Chapter 408 - 186: What Does An Fangyi’s Business Have to Do With Us?

Chapter 408: Chapter 186: What Does An Fangyi’s Business Have to Do With Us?

"I only managed to find out that when Qin Wan Yi returned to the main hall, Consort Zhuang and the others were heading to the rear hall, so she followed them. But I couldn’t find out where she went or what she did before that," Nanny Yu said.

After all, it was in Shouci Palace. It’s impossible to investigate thoroughly unless the Emperor himself were to conduct the interrogation.

Song Yunzhao did a quick calculation of the timing. ’In other words, before Consort Shu and the others even made their move, Qin Xiyue sensed something was wrong and slipped away. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had enough time to rush back to the front hall.’

’But how did Qin Xiyue sense something was wrong? Who tipped her off?’

’My own people are completely trustworthy, so the chance of them being bribed is minuscule. The leak must have come from someone else. After all, Princess Consort Wan was also involved.’

’Still, Princess Consort Wan was a great help this time. She even intentionally leaked information to Consort Shu. For once, I finally saw in her the powerful aura befitting one of the three great concubines who rule the harem.’

At this thought, Song Yunzhao looked at Nanny Yu and said, "Since Shouci Palace hasn’t said anything, we’ll just pretend we don’t know."

’She didn’t even get a proper send-off. The Empress Dowager must be furious. If we go over there now, we’d just be asking for a slap in the face.’

"You’re right, Your Grace." Nanny Yu agreed wholeheartedly. "I’ll have our people keep an eye on Huayang Palace. However, Qin Wan Yi hasn’t come out at all since she returned yesterday."

"There’s no rush. Just keep a steady watch." Song Yunzhao wasn’t worried. ’The novel’s protagonist is an incredibly patient person. People like that play the long game.’ "Is there any news from Yan Gongzheng?" ℴ

"I haven’t asked. Should I go and inquire now?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "Don’t. If you go, Yan Yu will read too much into it. Since we’ve tasked her with the investigation, we must act as though we trust her completely."

"It should be soon, anyway. A matter like this can’t drag on for more than a few days," Nanny Yu said after a moment’s thought.

Song Yunzhao looked at Nanny Yu. "Regarding the matter with An Shutong, did you discover if An Fangyi was involved?"

Nanny Yu shook her head. "I haven’t found any indication of that."

Song Yunzhao frowned slightly. ’That An Fangyi is such a nuisance.’ "Keep a close eye on her."

’Regardless, I must remain vigilant.’

"Yes, Your Grace."

The very person on Song Yunzhao’s mind, Qin Xiyue, startled awake from a nightmare. Her face was pale and her forehead was slick with cold sweat. The previous day’s events had left her sleeping fitfully, and she’d been plagued by nightmares all night. Now, upon waking, she couldn’t recall any details, yet she had the nagging feeling that she was supposed to remember something important.

No matter how hard she tried to remember, her mind was a blank. Only the fragment that had flashed through her thoughts in the rear hall yesterday remained vivid.

’I truly don’t understand why I would see such a thing—a vision of Song Yunzhao failing her selection and leaving the palace.’

’Song Yunzhao was obviously chosen. She’s become the Emperor’s favorite and is now with child. Once she gives birth, her rank will surely be elevated again.’

’She has left the rest of us who entered the palace at the same time far, far behind.’

Qin Xiyue knew her dreams were important. She felt she must have dreamed something related to that fragment, but she couldn’t remember a thing. It put her in a terrible mood.

For some reason, anything involving Song Yunzhao gave her a splitting headache.

Fang Ping hurried in with a grim expression. "Your Grace, Miss An has been sent out of the palace."

Qin Xiyue was taken aback. "Just now?"

"Yes," Fang Ping confirmed with a nod.

"What was the official word from Shouci Palace?"

"They’re saying Miss An was homesick, so the Empress Dowager granted her permission to go home and visit her family."

’Visit her family?’

Qin Xiyue sneered. ’The Empress Dowager certainly knows how to spin a tale.’

"Your Grace, I heard from some Palace Attendants that the Empress Dowager flew into a terrible rage at Shouci Palace last night. She even smashed her favorite teacup. Someone also said they glimpsed Manager Meng there, but I don’t know if it’s true."

Qin Xiyue’s expression shifted. "That explains it. Only the Emperor could make the Empress Dowager that furious."

’But what did the Emperor do to make the Empress Dowager so angry she had no choice but to send An Shutong away?’

"Go and investigate further. There must be a reason for An Shutong’s departure," Qin Xiyue ordered.

"Yes, Your Grace." Fang Ping nodded. "There is one more thing. The Palace Justice Department’s verdict should be out soon. What are your plans regarding An Fangyi?"

Qin Xiyue said coolly, "What does An Fangyi’s situation have to do with us?"

Fang Ping paused, taken aback, then smiled. "You’re right, Your Grace. An Fangyi’s troubles have nothing to do with Huayang Palace."

Qin Xiyue looked at Fang Ping. "An Fangyi was too reckless. Song Yunzhao is no pushover. Since she refused to listen to reason, she must bear the consequences herself."

"You did say at the time that the plan wasn’t thorough enough and that we should wait. You warned that Han Guipin has Song Zhaoyi’s backing, but An Fangyi wouldn’t listen. She can’t blame you for this outcome. Fortunately, Wanqiu is clever and would never implicate An Fangyi."

’This is hardly a good outcome, though,’ Qin Xiyue thought. ’Losing Wanqiu is like An Fangyi losing her right arm. It will be much more difficult for her to maneuver in the palace from now on.’

’It isn’t easy to cultivate a trusted aide. But that Yan Yu is difficult to deal with and impossible to bribe. Even I wouldn’t dare make a rash move against her. Now that we’re on the back foot, my hands are tied when it comes to An Fangyi. She’s on her own.’

Qin Xiyue’s mind was still preoccupied with the vision from yesterday. She felt she had done all she could for An Fangyi and didn’t intend to get involved any further. She turned to Fang Ping and asked, "Is there any news from outside the palace?"

Fang Ping shook her head. "None."

Qin Xiyue’s heart sank. ’Still no word from Father... Does that mean things aren’t going well?’

’Song Yunzhao is difficult enough to deal with inside the palace; I never expected the Song Family to be such a tough nut to crack on the outside as well.’

’If this keeps up, once Song Yunzhao has her child, it will be even harder for me to turn the tables.’

Qin Xiyue’s head throbbed. She felt hesitant, unsure of her next move.

After what happened with An Shutong, she knew that trying to take a shortcut to get close to the Emperor was no longer an option. He would certainly be on his guard now.

But who knew how long it would take to go through the proper channels? Ever since Song Yunzhao became pregnant, the Emperor had rarely visited the harem. Even when he did, he only went to Wangyou Palace, with an occasional visit to Shouci Palace.

Just engineering a "chance encounter" with the Emperor was now incredibly difficult, to say nothing of anything more.

Qin Xiyue couldn’t understand how things had come to this. Before Song Yunzhao entered the palace, the Emperor frequently visited the harem, rotating his nights among the Three Concubine Palaces. Why was everything so different now?

Unlike Qin Xiyue’s frustration and indecision, Princess Consort Zhuang had just received news that made her own heart sink: the Emperor had reprimanded her father in court that day.