Chapter 601 - 379: A Talented Person Will Shine Anywhere
The three of them were united as one, so those at Shouci Palace naturally felt immense resistance. The Empress Dowager could only throw her weight around based on her status, but she had no real authority over the harem.
The three women held authority over the harem, but they were a step lower in status. It was a stalemate, and the atmosphere in the harem grew tense.
Song Yunzhao handled her routine palace duties every day, though not much actually came to her. Consort Shu, mindful that she had to care for the Eldest Prince, didn’t saddle her with trivial matters. As for Princess Consort Wan, she was completely absorbed in researching her formulas, and Consort Shu couldn’t do anything about it, so she had to take on the burden herself.
Another two days passed. The Empress Dowager at Shouci Palace met with Duchess Gu En for two days in a row. Song Yunzhao pursed her lips. ’The Empress Dowager is truly trying to make her presence felt at every waking moment.’ Calculating that the time was about right, she was just waiting to see if Duchess Gu En and the Empress Dowager would still be able to smile.
Those two were still dreaming that An Shutong would win the Emperor’s favor in one fell swoop and, better yet, come back to give birth to a prince.
A pity.
Another day passed, and an imperial edict was delivered back to the Capital City. It mentioned in passing that Beiming was showing signs of amassing troops and that His Majesty had to rush to the Northern Land overnight. Consequently, he had left An Xiaoyi at a local post station and ordered guards from the capital to travel there and escort her back.
Song Yunzhao was very surprised. She and Feng Yi had originally planned for him to simply bring the woman back when he returned to the Capital City. But now she was being sent back early. ’Did something happen?’
She grew a little anxious. Fortunately, after delivering the edict, Meng Jiuchang came quietly to Yaohua Palace and personally handed her a letter from the Emperor.
Song Yunzhao had Zhang Maoquan take Meng Jiuchang away for some tea and a rest, telling him she would write a reply for him to take back after she finished reading the letter.
Meng Jiuchang’s legs were about to give out. He hadn’t rested at all on the road. ’Lady Ming is so considerate,’ he thought. He hurriedly expressed his thanks and followed Zhang Maoquan to the tea room.
The moment Meng Jiuchang entered the tea room, he collapsed into a seat like a lord and didn’t move an inch. Having ridden through the night, he felt like all his bones had been shaken loose.
Zhang Maoquan personally brewed some tea and handed it to him. "Quick, have some tea. Catch your breath."
Anyone who served in the palace knew how arduous it was. Besides, ever since Zhang Maoquan had left Taixi Hall to serve Lady Ming, there was no longer any conflict of interest between him and Meng Jiuchang. The two of them were on better terms now than they had been before.
Meng Jiuchang expressed his thanks and downed the tea in one gulp, only then starting to feel some relief.
Zhang Maoquan quickly refilled his cup before speaking in a calm, unhurried manner. "Brother Meng, when are you heading back?"
Meng Jiuchang replied, "As soon as Lady Ming finishes her reply, I have to ride back through the night." After saying this, he looked at Zhang Maoquan. "How have things been in the palace lately?"
Zhang Maoquan had been waiting for this question. He immediately launched into a vivid and embellished account of what had been happening at Shouci Palace. This time, he explained, Consort Shu had been the one to suffer a loss. His own master had only stepped forward to uphold the palace rules, and it was important the Emperor didn’t get the wrong idea.
Meng Jiuchang was left speechless.
’As if I can’t see through this kid’s little scheme.’ But since the Emperor currently doted on Lady Ming, he was naturally willing to play along. As for Shouci Palace... he really didn’t know what to say.
’The Empress Dowager also lived through the late Emperor’s reign. How has she still not learned her lesson? The Emperor isn’t delegating any authority to her. What does that tell you?’
’Instead of thinking about how to ease the tension with the Emperor, she starts making trouble the moment he leaves the Capital City. It’s like she has a death wish.’
’She’s just relying on the fact that she’s the Emperor’s own mother, so deep down she isn’t afraid.’
’But she never stops to think about how deep that mother-son affection really runs. If the Emperor truly reaches his limit, he won’t do anything to the Empress Dowager herself, but does she think he can’t touch Gu’en Houfu?’
Tsk.
’Leaving An Xiaoyi behind midway through the journey was a warning to the Empress Dowager. And the result?’
’When he came out from delivering the message at Shouci Palace, the Empress Dowager’s expression was grim, but it seemed she still hadn’t connected the dots.’
Meng Jiuchang sighed inwardly with worry. ’No wonder the Empress Dowager could never manage to regain favor with the late Emperor, no matter how hard she tried. Some things... if they’re meant to be, they’ll be. If not, you can’t force them.’
After diligently inquiring about all the palace affairs, Meng Jiuchang casually mentioned a few things about An Xiaoyi. "His Majesty was focused only on making haste. He had no time to spare for An Xiaoyi. Her carriage was slow, while the Emperor traveled ahead on horseback. After leaving the Capital City, His Majesty never even saw An Xiaoyi again."
Zhang Maoquan was secretly delighted. ’This is great news. I’ll make sure it spreads throughout the entire harem tonight.’ When the Emperor had first taken An Xiaoyi with him, quite a few people in the harem had been waiting to see his master become a laughingstock.
Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao had finished Feng Yi’s letter and was writing her reply. In it, she clearly detailed the incidents with Shouci Palace, making sure not to omit a single complaint that needed to be lodged.
Sending An Shutong back to the Capital City had been Feng Yi’s spur-of-the-moment decision. He wouldn’t be taking the same route on his return, and having to make a detour to pick her up would be a hassle. Growing impatient, he had simply ordered someone to escort her back.
Song Yunzhao wanted to laugh as she read this. ’This is perfect. An Shutong’s return trip will truly make her a laughingstock. Discarded as a burden by the Emperor and sent back midway.’
If the Empress Dowager hadn’t been causing trouble, An Shutong wouldn’t have had to suffer such humiliation.
Feng Yi’s letter also mentioned that Beiming was stirring with unrest. Yun Zhao could tell from his tone that it was serious. The letter added that he would have the Ministry of Revenue begin preparing grain and fodder in advance, and that Ji Yunting and the others would have to start working around the clock.
Reading this, Song Yunzhao’s expression turned a little strange. ’In the book, Ji Yunting is a civil servant. But now, it seems the Emperor keeps using him for tasks befitting a military officer.’
’This plot development is very bizarre. Moreover, the people who were close to Ji Yunting in the book are still gathering around him, just as the original story described—Chu Donghui, Qin Shu’an, Zhao Ruwen... It looks like the supporting male lead’s support network is gradually taking shape.’
Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue. ’Qin Xiyue, despite courting death multiple times, not only remains in the game thanks to her protagonist halo, but her rank is also holding steady. Of course, she’s gotten smarter after hitting a wall so many times. In any case, she didn’t get involved in this business with Shouci Palace.’
’Ji Yunting, the supporting male lead with the most fans in the book, went through countless twists and turns and suffered several disasters, but in the end, Feng Yi still recognized him as a brilliant young talent and threw his full support behind his promotion.’
’It’s only because he didn’t continue to get mixed up with Qin Xiyue and ended up marrying Linlang that I haven’t secretly tried to sabotage him.’
’Truly, a talented person will shine no matter where they go.’
As long as he managed to stay away from Qin Xiyue, she felt there was a good chance they could mind their own business and stay out of each other’s way in the future.
Thinking about her father, who would once again be frowning with worry while preparing grain and fodder, she felt there was nothing she could do to help. After all, her Baozhuang Building had only just launched this year. It still needed time to take off. By the end of the year, it should be able to post some impressive results.
Whether it could achieve truly dazzling results, however, depended on how quickly Ling Yunhe was progressing.
Song Yunzhao finished her letter and sealed it. Feng Yi’s proactive northern tour was a clear signal. This Emperor was no mere figurehead. He was a truly young and vigorous sovereign, not like the late Emperor, who had been too old and frail to even take a step outside the Capital City.
Song Yunzhao had a feeling her days ahead were going to be quite exciting.