Chapter 483 - 261: Wang Yunhua Slapped Xie Linlang

Chapter 483: Chapter 261: Wang Yunhua Slapped Xie Linlang

"You’re clever. Prince Zhenbei also brought back the officials colluding with Li Kuisheng. The Ministry of Justice will preside over the case." This was precisely why Feng Yi was in such a good mood.

Song Yunzhao saw that Feng Yi’s mood had finally brightened. ’It seems there’s been some progress on the government treasury issue,’ she thought, but this time she didn’t ask about it.

After their noon meal, Yun Zhao had developed the habit of taking an afternoon nap. Feng Yi was about to rest with her for a while, but before he could even lie down, Meng Jiuchang arrived to summon him away.

Feng Yi’s expression was complicated. ’This job as Emperor is just too demanding.’

Song Yunzhao smilingly sent the workaholic Emperor on his way, then returned and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

The sky, once clear, was suddenly besieged by a violent squall. Raindrops hammered against the roof—PITTER-PATTER. The sound startled Yun Zhao awake. She rose and pushed open the window to see the rain falling like a beaded curtain. A fierce wind swept the droplets under the eaves, and in the short time the window was open, a thick mist rushed in to greet her.

’Such a heavy downpour, so sudden and fierce. This is summer, all right.’

It came as quickly as it went. In less than an hour, the sky was clear again.

It was wet and slick outside, so Yun Zhao decided against going out. She simply sat under the eaves, watching the Palace Attendants hurry about, tidying the courtyard. The downpour had beaten withered flowers and fallen leaves to the ground, and the junior Palace Attendants were busy sweeping them away.

"My Lady."

Song Yunzhao turned her head toward Nanny Yu, her eyes questioning.

Nanny Yu bowed slightly and said in a low voice, "The First Madam just sent word. Miss Wang and Miss Xie got into a dispute at Marchioness Wu Xin’s banquet. Miss Wang had someone strike Miss Xie."

Song Yunzhao’s expression hardened. "How was she struck?"

"Miss Xie was slapped across the face," Nanny Yu said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Miss Wang? You mean Consort Zhuang’s sister, Wang Yunhua?"

"The very same."

"Why was Miss Xie at a banquet at the Marquis Wuxin Mansion?"

"The Marquis Wuxin Mansion sent an invitation. They said Miss Xie is cousins with the wife of their third young master, so she was invited."

Song Yunzhao didn’t believe a single word of it. ’Marchioness Wu Xin considers Song Qinghan a thorn in her side. Why would she do her any favors?’

"Why did they argue?" Song Yunzhao asked.

Nanny Yu added, "According to the message from the First Madam, Miss Xie supposedly spoke out of turn and offended Miss Wang. But the First Madam also said she’s already investigating and will report back to you once she has more information, My Lady."

’What a convenient excuse. It’s so vague it can mean anything.’

Song Yunzhao sneered. ’I knew Wang Yunhua was up to no good after that incident with the spooked horse. I just didn’t expect her to make another move so soon. But why target Linlang?’

’Linlang has nothing to do with her.’

"Find out exactly why Wang Yunhua is targeting Miss Xie," Song Yunzhao said, looking at Nanny Yu.

Nanny Yu nodded. "I’ll have Anshun leave the traveling palace to take care of it."

Song Yunzhao gave a slight nod.

Nanny Yu hurried away. Yun Zhao suppressed her anger and considered the matter. It was truly baffling.

’What kind of grudge could Wang Yunhua possibly have against Linlang? Linlang was just an innocent victim in the last incident. There’s no reason at all for Wang Yunhua to target her.’

’And what about Marchioness Yongjia? Her investigation is taking far too long. Has she really not found the truth yet?’

The more she thought, the angrier she became. Yun Zhao’s face darkened. ’Linlang is my cousin, and plenty of people know it. By slapping Linlang, Wang Yunhua is showing she has no respect for me.’

At this thought, an idea sparked in Song Yunzhao’s mind. She beckoned to Xiangxue. "Go to Consort Zhuang’s quarters and discreetly inquire if anyone from the Wang Family has come to see her."

’I can’t make a move until I understand why this happened. But when I do, I’ll make sure Wang Yunhua learns her lesson.’

’See? The moment I, the favored concubine, retract my claws, they all stop taking me seriously.’

’Are they forcing me to be the villain?’

Xiangxue returned quickly. "My Lady, Mrs. Wang came to see Consort Zhuang two hours ago."

’Two hours ago?’

’If I calculate the time, the banquet probably wasn’t even over yet. Mrs. Wang came to see Consort Zhuang then... it must be because Wang Yunhua had just slapped Linlang, so Mrs. Wang rushed into the palace to get Consort Zhuang to smooth things over, right?’

’But Consort Zhuang hasn’t done anything yet.’ Song Yunzhao scoffed. ’She simply looks down on Linlang, that’s all.’

"If Consort Zhuang comes to see me, tell her I’m feeling unwell and have gone to rest," Song Yunzhao told Xiangxue.

"Yes, My Lady," Xiangxue replied.

Sure enough, in less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Consort Zhuang’s attendant, Rouge, arrived seeking an audience. Xiangxue went out to meet her.

Yun Zhao didn’t move a muscle. Beside her, Qingfeng fanned her, not daring to even breathe too loudly. ’Her Ladyship’s expression is terrifying.’

"My Lady, you were absolutely right. Consort Zhuang sent Rouge to ask if you were available. I sent her away as you instructed," Xiangxue reported.

"Did Rouge say anything else?"

"No, but I did notice she seemed rather displeased," Xiangxue mentioned casually. In reality, the smile had vanished from Rouge’s face instantly, replaced by a sullen scowl directed right at her.

’Our mistress’s rank is lower than Consort Zhuang’s. Rouge probably never expected to be turned away, which is why she was so annoyed.’

Song Yunzhao scoffed. ’Displeased? So what? The real show hasn’t even started yet.’

’An incident like this wouldn’t even be worth a mention among the noble ladies outside. The Xie family are just merchants; they wouldn’t give them a second thought. Even though Linlang is related to me, it’s a distant connection. No one would take it seriously.’

Yun Zhao could just imagine it: in that kind of setting, Linlang would have had no choice but to grit her teeth and swallow the humiliation.

Thinking this, Song Yunzhao suddenly realized something. ’If Marchioness Wu Xin had invited Linlang, she surely wouldn’t have overlooked Ye Xi and her sister. If Ye Xi had been there, Wang Yunhua wouldn’t have dared to go so far.’

’That must mean Ye Xi and her sister didn’t attend the banquet.’

Anshun hadn’t returned yet, and no further news had come from the First Madam. She had to be patient and wait.

’Don’t be rash.’

Feng Yi returned for the evening meal. Yun Zhao didn’t mention a word of the incident in his presence. This time, however, Feng Yi brought up the case of the government treasuries himself.

"When a government treasury fails to remit tax silver, it’s due to one of three things: natural disaster, local corruption, or poor oversight. In the event of a natural disaster, the court pacifies the people by reducing taxes, so that can’t be used as an excuse to escape blame. That leaves two possibilities. The first is local corruption—officials intercepting funds and deceiving their superiors. That implicates many people, and by following the trail this time, we’ve uncovered quite a few parasites. And speaking of which, your idea was excellent. I heard the National Treasury is so empty it can’t pay salaries, and the Minister of Revenue is too scared to even show his face outside."

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao felt she was on the verge of understanding something. She thought for a moment, then feigned ignorance. "Your Majesty, you also mentioned poor oversight. Who is responsible for that? Does the court send its own people to supervise?"

Feng Yi nodded. "Of course."

Song Yunzhao faintly grasped a key connection. ’So that’s what didn’t add up,’ she thought. Her eyes brightened as she looked at Feng Yi and asked, "Then who decides which official is sent to oversee things?"

Hearing Yun Zhao immediately ask the crucial question, Feng Yi’s mood improved even more. ’We truly are of one mind, always thinking along the same lines.’ He smiled faintly. "The Left and Right Ministers, of course."

Song Yunzhao understood!