I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 188: Chapter 79: Have They Gone Mad?

"What did you say?" Song Yunzhao stared at Anshun in astonishment, hardly able to believe her ears. "A Self-blame Edict?"

Anshun nodded. "I happened to run into Chief Steward Zhang this morning, and he’s the one who told me. The courtiers believe this flood is a calamity sent from the heavens to warn the Emperor."

’The Emperor must be furious,’ Song Yunzhao thought, not even needing to dwell on it. ’Good heavens, they’re just making him the scapegoat.’

Seeing her terrible expression, Anshun swallowed nervously before adding, "I heard the heavy rains in the south have washed away countless villages and farmlands, which is what led to the events at this morning’s court session."

Song Yunzhao finally remembered. ’That’s right, this incident was in the book.’ At the time, it was only mentioned in passing. The book said the Emperor wanted to dispatch a courtier to manage the floods, but no one at court dared to accept the task. Then, after some political maneuvering between the Left and Right Ministers, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice surprisingly ended up as the imperial envoy.

’Yes, this is it.’

No wonder Song Yunzhao couldn’t recall the specifics. The original book had only covered it in a few sentences. First, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice became a sacrificial pawn in the power struggle between the two factions of courtiers. Second, after he was made the imperial envoy for flood control and disaster relief, he was framed in the south, and one-third of the disaster silver was stolen.

Because of this incident, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice was arrested and escorted back to the capital. Later, it was said that Grand Tutor Qin spoke in his defense and vouched for him before the Emperor. Only after the Minister of the Ministry of Justice recovered the stolen silver did he manage to weather the crisis.

It was after this incident that the book’s Han Jinyi, to repay the Qin Family for their kindness, sided with Qin Xiyue in the palace and became her right-hand woman.

The book only gave a sparse account, so Song Yunzhao didn’t know the full truth of the matter. But she knew the outcome: the female lead was the one who benefited.

So the question was, what political game did the Left and Right Ministers play to make the Minister of the Ministry of Justice unlucky enough to receive this assignment? Logically speaking, it shouldn’t have fallen to him, no matter whose turn it was.

Song Yunzhao couldn’t wrap her head around the underhanded dealings of officialdom, but she knew she had to find a way to intervene. She couldn’t let Han Jinyi be put in a difficult position.

’Besides, there was no Self-blame Edict in the book!’

She had a nagging feeling that this was her fault. By stealing the female lead’s spotlight, she had caused a chain reaction.

’But what’s the right thing to do?’

Song Yunzhao was finally realizing just how inconvenient it was to be confined to the harem, but she still had to come up with a plan.

The business with the Self-blame Edict had come out of nowhere. It was a clear move by the courtiers to force the Emperor to submit. ’They’re practically suicidal.’

Song Yunzhao had a vague feeling that this could be an opportunity for her, but she wasn’t sure what she could do. Still, she couldn’t bear to do nothing.

Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao sent for Han Jinyi.

Han Jinyi arrived quickly. "You summoned me in such a hurry," she said upon seeing Yun Zhao. "Did something happen?"

Song Yunzhao dismissed her attendants, had Han Jinyi sit, and then said in a low voice, "I just received news. The flooding in the south is severe, and the courtiers are pressuring the Emperor to issue a Self-blame Edict."

"What?" Han Jinyi’s face went pale. "Are they... insane?"

"I don’t know about insane, but I’m afraid these people are using the flood to force His Majesty to submit," Song Yunzhao said with a sigh.

Han Jinyi’s brow furrowed deeply. "Even if that’s true, what can we do? We’re stuck in the harem. We can’t do anything."

She knew Yun Zhao wouldn’t have told her this just for the sake of conversation, but she truly couldn’t think of anything they could do.

"Self-blame Edicts aren’t unique to our dynasty. Previous dynasties had them as well," Song Yunzhao said, looking at Han Jinyi.

Hearing this, Han Jinyi looked back at Song Yunzhao. "They did, but there’s no precedent for courtiers forcing an emperor to issue one."

Song Yunzhao nodded. Generally, in a feudal society, whenever a great natural disaster occurred—be it a solar eclipse, a flood, or an earthquake—the emperor was expected to engage in self-reflection and criticism. A Self-blame Edict was nothing out of the ordinary.

"You’re right. There’s no justification for courtiers forcing the Emperor to issue a Self-blame Edict. I think this situation might actually be an opportunity for us."

Han Jinyi looked at Song Yunzhao in surprise. "But what can we possibly do in a situation like this?"

"Think about it. If some people are forcing the Emperor to issue a Self-blame Edict, then other people can speak out righteously in his defense."

Han Jinyi froze. ’She’s right. If the heavens send a disaster, does it have to be the Emperor’s fault? Couldn’t it be the courtiers’ fault? How long has the Emperor been ruling in his own right, versus how long have the courtiers been controlling the government?’

She was no fool. With this nudge from Yun Zhao, she instantly understood the stakes, and her heart began to race.

"Yun Zhao, are you... suggesting I write to my father?"

Song Yunzhao looked at Han Jinyi. "I’ve received some information. I don’t know if it’s true, but since it concerns you, I felt I had to tell you."

"It concerns me?" Han Jinyi looked confused, unable to imagine what it could be.

"To be precise, it concerns your father."

"My father?" Han Jinyi was even more confused. ’What could it have to do with him? He’s the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He has nothing to do with flood control or disaster relief.’

"I can’t tell you my source, but according to the information I have, the Left and Right Ministers are maneuvering over the selection of the imperial envoy for disaster relief in the south. It’s highly likely your father will be chosen because of his neutral position."

Han Jinyi’s expression changed instantly.

Song Yunzhao knew Han Jinyi would understand that this assignment was no prize. She said no more, having already said all that she could.

Han Jinyi looked up at Song Yunzhao. "Yun Zhao, is this information reliable?"

Song Yunzhao gave a slight nod. "It should be, but I can’t give you a guarantee."

Han Jinyi knew Song Yunzhao never spoke idly. If she was saying this, the information was likely very accurate. She grew anxious and said to Yun Zhao, "The Left and Right Ministers have been at odds for years. If it’s really as you say, I’m afraid my father will be in a very dangerous position."

Song Yunzhao nodded inwardly. ’Han Jinyi is quick on the uptake; she’s already grasped the danger.’

"Yun Zhao, what can we do?" Han Jinyi understood the gravity of the situation, but she couldn’t think of a solution.

This was the very question Song Yunzhao had been waiting for. She said thoughtfully, "I have a suggestion, though it’s not fully formed. Hear me out."

"Please, tell me."

"Think about it. This whole affair started with the Self-blame Edict. Since the Left and Right Ministers both want the Emperor to accept the blame, then someone has to stand up and defend him, right? Even if the final outcome can’t be changed, you must at least change your father’s standing in the Emperor’s eyes."

Han Jinyi felt as though she both understood and didn’t. In a daze, she looked at Yun Zhao and asked, "Yun Zhao, so... should I send a letter to my father?"

"Now that I’ve told you, the decision is yours to make. Just remember, I can’t give you a full guarantee on this information. When you mention it to your father, you must also make that clear. What if something unexpected happens and things don’t go as we predict?"