Chapter 418 - 196: Consort Shu Has a Slight Headache from Banging Her Head

Chapter 418: Chapter 196: Consort Shu Has a Slight Headache from Banging Her Head

News that the Emperor would be accompanying the Empress Dowager to the traveling palace to escape the summer heat was soon released, and the entire harem rejoiced at the news.

A chance to leave the palace was better than being cooped up here all the time, so everyone scrambled to inquire about the list of harem members who would be attending.

At this time, Yun Zhao had also written a letter to her eldest aunt, informing her that the Song Family would be accompanying the imperial retinue. She also specified that, besides the one spot reserved for her aunt, the married Song Yexi and Song Hongjiao should be brought along, with the addition of Xie Linlang.

Only Song Yexi and Song Hongjiao had remained in the Capital City. Song Jinxuan had left the capital with her husband for his studies, Song Guiyi had followed her husband to his official post, and Song Lirong had married into a family in Yucheng.

There was also the unmarried Song Yunmei in the capital. Yun Zhao didn’t make the decision for her eldest aunt, leaving it up to her whether to bring the girl or not.

If her eldest aunt chose not to bring Song Yunmei, she was free to bring someone else.

She did not mention Mrs. Cai or Song Qinghan. She would absolutely never give them such a prestigious opportunity.

She wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but that mother and daughter pair, Mrs. Cai and her child, were truly figures from her life she preferred not to mention.

***

Meanwhile, things were not exactly peaceful in the Ji Family household.

After Ji Yunting was sent to a provincial post, he fell ill as soon as he arrived, unable to acclimate to the new environment. Now, only a few months into his term, he had already fallen ill three times. The Left Minister couldn’t bear to watch his son perish at his post, so he had to beg the Emperor for the grace of having him brought back to the Capital City.

Today, Madam Ji was hosting a family banquet. Even the married-out daughters of the Ji Family had returned, making the residence quite lively.

Ji Yunting had only been back in the capital for a few days. Perhaps returning to the place where he grew up had done him some good, as his health had improved slightly. However, he still looked pale and was much thinner than when he had left.

A circle of people was gathered around Madam Ji, laughing and talking, when a maidservant announced from outside, "The Eldest Young Master has arrived."

The room fell silent. Ji Yunting entered, walked straight to Madam Ji, and bowed. "Grandson greets Grandmother."

The other members of the Ji Family’s younger generation also bowed to Ji Yunting, some calling him "older brother," others "younger brother." Only after these greetings were exchanged did everyone take their seats.

After returning to the capital, Ji Yunting had become more taciturn than before. Once he had greeted everyone, he sat down and said no more.

Madam Ji doted on her eldest grandson. Seeing that his complexion wasn’t good, she asked a few concerned questions about his health before inquiring, "Now that you’re back in the capital, do you have any plans for your official post?"

Ji Yunting felt deeply ashamed. Others went to provincial posts without issue, yet he had nearly died because he couldn’t acclimate. His soaring ambitions had been cut short midway, which was a huge blow to him.

"I have no plans yet," Ji Yunting replied.

Hearing this, the others fell silent. Ji Yunting was the most outstanding of the younger generation, and for something like this to happen left everyone feeling disappointed and sad.

’The Left Minister is getting old. How many more years can he remain in his position?’

’Ji Yunting is the only one who can take over in the future, but his health...’

Seeing her eldest grandson’s dejected expression, Madam Ji immediately said, "I was against you taking a provincial post from the start. Now, it seems that returning to the capital due to ill health is actually a good thing. You can start in the Hanlin Academy—it’s prestigious, leisurely, and a respectable position. After a few years, once you’ve built up your seniority, you can do a tour in the Six Ministries. Your future prospects won’t be any worse. Isn’t that better than a provincial posting?"

Ji Yunting knew his grandmother was trying to comfort him. He forced himself to rally and said, "Grandmother, I understand all this. Please don’t worry."

How could Madam Ji not worry? She looked at Ji Yunting and said, "The Emperor is accompanying the Empress Dowager to the traveling palace to escape the summer heat. You will come with me this time. The traveling palace is cooler, which will be good for your recovery."

Ji Yunting was taken aback and was about to refuse when he heard his mother say, "That’s right. I won’t be going this time, so you can fulfill your filial duties to your grandmother in my place. With all the matters at home and outside, I simply can’t get away. Yunting, you must take good care of your grandmother."

Ji Yunting swallowed the words of refusal on the tip of his tongue. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded in agreement. He couldn’t just ignore his family’s good intentions.

Seeing her son nod, Mrs. Pei exchanged a smile with her mother-in-law, then said earnestly, "I am an unfilial daughter-in-law for not being able to serve you on this trip, Mother. I hope you won’t blame me."

Madam Ji chuckled. "Having Yunting accompany these old bones of mine will make me happier than if you came along. You just go and attend to your business."

The others immediately chimed in with pleasantries, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became lively again.

Caught in the middle of this lively scene, Ji Yunting felt out of place. ’The traveling palace... I don’t really want to go.’

’Of those who passed the imperial examinations with me, the Emperor has promoted and given important positions to many. Although their official ranks are not yet very high, it’s clear both inside and outside the court that the Emperor is cultivating his own confidants.’

’The imperial court is full of hidden turmoil, and being in the midst of it, I know its taste all too well. When I was sent back to the capital for failing to acclimate, I sensed that things weren’t that simple. But to avoid escalating the conflict between the Emperor and my father, I’ve kept my suspicions to myself.’

’But just because I don’t speak of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.’

’The new Emperor doesn’t trust me because I am the Left Minister’s son.’

***

The summer retreat was no small affair. The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the imperial concubines would be accompanied by a large retinue of Palace Attendants. The trip would last two to three months, and since the court still had to function, many officials also had to follow them to the traveling palace.

With all the additions and subtractions, the total number of people grew and grew, leaving the entire Six Departments spinning with work.

Yun Zhao, in particular, was both a favored concubine and pregnant, making her arrangements a matter of utmost importance.

The Emperor issued a special decree ordering Song Zhaoyi to accompany him. The Empress Dowager expressed her displeasure but was unable to convince the Emperor to change his mind, leading to another unpleasant clash between mother and son.

Aside from Song Yunzhao and the three concubines, who were personally appointed by the Emperor, the selection of the other attendees was left to the three concubines to deliberate over before submitting a list for review.

Song Yunzhao had informed Consort Shu of her intentions early on, which made Consort Shu so angry she nearly smashed her teacup.

"That Song Yunzhao really has no sense of propriety! Does she think she can get anyone she wants on the list?"

Yunshang and Hong You hurriedly tried to placate her.

"Your Highness, if Song Zhaoyi dares to make such a request, she must have received the Emperor’s approval. It’s better that she came to ask for your help than for her to go to Consort Zhuang or Lady Wanfei, isn’t it?"

Consort Shu thought about it and realized there was some truth to this.

Hong You added, "It’s a good thing that Song Zhaoyi is on good terms with Your Highness now. This servant has observed that Consort Zhuang seems to be looking for a chance to bury the hatchet with Song Zhaoyi, but Song Zhaoyi has no such intention."

"Princess Consort Zhuang bury the hatchet with Song Yunzhao? Isn’t that a joke?" Consort Shu scoffed. Princess Consort Zhuang would rather push Song Yunzhao into the mud so she could never get up again.

’Come to think of it,’ she mused, ’I used to think the same way, and I even acted on it. I just ended up with a painful knock on the head for my trouble.’

’Now that I’ve stopped trying to cling to the Emperor, I don’t even find Song Yunzhao to be such an eyesore anymore. With her taking all the heat at the front, the Empress Dowager has stopped staring at me.’

With that thought, she swallowed her anger and added the names of Han Jinyi, Lu Zhixue, and Feng Yunjin to the list. Han Jinyi was a Noble Consort, so she would have been able to go even if Consort Shu didn’t say anything. Lu Zhixue’s position was middling; she could go or not.

It was only Feng Yunjin whose rank was a bit low. Song Yunzhao was really putting in the effort for her sake.