Free Web NovelChapter 174: Chapter 75: Promotion and Salary Increase (Part 3)
Song Yunzhao: ...
Just another day of being left speechless by the Emperor.
"I was just joking. With so many people around Lady Shufei, how could I possibly have escaped?" Though Song Yunzhao spoke cheerfully, her words were a pointed reminder to the Emperor of the vast disparity between her and Consort Shu.
"You have a point." Feng Yi nodded with a straight face. "My beloved concubine has been terribly wronged and frightened today. I must compensate you well."
Song Yunzhao looked up at the Emperor, playing along with a smile. "What will Your Majesty reward me with? Another case of gold beans? Or perhaps some Silver?"
Seeing Yun Zhao bring this up so casually, Feng Yi was exasperated. "And who was it that was just crying poverty to me? Now you’re using it to make a jest."
"Then what does Your Majesty intend to reward me with?" Song Yunzhao asked casually, but her heart leaped into her throat. ’In the book, the Emperor was notoriously stingy about promotions; moving up in rank was next to impossible.’
For example, the three concubines had entered the palace five years ago. Their initial rank was concubine, and they were still concubines today. Of course, this was partly because above the rank of concubine, besides the Empress’s throne, there was only one position available: Imperial Concubine.
However, in the book, the protagonist Qin Xiyue’s path to promotion had also been slow. The Emperor wanted to use her to clean up his messes, but at the same time, he was wary of Grand Tutor Qin. Consequently, despite shouldering heavy responsibilities, Qin Xiyue’s rank rose very slowly.
’Then again, perhaps the author thought that if the protagonist was promoted too quickly, it would be impossible to show how difficult it was to level up and fight monsters in the harem.’
So, for now, Song Yunzhao ruled out the possibility of a promotion. ’When you’re stuck with a stingy emperor, there’s nothing to be done about it.’
’It was just her fate.’
Since a promotion was off the table, she wasn’t particularly looking forward to any other kind of reward. It all seemed rather meaningless.
"You’ll find out tomorrow," Feng Yi said with a smile.
Song Yunzhao: ...
’He’s trying to be mysterious with me. Fine, the Emperor really knows how to play games.’
So, she put on a convincing show of eager anticipation, and then began to usher him out.
Meng Jiuchang had been pacing outside just now; Song Yunzhao had already caught a glimpse of his shadow. Feng Yi really did have to leave. He looked at Song Yunzhao and instructed, "Rest well. Take a few days to recover. And don’t go bouncing around getting into trouble."
Song Yunzhao remained deadpan. "Your Majesty should go attend to your business."
’A perfectly good Emperor, if only he didn’t have a mouth.’
Feng Yi left with a smile.
It was exhausting having to stay on high alert while talking with the Emperor. The moment he left, Song Yunzhao’s entire body went slack, and she leaned back against the soft pillows to think.
Xiangxue and Shizhu hurried in. "Mistress, would you like something to eat?"
Song Yunzhao shook her head. She had no appetite.
"Did anything happen after I fainted?" Song Yunzhao vaguely remembered the Emperor punishing Consort Shu, but her head had been buzzing at the time, and she hadn’t heard clearly.
Shizhu’s face lit up. "Mistress, the Emperor stripped Consort Shu of her title! She’s now Consort Lu."
Song Yunzhao looked up at them. "Is that so? That is good news."
’Tsk. It seems the Emperor still can’t fully exert his power at court. He only stripped her of her title, he didn’t demote her rank. A pity.’
She knew how much the Emperor detested these people. If stripping her title was all he could do, it meant she had to try even harder.
After orchestrating such a big incident, she had only managed to take away a title. Song Yunzhao felt a bit helpless. ’Looks like my firepower is still lacking.’
Seeing that their mistress didn’t seem very pleased, Xiangxue and Shizhu exchanged a look, and their own excitement quickly subsided.
Xiangxue considered for a moment before speaking. "Mistress, when the Emperor was leaving, he said that since you have been wronged, you may summon your family to the palace for a visit."
"Really?" Song Yunzhao was overjoyed. At her current rank, it wasn’t easy to see her family even once a month. Although she could probably arrange it with some effort, having the Emperor proactively grant her a visit was a delightful surprise.
"It’s true," Shizhu quickly nodded.
Song Yunzhao let out a long sigh of relief. ’At least that’s a small victory.’ "Have Anshun make a trip to the Song Family residence and ask my eldest aunt to come to the palace." She then turned to Xiangxue. "You and Anshun were meritorious in protecting me today. I will reward you both handsomely."
"It is what this servant ought to do," Xiangxue replied, stepping forward quickly.
Song Yunzhao looked at Shizhu. "Go fetch two silver notes for one hundred taels. Give one to each of them." Then she looked back at Xiangxue. "When you reach the age to leave the palace, I will arrange a good marriage for you. I will not let your loyalty go unrewarded."
’When others show her loyalty, she must reward them generously. That is the only way to win people’s hearts.’
Xiangxue’s eyes reddened. "Mistress..."
Shizhu had already returned with the silver notes. She pressed one for one hundred taels into Xiangxue’s hand and smiled. "It’s a blessing for us servants to have a mistress like the Noble Consort. Hurry and put it away. From now on, we just have to continue serving her well."
