Chapter 219 - 100: Dropping All Pretenses
"Summon Anshun."
"Yes." Xiangxue immediately acknowledged the order and turned to fetch Anshun.
Anshun arrived quickly, bowing as soon as he entered the hall. "Greetings, My Lady. What are your orders?"
Song Yunzhao looked at Anshun and said, "The Autumn Examination is approaching. My cousin and my cousin-in-law will both be participating, and I’m very concerned. I need you to leave the palace and inquire about this year’s examination. Be thorough and meticulous in your investigation."
Hearing this, Anshun immediately said, "Yes, My Lady."
"Go on." Song Yunzhao waved him off. ’Anshun is a smart man. He should be able to uncover something.’
’As long as he can find a lead, things will be much easier on my end.’
’I really am lucky. With family members taking the exam this year, I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to expose this matter.’
After setting her plan in motion, Song Yunzhao’s mood improved considerably. She then summoned Nanny Yu and asked, "Is there any resolution regarding the impeachment of Prince Zhenbei?"
Nanny Yu shook her head. "There’s been no word from Chief Steward Zhang. It seems this affair will likely drag on for a few more days."
Song Yunzhao nodded slightly. ’The more intense the commotion, the better. That way, the courtiers will be too preoccupied to notice other matters, which will make it easier for me to act.’
’Regarding my plan to find an ally, I’ve overlooked someone. Isn’t the Emperor the one who most wants to eliminate dissidents at court?’
’If I really find evidence and go directly to the Emperor for help, wouldn’t that give him a legitimate reason to eliminate his opponents?’
At this thought, Song Yunzhao’s heart began to race.
’If I want to win the Emperor’s heart, there’s nothing more effective than helping him reclaim the real power that should have been his all along.’
’But I have to think carefully about how to execute this. I can’t just take down the Right Minister and the others in a way that makes the Emperor wary of me too.’
Tsk.
’It’s hard being a good person.’
With this major affair hanging over her, Song Yunzhao wasn’t even bothered that the Emperor hadn’t visited the harem for several days due to the impeachment. Anshun had been leaving the palace daily, but he failed to find any useful information and didn’t dare show his face before the Concubine.
After much deliberation, Anshun decided to seek out Mr. Song and his lady’s cousin-in-law, Young Master Zhong.
Ever since his lady mentioned that family members were taking the exam, Anshun had found out who they were. He had no leads now, but as scholars preparing for the test, they might know things he didn’t.
Anshun went to find them, but Young Master Zhong had not yet arrived in the capital, so he could only go see Song Buran first.
This was the first time Song Buran had met Anshun. He was startled to hear that this man was a steward serving his younger cousin. "Does the Concubine have an order for me?"
Anshun smiled and said, "There is no need to worry, Mr. Song. My Lady knows you are preparing for the examination and sent me to see if you needed any assistance."
Song Buran was suspicious. After thinking it over carefully, he shook his head. "My family has prepared everything well. Please convey my thanks and tell the Concubine not to worry."
Anshun quickly agreed, then added, "Mr. Song, have you had much contact with the other scholars who have come to the capital for the examination? The Autumn Examination is imminent. You should relax a little and get out and about."
Song Buran frowned slightly. ’What does Yun Zhao mean by this?’
’Could it be that she knows something but can’t say it outright?’
Feeling suspicious, Song Buran looked at Anshun and asked, "Did the Concubine have any other instructions?"
Anshun shook his head, then smiled. "If you encounter any trouble, Mr. Song, just send word to me." He handed him a waist token and explained how to get in contact.
Song Buran hesitated for a moment before taking it and nodding in agreement.
After seeing Anshun off, Song Buran put the waist token away securely. Once his lessons for the day were over, he went to the rear courtyard to see his mother.
The Great Madam was busy with Song Hongjiao’s dowry. The dowries for her daughters had been prepared long ago, with natural differences between those of legitimate and concubine-born children. However, with the gifts from Yun Zhao, Hong Jiao’s dowry was now quite respectable.
She had spent the past two days checking the dowry list. Hong Jiao was to be married in a few days, so she was so busy she could barely catch her breath.
Hearing that her son had come to pay his respects, the Great Madam paused in surprise, then quickly invited him in. "You’ve just come from your studies, I presume?" she said with a smile.
Song Buran nodded. "Yes. I have something I wish to discuss with you, Mother."
Seeing her son’s solemn expression, the Great Madam dismissed all the attendants. Only then did she say, "What’s happened? The Autumn Examination is just around the corner. If something is wrong, you must tell me. Don’t hide anything."
Song Buran knew the gravity of the situation. He nodded slightly and began, "Today, the Concubine sent one of her stewards to see me..."
After listening to her son, the Great Madam couldn’t immediately grasp what Yun Zhao was up to. She thought for a moment before saying, "If that’s the case, then you should go out more. Your brother-in-law and sister will be arriving in a couple of days. Find out what you can about the examination, so you can share it with him. Perhaps the Concubine was simply worried you were just cooped up studying and wanted to remind you to get out."