Chapter 488 - 266: It Seems Madam Ji Is About to Take a Fall

Chapter 488: Chapter 266: It Seems Madam Ji Is About to Take a Fall

"You said it yourself—he’s a block of wood. When someone like that falls for a person, how would anyone easily find out? Besides, you were chasing after Ji Yunting back then. Even if he did have some feelings for you, with his personality, he never would have said anything."

He Lan Yun looked at Song Yunzhao. She felt her friend made a lot of sense, but for some reason, something still felt a little off.

"Are you sure he really likes me? You said it yourself, I used to chase after Ji Yunting. Because of that, it’s been difficult for me to be considered for marriage." He Lan Yun wasn’t the least bit afraid of losing face in front of Song Yunzhao, frankly laying her past bare.

"Who hasn’t been blind in love when they were young? Who wasn’t a little wild in their youth? You only liked him; you didn’t marry him. You even came to your senses and broke off the engagement. Now you’re a perfectly respectable, innocent young woman. Why shouldn’t you be able to marry into a good family?"

"You’re so right." He Lan Yun was tempted to slam her hand on the table. ’If I had a mouth like Song Yunzhao’s, what would I have to fear?’ "I’m still a perfectly respectable maiden. I was just blind when I was young, it’s not like I did anything shameful."

Seeing He Lan Yun completely revitalized, Song Yunzhao suddenly felt a pang of guilt, feeling she had done Duke Cao a great disservice.

’Oh well, it can’t be helped. I’m closer to He Lan Yun. Better to sacrifice a friend than to sacrifice myself.’

’If I can’t untie this knot in He Lan Yun’s heart, she won’t be happy even after marrying Cao Jitong, will she?’

’Since Cao Jitong likes a girl with her personality, he’ll just have to be prepared.’

’I’ll have to burn a few sticks of incense for the Infinite Heavenly Venerable later!’

He Lan Yun’s mood brightened instantly. "I knew I should have come to talk to you. My mother didn’t want me to, but I’m so glad I came. You’re the one who gets me the most."

Song Yunzhao nodded vigorously. ’I’ve won your heart... and screwed over Cao Jitong.’

’I’d better avoid Duke Cao from now on, lest he sees me and decides to throw a sack over my head.’

’Life is tough,’ Zhaozhao sighed.

’Just look at the kind of friends I’ve made.’

After Yun Zhao’s pep talk, He Lan Yun started to wonder what was so bad about marrying Cao Jitong. ’My conscience is clear! I don’t like Ji Yunting anymore, I’m still a perfectly innocent young woman, and on top of all that, my father is Prince Zhenbei.’

’Cao Jitong wouldn’t be losing out one bit by marrying me!’

’And Yun Zhao was right. If the Grand Dowager hadn’t been so kind to her, she never would have agreed to this marriage so readily. The Grand Dowager is just so good to her! They get along so well, there would be no mother-in-law drama. Life will definitely be comfortable after she marries into the family.’

’The more she thought about it, the better the marriage seemed. She was absolutely giddy!’

As He Lan Yun’s thoughts raced, she began telling Yun Zhao just how good the Grand Dowager was to her, remembering the snacks she loved as a child, her favorite colors for clothes, and the style of jewelry she liked to wear...

Song Yunzhao: ...

’I’m so jealous!’

’Why don’t I have the good fortune to meet an Immortal Mother-in-law like that!’

The more He Lan Yun spoke, the better the marriage seemed, and she began to radiate happiness from the inside out. ’See? I knew I had to find Song Yunzhao. Look how happy I am now.’

The now-unhappy Song Yunzhao: ...

After He Lan Yun finished talking about her own affairs, she finally remembered Xie Linlang and said to Yun Zhao, "I got so carried away I forgot about her. Linlang can’t come in to see you. She knows you’re worried about her, so she asked me to pass on a message: don’t worry."

Song Yunzhao instantly became alert. Looking at He Lan Yun, she said, "What else did she tell you? Did people from the Ji family go to the Xie family’s home?"

"Huh? You guessed that already?" He Lan Yun was stunned. ’I didn’t say anything about that.’

Song Yunzhao said slowly, "I know Linlang’s personality. For her to say something like that, something must have happened to the Xie family. At a time like this, what other major event could there be besides the Ji family paying them a visit?"

"I wanted to have Linlang come stay with me for a few days, but my mother wouldn’t agree." He Lan Yun sighed. "My mother said that having her stay for a few days isn’t the same as letting her stay for a lifetime, and it wouldn’t actually help Linlang."

"The Princess Consort is right." Song Yunzhao nodded in agreement. "Even I can’t easily interfere in this matter."

’The main issue is still Linlang’s background. Of course, I could ask the Emperor to issue an edict, but what would happen after Linlang married into the family?’

’Could I really spend the rest of my life settling her mother-in-law disputes? Of course not.’

’If I rashly step in now, I could make the rest of Linlang’s life miserable.’

"But for Madam Ji to show up and make a show of force is really too much," He Lan Yun said.

Song Yunzhao looked at her and asked, "What does Linlang say about this marriage?"

"Linlang said her parents will be here soon, and she’ll wait until her elders arrive before saying anything." He Lan Yun was not optimistic. "Ji Yunting is really a menace to everyone!"

Song Yunzhao: ...

’So much for the years he was the apple of your eye.’

’Ah, women. So heartless the moment they move on.’

"I will ask my father and my eldest aunt to visit the Xie family together." There wasn’t much Song Yunzhao could do for Xie Linlang, but it was essential to back her up at the appropriate moment.

"That would be for the best." He Lan Yun let out a small sigh of relief. "I wanted my mother to help, but she said our family has never had any dealings with the Xie family. My friendship with Linlang is just a bond between young ladies. If our Prince Manor gets involved in her marriage, we’ll inevitably be accused of using our power to bully others, which would be very bad for Linlang."

’Song Yunzhao recalled reading those incredibly satisfying plots in novels, where a low-born protagonist has a noble friend who backs them up and lets them sweep away all obstacles. It was so thrilling to read.’

’But being in such a situation for real, especially in a time and place like an ancient dynasty with its intricate class divisions and gaps in social standing, the simple act of "backing someone up" couldn’t just sweep all the problems away.’

’I can back her up this time, but what about the next?’

’Can Princess Zhenbei really support Xie Linlang for her entire life?’

’And on what grounds would she?’

’The Princess Consort isn’t some accessory of Xie Linlang’s that can just be pulled out whenever she’s needed.’

’For instance, Yun Zhao and Linlang’s relationship is excellent, so it would be perfectly justifiable for her to support Linlang, since they are actually related.’

’But it came back to the same point: I can’t back her up forever. I might be a favored concubine, but I still have to be careful with every step and cautious in everything I do to survive in this palace.’

"The Princess Consort is being very thoughtful. You don’t need to feel bad."

"I just feel awful. It’s painful to watch her go through this and not be able to do anything."

Song Yunzhao understood this feeling. ’He Lan Yun isn’t married yet. Even if she were to marry and have no conflicts with her mother-in-law, she probably couldn’t truly grasp the difficulties of being a daughter-in-law.’

"Besides waiting for the Xie family elders, did Linlang say anything else?"

He Lan Yun thought for a moment, first shaking her head, then nodding. "Now I remember. She said one more thing: as long as the matter between the Ji Family and the Wang Family isn’t settled, she, a mere merchant’s daughter, wouldn’t dare get involved. What do you think she means by that?"

Song Yunzhao’s heart sank. ’It seems my guess was correct; Linlang has her sights set on the position of Young Madam Ji.’

’This could be tricky.’

Seeing Yun Zhao’s expression gradually turn serious, He Lan Yun looked at her suspiciously. "You have to tell me, what does Linlang mean by that?"

Song Yunzhao looked at her and said softly, "It looks like Madam Ji is about to take a fall."

"Isn’t that a good thing? Why do you look so worried?" He Lan Yun didn’t understand.