Chapter 205: Chapter 96: Song Jieyu Ran Away
Everyone had expected a confrontation between Song Yunzhao and Princess Consort Wan and were eager for some drama. But when they heard her say "innately gifted, born this way," for a moment, they didn’t know what expression to make.
Han Jinyi struggled to keep a straight face, but internally she was cheering Song Yunzhao on. The moment she saw the dancing girl, she’d thought she looked a little familiar. After hearing Yunzhao’s comment, she realized it was true.
’Princess Consort Wan is truly vile. If His Majesty really took a liking to this dancing girl, wouldn’t Yun Zhao become the laughingstock of the palace?’
Princess Consort Wan, having been all but openly cursed by Song Yunzhao, felt a surge of fury. She glared at her and said angrily, "Song Jieyu, you’re overthinking things. This dancing girl was arranged by the Music Bureau. This consort simply thought that some song and dance would liven up the Qixi Festival banquet and lift everyone’s spirits."
"Song Jieyu, Lady Wanfei is usually quiet and easygoing in the palace. Perhaps this is all just a misunderstanding."
Song Yunzhao truly hadn’t expected Qin Xiyue to stand up for Princess Consort Wan at a time like this. She was always taciturn in public and rarely got involved in anything.
The moment Qin Xiyue stepped forward, alarm bells went off in Song Yunzhao’s head. ’Every time I run into the female lead, something bad happens. And now she’s actively siding with Princess Consort Wan against me. It seems my suspicions were correct—the two of them have most likely joined forces.’
’This is the first time I’m confronting the female lead head-on.’ Song Yunzhao felt a little uncertain. ’I’m afraid some inexplicably bad luck will come my way. But avoiding Qin Xiyue is even more impossible. A clash between us is inevitable.’
After replaying Qin Xiyue’s words in her mind, Song Yunzhao looked at her. "Consort Qin, we actually met a few times outside the palace. I helped you twice. You know my personality better than anyone. I’ve always been one to distinguish right from wrong. Now, can you please use those big eyes of yours and take a good, hard look."
Before Qin Xiyue could respond, Song Yunzhao immediately had the dancing girl stand up and turn her back. Then, Song Yunzhao also turned her back to the crowd.
The sight of their two equally slender waists was quite striking. Separately, one might say they were different, but now, seen at a glance, their backs looked identical if you didn’t see their faces.
After rebuffing Qin Xiyue, Song Yunzhao didn’t linger on it. She looked up at the Emperor. ’He’s been watching this show for long enough. It’s his turn to step in!’
"Your Majesty," she began, "this concubine has done nothing to disrespect Lady Wanfei. I truly do not understand why she would humiliate me this way. I... I am too ashamed to remain here..."
With that, Song Yunzhao covered her face, choked back a sob, and ran out. Before anyone could react, she was gone without a trace.
She ran?
Song Jieyu just ran off like that?
Shouldn’t she have fought Princess Consort Wan to the bitter end?
Han Jinyi, however, let out a small sigh of relief. She had genuinely been afraid that Song Yunzhao would continue to clash head-on with Princess Consort Wan and Qin Xiyue. That wouldn’t have been good for her.
She hesitated for a moment but decided not to get up and do anything. ’With Yun Zhao gone, if I step forward now, I’ll just become the target. That would only ruin Yun Zhao’s plan.’
Feng Yunjin glanced at Han Jinyi beside her, then at Qin Xiyue’s sour expression, and sighed inwardly. ’I knew this wouldn’t work.’
She had heard some news. A few days ago, Qin Xiyue had come to sound her out, but she hadn’t wanted to get involved and had politely declined.
During the previous incident with Lu Zhixue, she’d had a brief run-in with Song Jieyu. She learned then that this woman couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards and shouldn’t be made an enemy of lightly. As expected, it proved to be true.
Even the three high-ranking concubines had to act with extreme caution before the Emperor. But she had observed carefully that Song Jieyu was different. Whether it was the last time in the garden or this time now, the way she acted in front of His Majesty was unlike any of them.
If she had to pinpoint the difference, it was that Song Yunzhao was very at ease in front of the Emperor. And this ease was not meant in a negative way.
This ease came from confidence. She knew the Emperor would not be displeased with her actions.
As for where Song Jieyu got such confidence, she didn’t know. But she did know that not even the three high-ranking concubines had that kind of confidence before the Emperor.
As for herself, she had yet to win favor in the imperial court, so she had even less reason to be confident.
Feng Yunjin, wise enough to protect herself, lowered her head and remained silent, sighing inwardly again. ’Now, we’ll just see what the Emperor does.’
Princess Consort Wan also hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao to act so unconventionally and just run off. Now how was she supposed to proceed with the rest of her plan?
Princess Consort Zhuang frowned slightly as she looked at Consort Lu, who hadn’t said a word from start to finish. Then she glanced at Princess Consort Wan, who looked so furious she might faint. After some thought, she decided not to speak either.
The hall fell unusually silent as everyone’s gaze fell upon the Emperor.
Feng Yi slowly stood up. Without even a glance at the dancing girl, he said to Meng Jiuchang, "Drag her away."
"Your Majesty, spare me!" The dancing girl, terrified, kowtowed repeatedly. Her face was as white as paper, and her whole body trembled.
Meng Jiuchang glanced at the eunuchs in the hall. One of them immediately stuffed a handkerchief into the dancing girl’s mouth, and two of them dragged her out.
Feng Yi descended from the throne. Without a look at Princess Consort Wan, he walked straight out.
The Emperor left too?
Even after the Emperor had left the main hall, no one had recovered from their shock.
Song Jieyu ran away, and the Emperor ran after her?
How could anyone call this ’nothing’?
Princess Consort Zhuang’s expression turned grim. She had considered how the Emperor might handle the situation, but she had never expected him to just leave.
What on earth did that mean?
The Qixi Festival banquet had just begun. Was it supposed to continue or not?
Princess Consort Zhuang glanced at everyone in the hall. As she hesitated, she saw Consort Lu abruptly stand up, sneer, and storm out.
With Consort Lu gone, Princess Consort Wan’s face grew even uglier.
Princess Consort Zhuang immediately addressed the crowd, "Everyone is dismissed."
The Emperor was gone. Who would dare to continue the banquet?
As Princess Consort Zhuang passed by Princess Consort Wan, she said softly, "Princess Consort Wan, what a pity all your efforts were for nothing."
Princess Consort Wan looked at Princess Consort Zhuang. "Why are you pretending to be the good guy here?"
Princess Consort Zhuang chuckled lightly and, without giving Princess Consort Wan another thought, also left with her attendants.
Outside the hall, Princess Consort Zhuang’s face darkened. She said to her attendant, "Go and see where the Emperor went."
"Yes."
Princess Consort Zhuang walked with heavy steps toward her Zhaoyang Palace. ’That idiot, Princess Consort Wan. Given Song Yunzhao’s explosive temper, how dare she use a dancing girl to humiliate her? And she calls herself a woman of talent. What a waste of the title.’
Now she felt some regret. ’I shouldn’t have just stood by, hoping to watch the drama. Great. Now my own plans have been ruined along with it.’
"Your Ladyship."
Princess Consort Zhuang stopped and looked at the returning Yun Dai. "Well?" she asked.
Yun Dai looked displeased. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Emperor went to Wangyou Palace."
Princess Consort Zhuang’s face was grim. ’Not surprising at all.’
’When the Emperor dealt with only the dancing girl and then rushed out, I had a feeling he was definitely going to appease Song Yunzhao.’
"Your Ladyship?" Yun Dai said, looking at her mistress with some unease.
"On such a wonderful day, with such good news, we can’t let everyone miss out on the fun," Princess Consort Zhuang sneered.
Yun Dai immediately replied, "This servant understands."
She immediately had someone send the news back to the main hall. Presumably, everyone was eager to know the Emperor’s whereabouts.
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