I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 374: Chapter 152: I’m Afraid Old Master Song Has Fallen into a Trap

Anshun quickly agreed. "Does Your Highness have any other orders?"

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "You may go. Be very careful."

"Yes." Anshun turned and withdrew.

Song Yunzhao sat at her desk. ’Perhaps things have been going too smoothly lately, and I’ve completely forgotten about the protagonist’s plot armor. Well, reality just gave me a huge slap in the face.’

’I’m not the type to just swallow a loss like this. I don’t know if Grand Tutor Qin had a hand in this, and I’m not clear on the Right Minister’s stance either. But since the Left Minister submitted the memorial, he must be involved.’

’But the Left Minister doesn’t have a daughter in the harem, so why is he getting involved in these matters?’

Song Yunzhao couldn’t figure it out. If the Right Minister had done this, she wouldn’t have been surprised. But for the Left Minister to be involved was truly baffling.

Song Yunzhao suppressed her doubts. ’It’s a good thing Ji Yunting was posted outside the capital. If he were still an official in the Capital City, with him in civil service and Helan Yue in the military, the situation would be truly unbearable.’

’So a side character doesn’t deserve to be loved, huh.’

Due to the matter of sending troops to the Southwest, the court was in constant dispute for several days. The two ministers held opposing views, engaging in a daily war of words.

On the third day after Song Yunzhao sent her letter, Song Nanzhen tripped on his sedan chair’s curtain on his way to court, fell out, and injured his ankle. He then submitted a request for leave to recover.

When Song Yunzhao heard the news, she sat by the window for a long time, unable to process it. She knew her father was a minor official with little influence, yet his daughter was a favored concubine. Others had put them in an impossible position, and he had no choice but to injure himself to avoid the post of Military Supply Officer.

When other families’ daughters gained favor, their maternal families would soar to the heavens. But the favor she received only brought disaster to her father.

Thinking of her father, Song Yunzhao couldn’t help her eyes from turning red with guilt and helplessness.

She took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her tears away in front of a mirror. After sitting quietly for a moment until no trace of distress showed on her face, she finally stood up and walked out.

She summoned Nanny Yu and instructed, "My father has been injured. I’ll have to trouble you, Nanny, to visit the Song Mansion on my behalf." Song Yunzhao handed Nanny Yu a prepared gift list.

Nanny Yu quickly took it. "Your Highness, are there any other messages to convey?"

"Tell my father to focus on his recovery. At his age, he must heal completely before returning to his duties. He shouldn’t try to be strong," Song Yunzhao said, emphasizing each word.

For some reason, Nanny Yu felt a chill upon hearing this. She bowed and replied, "Yes, I’ll go at once."

She took the gift list to the storeroom, gathered the items, and left the palace immediately.

News of Song Nanzhen’s injury also spread through the harem, and Feng Yunjin was the first to arrive.

When Song Yunzhao saw her, she noticed Feng Yunjin looked worried. "Zhaoyi, is Mr. Song’s injury serious?"

Song Yunzhao sighed softly. "I sent someone to check. The injury is quite severe. I’m afraid he’ll need a long time to recover."

Feng Yunjin saw the grim expression on Yun Zhao’s face and said in a low voice, "The Military Supply Officer is a good post, but it depends on who holds it. My father said that although Mr. Song was injured, it allows him to avoid this matter, making it a blessing in disguise. Zhaoyi, you don’t need to be upset. You should be relieved."

Song Yunzhao looked at Feng Yunjin. "Mr. Feng is very thoughtful, and what he says makes sense. It’s just that, as a daughter, I truly hate to see my father get hurt." Her tone became tinged with sarcasm. "My father is a man of little standing and even less influence. To think that a fine post like Military Supply Officer could fall to him... It’s truly an overwhelming honor."

Hearing this, Feng Yunjin knew that Song Zhaoyi had clearly grasped the danger of the situation. She lowered her voice and said, "Now that Mr. Song is injured, the choice for Military Supply Officer will have to be reconsidered. Zhaoyi, just you watch. There’s more drama to come."

Song Yunzhao raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Feng Yunjin. "Is that so? It seems many people are fighting for this position."

Feng Yunjin nodded slightly. After a moment of thought, she chose her words carefully. "Before, someone recommended Mr. Song, and the Left Minister seconded it. Even if there were other candidates, people would have held back for the time being."

Song Yunzhao understood instantly. ’I’m a common enemy now, so the courtiers ganged up to set a trap for my father. The Song Family has in-laws, but they’re powerless to help. And Lord Han, as the Left Imperial Censor, can’t openly speak up for my father.’

’That’s why my father had to injure himself to get out of the trap and protect himself.’

’But now the situation has changed. With my father injured and unable to serve as Military Supply Officer, this lucrative post is back up for grabs. Anyone who wants it in their pocket will have to fight for it at court.’

Song Yunzhao’s eyes darted thoughtfully. She looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "Regarding the matter in the Southwest, has the court decided to send an expedition?"

The Emperor hadn’t entered the harem for several days, so it wasn’t easy for Song Yunzhao to get the latest news.

With Zhang Maoquan stationed here, she couldn’t have Anshun brazenly inquire about court affairs as he had before.

’Zhang Maoquan’s arrival has its pros and cons.’

Feng Yunjin nodded. Her father was the Director of the Capital, so he was well-informed about military matters. She said, "The Right Minister recommended Prince Zhenbei to lead the expedition. It’s about eighty percent certain that it’s been decided."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Just like in the book,’ she thought. ’The person recommended is still Prince Zhenbei.’

"If Prince Zhenbei leads the troops and gains military authority, then concessions must be made regarding military supplies," Feng Yunjin sighed. "I don’t know if my father will be among those conscripted this time. It will depend on who Prince Zhenbei chooses as his generals."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t recall whether the book mentioned if Feng Bidada had joined the expedition. After all, the book mostly focused on harem affairs. Major events like a military campaign were only mentioned in passing, focusing only on the commander-in-chief and the romantic entanglements between the male and female leads and their supporting characters.

"If Inspector Feng joins the expedition, will he have to go to the battlefield?" Song Yunzhao asked.

Feng Yunjin was worried. "I don’t know. It depends on the commander-in-chief’s intentions. But if a military order is given, it cannot be disobeyed."

She didn’t want her father to go on the campaign either. He was getting on in years, and any battlefield was dangerous.

But it wasn’t her decision to make, nor was it her father’s. Above her father, there was still the Commander.

Just as they were speaking, Han Jinyi arrived. She didn’t even have time to curtsy before she blurted out, "Mr. Song has been impeached!"

Song Yunzhao’s expression changed. "My father?"

"No, it’s Old Master Song," Han Jinyi quickly added.

’My uncle?’

Song Yunzhao was stunned. ’My uncle is in Yucheng. The heavens are high and the emperor is far away—how could he be impeached?’

"Why was he impeached?" Song Yunzhao asked Han Jinyi.

Han Jinyi shook her head. "I don’t know either. I had my attendant go out and gather news for me. I only overheard a snippet on my way back to the palace and rushed here to report. I’m not clear on the specifics, but I heard that the Salt Transporting and Supervision Bureau lost a shipment of salt."

’Lost salt?’

Song Yunzhao was dumbfounded. ’How do you lose something like that?’

’And what does losing it have to do with my uncle?’

’He’s just the Commissioner.’

Feng Yunjin’s expression, however, grew solemn. She looked at Yun Zhao and said, "The extraction and collection of salt from the salt wells all pass through the Commissioner’s hands. I’m afraid Old Master Song has walked into a trap."