Chapter 480 - 257: Song Zhaoyi Is Incredibly Strange

Chapter 480: Chapter 257: Song Zhaoyi Is Incredibly Strange

Consort Shu looked at Song Yunzhao’s conflicted expression, a hint of pride rising in her heart. Finally, for once, she had the upper hand.

’She felt so refreshed.’

But on second thought, this was a pit dug by her own father, and her heart immediately plummeted.

She had originally thought she could rely on her family to live a good life, but now, her family was relying on her to save the day. What daughter had it as hard as she did?

Her father didn’t agree with her seeking out Song Yunzhao, but her mother felt the matter couldn’t be ignored and had secretly taken these things behind her father’s back to give to her.

’To have lived so many years only to become a thief in my own home... It’s too much to think about. Just the thought of it makes my heart ache.’

She had always been an upright and honorable person, yet she had fallen to this!

Song Yunzhao stared at the stack of papers with a look of profound misery. She was truly in a dilemma. She was reluctant to have any dealings with the Right Minister’s faction, but she also worried that ignoring it would lead to even worse consequences.

At this, she suddenly paused. ’I’ve been thinking in circles. I can just take these papers and give them to the Emperor.’

That way, there would be no danger of a concubine interfering in court politics. Moreover, she could establish a positive image of loyalty before the Emperor. She could help Consort Shu, making her owe a favor, and also curry favor with the Emperor.

’Killing two birds with one stone!’

’I’m such a genius.’

Song Yunzhao had figured it out, but she forced herself not to show it on her face. Instead, she continued to ponder with a look of profound misery. Only when Consort Shu’s face finally revealed her unease did she let out a heavy sigh and say, "Lady Shufei, you’ve truly put me in a difficult position this time. For the sake of our past friendship, I will do my best, but I can’t guarantee any particular outcome."

As Song Yunzhao spoke, she reached out and took the top few sheets of paper. She looked down at them. ’What is this?’

Consort Shu didn’t see Yun Zhao’s confused expression. Hearing that Yun Zhao was willing to help, she felt a weight lift from her heart. ’I really didn’t misjudge her.’

Song Yunzhao acted tough but had a soft heart.

"As long as you’re willing to help, that’s enough. Besides, I have great confidence in your abilities." Afraid that Song Yunzhao might go back on her word, Consort Shu immediately stood up to leave. "Take your time looking through them. I will await your good news."

Song Yunzhao watched Consort Shu leave in a gust of wind. ’She’s leaving already?’

’That was incredibly fast.’

Song Yunzhao was both exasperated and amused. The Consort Shu of today was really not so easy to fool anymore.

Once Consort Shu left, Song Yunzhao looked at the stack of papers, casually flipping through them. She then examined the sheets in her hand. The entries were extremely convoluted; they must be some kind of ancient ledgers.

’But the accounting method... I don’t think I can understand it.’

She had seen the ledgers from the Song Mansion. With one glance, she could identify expenditures, income, and the person responsible for the transaction—it was all perfectly clear.

She could also understand the palace’s ledgers, and Nanny Yu’s were particularly meticulous.

But these things Consort Shu had given her... she really couldn’t make heads or tails of them.

Ledgers came in numerous forms, compiled as needed. In terms of time, they were classified into monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and year-end accounts, not to mention many unscheduled account records.

The Song Family’s ledgers had many such classifications. She had once seen Mrs. Cai auditing the accounts, her desk completely covered with books.

The palace had even more ledgers: not only for living expenses and storerooms but also for social obligations and the general ledger for an entire palace.

One could only imagine how complicated the ledgers from various government offices would be.

Song Yunzhao’s eyes spun as she looked at them. ’It’s true that not just anyone can be an official. There’s a reason the profession of bookkeeper came to exist.’

Song Yunzhao grew dizzy looking at them. She could vaguely understand parts, but the entries were all different from each other. The accounting method must be for secret accounts, which was why she found it so confusing.

The falsified accounts were made by different officials from various regions, so the methods varied. It was no wonder Song Yunzhao couldn’t understand them.

She decided to wait for Feng Yi to arrive before dealing with it.

So, she summoned Zhang Maoquan and said to him, "Go to the front and ask Manager Meng if the Emperor has time to join me for dinner tonight."

Zhang Maoquan mulled it over. ’Song Zhaoyi rarely disturbs the Emperor when he’s busy. This must be related to what Lady Shufei brought over.’

He immediately agreed and went to the front to pass on the message.

Just then, Meng Jiuchang had emerged from the hall, his expression sour. He ran headlong into the hurrying Zhang Maoquan.

Zhang Maoquan approached with a broad smile. "What a coincidence! I have something to ask of you, Manager Meng, and here you are."

Meng Jiuchang: ...

"Shouldn’t you be attending to Song Zhaoyi? What are you doing here?" Meng Jiuchang shot back with a barb. However, he didn’t make things too difficult. This kid, Zhang Maoquan, had gained some standing with the Emperor because of Song Zhaoyi and was on the verge of catching up to him. He had to show him some face.

He wasn’t afraid of Zhang Maoquan, but he couldn’t afford to provoke Song Zhaoyi, the woman behind him. She was the current apple of the Emperor’s eye.

"Well, I’m here on Lady Zhaoyi’s orders to trouble you, Manager Meng."

’Business for Song Zhaoyi?’

Meng Jiuchang asked, "What is it?"

"Lady Zhaoyi would like to ask if the Emperor is free this evening. If so, she invites His Majesty to her residence for dinner," Zhang Maoquan said.

Meng Jiuchang thought to himself, ’If Zhang Maoquan had asked this any day before today, I wouldn’t have dared refuse. But the Emperor is in a terrible mood today.’ His eyes darted, and he said to Zhang Maoquan, "I have an urgent task to attend to that cannot be delayed for even a moment. Why don’t you go in and report it yourself? Wouldn’t want to delay Lady Zhaoyi’s business."

Zhang Maoquan had known Meng Jiuchang for many years. Hearing this, he knew the Emperor was most likely in a bad mood and that this old fox was trying to set a trap for him.

But Zhang Maoquan didn’t refuse. ’When it comes to other people’s affairs, it’s hard to say, but the Emperor has never once refused a request from Song Zhaoyi.’

"I wouldn’t want to delay your task, Manager Meng. Please, go on with your business. I can go in myself."

’Fine, I’ll go. Who’s afraid of whom?’

Meng Jiuchang wasn’t entirely making excuses; he really did have a task, just not as urgent as he claimed. He smiled and said, "Then I’ll be on my way."

Meng Jiuchang turned and left. Zhang Maoquan snorted inwardly. He walked to the doors of the hall and tilted his head slightly, listening for any sound from within. After a good while without hearing the Emperor shouting at anyone, he gently pushed the doors open and went inside.

Meng Jiuchang hadn’t gone far. He found a spot around a corner to wait. ’Let’s see if Zhang Maoquan comes out smiling.’

’I just got an earful myself when His Majesty took his anger out on me.’

Meng Jiuchang counted the time, peeking around the corner every so often. He was afraid of being seen, which would be unseemly and damage his image. He felt like a thief, and it was terribly uncomfortable.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he saw Zhang Maoquan come out. He carefully observed his expression and saw that his face was full of joy, his steps light as he headed back toward Song Zhaoyi’s residence.

Meng Jiuchang: ...

’A miscalculation. I should have gone in and delivered the message myself.’

’This Song Zhaoyi is really something else. She’s beautiful, sure, but she has a foul temper and a standoffish personality. How on earth did she manage to catch the Emperor’s eye?’