Chapter 676 - 454: This Bait Is Simply Too Tempting

Chapter 676: Chapter 454: This Bait Is Simply Too Tempting

After they finished dinner, the two entered the inner chambers. Yun Zhao waved her hand to dismiss everyone, then looked at Feng Yi and said, "There is something I wish to discuss with the Emperor."

It was rare for Feng Yi to see Yun Zhao looking so serious. He reached out, pulled her to his side, and said with a smile, "What is it?"

’He’s so improper.’

Song Yunzhao shot him a glare and sat up straight. "I’m being serious," she said.

Feng Yi suppressed a laugh. "Go on. I’m listening."

Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words.

’His hand is still on my waist. How am I supposed to talk like this?’

Feng Yi tactfully withdrew his hand and glanced at her, as if to say, ’You can talk now, right?’

Song Yunzhao began to explain. "There haven’t been any major incidents in the palace recently, but minor things keep happening. Consort Shu and I feel like someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes."

"You mean what you said before, about Xu Ji leaving the palace?"

"It’s not just that. Emperor, do you remember what I told you about An Fangyi’s suspicious illness?"

Feng Yi thought for a moment before nodding. Court affairs had been overwhelming lately, so it took him a moment to recall. "You told me before," he said, "that you suspected one person was behind both incidents."

"On top of that, a few more things have happened in the gardens these past few days. Qin Wan Yi was frightened by a snake, and An Xiaoyi seems to have had a falling out with her and moved to the Empress Dowager’s Changsheng Courtyard."

Feng Yi’s expression immediately soured. He was so busy with court affairs that he barely had a moment’s rest, yet these women in the harem refused to live peacefully.

"Consort Shu investigated it thoroughly. The snake incident with Qin Wan Yi happened very suddenly, right after An Xiaoyi left. She conducted a secret investigation but found nothing. Pingyun Pavilion has such large grounds, and there were plenty of Palace Attendants on duty in the garden, yet somehow not a single person saw where the snake came from."

Although Feng Yi didn’t pay much attention to harem affairs, he knew that Yun Zhao’s attendants swept the courtyards every morning, cleaning them inside and out. Jincui Garden, in particular, with its abundance of flowers, grass, and trees, had eunuchs who used special tools to ward off snakes. Finding a snake there should have been difficult. But a snake had appeared out of nowhere in Pingyun Pavilion, and then it had gotten away.

"Are you suspecting that one person is behind all of this?"

"It’s just a suspicion. I don’t have any proof," Song Yunzhao sighed. "But these incidents, one after another, are truly unsettling. Moreover, I’ve discovered that the matter of Xu Ji being targeted and punished by the Empress Dowager wasn’t so simple either..."

After listening to Yun Zhao, Feng Yi could no longer hide the scorn on his face. He gripped her hand tightly. "Do what you want. It’s just a matter of bestowing a favor, right? I’ll issue the decree."

Song Yunzhao knew Feng Yi wanted to take the lead, absolving her and Consort Shu of any responsibility. She leaned against his arm and said softly, "Thank you, Emperor. With your assurance, Consort Shu will be able to act freely."

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. "And you?"

"Am I not in the spotlight enough as it is?" Song Yunzhao asked innocently.

Feng Yi knew she wasn’t misunderstanding him; she was being deliberately obtuse. He hadn’t expected her to just hand over the chance to take credit to Consort Shu.

He knew her worth, but others didn’t. She would always end up on the losing end.

Seeing Feng Yi’s expression, Song Yunzhao gloated inwardly. ’This is exactly what I wanted—for him to think I’m getting the short end of the stick. In reality, I’m not losing out at all. Consort Shu is taking the fall for me, and in return, I’m giving her a huge accomplishment. The score between us is crystal clear, which is the only way we can continue to be partners.’

’Anyone who puts in all the effort without getting any reward will eventually turn on you, even if you’re the best of friends.’

Feng Yi sighed softly. ’If only I were as commanding as the founding Emperor, able to make everyone bow in submission. Then Yun Zhao wouldn’t have to live so cautiously, afraid of the slightest blemish on her reputation.’

Before she had a son, she could still act with some relish. But now, for the sake of him and their child, she had completely sheathed her claws. She wasn’t living as freely and comfortably as she had when she first entered the palace.

Feng Yi held Yun Zhao’s hand, his expression growing increasingly grim.

Yun Zhao didn’t know what he was thinking and assumed he was just upset about the situation. She tried to console him, "It’s a small matter. We just need to root out the person responsible, and it will be fine. Or perhaps I’m just being overly suspicious."

Feng Yi immediately replied, "How could you ever be called overly suspicious?"

Oh my. Song Yunzhao was instantly placated, her face breaking into a wide grin. She grabbed Feng Yi’s arm. "Hearing you say that, Emperor... for you, I would willingly climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of fire."

Feng Yi was speechless.

Song Yunzhao explained her plan to Feng Yi in detail. Once he understood the gist of it, he asked, "Besides issuing the decree, what other help do you need from me?"

Song Yunzhao thought for a moment before saying, "I’m just not sure if Xu Ji will take the bait quickly. Does the Emperor have any good ideas?"

Feng Yi looked at Yun Zhao. He remembered how Xu Ji had bypassed the three concubines to plead directly with him. Yun Zhao had said back then that the woman had ulterior motives. Though she hadn’t been explicit, her suspicions were now being confirmed.

He thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I’ll have Meng Jiuchang make a trip to the Imperial Awakening Temple. He’ll announce that because Qin Wan Yi was frightened by the snake, I’ve ordered the monks to chant scriptures and pray for her."

Song Yunzhao was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "That’s an excellent idea."

’The Emperor himself is ordering monks to pray for Qin Xiyue. To Xu Mingying, this will look like the Emperor has taken a special interest in Qin Xiyue and wants to raise her status.’

’This will give Xu Mingying the confidence to approach Qin Wan Yi. If Qin Wan Yi’s position in the palace were unstable, Xu Mingying would never make a move, purely for self-preservation.’

The bait the Emperor had laid out was simply too tempting.

Song Yunzhao let out a long sigh of relief. ’I refuse to believe that Qin Xiyue can survive this, not now that the Emperor—the male lead himself—has entered the ring!’

’If she still doesn’t go down after this, then I, the "vicious female supporting character," will just have to think of something else.’

Both of them were in high spirits, and they passed the night pleasantly.

The next day, Feng Yi left with a broad smile on his face. Before he went, he instructed Meng Jiuchang to make a trip to the Imperial Awakening Temple. After receiving his orders, Meng Jiuchang felt a bit bewildered, but he didn’t dare ask why. He simply nodded and hurried out of Jincui Garden toward the temple.

Song Yunzhao slept until the sun was high in the sky. She felt utterly content, body and soul. With no one of higher rank whom she had to greet every morning, her life was exceptionally comfortable and carefree.

After breakfast, the Emperor’s decree arrived. The three concubines gathered to receive it, then brought out the Jincui Garden roster and began the process of releasing attendants from service.

Princess Consort Wan lasted only half a day before growing restless. Such mundane, worldly affairs were not for a woman of letters like her. She entrusted the entire matter to Consort Shu and Ming Fei, leaving them with nothing but the sight of her carefree back as she departed.

Consort Shu said through gritted teeth, "We’ll make that slacker treat us to a meal later."

Song Yunzhao chimed in, "It has to be a grand banquet with shark fin and bird’s nest soup."

Consort Shu nodded. Making Princess Consort Wan bleed a little money was the only way to soothe the pain in her heart right now.

Once she was done feeling heartbroken, she grabbed Song Yunzhao, who was also looking to sneak away. "Come on, let’s see who on this list is the most suspicious."

Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words.