Chapter 513 - 291: You’re Telling Me You’re Unwell When You’re Glowing With Health?

Chapter 513: Chapter 291: You’re Telling Me You’re Unwell When You’re Glowing With Health?

Before dawn, the gates of the great residences in the Capital City had already begun to open. Civil servants rode in sedan chairs while military officers rode on horseback. The city streets gradually grew lively as the officials gathered outside the palace gates, forming a long queue to await entry.

Song Nanzhen, a veritable pariah, stepped out of his sedan chair and walked to the front of the crowd. The military officers had no dealings with him, and the civil servants currently hated his guts. Upon seeing him, they would let out a cold snort and turn their heads away, making it clear they disdained his company.

Song Nanzhen wore a smile, but inwardly, he was cursing up a storm. ’I’ll never be able to shake this blame,’ he thought.

「When the hour arrived, the palace gates opened.」

Civil servants and military generals entered the hall, splitting to the left and right.

Song Nanzhen had gone from having no right to attend court to now standing just below the Left and Right Ministers. His official rank had shot up like a rocket. He knew his foundation was shaky, so he acted with extreme caution. He reconsidered every step he took, ensuring that every action he performed could withstand the closest scrutiny.

Meng Jiuchang stood upon the imperial steps. After the ceremonial music stopped, he loudly announced, "Present your memorials!"

Nearly every eye in the hall fell upon Song Nanzhen. He stood perfectly still, enduring the countless stares. Standing here was truly like being blamed for everything while walking on thorns; his situation was incredibly difficult.

He dared not show the slightest hint of fear on his face. If he relaxed for even a moment, those who hated him to the bone would swarm him and devour him whole.

With autumn approaching, the Ministry of Revenue, as well as the offices of the Ministry of Justice, were about to enter their busiest season.

Cases from all over the country had to be sent to the Capital City for review. With so many scheduled for execution after autumn, the officials in those two government offices were so busy they barely touched the ground, their dark circles practically welded to their faces from lack of rest.

And that was to say nothing of the Ministry of Revenue. "Utter chaos" was insufficient to describe their current situation.

Among the Six Ministries, only the Ministry of Personnel was relatively idle, as their official evaluations were not until next year. Consequently, Lu Shiqi was just about the only one of the Six Ministers who was friendly toward Song Nanzhen.

Song Nanzhen clutched his memorial scroll, his expression turning serious. He had a tough battle to fight today.

The Ministry of Revenue had already undergone a major purge because of Cao Dingwen. If they went through another one now over taxes, they would truly be cleaned out.

News of the bloody storm in the court gradually reached the harem. Song Yunzhao kept to herself, refusing to go out. Her father was currently in the eye of the storm, so as his daughter, she had to be as low-key as possible. Furthermore, as her pregnancy progressed, she grew even more cautious. Staying indoors was a bit stuffy, but it was much safer.

The matter of the Ministry of Revenue had not yet concluded when the Beauties from the Southern Border arrived in the Capital City.

Song Yunzhao was arranging flowers when she received the news. This was her new way to pass the time. There were times when even she grew tired of reading storybooks. The autumn Imperial Garden was covered in blossoms, making it a fine season for flower arranging.

Anshun stood in the hall with his head lowered, feeling somewhat anxious.

Song Yunzhao had been a little worried before, but now that they had truly arrived, she wasn’t concerned anymore. She placed the last flower into the vase and said with a smile, "They say the Southern Border is famous for its Beauties. I’d quite like to see for myself just how beautiful they are."

"Your Highness..." Xiangxue began, her voice tinged with worry. ’Why does her smile make me feel even more uneasy?’

Song Yunzhao waved her hand. "Go on and do what you need to do. Why are you all hovering around me?"

Anshun and Xiangxue exchanged a glance before they had no choice but to withdraw.

Song Yunzhao placed her flower arrangement on the windowsill. Through the window, she could see Xiangxue standing under the eaves with a frown. She lowered her gaze. ’Right now, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager and Qin Xiyue are both waiting to see me make a fool of myself.’

’It’s at times like this that one must remain steady. There’s been no move from the Emperor’s side yet. If I’m the first to lose my composure, I’ll become a complete laughingstock.’

’If the Emperor doesn’t move, neither do I.’

「Around Noon,」 Xiangxue entered, her eyes crinkled with a smile. "Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered all the Beauties from the Southern Border to go to the Honglu Temple to await arrangements."

"Oh, really?" Song Yunzhao was a little surprised.

"It’s true," Xiangxue said cheerfully. "Anshun said that even the Tusi’s sister has to go with them."

The other Beauties were one thing, but this one carried a different weight and was still a cause for some concern.

However, the Emperor showed no intention of bringing them directly into the palace. Regardless, this offered a small measure of relief.

Song Yunzhao had an extra half-bowl of congee for lunch. After she woke from her nap, Nanny Yu entered, parting the curtains, her expression not looking too good.

"Nanny, what’s wrong?" Yun Zhao asked, looking up at Nanny Yu as she stood up and let Xiangxue help her change her clothes.

Nanny Yu said with a stern face, "The Empress Dowager had someone bring the Southern Border Lord’s sister into the palace. She’s also holding a banquet tonight. Someone from Shouci Palace came with a message, inviting Your Highness to the banquet."

Song Yunzhao had figured the Empress Dowager would use this opportunity to disgust her, but she hadn’t expected her to move so quickly.

’What’s there to see? Nothing good.’

Song Yunzhao scoffed. "When it’s almost time for the banquet, Nanny, go and send back a message. Just say that I am unwell and won’t be disturbing the Empress Dowager’s pleasant evening."

Nanny Yu hesitated. "Your Highness, are you really not going?"

"I’m not going." Song Yunzhao, now properly dressed, started walking outside. "She’s just a Tusi’s sister. The Empress Dowager is truly willing to lower herself."

’The Empress Dowager’s dignity might not be worth much, but mine is very valuable.’

’If there’s going to be a banquet, it should wait until the woman is officially conferred a title and has entered the palace.’

’The Empress Dowager is trying to build her up, but I won’t throw away my own dignity just to play along.’

’If I weren’t carrying this child right now, I’d definitely go and stir things up.’

Just as she was speaking, Wang Zhaorong arrived.

Song Yunzhao was taken aback for a moment before saying, "Let her in."

Wang Zhaorong did not look pleased. She came in and saw Song Yunzhao’s rosy complexion and energetic appearance, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

"Wang Zhaorong, have a seat." Song Yunzhao greeted her with a smile. "Your face is as black as the bottom of a pot. Who provoked you? Go find whoever it was; don’t come venting your anger here."

Wang Zhaorong: ...

Just as she was about to retort, Xiangxue rushed in again. "Your Highness, Lady Shufei has arrived."

Song Yunzhao: ...

Wang Zhaorong was also stunned. If she had known Consort Shu was coming, she wouldn’t have come.

The two were rivals. She was only a Zhaorong now, so if Consort Shu wanted to pick a fight, she could only hold her nose and endure it.

Song Yunzhao brought Wang Zhaorong to the door to offer a token greeting. Consort Shu always made a grand entrance wherever she went. She swept in with a long train of palace attendants, her expression sour. Upon seeing Song Yunzhao, she asked directly, "Are you going to the banquet tonight or not?"

After she finished asking, her eyes swept past Song Yunzhao and she noticed a familiar face behind her. She paused for a second, then said in a sarcastic, passive-aggressive tone, "Well, if it isn’t Wang Zhaorong? Long time no see. You’re looking well."

Wang Zhaorong: ...

’I really should have checked the almanac before leaving today!’

"This concubine greets Lady Shufei." Wang Zhaorong curtsied. She was adaptable; as someone of lower rank, it was no disgrace to bow.

Song Yunzhao was, at the very least, card-playing partners with Wang Zhaorong now, so she couldn’t just let her be humiliated in her own territory. She smiled and said, "This concubine is only feeling slightly unwell. How could I trouble Your Ladyship to come and visit?"

Consort Shu: ?

’You’re glowing with health and you’re telling me you’re unwell?’

On second thought, her expression shifted slightly. ’This Song Yunzhao is trying to make me her vanguard again!’