Chapter 77: Chapter 47: It’s That Troublemaker
Upon hearing this, Nanny Yin said, "Miss Song, please don’t be upset. There are always a few hiccups during the concubine selections. A blessed person like you is destined for greatness; you will certainly have great fortune."
A pleased look crossed Song Yunzhao’s face. "Then I shall hope your auspicious words come true, Nanny. But what will happen to Zhang Xiu Ni?"
"She will be sent out of the palace, of course, and will be disqualified from the selection."
Song Yunzhao put on a dissatisfied expression, saying after a moment, "I’ve troubled you, Nanny."
Nanny Yin saw the displeasure on Song Yunzhao’s face and knew she was unsatisfied with the outcome. ’If Song Yunzhao came from a powerful family, that concubine candidate certainly wouldn’t be leaving the palace in one piece. But her background is humble, so no one will stick their neck out for her.’
Nanny Yin looked at Song Yunzhao’s face, thinking, ’If she’s really chosen, a face like that could turn the entire harem upside down.’ She smiled and said, "You’re too kind, Miss Song. It’s just my duty. If you have no other instructions, I will take my leave."
Song Yunzhao took out a prepared silver note and slipped it into her hand. "This is for you and the other nannies to have some tea. I appreciate you all going to so much trouble for me."
Nanny Yin accepted it without hesitation. "Thank you for your generosity, Miss Song."
’Accepting the silver established a connection. If this young lady really managed to reach a high position in the future, it would be their good fortune.’
After Nanny Yin left, Song Yunzhao chuckled softly. ’The people in this palace are truly master actors. If I didn’t know the truth from the book, I would’ve been completely fooled by Nanny Yin.’
’Fortunately, those two nannies handled things with a degree of fairness and didn’t just dismiss me.’
’It’s hard to say for sure if I took a fall that was meant for the novel’s heroine today. Besides, even though the heroine was knocked over in the book, she wasn’t hurt this badly. She just took a little tumble, got right back up, and was perfectly fine.’
’But here I am, scraped and bleeding. This must be the premium treatment reserved for cannon fodder. It’s so frustrating to think about this pointless disaster.’
Meanwhile, Zhang Maoquan didn’t just take the Housekeeper’s word for it. He personally interrogated the concubine candidate responsible before returning to Taixi Hall to report.
"Injuring someone out of jealousy?" Feng Yi scoffed. ’They must take me for a fool.’
"Yes, the concubine candidate confessed to it herself." Zhang Maoquan knew it wasn’t that simple, but the girl refused to change her story. Unless they threw her in prison for a formal interrogation, the commotion would be too great and would risk tipping off the masterminds.
"Which family is that concubine from?"
"The daughter of the Prefect of Fengyang."
"Fengyang..." Feng Yi mused. ’The ancestral home of the Right Assistant Prime Minister, Yao Zongjing, is Fengyang.’
With this in mind, he looked at Zhang Maoquan. "Go investigate what Princess Consort Wan has been up to recently."
"Yes." Zhang Maoquan accepted the order and withdrew. He had always known Xu Sixi was close to Princess Consort Wan, and the thought excited him. ’If Princess Consort Wan falls out of His Majesty’s favor, let’s see how high and mighty Xu Sixi can act then!’ He was instantly filled with motivation.
The nights at Zhichun Palace were quite bustling, with many people going to visit Song Yunzhao.
That evening, Feng Yi went to Zhaoyang Palace, the residence of Consort Zhuang, Wang Yunyi. This infuriated Consort Shu, Lu Min, who had received a Glazed Cup from him that day; in her rage, she smashed her teacup. She had assumed His Majesty would visit her, especially after bestowing such a gift, but he went to Zhaoyang Palace instead.
However, the thought that Princess Consort Wan had received neither a Glazed Cup nor a visit from the emperor made her feel slightly better. ’If I’m going to be miserable, someone else should be miserable with me.’ So, she had a message sent to Roufu Palace, ensuring Princess Consort Wan also knew His Majesty had gone to Zhaoyang Palace.
When Princess Consort Wan, Yao Yirong, received the news, she didn’t fly into a rage as Consort Shu had predicted. Her expression remained impassive, but she recalled a letter from her family, and her brow furrowed into a knot.
’Is the position of Imperial Concubine so easy to seize?’
’With Chu Yuling dead, countless eyes are on the position of Imperial Concubine. After that, the next step is the Empress’s throne.’
At this thought, her expression turned grim.
’It seems I really do have to pick a right-hand woman from this new batch of concubines. I don’t want to, but what my family said makes sense.’
’Everyone thinks that as Princess Consort Wan, I am glorious and favored. Only I know that I am still a virgin. I don’t even dare tell my family. If they knew I’d failed to win His Majesty’s affection, I’m afraid they would abandon me and send someone else to the palace in my place.’
’If my family abandons me, how will I ever survive in this palace?’
The more Yao Yirong thought about it, the darker her expression grew. Her family had chosen the daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Lu Zhixue...
’The daughter of a Minister to be my aide?’
’What a joke. It’s more likely the Lu Family sees me as their stepping stone.’
’But right now, I do need a fresh beauty as an ally. At the very least, I need to secure the position of Imperial Concubine and suppress Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang. As for Lu Zhixue... we’ll see if she knows what’s good for her.’
’In a few days, once the candidates at Zhichun Palace have finished their etiquette training, it will be time for the formal viewing. I’ll wait until then, assess the situation, and decide what to do.’
At this thought, she turned to her attendant and asked, "Le Chun, I recall Consort Zhuang mentioning someone before. She said there was a particularly outstanding girl among the concubines. Which family was she from again?"
Le Chun replied at once, "Your Highness, Consort Zhuang was referring to a concubine with the surname Song. But you needn’t worry, Your Highness. That Miss Song is of humble birth. Even if she is chosen, her initial rank will be low. She won’t be able to make any waves."
Princess Consort Wan shook her head. "I’m just curious. How did Consort Zhuang even notice this concubine?"
’Why would any of us pay attention to a concubine of humble birth before she’s even made a name for herself? The fact that Wang Yunyi mentioned her is... interesting.’
Le Chun said, "I’ve already inquired about it. Consort Zhuang heard that Princess Ming’an was also in the running and sent someone to investigate. They discovered that Princess Ming’an is quite close to a concubine with the surname Song, and that’s how she came to her attention."
"Princess Ming’an? The one from the Prince Zhenbei Mansion?" Princess Consort Wan scoffed. "I met her a few times before I entered the palace. She was just a little thing back then, and with quite a nasty temper. For someone to be close to her... Now that you mention it, I’m a little curious too. What’s this girl like?"
Le Chun shook her head. "I didn’t dare to inquire too deeply, Your Highness. His Majesty hasn’t placed the affairs of Zhichun Palace under the harem’s jurisdiction. I was afraid that being too conspicuous would bring trouble to you."
"You have a point." Princess Consort Wan rose to her feet, her long skirt trailing along the floor. The circular floral patterns, embroidered in gold thread, shimmered in the lamplight. "Then keep a close watch on Consort Zhuang. Her concern for He Lan Yun is strange. Could it be that the Wang Family and the Prince Zhenbei Mansion have some sort of connection?"
Le Chun didn’t dare interject; she knew nothing of the affairs outside the palace.
Princess Consort Wan stood by the window. The palace lanterns hanging from the eaves swayed in the night breeze, casting a hazy, yellow light that flickered upon the ground.
’When Chu Yuling died, I had a bad feeling. And what came of it? His Majesty caved to the court’s demands and initiated a grand concubine selection.’
’Now, that same ominous feeling was creeping back. I always feel like something is about to happen, but I can never predict what it might be.’
"Your Highness, it’s getting late. You should get some rest," Le Chun advised. "You have to attend Consort Shu’s tea banquet tomorrow. You’ll need to be well-rested."
’His Majesty went to Consort Zhuang’s residence. Her Highness says she doesn’t mind, but I know she’s still upset.’
"A tea banquet?" Princess Consort Wan’s eyes brightened; she had completely forgotten about it. Her mood lifted instantly. ’Now that will be an interesting banquet. I can’t wait to watch the drama unfold.’
