Chapter 722 - 500: Want to Fight Her? Bring It On.

Chapter 722: Chapter 500: Want to Fight Her? Bring It On.

She had spent the night in a drunken stupor.

The next day, Yun Zhao woke with a headache. She rallied her spirits to have breakfast with her two children, then sent Feng Ze to the small study in Taixi Hall for his lessons.

Although it was the New Year holiday, Feng Ze seemed to have matured overnight, perhaps because of the ongoing war.

With the Emperor away from the Capital City and out of the palace, her son was maturing at a rapid pace in ways she couldn’t see.

In just over a month, he had lost some of his former youthful energy and grown more mature and composed.

Especially now that the imperial selection, under the Empress Dowager’s direction, was being held with such great fanfare. Though Feng Ze was still young, he could sense that something was afoot from the changes in his surroundings.

Seeing her son change pained Yun Zhao, but she knew it was a necessary part of growing up.

She knew her son was trying to hide it from her, so she pretended not to see, continuing to be his loving mother. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

She fully supported his newfound dedication to his studies.

’No matter what happened between her and Feng Yi, her original goal would never waver. Her son had to be the final victor.’

’Love was a blessing to have, but it was no great loss if she didn’t.’

’The worst pain was having something only to lose it.’

’Feelings could be lost, but her son was a constant. His future could not be stolen away.’

’She knew she had always been a rational person—frighteningly so. If others saw this side of her, they would call her cold, faithless, and heartless.’

’So what?’

’From the moment she’d been transmigrated into the role of the villainess, she knew she was destined for a life with little room for benevolence. Whether toward others or herself, she had to guard her own boundaries.’

’Did the Empress Dowager think she could control her just like that?’

’She could dream on.’

’If the Emperor had a change of heart, she couldn’t stop him. But she could don her armor once more to ensure her son ascended the throne.’

’Anyone who tried to make her life difficult would become nothing but dirt beneath her feet!’

Feng Yun was now crawling everywhere. His favorite pastime was rolling and crawling all over, much like his older brother had at his age.

But after a few days, the novelty wore off, and the child went back to his old ways.

Unless he was poked or prodded, he could lie in the same spot for an entire day.

So, mother and son got along splendidly, as Feng Yun rarely disturbed Yun Zhao when she was busy.

Feng Ze, on the other hand, had been nothing like that. He would raise a terrible fuss, demanding her constant companionship before he’d quiet down.

"My Lady, Noble Consort Feng is here to see you," Xiangxue announced as she entered.

Without looking up, Song Yunzhao said, "Let her in."

Feng Yunjin removed her heavy cloak under the covered eaves, then stepped into the outer hall to warm herself over a smoke cage before finally entering the inner chamber.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Please, sit. There’s no one else here, so there’s no need for formalities." Song Yunzhao set down her brush and looked up at Feng Yunjin with a smile. "Shouldn’t you be at the Inner Workshop? Has something happened?"

Feng Yunjin nodded. "Shouci Palace has issued a decree. It says that with the constant stream of good news from His Majesty’s campaign this year, the imperial selection ought to be more lively and celebratory. She has ordered Zhichun Palace to be repainted inside and out, and all its furnishings replaced. Following the decree, the Inner Workshop fired a new batch of porcelain and sent it over, but the Empress Dowager was dissatisfied and sent it all back. The steward of the Inner Workshop is at his wit’s end and asked me to relay the message to you, Your Highness, and ask you to decide what to do."

Song Yunzhao’s expression didn’t change. ’This was happening more and more often. Ever since the Emperor’s victory reports started flowing back to the Capital, the Empress Dowager had been acting like she was on steroids, spoiling for a major showdown with her.’

’The Empress Dowager was taking advantage of the fact that the Emperor was away on campaign and that she, Yun Zhao, wouldn’t dare distract Feng Yi with such trivialities. That’s why she was making things difficult at every turn, constantly reminding everyone of her presence and power as Empress Dowager.’

’She had to admit, the Empress Dowager’s tactic, while nasty, was effective.’

’It was true; Yun Zhao couldn’t distract Feng Yi with such trivial matters. With Feng Yi away from the Capital, she couldn’t afford a direct confrontation with the Empress Dowager. Besides, the Empress Dowager’s high-profile antics meant someone was clearly pulling strings from behind—likely those courtiers who despised her, seizing the opportunity to dig a pit for her to fall into.’

’A single accusation of being disrespectful or unfilial toward the Empress Dowager would be enough to plunge her into a political quagmire.’

’But Song Yunzhao was no fool. Just because someone dug a trap, did they really expect her to walk right into it?’

"Tell the Inner Workshop to do as the Empress Dowager commands. However, firing a kiln of porcelain is quite costly. If the Inner Workshop’s funds are insufficient, they should ask the Empress Dowager to find a solution." Song Yunzhao sneered. ’She couldn’t attack the Empress Dowager directly and give her enemies leverage, but did they think she didn’t know how to wield a softer blade?’

Hearing this, Feng Yunjin pressed her lips into a smile. "The Imperial Consort speaks truly. The Inner Workshop is indeed vexed by the shortage of silver."

Song Yunzhao smiled as well. "Have the officials from the Ministry of Industry present the bill for the Zhichun Palace renovations directly to Shouci Palace. Consort Shu can liaise with them after. Remember, it goes to Shouci Palace first. Don’t let Consort Shu get her hands on it beforehand."

’The Empress Dowager must think the Emperor’s coffers are bottomless. It’s time she learned just how strapped for cash he is now.’

’When the Emperor left to lead the campaign, he took a large portion of the inner treasury’s silver with him. Everyone has had to spend more frugally ever since.’

’The Empress Dowager has no authority over the palace finances, so she has no idea how strained the inner treasury is right now.’

’The only reason everyone had been able to celebrate the New Year properly was because she had fronted the silver from her own private funds to cover the emergency. If she were to tighten her own purse strings now and let the Empress Dowager do as she pleased, she’d like to see if the old woman would be willing to use her own savings to maintain her grand facade.’

"Yes." Feng Yunjin took note. "In addition to Zhichun Palace, the Empress Dowager has expressed her desire to stay at Jincui Garden for a while during the imperial selection. That means Jincui Garden will also need to be prepared. The weather is still cold, so furnishings, charcoal, and other items must be fully stocked. The furnishings are one thing—there are spares in the inner treasury—but the charcoal is difficult to procure. The annual allotment for the palace is fixed. Although there’s usually a surplus kept in reserve, Meng Jiuchang took all of the extra when he left to provide for His Majesty’s needs."

Even when leading a campaign, the Emperor could not be allowed to suffer. His charcoal, clothing, and food all had to be plentifully supplied.

Song Yunzhao laughed. "Isn’t that even better? Just report the facts to the Empress Dowager as they are."

’Ah, money is truly a wonderful thing.’

Feng Yunjin understood the Imperial Concubine’s intent and said with a smile, "I will go to Cuiwei Palace at once to report this to Lady Shufei."

’With her status, it wasn’t her place to speak directly to the Empress Dowager. This task would inevitably fall to Lady Shufei and Consort Zhuang.’

Song Yunzhao nodded. As Feng Yunjin was about to leave, she stopped her. "I imagine many families on the outside are trying to get news from the palace, aren’t they?"

Feng Yunjin’s expression turned cold. "Your Highness need not worry. I know how to handle them."

"No, you don’t." Song Yunzhao’s smile was as brilliant as a spring day. "If anyone else comes inquiring in secret, you are to spread a rumor. Say that I wholeheartedly support the Empress Dowager’s initiative to select new women for His Majesty’s harem."

Feng Yunjin was taken aback. "Your Highness?"

"Just do as I’ve said. You may go."

’That bout of drinking had cleared her mind. Song Yunzhao had come to a realization. She had entered the palace at fifteen and was still only in her early twenties, in the prime of her life.’

’If they wanted a fight, they could bring it on.’