Free Web NovelChapter 120: Chapter 59: Turn Around and Dig a Pit
As for the truth, that no longer mattered. The Emperor’s anger was now focused on Princess Consort Zhuang for abusing her position to bully others.
Song Yunzhao felt there must have been something wrong with her eyes—and her entire worldview—when she first read the book. ’I didn’t even notice the truth had been buried; I just thought the heroine was a brilliant debater and cheered her on.’
Thinking about it now, she couldn’t stand her past self. ’How did reading a book lower my IQ so much? And the crucial part is, I didn’t even think there was a problem.’
At this thought, Song Yunzhao’s gaze landed on Qin Xiyue. The sight of her brought the overlooked details to mind. ’Things took a different turn this time. Why didn’t she step forward and righteously confront Princess Consort Zhuang for Beauty Zhen?’
Song Yunzhao made a mental note to be cautious. As long as Qin Xiyue made no move, neither would she. The Emperor had pushed Consort Shu out to contend with Princess Consort Zhuang, so she could make a graceful exit without gaining any fame.
Because the person behind Cuiju couldn’t be identified in a short time, the Emperor grew impatient. He handed the matter over to Consort Shu and casually departed.
After seeing the Emperor off, Consort Shu and her entourage looked at Song Yunzhao and the others, finding them to be an eyesore. With a dark expression, she dismissed them as well.
Song Yunzhao was more than happy to leave, not wanting to stand around anyway. She rose and left at once. Han Jinyi caught up, walking beside her and asking in a low voice, "Who do you think is behind Cuiju?"
"That I don’t know," Song Yunzhao said, shaking her head.
But looking at the whole picture, the way Qin Xiyue acted in the book was vastly different from her behavior now, which was highly suspicious. ’I just can’t tell Han Jinyi any of this,’ she thought. ’I have no proof. Am I supposed to say I know because I read it in a book? What a joke that would be.’
Song Yunzhao was suspicious of Qin Xiyue, but she had no evidence to prove that she was truly involved. Nevertheless, her guard against the heroine rose another notch.
Han Jinyi didn’t notice Yun Zhao’s troubled expression. She mused aloud as they walked, "When Consort Qin stepped forward to speak up for justice, I thought she would continue to defend Beauty Zhen later. I didn’t expect her to just... stop."
"Hm?" Song Yunzhao glanced sideways at Han Jinyi. "You think something’s off, too?"
"You were thinking the same thing?" Han Jinyi asked in surprise.
Song Yunzhao nodded.
Han Jinyi breathed a small sigh of relief. "I thought I was just being petty. So it wasn’t just my imagination."
’Han Jinyi is much smarter than I was when I was reading the book,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’Her intelligence wasn’t compromised.’ After a moment of consideration, she asked, "Do you think this incident could be related to Consort Qin?"
"Surely not?" Han Jinyi said, startled. "We’ve all just entered the palace. How could anyone have those kinds of connections..." She trailed off, realizing it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Hearing Han Jinyi’s unfinished sentence, Song Yunzhao smiled. "Whether it’s true or not, we should both just be more careful."
Han Jinyi, still shaken, nodded silently. When they reached a fork in the path, she parted ways with Song Yunzhao and headed straight back to her Qiulan Palace.
Ying Chun watched her with concern and said softly, "My Lady, you mustn’t overthink it. Just make sure you don’t get involved in this affair."
Han Jinyi shook her head. ’That’s not the right way to think about it.’ The thought of someone with ulterior motives like Cuiju being placed by Beauty Zhen’s side made her wary of her own attendants. She swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue, considered for a moment, and then said cautiously, "I just find Beauty Zhen truly pitiful. She knew nothing and was set up by others. What happened today was a completely undeserved disaster for her." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
She knew life in the palace was difficult, but she had never expected it to be this treacherous.
The look on His Majesty’s face when he left was awful. Unless Beauty Zhen finds some way to turn her situation around, she can forget about ever receiving his favor now that she’s been labeled a fool. Having left such a terrible impression on the Emperor, there’s no way for her to get ahead now.
A young girl in the prime of her life, ruined just like that.
Hearing this, Ying Chun gave a small smile. "My Lady, you’ll understand after you’ve lived in the palace a bit longer. There are many pitiful people here. You’ll slowly get used to it."
Listening to Ying Chun’s words, Han Jinyi looked at her and asked, "The concubines who entered the palace before us..."
Hearing her lady’s question, Ying Chun lowered her voice as well. "My Lady is truly astute. Besides the three concubines, the others are concubines in name only."
A chill ran through Han Jinyi. Her father had told her that while not all of the first concubines to enter the palace came from the most powerful families, they all had notable backgrounds. They were the ones entrusted with great responsibility by their clans—surely the most outstanding daughters of their generation. And the result?
Seeing her lady’s dark expression, Ying Chun didn’t dare say more. She quickly changed the subject with a smile, "It’s summer now, so the Summer Shirt Clothing Bureau has to rush to make new garments for all the ladies. They should be coming to take measurements in the next few days. When they do, I’ll help you pick some beautiful patterns, My Lady."
