Chapter 386 - 164: None of the Song Sisters Are Easy

Chapter 386: Chapter 164: None of the Song Sisters Are Easy

Feng Yunjin’s mind raced, but her trip to Wangyou Palace was something that could be discovered with a simple investigation. So, she nodded cautiously and replied, "Yes."

"Rise." Princess Consort Wan didn’t look at Feng Yunjin again. "How is Song Zhaoyi’s health?"

Feng Yunjin slowly rose, choosing her words carefully. "I’m not discerning enough to say for sure, but Zhaoyi’s expression seemed a little haggard."

No pregnancy is easy, so it was normal to look a little haggard. But Feng Yunjin could not say more, as Princess Consort Wan was not exactly friendly toward Song Zhaoyi.

Seeing Feng Yunjin’s cautious and careful demeanor, Princess Consort Wan lost interest. "I am going for a walk. If you have no other business, Feng Xiaoyuan, you may leave."

Feng Yunjin breathed a small sigh of relief. "Take care, Your Ladyship. I shall take my leave."

Princess Consort Wan paid Feng Yunjin no mind, continuing forward with Nanny Sun’s support.

After a dozen or so steps, Nanny Sun finally spoke softly, "Your Ladyship, you needn’t worry about these things. Consort Zhuang has been visiting Shouci Palace very frequently these days. Just you wait and see."

Princess Consort Wan coughed lightly. Even under the scorching sun, she felt a slight chill in her hands and feet. She had no reaction to Nanny Sun’s words, her gaze distant and unfocused.

Seeing this, Nanny Sun grew worried. Ever since she learned of Song Zhaoyi’s pregnancy, her mistress hadn’t been herself. A minor illness had dragged on, flaring up again and again for months.

Before, the Emperor would show concern for Her Ladyship. Every time she fell ill, he would visit her personally. But this time, the Emperor didn’t come, nor did he even ask after her. How could Her Ladyship not be heartbroken?

"You told me before that Consort Zhuang wants to celebrate that Miss An’s birthday?"

Nanny Sun nodded. "Yes, that’s the rumor going around, but Zhaoyang Palace hasn’t made an official announcement yet. However, in my opinion, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Your Ladyship should make plans early."

"If Consort Zhuang holds a banquet, Nanny, send a generous gift over in my name."

"Your Ladyship?"

Princess Consort Wan waved her hand dismissively. "Just do as I say."

Nanny Sun sighed internally but didn’t dare try to persuade her further. "Yes, I will remember."

Princess Consort Wan turned and started back. After a few steps, she glanced toward Wangyou Palace. The tall palace was half-hidden by dense flowers and trees. Roufu Palace was the closest to Wangyou Palace, yet their circumstances were worlds apart.

A tickle rose in Princess Consort Wan’s throat, and she couldn’t help but start coughing. Nanny Sun quickly led her attendants forward to support her, shouting for someone to summon an Imperial Physician.

The palace attendants passing by saw the commotion and hastily moved out of the way, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire and incurring her wrath.

Being so close, it was impossible for Song Yunzhao not to hear the commotion next door. After asking Xiangxue a few questions, she remarked, "I always thought Princess Consort Wan was pretending to be sick. I didn’t expect her to be truly ill."

Xiangxue said, "Lady Wanfei was often ill in the past, and every time she was, the Emperor would always go visit her."

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised to hear this from Xiangxue. ’That was exactly how it was written in the book. Princess Consort Wan’s persona as a cool, talented beauty was all the more compelling when paired with a frail constitution.’

’That’s why I was so surprised that Princess Consort Wan was actually sick. I had been misled by what was written in the book into assuming she was only feigning illness.’

Even knowing that Princess Consort Wan was ill, Song Yunzhao had no intention of visiting. Their relationship had always been poor, and there was bad blood between them.

"Stay clear of Roufu Palace from now on," Song Yunzhao said.

’It’s better to avoid women like her. Not because I can’t afford to provoke her, but because she’d be incredibly troublesome.’

"Yes, Mistress, rest assured," Xiangxue quickly agreed.

Having asked about the matter, Song Yunzhao didn’t give it another thought. The Emperor was once again busy with the aftermath of the military drills and rarely entered the harem.

’I’m pleased about this. After all, I’m pregnant. If the Emperor entered the harem and still stayed overnight at Wangyou Palace, the faction led by the Empress Dowager would surely use it against me.’

’It’s much better for the Emperor to be busy tangling with his courtiers, with no time for the harem. A win-win for everyone.’

’Although I know the Emperor in the book is a purist who wouldn’t touch the daughters of courtiers in the harem whom he couldn’t easily control, the Empress Dowager is not acting according to her character in the book. Her intelligence has shot up, which makes dealing with her much more difficult for me.’

’So, I can’t be sure the Emperor won’t change as well.’

’Under these circumstances, maintaining the status quo is undoubtedly the best option for me.’

Inside Zhaoyang Palace, Consort Zhuang was reading a letter from home, her expression shifting indeterminately. After a long moment, she crumpled the letter into a ball and tossed it aside.

Seeing this, Rouge grew worried and asked cautiously, "Your Ladyship, are you all right?"

Consort Zhuang sneered. "The An family certainly has some beautiful dreams, wanting a marriage alliance. That bunch of useless gluttons from the Gu’en Houfu do nothing but loaf around all day, with no ambition whatsoever. The Emperor despises them. What good life could a girl from our family possibly have if she married into it?"

Rouge’s brow furrowed at her words. "But, Your Ladyship, if you refuse, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will be displeased with you. What will you do then?"

Consort Zhuang had no better solution at the moment. She could only say, "We’ll take it one step at a time. If An Shutong wants to stay in the palace, she needs help. Even if the Empress Dowager is displeased with me, she won’t voice it right now. Besides, given the current strained relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, would her days be so comfortable and glorious if I weren’t constantly flattering her?"

’This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. If the Empress Dowager insists on forcing my family to bow down, I’m no pushover.’

Hearing this, Rouge said softly, "The Empress Dowager is the Emperor’s birth mother, after all. Their relationship might be cold now, but who knows what the future holds. Your Ladyship should still leave yourself a way out."

Consort Zhuang gave a noncommittal response and looked at Rouge, asking, "How have things been at the Marquis Wuxin Mansion lately?"

At the mention of this, Rouge immediately replied, "There’s been a lot of drama at the Marquis Wuxin Mansion as well. But this time, it’s as if Song Qinghan has taken a calming pill. Last time, she caused a scene and demanded a divorce, even going back to the Song family for a few days. I don’t know what the Song family taught her, but she’s been much more subdued since returning to the Marquis Mansion."

Consort Zhuang’s brow furrowed. "How can that Yan Liu be so useless? She can’t even handle a simple matter like this?"

"Yan Liu has been deliberately provocative, but Song Qinghan has now even waived the requirement for her to pay daily respects. She just told her to focus on her pregnancy. And I heard that Song Qinghan brought a Buddha statue into the mansion and specifically built a small prayer room in her courtyard. Whenever she has free time, she goes in to chant scriptures and pray. You have to admit, as the official wife, once she closes her door and gives an order, Yan Liu, who is just a concubine, can’t do anything if she can’t even see her."

Consort Zhuang was so angry her chest trembled. "Useless thing! If she can’t see her, can’t Xu Anxing see her? Song Qinghan might not see the concubine, but does she refuse to see her own husband too?"

Rouge paused for a moment before saying, "It’s said that Song Qinghan is utterly disappointed in her husband and is, in fact, refusing to see him as well."

Consort Zhuang: ...

’Neither of the Song sisters is easy to deal with!’