Chapter 717 - 495: The More Confident You Were Then, the More Your Face Stings Now

Chapter 717: Chapter 495: The More Confident You Were Then, the More Your Face Stings Now

Song Yunzhao truly didn’t give An Ling a second thought. She knew that Feng Yi would never be interested in someone like that—all looks and a few shallow schemes.

What disgusted her was the Empress Dowager’s behavior, intentionally having Duchess Gu En take the lead. This was more than just an attempt to annoy her.

’I’m afraid she has another agenda.’

Yun Zhao couldn’t figure out what that agenda was, and she didn’t have time to play elaborate games with the Empress Dowager, so she had deliberately flipped the table today.

She had no time to play roundabout mind games with the Empress Dowager.

Not long after returning to Yaohua Palace, she learned from Nanny Yu what Consort Shu had said. For a moment, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"Last time, Consort Shu took a fancy to that set of Twenty-four Flower God cups I had the Inner Workshop fire. Send a set over to her." Song Yunzhao wasn’t a particularly refined person. Once, when Feng Yi was in a terrible mood after being angered by his courtiers, she had this set of Twenty-four Solar Terms Flower God Cups made to cheer him up.

Only a few sets were ever made. The Emperor had one, she had one, and there was one spare set in the storeroom. Consort Shu had seen them and wanted a set, but Song Yunzhao hadn’t been willing to part with it.

The porcelain of these Flower God Cups was extremely thin, making them difficult to fire and resulting in a very high failure rate. Even she wouldn’t dare ask the Inner Workshop to casually fire up the kilns for them.

This time, Consort Shu had acted as her mouthpiece and vented her frustrations for her, so it was only natural to send a generous gift in return.

As expected, Consort Shu couldn’t bear to put the set down after receiving it. ’The Imperial Concubine really made a sacrifice this time,’ she thought. ’It must have pained her. It wasn’t in vain that I made enemies on her behalf.’

The palace was only so big, and that was just Consort Shu’s way of doing things. Not only did she not keep the news quiet, she actually had people spread it.

This put Shouci Palace in an awkward position. She didn’t know if the Empress Dowager was angry, but she did know that within a few days, Duchess Gu En had left the palace with An Ling, tails tucked between their legs.

Whatever the Empress Dowager’s scheme was, the people involved were gone from the palace. For now, at least, things were quiet.

In Huayang Palace, An Shutong was in high spirits. She placed a freshly picked plum blossom from the garden into the Mutton Fat Jade Bottle in her hall, carefully trimming it with a pair of scissors, a smile playing on her face.

Mu Qing and Yingxue entered with light steps. Seeing their mistress so happy, they were happy too.

"Mistress, this is wonderful! The Duchess and Miss An have both left the palace. You can finally get a good night’s sleep," Mu Qing said with a grin.

An Shutong snipped off the last withered twig and placed the scissors on the table before replying, "In the end, it’s the Imperial Concubine and Consort Shu who are truly formidable. They sent those two packing just like that."

Yingxue placed the tray of refreshments she was holding onto a small side table. Then, she said softly, "I noticed the Empress Dowager is in a poor mood. You must be careful when you go to attend to her, Mistress."

"Someone as tacky as An Ling... only the Duchess would think of her as a treasure." An Shutong sneered. She was now so disappointed in her family that she couldn’t even bring herself to call the woman ’Mother’. "Didn’t you see it then? The Imperial Concubine didn’t even spare her a sideways glance."

"Exactly. The Emperor isn’t that shallow. If he only cared about looks, how many beauties are there in the palace? Take Noble Lady Qin in Yihua Palace, for example. Her face is in no way inferior to the Imperial Concubine’s, yet she still has to live meekly in this palace."

It just goes to show how formidable the Imperial Concubine is. Whether it’s someone as talented as Princess Consort Wan, as beautiful as Noble Lady Qin, or anyone else outstanding in family background or some other way, not a single one of them has managed to take even a fraction of her favor.

It was incredible. In the Emperor’s eyes, there was only the Imperial Concubine.

When they had all first entered the palace, no one had been willing to concede defeat. They were all the apples of their families’ eyes, talented and beautiful. Why shouldn’t they put up a fight?

But just look at what happened. The Imperial Concubine didn’t even have to lift a finger. The Emperor... his gaze wouldn’t even flicker in their direction.

Isn’t that infuriating?

An Shutong considered herself to be blessed with both talent and beauty. She wouldn’t dare claim to surpass the Imperial Concubine, but she felt confident she was at least her equal. But what was the use?

Even with all her schemes, she couldn’t earn so much as a single glance from the Emperor.

’If only I had understood before entering the palace,’ she thought. ’Given the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, why would he ever favor a girl from Gu’en Houfu? But I was too conceited. I thought I could be the exception.’

’The confidence I had back then is matched only by the shame I feel now.’

Later, using the incident with Qin Xiyue, she had made a show of goodwill to the Imperial Concubine, hoping to slowly, step by step, improve their relationship. And now?

’There’s no point in that anymore.’

’After what the Empress Dowager and my family just did, everyone in Yaohua Palace must despise me.’

The two maids chattered on happily, but An Shutong’s thoughts began to drift. ’My days in this palace probably won’t be easy from now on.’

’As long as the Empress Dowager is here and refuses to give up, I am nothing but her puppet.’

’But it’s impossible for me to escape her control.’

They were aunt and niece.

’The only thing I can do is try my best to protect myself, no matter what the Empress Dowager does.’

’What a life. Others haven’t even started scheming against me, yet here I am, on a ship with my own family, already plotting how to just survive.’

’What a joke.’

This time, the Empress Dowager was genuinely sick with anger. It wasn’t a serious illness; the Imperial Physician had examined her and determined it was merely stagnant liver qi—in layman’s terms, she had made herself ill with rage.

Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered to visit. She was afraid that if she went, the Empress Dowager might actually ascend to the heavens for real.

Consort Shu was now having a field day, her shamelessness knowing no bounds. But what could anyone say? She had accepted the Imperial Concubine’s Twenty-four Flower God Cups, and accepting a gift puts one in the giver’s debt.

The Imperial Concubine refused to bow her head and go to Shouci Palace, so Consort Shu could only help her by keeping an eye on the Empress Dowager’s "precious health," ensuring she remained safe and sound until His Majesty’s triumphant return to the Capital City.

Princess Consort Wan, knowing the Imperial Concubine was in a foul mood, sent her a new rouge made from a special floral recipe. It was light and fragrant, and when applied, it made one’s cheeks look as if they were graced by peach blossoms.

Song Yunzhao was delighted. ’What a talent!’

Seeing the Imperial Concubine happy, Princess Consort Wan breathed a sigh of relief. When the Imperial Concubine was unhappy, the entire harem walked on eggshells. Now that she was happy again, Princess Consort Wan could go back to doing as she pleased.

Everyone was happy.

Princess Consort Zhuang possessed neither Princess Consort Wan’s talent for crafting cosmetics nor Consort Shu’s domineering air. She could only ease Yun Zhao’s burdens by managing palace affairs, handling all matters large and small with perfect competence, ensuring nothing would happen to worsen the Imperial Concubine’s mood.

Song Yunzhao looked around and suddenly realized her life was actually quite good.

’This is the kingdom I’ve painstakingly built over the last few years.’

After the Laba Festival, the New Year atmosphere in the palace grew thicker. However, because the Emperor was not in the Capital City, everyone remained very restrained. Though they were happy, they didn’t dare show it too openly on their faces.

After more than half a month, Yun Zhao finally received a second letter from Feng Yi.

As she opened the letter, joy spread across her face. They had fought a battle with Beiming, and Great Chu had won the opening engagement, capturing a city right at the outset. This was truly joyous news.

She then read that Feng Yi wouldn’t be able to return for the New Year. He instructed her not to hold a large celebration and told her not to worry, as he would be sending an official decree back to the Capital City regarding the matter.

Song Yunzhao had indeed been worried about the New Year’s banquet. The fact that Feng Yi, in the midst of fighting a war, was still thinking of her difficulties in the Capital City, made her heart warm.