Free Web NovelChapter 158: Chapter 70: A High-End Persona Doesn’t Suit a Commoner
Song Yunzhao had originally expected that after the Emperor learned of the matter, he would perhaps only teach Lu Zhixue a small lesson. She never thought the punishment would be this severe.
Docking three months of her stipend wasn’t really a big deal for Lu Zhixue, but a month of confinement was a serious blow.
Confinement meant she couldn’t send her tooth card to the imperial court, which meant she had no chance of attending the Emperor for a whole month. This would cause her to fall far behind the others.
There were so many beautiful women in the harem. If Lu Zhixue lacked the ability to make a comeback, she might just fade into obscurity after a month.
How could Song Yunzhao have predicted that Lu Zhixue’s father would cause trouble for the Emperor? With both factors combined, wasn’t Lu Zhixue just paying the price for it all?
Lu Zhixue’s harsh punishment inadvertently proved that the Emperor held Song Yunzhao in high regard.
Through a strange twist of fate, this was how things had turned out.
At this point, Song Yunzhao was more certain than ever that she was the Emperor’s newly appointed trash-sweeping machine. The Emperor might think so, but she refused to accept that label for herself.
’Even trash-sweeping machines came in different grades and types. For instance, the story’s heroine belonged to the type who would conscientiously use her noble character to eventually win over the Emperor.’
’I’m not.’
’That kind of high-class persona doesn’t suit a worldly person like me.’
***
News of Lu Zhixue’s punishment quickly spread throughout the harem. Such events were not uncommon. Back when the group of concubines from Consort Shu’s time entered the palace, the struggles had been even more intense and ruthless.
More than half of them were eliminated, and later, even Consort Chu died. The only victors remaining in the palace were the three concubines.
But hearing about it was one thing; seeing it firsthand was another. It was enough to make one tremble. The newly arrived concubines had just received their first lesson.
The weight behind the words ’favored concubine’ was revealed for the first time.
Currently, the palace affairs were managed by the three concubines, who shared power almost equally. Consort Zhuang was the first to show goodwill toward Song Yunzhao. For example, the provisions sent to Song Yunzhao’s palace were now much more abundant and of a higher quality than before.
"My Lady, you’ve begun to stand out. The three concubines may seem powerful, but no new princes have been born in the palace in the past two years. With new concubines arriving, they will surely try to win people over. I believe Consort Zhuang has her sights set on you."
Song Yunzhao looked up at Nanny Yu. "Nanny, what are your thoughts?"
Unsure of her lady’s intentions, Nanny Yu considered her words carefully. "This matter has both advantages and disadvantages. With support, your path will be smoother, My Lady, but you will also be constrained by others in return. Consort Zhuang has always had a good reputation in the palace, but with your own abilities, it’s not impossible for you to reach a high position. There’s no need to rush into choosing a side."
Song Yunzhao chuckled softly. "You have a point, Nanny."
’I won’t side with anyone. The path I’ve chosen for myself is that of a lone wolf. The Emperor is so suspicious; if I form an alliance with anyone, he’ll be sure to keep score.’
’For me, the safest path is one of unwavering loyalty and devotion to the Emperor, and only the Emperor.’
Just when Song Yunzhao thought the Emperor would visit again the following night, he instead had lunch with Consort Shu the next day, dinner with Princess Consort Wan on the third day, and then went to play chess with Consort Zhuang on the afternoon of the fourth. After that, he didn’t set foot in the harem for several days straight.
Song Yunzhao was left speechless.
’I’ve underestimated him.’
’I thought that after his first taste of something like this, he would be a bit more indulgent, but he wasn’t.’
’Then again, that makes sense. If he were an emperor who lusted after women, he wouldn’t be the resolute man described in the book.’
While Song Yunzhao remained as steady as a mountain, unease rippled through the other palaces. No one could figure out the Emperor’s intentions. After all, though he hadn’t returned to Wangyou Palace, he hadn’t visited any of the other new concubines either.
All eyes were on Wangyou Palace, but Song Yunzhao remained secluded within, giving no one the chance to even catch a glimpse of her.
"My Lady, Han Xiaoyi and Feng Xiaoyuan are here to see you," Xiangxue reported, entering the study.
Song Yunzhao froze, surprised that Han Jinyi would come with Feng Yunjin. In her moment of distraction, a drop of ink fell from her brush, ruining the painting of playful cats she had been working on for half the day.
The corner of Song Yunzhao’s mouth twitched. ’It was just to pass the time, anyway.’ She casually crumpled the ruined painting and tossed it into a nearby wastebasket before saying to Xiangxue, "Show them in."
"Yes."
Song Yunzhao straightened her attire and stepped out of the study, meeting the two of them under the corridor eaves. Both were dressed in light summer robes, looking like a pair of vibrant, blossoming flowers—a truly beautiful sight.
"This concubine greets the Noble Consort," Feng Xiaoyuan said, stepping forward to curtsy.
Han Jinyi hesitated for a moment, then also followed suit with a curtsy.
Song Yunzhao smiled. "Please, rise. What brings you two here? It’s one thing to see Han Xiaoyi, but Feng Xiaoyuan, you’re quite the rare guest."
