Free Web NovelChapter 150: Chapter 68: Song Yunzhao’s Silk Cave
Hearing this, Song Yunzhao couldn’t tell what was true and what was false. After a long silence, she looked at Han Jinyi and said softly, "Past events in the palace have nothing to do with us. It’s best not to ask too many questions."
Han Jinyi was taken aback by Song Yunzhao’s grave expression. "Yun Zhao," she said, "many people in the palace are secretly talking about this."
"Then have you heard An Fangyi say anything herself?"
Han Jinyi shook her head.
"The living do not speak, and the dead cannot prove their own innocence. Naturally, the story becomes whatever others say it is."
Han Jinyi’s heart skipped a beat. Her expression flickered, and it was a long moment before she spoke. "So, you’re guessing someone deliberately fed me this information? But why?"
Song Yunzhao looked at Han Jinyi and said, enunciating each word, "Because you and I are close."
Han Jinyi’s face paled. She said urgently, "Yun Zhao, I didn’t mean anything by it! I truly just heard the news and wanted to let you know."
"I know," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. "If not for your good intentions, I wouldn’t have said what I did to warn you."
Han Jinyi breathed a small sigh of relief, then said with a flash of anger, "Just let me find out who it is. I won’t let them off easily."
This wasn’t just using her as a weapon; it was also an attempt to drive a wedge between her and Yun Zhao.
"Verbal sparring is the crudest tactic in the palace. Only Lu Zhixue still hasn’t figured that out; she just barks at me whenever we meet. Look at everyone else—aren’t they all smiles and pleasantries? Even though we heard rumors outside the palace that Lady Shufei had a difficult temperament, have you ever, in all our time here, seen Consort Shu say anything in public that could be used against her?"
Han Jinyi sighed. It was true; she hadn’t.
"I knew life here would be difficult, but I never thought someone would target me first." Han Jinyi’s face burned with humiliation. ’If Yun Zhao hadn’t warned me, I probably still wouldn’t have caught on.’
’And here I was, thinking I was so clever...’
Seeing Han Jinyi in low spirits, Song Yunzhao smiled. "My Housekeeper says that if you live in this palace long enough, you’ll see monsters of every stripe. Jinyi, this is just the beginning. Having this happen now, as a warning, might actually be a good thing."
Han Jinyi gave a bitter smile. "You don’t have to console me. I understand."
After sitting a moment longer, Han Jinyi rose to leave. Before she left, she looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "Be extra careful these next couple of days. You’re in a precarious position. Even though you’re basking in favor, the danger has also multiplied."
Song Yunzhao nodded and personally saw Han Jinyi out. When she returned, she had Xiangxue go pick balsamine to dye her nails.
What other pastimes were there in the palace? It was always the same few things. Everyone had their eyes on the day after tomorrow, when the Emperor would choose from the tooth cards. Naturally, she had to present herself at her best.
Xiangxue and Shizhu returned with a small bamboo basket of bright red balsamine. They used a Jade Mortar to crush the petals, strained the juice through a fine cotton cloth, and painted it onto Yun Zhao’s nails. Then, they wrapped each finger in silk. After a few hours, the process would be complete.
Song Yunzhao looked down at her ten tightly wrapped fingertips and felt foolish. ’I should have done this at night. Then I could just sleep, and it would be done.’
’Now, though... it just looks ridiculous.’
"My Lady, shall I read to you?" Qingfeng asked with a smile, entering with a book in hand.
Song Yunzhao glanced at her. The smile hadn’t yet faded from the little palace maid’s eyes. She let out a soft sigh and nodded. Fine.
Qingfeng’s voice was lovely. ’In a future life,’ Song Yunzhao mused, ’she would surely be a brilliant voice actress.’ She closed her eyes to listen. The sunlight gradually crept across the soft chaise by the window, warming her skin. And as she listened, Song Yunzhao drifted off to sleep.
Yulu brought a thin blanket and gently draped it over her. Then she turned to Qingfeng and said, "Nanny Yu said you should stop reading, so as not to disturb our lady’s rest." freēwebnovel.com
Qingfeng nodded and put the book away. "I’ll keep watch, then," she whispered to Yulu.
Yulu acknowledged this and tiptoed out of the room.
Elsewhere, Nanny Yu was leading the maids in selecting outfits and jewelry for the day after tomorrow. Whether or not His Majesty would choose her, they had to be prepared.
The next day, she unwrapped the silk cloth. Her nails were already colored. A second coat had been applied last night, so the color was much richer now. Dyed twice with bright red balsamine, her nails were indeed more beautiful. Song Yunzhao admired her ten slender fingers, her mood soaring.
