Chapter 328 - 131: Who Can’t Learn to Be Passive-Aggressive?

Chapter 328: Chapter 131: Who Can’t Learn to Be Passive-Aggressive?

Consort Shu’s attire today perfectly showcased her nature—lavish and proud. The three-tailed phoenix hairpin in her hair, wings spread as if about to take flight, added to her imposing air.

Princess Consort Zhuang was more understated than Consort Shu. At least the phoenix hairpin in her hair wasn’t fully encrusted with rubies like Consort Shu’s; it was merely embellished on the eyes and tail feathers.

Princess Consort Wan differed from the other two. She didn’t wear a phoenix hairpin, but a tassel gold hairpin instead. A phoenix held a grain tassel in its beak, and fine golden chains dangled by her ears, possessing a unique kind of beauty.

Song Yunzhao, of course, could not compare to the three of them. The stipend for a Jieyu was far less than that for a full consort, and she wasn’t even qualified to wear something like a phoenix hairpin.

However, Yun Zhao didn’t care about such things. She sat there with a serene expression, listening to the three concubines chat with the various madams.

Princess Zhenbei was seated near the front. Though she was a Princess Consort, she was not flamboyant or forward at the palace banquet, remaining as quiet as Song Yunzhao was at that moment.

She had often heard her daughter speak of Song Jieyu and had been curious about her for some time. The incident at Zhichun Palace, in particular, made Princess Zhenbei see this Song Jieyu in a new light. When it came to her daughter’s engagement to Ji Yunting, she had pleaded with her daughter at length, but the girl insisted on the betrothal. After what happened following the engagement, she hated Ji Yunting so much she could have ripped him to shreds.

Who would have thought that after a few words of persuasion from Song Jieyu, her daughter was actually willing to let go? For this, Princess Zhenbei was truly grateful to Song Jieyu.

Now, as she carefully observed the notorious Song Jieyu, she found her to be neither the righteous firebrand who her daughter described as standing up to injustice, nor the impossibly arrogant and domineering concubine of the rumors. She was the very opposite of the tales, which was rather interesting.

Princess Zhenbei withdrew her gaze, her eyes cast slightly downward. ’The Emperor today is not the same man he was five years ago.’ Before entering the palace, the Prince had instructed her to speak little and tread carefully. Furthermore, her nephew had married the Jieyu’s older cousin. With this connection between them, it was now even more inappropriate for her to approach Song Jieyu and strike up a conversation, lest they attract the attention of watchful eyes.

At this kind of palace banquet, everyone spoke in auspicious platitudes. No one would be so tactless as to bring up a topic that would spoil the mood. Then, someone brought up the Lantern Festival, and the crowd began to discuss it cheerfully.

The Lantern Festival had been a time for rejoicing with the common people ever since the dynasty’s founding. The very first Lantern Festival after the founding emperor established the nation, he watched the lanterns with his subjects, and an unspoken tradition was set.

Every emperor had his own style. Some liked to be surrounded by their subjects, some preferred to be low-key and understated, and some enjoyed going out in disguise.

The current Emperor was one who liked to go out in disguise. In the five years since his ascension, no one had ever seen an imperial procession on the Lantern Festival. The whole nation would be trying to figure out where the Emperor was.

So, with this year’s Lantern Festival approaching, everyone naturally brought up the topic again, wondering if the Emperor would continue his tradition of going out in disguise.

The topic sounded lively, but it was not at all friendly.

Not one of the three concubines had ever accompanied the Emperor in disguise for the Lantern Festival. The other concubines, naturally, couldn’t even dream of it.

But this year, a certain Song Jieyu had burst onto the scene. People’s minds naturally started to wander, and their words, both direct and indirect, began to put Song Yunzhao on the spot.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’Who did I offend?’ she thought. ’I was just trying to be a quiet wallflower, so how did the fire spread to me?’

Song Yunzhao lifted her eyes slightly and glanced in Consort Shu’s direction.

’What are you looking at? Looking at me is useless. I can’t help you, so you’ll have to fend for yourself.’ She was rather looking forward to watching Song Yunzhao’s predicament. It was a rare opportunity, and she’d be a fool not to enjoy the show. The only reason she wasn’t stepping in to kick her while she was down was out of consideration for their past cooperation.

Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan, in a show of perfect unspoken agreement, had effortlessly put Song Yunzhao on the hot seat.

The First Madam frowned slightly. This was not an occasion where she could speak up, so she could only watch Yun Zhao with some worry, hoping she would handle the situation gracefully and not give anyone an opening to use against her.

Qin Xiyue watched Song Yunzhao with a smile, subtly exchanging a glance with her mother before they both looked away.

Princess Consort Zhuang looked at Song Yunzhao with a beaming smile. "Song Jieyu, what are your thoughts?"

Song Yunzhao hadn’t put down her butcher’s knife to become a Buddha; she was just taking a rest. Since someone was serving their head up on a platter, she certainly wouldn’t be polite. She immediately picked her blade right back up.

She had originally thought that after entering the palace, she could just be a bystander, watching the drama unfold as the female lead battled the harem concubines in a contest of wits and courage. Just the thought of it had felt like bliss.

Who knew that somewhere along the way, she had become the Imperial Concubine whose drama everyone else was watching? This would not do.

"Consort Zhuang, your question puts me in a difficult position. Why single me out? So many new sisters entered the palace this year. You can’t show favoritism, can you?" Song Yunzhao tossed the question right back. Since Qin Xiyue wanted to watch the drama, then she’d just have to be dragged into it, too.