Chapter 674 - 452: Coercion and Enticement

Chapter 674: Chapter 452: Coercion and Enticement

With Consort Shu staring at her like a tiger stalking its prey, Song Yunzhao covered her face with a handkerchief. "You’re asking me? What am I supposed to say?"

"Given how close we are, just tell me the truth. The moment I walk out that door, I’ll act like you never said a word."

Song Yunzhao could only sigh in exasperation. She looked at Consort Shu and asked seriously, "You say you can’t get Qin Wan Yi’s confidantes to talk, but what about the Palace Attendants who originally served in Pingyun Pavilion? In such a short time, she couldn’t possibly have bribed all of them. With so many pairs of eyes, one or two must have seen something. You just have to get them to talk."

It was nothing more than coercion and bribery. Coercion would cause too much of a stir, so bribery was naturally the superior method.

Consort Shu’s eyes lit up. "You have a point! How could I have forgotten that? Pingyun Pavilion isn’t a fortress like Huayang Palace."

At this thought, Consort Shu grew restless. She looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "Ever since we arrived at the garden, these people have been nonstop trouble. This time, I’m going to make an example of them."

With that, Consort Shu stormed off, leaving Song Yunzhao with the rest of her words caught in her throat.

Song Yunzhao turned to Nanny Yu. "Nanny, please find Nanny Wen and inform her of this. Qin Wan Yi has always been clever and sharp; the slightest rustle of leaves will startle her. Tell Nanny Wen that if she’s going to question the former Palace Attendants of Pingyun Pavilion, she must find a good excuse."

Nanny Yu nodded at once. "I’ll go immediately. But My Lady, you needn’t worry too much. It’s not that difficult to find a reason. For attendants doing menial tasks, reassignments are quite common. If not that, we can also summon them for a private chat when they’re off duty."

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "Qin Wan Yi is meticulous about such details. That would still be too conspicuous."

Nanny Yu considered this, then smiled. "Then we can wait for the distribution of the monthly silver. The Palace Attendants have to collect it themselves. We can find an opportunity then to pull them aside individually and ask a few questions."

Song Yunzhao nodded. "That could work. Whatever you do, do not alert Qin Wan Yi. If she grows suspicious, you must immediately allay her fears. Xu Ji is bound to make a move in the coming days, and Qin Wan Yi won’t be able to just stand by and watch. When she’s distracted by Xu Ji’s situation, that will be the perfect opportunity."

Nanny Yu took note. "I’ll go find Nanny Wen now."

Song Yunzhao nodded.

After Nanny Yu left, Song Yunzhao began to walk back from Qinghua Pavilion. To her surprise, she ran right into Qin Xiyue halfway there.

’What rotten luck!’

Qin Wan Yi showed a hint of surprise as well, then stepped forward to curtsy. "I greet you, Lady Ming."

"There’s no need for such formalities, Qin Wan Yi." Song Yunzhao truly had no desire to see her. Suspecting that Qin Wan Yi was the one stirring up trouble behind the scenes, she was in no mood for pleasantries.

Qin Xiyue rose to her feet and glanced into the distance before smiling. "Is My Lady coming from Qinghua Pavilion? I’ve long heard it’s a wonderful place to escape the summer heat, offering a view of the entire lake."

Song Yunzhao had intended to simply walk away, but Qin Wan Yi struck up a conversation. She glanced at her and said coolly, "If you wish to go, Qin Wan Yi, then go. Scenery is always best seen with one’s own eyes rather than just hearing about it."

"My Lady speaks the truth," Qin Wan Yi said with a smile. "It is always best to see the scenery for oneself."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered to decipher any hidden meaning in Qin Xiyue’s words. She said bluntly, "Do as you please, Qin Wan Yi. I will be on my way."

Leaning on Xiangxue’s arm, Song Yunzhao walked away without another word. Qin Wan Yi watched her go, the smile on her face gradually fading.

From the back, Song Yunzhao’s figure was so graceful one could never tell she had borne a child. Her face was even more beautiful now than when she had first entered the palace.

She remembered back when they were at Zhichun Palace, awaiting selection. They were all concubines being presented to the court. Even then, though Song Yunzhao’s beauty was outstanding among the concubines, she didn’t seem to radiate light as she did now.

"Mistress?" Fang Ping called softly. "We should be going."

Qin Wan Yi retracted her gaze. With a somber look toward the distant lake, she began to walk slowly. After a moment, she asked softly, "Fang Ping, tell me, how can Heaven bestow all of its favor on a single person?"

Fang Ping understood her mistress’s meaning, but she didn’t know how to respond.

It was true that Lady Ming had all the Emperor’s favor lavished upon her. Even during the late Emperor’s reign, no other concubine had ever managed to grasp imperial favor so firmly in her hand.

Fang Ping dared not remain silent. After a moment’s thought, she said softly, "Mistress, it’s not just that Lady Ming is fortunate. His Majesty is occupied with the affairs of the state and has no desire to spend time on matters of the harem."

Qin Wan Yi scoffed. "Is that so?"

’I used to believe that, but now...’

’Perhaps not.’

Qin Wan Yi said no more and quickened her pace. Her steps slowed as she passed Qinghua Pavilion, but she didn’t enter, merely casting it a long look from afar before moving on.

「Another day passed.」

Qin Xiyue received a message from Xu Mingying. Her expression turned grim after she read it.

"Is there any news from the Imperial Awakening Temple?"

Fang Ping shook her head. "No. Ever since we arrived at the garden, it’s been difficult to get news from there. Mistress, shall I go and make some inquiries?"

Qin Wan Yi shook her head. "Don’t make any rash moves yet."

’Lately, I keep feeling like someone is watching me. I have a nagging suspicion it might be Song Yunzhao, but her temperament has always been to avoid idle matters. As long as I don’t provoke her, she wouldn’t give me a second glance.’

’But that uneasy feeling has been haunting me.’

Now, only a day later, she had received Xu Mingying’s letter. The letter mentioned An Fangyi’s situation and also stated that Song Yunzhao had handed over the Baozhuang Building business to Song Qinghan.

The news about An Fangyi didn’t anger Qin Wan Yi too much. She just hadn’t expected An Fangyi to be so foolish. ’Pouring the medicine into the flower bushes? How could she think no one would see?’

’Fortunately, I was cautious. Even with An Fangyi’s blunder, it won’t lead back to me.’

’However, the news about Song Qinghan put me on high alert. I know better than anyone the bad blood between Song Yunzhao and her sister. So why would Song Yunzhao give a portion of her business to Song Qinghan? What’s the catch?’

’Knowing Song Yunzhao’s character, she’s no saint. How could she so easily forgive Song Qinghan, let alone help boost her standing?’

The unease Qin Wan Yi had felt for the past two days grew even stronger after receiving Xu Mingying’s letter. She looked at Fang Ping and asked, "Has there been any news from the Marquis Wuxin Mansion recently?"

Fang Ping shook her head. "Ever since the family in the Marquis Wuxin Mansion was divided, it has been much harder to get information."

Qin Wan Yi’s face fell. "Why?"

"The Young Madam is helping to manage the Marquis Wuxin Mansion now," Fang Ping said in a low voice. "Marchioness Wu Xin is preoccupied with Xu Ji’s affairs and isn’t paying much mind to household matters. So, with the Young Madam in control, it’s become very difficult for information to get out."