Chapter 521 - 299: A Major Event at the Start of the Year

Chapter 521: Chapter 299: A Major Event at the Start of the Year

Song Yunzhao was no help when it came to major military affairs. Her skills did not lie in the military arts. ’If only I could modify guns, upgrade cannons, and invent some advanced weaponry. But my mind is a blank slate; I have no such knowledge base.’

’I regret not studying harder in school and not choosing a major related to military technology and weaponry in college.’

All she could do was offer her best wishes.

With Beiming invading the border, Feng Yi had far less attention to spare for the harem. If a war was truly coming, who would lead the armies? How would their provisions be managed...?

’Wait, provisions... that’s the Ministry of Revenue. My father is in for some major trouble right at the start of the year.’

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

The Emperor moved quickly. This time, he did not appoint Prince Zhenbei as commander-in-chief. Instead, he chose a veteran general, Qin Shu’an. Chu Donghui and Zhao Ruwen were dispatched to march with the army. And although Prince Zhenbei himself was not deployed, Helan Yue was sent to the battlefield once again. Ji Yunting was appointed by the Emperor to be the Military Governor, in charge of allocating provisions.

When Song Yunzhao heard this news, she had mixed feelings. ’It’s just like the book,’ she thought. ’The supporting characters are all taking the stage.’

Although these men didn’t have many appearances in the book, they were all extremely close to Ji Yunting. This war would inevitably deepen their bonds, and they would become the core supporters who helped Ji Yunting secure his footing in the court.

In a few more years, these men would all become firmly established in their official posts, gradually consolidating into a new faction.

Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue. ’This is so troublesome. The heroine is practically half-dead right now, completely lacking her high-spirited demeanor from the book. So why are the plotlines for the other characters still progressing?’

’Does that mean I, the villainess, have to keep playing my part?’

’It’s exhausting just thinking about it.’

She thought that after putting Qin Xiyue down, she could finally rest easy.

The Ministry of Revenue was indeed short on provisions. The case involving the National Treasury last year had caused a sharp decrease in the tax grains sent in from the various prefectures. As a result, grain for this year’s expedition had to be requisitioned from all over the country.

It was a "great" start to the year for the Ministry of Revenue. Song Nanzhen was so busy he barely touched the ground. By the time he finally scraped together enough provisions to send the army on its way, he was completely worn out.

It was becoming too warm to wear her padded jacket. As the weather grew milder, Yun Zhao’s due date drew ever closer.

Wang Zhaorong, Feng Yunjin, and the other two now frequently came to Wangyou Palace to play cards. Yun Zhao rarely played herself, but she enjoyed causing mischief from the sidelines, making arguments at the card table a common affair.

The eastern section of the Imperial Garden had become Yun Zhao’s exclusive domain. Every time she went for a walk, her four companions would follow her like personal guardians. No one else had a chance to get close, and gradually, other concubines stopped coming to this part of the garden.

The residents of Qingyan Palace kept their heads down, barely showing their faces. They had all lost out in the competition against higher-ranking concubines. With low ranks and families that wielded little influence, they were exceedingly cautious. No one dared risk getting on Song Zhaoyi’s bad side.

Princess Consort Wan disliked leaving her residence, Yaohua Palace was sealed off, and the Empress Dowager’s Shouci Palace was at the far western end of the palace grounds, a world away from their eastern corner. She couldn’t meddle with them without a good excuse. As a result, the five of them couldn’t have been more comfortable.

As spring set in, the garden’s flowers bloomed in succession. They sat in the pavilion, playing cards, admiring the blossoms, and sipping tea. ’How could life be this pleasant?’ they wondered. ’Who knew you could live like this?’

Feng Yunjin gathered up the playing cards. She looked at Song Yunzhao, who was lost in thought, and hesitated for a moment before saying, "I wonder if any war reports have come back from the north. I heard the initial battle went poorly, but who knows if it’s true."

Since the Wang Family’s fall, Wang Zhaorong had lost her source of information from the outside world, so this was news to her. She turned her head to look at Feng Yunjin.

Han Jinyi chimed in, "So many rumors are flying around out there. It’s hard to tell what’s true and what’s not."

Lu Zhixue snorted. "Ji Yunting is the Military Governor this time, and countless people are watching his every move. When his appointment was first announced, there was a flood of memorials demanding his impeachment. It’ll be one thing if he returns with meritorious service, but if he doesn’t, things will likely not end well for him."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Lu Zhixue. ’Is her intelligence finally coming back?’

’She’s starting to sound like her character in the book.’

Ordinarily, what happened to Ji Yunting had little to do with them as harem concubines. But Ji Yunting had married Xie Linlang, and Xie Linlang was on good terms with Song Yunzhao, so they couldn’t help but pay attention.

All eyes turned to Song Yunzhao. She blinked, then said, "Don’t look at me, I don’t know anything. My father is completely overwhelmed with matters at the Ministry of Revenue. Where would he find the time to ask about anyone else’s affairs?"

That was true. Of all the parties involved in this military expedition, the Ministry of Revenue was arguably having the worst time.

The others looked at Song Yunzhao with newfound sympathy. Minister Song really had it rough.

Song Yunzhao tilted her head back and looked at the sky.

Wang Zhaorong picked up the thread of conversation. "What can a group of women like us do about things out there? I say we should focus more on palace affairs. Next year is a selection year, and that young lady from the Gu’en Houfu is still waiting in the wings."

An Shutong hadn’t set foot in the palace since she left last time, and the Empress Dowager had been lying low recently. Her intermittent fits of agitation were truly exasperating.

But she was the Empress Dowager, after all. A group of mere concubines wouldn’t dare interfere with her.

Song Yunzhao zoned out for a moment. ’Time flies,’ she thought. ’It’s already the selection year again next year.’

’But I’m about to give birth,’ she mused. ’Give me half a year to get my figure back, and by next year, I’ll be the most beautiful flower in the harem once more.’

The topic was a heavy one, and even Feng Yunjin fell silent.

Lu Zhixue glanced at the others, a baffled look on her face. "Let them have the selection. So what? That An Shutong got a chance to scout out the palace ahead of time, but didn’t she still have to leave with her tail between her legs? She’ll be the same person even if she enters during the official selection. You think a nobody like her can actually make a comeback?"

With Song Yunzhao around, no nobody stood a chance of rising up.

Han Jinyi laughed when she heard that. "Good point."

You had to admit, Lu Zhixue’s sharp tongue could be quite charming at times.

After chatting a while longer, the group dispersed. Song Yunzhao started walking back, leaning on Xiangxue’s arm. She hadn’t even reached Wangyou Palace yet when she saw Feng Yi striding toward her from a distance.

Song Yunzhao stopped and watched the figure draw closer, a smile slowly spreading across her lips.

When Feng Yi drew near, the sight of Yun Zhao’s beaming face made his own heart feel lighter. "What has you so happy?" he asked.

"I’m happy because I get to see the Emperor."

Feng Yi laughed and took her hand as they continued walking. "How are you feeling today?"

"I’m doing well," Song Yunzhao replied with a smile, turning her head to look at him. "The Imperial Physician said I should walk more every day to make childbirth a little easier. How did you find the time to visit? I thought you were incredibly busy these days."

’It wasn’t just the war in the north,’ she thought. ’He had to handle state affairs from across the country. Spring marked the beginning of the year, a time when new decrees were frequently issued.’

"There’s something I need to tell you." Feng Yi turned to look at Yun Zhao, his expression growing solemn.

Seeing his solemn expression, Song Yunzhao’s heart lurched, and she stopped in her tracks. "What is it?"