Chapter 537 - 315: The Un-provokable Consort

Chapter 537: Chapter 315: The Un-provokable Consort

Song Yunzhao was all too familiar with the Empress Dowager’s brand of cold shoulder. Mrs. Cai had loved to play these games, so she was completely immune.

This tactic was a common way for high-ranking concubines to psychologically suppress those of lower rank. The Empress Dowager’s familiarity with it suggested she had been on the receiving end of such treatment often during the late Emperor’s reign.

Only those who have experienced it firsthand can truly understand.

Song Yunzhao sat perfectly straight. Her makeup today had a cunning touch to it: the shadow at the corners of her eyes was deepened, the lines around her eyes were slightly heavier, the arches of her brows were subtly raised, and the tails were slightly elongated. Her entire aura was different from before.

It was what you might call a "dark transformation" makeup style.

This was just the basic version, of course, not the "Plus" edition.

Song Yunzhao turned to chat and laugh with Wang Zhaorong, her tone light and her expression animated. Right in front of the Empress Dowager, she would sometimes even deliberately strike up a conversation with Qin Xiyue. An Fangyi, seated opposite them, couldn’t escape either.

She had once clashed with An Fangyi over Han Jinyi, but what did that matter now? In the harem, there were no permanent enemies.

’Besides,’ she thought, ’if I speak to An Fangyi, would she dare not reply?’

Given her current rank, An Fangyi really wouldn’t dare commit the crime of disrespect.

According to that gossip Lu Zhixue, ever since her promotion to concubine, the other women in the palace had started calling her "Her Provoke-Me-Not Highness."

’Tsk, that sounds pretty badass!’

Song Yunzhao flitted about like a social butterfly, and the Empress Dowager’s expression gradually soured. The noble women below watched, dumbfounded, their eyes darting back and forth.

It was confirmed. The rumors of a feud between Ming Fei and the Empress Dowager during her postpartum confinement were clearly true.

This display meant they had completely dropped all pretenses.

Ming Fei wasn’t even bothering to put on an act.

So bold, so ruthless, so confident.

Zhang Maoquan hurried in and announced loudly to the Empress Dowager that the banquet in Taixi Hall had begun.

The start of the banquet in Taixi Hall meant that the banquet in Qinghua Hall could also commence.

Zhang Maoquan waited for the Empress Dowager to ask a question—at the very least, she should ask when the Eldest Prince would be returning.

But all he heard was the Empress Dowager’s curt command: "Begin the banquet!"

Zhang Maoquan’s internal radar went into overdrive. He subtly glanced at Ming Fei and saw her looking as spirited as ever, completely unaffected. He breathed a small sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to withdraw, he heard Princess Fuke call out to him.

"Chief Steward Zhang, is the Eldest Prince still in Taixi Hall? If the banquet in the front hall has begun, shouldn’t he be sent back here?"

"In response to Your Highness, Taixi Hall is quite lively at the moment. The Emperor is personally holding the Eldest Prince and showing him to the courtiers. I’m afraid it will be a little while before he can be brought over." Zhang Maoquan’s voice was as sincere as could be. Now that someone had finally asked, he had to seize the chance to bring prestige to the Eldest Prince.

As the saying goes, one dotes on a grandson, not a son. For the Emperor to be holding the Eldest Prince himself showed just how much he adored the child.

Song Yunzhao glanced at Zhang Maoquan. ’I see his little scheme as clear as day,’ she thought. ’I’ll reward him with a large purse once today’s business is over. He really knows how to play the game.’

After speaking, Zhang Maoquan bowed and left. Princess Fuke looked at the Empress Dowager and said meaningfully, "Empress Dowager, it seems the Imperial Grandson is greatly favored by his father, the Emperor. As the Grand Empress Dowager, you can finally rest assured."

Song Yunzhao barely managed to hold back a laugh.

’Princess Fuke really knows how to twist the knife. She knows the Empress Dowager dislikes my child, yet she keeps dropping "Imperial Grandson" this and "Grand Empress Dowager" that.’

The Empress Dowager was fuming. Fearing she might have an outburst on the spot, Nanny Yao immediately stepped forward and said with a smile, "Empress Dowager, the hour has come. Shall we begin the banquet now?"

The Empress Dowager nodded. "Begin the banquet."

Nanny Yao let out a small sigh of relief and gave the order loudly.

Palace Attendants brought in fine wine and delicacies in a steady stream. Consort Shu glanced up at Song Yunzhao, who gave her a little wink.

Consort Shu: ...

’I’m not the Emperor, so why is she batting her eyes at me?’

Consort Shu expressionlessly averted her gaze. To the onlookers in the hall, this was definitive proof that Consort Shu and Ming Fei did not get along.

Princess Consort Wan was turning to speak with Wang Zhaorong. Whatever Wang Zhaorong said made Princess Consort Wan press her lips into a smile, her eyes seeming to fill with light.

Suddenly, everyone saw Princess Consort Wan rise with her cup in hand. She first toasted the Empress Dowager, wishing her blessings, longevity, and health. The Empress Dowager’s expression visibly softened.

Consort Shu remained motionless, as if her bottom were glued to the stool, pretending not to have seen Princess Consort Wan’s action.

Since Consort Shu didn’t move, Song Yunzhao didn’t move either.

This left Princess Consort Wan in an awkward position. Fortunately, Wang Zhaorong then stood up, raised her cup, and toasted the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager didn’t make things difficult for Wang Zhaorong, lifting her own cup for a sip.

Seeing the Empress Dowager put down her cup, Wang Zhaorong immediately followed up by toasting Ming Fei, congratulating her on her promotion to concubine and on becoming a mother to a son.

With Wang Zhaorong warming up the room, Han Jinyi immediately followed suit, not even glancing at the motionless Qin Wan Yi. Lu Zhixue and Feng Yunjin joined in, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly grew lively.

Many people came forward to toast Yun Zhao. This time, she didn’t refuse. Although she only took a small sip each time, she couldn’t fend off the sheer number of well-wishers, and no one would nitpick about such a detail.

Even if someone did notice, it wouldn’t be proper to say anything inappropriate on such an occasion. After all, not everyone was as simple-minded and easily manipulated as Huang Mingxiu.

Huang Mingxiu was not in attendance today. When the Marchioness Yongjia congratulated Ming Fei, her sincerity was palpable.

After all, her family seemed to have a cursed affinity with this concubine; both her daughter and her daughter-in-law had met with misfortune because of her. She didn’t want to bring any more trouble upon herself. If you couldn’t afford to provoke someone, you could only show them respect.

Song Yunzhao had a good impression of the Marquis and Marchioness Yongjia, especially since the Marquis had played a significant role in her own father’s promotion. Therefore, upon seeing the Marchioness Yongjia, she kindly inquired about Huang Mingxiu’s current condition.

The Marchioness Yongjia hadn’t expected Ming Fei to ask this. She immediately grew wary, but her face showed immense gratitude as she said, "My daughter’s arm has healed, but she still can’t exert much strength with it, so she needs to continue recuperating. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Song Yunzhao knew perfectly well what was going on. ’Continue recuperating, my foot,’ she thought. ’She’s just afraid to let her daughter out of the house in case she causes more trouble. Come to think of it, the Marchioness Yongjia really has it rough.’

Fearing Ming Fei would ask about her son next, the Marchioness Yongjia quickly retreated with her cup.

Soon, the Grand Dowager Duchess of Qin arrived with He Lan Yun. Song Yunzhao and He Lan Yun exchanged a look. Although they were in the same hall, they were seated so far apart that it wasn’t even easy to greet each other.

Madam Cao took He Lan Yun to toast the Empress Dowager. After the toast, the Empress Dowager held Madam Cao back to reminisce, so He Lan Yun took the opportunity to slip away. She walked over to Yun Zhao and properly offered her a toast.

Song Yunzhao downed the cup in one go. A wide smile spread across He Lan Yun’s face. She lowered her voice and said, "I can submit requests to enter the palace now. I’ll send a card to Wangyou Palace to visit you soon."

Song Yunzhao was delighted. "Wonderful! In that case, I shall await the grand arrival of the Duchess of Qin!"

At such a young age, He Lan Yun was already a duchess. Among the group of duchesses, she was by far the youngest-looking.

He Lan Yun wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she said proudly, "The best thing about marrying Cao Jitong is that it’s much more convenient to see you."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’My condolences to Cao Jitong.’