Chapter 111: Chapter 57: Unafraid of Being Called a Foolish Emperor (Part 2)
There were only nine people in the hall. They all just looked at each other, no one stepping forward.
Song Yunzhao stared grimly at the box. ’Might as well face the music.’ Seeing that no one else was making a move, she stepped out.
Qin Xiyue froze, quietly pulling back the foot she had already started to extend.
Han Jinyi hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to be the first one. She didn’t even have time to grab her. But then she remembered, ’This is just her personality—never one to be left behind.’ With that thought, she followed her.
Song Yunzhao didn’t even look at Zhang Maoquan. Her eyes were glued to the redwood box. Even if it were plated in gold and carved with exquisite patterns, it meant nothing to her.
She focused her gaze on the box, chanting silently in her heart: ’Even if I’m cannon fodder, I’m going to be the best cannon fodder! You have to give me enough capital to compete with the female lead, right? I’m not asking for a meteoric rise, just to be on the same level as her! I’m not asking to crush others with power, just not to be crushed myself!’
Her pep talk complete, Song Yunzhao reached into the box and stirred her hand around. The contents made a RATTLE. Holding her breath, her fingertips brushed against a wooden plaque. Without hesitation, she grabbed it and pulled it out.
’This is it. It all comes down to this one moment.’
After pulling it out, Song Yunzhao didn’t look at it immediately. Instead, she took a step back, not realizing Han Jinyi was right behind her. She moved aside and silently mouthed, "Good luck!"
Han Jinyi nodded, her face tense. She suddenly felt a little nervous.
She took a deep breath, reached into the wooden box, and mimicked Song Yunzhao by stirring her hand around, producing the same RATTLE. She quickly grabbed a wooden plaque, stepped back to make room for the others, and returned to her spot, clutching it tightly.
Seeing this, the others wasted no time and swarmed forward.
Song Yunzhao watched as Qin Xiyue was shoved by someone, stumbling and falling right over the wooden box. She saw Qin Xiyue take the opportunity to reach in, grab a plaque, and then return to her place with a sullen expression.
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
’It can even work like that?’
’That’s the female lead’s treatment for you. I’m not worthy!’
’But I don’t need the female lead’s halo. I can create my own!’ She gloated inwardly. ’Look at me, I went first and got mine. Perfect.’
Han Jinyi looked at Song Yunzhao, not noticing her faintly strange smile. Her voice was strained as she asked, "What do you think I drew?"
"How would I know?" Song Yunzhao said, spreading her hands.
As she spread her hands, the wooden plaque in her palm was revealed. Han Jinyi’s gaze swept over it, her eyes widened, and she exclaimed happily, "Yun Zhao, look!"
Hearing the hushed excitement in Han Jinyi’s voice, Song Yunzhao looked down at her own palm. The front of the plaque read "Noble Consort." She flipped it over and saw the two words "Wangyou Palace."
’Noble Consort?’
’Wangyou Palace?’
’Isn’t the female lead a Noble Consort?’
’I’m a Noble Consort too?’
’The same rank?’
Song Yunzhao suppressed the surge of joy in her heart. Her wish hadn’t been in vain; her luck was actually this good.
Tamping down her excitement, she looked over at Han Jinyi.
Han Jinyi met Song Yunzhao’s gaze and slowly opened her palm. On it were written the two words "Qiulan Palace." Song Yunzhao had gotten a "Palace" while Han Jinyi had a "Hall." A Hall was definitely not as prestigious as a Palace, which meant her rank...
Han Jinyi’s eyes were fixed on the wooden plaque. She took a breath, flipped it over, and stared intently at the word "Xiaoyi" written on the other side.
Song Yunzhao saw Han Jinyi let out a small sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on her face. She also breathed a sigh of relief.
Afraid that Song Yunzhao might not understand the palace ranks, Han Jinyi leaned in and explained in a low voice, "A Noble Consort is of the Standard Fourth Rank, and a Xiaoyi is of the fifth-rank. According to palace rules, only those of the fourth-rank or higher can be the master of a palace. Congratulations, Yun Zhao. I told you you were lucky, and I was right."
Song Yunzhao could tell Han Jinyi’s congratulations were sincere. She was a little confused and asked in a low voice, "You’re this happy about getting the fifth-rank?"
Han Jinyi seemed to understand Yun Zhao’s confusion. She said softly, "I’m not trying to achieve great things, just to stay out of trouble. For me, this is perfect."
Song Yunzhao understood instantly. This was the true essence of laying low.
’They were kindred spirits, after all.’
Their eyes met, and they both broke into smiles. Han Jinyi said, "This is great. Now that you’re a Noble Consort, I’ll have someone to back me up."
Song Yunzhao immediately replied, "You can count on me!"
Han Jinyi chuckled. It wasn’t that she would actually need to rely on Song Yunzhao, but Song Yunzhao’s enthusiastic response made her happy. It was the comforting feeling of knowing she hadn’t chosen the wrong friend.
While Han Jinyi was delighted to become a fifth-rank Xiaoyi, others were not so pleased. Lu Zhixue had drawn the rank of concubine, a position subordinate to the fourth-rank, and the frost on her face was thick enough to freeze water.
