Chapter 494 - 272: Song Yunzhao’s Unquellable Anger

Chapter 494: Chapter 272: Song Yunzhao’s Unquellable Anger

Princess Consort Zhuang left with a dark expression. Song Yunzhao’s complete refusal to yield had taken her by surprise, and she was even more shocked that Yunzhao would be so protective of that Xie Linlang. They called her a relative, but she was just a niece from Yunzhao’s second aunt’s side of the family, barely a cousin.

She never expected Song Yunzhao to be so protective of her!

Princess Consort Zhuang was vexed. Had she known, she would have softened her tone. But it was likely too late to smooth things over now, so she would have to think of another way.

After Princess Consort Zhuang left, Song Yunzhao was seething. It took her a long while to suppress her fury.

She knew society had a strict class hierarchy and a severe chain of contempt. But seeing how Princess Consort Zhuang treated Xie Linlang as someone to be trampled on at will made her anger soar. Yet, there was nothing she could do about it.

The Xie family were merchants. Only if Linlang’s older brother passed the imperial examinations to become an Advanced Scholar and then an official could they change their family’s status.

But that would take years, and Linlang couldn’t wait that long.

Besides, one didn’t just pass the examinations on the first try. Those who did were truly heaven’s chosen, brilliant talents as rare as one in a thousand.

Although Song Yunzhao was widely known as a favored concubine, it was a reputation in name only. She had not yet truly secured her position as a high-ranking concubine, the child in her belly was not yet born, and she had yet to put down roots in the palace and touch real power. Even if she wanted to help Xie Linlang, she couldn’t change her family’s status.

Even though Feng Yi doted on her, he was currently wrestling for power with the Left and Right Ministers at court. This was a critical moment where no mistakes could be made. Naturally, she couldn’t cause trouble for him over her own affairs and give people a handle to use against him.

The Emperor’s reclaiming of authority over the court was more important than anything. She couldn’t let herself get involved. When the novelty wore off and the initial passion soured, these matters would become a fatal blade.

’Princess Consort Zhuang deliberately disparaged Linlang, trying to pin the blame for Wang Yunhua’s broken engagement on her. So what was her real objective?’

’The more I think about it, the more something feels wrong. Princess Consort Zhuang wouldn’t do something for nothing. She made excuses for Wang Yunhua and made Linlang the scapegoat... It seems she hasn’t given up on the marriage alliance with the Ji Family. She plans to use Linlang as a stepping stone to try again!’

’Thinking of it that way, everything clicked into place.’

’Princess Consort Zhuang hasn’t given up. She wants the Left Minister to get Wang Xuanfan out of trouble. From this, it’s clear that Wang Xuanfan’s crime must be serious.’

’Madam Ji might have wanted Wang Yunhua as a daughter-in-law, but she couldn’t overlook how selfish and self-serving Wang Yunhua was.’

’There’s nothing wrong with Princess Consort Zhuang wanting to salvage the situation, but she shouldn’t have done it by trampling on Linlang to make Wang Yunhua look good.’

’If Princess Consort Zhuang started this, she can’t blame me for finishing it.’

After thinking it over, Song Yunzhao decided she couldn’t get directly involved. She summoned Anshun and gave him a few instructions.

’It’s about time for Marchioness Yongjia to make a move. She hasn’t done anything for so long; she must have been held back by matters at court. With the court in turmoil, Marquis Yongjia would certainly be unwilling for his family to stand out at a time like this.’

’But what if I have her back?’

’Marchioness Yongjia would surely be willing to seek justice for her daughter.’

Song Yunzhao’s guess was correct. Anshun returned and reported, "Marchioness Yongjia says to tell you not to worry, Your Highness. She already has the evidence in hand and will pay a visit to Madam Ji today."

"Did the Marchioness say anything else?" Song Yunzhao asked.

"She did. Marchioness Yongjia also said to thank you, Your Highness, for giving her a chance to make amends. After visiting the Ji Family, she also plans to go to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion to meet with Marchioness Wu Xin and have a good chat to catch up."

Song Yunzhao remembered that Marchioness Yongjia had asked Princess Zhenbei to arrange a meeting with her, and the smile on her face became a bit more genuine. This Marchioness was a clever woman indeed.

Linlang had been slapped by Wang Yunhua at the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. Marchioness Yongjia’s ’chat’ with Marchioness Wu Xin was surely to tell her the truth about the frightened horse. Then, Marchioness Wu Xin would naturally understand that by joining forces with Wang Yunhua, she had merely been used as a cat’s-paw, gaining nothing for her efforts.

Or rather, she might have been able to get something originally, but now the Wang Family could barely fend for themselves. If Wang Xuanfan really fell, she would get even less than nothing.

Not only had she failed to get the benefits she wanted, but she had also well and truly offended me.

Song Yunzhao was confident that with Marchioness Yongjia’s skill and eloquence, she would leave Marchioness Wu Xin feeling like an ant on a hot pan.

Just thinking about it was satisfying.

Just as Marchioness Yongjia went to see Madam Ji, officers from the Ministry of Justice "invited" Wang Xuanfan for questioning. When the government officers took Wang Xuanfan away, Mrs. Wang nearly fainted on the spot. It was said that after she came to, she locked Wang Yunhua up and forbade her from taking a single step outside.

Mrs. Wang sought an audience with Princess Consort Zhuang, but when Song Yunzhao heard the news, she just gave a cold sneer.

After Mrs. Wang left, Princess Consort Zhuang went to request an audience with the Empress Dowager.

Song Yunzhao figured that the Empress Dowager would certainly not lose face for the sake of Princess Consort Zhuang. After all, she held little favor with the Emperor and would definitely not squander what little maternal affection there was between them.

Sure enough, Princess Consort Zhuang was unable to see the Empress Dowager, who claimed she was feeling unwell and wasn’t receiving visitors.

Heh.

That evening, Yun Zhao enjoyed a delicious dinner and then received a second report from Anshun.

"The First Madam sent word. The Third Young Master has returned home safely. She says you can rest assured, Your Highness."

Song Yunzhao had predicted that her father would be fine, but she had still been worried. Now that she knew he was home, her heart could finally be at ease.

Song Yunzhao initially wanted to send Anshun to see her father, but then she remembered what she had said in front of Feng Yi. ’Can’t break character!’

"Did my eldest aunt say anything else?"

"The person sent by the First Madam said that Lord Wang is implicated in the treasury silver embezzlement case. It will be difficult for him to get out of this."

Song Yunzhao paused for a moment. A glint in her eye, she looked at Anshun and said, "I’ll write a letter. You are to deliver it tonight."

’I need to inform my eldest aunt about Princess Consort Zhuang and the movements of Marchioness Yongjia. That way, my aunt will be better able to navigate the situation.’

After a moment’s hesitation, she also wrote about Linlang in the letter. Since the Xie family had arrived, she couldn’t overstep her bounds. But she was also afraid that Linlang would be overly cautious, so she asked the First Madam to look after her.

The First Madam received Yun Zhao’s letter, surprised to get a delivery so late. She opened it at once. After reading it, she let out a long sigh of relief. It was for the best that Marchioness Yongjia was willing to step forward; she truly disliked Madam Ji’s attitude.

For the past few days, she had also been restricting Xie Linlang from going out casually. After all, what Ji Yunting had said was not good for a young woman’s reputation.

The First Madam grew angry just thinking about it. That Young Master Ji looked decent enough on the outside, but who would have thought he would do something like this.

’If he didn’t want to marry the girl from the Wang Family, why did he have to drag Linlang into the mud with him? He’s a real piece of work!’

"Madam, Madam Xie requests an audience."

Hearing this, the First Madam looked at Nanny Zhao. "She wants to see me at this hour? Did she come alone?"

"The young cousin is with her," Nanny Zhao said.

The First Madam nodded. "Show them in."

’Coming so late... could something have happened?’

Soon, Madam Xie entered with her daughter and bowed to the First Madam. "This humble one greets you, First Madam. My daughter has been under your care, and for that, I am endlessly grateful."