Chapter 556 - 334: I Can’t Bear to Share You
Song Yunzhao was deeply worried about the situation at home, so when Zhang Maoquan returned, he immediately came to give his report.
"The Marquis has awakened. The Imperial Physician’s diagnosis is that there’s nothing seriously wrong, just a case of dizziness and vertigo, so he must rest in bed for two days. He also prescribed a calming and restorative herbal formula. You can rest easy, my lady."
Song Yunzhao breathed a small sigh of relief. ’It’s good that Father is all right. The dizziness and vertigo must be a mild concussion. Thank goodness it’s nothing serious, or I would have made Mrs. Cai and her daughter pay.’
"What else did my aunt do?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at Zhang Maoquan.
On that topic, Zhang Maoquan had plenty to say. He vividly recounted the scene where Madam Song expelled Song Qinghan and put the Marchioness in her place. He finished by saying, "As I was returning, I happened upon Princess Fuke’s carriage. The Princess was on her way to visit Madam Song. I paid my respects to the Princess before coming back."
Song Yunzhao cheered internally. ’I’ve wanted to do that for a long time, but I had to consider my father. Now that my aunt has actually done it, I feel nothing but satisfaction.’
’Sending Song Qinghan back to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion like this... her situation there will be dire. We’ll see if she has what it takes to make a comeback.’
’As for Mrs. Cai... since Madam Song sent a letter to the Cai Family, she must intend to crush her completely.’
Song Yunzhao finally felt at ease. ’The Cai Family will certainly not let this go, but since Madam Song dared to summon them, she must have a plan. Thinking of all the things the Cai Family did in my name, my aunt will surely use that as leverage to negotiate with them.’
What surprised her was how well-informed Princess Fuke was. ’She rushed over so quickly. She must know my aunt is nothing like the Marchioness. She’s going to back her family.’
’Princess Fuke is such a wonderfully considerate person.’
Song Yunzhao was in high spirits and had Zhang Maoquan rewarded. Zhang Maoquan cheerfully accepted the reward before retreating to rest.
He mulled it over. ’Lady Ming is even letting me get involved in her family’s affairs. She must have recognized my loyalty. My position is secure now.’
’That bastard Xu Sixi still expects me to bow to him. He can keep dreaming. As long as I secure my footing with Lady Ming and the Eldest Prince, if the Eldest Prince becomes the Crown Prince in a few years, I’ll be the one waiting for Xu Sixi to come pay his respects to me.’
When Feng Yi arrived that evening, Yun Zhao brought up the matter with her family. She figured it was better to bring it to light herself than to wait for someone else to complain to the Emperor and impeach her father.
Feng Yi, holding their son who was wriggling in his arms like a little monkey, looked up at Yun Zhao. Noticing the delight on her face, he smiled. "This aunt of yours is quite a formidable woman."
’She can distinguish right from wrong, understands the stakes, and is decisive. No wonder it wasn’t a coincidence that Song Nanyong managed to secure that post at the Salt Transporting and Supervision Bureau back then.’ Thinking of this, he looked at Yun Zhao and asked, "I recall your aunt’s father serves in the Ministry of Rites?"
Song Yunzhao nodded. "He’s the Assistant Minister of Rites."
Feng Yi thought for a moment before placing the man. "He hasn’t been promoted in over a decade, has he?" he said suddenly.
The Ministry of Rites had the least turnover among the Six Ministries. It held no real power; its positions were prized for being cushy, and it was mainly in charge of royal ceremonies.
Hearing Feng Yi mention him, Song Yunzhao’s mind stirred. "Could it be that the Emperor intends to promote someone from the Jiang family?"
Feng Yi knew Yun Zhao was perceptive; she could sense the moment a thought crossed his mind. Feng Ze started fussing, wanting to be held up, so Feng Yi lifted his son and began walking around the hall. Ever since the little fellow could be held upright, he couldn’t stay still for a moment.
While soothing his son, he said to Yun Zhao, "Speaking of which, Madam Song is very concerned about your affairs and is quite protective of you. When titles were conferred this time, the eldest branch of the Song Family didn’t receive any honors. I know you feel you’ve let her down."
Song Yunzhao smiled. "My aunt won’t blame me. In these matters, it’s natural to prioritize one’s own parents over other relatives. Besides, I know that you’ll make it up to them for me the next chance you get."
"Not for a while," Feng Yi said.
Song Yunzhao nodded. She understood. If her family received honors too frequently, the Imperial Censors’ memorials would pile up like snowflakes, denouncing her, the Song Family, and even the Emperor for being bewitched by a woman.
"However, the Minister of Rites, Zeng Yan, is getting on in years. He’s submitted memorials to retire before, but I’ve refused them. The next time he submits one, Jiang Lun can take his place."
Song Yunzhao was stunned. She felt dizzy, as if she’d been hit by a golden windfall from the heavens.
Although the Ministry of Rites was the least prestigious of the Six Ministries, the post was still one of the Six Ministers. Unable to suppress her delight, she abruptly stood and walked over to Feng Yi, looking up at him. "But... will this cause trouble for you, Your Majesty?"
"Jiang Lun has been the Assistant Minister of Rites for over a decade. He has deep seniority, performs his duties well, and has never been impeached for dereliction of duty. When the Minister retires, it is only natural for him to be promoted," Feng Yi said with a straight face.
Song Yunzhao’s face filled with gratitude, and her eyes reddened. Forcing back tears, she smiled. "I must have accumulated lifetimes of good fortune to have met Your Majesty in this one."
Feng Yi laughed heartily. Yun Zhao could have asked for a boon for the eldest branch of the Song Family, and given their relationship, he would not have refused. But she never said a word, never putting him in a difficult position.
Since she was so considerate of him, Feng Yi naturally wanted to be considerate of her in return.
He gently patted Yun Zhao’s hand. "Tell Song Nanyong to do a good job in Yucheng. When he receives an ’excellent’ on his next performance review, I will have just cause to promote him."
Song Yunzhao nodded vigorously. "I’ll be sure to tell my aunt so she can write to my uncle."
Her father was the Minister of Revenue, and her uncle’s father-in-law was about to become the Minister of Rites. Even with a promotion, her uncle wouldn’t be able to become an official in the capital, but becoming a high-ranking regional official was still an incredible achievement.
Song Yunzhao gazed at Feng Yi. ’He’s promoting the Song Family and their relatives by marriage for Feng Ze’s sake. Only when Feng Ze’s maternal family is powerful will the Imperial First Son have a solid foundation in the future. And as my own family grows stronger, I will gain the standing to contend for the position of Empress.’
Song Yunzhao hugged Feng Yi, unwilling to let go. This displeased Feng Ze, who was being delayed from his tour of the room. He kicked his little foot against her arm.
Song Yunzhao...
Feng Yi burst out laughing.
Feng Yi handed the baby to Nanny Qi to be taken away, completely ignoring his son’s unhappy gurgles. He then turned to coax a pouting Yun Zhao. Once he had cheered her up, the two of them tumbled into the curtained bed.
Hearing the sounds from within, Meng Jiuchang quickly closed the doors to the main hall and pulled Zhang Maoquan away to the tea room.
Xiangxue and the other maids also made themselves scarce, merely keeping track of the hour so they could begin preparing water.
Song Yunzhao lay on Feng Yi’s chest, panting softly, her eyes fixed on him.
Feng Yi’s arms wrapped around her waist, pressing down gently. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Song Yunzhao caught her breath and said slowly, "You’re so good to me. I can’t bear to share you. What am I going to do when the new consorts enter the palace next year?"