Free Web NovelChapter 197: Chapter 88: A Falling-Out Means No More Scruples
Song Yunzhao, however, was not one to be passive. She looked at the Madam and said, "One can’t be on the defensive forever. Aunt, you know as well as I do that if it’s something that can spite me or hold me down, Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan would leap at the chance."
The Madam’s brow furrowed. "Mrs. Cai should at least think about her son."
"Last time, I told her not to expect any support from me for Song Bu Yue. That remark probably made Mrs. Cai resent me." The more Song Yunzhao thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Mrs. Cai was different from the Madam. The Madam could see the bigger picture for the sake of the family, but Mrs. Cai would not.
The Madam looked at Song Yunzhao. "Concubine, have you come up with a plan?"
Song Yunzhao smiled. "It’s not much of a plan. I was just thinking, since Song Qinghan is so dead set on marrying into the Marquis Mansion, we should just grant her wish."
"But the Marquis Wuxin Mansion..."
Song Yunzhao scoffed. "What does the Marquis Wuxin Mansion have to do with me? When Song Qinghan gets married, I won’t be adding to her dowry, nor will I be there to lend her any prestige. Anyone with half a brain knows there’s no sisterly affection between us."
"That may be so, but you are sisters, after all. Since the Marquis Wuxin Mansion is set on this marriage, they have likely already investigated these matters. What if the ’sisterly’ connection is precisely what they want? Concubine, you are in the palace, and your reach is limited. I am only her aunt. Once Qinghan marries out, I will be unable to interfere in the affairs of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion."
"So, we’ll just lay everything out in the open. But not now. We’ll wait until Song Qinghan’s marriage to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion is set in stone and known to everyone," Song Yunzhao said, her face cold.
"Concubine, you mean...?"
"Song Qinghan and Mrs. Cai are still trying to drag me down with them. Any last shred of sentiment between us is now completely gone." Song Yunzhao’s expression was impassive, as if she were discussing strangers. "After they are officially engaged, I’ll have to trouble you, Aunt, to make the rounds and really publicize the ’sisterly affection’ between me and Song Qinghan."
After carefully considering Song Yunzhao’s words, the Madam disagreed. "That’s like killing a thousand enemies but losing eight hundred of your own men. No, we can’t tarnish your reputation, Concubine. Let’s think of another way. There must be another way."
"Aunt, I don’t need a good reputation right now."
"What?"
Song Yunzhao let out a soft laugh. "What is the reputation of the three concubines like?"
"Naturally, it’s good."
"But what does that matter? To this day, not a single prince has been born in the harem. Why do you think that is?"
The Madam’s heart skipped a beat. Her face paled slightly, and her hand, clutching her handkerchief, suddenly tightened.
"You’ve figured it out, haven’t you, Aunt? So, tell me, why was I promoted so quickly? Why did the Emperor send my father south for disaster relief this time?"
"Yun Zhao..."
"Aunt, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. I don’t need a good reputation right now. I am simply a concubine doted on by the Emperor. His Majesty favors me, and by extension, he promotes my father. That’s all there is to it. As for a good reputation, I will earn it back someday. But not now."
The Madam understood. After the Emperor ascended the throne, the families of the three concubines continued to control the court. Even the Left Minister, who had no concubine from his family in the harem, did not stand entirely on the Emperor’s side in court.
The Emperor needed someone to help him suppress the three concubines, someone to break open a crack in the court’s power structure. Yun Zhao’s favor meant the Song family’s road ahead was destined to be a rocky one.
She had long been prepared for this. Before, her husband had been targeted by the Right Minister’s faction. She was simply surprised that Yun Zhao could see the situation so clearly.
Previously, the Madam had helped Yun Zhao for the family’s benefit. They were one family—bound by the same name. If Yun Zhao was favored, the family would naturally share in the glory.
But now, hearing these words, the Madam felt a true, heart-wrenching pity for her for the first time.
The Madam lowered her head slightly, hiding the stinging in her eyes. She composed herself before looking up at Yun Zhao. "Alright," she said. "Aunt will listen to you. Since this must be done whether we like it or not, we must do it well. You can rest assured about matters outside, Concubine. But in the palace, you must take care of yourself. The Song family’s security depends on you. Don’t act rashly. No matter what, survival is the most important thing."
"I cherish my life dearly, Aunt, you can rest assured. I just feel guilty. You shouldn’t have to be running around handling family matters on my behalf."
"Concubine, don’t say that. As you said, we are one family, and family shouldn’t draw such clear lines." The Madam’s tone was firm. "If Qinghan’s marriage to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion is real, then leave the next steps to me. I guarantee I’ll make sure every noble lady in the Capital City knows about the relationship between you two sisters. If the Marquis Wuxin Mansion wants to ride on your coattails, they can dream on."
Since they were going to have a falling out, there was no longer any need for restraint.
Song Yunzhao nodded. "With your word, Aunt, I can be at ease."
The Madam looked at Yun Zhao. "This marriage was arranged by Madam Ding Nanbo. We still don’t know what the Dingnan Bo Mansion is truly after, but since they’re the ones connecting the Marquis Wuxin Mansion to us, you should still be careful, Concubine. You’ll be able to meet her at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet. You’ll need to be well-prepared for that."
Song Yunzhao considered this and realized it was true. ’That kind of scene would certainly be interesting to watch,’ she thought. ’Madam Ding Nanbo probably has no desire to see me, either.’
Seeing that the hour was getting late, the Madam prepared to leave the palace. Song Yunzhao gave her two pairs of socks she had made herself for her father, asking her to take them back, along with gifts for the Madam, Song Yexi, Song Jinxuan, and her other sisters.
Seeing the gifts, the Madam hesitated for a moment.
Song Yunzhao noticed at once and said, "Aunt, is there something else?"
"There is one more thing. Lirong’s marriage has been arranged. She will be marrying soon," the Madam decided to say after a moment’s thought.
’Song Lirong?’
Song Yunzhao’s memory was jogged, and she said with a smile, "Speaking of which, Lirong is indeed of marriageable age. Which family’s young master is she engaged to?"
"The son of the Yu Cheng County Magistrate. Although he is the son of a concubine, his character and learning are both excellent, and there’s a high chance he’ll pass the examinations to become a scholar this year. Your uncle thinks very highly of him, so he arranged this marriage for Lirong."
Although the Madam spoke in a relaxed and pleasant manner, the moment she heard Song Lirong was marrying someone in Yucheng, Song Yunzhao almost immediately thought of two words: marriage alliance.
’Fortunately, the man himself is decent and learned. As long as he can pass the exams, his future prospects won’t be poor. At worst, Song Lirong will have to endure a few difficult years after marrying before she can come into her own.’
’However, with me here as a Concubine, Song Lirong will certainly be able to hold her head high in her husband’s family. As long as my position in the palace is secure, the daughters of the Song family won’t have to worry too much about facing hardships with their in-laws.’
’This marriage alliance may be for my uncle’s sake, but it’s ultimately because of me. My uncle is being targeted by the Right Minister, which is why he’s using this marriage alliance as a countermeasure.’
’Song Lirong is being married off far away to Yucheng. While I can’t say it’s all my fault, at least half the reason is me. That being the case, I can’t just sit by and do nothing.’
