Chapter 492 - 270: When It Comes to Sarcasm, She Admits Defeat

Chapter 492: Chapter 270: When It Comes to Sarcasm, She Admits Defeat

Feng Yi turned his head to look at Yun Zhao, his face a mask of fury. His eyes, in particular, seemed to be ablaze. Her father was still kneeling outside, yet every word from Yun Zhao’s lips showed concern for him and him alone.

Never before had anyone cared for him so wholeheartedly.

Feng Yi’s gaze was overly serious, and Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but feel a pang of insecurity. ’Did I act too fake?’

’No way, right?’

Just as her heart pounded with unease, she heard Feng Yi say, "Your concern is enough for me."

’Even if Song Nanzhen is truly implicated,’ he thought, ’as long as his crimes aren’t too severe, I’m willing to be lenient for Zhaozhao’s sake.’

Of course, Song Yunzhao had no idea what Feng Yi was thinking. She put on a happy expression and advised in a soft, gentle voice, "Your Majesty must also take care of your health. Your well-being is of utmost importance. Only when you have recovered can you accomplish more."

"You have a point."

’It truly isn’t worth ruining my health over a bunch of scoundrels,’ Feng Yi thought.

By the end of the meal, Song Yunzhao had successfully racked her brains and coaxed him into a better mood. She didn’t dare breathe a single word about her father. Besides, she was confident in her heart. Given her father’s character, he would never get involved in such matters. He must have been wrongly implicated. Once the Emperor’s investigation was complete, his name would be cleared.

’Pleading for my father now, without any proof, would only worsen the Emperor’s opinion of him. It’s better to keep my mouth shut and wait for the results.’

After the meal, Yun Zhao tactfully took her leave. Head held high, she led her attendants away, suppressing the urge to cast even a single glance in that direction.

「The next day」, news of Feng Yi’s purge of the Ministry of Revenue arrived, just as she’d expected. She wasn’t surprised in the slightest. ’With such a golden opportunity,’ she mused, ’it would be strange if he didn’t flay the ministry.’

Song Yunzhao had long found Cao Dingwen insufferable. The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the National Treasury, but no matter what the Emperor wanted to do, Cao Dingwen had only two words for him: "No money!"

She hadn’t known where the Ministry of Revenue’s money was going, but now she finally understood.

Cao Dingwen hadn’t appeared much in the book, so she couldn’t quite recall his fate. The Ministry of Revenue handled finances and grain, having little to do with the harem’s infighting. He wasn’t a prominent character, possessed little influence, and was purely a background figure.

She didn’t know his fate in the book, but she knew one thing for sure now: this time, he wouldn’t be able to escape.

At the very least, he would be charged with dereliction of duty. Due to his mismanagement, the Ministry of Revenue had become a sieve, allowing anyone and everyone to skim something for themselves. The National Treasury’s silver had flowed into private hands. Forget Feng Yi—even Yun Zhao couldn’t tolerate it.

She still remembered how difficult it had been to get the Ministry of Revenue to release funds during the previous disaster.

So it wasn’t that there was no silver, but that it had already been taken.

Enraged by the treasury silver case, Feng Yi had everyone from Cao Dingwen down to dozens of other officials from the Ministry of Revenue imprisoned. The Ministry of Justice was to preside over the trial, with the Ministry of Justice assisting.

The last time, the treasury silver cases across the prefectures and counties were handled by the Ministry of Justice. This time, the Ministry of Justice was in charge. Song Yunzhao figured Feng Yi was trying to strike a balance, letting the two government offices keep each other in check.

With the case files in different hands, no single person could conceal the truth.

While Feng Yi purged the court, the Wang Family was in a state of utter panic. Wang Xuanfan’s hands were already dirty from the government treasury case, and with this new incident involving the Ministry of Revenue, his position became completely untenable.

Mrs. Wang was summoned by her husband. Whatever he said to her, she personally went to call on Madam Ji the very next day, hoping to finalize the marriage between their two families.

When Wang Yunhua heard the news, she chased right after her mother. In front of Mrs. Wang, she knelt before Madam Ji and begged her to "give her a way out."

Madam Ji had never endured such a humiliation; she was so incensed that she fainted on the spot.

Mrs. Wang hadn’t expected her daughter to be capable of such a thing. A sharp slap to the face did nothing to salvage the situation. A marriage alliance was now impossible; she could only pray they hadn’t made an enemy.

When the news reached Song Yunzhao, she was so astonished she was speechless for a long moment.

’Has Wang Yunhua lost her mind?’

’Or perhaps she never had much of a brain to begin with?’

’If the Wang Family really falls, what good would that do her?’

Suddenly, Song Yunzhao thought of Consort Zhuang. ’That’s right,’ she realized, ’the Wang Family still has Consort Zhuang. Wang Yunhua must believe her older sister can save the family, which is why she’s unwilling to sacrifice herself in marriage.’

But Wang Yunhua didn’t know that her sister’s prestige was merely an illusion created by the Emperor. While the title of concubine was real, it was an empty one.

Consort Zhuang held little to no influence with the Emperor. Even if she pleaded for the Wang Family, should Wang Xuanfan’s crimes prove too severe, not only would she be unable to help her maiden family, but they would likely drag her down with them.

Song Yunzhao’s guess was correct. The moment Consort Zhuang received the news, her vision went black, her heart began to pound, and her limbs went weak as she collapsed.

While they were frantically summoning an Imperial Physician over there, Yun Zhao was on her side, reading a novel and sipping fruit tea. The gossip was truly delicious.

Consort Zhuang had schemed against her so many times, but on this occasion, she didn’t even need to kick them while they were down. The Wang Family had orchestrated their own downfall.

Yun Zhao hadn’t been certain before, but seeing Consort Zhuang’s reaction now, she was sure Wang Xuanfan must be deeply implicated. Otherwise, the normally composed Consort Zhuang would never have reacted so dramatically.

The lake breeze blew gently, creating a perfectly serene atmosphere. But of course, it was at this very moment that Xiangxue came to announce Consort Shu’s arrival.

Song Yunzhao was suspicious. Consort Shu had been visiting her more and more frequently of late. ’When did we get to be on such good terms that we can just drop in on each other?’

Before Song Yunzhao could even prepare, Consort Shu arrived, flanked by a large retinue. She made such an imposing entrance, you’d think she was here to flip tables and start a fight.

"Lady Shufei, what a sudden visit. If you needed something, you only had to send word. I would have come to call on you," Song Yunzhao said politely.

Consort Shu glanced at Song Yunzhao’s belly. "Let’s wait until after you’ve given birth. I’m not looking for any trouble right now."

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’She was always the one dishing it out; it really wasn’t pleasant being on the receiving end. She was just being polite, that’s all.’

Song Yunzhao was in a good mood today, so she decided not to hold it against her. Besides, while Consort Shu’s words were harsh, her actions were at least straightforward.

’One should focus on people’s good qualities,’ she tried hard to convince herself.

After Consort Shu took a seat, a cool breeze drifted in from the lake. She couldn’t help but remark sourly, "Your place really is a prime location."

So refreshing.

Song Yunzhao smiled. "If Your Ladyship likes it, you are welcome to come and sit here anytime."

Consort Shu snorted. She had thought Song Yunzhao might offer to trade residences. ’Is that all?’

’So stingy.’

Xiangxue had attendants serve tea and refreshments, then bowed and retreated to her position behind Yun Zhao.

Consort Shu looked at Yun Zhao. "You’ve heard what happened with Consort Zhuang, haven’t you?"

Just listen to that gloating tone. Although Consort Shu was trying her best to maintain a neutral expression, the delight in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Song Yunzhao wasn’t much better herself—she was thrilled too. So she nodded cheerfully. "I just heard the news as well. It’s so saddening that Consort Zhuang has met with such misfortune. I hope she can look on the bright side and recover quickly."

Consort Shu was speechless.

’When it comes to passive-aggression, I have to admit defeat!’

’How on earth did Song Yunzaho’s mouth learn to say such delightful things?’

’I really have to take some lessons from her.’