Chapter 489 - 267: I Can’t Protect Her

Chapter 489: Chapter 267: I Can’t Protect Her

’What kind of good news is that?’ Song Yunzhao thought.

If Ji Yunting was truly incapable, his wife would be nothing more than a decoration. Wang Yunhua would never willingly jump into that pit of fire.

Linlang’s stance was undoubtedly meant to force Wang Yunhua’s hand. And since Madam Ji looked down on Linlang, she would certainly be willing to let Wang Yunhua marry into the family.

Madam Ji wouldn’t care what grievances her daughter-in-law might suffer after marrying her son. All she wanted was a daughter-in-law from a prominent family so that her son wouldn’t become a laughingstock.

Linlang was clearly determined to wade into these muddy waters.

Song Yunzhao sighed.

He Lan Yun didn’t quite understand why Yun Zhao was sighing. She looked at her and said, "Is something wrong? If you need my help, just say the word."

She knew it wasn’t easy for Yun Zhao to leave the traveling palace, which naturally made it inconvenient for her to get things done.

Song Yunzhao thought for a moment before speaking. "I’m just worried Linlang is being too stubborn. Madam Ji has always been arrogant. Being her daughter-in-law will be anything but easy, not to mention the rumors about Ji Yunting’s physical condition..."

As He Lan Yun was still unmarried, she couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed hearing Yun Zhao talk about such matters. She forced herself to remain composed and nodded in agreement with a serious expression.

Seeing her reaction, Song Yunzhao felt it was best not to continue. This wasn’t the modern era, where information and discussions were open. To speak of such things in front of an unmarried young woman, even one with He Lan Yun’s personality, would still cause some embarrassment.

As Song Yunzhao hesitated, He Lan Yun said, "I know what you mean. You’re afraid Linlang will be mistreated if she marries him. I’ll pass the message along to her."

"I’m just afraid she won’t listen. Linlang’s parents are about to arrive at the traveling palace, and I’m sure Madam Ji won’t give up."

"The Left Minister is already in a difficult position at court. It’s a feat he hasn’t been dragged down by Wang Xuanfan. Yet Madam Ji still doesn’t know when to rein it in. She’ll suffer for it later," He Lan Yun huffed. She had never had a good impression of Madam Ji. Back when she was chasing after Ji Yunting, the woman had clearly looked down on her.

Back then, she must have been blind. Even if she had noticed, she pretended she didn’t, just deceiving herself.

"Yunzhao, since Madam Ji values Wang Yunhua as a daughter-in-law, why don’t we just help make it happen? That way, Linlang can get out of this." He Lan Yun thought this was a good idea. "What is wrong with Ji Yunting? Doesn’t he know his own condition? Insisting on dragging Linlang down with him is just despicable."

Yunzhao didn’t know what Ji Yunting was thinking, but this handsome man, described in the book as both talented and good-looking, was no fool—even if he always did incomprehensible things whenever Qin Xiyue was involved.

However, on second thought, it seemed that ever since He Lan Yun broke off their engagement, he had been heading down a different, unluckier path. It had been a long time since she had heard anything connecting him to Qin Xiyue.

She didn’t know whether to pity him for one reason or the other.

It wasn’t just He Lan Yun who couldn’t figure it out; Song Yunzhao couldn’t either.

"As for Wang Yunhua, I don’t think we need to push things. With her personality, she definitely won’t marry Ji Yunting easily. She’s bound to do something," Song Yunzhao said slowly, pondering. "If we interfere, it’ll be easy for the Wang family to find something to use against us."

Mainly, Song Yunzhao suspected Ji Yunting had some ulterior motive for this decision. What could he possibly gain from marrying Linlang?

It was precisely because she couldn’t figure out his motive that Yun Zhao was most wary.

"We can’t just do nothing and wait, can we?"

’Yes, we can’t just do nothing. But what can we do that Linlang would want?’

’Marry Ji Yunting?’

’Song Yunzhao was against it, but that was just her opinion. She couldn’t decide anyone else’s life for them. All she could do was offer support.’

"Let’s not be hasty. We’ll wait for the Xie family to arrive and see how the situation develops. Before then, I’m sure Wang Yunhua won’t just sit back and accept her fate. Let’s see what she’s capable of. After all, Wang Yunhua’s actions will determine Madam Ji’s next move."

Hm?

He Lan Yun found that interesting. She nodded immediately. "Alright, I’ll keep an eye on things for you from the outside. I’ll let you know as soon as I have news."

Song Yunzhao nodded and looked at He Lan Yun. "When are you and Duke Qin getting engaged?"

"The engagement is just a formality. Cao Jitong wants it to be as soon as possible, but it’s not up to him. He needs my parents’ approval." At this, He Lan Yun couldn’t help but look a little smug. "My father and older brother just got back. He won’t get his way that easily."

’Not necessarily,’ Song Yunzhao thought.

After seeing He Lan Yun off, before Yun Zhao could even catch her breath, Nanny Yu hurried in and whispered, "My Lady, Mrs. Wang has gone to see Consort Zhuang."

"She certainly moved quickly. It seems Mrs. Wang can no longer control Wang Yunhua." Song Yunzhao sneered. ’Back when Wang Yunhua was scheming against others, did she ever imagine this day of reckoning would come?’

"Don’t watch them too closely, or Consort Zhuang’s people might notice something is amiss," Song Yunzhao instructed. "After Mrs. Wang leaves the traveling palace, send word to Madam Ji that she came to see the consort."

’She refused to believe Madam Ji would do nothing. At a time like this, Mrs. Wang’s visit to Consort Zhuang had to be about Wang Yunhua. If it were about arranging a marriage between the two families, Mrs. Wang would have made an agreement with the Ji family first. But now... well, as willful as Madam Ji was, she wasn’t a fool. She must know that Wang Yunhua is unwilling to marry her son.’

’While she couldn’t make any major moves, she could certainly pass along some information and enjoy the show from the sidelines.’

Consort Zhuang was in a terrible mood. She couldn’t lash out at her own mother, so she suppressed her anger and said, "She’s still choosing now to be willful? Doesn’t she see how much trouble the family is in? Is her marriage more important than Father’s career? If something happens to Father, what kind of future will she have? Besides, I had someone ask the Imperial Physicians about Ji Yunting’s condition. There’s still hope for a recovery."

Mrs. Wang looked utterly exhausted. "I’ve scolded her and I’ve hit her. She’s acting as if she’s possessed. I’m truly at my wit’s end, which is why I came to you for help."

"What do you mean, you’re at your wit’s end? She’s just being selfish, thinking only of herself and not of her family," Consort Zhuang said coldly.

Mrs. Wang’s expression stiffened. "Yun Hua is your sister, after all. We just spoiled her a little too much..."

"Then tell her if she doesn’t want to marry him, she can drop dead!" Consort Zhuang said, her face devoid of expression. She had endured so many years in the palace, struggling to uphold her family’s honor. Others saw her as glorious, but it was all just a facade.

Her mother already knew her predicament in the palace, yet she still came to make things difficult for her.

’In her mother’s heart, her sister would always be more important than her.’

"Your Highness!" Hearing those two words, Mrs. Wang’s composure began to crumble.

Consort Zhuang swept a teacup to the floor and looked at her mother. "Others might not know, but do you really not know, Mother? I have no influence with the Emperor! If something happens to Father, I won’t be able to protect him! When that time comes, I hope you won’t blame me."