Chapter 462 - 240: Probing Each Other

Chapter 462: Chapter 240: Probing Each Other

Princess Fuke’s eyelid twitched at Song Yunzhao’s words. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if she could actually do it or was just bragging.

’But surely a Zhaoyi wouldn’t dare make empty promises about such a thing,’ she thought. ’She must have some degree of confidence.’

Princess Fuke realized she truly couldn’t see through Song Zhaoyi. She had only recently returned, and there were far too many rumors about this favored concubine. It was impossible to tell which were true and which were false. Now, having met her in person, she was even less certain.

Princess Fuke was intent on sounding her out, and Song Yunzhao was happy to play along. The two gradually shifted their conversation to business.

"One must find a livelihood after returning. Otherwise, how is a large household to get by? I can’t keep troubling the Emperor forever. Shortly after arriving at the traveling palace, I heard a restaurant had opened at the foot of the mountain. I thought it was rather interesting. When I inquired, I found out it was a Xie family enterprise, which is how I learned that the Xie family has a connection to you, Zhaoyi."

Listening to Princess Fuke beat around the bush, heaping on piles of flattery before finally getting to the point, made Song Yunzhao feel weary. But now, she finally perked up.

"My second paternal aunt is a Miss Xie, so we are indeed relatives," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. "I’m surprised to see that Your Highness thinks so highly of my Second Cousin Xie. This is truly his good fortune."

Hearing Song Zhaoyi call Xie Jinshu her cousin, Princess Fuke knew she had not made a mistake with this approach.

She had found out long ago that the Xie family had contributed to disaster relief efforts, earning high praise from the Emperor. Consequently, their business in the Capital City had skyrocketed.

She refused to believe that Song Zhaoyi hadn’t had a hand in it.

Princess Fuke’s interest in the business was partly genuine, partly a pretext. She certainly didn’t want to steal business from the Xie family; her main goal was to establish a connection with Song Yunzhao. As a result, she was quite casual when discussing the business, even willing to concede on profits.

Song Yunzhao was honestly rather surprised. She recalled He Lan Yun’s words. ’It seems she was right. Princess Fuke’s desire to do business with the Xie family isn’t entirely about money. My own ’brand’ as a favored concubine carries a lot of weight, too.’

Of course, Song Yunzhao wouldn’t make any binding promises on the Xie family’s behalf, but she did promise Princess Fuke that she would mention it to Xie Jinshu. This was a happy outcome for all.

This was only their first meeting, so it was too soon to say for certain whether Princess Fuke would be a reliable partner.

Fortunately, Yun Zhao was patient. To contend with the Empress Dowager, she absolutely had to win Princess Fuke over to her side. But she had to do it in a way that wouldn’t cause others to look down on her.

Their discussion ended to their mutual satisfaction, and they were both pleased with the outcome. The first step had been a very pleasant one.

Song Yunzhao already had other ideas in mind, but she didn’t breathe a word of them in front of Princess Fuke, planning to discuss them with Linlang later.

Just as she was thinking this, He Lan Yun and the others returned, having truly brought back a great deal of game. The whole party was beaming with joy.

Yun Zhao also saw Princess Duanjing. She was like a noble lady stepping out of a classical painting—quiet and elegant, with a faint smile playing on her lips. Her expression was earnest when she listened to others speak. It was the kind of demeanor that naturally drew people to her.

Looking at Duan Jing, Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but recall a plot point from the book. The Empress Dowager had entered the palace relatively late. By then, the harem already had an Empress, an Imperial Concubine, Consort Rong, and other concubines all vying for favor. The Empress Dowager’s beauty was exceptional, and she immediately won the late Emperor’s affection upon her arrival. That was why she was suppressed and framed by others, eventually causing her to fall from grace.

Speaking of which, there was a considerable age gap between the Emperor and his sister, Princess Fuke. So, after the Empress Dowager gained favor back then, how could a young girl possibly outmaneuver a group of women in the harem who knew the late Emperor so intimately? It’s no wonder she suffered such a major setback.

When Song Yexi and Xie Linlang saw the pleased expression on Yun Zhao’s face, they assumed she had gotten along well with Princess Fuke and finally relaxed a little.

He Lan Yun, however, hadn’t been worried at all. ’Since Princess Fuke came here to partner with Yun Zhao, how could they possibly fail to reach an agreement?’

After lunch was finished, Princess Fuke and her daughter took their leave. Before departing, she smiled at Song Yunzhao and said, "In a few days, I will send another formal request for a visit to the Empress Dowager. I will come to call on you then, Zhaoyi."

"I will await Your Highness," Song Yunzhao replied with a smile.

Princess Fuke spoke with great confidence, as if she were already certain that her second request to visit would be granted and that the Empress Dowager would no longer stand in her way.

After seeing off Princess Fuke and her daughter, He Lan Yun also got up to take her leave. Song Yexi and Xie Linlang were about to go with her, but Yun Zhao looked at them and said, "I have a message for you to take to my eldest aunt. Wait just a moment."

Hearing this, He Lan Yun said, "In that case, I’ll be on my way. I’ll come talk with you another day."

Song Yunzhao personally walked He Lan Yun out. Once outside, He Lan Yun said softly, "It looks like Princess Fuke achieved her goal."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "It’s all thanks to your good fortune, County Princess."

He Lan Yun huffed. "Even you are teasing me now. But I’ll take the credit. It’s true I played a part. I’ll have to go to the Princess for a reward one of these days."

He Lan Yun left cheerfully, and Song Yunzhao smiled watching her go. ’Her personality is actually quite nice,’ she thought.

Back in the tent, Song Yunzhao brought up Princess Fuke’s proposal to do business with the Xie family. Looking at Xie Linlang, she said, "When you go back, tell your brother not to worry about partnering with the Princess. If Princess Fuke offers any concessions on the profits, you should just accept them."

Xie Linlang looked worried. "If word of this gets out," she asked Yun Zhao, "will it reflect poorly on you?"

"There are plenty of high officials and nobles in the Capital City who are involved in business. Don’t worry." Song Yunzhao wasn’t afraid. ’After all, this partnership is by imperial decree.’

Xie Linlang’s mind was put at ease. "Then I’ll go back and explain the situation to my brother in detail. I just wonder what kind of business the Princess wants to partner with the Xie family on?"

"Princess Fuke mentioned the restaurant, but I think that was just a passing comment. She probably won’t actually go into the restaurant business. I have some other ideas, though. I’ll send you a message once I’ve thought them through. Fortunately, this matter isn’t urgent, so we can take our time."

’Princess Fuke’s primary goal is still to establish a connection with me. She’s just returned and has no mind for business right now. She needs to wait, at least until she sorts things out with the Empress Dowager and regains her footing.’

Song Yexi had been very worried, but she breathed a small sigh of relief at Yun Zhao’s words. "Partnering in business with a princess is a major affair," she said. "If the Emperor finds out, who knows what he will think? Will it really be alright?"

Song Yunzhao couldn’t very well say they were doing business on the Emperor’s orders. Instead, she said, "Princess Fuke has a good relationship with the Emperor. She wouldn’t have dared to propose this if she weren’t confident. There’s no need to worry."

’I should ask Mother about this carefully when I get back,’ Song Yexi decided. She was worried that Yun Zhao, sheltered deep within the palace, was ignorant of the ways of the world and would be deceived by Princess Fuke.

After seeing Song Yexi and Xie Linlang off, Yun Zhao was wondering whether to rest for a bit or head back to the traveling palace when the Emperor arrived.

Song Yunzhao’s face lit up with pleasant surprise at the sight of him. "Your Majesty, I thought you were busy with official duties?"

’I knew an urgent memorial had been delivered.’

Feng Yi met Yun Zhao’s delighted expression with a smile. "I promised I would take you for a walk; how could I go back on my word? As it happens, they’re hunting right now. Let’s go watch the excitement."

’They?’

Song Yunzhao suddenly had a bad feeling. ’The ’they’ the Emperor is talking about... it couldn’t be the ’male supporting cast’ from the book, could it?’