Free Web NovelChapter 74: Chapter 47: It’s That Troublemaker
Worried about Song Yunzhao, Song Yexi stepped forward and said, "Housekeeper, I want to go take care of my sister. She’s so badly injured. It’s my fault as her older sister for not watching over her properly."
The Housekeeper glanced coolly at Song Yexi. "Palace Attendants will take good care of Miss Song. You needn’t worry."
Song Yexi frowned and was about to say more when the Housekeeper continued, "Return to your places. If the person responsible steps forward and confesses now, you will merely be punished and the matter will be over. But if we have to investigate and find you, then there will be no place for you in this palace."
Song Yexi had no choice but to fall silent. ’Since I can’t go look after Yun Zhao, staying here is fine. I’ll get to see just who was behind this.’
Song Yunzhao returned to her room in a daze. The palace maid who escorted her said, "Miss Song, please sit still. I will go fetch some water to clean your wound. The Medical Woman will be here shortly."
"Thank you," Song Yunzhao said.
The palace maid left to get water. Song Yunzhao looked down at the hole torn in her skirt at the knee, a testament to the force of the impact.
The Medical Woman arrived quickly. Her brow furrowed at the sight of Song Yunzhao’s injury. She began to gently clean the wound, causing Song Yunzhao to hiss in pain repeatedly.
The attending palace maid watched the Beauty’s furrowed brow and felt her own heart ache in sympathy. The Beauty’s dark eyes welled with tears, the rims of her eyes turning red as if she had applied a layer of Rouge, a sight that could make anyone’s heart race.
"Miss Song, please bear with it. It will be better soon," the palace maid couldn’t help but say, trying to comfort her.
It truly hurt. Song Yunzhao gritted her teeth and nodded, unable to utter a single word. freēwēbnovel.com
After the torturous cleaning was finally over, Song Yunzhao let out a long sigh of relief. Hearing this, the Medical Woman said gently, "You must apply the ointment to this scrape promptly and keep it out of water. An injury like this will need four or five days to heal before you can walk properly."
Hmm?
Four or five days? freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
’Doesn’t that mean I can skip the etiquette lessons?’
Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. ’This is a true blessing in disguise!’
The Medical Woman gently applied the ointment, bandaged the wound, and instructed the palace maid on how to change the dressing and care for her before taking her leave.
While Song Yunzhao was contentedly sipping tea, eating snacks, and lounging comfortably in her room, the Housekeeper, after some hesitation, relayed the news of Song Yunzhao’s injury to Zhang Maoquan.
Zhang Maoquan was on duty at the imperial court when he received the news. He was stunned. ’Injured again?’
He looked at the little eunuch who had brought the message and asked, "What exactly happened? Explain everything in detail."
The little eunuch replied, "General Manager, Nanny Zhang said the matter is still under investigation. They haven’t yet determined if Miss Song’s fall was intentional or an accident. However, the concubine who knocked over Miss Song claims someone bumped into her, which is why she fell into Miss Song."
Hearing this, Zhang Maoquan thought, ’This Miss Song is truly unlucky. It was most likely not an accident, but I can’t say anything without proof.’ He then looked at the little eunuch and said, "Go back and tell Nanny Zhang that she must investigate this matter thoroughly."
’Regardless of Your Majesty’s feelings for this Miss Song, I can’t afford to be vague about the truth if he asks about it.’
"Yes, I’ll go right away," the little eunuch said, turning to leave without a moment’s delay.
Zhang Maoquan was pondering how to report this matter to Your Majesty when he looked up and saw Xu Sixi standing on the steps, watching him. He immediately wiped the expression from his face, replaced it with his usual neutral look, and strode over.
"Chief Steward Zhang, did something happen? You don’t look too pleased. If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word. We are all Imperial Servants here; I’ll certainly help if I can," Xu Sixi said with a smile, his eyes fixed on Zhang Maoquan.
Zhang Maoquan scoffed inwardly but said aloud, "It’s just a small matter. Some of the subordinates are being incompetent. A few words of guidance will set them straight. There’s no need to trouble Mr. Xu."
He and Xu Sixi had both served His Majesty before he ascended the throne. After the enthronement, their fortunes rose along with his. However, they had never been on good terms, and their rivalry had only grown more intense over the past few years.
There were only a few coveted positions by His Majesty’s side. Neither of them dared to challenge Meng Jiuchang, but they couldn’t stand the thought of the other one gaining an advantage over them.
’Now, with His Majesty’s unusual interest in Miss Song, I’ve been keeping it under wraps. I can’t let Xu Sixi get wind of it. Hearing him ask like that, I have no choice but to be on my guard and play along.’
"Is that so?" Xu Sixi didn’t believe a word of it. His gaze followed the direction in which the eunuch had departed as he mulled it over. "Well, as long as everything is fine. I have other duties to attend to, so I’ll be on my way."
