Free Web NovelChapter 198: Chapter 89: The Bait Is Cast, Let’s See Who Bites
At this thought, Song Yunzhao smiled. "Since Lirong is getting married, I must share in the happy occasion and add to her dowry." As she spoke, she had Xiangxue open the storehouse to pick out several bolts of silk and satin suitable for a new bride, as well as a golden hairpin set with a ruby, which looked exceptionally festive and magnificent.
"This is far too much," the First Madam said quickly. She had only wanted the Concubine to contribute to the dowry to bolster Lirong’s prestige, helping her hold her head high in her new family.
Being a daughter-in-law was never an easy role, especially for the wife of an illegitimate son. However, with a gift from the Concubine, her mother-in-law and the wives of the legitimate sons would show her more deference, making her life much easier.
"I also hope Lirong will be valued by her in-laws and live in harmony with her sisters-in-law," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. "And when Ms. Xi gets married, I’ll prepare an even more generous gift for her dowry."
The First Madam smiled, thanking her on Ye Xi’s behalf before taking her leave from the palace.
Song Yunzhao had Anshun lead some men to deliver the gifts to the First Madam’s carriage. After seeing her off, Song Yunzhao began to ponder the matter of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion.
’If the First Madam hadn’t come to the palace to tell me, Mrs. Cai could have easily ruined me.’
’After all, I’m stuck in the palace. I have to rely on my family to tell me what’s going on back home. And who would I be relying on? Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan?’
’Fortunately, I have a good eye for people and knew from the start that the First Madam would be an excellent ally. I was right.’
’I wonder who came up with this idea of marrying Song Qinghan into the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. It’s such a roundabout way to scheme against me.’
’Logically, the three concubines are the most likely suspects, especially Consort Lu. Since her title was revoked, she definitely wants to get some payback.’
’But the Right Minister already sent people to Yucheng to watch my eldest uncle, so it’s unlikely he’d use this kind of tactic. And with the Left Minister watching, the Right Minister can’t afford to be too brazen.’
’I don’t think it’s the Right Minister, so I can probably rule out Consort Lu for now.’
’That leaves Princess Consort Wan and Princess Consort Zhuang. My relationship with Princess Consort Zhuang is still in its honeymoon phase, and she has no reason to recruit a weakling like Song Qinghan. The chances of it being her are low.’
’As for Princess Consort Wan, I’m not so sure. Her father, the Right Assistant Prime Minister, is thick as thieves with the Right Minister. If the Right Minister isn’t making a move, would the Right Assistant Prime Minister?’
Song Yunzhao couldn’t be certain. ’Of the three concubines, Princess Consort Wan is the most likely suspect. But given their close ties, it’s improbable that the Right Assistant Prime Minister would go against the Right Minister’s inaction. So the likelihood of that isn’t very high either.’
’Of course, I can’t rule out the possibility that the Right Assistant Prime Minister is acting on his own.’
’The only one who truly makes me wary is Qin Xiyue. After she entered the palace, I stole all the limelight that should have been hers. The female lead from the book is not the type to suffer a loss in silence.’
’There was the incident with Lu Zhixue, and the business with Beauty Zhen before that... Qin Xiyue’s shadow loomed faintly over both. Such subtle tactics are very much her style.’
’I think she’s the most likely culprit, but I have no proof.’
When others came scheming, she certainly wasn’t one to sit back and take the blow.
Song Yunzhao’s eyes darted as she let out a sneer. ’I’m no fool like Song Qinghan.’ She beckoned Xiangxue over.
"Mistress, what are your orders?"
"I want you to spread a rumor that I disapprove of Song Qinghan’s marriage alliance with the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. But make sure no one knows it came from you. Can you manage that?"
"How could that be difficult? The little palace maids from our residence go to the laundry house every day. That place is bustling with all sorts of people. Spreading a rumor there will be easy."
It wasn’t impossible to investigate the source, but it would require questioning everyone who had spread the word. Not even the three concubines would dare to make such a conspicuous move lightly.
Song Yunzhao nodded in satisfaction. "Then go, and tell our people to be careful. Remember, make sure the news spreads everywhere."
"Rest assured, Mistress." Xiangxue smiled and exited.
Song Yunzhao heaved a long sigh of relief. ’Once this news gets out, it’s bound to cause ripples throughout the harem.’
’The marriage alliance between Song Qinghan and the Marquis Wuxin Mansion is meant to harm me. By pretending to disapprove, I’ll force the mastermind to double down and ensure it happens. If I keep a close watch, I might just find a trail to follow.’
’The bait has been cast. Now, let’s see who takes it.’
Song Yunzhao was in high spirits. With the disaster relief efforts in the south in full swing, the Emperor was too busy to join her for lunch. She enjoyed a delicious meal by herself and decided to take a short nap before getting up to work on her stories.
’The Emperor has probably been too busy with court affairs to read my stories. In that case, I might as well write a couple more. I can earn some extra money and continue my romance with him at the same time.’
However, Song Yunzhao never got to write her stories, because Han Jinyi paid her a visit.
The moment she arrived, she asked about Song Qinghan’s marriage alliance with the Marquis Wuxin Mansion, saying indignantly, "What good could possibly come from the Marquis Wuxin Mansion? Your relationship with Song Qinghan is awful. This marriage is obviously aimed at you."
Seeing Han Jinyi on the verge of exploding with rage, Song Yunzhao was amused. "Yes, it is aimed at me."
"And you can still laugh about it?"
"Should I cry for you instead?"
Han Jinyi was speechless.
After being teased by Song Yunzhao, Han Jinyi’s anger subsided a little. "You haven’t been in the Capital City for long, so you might not know about the Marquis Wuxin Mansion," she said with a sigh. "The man engaged to Song Qinghan, Xu Anxing, already has an illegitimate son who is two years old. What on earth could Song Qinghan possibly gain from marrying him?"
’Now that’s a juicy bit of gossip!’
Song Yunzhao was floored. She looked at Han Jinyi and asked, "Xu Anxing really has an illegitimate son? How do you know that?"
’Xu Anxing isn’t even married yet. If word got out that he has an illegitimate son, no respectable young lady from a prominent family would ever agree to marry him.’
’Wait a minute.’
’That’s it. No respectable lady will marry him, but the Marquis Wuxin Mansion doesn’t want their son to settle for less. That makes Song Qinghan, with a favored sister in the palace, the perfect candidate.’
’Song Qinghan’s own reputation is shot, so she’s in no position to be picky about Xu Anxing.’
"It’s hardly a secret. The Marquis Wuxin Mansion is quite shameless about it and never even tried to cover it up. The child is being raised right there in the Marquis Mansion. And the mother is still there too—a personal maid who’s served Xu Anxing for years. They haven’t sent her away; she’s just waiting in the household for the main wife to enter the family so she can be promoted to a concubine."
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
"That maid must be something else," Song Yunzhao commented. "To not only have Xu Anxing’s favor but also be liked by the Marchioness Wu Xin herself."
’If the Marchioness Wu Xin weren’t fond of her, there’s no way that maid would still be in the mansion.’
Han Jinyi gave Yun Zhao a complicated look. "That maid originally served the Marchioness Wu Xin. She was the one who sent her to attend to Xu Anxing."
Song Yunzhao had nothing more to say. ’That maid is truly impressive,’ she thought. ’She knows how to handle both the mother and the son.’
"You know," Han Jinyi continued, "the Marchioness Wu Xin actually sent a matchmaker to my family to propose marriage once. My mother nearly had her thrown out."
Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. "Really? Your mother sounds formidable!"
Han Jinyi chuckled. "How else would I know the details so clearly?"
Song Yunzhao nodded eagerly, then paused. "But that’s what’s so strange. If, as you say, everyone knows Xu Anxing has a two-year-old illegitimate son, why on earth would Song Qinghan agree to the marriage?"
’Before I knew about the son, I could understand why Song Qinghan might agree,’ she thought. ’But now that an illegitimate son is part of the equation, this whole affair is far from simple.’
