Chapter 493 - 271: Not a Single Good Person in the Wang Family

Chapter 493: Chapter 271: Not a Single Good Person in the Wang Family

"You have a point. Consort Zhuang will just have to get over it. With such a troublesome younger sister—her own flesh and blood—it’s not like she can just beat her to death, can she?" Consort Shu tried her best to suppress the excitement in her voice, though she didn’t seem to be succeeding.

’Oh well. Not everyone can be as thick-skinned as Song Yunzhao.’

Song Yunzhao fell silent for a moment when she heard Consort Shu say "beat her to death." ’This consort is as brazen as ever,’ she thought.

’Considering Wang Xuanfan and the Right Minister have always been rivals, it’s perfectly normal for Consort Shu to be this happy.’

"Indeed, she wouldn’t have the heart to kill her and be done with it," Song Yunzhao replied. "However, even though the marriage alliance between the Wang and Ji Families fell through, the Left Minister might not necessarily stand by and do nothing to help Lord Wang."

Consort Shu said dismissively, "That’s where you’re mistaken. It all depends on how deeply Wang Xuanfan is involved. If he’s sinking in quicksand, do you really think the Left Minister will risk his own neck to pull him out?"

"Your Highness has a point. So, just how deeply is Lord Wang involved? Is it dangerous?"

"We’ll have to wait for the Ministry of Justice’s investigation. How would I know?" Consort Shu frowned. "But seeing how the Wang Family is scrambling about, I’m afraid it’s not a simple matter."

"Your Highness is truly perceptive, seeing things so clearly. I stand corrected."

Consort Shu vaguely felt that something was off, but Song Yunzhao’s words were pleasant to hear. Unable to help feeling a little smug, she said, "Now that the marriage between the Wang and Ji Families is off, I imagine your relative’s luck is about to turn."

Song Yunzhao said with stern righteousness, "Linlang is of humble birth. How could she possibly catch Madam Ji’s eye?"

’No matter what Linlang herself thinks, I have to build a good public image for her. I can’t let people think she’s trying to cling to the Ji Family.’

Consort Shu studied Yun Zhao for a moment. "We have something of a friendship, don’t we? No need to put on an act in front of me. If Miss Xie can marry into the Ji Family, it would be her good fortune."

Song Yunzhao looked at Consort Shu. "Since Your Highness thinks this is such a good match, your own noble house has unmarried young ladies as well. Why not form this wonderful union yourselves?"

Consort Shu: ...

"Let’s leave this fine match from the Ji Family to someone else. The young ladies of our Lu Family don’t have such good fortune."

Song Yunzhao watched Consort Shu leave in a huff. ’So what was the point of her visit?’

’Just to talk to me about Linlang’s affairs?’

’She can’t say something nice without lacing it with sarcasm. And look, now she’s stormed off in a huff.’

As if Consort Shu had jinxed it, Xie Linlang’s parents arrived that very afternoon. Word reached Yun Zhao from the First Madam.

For them to arrive at this critical juncture, Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but feel a sense of fate at play.

The Wang and Ji Families had just had a major falling out.

This timing was truly terrible.

There was still no news from Xie Linlang, and now Consort Zhuang had shown up at her door.

Song Yunzhao observed Consort Zhuang’s haggard appearance, a stark contrast to her usual self. Given that their current relationship was far from good, Song Yunzhao simply watched Consort Zhuang after the initial pleasantries and didn’t speak again.

Consort Zhuang sat in the same spot Consort Shu had occupied the day before. She hadn’t slept a wink the entire previous night. After thinking it over and over, she felt she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Since this matter also involved Miss Xie, she thought she might be able to feel Song Yunzhao out, which was why she had come.

With Song Yunzhao not initiating the conversation, Consort Zhuang felt a bit uncomfortable. Although she had carefully done her hair and makeup before leaving, she still looked much worse compared to the radiant Song Yunzhao.

"I came today because there is a matter I wish to discuss with Song Zhaoyi." Consort Zhuang looked at Song Yunzhao, trying her best to appear relaxed and at ease, not wanting her to sense her true intentions.

Song Yunzhao truly couldn’t figure out why Consort Zhuang had come to see her. Hearing her words, she looked up and said with a placid expression, "I truly cannot think of any matter that would require Your Highness to consult with me. You honor me too much."

"How could Song Zhaoyi not know of this? I assume you’ve heard the news that Young Master Ji insists on having Miss Xie marry into his family?"

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao frowned slightly. Unsure of Consort Zhuang’s meaning, her expression immediately soured. "What does Your Highness mean by that? Is it that because your sister refused to marry into the Ji Family, Your Highness now wishes to take your anger out on someone else? Besides, just because Young Master Ji wants Linlang to marry him, does that mean she must? Would the Ji Family dare to abduct a common woman?"

’Whatever Consort Zhuang was scheming, I could not let her link Linlang with Ji Yunting. Regardless of whether Linlang ever married into the Ji Family in the future, I couldn’t allow anything to be done that would damage her reputation.’

Consort Zhuang hadn’t expected Song Yunzhao’s attitude to be so unyielding. This was not what she had anticipated.

’Regardless of whether Ji Yunting and Xie Linlang have a relationship, it’s true that he declared his intention to marry her. This must mean there was some sort of interaction between them. Such a thing is terrible for a woman’s reputation. Anyone else in this situation would try to keep it under wraps, so why is Song Yunzhao acting so differently?’

"Song Zhaoyi, if it weren’t for Ji Yunting insisting on marrying Miss Xie, my sister would not have refused the marriage in a fit of anger."

’Eh?’

’Consort Zhuang actually wants to pin the blame for Wang Yunhua’s refusal to marry on Xie Linlang!’

It dawned on Song Yunzhao what was happening. Consort Zhuang was actually scheming to drag Linlang through the mud just to clear Wang Yunhua’s reputation.

’Pah!’

"Is that so? I think Your Highness should investigate properly. Everyone knows that Miss Wang refused the marriage because she heard Young Master Ji injured his vital parts and might be unable to father children. What does this have to do with Miss Xie? If Your Highness insists on pinning this reputation on Miss Xie, then I will have to meet with Marchioness Yongjia and ask her how the investigation into Sixth Miss Huang’s startled horse incident is coming along!"

Consort Zhuang’s heart lurched. She never expected Song Yunzhao to know about that. How could they possibly negotiate now?

Her expression instantly turned ugly. She stared at Song Yunzhao and said, "Song Zhaoyi, let’s discuss this properly. It’s better than damaging both of their reputations, don’t you think?"

"Xie Linlang has nothing to fear, but I wonder if Wang Yunhua can say the same!" Song Yunzhao was thoroughly disgusted. "Your Highness, nobody here is a fool. I will remember your words today. I have nothing more to discuss with you. Please leave."

’Discuss? If my rank were higher than hers—no, even if we were equals—I would’ve slapped her across the face!’

’So what if Xie Linlang is a merchant’s daughter?’

’Does being a merchant’s daughter mean the Wang Family and you sisters can just take turns trampling all over her, and she’s supposed to just smile and take it?’

’In her wildest dreams!’

Consort Zhuang was stunned by Song Yunzhao’s crisp refusal. She was even more shocked that she dared to threaten her. Her face shifted between pale and livid as she gritted her teeth and stood up. "Song Zhaoyi, I hope you don’t live to regret this."

"I will have no regrets. However, I think Your Highness would do well to leave Miss Wang a way out of this. Just because there’s no news from Marchioness Yongjia now doesn’t mean there won’t be any in the future, don’t you agree?"

"You..."

"Goodbye. I won’t see you out." Song Yunzhao truly didn’t want to look at her for another second. She was absolutely furious with her.

’There isn’t a single good person in the entire Wang Family!’