Chapter 407 - 185: It’s Hard to Be a Woman, and Even Harder to Be an Imperial Concubine

Chapter 407: Chapter 185: It’s Hard to Be a Woman, and Even Harder to Be an Imperial Concubine

’In this harem, all I can do is scheme and contend with the Empress Dowager and her ilk. I’m forced to live a stifled life under this tiny patch of sky. If I want to secure my footing with confidence, just giving birth to a Prince is far from enough.’

’It will be incredibly difficult for me to obtain the Empress’s throne. Never mind the Empress Dowager’s obstruction; even the courtiers would surely pressure the Emperor.’

’So, I must find another way. I need to not only increase my importance in the Emperor’s heart but also become his indispensable aide.’

’It’s hard to be a woman, harder still to be an Imperial Concubine, and the hardest of all to be a favored concubine who monopolizes the Emperor’s affection.’

’Favor is a double-edged sword. Since I’m unwilling to let it go, I have to wrap myself in a Golden Bell Shield.’

Feng Yi gazed quietly at Yun Zhao. When she smiled, her eyes seemed to shine. His fingertips slowly curled into a fist.

Song Yunzhao had said she wanted to use the Silver she earned herself to buy him a gift.

He couldn’t remember ever receiving a gift. When he was very young, he was despised because of his mother, a royal concubine. His father, the Emperor, never thought to bestow any rewards upon him. Later, when he was a bit older, he would secretly save up Silver, but there was nowhere to spend it, as he couldn’t leave the palace.

His mother only ever thought about vying for favor and never considered buying him anything. Her own Silver was often not enough, and she would even come to him for his monthly silver to supplement her expenses.

Although he was a Prince, he might have been the poorest Prince in history.

And now, someone was saying they wanted to give him a gift.

"Alright. I’ll be waiting."

Feng Yi heard himself say.

Song Yunzhao’s smile widened. She could tell from the Emperor’s eyes that her gamble had paid off. ’This poor thing, unloved by his father and mother, has probably never received a gift from anyone.’

’When I think about it, he’s actually more pitiful than I am. At least I managed to win over my own father to protect me.’

In that instant, a wave of tenderness washed over Song Yunzhao. She leaned in gently and said in a soft voice, "Emperor, I’m very good at making money. In the future, I’ll buy you many, many gifts."

Feng Yi assumed Yun Zhao was joking, but he didn’t call her out on it. Instead, he nodded seriously in agreement.

It was a heartfelt gesture from Yun Zhao, and he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her feelings.

Feng Yi stayed with Yun Zhao through dinner. Seeing that her complexion had improved significantly, he finally stood up to return to Wangyou Palace. Before leaving, he looked at her and said, "Once I get through this busy period, I’ll be able to spend more time with you."

Song Yunzhao mulled it over. After the first three months, she would be able to attend to him in bed again. She couldn’t very well make the Emperor wait for ten whole months. It was best for them to be apart for the first trimester.

’It’s good that the Emperor is busy, it’s wonderful that he’s busy, it’s absolutely fantastic that he’s busy!’

"Of course. I’ll be waiting for you," Song Yunzhao agreed with a smile, personally seeing the Emperor out.

Feng Yi placed a hand on her shoulder. "It’s already dark. You shouldn’t go out."

"I want to see you off," Song Yunzhao said, hugging Feng Yi’s arm coquettishly.

After a moment of silence, Feng Yi took Song Yunzhao’s hand.

Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue inwardly. ’Men. Always saying one thing and meaning another. Good thing I’m thick-skinned.’

She walked him all the way to the gates of Wangyou Palace. Meng Jiuchang led the way in front, carrying a palace lantern. Song Yunzhao watched Feng Yi’s back recede into the distance before happily turning to go back.

Not feeling sleepy at all, she immediately started writing a letter to Xie Linlang. Their collaboration had now been officially sanctioned by the Emperor. She also had a story she had written to pass the time, which she could send along as well. This time, however, she couldn’t use the pen name Bu Guike.

She wanted to pick a pen name the Emperor would like when he saw it. The two of them were in their honeymoon phase, so of course, it had to be something sweet. After much thought, she finally settled on "Butterfly Lovers."

’Butterfly Lovers... The name itself practically oozes with lingering, tender affection. The Emperor will definitely be pleased when he sees it.’

’Under this pen name, I’ll write love stories. Love has always moved people’s hearts. If I can get the Emperor to read my love stories and associate them with the two of us, creating a strong sense of immersion, it will surely add fuel to the fire of our relationship.’

’I’m so clever,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’Bu Guike was a support attack, but this is a frontal assault! If even this can’t completely capture the best ten years of the Emperor’s youth, then my journey through time will have been a complete waste.’

As for what would happen after ten years... even the love of ordinary people has a "seven-year itch." She was fighting with all her might for ten years, which she should be able to secure. But after that, she couldn’t say for sure what would happen.

However, in ten years’ time, she should be able to cultivate her own loyal faction.

Even if the Emperor’s heart changed, even if other favored concubines appeared in the harem, even if she became the old guard washed ashore by the new wave, she would absolutely not be a pushover for anyone to bully.

Just writing stories certainly wouldn’t be enough. But right now, she wasn’t sure how much influence Xie Jinshu had in the Xie family, or if his status had improved. All her plans required Xie Jinshu to have the ability to execute them.

Therefore, she mentioned this cryptically in her letter. It was now up to the Xie siblings to decide.

She sealed the letter, ready to have Anshun deliver it the next day.

At this thought, she picked up her brush again to write a letter to her eldest aunt. It wasn’t easy to leave the palace, so she had to get things done while she could. With the Empress Dowager’s return, she believed the Emperor’s patience would soon run out, and the harem’s curfew would likely tighten. If she couldn’t obtain some authority in the palace by then, it would be difficult for her to get out.

Palace authority...

Song Yunzhao frowned slightly. The rank of Zhaoyi was still too low. At the very least, she needed to hold a high concubine’s rank to have the standing to fight for a piece of the pie.

Besides inquiring after her health, the letter to her eldest aunt first asked about the progress of her eldest uncle’s affairs, and second, about her own father. Her father was still recovering from his injuries. Once he was healed, he would surely resume his duties, but it was hard to say if he would be reassigned to a different post.

「Taiji Palace.」

Feng Yi didn’t even glance at the wine cup on the table. The sight of it made his anger churn anew. He said to Meng Jiuchang, "Take this wine cup to the Empress Dowager yourself. Tell her it is Our wish that Miss An return home to recuperate. Perhaps with the care of her parents, she will recover more quickly."

’The girl cannot be allowed to remain in the palace. If she stays any longer, who knows what else the Empress Dowager might do.’

Meng Jiuchang’s heart went cold. The Emperor was truly furious. He wasn’t about to say a word in defense of Shouci Palace. He immediately stepped forward, picked up the wine cup, and said, "This servant will go at once."

Feng Yi then thought of the meddlesome Princess Consort Zhuang and sneered. He would remember this.

In Shouci Palace, the Empress Dowager overturned a small table, while in Wangyou Palace, Song Yunzhao was sleeping soundly.

The next day, she had just gotten up and hadn’t even had breakfast when Nanny Yu came to report. "Your Highness, as soon as the palace gates opened this morning, Miss An was sent away."

Song Yunzhao was taken aback. "Sent away? Where to?"

"Shouci Palace announced that Miss An was missing her family, so the Empress Dowager allowed her to return home to visit her relatives," Nanny Yu said.

’A visit?’

Song Yunzhao’s mind spun rapidly. ’Sending her away first thing in the morning was definitely not the Empress Dowager’s idea. It must have been the Emperor’s.’

’The Empress Dowager surely still wants to bring her into the palace, which is why she only used the word "visit." This leaves some leeway for An Shutong.’

’For the Emperor to kick someone out so ruthlessly... it seems my performance yesterday was quite effective.’

’It’s just a pity that Qin Xiyue got away.’

Thinking of this, she looked at Nanny Yu. "Have you found out what happened? Why didn’t Qin Wan Yi show up there?"