Free Web NovelChapter 182: Chapter 77: _3
"With you being this capable, what’s the point of people like Meng Jiuchang? I suppose you should at least let them keep their jobs."
Manager Meng: ...
"My Lady, please be merciful." Manager Meng quickly put on a smile. ’Alright,’ he thought, ’I see how it is. This is one person I truly can’t afford to offend right now.’
Song Yunzhao offered a fake smile. "Manager Meng, you do love to joke."
Manager Meng sighed inwardly. ’From now on, I’ll have to be extra cautious when dealing with matters concerning Wangyou Palace.’
Of course, it wasn’t as if there hadn’t been others in this palace who grew arrogant with favor, but none of them ever met a good end.
’Song Jieyu is certainly beautiful, and the Emperor is currently infatuated. But even the most stunning beauty’s bloom must fade. When that day comes, we’ll see if she can still be this arrogant.’
After seeing the Emperor off, Song Yunzhao was no longer sleepy and decided to go to her study.
She still hadn’t had time to read the letter from Xie Linlang that Madam Song sent over yesterday. Now was the perfect opportunity.
As she unfolded the letter and began to read, a faint smile touched Song Yunzhao’s lips. Preparations for *The West Chamber* were nearly complete. To her surprise, Xie Jinshu had actually purchased an entire theater, including its resident troupe.
’I never expected Xie Jinshu to go that far.’
According to Xie Linlang’s letter, if the troupe was to tour as Song Yunzhao planned, owning it was essential. One troupe wouldn’t even be enough; Xie Jinshu was already scouting for other talented actors.
Actors in this era weren’t celebrated as they would be in later times. They were considered among the lowest rungs of society, with no social status to speak of. Children in the troupes were either sold by families who could no longer feed them or were young beggars the troupe masters picked up off the streets and trained from childhood. Such people were like rootless duckweed, with no freedom whatsoever.
Given her current status and position, all Song Yunzhao could do was sigh. There was nothing more she could do about it for now.
Still, everything was proceeding according to plan. Once *The West Chamber* debuted and became a massive hit, that was when she would really start making money.
She estimated she’d see the results in about a month, and she was quite looking forward to it.
She burned Xie Linlang’s letter, then poured the contents of a teacup over the ashes before calling someone in to take the porcelain basin away to be cleaned.
’I’m not in a hurry to write a new play. I should wait and see how the market reacts first.’
She walked slowly out of the study and down the long veranda. The gentle morning breeze of summer carried a pleasant coolness, gradually clearing her muddled thoughts.
She found a gooseneck chair and sat down, pondering her next move.
’The protagonist has been far too quiet, and it’s making me uneasy. But I can’t find any leverage against Qin Xiyue. This passive waiting is making me restless.’
’How frustrating.’
"My Lady, it’s time for breakfast," Shizhu said with a smile, having finally found her.
Song Yunzhao rose. "So early?"
"The sun rises earlier in the summer. It’s already 7:00 AM," Shizhu replied.
Song Yunzhao was taken aback. That wasn’t early at all. Not long after she returned to her chambers and finished breakfast, Han Jinyi arrived.
Upon seeing Song Yunzhao, she immediately performed her salutations. "This concubine greets the Lady."
"Please, rise." Song Yunzhao reached out to help Han Jinyi up. "Must you be so formal with me too?"
Han Jinyi smiled. "One must observe the proper etiquette."
Song Yunzhao ordered tea and looked at Han Jinyi. "When we’re alone, let’s dispense with so many formalities. It’s an effort for me to help you up every time. Let’s both save our strength."
Han Jinyi was exasperated. "I can’t do that. But next time, you need not help me. I can rise on my own."
Song Yunzhao smiled and shook her head. "Did you have something to tell me when you came by yesterday?"
Han Jinyi nodded. "I did, but yesterday was your special day, and with so many people around, I didn’t bring it up."
"Tell me, what is it?"
Just then, Xiangxue brought in the tea. She set down the cups and quietly withdrew.
Han Jinyi took the opportunity to compose herself. Once Xiangxue had left, she looked at Song Yunzhao and said in a low voice, "My family sent word. A protégé of Chancellor Lu has been reassigned to Yucheng."
Song Yunzhao frowned. "Are you certain?"
Han Jinyi nodded. "The official orders have been issued; otherwise, my mother wouldn’t have sent word. Don’t worry. My mother will also send a reminder to Madam Song for the sake of the Song Family."
’Now that I’ve thrown my lot in with Yun Zhao, if something were to happen to the Song Family and drag her down, I would naturally be implicated as well.’
Song Yunzhao let out a cold laugh. "How highly Chancellor Lu must think of him."
Hearing the anger in her voice, Han Jinyi chose her words carefully. "There’s not much we can do from within the palace. I’m telling you this so you can warn your family to be cautious. Don’t let them cause a major incident and give our enemies an opening."
