Chapter 543 - 321: Song Yunzhao Has 800 Tricks Up Her Sleeve

Chapter 543: Chapter 321: Song Yunzhao Has 800 Tricks Up Her Sleeve

Seeing Consort Shu’s expression about to sour, Song Yunzhao quickly added, "Sister Consort Shu, let’s say you gave your subordinates a task. If they didn’t do it properly and even tried to bargain with you, what would you do?"

’Have them flogged!’

The three words surfaced in Consort Shu’s mind, and the thought itself suddenly startled her.

Song Yunzhao sighed. "See? You’d be unhappy too, right? The Emperor is likely using this small task to test us, and here we are, already squabbling over it. What do you suppose the Emperor will think of that?"

When Consort Shu put herself in the Emperor’s shoes, she didn’t dare to dwell on the thought.

"I’m worried as well, which is why I wanted to discuss it with you, Sister Consort Shu. I think we need to get the job done properly first and make the Emperor happy. Then, we can take the opportunity to make our own demands."

Consort Shu glanced at Song Yunzhao. ’That makes perfect sense!’

"Asking for a reward before the job is done is definitely not going to fly. The Emperor might get angry and hand power over to the Empress Dowager. If that happens, we’ll truly be like meat on a chopping block, at her complete mercy."

Consort Shu snorted. "Others may not realize it, but you have the Eldest Prince as your Amulet. What do you have to fear?"

"Alas!" Song Yunzhao sighed forlornly. "Sister Consort Shu, others might not know, but surely you haven’t forgotten what the Empress Dowager did on the day I gave birth? I fear she’s just waiting for me to slip up so she can take the Eldest Prince from my side."

Consort Shu recalled the situation that day. While the Empress Dowager hadn’t acted ruthlessly in the end, she knew that if her own resolve to protect Song Yunzhao had been even a little weaker, the Empress Dowager might very well have struck.

At this thought, Consort Shu’s expression softened. Then, she suddenly remembered something and looked at Song Yunzhao. "You promised to request a reward for me from the Emperor. Well, where is it?"

Song Yunzhao replied, "I truly did ask for recognition for you, Sister Consort Shu. But as for why the Emperor hasn’t acted on it, I honestly have no idea."

’Song Yunzhao has no reason to lie about such a thing,’ Consort Shu thought. ’That means the Emperor simply doesn’t want to reward me!’

With this realization, Consort Shu became even more convinced that Song Yunzhao was right. If the Emperor grew displeased with them and handed authority to the Empress Dowager, how would she ever manage to get by?

’Whether Song Yunzhao has her own ulterior motives or not, I absolutely cannot let the Empress Dowager get the upper hand!’

"Then what do you think we should do?"

Hearing this, Song Yunzhao felt relieved. She smiled and said, "The two of us can’t possibly monopolize this authority; we must invite Lady Wanfei to confer with us as well. However, I believe the most urgent task is to first audit the roster of Palace Attendants. It hasn’t been updated in over ten years, so I suspect we don’t even have an accurate count of how many people are in the harem."

Although Consort Shu managed some palace affairs, power had always been shared with the Six Departments. Thinking of this, she looked at Song Yunzhao. "To get the rosters, we’ll have to go through the Six Departments. They’ve been sharing power with the concubines for a long time, and it won’t be easy to push them down."

Song Yunzhao knew this, of course. She gave Consort Shu a meaningful look and said, "The Emperor’s decree ordered the three concubines to handle this matter. It didn’t mention the Six Departments at all. What business is it of theirs?"

Consort Shu was stunned. ’Well, I’ll be damned. Song Yunzhao is planning to kick the Six Departments out of the loop completely!’

’How brilliant!’

’Why didn’t I think of that?’

’When it comes to being ruthless, Song Yunzhao is in a league of her own!’

Consort Shu instantly perked up. "Tell me, what’s the plan exactly?"

"There’s no need for me to be involved in this. All you have to do, Sister Consort Shu, is pay a visit to the Six Departments. Stand before them, announce the decree, and if they have any complaints, they can take them directly to Taixi Hall. What would it have to do with us?" With that simple suggestion, Song Yunzhao deftly deflected a massive problem, shoving the whole mess onto Meng Jiuchang.

Consort Shu was ecstatic. "That’s the plan! I’m going to the Six Departments right now."

Consort Shu had clashed with the Six Departments for years. Now that she finally had a chance to put them in their place and feel vindicated, she couldn’t be bothered with competing against Song Yunzhao anymore.

’As long as this makes me happy, who cares if Song Yunzhao has her own little schemes?’

’If her scheming can bring me this much joy, I can happily pretend not to notice!’

Consort Shu departed as swiftly as a gust of wind. Song Yunzhao let out a long breath as her first step succeeded.

The Six Departments were deeply entrenched. Compared to herself, Consort Shu naturally had more clout to confront them. Besides, Song Yunzhao’s mind wasn’t on the Six Departments anyway, but on the upcoming "house cleaning" within the palace.

If both she and Consort Shu were to focus on the same task, they would likely clash. Any infighting would just make them a laughingstock.

It was far better to let Consort Shu tie up the Six Departments. That would free her up to sort through the harem’s roster and draft a list of people to be removed. This division of labor was, in fact, perfect.

As for Princess Consort Wan, Song Yunzhao intended to pay her a personal visit. ’Princess Consort Wan’s temperament means she’ll surely want to avoid managing these affairs, but her attitude is crucial. She can’t be wooed over to the Empress Dowager’s side.’

Song Yunzhao was a woman of action. She visited Princess Consort Wan that very evening, right after dinner. Although Princess Consort Wan did not wish to see her, it would have been rude to refuse her at the door, so she had no choice but to allow her inside.

Song Yunzhao was nothing if not brazen. Her attitude toward Princess Consort Wan was exceedingly warm. Noticing her good complexion, she smiled and said, "I’ve been wanting to visit you for a long time, Sister Wanfei, but knowing your love for tranquility, I didn’t want to impose."

Princess Consort Wan felt a swirl of complex emotions upon hearing this. She had clashed with Song Yunzhao in the past, but their animosity was not deep—certainly not on the level of the fierce disputes Song Yunzhao had with Wang Zhaorong and, before that, Consort Shu.

Song Yunzhao had been at such odds with them, yet now she had not only made peace but was also on friendly terms. Consort Shu had even stood by her side on the day of her delivery. So now, whenever Princess Consort Wan looked at Song Yunzhao, a single word echoed in her mind: Avoid!

But now Song Yunzhao had come calling, so avoidance was impossible. Determined not to be put on the back foot, she said, "You are correct, Ming Fei. I do prefer my peace. If you have something to discuss today, please be direct."

The smile on Song Yunzhao’s face deepened. "Originally, Sister Consort Shu was going to speak with you herself, Sister Wanfei. However, she’s currently occupied with the Six Departments, so I came in her stead to discuss the release of the Palace Attendants with you."

’So it really is about that,’ Princess Consort Wan thought. She had been torn ever since the imperial decree was announced. She didn’t want to get involved, yet she didn’t want to be excluded either.

She was one of the three highest-ranking concubines; she had to maintain a basic level of decorum.

"I’ve never been one for mundane affairs," Princess Consort Wan said evasively. "I am grateful for the Emperor’s favor in including me, but I’m afraid that while my heart is willing, my ability is lacking."

Song Yunzhao was secretly delighted. ’Princess Consort Wan really wants no part in this.’ Outwardly, however, she feigned hesitation. "But the Emperor ordered the three of us to manage this together. If you were to stand aside and do nothing, Sister Wanfei, how would we answer to the Emperor later?"

’It was fine if Princess Consort Wan didn’t want to do any work, but she had to make her position clear. Song Yunzhao didn’t mind taking on more responsibility, but she couldn’t afford to be backstabbed.’

Princess Consort Wan was no fool; she understood the implication in Song Yunzhao’s words. After a moment of silence, she finally asked, "What was Consort Shu’s opinion on the matter?"

"Sister Consort Shu said that your wishes, Sister Wanfei, are naturally the priority," Song Yunzhao replied with a smile.

Princess Consort Wan...

’Could they be any more obvious? They’re just forcing me to take a side.’

’Song Yunzhao has a thousand schemes up her sleeve. With the Eldest Prince in her care, there’s no way he’ll grow up to be simple-minded.’

’So... should I join their side?’