Chapter 721 - 499: The Real Test Has Just Begun

Chapter 721: Chapter 499: The Real Test Has Just Begun

The war between the two nations had been tense, with both victories and defeats. But ever since Feng Yi executed corrupt officials on the front lines, morale had been greatly boosted. With the arrival of provisions and armaments from the Ministry of Revenue and reinforcements from the Ministry of War in position, the war against Beiming was progressing at a rapid pace.

Reports of victory frequently reached the Capital City. Now, everyone in the harem wore a joyful expression, simply waiting for His Majesty to conquer Beiming and return in triumph.

Because of this joyous atmosphere, this year’s selection of new concubines was no longer as hesitant and secretive as it had been before the new year. Instead, it was being conducted with considerable fanfare.

It was as if they were planning to present new beauties to His Majesty the moment he returned.

Consort Shu observed that the Imperial Concubine’s expression remained as calm as ever, and she felt foolish, like a bystander getting more worked up than the person involved. ’What am I getting so anxious about?’

Song Yunzhao caught Consort Shu in the middle of rolling her eyes.

Their eyes met.

Consort Shu cleared her throat. "I’m just a little sleepy," she said.

"It must be very tiring for you, Consort Shu, managing all the palace affairs."

Consort Shu was at a loss for words.

"Go ahead and mock me. You think I can’t tell? I was just trying to be kind, and it was all..."

The rest of the saying was rather unpleasant, so she swallowed her words. But who didn’t know how it ended?

Song Yunzhao sighed. "I know you mean well, Consort Shu. But the selection of new concubines is a major affair of state. How could I possibly stand in its way? If word of it reached the court, the Imperial Censors’ memorials would be enough to drown me."

"I didn’t mean anything else," Consort Shu said sheepishly. "I was just a little worried about you."

"Hearing you say that is enough for me, Consort Shu. We’ve known each other for so many years; we practically know each other inside and out. You know, when the Empress Dowager summoned Duchess Gu En to the palace before the new year... I’ve been thinking about it, and I’m afraid it was to curb my influence and give me a warning about this year’s selection," Song Yunzhao said.

’An Ling and An Shutong, even with their connection to the Empress Dowager, were never able to cause much trouble.’

’Qin Xiyue has fallen, so logically, I should be able to rest easy. But last year, the Zhao Family emerged, and they are important characters in the latter half of the book.’

’The only difference is that it’s the mother instead of the daughter.’

’In the book, Zhao Ling’e’s daughter married Qin Xiyue’s son, the Crown Prince, and became the Crown Princess Consort.’

’And now, it seems Zhao Ling’e herself intends to enter the palace and compete with me.’

Song Yunzhao tried to tell herself not to care, but for some reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she shouldn’t ignore this woman.

More importantly, the book only described Zhao Ling’e’s daughter in detail. Zhao Ling’e herself was only mentioned in passing. Her temperament and personality were a complete mystery, other than the fact that she was intelligent and a great beauty.

But Yun Zhao couldn’t possibly voice these worries to Consort Shu. There was simply no way to explain any of it.

She couldn’t even be sure if the Zhao Family would participate in the selection. All she knew was that they had shown interest last year. Whether they would actually send someone to the palace this year remained to be seen.

Since she couldn’t refuse, Song Yunzhao decided to just go with the flow.

This wasn’t the first concubine selection since she’d entered the palace. After all, she had been by the Emperor’s side for so many years, given birth to two princes, and monopolized his favor. Countless people on the outside were undoubtedly eager to pull her down.

’Anyone would think the same. The Imperial Concubine has borne two sons. Even if she is exceptionally beautiful, several years have passed. How can she possibly compare to the delicate, fresh young girls?’

’In recent years, His Majesty has been completely focused on matters of state, and the women of the harem have had too many connections to the court. It’s only natural that he would feel displeasure, aversion, and even suspicion.’

’One only needed to look at the Imperial Concubine’s own background to know that His Majesty preferred women from less prominent families.’

’But things are different now. Great Chu is assured victory against Beiming. His Majesty’s internal and external troubles are gone, leaving him with no more worries. Naturally, his attention will turn to beautiful women.’

’Consort Ming simply got lucky with her timing and is a bit clever. But after all these years, surely His Majesty has grown tired of her, hasn’t he?’

Song Yunzhao didn’t need to guess to know what others were thinking. She summoned Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan as well, and the four of them sat down for a meal together.

Princess Consort Zhuang had too much to drink. With her eyes misty with tears, she said to Song Yunzhao, "If it weren’t for you, Imperial Consort, I would not have my position as a concubine today. No matter what happens in the future, I will always be on your side."

The reasons for the Wang Family’s downfall had been complex. The Left and Right Ministers were involved, and many courtiers at court had taken the opportunity to kick the family while it was down.

Princess Consort Zhuang didn’t hate Consort Shu or the Imperial Concubine. She didn’t even blame her father for being too rash and losing imperial favor. Thankfully, his life had been spared in the end.

Compared to other families that were completely destroyed, she felt she should burn incense and pray in thanks for the Emperor’s mercy and his sentiment for old times.

She had thought her life in the palace was over, but then, thanks to the Imperial Concubine, she was restored to her position as Princess Consort Zhuang.

Princess Consort Zhuang never spoke to anyone of the bitterness or joy in her heart. Ever since the Wang Family’s fall, she had greeted everyone with a smile.

Wasn’t she suffering inside?

But it was the Imperial Concubine who had given her duties, found work for her to do, and allowed her to redirect her focus. She had given her honor and status, and even restored her lost rank.

In her heart, the Imperial Concubine’s kindness was a debt she could never repay in this lifetime.

As Princess Consort Zhuang cried, Princess Consort Wan also grew melancholic. Her own family was in a slightly better position than the Wang Family, but only by a very small margin.

Princess Consort Wan was not one for eloquent speeches. She simply raised her cup to the Imperial Concubine and said, "In the future, I will create more fragrance recipes for you."

’I’ll make money for you to spend.’

Consort Shu watched as one tearfully pledged her loyalty and the other curried favor with her skills. Then she looked at herself and fell silent.

Song Yunzhao couldn’t have been more delighted. She was truly happy today.

’If word of this got out,’ she thought, ’who would believe that I could have this kind of relationship with the Emperor’s other concubines?’

’They were supposed to be love rivals, locked in a struggle to the death.’

’But it ended up like this instead.’

In truth, the main reason things had reached this point was that the three concubines all knew the Emperor was wary of their families. Therefore, it didn’t matter whether they were beautiful, virtuous, or talented.

The moment their families sent them into the palace, they had touched upon one of His Majesty’s sore spots, sealing their fates in the harem.

If it hadn’t been Song Yunzhao, it would have been some Li Yunzhao, Zhang Yunzhao, or any other "Yunzhao."

Because they had figured this out, they understood that there was no conflict of interest between them and the Imperial Concubine. The only real obstacle had always been the Emperor’s own wariness and displeasure.

Thinking back to when they first entered the palace, they recalled being the cherished darlings of their families. They too had dreamed of winning His Majesty’s favor, bearing his children, and spending their lives by his side.

But they later came to understand that from the moment they entered the palace, such a future was impossible.

Their hearts were filled with bitterness, pain, and resentment. That was why they had made things difficult for Song Yunzhao on several occasions after she entered the palace, wanting to prove they were her betters.

Thinking about it now, it all seemed like a joke. Everything had been a result of His Majesty’s intentions. What did any of it really have to do with her?

The women drank until they were completely wasted, and each had to be helped back to her quarters.

Yun Zhao was tipsy as well. Images flashed through her mind—from her past life and this one, good and bad, happy and sad...

She knew that once Feng Yi had absolute control over the court, once this personally led campaign against Beiming had firmly cemented his imperial might in the hearts of the people, her own decline would truly begin.

When a man is at his lowest, he can make sacred vows of eternal love, his devotion seemingly endless.

But when he can do as he pleases, holds all the power, and has a world of choices before him—that is when the true test of their affection over these past few years would begin.