple to worship Buddha? This matter must be arranged by the Emperor."

"Are you going to tell the Imperial Uncle?"

"Of course! I'll go find my royal uncle after I've finished my meal."

Wanlan grabbed his sleeve and hurriedly said, "Mother may not want Uncle to know, so why do you—"

"The Empress Dowager is leaving the palace. The Emperor must inform her of this matter. Otherwise, what if something happens to Mother Kou outside? I must tell my Imperial Uncle about this."

Wanlan bit her lip and lowered her head.

Will the bond between the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Uncle truly only end at the moment of their deaths?

The couple did not speak again. Soon after, the palace maids brought lunch. The two ate their meal in silence. Zhao Defang left without lingering. Wanlan, holding the child, stood by the door and watched him leave Qinlan Palace, sighing quietly.

How wonderful it would be if my mother weren't the Empress Dowager.

By the way, on the night of the palace coup, the Empress Dowager wanted Zehua to ascend the throne. Did she ever want to be brave for her uncle?

Ultimately, it was all a twist of fate.

Zhao Defang left Qinlan Palace and headed straight for Chongde Palace, thinking that his uncle should still be there.

Before he could even step into the hall, the conversation inside made him instinctively stop. He waved his hand to dismiss the eunuch who was about to relay his message, and listened intently to the two unusually familiar voices inside.

"...Why did Defang suddenly agree to return to the court after refusing so many times? What did you do?"

"Zhao Dezhao, you need to know who's standing in front of you!" The steady voice was tinged with coldness. "They returned to the capital for you, and you dare to ask me what I've done? That's the question I should be asking! What exactly have you, Zhao Dezhao, done?!"

A moment of silence.

"Your Majesty, I have no interest in the Northern Expedition. May I return to Yongxing?"

"No way! Do you want to exhaust Defang? You have to help him with this."

"emperor--"

"Did you know that Deqing obtained a pardon from me?"

"What?!"

The astonished exclamations made Zhao Defang, standing outside the palace gate, smile with delight.

It turns out that the eldest brother knew nothing at all. So what exactly was his fate?

"Your Highness, why are you standing at the door?"