Chapter 199: Chapter 90: The Unconventional Song Jieyu
’The Madam must not have found out about this yet. Otherwise, she would have mentioned it when we met.’
Han Jinyi was just as baffled. "I don’t get it either. Any woman in her right mind would never marry into a family like that."
They stared at each other.
Han Jinyi added, "Song Qinghan feels no sisterly affection for you, so there’s no need to worry on her behalf. I think with how shrewd she is, she must be getting something out of this marriage. Why else would she take such a huge loss?"
Song Yunzhao was surprised that Han Jinyi could see through Song Qinghan so clearly. She nodded in agreement. "That’s what I was thinking. The only question now is what kind of benefit she could possibly get from this marriage."
"You should still have your family look into this carefully, or you’ll surely be the one to lose out." Han Jinyi’s impression of Song Qinghan was extremely poor. "Her reputation is in the gutter. What could the Marquis Wuxin Mansion possibly see in her? I’m afraid they’re actually targeting you, Yun Zhao."
"I will. Thank you for the reminder. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known the Marquis Wuxin Mansion had such dirty secrets," Song Yunzhao said.
"Even if I hadn’t mentioned it, you would’ve found out sooner or later." Han Jinyi said, not taking credit. "Once the two families begin marriage negotiations, these things can’t stay hidden. I’m just really curious who played matchmaker and proposed this engagement."
Song Yunzhao said expressionlessly, "Madam Ding Nanbo."
"Madam Ding Nanbo?" Han Jinyi was dumbfounded. "Isn’t Madam Ding Nanbo Song Qinghan’s own maternal aunt?"
’How could anyone do something so wicked? It’s one thing for the Song Family not to know about the Marquis Wuxin Mansion’s situation, since they only recently arrived in the Capital City. But how could Madam Ding Nanbo not know?’
Song Yunzhao gave a solemn nod. "The very same one."
Han Jinyi let out a long breath. "Well, that’s certainly an eye-opener. What kind of deep-seated hatred would make her push her own niece into a fiery pit?"
’Deep-seated hatred?’
Song Yunzhao’s eyes flickered at the phrase. ’When I first came to the capital, both Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan were wary of me visiting the Dingnan Bo Mansion. But First Aunt later told me that after I became a Noble Consort, Madam Ding Nanbo complained that Mrs. Cai never brought me over as a guest.
Now I’m a Concubine. Since the Dingnan Bo Mansion can’t use my influence, they must be displeased with Madam Ding Nanbo.
Besides, Chu Yuying is in the Dingnan Bo Mansion, and she’s no pushover. Song Qinghan has suffered at her hands more than once.
Chu Yuying was already unhappy with her stepmother, Madam Ding Nanbo. Given such a perfect opportunity, she certainly wouldn’t miss the chance to attack her.
If that’s the case, life must be difficult for Madam Ding Nanbo. And if Ding Nan Bo is also displeased with her, she’d have to find an opportunity to redeem herself.
Madam Ding Nanbo knows that Song Qinghan and I are enemies. It’s not impossible that she’d arrange such a marriage for Song Qinghan, thinking it would please me and make me drop my displeasure with the Dingnan Bo Mansion.’
Song Yunzhao was taken aback by her own wild theory. ’Surely Madam Ding Nanbo wouldn’t be so unprincipled.’
Seeing Yun Zhao’s troubled expression, Han Jinyi felt a pang of sympathy. ’Such a good person like Yun Zhao, stuck with a sister like that. It’s just the worst luck.’
"Oh, right! I came for another reason." Han Jinyi decided to talk about something more cheerful to lift Yun Zhao’s spirits. "With the Qixi Festival just around the corner, what are your plans?"
"Qixi?" Song Yunzhao paused, then remembered. ’The palace is supposed to celebrate the Qixi Festival in the book. I’ve been so busy lately, I completely forgot about it.’
"Yes, the Three Consorts are hosting the Qixi banquet, and the Emperor will be in attendance."
Meeting Han Jinyi’s teasing smile, Song Yunzhao understood at once. ’The Qixi banquet is bound to be a classic scene of all the flowers in the garden vying for the Emperor’s favor.
It was in the book, too. The female lead outshone all the others and stole the show.
But now? Sorry, but I’m not about to let someone else steal my man. Whoever has the skills can try to take him home!’
With that thought, Song Yunzhao stopped worrying about Song Qinghan’s affairs. In any case, with the Madam overseeing things, she felt completely at ease.
"That’s right. I’ve heard everyone is preparing a spectacular performance," Han Jinyi added with a knowing smile.
Song Yunzhao considered. ’What could I even do?
Music, chess, calligraphy, painting—I’m not exceptional at any of them. If I performed one of those at the Qixi banquet, wouldn’t I just be asking to be overshadowed?
I would never do something so foolish.
I can’t sing, dance, or perform acrobatics either. With a body as stiff as a board, I can’t even dream of it.
So what’s left?’
Song Yunzhao realized she really didn’t have any presentable talents. How embarrassing.
’Sigh. Just as expected of cannon fodder. Then you look at the female lead in the book—if there are eighteen traditional skills, she knows nineteen of them!
But giving up is not an option. That means I’ll have to take an unconventional approach.’
After discussing the Qixi Festival, Han Jinyi lowered her voice slightly and said to Yun Zhao, "I just received a letter from my father today. He asked me to inform you, Concubine, that your esteemed father is well-versed in flood control and disaster relief. He will surely be given an important position on this southern mission."
Song Yunzhao was very pleased to hear this. ’Look at that,’ she thought. ’There’s a reason he’s the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. This is his way of telling me that my father has genuine ability, that he will make sure he gets a chance to shine, and that he has no intention of stealing my credit.’
’She knew the Minister of the Ministry of Justice was repaying the favor she had done him by tipping him off earlier.’
"With the Minister of the Ministry of Justice looking out for him, I can rest assured," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. Still, she had to say the proper thing. "I hope they can all return safely."
Han Jinyi also hoped that her father’s trip would be a smooth one. She didn’t even dare pray for him to achieve great merit; as long as he could complete his duties and return to the Capital City safely, it would be enough.
Han Jinyi was worried about the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Song Yunzhao was also worried about Third Master Song.
They looked at each other, a sense of shared worry passing between them.
After seeing Han Jinyi off, Song Yunzhao’s thoughts turned to the Qixi Festival.
Because the Minister of the Ministry of Justice had taken the initiative to ease the Emperor’s burden regarding the flood control and disaster relief, he had also managed to neutralize the issue of the Self-blame Edict by shifting the blame from the Emperor to his own courtiers.
’Heaven is warning the Emperor?
Are you sure about that?
Who was it that pushed through the appointment for the dam’s construction last year, against all advice? And why did those dams collapse after a single flood?
The court allocated ample silver, so why were the resulting dams so fragile?
Even if someone is to be blamed, it is not the Emperor!
Under these circumstances, who would dare to investigate further?
If they dug deeper, how many officials in the entire court would come out clean?
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice adopted the stance of a dead pig that doesn’t fear boiling water. His attitude was, ’If you want to use me as cannon fodder, I’ll drag everyone down with me.’ This successfully suppressed the matter of the Self-blame Edict.’
Without the issue of the Self-blame Edict, the Emperor was naturally more relaxed. Come the Qixi Festival, he would have the leisure to visit the harem to enjoy the beauties and celebrate.
Song Yunzhao thought it over. She felt that competing with a talent was a dead end for her, so she could only play to her strengths.
She carefully selected a few bolts of fabric from her storeroom, drew a design herself, and then had Xiangxue and the other palace attendants sew the garment for her.
’I can’t count on my talents, so I’ll have to rely on my face.
In the face of overwhelming beauty, all other talents are just paper tigers.’
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