Free Web NovelChapter 176: Chapter 76: The Emperor’s Elixir
The First Madam met Yun Zhao’s worried gaze and said calmly, "What’s so strange about this? It would be stranger if no one came after our family."
Song Yunzhao looked at her aunt in surprise. "First Aunt..."
"The more momentum you gain in the palace, the more you will be feared. Since they can’t touch you, they will naturally target your family. Your uncle and your father already discussed this in their letters when you first stayed in the palace. They were prepared for it."
Song Yunzhao fell silent. ’I really overlooked how official families in this era deal with these things. It can’t be helped. It wasn’t in the book, I’ve never experienced it, and no one ever taught me. How was I supposed to know?’
Seeing the look on Yun Zhao’s face, the First Madam sighed softly. "Your mother never taught you these things. Today, I’ll explain them to you in detail."
Song Yunzhao nodded slightly. "Thank you, First Aunt."
"We’re family. There’s no need for such formalities," the First Madam said with a smile. ’Now that Yun Zhao is a Concubine, Ye Xi can marry into a better family, and my husband’s official career will be much smoother. What’s a little impeachment? Throughout the court, who hasn’t been impeached, aside from the hopelessly mediocre?’
Therefore, Song Yunzhao’s affairs were now the First Madam’s absolute top priority.
"Your uncle is the Vice Envoy at the Salt Transport Bureau, only a Secondary Fifth Rank position. And while your father is an official in the capital, he’s just idling his days away in a powerless government office, and he’s only a sixth-rank official. In positions like these, it’s actually not easy to get into any real trouble, do you understand?"
Song Yunzhao felt she understood. ’This means that her uncle’s and father’s middle-of-the-road positions don’t carry heavy responsibilities, which in turn means less accountability. Even if someone tried to impeach them, they wouldn’t be able to find any serious leverage.’
’In other words, they were just trying to intimidate her.’
Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words. She looked at the First Madam and asked, "So, does this mean my uncle and father will be fine for now? I’m not too worried about my father; his post at the Ministry of Imperial Stables is quite leisurely. But what about my uncle? Will this hinder his chances for promotion?"
The First Madam smiled. "Appointments last for three years. When the time comes for performance reviews, they might try to play some tricks, but that’s not important. What truly matters is the position you, Concubine, hold three years from now."
Song Yunzhao grew pensive.
The First Madam continued slowly, "But don’t take risks just because of what I said, Concubine. You must understand that as long as your position is secure, the Song Family’s is too. Your uncle wrote that you must be cautious in the palace, and he, in turn, will be diligent in his duties as an official. With one of us on the inside and one on the outside, the Song Family will be safe."
Song Yunzhao understood her aunt’s underlying message. ’She’s tactfully telling me not to worry. My uncle won’t try to amass wealth illicitly or do anything else that could tarnish his reputation, hinder his promotion, or give his enemies leverage.’
Song Yunzhao felt a thrill of excitement at having such a capable ally. ’If I were fighting my way up in the palace while my family was dragging me down, I’d truly go mad.’
"I will remember your words, First Aunt. And please, could you pass a message to my uncle and my father? Tell them not to worry about me. I will be careful here in the palace."
Hearing this, the First Madam said, "That’s easy to say, but life in the palace is difficult. You absolutely must be cautious, Concubine."
Song Yunzhao nodded in agreement, then recounted how Consort Lu had been stripped of her title. "Because of this," she added, "Chancellor Lu will likely be watching the Song Family very closely."
The First Madam hadn’t realized the situation was so perilous, and her expression turned grim. She looked at Yun Zhao and said, "Don’t worry too much. I’ll return to my maiden home and ask my father to gather more information."
Only then did Song Yunzhao remember. ’The First Madam’s father is the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Although it’s a third-rank position, the Ministry of Rites is practically at the bottom of the Six Ministries in terms of real power.’
But the First Madam was willing to ask her maiden family to intervene for her sake. Yun Zhao committed this kindness to memory.
The First Madam mused for a moment, then added, "To think that Zhu Cairen was actually sentenced to death... That is quite surprising."
Song Yunzhao fell silent for a moment before speaking. "She was never going to make it out alive."
The First Madam sighed. "You’re right. Since she was connected to Consort Lu, even if the Emperor hadn’t ordered her death, she never would have escaped Consort Lu’s clutches."
"You’re right, First Aunt. More importantly, only with Zhu Cairen dead and bearing the brunt of the punishment would Chancellor Lu let the matter of Consort Lu’s own punishment rest." Song Yunzhao had only figured this out herself after the fact.
’At the time, I also thought that sentencing Zhu Ruolan to death was too severe. But after I calmed down and considered it carefully, I realized the Emperor’s approach was the most fitting.’
