Free Web NovelChapter 189: Chapter 80: Fine, They’ve Really Got Some Nerve
"I know. Regardless of what happens, I’m truly grateful to you for this," Han Jinyi said sincerely. That Yun Zhao would share the news with her meant that, successful or not, her father could prepare in advance, which was far better than being caught off guard.
Han Jinyi couldn’t sit still any longer. She had to go back and write a letter to send home.
After seeing Han Jinyi off, Song Yunzhao called Anshun in again and instructed him in a low voice, "Spread the word that the Left and Right Ministers are forcing the Emperor to issue a Self-blame Edict."
Although Anshun didn’t know what his master was planning, he only needed to follow her orders.
Song Yunzhao let out a slight sigh of relief. ’Once the news spreads through the harem, Qin Xiyue will surely see the opportunity in it. I refuse to believe she can remain as unshakable as a mountain this time.’
’Moreover, Consort Lu wants to reclaim her title. She’ll likely be very tempted when she hears this news.’
’And then there are Princess Consort Wan and Princess Consort Zhuang. They’re all incredibly shrewd. With an opportunity right in front of them, there’s no way they’ll let it go.’
’This whole affair with the Self-blame Edict is almost certainly related to the families behind them. They see the Emperor doting on me, know they can’t compete, so they’re having their families exert pressure to make the Emperor bow his head and cause me to fall out of favor.’
Two paths lay before Song Yunzhao: either fight them to the bitter end or fall out of favor.
’And what would be the consequences of falling out of favor?’
Song Yunzhao didn’t even have to think to know the answer. That was a path she would not choose.
That left only one option: to fight to the end.
’That way, as long as they start fighting amongst themselves, I can sit back, watch the drama unfold, and reap the benefits.’
’They’ve been forcing me to brave the storm these past few days. Now, it’s their turn.’
’As for me...’
’...I, of course, will play the part of a gentle, virtuous, and understanding flower, soothing the Emperor’s fiery little heart.’
’If I don’t curry favor now, when will I?’
’If there’s goodwill to be earned, earn it. If there isn’t, create some and earn that too!’
Song Yunzhao took out some of her private Silver and had Nanny Yu order a soup from the Imperial Kitchen. This time, she didn’t ask for ginseng soup, but for a "fire-reducing" pork bone and jicama soup. Once the soup was ready, she changed into a light-colored, understated dress that made her look gentle, and only then did she head for Taiji Palace.
The atmosphere in Taiji Palace was truly as frigid as the dead of winter. Zhang Maoquan was handling matters outside the hall and paused for a moment when he saw Song Jieyu from a distance. He dismissed the little eunuch beside him and hurried over to greet her.
"Greetings, Concubine."
"There’s no need for such formalities, Chief Steward Zhang. I had a soup prepared for the Emperor. I was wondering if His Majesty has a moment to see me?" Song Yunzhao said with a smile, gesturing to the food container in Xiangxue’s hands.
Zhang Maoquan thought to himself, ’I passed the news to Anshun this morning, and now Song Jieyu is here. She’s a formidable one, truly facing the challenge head-on.’
"Please wait a moment, Concubine. This servant will go in and announce you," Zhang Maoquan replied.
"Thank you, Chief Steward Zhang," Song Yunzhao said.
Zhang Maoquan turned and walked into the hall. Song Yunzhao stood waiting outside, able to see courtiers walking briskly in the distance, their origins and destinations unknown.
Soon, Zhang Maoquan came back out. He smiled at Song Jieyu and said, "His Majesty invites the Lady to enter."
Song Yunzhao nodded with a smile, took the food container from Xiangxue’s hands, and then stepped into the grand hall.
The hall was silent. The deep, spacious hall’s current tranquility was incredibly oppressive.
Song Yunzhao walked forward and curtsied. "This concubine greets the Emperor."
Feng Yi didn’t even look up. "Rise. What’s the occasion? Why the sudden urge to bring me soup?"
The truth was, Song Yunzhao wasn’t exactly a diligent person. Feng Yi wouldn’t believe she had come without a reason.
Seeing that Feng Yi’s tone was still relatively calm, Song Yunzhao walked right up to him and said with a smile, "I heard Your Majesty was in a bad mood, so this concubine had the kitchen prepare a soup to help you cool off."
Feng Yi put down the brush in his hand and finally looked up at Song Yunzhao. "Who did you hear that from?"
Song Yunzhao smiled. "Your Majesty, news like this spreads through the harem very quickly."
’With no one in clear command of the harem, there are just too many leaks. If Zhang Maoquan can tell Anshun, what’s to stop Xu Sixi or Meng Jiuchang from passing messages to others?’
Feng Yi’s expression soured. He looked at Yun Zhao and asked, "You came all this way just for that?"
"What do you mean, ’just for that’? To this concubine, this is a matter of utmost importance. Whoever makes the Emperor unhappy is this concubine’s enemy." Song Yunzhao opened the food container, took out the soup tureen, and gently offered it to the Emperor. "Emperor, please have a taste. How is it?"
Feng Yi didn’t look at the soup, his gaze fixed directly on Song Yunzhao.
’Whoever makes the Emperor unhappy is this concubine’s enemy.’ The words struck a chord deep within him. No one had ever said anything like that to him before.
Song Yunzhao met the Emperor’s gaze without retreating, holding his stare. Her face still wore a gentle, tender smile, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.
Feng Yi suddenly smiled. Song Yunzhao was the first person to care whether he was happy or not. It didn’t matter if it was only because he was the Emperor; at least her concern was genuine.
Feng Yi took the soup tureen and drank the soup, one mouthful at a time. Song Yunzhao put the tureen back in the food container, moved the container aside, and then said, "Let this concubine grind the ink for the Emperor."
Before Feng Yi could speak, Song Yunzhao had already begun. She was wearing a dress with narrow sleeves today, which made grinding the ink much more convenient.
The fragrance of ink slowly filled the hall, and Feng Yi’s anger gradually dissipated along with the ripples Song Yunzhao created in the ink, circle after circle.
"What are your thoughts on the matter of the Self-blame Edict?"
Hearing the Emperor speak, Song Yunzhao replied with feigned casualness, "Even though the Emperor has been on the throne for five years, the courtiers who assist in governance still refuse to relinquish their power. If a mistake is made, what does that have to do with you? Whoever holds the power should bear the responsibility."
Feng Yi had heard far too many words of blame directed at him as the Emperor today. Suddenly hearing a dissenting opinion, he felt his spirits lift.
"Do you really think so?" Feng Yi asked, staring at Song Yunzhao.
Song Yunzhao put down the inkstick and revealed a less-than-friendly smile. "Is this concubine wrong? If officials don’t take responsibility, what are they for? It’s like if something went wrong in my Wangyou Palace, the Emperor would surely hold this concubine accountable first. What does a bursting riverbank have to do with the Emperor? Did you order the rain to fall? Did you build the levees yourself? Instead of investigating why the levees were breached by the flood, the courtiers come to blame the Emperor. In my opinion, they’re afraid you’ll investigate further, discover their own dereliction of duty, and hold them accountable, so they’re turning the tables to blame you first."
Song Yunzhao’s words made Feng Yi’s eyes light up. ’There was something that didn’t feel right! Yes, if the levees collapsed, of course the ones who built them should be held accountable. I allocated so much Silver to build those dams; how could they be washed away by a flood so easily?’
’I couldn’t see it clearly at first and was just led around by the nose by the courtiers. They used a celestial omen to pressure me, the Emperor, so they could evade their own culpability.’
’Fine. They’re really something else!’
Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Song Yunzhao knew her complaint had hit the mark. ’The courtiers want to suppress me? Then let them have a taste of my counterattack first.’
’I may not be able to extend my reach into the court, but I sure know how to use pillow talk.’
’We’re all lone wolves in this high-stakes game. Let’s see who comes out on top!’
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