Chapter 570 - 348: Boarded a Pirate Ship
Song Yunzhao heard Consort Shu and glanced over, offering her a faint smile.
Consort Shu looked away, her face impassive. ’Heh.’
Princess Consort Wan hadn’t been at Yaohua Palace that day, so she didn’t know the truth of the matter. Hearing Consort Shu’s words, she assumed it was real.
She grew a little curious. ’The Emperor is actually in such a leisurely mood, finding something for the concubines to do to pass the time? Should I get involved?’
’Baozhuang Building, making rouge and powders... It sounds rather elegant.’
’Something I make myself would surely be more to my liking than what the Six Departments provides.’
With this in mind, Princess Consort Wan looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "Ming Fei, I spend most of my days reading and know a thing or two about these things. If you need any help, you can come to me."
Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. ’Talented women are always welcome.’ She knew Princess Consort Wan’s character; if she dared say such a thing, she must know more than just "a thing or two."
’This is a skilled technician. I must treat her well.’
"If Sister Wan is willing to help, I would be absolutely delighted. I was just thinking that this was such a small matter, and I didn’t want to disturb your literary pursuits. But since you’ve offered, I’ll take you at your word."
Being flattered by Yun Zhao put Princess Consort Wan in a very pleasant mood, and her expression brightened. "I’ve only read a few recipes in books and have never made them myself. We’ll have to try to know if they’ll work. Don’t get your hopes up too high, lest you be disappointed if it fails."
"Sister Wan is a woman of great talent. Whether we succeed or not, it’s my honor to have you put in such effort." Song Yunzhao watched the Empress Dowager’s face grow darker and darker, while the smile on her own face could have blossomed into a flower.
When the Empress Dowager was unhappy, she was happy.
The Empress Dowager looked at the three of them. She had intended to sow discord among them, but who knew Song Yunzhao would be so adaptable? With just a few words, she had flattered Princess Consort Wan into her camp. ’And this one is a fool, too,’ she thought. ’Does she really think Song Yunzhao’s praise is sincere? She’s just being used as a shield.’
’If Baozhuang Building actually achieves something, does she really think Song Yunzhao will share the credit?’
’They’re nothing but stepping stones for Song Yunzhao.’
’Unbelievably foolish.’
The Empress Dowager said coldly, "It’s about time. Let’s begin."
Song Yunzhao didn’t care. She immediately sat up straight and put on a serious expression, looking ready to get down to business.
Consort Shu: ...
Princess Consort Wan: ...
As the Empress Dowager gave the order to start, a eunuch relayed the message outside, and soon the concubine candidates entered the hall in groups.
Song Yunzhao couldn’t say she knew the list of candidates by heart, but she had memorized most of it. None of the women who could enter the palace were ugly; in fact, each was beautiful in her own way.
The candidates below were clearly very curious about the legendary Ming Fei. They would steal quick glances at her from the corners of their eyes before hastily looking away.
Song Yunzhao maintained her smile. ’I’ll just be a smiling prop. They can look all they want.’
The Empress Dowager was clearly in high spirits. Whenever she saw a Beauty, she insisted on keeping her nameplate, and each time she would "graciously" ask for Song Yunzhao’s opinion.
How could Song Yunzhao not see the Empress Dowager’s intention? She wanted to disgust her, provoke her, make her lose her composure and ruin her reputation.
’If that’s how the Empress Dowager wants to play, then I won’t hold back.’
The moment Song Yunzhao shifted her posture, Consort Shu’s scalp tingled. ’Here she comes, here she comes. By the looks of it, Song Yunzhao is about to make her big move.’
Consort Shu sat as still as a mountain, deciding to just watch the show.
Princess Consort Wan didn’t understand at first, but seeing Consort Shu’s posture, she vaguely got the idea and followed her lead.
An Shutong’s face wasn’t that of a peerless beauty; she was a step below Consort Shu and Song Yunzhao. However, aside from supreme beauties like them, she was still outstanding among the rest.
There was never a shortage of outstanding people. Song Yunzhao was cracking her knuckles in anticipation. Whenever she saw a candidate who was particularly striking—even a little more beautiful than An Shutong—she would praise her with utmost sincerity, politely ask for the opinions of Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan, and then look at the Empress Dowager with complete earnestness. ’Such an outstanding Beauty must have her nameplate kept.’
The Empress Dowager: ...
Song Yunzhao acted just like a fatuous ruler, her eyes lighting up at the sight of every Beauty. This one was good, that one was wonderful. This one excelled at needlework, that one was overflowing with talent. This one’s dancing was graceful, that one’s singing was melodious. It would break her heart not to keep every single one of them.
The Empress Dowager had never met such a shameless person. ’What is Song Yunzhao trying to do?’
’Isn’t she afraid?’
Consort Shu’s and Princess Consort Wan’s faces were wooden. For once, they were on the same wavelength as the Empress Dowager. ’Has Song Yunzhao gone mad?’
Song Yunzhao wasn’t mad at all. The Empress Dowager was deliberately trying to vex her, but all the Beauties she chose were exceptionally outstanding. When the time came, what advantage would An Shutong have, surrounded by so many of them?
It was already difficult enough to stand out among so many beauties. Now, it was basically on hell mode.
Watching Song Yunzhao’s actions, the Empress Dowager belatedly understood her plan. Her expression was beyond ugly; she looked ready to breathe fire.
And that made Song Yunzhao happy. Whoever made her unhappy, she would return the favor twofold.
This initial viewing resulted in the most nameplates ever kept in the palace’s history, and every single one belonged to a top-tier Beauty.
When the selected Beauties returned to Zhichun Palace and began to chat amongst themselves, they discovered that five or six out of every ten of them had been chosen by Ming Fei. The atmosphere changed subtly.
This Lady Ming was nothing like the rumors said. Everyone had been afraid that Ming Fei would make things difficult and deliberately prevent them from staying in the palace, so they had been on edge all day. Who could have known the result would be the complete opposite? The person who seemed happiest selecting Beauties and who chose the most was Ming Fei herself!
It was like a dream.
Song Yunzhao was in no mood to linger in Jincui Garden. After the viewing was over, she saw the Empress Dowager off, then bid farewell to Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan and left.
Consort Shu and Princess Consort Wan both wanted to enjoy Jincui Garden for half the day before returning, so they did not leave with her.
As soon as Song Yunzhao was gone, Princess Consort Wan looked at Consort Shu, a hint of confusion on her face. "Ming Fei selected so many outstanding Beauties. Isn’t she worried about falling out of favor?"
Consort Shu didn’t quite understand what Song Yunzhao was thinking either. ’To select so many Beauties just to spite the Empress Dowager... she’s likely just courting disaster for herself.’
Though she thought this, Consort Shu didn’t mince her words. "Ming Fei doesn’t think like ordinary people. Who knows what’s on her mind? With her abilities, it wouldn’t be easy for her to fall out of favor anyway."
Princess Consort Wan: ...
’This is exhausting. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.’
She had stayed behind mainly to ask Consort Shu about Baozhuang Building. After being in the palace for so long, it was nice to have something new to pass the time.
This was a topic Consort Shu was happy to discuss. She said to Princess Consort Wan, "The Emperor has allocated dozens of artisans and a workshop. A location for Baozhuang Building has also been chosen. As soon as we can make something, we can start selling it."
"Well, we have to make something first. Do you know how?"
"Nope."
The corner of Princess Consort Wan’s mouth twitched. "Then does Ming Fei know how?"
"She talks a good game, but I’ve never seen her actually make anything. We should go watch for the novelty of it next time."
’So it’s all just an empty shell?’
Princess Consort Wan felt she shouldn’t have agreed to help Song Yunzhao just for the novelty of it. She feared she had just boarded a pirate ship.